Malta Dive Sites| Diving Holidays In Malta

The waters surrounding Malta, Gozo and Comino islands are incredibly clear, and visibility is excellent hence making diving in Malta a superb experience. There are some unique breathtaking natural features to explore in the Mediterranean Sea, and the seabed surrounding Malta is the final resting place for a number of shipwrecks which are now conservation sites. Because there are so many dive sites in Malta in such easy reach of one another, a diving holiday in Malta is a great addition to every explorer’s bucket list.

You can either check out some of the popular bays and safely snorkel in shallower waters, or go deep sea scuba diving with a guided tour. You’ll be able to find a dive site or tour that suits your ability and your access to diving equipment.

Malta Diving Spots

The Um el Faroud in Wied Iż-Żurrieq is the most popular one where one can explore an oil tanker measuring around 115 meters.  Besides the tanker you will also be able to enjoy some interesting marine life that resides around it. This dive is best to be done with an experienced local diver.

On the other hand, Qawra Reef in Qawra is ideal for beginner divers, although advanced divers can take more challenging routes.  There are several caves underneath the reef, great for those who want to explore the vast marine life present.

Other conservation areas worth exploring in Malta include Tug St. Michael, Tug 10 in Marsaskala; the Imperial Eagle off Qawra Point; Rożi, P29 off Ċirkewwa and Blenheim Bomber off Xrobb l-Għaġin.

There is a wide choice of boat dives  around the Maltese Islands, out to caves and lagoons that are otherwise unreachable. Boat trips are one of the best ways to reach the shipwrecks, including the Imperial Eagle, a sunken Maltese ferryboat with a nearby sunken statue of Jesus Christ, blessed by the pope to protect Maltese fishermen.

Comino Diving Spots

Comino is home to a set of ten natural caves known as the Santa Maria Caves. The caves make a unique diving spot for all abilities and are made up of wide underwater tunnels and swim-through spots. Some of the caves are only half filled with water, so are ideal for snorkelling and spotting sea life.

For beginners, the Blue Lagoon is a beautiful bay for sea swimming and snorkelling and is one of the most popular places in Malta.

Gozo Dives

Reqqa Reef off Reqqa Point in Gozo is a shore dive with areally interesting landscape and is perfect for scuba diving. There is a huge amount of marine life to see there including natural sponges, lobsters, rays and barracudas.

The Inland Sea is the most popular in Gozo and is often described as “spectacular” due to the beautiful natural lighting effects. The Inland Sea provides tunnel and wall dives filled will sea life including octopuses.

Where to find guided dives, boat dives and diving courses in Malta

Some dives in Malta are quite challenging and should only be booked as a guided dive with a professional dive centre, for example The Billinghurst Cave dive in Gozo. If you are new to diving, consider booking a short diving course before you go exploring. Snorkelling is fine for beginners, but scuba diving requires an understanding of the equipment and safety procedures. An introductory dive with Paradise Diving costs 40 Euro and will introduce you to using the kit in shallow waters of three meters.

Watercolours Dive Centre offer a range of shore dives and boat diving excursions for certified and non-certified divers. You can hire all manner of equipment if you don’t have your own to take with you. Also check out DiveWise who also have a range of courses to choose from.  Most diving schools in Malta will offer PADI courses if you’d like to return from your diving holiday with a new certification.