Fessej Rock (Black Rock)

Location of Site:
Offshore Mgarr Ix - Xini along the south shore near Mgarr harbour

Type of Dive: By boat

Condition:
Exposed to current and surge. This dive is ideal in a North Westerly wind.

Average Depth: 30 metres
Maximum Depth: 50 metres

Certification Required: 
BSAC Sports Diver, PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent

The Dive:
This is a boat dive for two reasons - the first being that you have to cross private property to get to Ta' Cenc beach, and the second being that even if you get permission it is a good snorkel out to the rock. This free standing rock just outside the mouth of the creek presents an interesting dive at various depths. Around the rock you will come across depths of around 35 metres and the shallowest rising to 15 metres.

Drop your anchor on the western side of this rock, which is the shallow part. The dive is simple. Just dive in and do the whole circumference of the rock. It will be a good idea to start the dive taking an anti-clockwise direction. This leads the dive to the deeper side of the rock where large fish like grouper, bream and free swimming fish can be sighted. The dive will gradually get shallower, where the scenery changes with more light, colourful overhangs and a lot of crevices, which are home to small fish and Octopus.