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Malta is a country located in the Mediterranean part of the world, steeped in thousands of years of ancient history and culture. An alluring place, it is an archipelago of three islands named Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Beautiful beaches, exotic locales, awe-inspiring architecture, fun cafes, and clubs; the country has everything to offer for a delightful holiday. Scuba diving in Malta is a popular tourist attraction because of its natural harbors, sheltered creeks, reefs, wrecks, cliffs and clear blue waters abundant with marine life. It is one of the best places to explore the underwater world both for the amateur and the experienced divers.

10 Places To Go Scuba Diving In Malta

In Malta, the charges for a single dive starts from INR 4550. Here is a short list some of the main dive sites in the country which are full of exciting opportunities for some offbeat adventure.

1. Anchor Bay, Mellieha

Anchor-Bay-Mellieha

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This is a frequently visited dive site which is located on the northwestern coastal area of Malta in Mellieha. Popularly known as, Popeye Village, this place offers scuba diving in Malta for beginners. The average depth of water is 6 meters and goes deep up to 28 meters. You will have to enter the water through a pier. The seabed consists of some large boulders, an anchor, a dropoff and a cave too. The entrance to the cave is through the large boulder. There is a wreck too which was used for the film Popeye. Its hull is made of steel and still in perfect condition. The drop off is where you can spot octopus, Tung shells and some large fishes too. At all the times you are underwater, you will be surrounded by parrotfish and sometimes Moray eel too.

Location: Mellieha

Must Read: You Can Make Your New Year Memorable By Visiting Malta In December


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2. Carolita Barge, Valletta

Carolita Barge, Valletta

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Accessible all through the year in almost all weather conditions, this site for scuba diving in Malta is famous for the wrecks of Carolita Barge which got sunk into the oceans due to an air raid in the year 1942 during World War II. The 32 meters long wreck is quite unique as this is the only remnant from a batch of water lighter crafts. The wreck is surrounded by a huge amount of debris like hospital beds, wheelchairs, bathtubs, and bottles. There are many things which can be surprisingly found here like a typewriter or a toilet commode, bullets and some other junk stuff too. You never know what you get to see especially after there is a storm in the area. A must visit place if you want to see the wrecks from the WWII era along with some large school of fishes swimming along to give you company.

Location: Marsamxett Harbour, Manoel Island

3. Cirkewwa

Scuba Diving Sea Underwater

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Located in the northern part of the Maltese Island, this is one of the best sites for scuba diving in Malta for beginners. The easy access from the shores makes it is popular among amateur divers. The seabed has two shipwrecks, a shallow area for training, a statue and a natural arch. The walls of the arch have many caves and tunnels where you can swim through making it an interesting diving experience. The picturesque arch is one of the highlights of this place which enhances the beauty of the underwater world here. The maximum depth here is 36 meters.

Location: Malta

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4. Crocodile Rock & Coral Cave

Blue Dive Diving Deep At The Bottom Of The Ocean

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Located in San Lawrenz, this place is famous for scuba diving in Gozo, Malta. The rock which is in the shape of a crocodile is accessible both by boat or the shores. It has a depth of 33 meters with a visibility up to 20 meters. At the start of the dive, you will have to cross a shallow reef and then you go deep down into the sea at about 30 meters where you will find large boulders scattered on the seabed. A few strokes to the left of the cliff and you will see the most wonderful sight here. A cave full of corals of different shapes and sizes. Remember to carry a torch with you and get ready to be amazed by virgin lace, rare goldfishes, and coral sponges. If you are lucky, you may even get to see seahorses and scorpion fish too.

Location: Dwejra, San Lawrenz, Gozo

5. Delimara

Delimara

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At the uppermost point of the Delimara Peninsula, just about at a driving distance of 15 minutes from the village of Marsaxlokk, you will find the perfect place for Malta scuba diving holidays. This place is suitable for all types of divers be it beginners or advanced. There are different points for different levels but each dive has something exquisite to offer without a doubt. The dive starts with an underwater reef which can be found at meters deep. If you go further down, you will discover a steep cliff which again drops down to 25 meters. Here there is a cave and straight tunnel which will take you back again to the reef. The bottom part is strewn with boulders where you will find elusive groupers, stingrays. Around the cliff, keep your eyes on alert for octopus hiding in the crevices and holes. Overall, it’s a great place to explore the stunning underwater marine life in southern Europe!

