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| Ready to visit the Blue Grotto |
Tina Picotes has just arrived to Malta to join Joseph de Ca'th Lon and The Grandma in Corto Maltese's searching. Corto Maltese is a great sailor and the three friends have decided to sail along the Maltese coast and visit one of the most beautiful places around the world to look for new clues: The Blue Grotto.
The Blue Grotto, in 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.
The Blue Grotto is located on the southern coast of Malta, west of Wied iz-Zurrieq facing the little deserted islet of Filfla. The site got its name from a British soldier who thought that since the area looks like the Grotta Azzurra in Capri, it deserves the same name, and in fact Blue Grotto is the equivalent for Grotta Azzurra in English.
The site is extremely popular, attracting some 100,000 tourists per year, also for diving purposes. The location of this fascinating natural grotto combines with sunlight and the surrounding chain of caves to reflect the phosphorescent colours of the submerged flora and the deep dark shade of blue of the sea.
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| The Grandma is arriving to the Blue 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.
Some caves, including the Blue Grotto, which is the biggest cave in the area, can be reached by boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq, from where you can also enjoy superb views of Filfla and the surroundings. The water can be rough but the boatmen know the area well, so your safety is ensured.
More information: Pizza Travel
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. The island now serves as a bird sanctuary.
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| Tina Picotes in the Blue Grotto |
There is a massive arch (over 30m) and a system of sixcaves that were created by centuries of persistent action of the waves and the elements.
The sky reflects the white sandy seabed, giving off a bright cobalt colour while the caves mirror the orange, purple and green off the minerals in the rocks.
This particular spectacle of colours can be seen daily from sunrise until around one in the afternoon, and together with the white froth of the waves hitting the cliffs, the Blue Grotto presents exceptional photographic backgrounds.
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.
More information: Pinterest
Several caverns also mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colours of the underwater flora and fauna, whilst other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue.
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| Joseph de Ca'th Lon is leaving the Blue Grotto |
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.
A visit to the Blue Grotto is a must; however, the site can get extremely busy during summer. To enjoy the caves at their best, go early in the morning when the sun is lower in the sky and the sea is calmer. In case that the water’s too rough, or you don’t have enough time for a boat trip, there is a viewing platform on the road leading to site, where you can also enjoy this natural wonder.
More information: Viator
The sea, once it casts its spell,
holds one in its net of wonder forever.
Jacques Yves Cousteau
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