Diving in Malta: overview and best sites for every level

Why Malta punches above its weight as a dive destination

Malta sits in the central Mediterranean at an average depth of around 1,000 m in surrounding waters, which means the sea drains and refills cleanly, with visibility that regularly hits 20–30 m even in peak summer. There is virtually no river discharge to muddy things up, no large-scale industrialisation on the seabed, and a coastline dominated by limestone that creates a spectacular structure of caves, arches, drop-offs and sheltered bays.

The result is a destination that works for every certification level simultaneously. A complete novice can drop into the sheltered inlets of St Paul’s Bay or Mellieha with an instructor, touch the seabed at 5 m and feel completely in control. An experienced tec diver can plan a 50 m descent to the Um El Faroud wreck, the largest wreck dive in Maltese waters, on the same morning and from the same dive boat. Few destinations in Europe offer that range on a small island.

The three-island cluster (Malta, Gozo, Comino) adds geographic variety. Malta’s north coast faces calmer water and suits beginners. Gozo’s west coast — particularly Dwejra — offers some of the most dramatic wall and cave diving in the Mediterranean when conditions allow. Comino’s caves and channels sit in between, with crystalline water that turns electric blue in mid-morning light.

---

The 12 best dive sites across the islands

Malta island: north coast and east

1. Cirkewwa (Marfa Peninsula) Cirkewwa is the most-dived site on Malta’s main island and for good reason: two wrecks — the MV Karwela ferry and the MV Cominoland barge — lie at 35–40 m within the same bay, while a shallower reef section at 6–12 m suits beginners. The wrecks are gradually colonising with soft corals, grouper and occasional moray eels. The bay is sheltered from north-westerly swells and can be dived from shore.

2. Anchor Bay (Popeye Village area) A sheltered bay with a rubble and sand bottom at 8–12 m, ideal for try-dives and Open Water training. The rocky margins hold lots of juvenile fish and the occasional octopus. If you are visiting Popeye Village with kids, Anchor Bay is the logical add-on for a first discover-scuba experience.

3. P29 patrol boat wreck Deliberately scuttled in 2007 in Mellieha Bay, the P29 sits upright at 15–35 m with full penetration possible at the Advanced Open Water level. Scorpionfish and grouper have claimed the engine room. Full details are in the dedicated P29 wreck guide.

4. Madonna Statue, St Paul’s Bay A 3 m bronze Madonna was placed at 17 m to commemorate a local diver, and it has become a gathering point for hundreds of damselfish, wrasse and bream. The site is shallow enough for one-tank Open Water dives.

5. Imperial Eagle wreck The MV Imperial Eagle car ferry was sunk in 1999 near Qawra Point. At 20–30 m, it is accessible to Open Water divers and is now encrusted with sponges and sea fans. A large school of amberjack patrols the stern.

6. Delimara Point The south-east tip of Malta offers wall diving with soft corals and gorgonian sea fans starting at around 20 m. Current can run on the point itself, making it suitable for Advanced Open Water divers. Fireworm, nudibranch and cuttlefish are common.

Gozo: the diver’s island

7. Blue Hole and Inland Sea, Dwejra The Blue Hole is a natural limestone chimney that opens to the sea through an arch at 8 m, dropping to a wall at 50 m+. The Inland Sea connects via a tunnel to the open Mediterranean. Both are world-class dives but heavily affected by winter swell — the site is often closed November to March. Full details in the Gozo diving and Blue Hole guide.

8. Cathedral Cave, Dwejra Adjacent to the Blue Hole, this high-vaulted cavern has a light beam that penetrates at low sun angles and illuminates glassfish, cardinal fish and sleeping nurse sharks. Max depth around 30 m.

9. Double Arch, Dwejra Two limestone arches stacked vertically at 10–20 m. The shallower section works for Advanced Open Water divers; the deeper arches are more suitable for experienced divers comfortable with overhead environments.

10. Wied il-Ghasri canyon A steep, narrow gorge in north Gozo that narrows to a slot at the surface and opens into a wide underwater canyon at 25–40 m. Peaceful, rarely crowded, and packed with nudibranchs and sea slugs on the walls.

11. Xatt l-Ahmar reef A gently sloping reef on the south side of Gozo that runs from 5 to 35 m, with walls of gorgonians appearing from 22 m down. Good for macro photographers: sea horses, nudibranchs and frogfish have all been recorded here.

Comino

12. Crystal Lagoon wall The south-facing wall of Crystal Lagoon drops to 18 m over white sand. Visibility is exceptional and the site is sheltered from westerly swells. Good for second dives or try-dives when combined with a Blue Lagoon boat trip.

