Calypso Tunnel Diving
Calypso Tunnel is a cave and reef dive on the north coast of Gozo at Xwejni Bay. It is also called Calypso Cave, Triple Arch and Triple Arch Reef. The site lies offshore from the north-eastern side of Xwejni Bay and follows the edge of a reef that is an underwater extension of the headland.
The dive is centred on a collapsed cavern and the openings in the reef wall. The route reaches a large cave through narrow horizontal cracks, then continues towards the spectacular arch system. The site combines a reef wall, cave, rock formations and deeper water, making it an advanced dive.
Getting to Calypso Tunnel
The dive guide shown in the Gozo diving book places the site approximately 150 metres offshore from the north-eastern side of Xwejni Bay. One shore route uses visual transits: swim out in line with the White Butte and the large boulder on the beach with the building behind it. The reef drop-off is encountered at around 16 metres.
An alternative shore approach is to swim towards the north-eastern corner of the reef on a heading of approximately 040°, then continue underwater for about 15 minutes until the holes near the reef edge are reached.
The site can also be reached by boat. From shore, the swim is significant, so air consumption and the return route must be considered before entering.
The Calypso Tunnel and Cave
The site appears to have once been a cavern whose reef wall subsequently collapsed, leaving a narrow bridge or archway between two openings. The dive route descends towards an exit opening at approximately 30 metres.
Above the cavern are two narrow horizontal cracks in the reef wall. The guide places one at approximately 21 metres and describes continuing down towards an exit around 32 metres at the bottom of the reef wall.
Inside and beyond the cave, the rocky and sandy seabed continues deeper. The book's dive profile is marked 15–50 metres, while the seabed beyond the reef is described as continuing towards approximately 50–70 metres with large rocks in the distance.
Triple Arch
The cave emerges in front of a spectacular natural arch system, giving the site its Triple Arch name.
Reef Wall
The dive follows an underwater extension of the Xwejni headland, with a vertical reef wall and deep water beyond.
Two Cracks
Narrow horizontal openings in the wall occur at approximately 21m and 30m and lead into the cave system.
Deep Seabed
Beyond the wall the sandy and rocky seabed continues into much deeper water, beyond normal recreational limits.
Depth & Dive Profile
Current Gozo diving information gives Calypso Tunnel an average depth of around 30 metres and a maximum of 40 metres or more. The dive book gives a broader profile of 15–50 metres and describes deeper seabed beyond the main reef.
The route includes a reef drop-off around 16 metres, cave openings at approximately 21 and 30 metres, and an exit around 30–32 metres. A separate large cave to the west is described with a bottom around 47 metres.
This is not a shallow introductory cave dive. The depth, cave environment, navigation and potential current make appropriate training, gas planning and experience essential.
Marine Life
The reef and cave system provides habitat for Mediterranean marine life. Dive references for the site list dusky grouper, scorpionfish, amberjack, moray eel, common octopus, starfish, tuna, Mediterranean damselfish and saddled bream.
The combination of reef wall, cave and open-water surroundings means the character of the dive can change with visibility, current and sea conditions.
Calypso Tunnel, Calypso Cave and Triple Arch
These names refer to the same general dive site at Xwejni Bay. Calypso Tunnel is the name used by e-Malta and Visit Gozo, while Calypso Cave and Triple Arch are also widely used for the site.
It should not be confused with Double Arch, another nearby Xwejni Bay dive site. Double Arch is a separate reef and arch formation.
Photographs
Calypso Tunnel / Triple Arch at Xwejni Bay.
Triple Arch and the cave system at the Calypso Tunnel dive site.
Add an underwater Calypso Tunnel photograph.
Suggested filename: calypso-tunnel-3.jpg
More photographs of Calypso Tunnel and Triple Arch will be added as the site is documented.
Location
Calypso Tunnel is off Xwejni Bay on Gozo's north coast, approximately 100–150 metres offshore depending on the reference point and route.
Location & Map
The published position used by e-Malta for Calypso Tunnel is 36.0824° N, 14.2532° E.
Calypso Tunnel Gozo – Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Calypso Tunnel in Gozo?
Calypso Tunnel is on the north coast of Gozo, offshore from Xwejni Bay. The published position is approximately 36.0824° N, 14.2532° E.
What is Calypso Tunnel also called?
The site is also known as Calypso Cave, Triple Arch and Triple Arch Reef.
Is Calypso Tunnel a shore dive?
Yes. The site can be reached from the shore, although the swim is significant. It can also be dived by boat. The shore route requires careful planning for air consumption and the return to Xwejni Bay.
How deep is Calypso Tunnel?
The current published figures give an average depth of about 30 metres and a maximum of 40m+. The dive book describes a 15–50m dive profile and much deeper seabed beyond the main reef.
Where are the cave entrances?
The reef wall contains narrow horizontal cracks at approximately 21 metres and 30 metres. The route then enters the larger cave system and continues towards the arch.
Is Calypso Tunnel suitable for beginners?
No. The site is classified as an advanced dive. Depth, overhead sections, navigation, gas consumption and possible current all need to be taken seriously.
How long does the dive take?
The dive book gives approximately 40–70 minutes for the dive. Actual duration depends on the route, depth, breathing rate, gas supply and conditions.
What can you see at Calypso Tunnel?
The main attractions are the reef wall, cave, narrow cracks, natural arch formations and deeper reef. Marine life can include grouper, amberjack, moray eel, octopus, scorpionfish and other Mediterranean species.
What are the coordinates for Calypso Tunnel?
The published coordinates used by e-Malta are 36.0824° N, 14.2532° E.
Nearby Gozo Dive Sites
Xwejni Bay
The shore access area and a separate shallow reef and rocky-passage dive site.
Double Arch Reef
A separate Xwejni Bay reef and arch dive, nearby to Calypso Tunnel.
Anchor Reef
Anchor Reef / Landslide Reef lies roughly 0.9 km west of Calypso Tunnel.
Reqqa Point
A major north-coast Gozo reef and wall dive further west along the coast.