This summer, Ambjent Malta in collaboration with the Environmental Resources Authority installed various information boards around our coast in the vicinity of Marine Protected Areas. Two of these, covering protecting areas at Ramla l-Hamra and Comino are the below. The boards provide general information about Malta’s Marine Protected areas, QR codes to obtain more information Read More
The Times of Malta today reports about the discovery of human remains amongst the wreckage of a B-24 Liberator airplane. The plane has recently been opened for divers to visit as part of the Heritage Malta Underwater Museum technical dive sites. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) (USA) announced this news on the 31 August Read More
Another tool to help you discover Malta and Gozo’s diving sites. Divinginfo.mt recently met up virtually with the Polish creator of this app and held an interesting discussion about this project, which like us is a volunteer-led project started off with the love for diving, rather than commercial interests. Divemap.io is an interesting platform that Read More
In a post on Facebook, Raniero Borg shared a video of a large turtle encountered near the Christ the seafarer statue off Qawra Point. Raniero also added in the video the result of a bit of TLC to the statue’s face. See the post below and the video! Thanks for sharing Raniero!
In a post on Facebook, Professor Alan Deidun announced that new LED digital displays have been provided to the Dwejra Environmental Education Centre, managed by the San Lawrenz Local Council, as part of the CORALLO +SI project (Interreg Italia-Malta 2014-2020 Programme) This centre is located at Dwejra Gozo, and is a nice stop if you’re Read More
Yesterday some instructors have advised on a local group that “Thiefs are going round on the divesites again. Last days suspicious activity in the north, today broken into several cars in Xatt L’Ahmar” Divinginfo.mt did manage to speak to someone whose clients were robbed, cash was taken from their possessions. It is possible that the Read More
Following the launch of the Deep Water Xlendi Archaeological Marine Park in Gozo, we now have one of the first videos of diving at 100+ metres depth for recreational purposes at this park. It’s not exactly “a walk in the park”, but it’s a great opportunity for trained technical divers to explore another dives site, Read More
A reader’s report was received on the 18/08/2023 about a missing handrail at Reqqa Point, Gozo Issue is being flagged to Eco-Gozo Directorate which is in charge of diving infrastructure in Gozo Update 25/08/2023 Comment or Message The second handrail at Reqqa Point is still missing. For some it can be difficult to exit especially Read More
Today’s Times of Malta has published an opinion piece targeting the lethargy in the implementation of the Diving Strategy announced last year. The opinion piece, penned by Daniel Xerri and David Agius highlights the little, if any action seen related to the objectives and action points that are to be addressed by the strategy. Divinginfo.mt Read More
Reader’s contribution The 2022 document was heralded as a way forward for the dive industry on the Islands, with hopefully, lots of action taken. It was, in effect, a reprint of a document ‘The Master Plan’ many years ago and during those many years virtually nothing has been done to improve the offering that Gozo Read More
This interview published today on Maltatoday with Professor Timothy Gambin provides an insight into the reasons for declaring an underwater park 100m deep, as well as an insight into the importance and ways to appreciate our underwater heritage. A large stretch of seabed off Xlendi has just been inaugurated as a deepwater archaeological park: billed Read More
Local media today announced that yesterday evening, an official announcement was done that a stretch of sea outside of Xlendi, Gozo has been declared the World’s first Deepwater Archaeological Park. The park is also complemented by the nearby Xlendi Tower which hosts some artefacts that had been recovered from the seabed and which was also Read More
TM announced last week (apologies for reporting it late – it slipped in our emails) in Notice to Mariners 147 of 2023 that the M/V Seabourn Pursuit would be carrying out submarine training near the site of the HMS Stubborn Wreck, off St. Paul’s Islands, between the 3 and 11th August 2023. Copy of notice Read More
Today, the Ċirkewwa Marine Park announced in an advert on the Sunday Times of Malta that it is seeking companies to tender for the manufacture, supply and installation of three special marker buoys including the necessary bathymetric studies to delineate the Ċirkewwa Marine Park. (Click on link to see tender documentation) Whilst it may take Read More
Transport Malta recently issued Notice to Mariners No145 of 2023 alerting the public to danger of falling rocks at il-Hofra z-Zghira, Delimara. Attention snorkelers / free divers / spearfishermen! Always a good idea to stay well away from all cliff faces. A few months ago, other notices were issued on the same subject, which you Read More
If you’re planning a shore dive on the North side of Gozo, visiting some of the most iconic dives there such as Reqqa Point, Double Arch, Cathedral Cavern and other in the area that can be reached from shore, beware of fishing nets. Reports have been seen from divers (local and foreign alike) that have Read More
