Blue Grotto (Malta)

The Blue Grotto (Maltese: Taħt il-Ħnejja) refers to a number of sea caverns on the south east coast of Malta, a short distance off the fishermen's harbour of Wied iż-Żurrieq limits of Qrendi, Malta

A tourist boat on its way to the Blue Grotto.
Water in the Blue Grotto
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in the grotto

Wied iz-Zurrieq, the blue grotto and neighboring caves, are all located within the Qrendi village confines, as per Local Council Act 1993 and a 1910 legal dispute between the villages of Qrendi and Zurrieq over their jurisdiction, ruled in favour of Qrendi.

Both the Wied iz-Zurrieq harbor and Blue Grotto sea caves are located on the coastline right opposite to the small uninhabited islet of Filfla.[1] The island now serves as a bird sanctuary.

The location of the caves, combined with the rays of sunlight, lead to the seawater mirroring and showing numerous shades of blue on the cave walls and ceilings.

Several caverns also mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora and fauna, whilst other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue.

Underwater, different colors of red, mauve, green, orange and yellow give an impressive and most welcoming picture to its visitors.

The Blue Grotto is a popular destination for tourists to the island of Malta with boat trips visiting the caves running all days of the year (weather permitting).

Scuba diving on the Um El Faroud scuttled wreck with the locality, and snorkeling on the coastline walls, together with rock climbing, are the most popular activities practiced here.

Wied iz-Zurrieq also offers some typical local restaurants serving menus and fish cuisine, backed by stunning views of the surrounding sea and landscape.

The location has been used many times by filmmakers in big screen and TV productions, namely Hell Boats,[2] Troy,[3] twenty-fifth season of The Amazing Race,[4] "Cadbury Milk Tray" chocolate adverts, and the Rai 2 travel programme Sereno Variabile, amongst other smaller commissions and photoshoots.

  • A tourist boat at the Blue Grotto.
  • As seen from inside the Blue Grotto.
  • The blue grotto as seen from above.
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References
  1. The Official Tourism Site for Malta, Gozo and Comino 30 Aug, 2009
  2. "Hell Boats (1970)". Movies Made in Malta. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  3. "ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES". Genius Loci. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  4. Field, Sonya (21 November 2014). "'The Amazing Race' season 25, episode 8 recap: Maybe we're just New Yorkers". Hypable. Retrieved 8 March 2020.

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