---

Water temperature and visibility by season

Season	Air temp	Water temp	Visibility	Notes
January–March	12–15°C	14–16°C	20–30 m	Cold, dry suit recommended, Dwejra often closed
April–May	16–21°C	17–19°C	20–30 m	Excellent, shoulder season, fewer divers
June–August	28–32°C	22–26°C	15–25 m	Busiest, Blue Lagoon overcrowded
September–October	22–26°C	24–26°C	20–30 m	Best overall: warm sea + improving visibility
November–December	15–18°C	18–20°C	25–30 m	Wind increases, west coast sites hit-and-miss

September and October are widely regarded by dive operators as the optimal months: water temperature peaks at 25–26°C (same as August), visibility climbs back to 25–30 m as summer thermoclines break down, and dive sites are far less crowded. See the full Malta diving by month guide for temperature data going back five years.

---

Certification levels and what opens up

No certification: discover scuba / try-dive

You need no certification to try diving in Malta. Discover scuba programmes take you to 6–12 m under one-to-one supervision. Sessions typically last 2–3 hours including theory and pool time, and cost €50–75.

Discover scuba diving in Malta (Mellieha) is one of the most popular entry sessions, using the sheltered waters of Mellieha Bay for the sea portion.

Open Water (OW): reef dives, shallow wrecks, up to 18 m

With an Open Water certification you can dive independently with a buddy to 18 m (or to 20 m supervised in some jurisdictions). This opens Imperial Eagle, Madonna Statue, P29 upper section and the Blue Hole approach arch. A PADI Open Water course in Malta takes 3–4 days and costs €300–400 all-in.

Advanced Open Water (AOW): wrecks at depth, walls, 30 m

The Advanced Open Water adds five speciality dives (typically deep, navigation, plus three electives) and extends your solo limit to 30 m. This opens the P29 fully, the Karwela wreck and most Gozo walls. Um El Faroud at 36 m requires AOW as a minimum.

PADI Advanced Open Water course in Malta

Rescue Diver and beyond

Rescue Diver focuses on awareness and emergency response rather than depth or access. Technical courses (Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50) open the deepest wreck profiles in Malta — Um El Faroud at 36 m with penetration, and various reef walls dropping past 50 m. See the cave and technical diving guide for more.

---

Choosing a dive shop in Malta

Malta has over 30 dive operations of varying quality. See the full dive shops comparison for individual ratings, but the key factors to filter on are:

• Instructor-to-student ratio during try-dives: the legal minimum in Malta is 1:6 for certified guided dives and 1:2 for discover scuba. Anything above 1:4 for beginners is a red flag.
• Equipment age: request a visual inspection of regulators before booking. Worn octopus valves on rental kit are common in lower-budget operations.
• Boat size and surface support: for deep wreck dives, verify that the operator provides a surface oxygen kit and trained surface support rather than just a driver.
• Cancellation policy: many Gozo dive sites (Dwejra) are weather-dependent. A reputable operator will offer full refunds or rescheduling for weather cancellations, not just “credit”.

For certified divers who want two guided shore dives without committing to a full course:

Guided shore dives for certified divers in Malta

---

Dive safety and practical logistics

Entry requirements: there is no government-mandated dive medical requirement in Malta, but responsible dive operators ask you to complete a PADI or equivalent medical declaration. If you have heart conditions, diabetes, asthma, or epilepsy, you will need a signed medical certificate from a doctor. Malta has a hyperbaric chamber at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida, operational 24 hours.

What to bring: wetsuit thickness depends on season — 3 mm shorty in August, 5–7 mm full suit November to April, dry suit preferred in January–February when water drops to 14°C. Most shops rent equipment but quality varies.

Dive flags: Malta requires a diver-down flag when diving from shore. This is usually provided by the dive operator for guided dives but matters if you are self-guided.

Driving between sites: Malta’s dive sites are concentrated in three clusters — north (Mellieha, St Paul’s Bay, Cirkewwa), Valletta surroundings, and south (Marsaxlokk, Delimara). A car is useful but not essential: many dive shops offer minibus pick-up from Sliema and Bugibba. If renting a car in Malta is on your list anyway, it makes access to lesser-known sites like Wied Babu or Il-Mithna much easier.

Combining diving with snorkelling: many operators run mixed boats where certified divers descend to depth while snorkellers float above the same site. This works well at Comino and the Crystal Lagoon, less well at deep wreck sites. See the snorkelling best spots guide for sites where snorkelling alone is genuinely worthwhile.