The Ċirkewwa Marine Park team has today issued the following communication on social media. Hi everyone! Since we have had the site office it has been great getting to see everyone a little bit more on a daily basis. With our new team growing and as the season picks up, we would love to invite Read More
Updated 11:30 with ADPD statement Timesofmalta.com reports that during a press conference yesterday, ADPD – the Green Party spokespersons remarked about the lack of progress on the diving strategy announced in 2022. DIvinginfo.mt a few days ago also reported on the lack of progress on action points in this strategy in this article of a Read More
It’s a busy time at the Cirkewwa Marine Park. With tourism reaching its annual peak in these days, more local divers visiting and the space being what it is, divers are forced to find alternative ways to park on site. This normally results in the middle of the inner parking to be used as ad-hoc Read More
Transport Malta, in two Notices to Mariners published on its website, announced the setting up of fairways at Mgarr ix-Xini and Xlendi. In view that in both cases the zones are also used by divers (e.g. visiting caverns at Mgarr ix-Xini and whilst crossing the bay from the Southern side of Xlendi to the northern Read More
On Tuesday 11 July 2023 four 12 litre cylinders (as per photo) were stolen off the back of a dive truck from near HMS Maori shore dive entry, along with cash from divers’ clothes. Should anyone have seen anything, or can identify any suspects, please call the police on anonymous tipping line 119. Cylinder serial Read More
divinginfo.mt has been in the last few weeks trying to identify the progress on the Objectives and action points that were announced as part of the “Developing a Sustainable Diving Industry in the Maltese Islands – A strategy for the future 2022” which had been announced on the 23 May 2022, in a glitzy press Read More
Originally published on the 15/06/2023 – additional information on 05/07/2023 Transport Malta issued a Notice to Mariners (100/2023) indicated a safety area around the crumbling Cirkewwa Lantern. We are informed that Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta are looking into this overdue issue, as the lantern has been out of commission for ages and swift action Read More
The Planning Authority has been reported to have approved the installation of an artistic statue of a headless horse at a spot which will just be over and above the Reqqa Point and Billinghurst kitting up areas. We’re pretty sure that the controversy on the installation of this statue will continue on for a bit, Read More
The below photo has been shared on the Diving Instructors social media group showing a new type of ladder (similar to that under the lantern at Ċirkewwa Marine Park), and new railings replacing the ones which were previously installed at St. Elmo Point, Marsamxett. Thanks to PDSA (with the assistance of the MTA), who commissioned Read More
NGO Żibel Shared information about a Ghost Net Removal From Xatt l-Aħmar On World Ocean Day. They also recently announced removing another net from the wreck of the SS Margit, in Kalkara Creek. On a regular basis, the NGO has also cleared off underwater sites at various locations and it’s surely a case of, hand Read More
Congratulations to Audrey Cudel for performing heavy line maintenance at Billinghurst Cave in Gozo. These lines are essential for training and possibly, to get a diver out of trouble when visiting this cavern. Dear buddies, please take care if visiting this cave to stay close, but not too close to the lines so they remain Read More
Inwadar national nature and history park has announced in a post on Facebook that the railing for divers at the entry point for Tug 10, St. Michael Tug boat and what remains of the ill-fated P33 wreck has been re-installed. Thanks to the park management for the re-installation and we hope this is retained over Read More
Updated with apology by boat owner It’s the beginning of summer, and as seen in past years, it’s still not clear whether mariners are aware of why there are yellow buoys in various spots around the coast. Many of these indicate a wreck (the yellow buoys with an “X” on top), and as per Notice Read More
Irrespective of laws stating that fishing nets are not to be used within the Grand Harbour… some “enterprising individual” placed a net on the SS Margit in Kalkara Creek which got very tangled. This historical wreck from WW2 is known for bad visibility but very nice fish life. Żibel should be tackling it in the Read More
Finally a weekend with some decent weather! A sigh of relief from divers who may have had felt the weekends to be long and boring if out of the water. This weekend’s glorious weather has seen some divers who don’t dive year round (they miss a lot – trust us!), also are getting back in Read More
The Ċirkewwa Marine Park Facebook Page announced that on Friday 2 June 2023 the facilities at the park will be closed due to scheduled works. Alternative bathrooms are available at the Ċirkewwa Ferry Terminal – so think early as it’s a bit of a walk 🙂 Post reproduced below.
