What to Know About Scuba Diving in Malta’s Enchanting Waters

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If you decide to go diving in Malta, you will be impressed by the diversity of the underwater world. Malta is an excellent diving destination all year round.

Tip: there are many diving centers in Malta, make sure you read the reviews and check out the website. Take the dive center that matches your values.

10 reasons why to go scuba diving in Malta

There are many reasons why you should go diving in Malta. It may be a small island, but there are many dive spots to discover in the Mediterranean Sea. I will give the 10 main reasons why you should book your next dive in Malta.

1. It is possible to scuba dive in Malta all year long, but I would recommend you go during the spring, summer, or autumn. I think the best months to go diving are from the beginning of May until the end of November. During the other months it’s colder, and the visibility is less good, but it’s still possible to go diving and enjoy the underwater world.
2. In Malta the waters are crystal clear, and the visibility is insane, especially during the summer. There are many times when you will have a visibility of 30 meters (100 feet). This means you can really appreciate the incredible underwater world around the island.
3. The dive sites are very diverse. You will find dive sites that are suitable for all levels of experience. Besides that, there are shipwrecks to discover, underwater caves, shallow reefs, etc. There is something for everyone.
4. The island is small, which makes it so easy to discover different dive sites on different locations in one vacation.
5. There are many dive centers to choose from. I recommend you go around for info or read reviews online about the dive center, so you can choose a dive center that matches your desires. Think about the services you want, for example do you want free pictures included or do you need to rent a dive computer and is it possible to rent one at the center, etc.
6. It’s easy to go to Malta for a diving holiday. The country has a good connection with other European countries, especially from big cities. If you are looking for diving in Europe, then Malta is one of the best options.
7. You will find underwater history with shipwrecks that date back to World War II and beyond.
8. Besides the history, there is incredible marine life. It’s possible to spot many colorful fish, seahorses, octopuses and if you are really lucky maybe you will have an encounter with dolphins or turtles.
9. There is underwater history, marine life, and many beautiful underwater caves. Malta is perfect if you would like to go cave diving. In 2017 the famous Azure Window collapsed, but you can still discover the window underwater.
10. After your dive, there are many activities on the water or on the island. You will not be bored if you are not diving. From learning about the history, to visiting the cities, go climbing, kayaking, hiking, partying, relaxing at the beach, etc. There is something for everyone.

The best time to scuba dive in Malta

They say you can scuba dive in Malta all year round, which is true, but this all depends on your preference. If you don’t mind diving when it’s colder (around 16 degrees Celsius) and the visibility is around 10 meters, then you can go diving during the winter. The visibility is better during the summer months, but then you will have more tourists.

• During the winter from November to March and in May the water is cooler. It’s still possible to go diving, but you need at least a 7 mm wetsuit and be prepared, you can get cold during the dive and after the dive. The water temperature is around 15 °C to 18 °C, during these months. The temperature can vary depending on the location and weather conditions.

• June and September to November are the perfect months to go diving in Malta. The water temperatures range from 18 °C to 23 °C, which makes it perfect to go diving. Besides that, it’s less crowded than the summer months.

• The summer June to August is the tourist season, which means the island and the underwater world is crowded. The water temperature ranges from 23 °C to 28 °C and the visibility is the best. Unfortunately, the dive spots can be crowded, and it could be that some dive centers go diving with big groups.

Tip: during the winter it’s colder, and the visibility is less good, but during the summer months it’s hot, and some diving spots get crowded. Our favorite months for diving in Malta are June, September, and October.

Dive spots in Malta

Malta has many dive spots that are suitable for scuba divers of all levels. Below I will give you the 10 most popular dive spots in Malta, Comino and Gozo:

• The Um El Faroud shipwreck off the coast of Wied iz-Zurrieq in Malta.
• For caves, Ghar Lapsi is the place to be.
• Near Mellieha you have the Anchor Bay where there is a beautiful shallow reef with much marine life and sandy bottoms.
• Diving at Cirkewwa has many dive sites including two well-known shipwrecks: the P29 patrol boat and Rozi Tugboat wreck.
• On Comino you have the Santa Maria Caves which are a series of caves with stunning rock formation.
• Azure Window on Gozo Island was a limestone arch that collapsed in 2017 because of the erosion. Nowadays you can dive and see the remains underwater.
• Close to the Azure Window you have the Inland Sea which is a sort of tunnel that connects the sea with the calm lagoon.
• The Blue Hole on Gozo, the sister island of Malta. The Hole is a rock formation that leads to an underwater chimney.
• Another impressive dive site on Gozo is Wied il-Mielah that has caverns, swim through and arches.
• For dramatic cliffs and crevices, Regga Point is the place to be.

Tip: Gozo Island is easily accessible with the ferry that operates a few times an hour. Normally you go together with the dive center to the dive spot, so if you decide to go diving in Comino or Gozo ask the dive center if you need to pay extra and how you will go.

Make sure you always check for the newest information with the local dive centers, so you get the up-to-date information. It’s also important to go diving with an experienced guide if you are not familiar with Malta’s underwater world.