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Visiting the Blue Grotto in Malta: History, Facts and Tips

The Blue Grotto is one of the most famous landmarks and attractions in the entire country of Malta – and for good reason. If you have seen a TV show picturing the crystal clear waters or a postcard of the craggy caves, it is no wonder tourists flock here from all over the world. Tours to the Blue Grotto depart from the tiny village of Wied Iz-Zurrieq, running frequently and taking only 20 minutes from the departure point. 

Let鈥檚 find out a little more about how to visit the Blue Grotto and interesting facts about this popular hotspot!

History of the Blue Grotto 

Blue Grotto, Malta – By Joonas L. – [1], CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1862486

But how did the blue Grotto come to be? The caves are made of limestone formations that naturally formed hundreds of years ago. The Grotto features precious flora and fauna that re essential to marine life and the environment. Plants and animals can be seen through the various tours and boat trips, catching glances at creatures like jacks, octopus, and morays. 

In the past, the Blue Grotto has even been used for movies and TV shows, starring in films such as Troy, The Amazing Race, and Sereno Variabile. 

How to get to the Blue Grotto

A tourist boat at the Blue Grotto – By Bengt Nyman – originally posted to Flickr as IMG_1284, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12312151

Boat Trips 

One of the best ways to really get a comprehensive view of the caves is by taking a boat trip. Luckily for tourists who are only spending a few days in Malta, these boat tours are usually available every single day and take only 20 minutes! Plus, you can really feel like you are going on an authentic boat ride, since the tours are in a traditional Maltese fishing boat with knowledgeable fishermen who have fished in these waters for dozens of years. 

Driving 

The next way to visit the Blue Grotto is to drive your own car/rental car. Head towards the seaside village of Zurrieq and follow the signs to the Blue Grotto. It seems simple – and it is! Even if your online data is not working and your car does not have a GPS, the Blue Grotto is well sign-posted.

Public Transportation

Another option for visiting the Blue Grotto on a budget is taking public transportation. Even though public transit is typically more time-consuming and requires more planning, it can help you save a few bucks and it is still relatively simple. There are five main bus routes to the Blue Grotto:

• Valletta Terminus to Blue Grotto Route 74 – Get off at 鈥淧anorama鈥� stop
• St. Julian鈥檚, Paceville, Silema and Gzira 13, 14, 15, and 16 to Valletta Terminus
• Bugibba to Blue Grotto 186 – Change bus in Rabat to route 201
• Cirkewwa/Mellieha Route X1 or 41, 42, 49 or 250 – Change at airport or Valletta
• Airport to Blue Grotto 201 – Get off at 鈥淧anorama鈥� stop

Tips on Visiting 

As seen inside from the Blue Grotto – By Bengt Nyman – originally posted to Flickr as IMG_1253, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12312149

Now that you know how to get to the Blue Grotto, you need to keep in mind a few tips that will make your experience more enjoyable. 

• Off the beaten path – Consider taking the high-level path to leave the stream of tourists behind you. Once you get off the last bus stop, follow the path to the cliff to get a birds-eye view of the Blue Grotto.
• Don鈥檛 need to bring snacks – During your Blue Grotto trip, you don鈥檛 need to worry about bringing snacks. There are plenty of affordable restaurants close to the boat trip departure point.
• Plan accordingly – If you are taking public transportation to the Blue Grotto, keep in mind that Route 74 and 201 only stop once every hour. 

Can you swim and snorkel in the actual Blue Grotto? 

The grotto from outside – By Frank Vincentz – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35686096

One of the main questions that tourists have when visiting the Blue Grotto is whether they can swim, snorkel, or dive in the crystal blue waters. Getting in the water within the actual Blue Grotto is much more challenging than swimming in the surrounding areas, due to the following reasons: 

• The Blue Grotto boat tours do not allow extra time for snorkeling, diving, or swimming, so you can鈥檛 go during the tour. The only other option to visit the Blue Grotto to allow time for water activities would be to charter a private boat for the day.
• Snorkeling within the grotto might be too risky due to the frequent tourists in the area.

Group Tours

The other alternative tourists have if they really want to get in the beautiful water is to join one of the group dives in the local area. We recommend checking out the 鈥淏lue Grotto Dive Site鈥�. Even though this drive is actually 1 kilometer away from the actual Blue Grotto, this dive site is safer due to the lack of boat traffic and contains many more marvels. The Blue Grotto Dive Site features the Um El Faroud boat wreck, a very popular dive site among experienced divers who enjoy exploring the 3,147-ton tanker wreck. 

Other dive locations that are possible via tour include the East Reef of Wied iz-Zurrieq or the West Reef. The East Reef Is known for its marine wildlife and aquatic animals, whereas the West Reef features drop-off underwater cliffs, ledges, and varying terrain.