Transport Malta announced on the 21 May 2023 through NTM 085 of 2023 that until further notice, there will be restrictions on use of the Fekruna Quay (St. Paul’s Bay) between 06:00 to 10:30 AM daily. Only authorised boats will be allowed. Copy of notice to mariners is reproduced below.
Transport Malta this week announced through Notice to Mariners 075 of 2023 the areas that will be considered as swimming zones during this summer from 20 May (or 30 May in some cases) until 30 September . Some of these sites intersect also with well-known shallow diving sites (e.g. Mgarr ix-Xini, Xlendi, Qawra point, Sirens, Read More
In view of recent wastewater discharges into the sea near to ic-Cumnija wastewater treatment plant, it is advisable to avoid visiting the Scotscraig wreck for the time being until these issues are sorted.
Well done for PDSA: Professional Diving Schools Association Malta and the Malta Tourism Authority for co-ordinating the placing of special marker buoys indicating the presence of wrecks for Mariners. Only one is left to be placed (Cominoland) which will be sorted in the coming days. Special reminder to mariners and pleasure boat owners, charters or Read More
Transport Malta issued Notice to Mariners 63 of 2023 advising that dredging and construction works will be carried out starting from the 26 April until 27 June 2023. This may make certain areas inaccessible. Since this breakwater is occasionally used for diving boats to depart from, kindly note and share so no one has to Read More
Article & photos reproduced from post by Frederick Galea on Facebook posted on the 21/04/2023 The history of the Spitfire wreck located off the coast of Gozo is linked to Operation Husky – the Allied invasion of Sicily (10 July 1943-17 August 1943). After the Allied victory in North Africa (Operation Torch), a decision was Read More
In May’s issue of the SCUBA Magazine, issued by the British Sub-Aqua Club and distributed globally to BSAC members and on newsstands, the Um el Faroud’s Bow stands proud and magnificent. The below Facebook post shows a picture of the front cover and other snippets shared by the article’s author. Malta is described as a Read More
We’re happy to note that further refurbishment has been carried out at the Cirkewwa changing / shower rooms. In a video shared with us the refurbishment made the rooms more welcoming and further embellished so that with the pictures hanging, divers visiting the site for the first time can get to know more what they Read More
In a week in which scores of foreign divers are flocking to Malta for one of the major events in the diving calendar in ages, the Rebreather Forum 4, and the Science Diver event which will run concurrently at the end of this week, in Gozo, a drainage overflow is affecting one of the best Read More
The as usual indefatigable Raniero & friends have struck again, this time helping out in clearing from large stones the rock pools at the Sirens diving site, St. Paul’s Bay. This a site where thousands (including divinginfo.mt’s Admin) took their first steps to learn SCUBA diving as the pools are used for basic training prior Read More
The objections of the local diving community and other environmental NGO’s seem to have hit the target, with the controversial project having now been withdrawn according to the Timesofmalta.com article published today. The site in question leads to a much frequented diving site in Gozo with one of the most famous locations, that of the Read More
Shout a big “Well done” to Brian Azzopardi, the person who takes care of the Cirkewwa Dive Site changing rooms, who in preparation for the Divers for Puttinu fundraising event and summer 2023 has done a bit of TLC. Thanks Buddy!
