Dwejra Bay and the Inland Sea

Dwejra lies on the far west coast of Gozo, below the village of San Lawrenz. For years its symbol was the Azure Window, a natural limestone arch over the sea. The arch collapsed into the sea in a storm on 8 March 2017 and nothing of it remains above water. Old photos and some guidebooks still show it, but there is no arch to see today.

The coast is still among the most striking in the islands. The Inland Sea is a shallow lagoon enclosed by cliffs and joined to the open sea by a natural tunnel through the rock. Fishermen take visitors on small boat trips from the lagoon through the tunnel and out along the cliffs. Out in Dwejra Bay stands Fungus Rock, a sheer islet also known as the General's Rock (Il-Ġebla tal-Ġeneral). Near the site of the old arch, the Blue Hole is a vertical shaft in the rock that opens into the sea, an internationally known dive site.

What to do here

Walk the rocky shelf between the Inland Sea and the old arch site for the views, take a boat trip through the tunnel when the sea is calm, or swim and snorkel in the deep, clear water when conditions allow. Divers come for the Blue Hole and nearby reefs; see our guides to scuba diving and snorkelling. Other sights include the Chapel of St Anne, built in 1963, and a 1652 watchtower that once guarded Gozo's western side.

• The limestone shelf is sharp and uneven; wear proper shoes, not flip-flops.
• Waves can break hard on the open coast, so swim only on calm days and away from the cliff edges.
• Combine Dwejra with the Ta' Pinu Basilica and the Cittadella in Victoria.

Dwejra is open coastline rather than a ticketed attraction; check local access notices. Come late in the day: the cliffs face west, and sunset over Fungus Rock is the best light of the day.