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Diving in Malta – basic information for divers

Read more related information from our guide here

If you’re thinking of new places to dive, or even just to start your new diving passion whilst on holiday, the Maltese Islands are one of the options that you really should look at! We outline some of the reasons to choose diving the Maltese Islands below and include some practical tips, but we will be honest as well about the less attractive issues related to diving.

The Local Diving Industry
  • OPEN 365 DAYS: The medium and large Diving Centres are open all year round with the months between October to June being the least busy. You’d still be comfortable in a 5mm wetsuit until end December and semi-dry 7mm wetsuits will be enough for most people in the coldest months.
  • REGULATED: Licensed Diving Centres are regulated by the Malta Tourism Authority and subject to monitoring and independent quality control assessments of diving air. You’re never more than 20 minutes away from one, but most Diving Centres are in the Sliema / St. Julian’s area in the northern harbour region and Bugibba/Qawra/Mellieha zone in the North of the main island. In Gozo, they are spread around the centre – never more than a few minutes drive away! Find more information about dive centres and official list of licensed dive centres through our Diving Directory
  • BRANDS: All major brands are represented in Diving Shops and Diving Centres. Many of these have fully certified technicians by the major brands. Spares and Parts are available in stock. Servicing carried out with fast schedules.

For more diving related specifics, a few pointers:

  • Diving cylinders normally have DIN valves, but dive centres have adaptors for Yoke/International valves. Most dive centres use steel cylinders but aluminium cylinders are quite common too.
  • Rebreather divers are well served by the larger dive centres. Contacting at booking stage is advised for supplies.
  • Qualifications for rentals :Most dive centres are familiar with PADI, BSAC, CMAS, SSI, TDI and other major standards. Not all dive centres will rent equipment or do fills for independent divers they are not acquainted with. At minimum, a PADI AOW, BSAC Sports Diver, CMAS 2Star qualification is needed to be considered an independent diver qualified enough as per legal obligations to be provided with rental equipment or fills in Malta. Completing the appropriate diver medical form is mandatory (incl. evidence of medical certificate if applicable — see form attached as an annex at the end of the law here). If in doubt, get in touch early with the dive centre you intend to use.
  • Parking: Some dive sites have parking restrictions which require you to place a copy of your diving certification behind the windscreen to leave the car parked there (irrespective if a hired or your own car). Not leaving it means an almost certain €25 fine.
  • Flying in: If travelling in on the national airline, KM Malta airline, a special sports luggage fee may be obtained when booking. Kindly visit this page for more information: https://kmmaltairlines.com/en/baggage-information/sports-equipment-special-baggage/sports-baggage
  • SUN, SUN, SUN: Pack your sunscreen and a hat in summers – you need them whilst kitting up and having surface intervals or you will get sunburnt otherwise!
Challenges

There are always challenges and not as attractive points. To ensure we’re honest, we are listing most of these here.

  • FISH: Fish life is not a major reason divers choose to dive in Malta. The Mediterranean is well over fished and Malta is not an exception. Marine Protected Areas have been introduced (e.g. Cirkewwa Marine Park), but enforcement still leaves much to be desired at times when divers are not around. There are still plenty of critters around and many small fish, but be prepared not to expect large pelagic fish or mammals, although surprises do occur, such as Dolphins which have been on the increase (there was recently a lucky guy seeing dolphins underwater on his first open water course dive!!!)
  • WINTER ACCESS POINTS: In winter some access ladders are frequently lost due to storms. There is a new pledge by the authorities to keep them in place year round, but your diving centre or locals are the best at telling you where it is safe to dive due to prevailing weather and accessible at the same time. Take their advice seriously. Sudden changes of weather in August / September are not unexpected.
  • BUSY TIMES: Mornings in Summer may be very busy around the most famous diving sites. Plan early or late to avoid the rush hour and get a reasonably close parking spot close to the entry point. Remeber to place yur certification card on the Dashboard inside the car where it can be easily seen.
  • EUROPEAN PRICES: Malta is not anymore a cheap backwater. Lifestyle and Cost of Living is now more of the European Average. Instructors and guides need to get better pay (like everywhere else) and some tips to survive. Haggling is not a common practice and prices are normally fixed in advance. Support working Instructors and Guides – they need it!
  • UNLICENSED Operators: Occasionally, unlicensed instructors may offer their services illegally, especially over the internet. Make sure whoever you are dealing with is licensed (MTA website), or works in partnership with Licensed operator. Many diving centres are also members of the Professional Diving Schools Association which requires affiliated dive centres to keep to a code of conduct. Do not risk it for just a few bucks. Report any approaches to you by shady businesses to the Malta Tourism Authority.
  • BOAT TRAFFIC: Keep an eye out in high boat traffic areas. Maltese are keen boaters, but many still drive a bit too fast too near shores. Rule of thumb is that if you hear a boat sound very close, stay under the 5m mark although many dive point entrances / exits are well protected. Dive centres will normally take you to safer zones and will also provide within the dive briefing the necessary instructions. Dive boats use the “Alpha” flag to indicate the presence of divers in the water and these always maintain surface cover. It is not a local practice to drop divers and pick them up later, the dive boat stays with you and its skipper(s) keep an eye out.
  • NO LIVEABOARDS: It doesn’t make sense for liveaboards to be organised when you can stay comfortable in a hotel / apartment during your stay and enjoy some dry time wetting your lips with cold beer at the local… and still doing 3 dives per day. If you cannot hold yourself but sleep on a boat, then you might think about chartering a boat (https://maltacharters.com/ – no commissions taken, just googled it:) )!