The Malta Airport Foundation has launched its second video about wrecks around the Maltese Islands, the HMS Maori. With a bit of history and marine biology aspects, it’s an interesting short introduction to the wreck which has introduced many divers to wreck diving. The Malta Airport Foundation had also sponsored the production of the first Read More
The HPF Ranger Unit has announced that the slope towards the Anchor Bay entry has been closed off after the storms of the recent days dislodged further the already very precarious sides. Over many years, many users of the zone have repeatedly asked for safety netting to be put on site to prevent injuries from Read More
On the 23 January 2023 Transport Malta issued Notice to Mariners 04 of 2023 – Archaeological zones at sea – Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (Consolidated list January 2023) The list includes the sites protected under the Cultural Heritage Act (CAP445). As per the notice, several conditions are required to carry out diving operations at these Read More
On the 18th January 2023, Nature Trust FEE Malta has announced its Draft Ċirkewwa Marine Park Management Plan 2022-2027. The draft was made public during an event at the starfish shaped Malta National Aquarium in Qawra which was well attended by public, with two presentation sessions having an attendance of about 100 individuals, some of Read More
The Malta Tourism Authority and Nature Trust – FEE Malta are holding an exhibition and an engagement event on the Ċirkewwa Marine Park. The event will include presentation of the Draft Management Plan for the Marine Park and will be held on the18 January 2023 at the National Aquarium between 14:00 and 20:00. For those who are interested, there Read More
HeritageMalta reported on it website that The Malta Airport Foundation is pleased to announce that it is supporting Heritage Malta’s pioneering work to declare an underwater site the world’s first deep-water archaeological park. First discovered in 1993 just off Xlendi Bay in Gozo, the site lies at 105 metres below sea level and is composed Read More
Timesofmalta.com reports that the Malta Airport Foundation has launched Submerged World, a mini-series documenting six of the Maltese islands’ most popular diveable wrecks. The six-part series kicked off with an instalment on the tanker Um El Faroud, which was scuttled 1998, becoming one of the Maltese Islands’ first artificial reefs and diving attractions. The six-minute Read More
Transport Malta announced through its notices to mariners that works are starting at two key boat dive pickup points, North Quay at Cirkewwa and at Sirens, St. Paul’s Bay. Sirens is also a popular training spot so the works may affect visibility at this site as well.Notices may be seen below. TM Notice 180/2022 – Read More
From timesofmalta.com Diving in Gozo is one of the main pillars of the Gozitan tourism sector. According to the Malta Tourism Authority, 20 per cent of foreign tourists who remain overnight in Gozo practice diving during their stay. This vital tourism resource has come a long way to establish itself as a leading contributor towards Read More
A short history… After a four and a half year wait, the M/T Hephaestus, a 61m long tanker has been “wrecked” for a second time, this time permanently, at Xatt l-Aħmar in Għajnsielem, Gozo, on the 29th of August 2022. The M/T Hephaestus originally became a known name around the Maltese Islands after it was Read More
From visitgozo.com Gozo’s appeal as a holiday destination has many facets. Gozo diving is one of them and it is an area that opens up the realm of aquatic underwater adventures that leads to the discovery of treasures of the deep. Everybody can enjoy snorkelling, but if you’re after more magic, you need to consider Read More
The Gozo Tourism Association among its budget proposals, made the following calls: Furthermore, the Gozo Tourism Association believes that the environmental planning subject is not necessarily connected on land use only, but should encompass also the coast and surrounding seas. Our coastal waters and the marine life therein form part of our environment as well, Read More
From the Times of Malta The grandson of a wartime Royal Navy lieutenant commander has dived to the sunken submarine where his grandfather served and left behind a poignant gift – a bottle of the seaman’s own blend of whisky. Nick Christie’s grandfather George was second in command of HMS Stubborn, an S-class submarine that Read More
A shoutout to Raniero Borg and his buddies for cleaning up the underwater Christ statue off Qawra Point. Good time to take some pics, and visit what’s left of the Imperial Eagle wreck nearby!
