Diving in Malta is undoubtedly one of the best options in the Mediterranean Sea. If you are thinking of taking a diving trip, we are going to tell you several reasons why Malta is a good destination to dive under its waters.
1. Diving conditions in Malta are very good almost all year round
Diving in Malta can be done throughout the year, with optimal conditions between May and November, where the water temperature rises between these dates above 20 degrees. In summer they reach up to 28 degrees maximum. Visibility being one of its strong points, many days you can reach up to 40 or more meters of visibility, making diving an incredible experience.
There are hardly any currents as a general rule, which makes diving quite easy and pleasant.
The dive sites in Malta are well prepared and most of them are accessible from the coast by vehicle which is very convenient, especially for those who get seasick.
And budget the light. Malta enjoys 300 days of sunshine a year, with overcast skies unlikely to dive.
2. You can dive in Malta up to 200 different dives sites
Diving in Malta is undoubtedly a very good option and offers many possibilities. It houses more than 200 diving points in its waters in a not very extensive radius, making it easy to move between the different sites. From wrecks from World War I and II to caves and rock formations, passageways and tunnels that amaze anyone.
During World War I and especially World War II there were innumerable bombardments that left the Maltese waters littered with underwater relics in the form of ships, submarines and small planes sunk below the surface. Examples of this are the shipwrecks HMS Maori or X127 waterlighter A whole underwater museum that is waiting for the most adventurous. In addition, more boats were subsequently sunk for the same purpose, that of recreational diving. Good and spectacular examples are Faroud or Rozi and P29.
Being a limestone island, diving in Malta is characterized by the many different underwater formations in the form of caves, many of them with access to the surface inside the rock, such as the Anchor bay cave in Popeye village.
Blue hole and Inland sea in Gozo and the caves of Sta. Maria in Comino are other hot spots to consider and worth a visit if you plan to come to visit these islands.
3. Diving safety in Malta is optimal
For a long time now, the Maltese government, in cooperation with the different diving centers and diving associations in the country, have been preparing plans and legislation that requires the centers to always be under control and an optimal level of maintenance for safety reasons. From mandatory requirements for emergency material in case of accidents to control of divers and sea conditions, these are checked by the authorities at the different dive sites and diving centers to verify that they comply with the regulations, thus ensuring the safety of divers who come to Malta every year to dive. Medical documentation is mandatory before diving to ensure the good condition of the divers, in addition to diving certifications for those already certified. There is also a local rule that is somewhat more restrictive than in the rest of the countries for safety reasons that requires independent divers to be at least qualified as level 2 or advanced divers, if they are not accompanied by local guides. In addition, Malta has several hyperbaric chambers both on the island of Malta and on Gozo. Housing the Malta hospital chamber with a capacity of up to 20 people, with advanced technology.
4. Destination suitable for everyone
Whether you are an experienced diver or a complete beginner, you will have access to a wide spectrum of possibilities and different diving sites with easy access where you can enjoy this special activity such as diving in incredible sites such as shipwrecks or underwater caves. You can access the one-day diving courses with activities such as try dives or Discover scuba diving ,or complete the Open Water course which is a certified course of 3 days, without having any type of previous experience.
If you are already a certified diver, you can continue your training with the different courses such as the Advanced course and the different specialties, highlighting the shipwreck spec., Deep Diving and Nitrox specialties due to the large number of wrecks.
Another option for certified divers is guided dive day/s or dive packages.
5. Diving in Malta for an affordable price
Due to its geographical location, Malta is a stone’s throw from any European country, which together with the wide range of low-cost airlines makes flying to Malta quite cheap. There is also a wide range of accommodation that will allow you to find accommodation adjusted to your budget. The courses and guided dives are some of the cheapest you can find in all of Europe, being the quality-price ratio if not the best one of the best options on the European continent.
If you are able to book in advance and not in the high season period July – August the price can be really cheap.
6. Diving in Malta means diving in one of the most renowned and award-winning international destinations
Malta, third best diving destination in the world.
The Maltese islands achieved third place in the ‘Best Diving Destination’ category at the Diver Awards Ceremony held at the International Dive Show in London.
This prestigious award positions the Maltese archipelago as the most popular diving destination in the entire Mediterranean, as voted by thousands of Diver Magazine readers in 2014.
It has not also been the only one at the international trade fair, BOOT, a top international event for aquatic activities that takes place in the German city of Dusseldorf every year. Malta was named as a top destination by the prestigious web portal taucher awarded as the best destination 2018.
7. Very stable sea
Due to its location, the climatic conditions are almost always favourable. There are hardly any currents and generally the sea conditions are always good, with little waves. As it is not a very large island, it is easy to find shelter from the winds and waves even if the conditions are not the most favorable, thus guaranteeing diving options practically 365 days a year.
Except in winter when the temperature drops to a minimum of 14 degrees, the rest of the year you can dive in Malta in very pleasant water temperatures, especially between May and November.
8. Its geographical location
It is another of the advantages, since Malta is located in the middle of the Mediterranean, the journeys are around 2-3 hours of flight which is not very far. Being in southern Europe, coming to visit Malta to dive means finding a warmer climate than in other European countries. As a whole and due to its proximity to Africa and Italy, they also make Malta an interesting destination on a cultural level. Not everything is diving on this island!
9. Its history
Malta is undoubtedly a worldwide tourist destination and it is partly due to its history. Due to its geographical situation, Malta has always been a strategic destination for the different civilizations that have left their mark to this day. The result of this is the great heritage that Malta houses in its limited and not very extensive territory. From megalithic temples over 4,000 years old to the latest constructions carried out during the world wars, visiting Malta above the water will not leave you indifferent either.
10. Diving in your language
Last but not least, at ok diving Malta we offer courses and guides in different languages which makes your diving experience in Malta safer and more rewarding. Especially for beginners, since being able to do the activity in your language will make you feel much more comfortable and fun π