Malta and Gozo offer some of Europe’s premier diving experiences, boasting warm waters, incredible underwater architecture, and exhilarating shipwrecks, many from WWII. The compact size of the islands ensures a diverse range of dives are easily accessible from the shore, catering to all levels from beginners to technical divers. Numerous diving companies are available to assist, even for seasoned divers.
Malta, Gozo, and Comino are renowned scuba-diving destinations, featuring accessible wrecks, caves, and reefs suitable for all skill levels. The islands also offer various outdoor activities like boating, windsurfing, snorkelling, rock climbing, horse riding, walking, and birdwatching.
The calm, non-tidal waters around Malta and Gozo offer exceptional visibility (25 m to 30 m on average). The islands are famous for their wrecks, along with fascinating caves and reefs. Most dive sites are conveniently accessible from the shore, allowing divers to explore all three islands over a week. The pleasant climate and warm waters make diving possible year-round, with water temperatures rarely dropping below 13°C in winter.
Diving Schools:
Numerous dive schools and companies offer courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced divers, ensuring quality instruction.
There are many dive schools with qualified, professional, multilingual instructors.
Malta’s Marine Life
Malta’s marine ecosystem is richer compared to many Mediterranean areas, though it has been impacted by boat traffic and over-fishing. Divers can expect to see crabs, lobsters, octopuses, swordfish, sea bream, sea bass, grouper, red mullet, wrasse, dogfish, stingray, and migratory species like sardine, sprat, bluefin tuna, bonito, mackerel, and dolphin fish (lampuka). Notable diving spots for seahorses include HMS Maori and Mgarr ix-Xini, while Cirkewwa is ideal for spotting barracuda, amberjack, tuna, and squid.
Top Diving & Snorkelling Spots: The islands host several diving and snorkelling centres, such as Nautic Team, Frankie’s Gozo Diving Centre, Moby Dives, St Andrews Divers Cove, and Diveshack Comino (Comino Hotel).
Diving Courses & Qualifications
- Taster Course: ~€35, including instruction, practice, and a 30-minute sea dive.
- Resort-based Scuba Course: ~€240, including open-water dives, qualifying you up to 12m, with an upgrade option.
- Entry-level Diving Qualification: €300 – €360 for a 3-5 day course (CMAS One-Star Diver, PADI Open Water Diver, BSAC Ocean Diver).
- Guided Dives for Certified Divers: ~€35 per dive, or €170 – €210 for six dives. Unaccompanied six-dive packages around €120.
- Requirements & Safety: Diving starts from age 10, with certain medical conditions possibly needing a fitness evaluation (€20 – €25). Parental consent is required for divers under 18, and travel insurance should cover diving. Heavy boat traffic is common in summer, so it’s important to use the code-A flag and a surface marker buoy. Decompression chambers are available at Mater Dei Hospital (Malta) and Gozo’s General Hospital.
Northwest Malta
- Ahrax Point: Caverns and a tunnel to a grotto (7m – 18m depth).
- Anchor Bay: Caves (6m – 12m depth).
- Cirkewwa Arch: Underwater walls and arch (10m – 36m depth).
- Marfa Point: Caves, reefs, promontories, tunnels (12m – 18m depth).
- P29: Minesweeper wreck (30m – 37m depth).
- St Paul’s Islands: Multiple sites (6m – 25m depth).
- Tugboat Rozi: Wreck (30m – 36m depth).
Valletta & St Julian’s Area
- Bristol Beaufighter: WWII plane wreck (33m – 36m depth).
- Carolita Barge: Torpedo-hit barge (12m – 22m depth).
- Fortizza Reef & Coral Gardens: Rich sea life (14m – 18m depth).
- HMS Maori: WWII wreck (13m – 18m depth).
- Tug 2: Recent wreck (17m – 21m depth).
Southeast Malta
- Blenheim Bomber: Well-preserved WWII bomber (max 42m depth).
- Delimara Point: Vertical cliffs and caverns (12m – 25m depth).
- Ghar Lapsi: Shallow cave (6m – 15m depth).
- Wied iz-Zurrieq: Underwater valley and caves (9m – 30m depth).
Western Gozo
- Coral Cave: Shore dive, 25m average depth.
- Crocodile Rock: Rocky reef and natural amphitheater, 35m average depth.
- Fungus Rock: Dramatic underwater scenery, beyond 60m maximum depth.
- San Dimitri Point: Rich marine life and visibility, beyond 60m maximum depth.
- Xlendi Cave & Reef: Easy cave dive, 6m average depth.
Northern Gozo
- Billinghurst Cave: Long tunnel leading to a cave, 20m average depth. Experienced divers only.
- Double Arch Reef: Strange formation with arch, 30m average depth.
- Reqqa Point: Near-vertical wall, 25m average depth.
- Wied il-Ghasri: Long, gentle dive, 12m average depth in the cave.
Southern Gozo
- Fessej Rock: Prominent column of rock, 30m average depth.
- Ta’Cenc: Sheltered bay with canyon, 25m average depth.
- Xatt l’Ahmar: Small bay with a variety of fish, 9m average depth.
Comino
- Blue Lagoon: Easy site, 6m average depth.
- Lantern Point: Vertical wall dive, 30m average depth.
- Santa Marija Cave: Large cave system, 7m average depth.
Top Dive Sites for Beginners
- HMS Maori, Valletta
- Ghar Lapsi, Southeast Malta
- Anchor Bay, Northwest Malta
Best Sites for Experienced Divers
- Blenheim Bomber, Southeast Malta
- Fessej Rock, Southern Gozo
- Double Arch Reef, Northern Gozo
Best Snorkelling Locations
Comino, Gozo’s Blue Lagoon, Dwejra, Wied il-Ghasri, San Dimitri Point, Xwejni Bay, St Peter’s Pool, and Ghar Lapsi. Equipment rental is available at hotels, lidos, and watersports centres.
Best Sites for Snorkelling
- Wied il-Ghasri, Northern Gozo
- San Dimitri Point, Western Gozo
- Blue Hole & Chimney, Western Gozo
Malta and Gozo truly offer an underwater paradise for divers and snorkelers alike.
- Ryanair flight FR7235 and Aer Lingus flight EI464 fly to Malta from Dublin four times weekly year round.
- Ryanair fly weekly from Belfast International year-round and Shannon in summer.
- Jet2 flies weekly from Belfast International in summer.
Beautiful Malta, jewel of the Med, so MUCH to see and do
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