Coral Lagoon

The Coral Lagoon, known locally as Dragonara or Ta' Fra Ben cave, is a sea cave near Armier whose roof has fallen in, leaving a circular pool of deep clear water in the rock with an arch connecting it to the open sea. Boats come in through the arch, and swimmers jump from the rim, which is several metres above the water. It has become heavily photographed and is now a fixture on boat tours of the northern coast.

The landscape

• The collapsed roof - a circular pool open to the sky inside the rock.
• The sea arch - the opening connecting the pool to the open water.
• The clear water - deep blue water in the enclosed pool.
• The boat entry - small boats passing through the arch into the lagoon.

When to go

May to October for swimming and calm boat conditions. Mornings are quietest before the tour boats arrive. Rough seas close the arch to boats.

Before you go

The access track is rough and the final approach is over uneven rock with no path. Jumping in is popular but climbing out is difficult without a rope or ladder. Boat tours crowd it through the middle of the day.

Nearby

Armier is nearby, and Mellieha is south.