Fancy seeing what’s up near Rozi? The Cirkewwa Marine Park has announced that the live underwater camera has been installed, and it will soon be livestreaming online. You’ll be able to check visibility before your dive, or otherwise, to see your dear family and friends waving at you underwater, and maybe… maybe… for the non-divers, Read More
From Notices to Mariners -TM
Transport Malta has issued a new Local Notice to Mariners (110/2022) with reference to notice 108/2022) which we covered in this post. This states that apart from Anchor Bay and Santa Maria Caves, Ras Il-Hobz may also be used for filming in case of unfavourable weather conditions.
From Transport Malta’s Local Notice to Mariners Filming will be carried out between Sunday 10th July 2022 to Tuesday 12th July (possibly even 13th). If planning dives in the areas mentioned, be aware as you might need to change diving plans.
From Transport Malta Local Notices to Mariners Transport Malta is notifying mariners (that includes diving boats) that there will be some Submarine Training near to HMS Stubborn between July2 and July 14. A safety zone of 200m must be kept. It is unclear if diving will be allowed on HMS Stubborn. A copy of the Read More
From Heritage Malta Ghost nets recovered from Heritage Malta’s submerged sites have been upcycled into bracelets and keychains, thanks to a collaboration between the German company Bracenet and Heritage Malta’s Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (UCHU). In 2020, the UCHU, in collaboration with the local ATLAM Subaqua Club, initiated a number of net removal dives. To Read More
From Maltatoday There are over 300 fish species and endless varieties of other marine species inhabiting the Central Mediterranean region, and nature enabled those organisms to develop mechanisms that aid in their survival and evolution, to catch food and defend themselves against predators. Dr David James Sammut, author of a two-part article ‘Dangerous creatures of Read More
Have you encountered a case of a dive site with/out ladders, needing some maintenance, illegal fishing, illegal activities, etc? In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, divinginfo.mt will try to make your voice heard and action to be taken where possible with the relevant authorities. Contact us using the contact feature below and/or FB messenger Where Read More
From Times of Malta Scuba divers who have been visiting the island’s underwater dive sites for decades are noticing a dramatic decline in fish populations. Seasoned divers who have been inside every marine cave for many years say today’s underwater life is nowhere as glorious as it used to be. “I have a Dutch friend Read More
From Timesofmalta.com The diving community in Gozo has joined the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in strongly objecting to a proposal for the creation of new salt pans at Xwejni Bay, on the north-eastern coast of the island. The applicant, Tereża Refalo, through her architect, Saviour Micallef, applied for a permit to create salt pans, construct Read More
Zibel announced another cleanup on Saturday the 4th of June 2022
From the Times of Malta Scuba divers and salt farmers are at loggerheads over the right to access parts of Gozo’s north coast ahead of a key season for both industries that are crucial to the island’s economy. Divers, who make up more than a fifth of all tourists to Gozo each year, say they Read More
From Times of Malta Seashore ladders at Malta’s top diving sites will no longer be removed in winter, as the island plans on boosting its recreational scuba diving industry and making up for losses inflicted by the pandemic. The authorities will also look into ensuring the availability of parking spots close to diving sites and Read More
In 2015 the Malta Airport Foundation sponsored the production of a documentary about the relatively unknown underwater habitat surrounding the protected island of Filfla. The 30-minute documentary is the latest instalment in a series being produced by an award-winning team for ‘The Panacea Project’ and is intended to promote a message of conservation. The documentary Read More