Activities

Diving
Gozo offers some of the best diving sites, not only in the Maltese Islands, but to some extent even in the world. The island's coast displays a variety of bays, coves and sea inlets with natural caves of all shapes and sizes. In the sea around Gozo one finds an abundance of marine life and spectacular scenery all around. Divers might even be lucky to encounter some archaeological remains. They could also dive through an artificial reef in the form of a purposely-sunken ferryboat that has become one of Gozo's diving mainstays. Water visibility is most often 40 meters and sea temperatures rarely go lower than 16 degrees Celsius.

You need a permit to dive in Malta and Gozo. These cost Lm2, and the easiest way to get hold of one is via your dive school, which will provide an application form and arrange for a medical certificate. Once you are certified fit, and have handed in your application as well as proof of certification and two passport photos, your permit should arrive in two days.

For further information about diving courses, please contact Gozo Farmhouses Ltd. Click here for Diving videos.

Fishing
Gozo lies away from the heavily fished areas of the Mediterranean and spectacular catches of large fish are still made. Swordfish and Tuna are regularly caught. The speciality of the Gozitan fishermen is ‘Lampuki’ or El Dorado Fish. This gleaming jewel-like fish is caught in abundance from mid-August until the beginning of December.

Every fisherman plants his own set of up to 150 floats, on a set course, leading away from the island. Under the floats the fishermen hang bunches of palm leaves, which are an attractive shelter for the migrating fish. The floats can be up to 60 miles out and anchored in 10,000 feet of water.

Lampuki is an exciting fish to catch. Plastic squid with hooks are trolled behind the boat, which steers close to the floats. On seeing the bait, the Lampuki makes chase, its glittering body jumping out of the water. Once hooked there is quite a fight. The fish, which is caught by hand-lines, has to be swiftly and smoothly hauled in before the catch is secured.

We would strongly recommend that anyone with ‘sea legs’ takes at least one’ days outing on a fishing boat whilst on Gozo. The best season is the Lampuki Season, but it can still be a lot of fun fishing closer to the shore at any time of the year.

Wind Surfing
As Gozo is a small island it can usually provide the required weather conditions. For example, the novice can use a beach on the lee shore of the island and the expert can travel a short distance to the opposite side of the island to find stronger winds.

Snorkelling
Snorekelling is an easy means of getting a look at undersea Gozo. The best under-water scenery and the largest concentration of marine life are found along rocky shores amid boulders in the nooks and crannies. On rocky surfaces and clefts created by boulder heaps you can explore some colorful growths of soft coral. Gozo Marine life offers rich pickings such as cluster of urchins, common octopus and the amazing red starfish.

Swimming
Swimming is the easiest way to enjoy the water, not to mention cool off and have a sociable time. Apart from the beaches, you find a swimming pool in all our farmhouses except Ta’ Giovanni.

Bird watching
Gozo offers fairly good bird watching, particularly during spring and autumn months when migratory birds cross the Mediterranean. Some 320 species have been recorded here, 13 of which are resident birds. The most spectacular are the birds of prey, mainly kestrels, harriers and honey buzzards.

Rock Climbing
Gozo is an undiscovered haven for rock climbers. Cliffs gridle virtually the entire northwest coasts and there are also stretches of inland cliffs. The fact that many stretches of cliffs are uncharted makes climbing in Gozo more exciting. The recorded climbs, moreover are unbolted, a legacy honoured by the small circuit of local climbers to keep the cliffs more challenging.

Eating Out
Gozo has an outstanding range of restaurants.

From the simple to the superb, you will be pleasantly surprised at the price of all the price of all meals. For a full list of restaurants in Gozo click here.

Festivals
If there is one thing Gozitans are addicted to it is fireworks. Every tiny village on the island will have it’s own festival and firework display.

The festivals highlight strength of the community. Everyone has his or her role-play in the event that will last day and night of the entire weekend. Every street is adorned with bunting, and hundreds of brightly painted Saints create avenues to the church square.

At the frenzied peak of celebrations an effigy of the Patron Saint is carried on the shoulders towards to church. Bands play, confetti pours in to the crowds. Tremendous bangs are followed by a phantasmagoria of colour sky. The atmosphere is electric.

Few summer visitors will miss this opportunity to partake in this jocularity. There is a festival every weekend from the first Sunday in June to the second Sunday of September.