The Maltese Islands’ clear blue Mediterranean sea is ideal for scuba diving. All three Islands offer some unique diving experiences with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks that make diving here some of the most interesting in the Mediterranean.
Diving in Malta. The calmness and clarity of the sea makes for excellent visibility whilst the risk of encountering dangerous fish is extremely low, creating the ultimate conditions for first time divers and beginners. For the more experienced divers, there are plenty of challenging dives to choose from.
The depths of the dives vary, from the very shallow 12-metre Għar Lapsi dive to Lantern Point, with its underwater tunnel leading down to well over 50 meters.
Gozo is renowned throughout the Mediterranean as a top dive resort, with truly unique dive sites and numerous diving schools equipped to teach beginners through to highly skilled technical divers. In the past, youngsters aged 10 and over were only allowed to submerge to depths of between 1 to 2 meters. However, Gozo Adventures now run a ‘Mini B Dive’ experience giving youngsters of this age the chance to genuinely experience diving.
Divers who wish to dive unaccompanied are required to have a buddy as well as to present a PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent certification by other agencies (e.g. CMAS Two Star Diver, BSAC Sport Diver, SSI Advanced Open Water, etc). It is always recommended to check with the diving center as to where would be suitable to dive, depending on weather conditions and experience.
The long track record of the diving industry here, coupled with safe, clear waters – there are no tides and few strong currents – makes the Islands ideal for first-timers and novice divers. Most centers offer long weekend taster course or beginners’ dives to give you a feel for what’s involved. Tuition starts on land, followed by a pool orientation session before your first sea dive of around 30 minutes.
Cornil from Gozo Adventures says: “Our ‘Mini B Dives’ dives are based at Xwejni Bay where it’s shallow, so on their initial dive we check they are OK using the equipment to breathe under the water. Afterwards, we’ll go further down the bay and the youngsters will do a proper dive of up to 4-5 meters using their Mini B kit. It’s a great introduction for them and for the parents, we can take a whole family out together and that’s what makes it so special.”
The next level, usually a four-day course, combines shore-based instruction with up to six open water dives with the instructor. To gain an entry-level diving qualification you will need to spend more time, up to six days. Check with individual dive centers for details and prices.
Experienced, qualified divers can rent equipment and dive, so long as they are accompanied. Qualified instructors can take their own groups diving in Malta.
