Malta is one of the best diving destinations in Europe. Not just because the water is crystal clear (visibility 30–40 metres) and warm (26–28°C in summer). But because beneath the surface lie wrecks, caves and drifting marine life that you will not find anywhere else.
Why Malta?
- Water visibility: 30–40 metres. Like flying over the seabed.
- Temperature: 26–28°C in summer with no wetsuit or a thin one. 22–24°C in autumn.
- Wrecks: Malta deliberately sinks decommissioned naval vessels and ferries — there are over a dozen accessible wrecks.
- For all levels: From beginners (shallow caves, max 12m) to advanced (deep wrecks, 30m+).
Best Sites
- Blue Grotto (South Malta): Sea caves with iridescent water, shallow — perfect for a first open-water dive.
- Cirkewwa (Marfa, Malta): Deliberately sunk vessel P29 at 30m. Corals have fully colonised it — a complete artificial reef.
- Dwejra (Gozo): Inland Sea cave (you swim through a tunnel to the open sea), Blue Hole (a natural hole in the rock, descent 50m+) and the Chimney (advanced).
- Tug 2 Wreck (Marsa, Sliema): A tugboat at 15 metres — excellent for recreational divers.
How to Start
Malta has over 40 dive schools. A PADI Open Water course (first dive to certification) takes 3–4 days and costs approx. €250–350 with all equipment. A Discovery Dive (one supervised dive without certification) is about €60–80.
If you don't dive but want to see what's underneath — snorkelling in Gozo (Wied il-Ghasri, San Blas) or around Malta (Għar Lapsi) gives you a taste of Malta's underwater world for free. Just bring water shoes for the rocky entry points.