Dwejra Beach

From Victoria, it's a 20-minute drive by car or a 25-minute hourly bus ride. Free parking is available above the site, though it fills quickly in peak season — arrive early in summer. To reach the open sea from the Inland Sea lagoon, small boats run daily through the rock tunnel (weather permitting), a 15-minute crossing that's the site's signature experience. There is no entry fee to access the area.

The Inland Sea lagoon is the natural starting point — take a boat trip through the tunnel to the open sea for a perspective on the cliffs that you simply can't get from land. The former Azure Window site, just 200 metres away, is worth visiting both for its geological drama and as a reminder of how quickly nature reshapes itself. Fungus Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral), 300 metres offshore, carries real historical weight — it was once a protected source of a rare plant used as medicine by the Knights of Malta. Divers and snorkellers will find the underwater arch site at Il-Ħofra tal-Bidwin, 500 metres away, among the most rewarding dives in the Maltese Islands.

The Azure Window restaurant, 400 metres from the site, is the closest option for a meal with a view of the area. Rangers Snack Bar and Il Kunvent are both around 1.9 kilometres away if you want something more substantial after a dive. Jeffrey's and Salulna's, each about 2 kilometres out, round out the local options — none of them are on the water's edge, so pack snacks if you're planning a long day at the rocks.

Ta' Majsi, 1 kilometre from Dwejra, is the closest place to stay and puts you well ahead of day visitors in the morning. Villagg ta' Sbejha, Ta' Kalamjia, and Ta' Sbejħa Village are all around 1.7 kilometres away and offer a cluster of farmhouse-style options typical of rural Gozo. Ta' Leli Farmhouse, 1.8 kilometres out, is another solid base for exploring the western coast.

The collapsed Azure Window site is most dramatic at sunrise, when low light rakes across the limestone and the sea glows beneath the remaining cliffs — position yourself on the rocky platform above the former arch for the widest frame. Fungus Rock photographed from the Inland Sea lagoon entrance, with the tunnel mouth in the foreground, gives a layered shot that captures the site's geological depth; late afternoon light works best from this angle.

Fungus Rock is a protected nature reserve — landing on it is strictly prohibited, no exceptions. Diving in the marine reserve zone is subject to specific regulations, so check with a licensed local dive operator before entering the water. The boat trip through the rock arch is weather-dependent: avoid it entirely during westerly swells, and be aware that strong currents can occur at the arch opening. Stay well back from the edges around the Azure Window collapse site — the rock is unstable and the drop is unforgiving.