Il-Hnejja in Maltese (meaning ‘the arch’), The Blue Grotto got its English name from an British soldier who thought it looked similar to the Grotta Azzuzza (The Blue grotto) in Capri, Italy. The Blue Grotto (the Malta one, keep up) is high on tourist’s itineraries and with pretty good reason. Located near Zurrieq in southwest Malta, an area famous for its rocky coastline, the natural sea caves are very appealing. Boats leave between 9am and 4pm daily, with increased traffic during the summer months. All the boats enter under an arch into a 140ft high cave cut into the rock face. Six caves carved by the years of relentless sea pounding wait to be discovered, with the Blue Grotto the largest and most impressive. With a beautiful cobalt colour to the water, the caves sparkle with the sea’s reflection, throwing up dazzling oranges, purples and greens from the various minerals present in the rocks.

Best seen in the early morning, the grotto can become unbearably busy and by the end of a busy day engine oil is the only thing glistening in the caves, so late viewings can be a bit of a let-down, but will still leave you wondering at the magnificence of the world.

Written by  John Johnston.

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