Malta’s all year round good weather makes it a perfect place for lovers of outdoor sports and adventure activities. Especially Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, has become an expert on adventure sports with a wide variety of options to choose from.
Let’s have a look at the 5 top adventure activities on Gozo Malta!
Gozo Malta: 5 Top Outdoor Adventure Activities
The adventure actually already starts on the ferry between the harbour in Malta and Gozo. It’s only a 25 minute ride, but you’ll have great views over the clear waters and can mentally prepare for all the adventure awaiting you…
Today, the Gozo channel ferry has 3 modern ships that carry 3 million passengers to the other side annually, but in the past people had to light a fire to signal the boat owners in Gozo that they needed a ride.
Until 1960, the ferries were also much smaller traditional boats. The ‘Gozo Boat’ was painted in green, blue, red and yellow. Black boats carried the dead. The boats were also decorated with the eye of Horus to protect them from evil.
The Ferry arriving on Gozo
1. Diving
Malta has natural harbours and bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs and reefs and there is an underwater world of diving sites a stone’s throw away from one another.
Unfortunately I have Asthma and am not able to dive myself, but it sounds perfect. You can dive in Malta all year round as the ocean is about 18 degrees Celsius on average and visibility is about 30 meters!
For more information on Diving on Gozo and enquire about prices, check: gozoadventures.com/…diving-in-gozo-and-malta
Divers practicing in Dwerja Bay
2. Hiking
To really appreciate the beauty and unique character of the island, stray a bit of the tourist track, for example by exploring the rugged landscape and spectacular coastline on foot.
Gozo is great for hiking as the island is covered in tracks and lanes. While it’s not always easy to find the signs for your route (they should be there though!), I would advice downloading or picking up a copy of the wonderful Walk Booklets by Visit Gozo. They’ve got a series of 8 walks, including a map and background information on the places you visit.
Download the walks here: visitgozo.com/…/country-walks-rambling
More info on guided hiking tours: gozoadventures.com/…/hiking-in-gozo-and-malta (Our guide Mark was an ex-marine, so we were sure not to get lost :))
There are signs, but not that many…
3. Cycling
Biking on Gozo is becoming more and more popular and is definitely not a boring activity! With Gozo’s rugged landscape and the characteristic three hills, you need to be quite fit to take a biking tour here, especially in the hot summer months. Don’t forget to bring water and wear proper shoes!
Follow the signs of the SIBIT project (Sustainable Interregional Bike Tourism). This new scheme runs jointly with Sicily to create a network of bicycle routes and ‘Bike Hotels’ across the two islands. On Gozo it runs around the entire coast, through 14 different villages.
Whether you choose to rent a bike or go on a guided biking tour, Gozo offers a scenic route with picturesque valleys with stunning views and prehistoric temples and other places of interest.
Rent a Bike: visitgozo.com/…/bike-rentals
Biking Tours: visitgozo.com/…/bike-tours
4. Boat Rides
One of the best ways to see the island of Malta is by boat and you have several options to see the stunning coast line! We found a very cheap option in Dwerja Bay (Game of Thrones location!), for just 4 Euro you could go on a calm, 15 minute boat trip through a cave and around the rocks to see the Azure Window up close. Not very thrilling, but I thought it was definitely worth it!
Update 2018: The Azure Window has unfortunately collapsed into the ocean in 2017. Tragic!
Take a short boat trip in Dwejra
Azure Window before it collapsed
Another option is to head over to Xlendi bay, a popular spot for adventure activities on Malta’s Gozo:
We took a boat trip from Xlendi Bay to Comino Bay with Xlendi Bay Water Sports. Owner Louis was very friendly and although the water was incredibly choppy (like: flying out of your seat at every wave), our driver did his best not to throw us overboard (and not to laugh at us too hard – we (ok I) screamed a lot). Because we got quite some water on board, I can advice to bring a dry bag (see bottom of this post) with you to keep your bag/camera in, as the boat doesn’t really have a dry option for storage.
More information and bookings: xlendicruises.com
Another option for boat trips: gozoadventures.com/…boat-trips-in-gozo-and-malta
Boat Ride from Xlendi, with choppy weather not for the faint-hearted!
Comino Bay, you can make a stop here and go snorkelling
5. Kayaking
Kayaking is always one of my favourite things to do and we took a great tour with Gozo Adventures along the North coast of Gozo. While our tour was only 2 hours, I was absolutely shattered at the end (didn’t have lunch yet, so I would advice eating more than just a light breakfast), but it was great to do. Our guide Ben was a skilled instructor and had a lot of fun showing us the island and even a secret cave!
All your Kayak options: visitgozo.com/…/kayaking
Xlendi Water Sports: Many Options…
… and always busy
Kayaking with Gozo Adventures
As you can see, there are so many options for adventure activities on Gozo Malta! I haven’t even listed jet skiing, abseiling, segway, horse riding, quad biking and scuba diving, but there really is something to do for everyone. If you’re looking to get active on your holiday, Gozo is a great place to go to for you!
Or when you’re not feeling as adventurous… just take it SLOW! That’s alright too!
Gozo Location:
Visiting Malta Soon? Don’t Miss These Articles:
- Game of Thrones Locations Malta and Gozo: See Them All With This Extensive Guide!
- 25X Beautiful Door Photos on Gozo, Malta: A True Window to the Soul of the Island!
- 40x Doors and Windows on Malta’s Sister Island Gozo: Slow Travel at its Best!
- Local Food Malta And Gozo: A Peak Inside The Delicious Maltese Kitchen
- 20x Windows and Doors on Malta: See the True Beauty of Valetta & Mdina by Walking Through the Streets!
- Palazzo Falson in Mdina: Have a Peek into Malta’s Noble Past
Disclaimer: I visited Malta as part of the #MaltaIsMore campaign, organised by the Malta Tourism Authority and iambassador. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own.
10 Reasons Malta Should Be on Your Gay Travel Bucket List
Sunday 8th of April 2018
[…] options to choose from. There are two main kayaking tour companies to show you around the island: ‘Kayak Gozo’ and ‘Gozo Adventures’. You can choose between a short paddle along the North Coast of Gozo, or go for a half day, or even […]
Dennis L. Ward
Sunday 11th of June 2017
Thanks for posting that. Sounds like gozo malta is a great place to visit and enjoy the tour. I'm planning to visit gozo next year.
Nienke Krook
Sunday 11th of June 2017
It's definitely a great place to visit and I'm sure you'll have a great time Dennis!
Jordan nyle
Sunday 23rd of April 2017
Gozo is an amazing place no doubt about that
Nienke Krook
Friday 5th of May 2017
agree Jordan!
Carah
Friday 27th of January 2017
Wow you have snapped some awesome photos around Gozo. I agree tho, by bike and by boat are two of my favorite ways to travel around and discover more of Malta and Gozo :)
Nienke Krook
Thursday 9th of February 2017
Thanks! Gozo is an amazing place, totally agree!
Natasha
Friday 14th of October 2016
Hey Nienke Your post is just amazing. Earlier i wasn't aware about Malta but just because of your post i came to know. Right now m in Malta and as per your advises i choose the boat ride. Thank you so much....
Nienke Krook
Tuesday 1st of November 2016
That is so great to hear Natasha! We hope you had an amazing time in Malta!! Happy Travels!