Location: Marsaxlokk, Delimara

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6. Double Arches

Double-Arches

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The diving site made famous for its natural double arches, build on top of one another, is easily accessible by the shore and also through the boats. Located in the northern coastal areas, this is one of the places for scuba diving in Gozo, Malta. You will have to swim for around 200 meters from the Xwejni Bay to reach the diving spot. The maximum depth goes down to 36 meters where the arches end. By the end of the reef, the depth is 45 meters. This site is only for advanced divers. The caves near the arches and one more when you go a little ahead are full of interesting marine life. You can find big shoals of Barracudas cuttlefish, octopus, and seahorse.

Location: Marsalforn, Xwejni Bay, Gozo

7. L’Ahrax Point

Buoy Salvage Survey

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This awesome scuba diving point is located in the northeastern part of the Maltese Islands. Suitable for all levels of divers, the diving site is better accessible by a boat. You will have to cross a narrow entry from where you will get inside an inland grotto. There is space for enough natural light to enter under the water which has led to the growth of a diversified marine life with a variety of corals and starfishes. There are two options to go explore under the water – a reef with full of interesting sea life and another is a drop off from where you can enter a big cave. Throughout the dive, you can spot red sponges, cardinalfish and colorful corals.

Location: Ahrax Point, Mellieha

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8. Um El Faroud

Blue Diving Deep Dive At The Bottom Of The Ocean

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The site for the best scuba diving in Malta, this place is located near Qrendi on the south west of Wied-iz-Zurrieq. An oil tanker wreck which weighs 10000 tons and 110 meters in length is easily accessible from the shores; the spot is one of the most famous points for diving in the European Continent. A challenging feat for even the most advanced level of divers, the maximum depth here is of 36 meters. The tanker belongs to Libya and exploded after an unforeseen accident in the year 1998, killing dock workers. A relatively new development but it is home to tuna, barracuda and jacks and some other species of marine life.

Location: Wied iz- Zurrieq

9. Ghar Lapsi

Scuba Diver Water Padi Scuba Diver Underwater Sea

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The cave is called Ghar in the Maltese language. This is a small fishing community on the south coast of Malta. There are a number of underwater caves which have access to natural light making them look beautiful with the sunlight beaming through it from the numerous exit points. With a depth of 15 to 20 meters, it is populated with the typical marine life of the Mediterranean area. It is a must visit diving site for its captivating underwater sights.

Location: Qrendi, Malta

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10. HMS Maori

HMS-Maori

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Located in the Grand Harbour of Valletta, this is the wreck of a destroyer which was settled under the St Elmo’s Bay after its engine room was destroyed in the year 1942. The whole wreck is covered with tube worms and greenweed. It’s fairly easy to enter and you can spot many types of fishes and other flora and fauna here.

Location: Valletta, Malta

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There are plenty of scuba diving schools in Malta and some of the best known are Abyss Diving Club, Anchor Diving Malta, Aquanuts Diving School, Aquatica, and Aquaventure. All the centers are equipped with the latest diving gears and facilities to give you a comfortable and pleasant holiday in Malta. They have professionally trained and qualified instructors to help you at every step of your underwater journey. The Mediterranean crystal clear waters and some amazingly pretty sites offer a great combination for scuba diving in Malta.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Scuba Diving In Malta

What makes Malta special?

Malta is mainly popular for its colorful Maltese balconies, old character houses, and local traditional food. Malta’s historic bastions give beautiful scenes to Malta’s landscapes. Its dramatic cliffs and amazing landscape attract the attention of many filmmakers.

Is Malta good for scuba diving?

With clear waters and rocky surface, the island of Malta makes for an excellent diving spot. Cirkewwa in Malta is known as one of the best diving sites in Europe.

What is there to do in Malta?

Here are a few things to do in Malta that is definitely worth a try:
1. Visit the prows of Marsaxlokk
2. Explore the ancient Ggantija Temples
3. Enjoy Horse Riding At Golden Bay
4. Visit Fort St. Elmo
5. Enjoy stunning views from Upper Barrakka Gardens

Which is the best time to visit Malta?

The months of July and August is the best time to visit Malta and enjoy a relaxing vacation.

Is scuba diving in Malta safe for first-timers?

Scuba diving is not at all dangerous and is absolutely safe even for first-timers. But prefer scuba diving with a trained professional for a better experience.

Do you have to be certified to scuba dive in Malta?

A valid diving certificate is mandatory by law in Malta. In case you don’t have one, you can get it from any of the authorized diving centers in the city within 1 day.

Is scuba diving in Malta expensive?

Scuba diving in Malta is not very expensive and a 5-hour dive can cost you approximately INR 5500 (€70).

Which are the best diving centers in Malta?

Some of the most popular diving centers in Malta are:
1. Divewise Malta
2. Malta Blue Diving
3. Divers Code Freediving-Snorkeling
4. DIVE DEEP BLUE
5. Cresta Dive Centre


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