---

How to integrate diving into your Malta itinerary

If you are spending 7 days on Malta and want to dive seriously, the standard pattern used by visiting divers is:

• Days 1–2: Settle into Sliema or Mellieha, complete your try-dive or skills refresh, dive the north coast (Cirkewwa, P29, Madonna Statue).
• Day 3: Day trip to Gozo for the Blue Hole and Cathedral Cave. Ferry from Cirkewwa to Gozo takes 25 minutes.
• Day 4: Boat dive on Um El Faroud or Karwela for AOW+ divers. Shore dive session for OW divers.
• Day 5: Rest or snorkelling day — Comino or Blue Lagoon with a cruise-boat tour.
• Day 6: South Malta dive at Delimara or Marsaxlokk region combined with Marsaxlokk fish market in the morning.
• Day 7: Final dive or gear-return day before Malta airport transfer.

For a 5-day trip, drop days 4 and 6. For 3 days, prioritise Cirkewwa (day 1), Gozo Blue Hole (day 2), and finish on P29 (day 3) — this covers all three highlights in a tight schedule.

---

Frequently asked questions about diving in Malta

Do I need any experience to dive in Malta?

No. Discovery scuba (try-dive) programmes are available everywhere and require zero prior experience. You dive to a maximum of 12 m under one-to-one supervision. It is the most popular first diving experience in Malta and requires only a standard health declaration.

What is the best month for diving in Malta?

September and October offer the best combination of warm water (25–26°C), high visibility (25–30 m) and fewer crowds. May is also excellent for visibility. January and February are cold (14–16°C water) but offer 30 m+ visibility and empty sites for experienced cold-water divers.

How much does a scuba course cost in Malta?

A PADI Open Water course costs approximately €300–400 all-in (tuition, equipment, dive trips, certification). Advanced Open Water adds €250–350. Discover scuba sessions run €50–75. Prices are broadly lower than northern Europe and comparable to other Mediterranean dive destinations.

Can I bring my own equipment?

Yes, most operators welcome divers with personal equipment. Cylinder fill and guide fees for certified divers with own equipment typically run €20–30 per dive. Announce in advance if you use a dry suit or rebreather.

Are there currents or dangers I should know about?

The main tidal flow around Malta is weak (less than 0.5 knots typically), but exposed headlands like Delimara Point and the Dwejra passage in Gozo can experience stronger currents. Wave surge in sea caves can be hazardous in windy weather. Always dive with a reputable operator who monitors conditions daily.

Is there a hyperbaric chamber in Malta?

Yes. The hyperbaric chamber at Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The DAN emergency number for the Mediterranean is +39 06 4211 685.

Can I dive the Blue Hole in winter?

The Blue Hole at Dwejra in Gozo is frequently closed from November to March due to north-westerly swells that make the entry point unsafe. Your dive operator will know current conditions. In calm winter weather it can be dived, but always check the forecast within 24 hours of your planned dive.

---

Night diving in Malta: what opens after dark

Night diving is an entirely different experience from day diving, and Malta’s clear, warm water (comfortable from June to October without a dry suit) makes it one of the better Mediterranean destinations for it.

Best night dive sites:

• Mellieha Bay shoreline: easy access from the beach, 6–18 m, excellent macro life at night — octopus, cuttlefish, lobster, hermit crabs and sleeping wrasse.
• Madonna Statue, St Paul’s Bay: the statue itself attracts phosphorescence in summer and the fish behaviour at night is completely different from daytime visits.
• P29 wreck, Mellieha: the wreck after dark is a different experience — moray eels are out foraging, cuttlefish hover over the deck, and torch beams reveal colours that ambient daylight obscures.
• Cathedral Cave, Gozo: experienced divers with a competent guide can dive the cavern in darkness. The bioluminescence from disturbed plankton is exceptional in July–August.

Logistics: night dives require a primary torch (minimum 500 lumens), a backup torch, a surface marker buoy (SMB) deployed at the start of your ascent, and a surface light (typically a cyalume stick attached to your tank valve) so the surface boat can track your position.

Most Malta dive operators offer organised night dive programmes in summer. These are typically 2-tank dives starting at dusk — the first dive done in fading light, the second in full darkness. Costs: €40–65 per person. Recommend booking 48 hours ahead in summer.

---

Freediving in Malta: a different underwater access point

Not everyone wants to dive with a tank. Freediving — breath-hold diving — is a growing discipline in Malta, and the clear water, warm temperatures and limestone coastline suit it well.

Key freediving sites:

• St Peter’s Pool, south Malta: natural swimming pool with depths to 12 m, excellent for freediving practice in a sheltered setting.
• Xlendi Bay, Gozo: the cliff walls descend to 20 m; experienced freedivers reach the gorgonians at 15–18 m.
• Blue Hole arch: the 8 m depth of the arch is achievable by beginners with a guide; deeper wall sections to 15–20 m for trained freedivers.

Training: several Malta dive centres offer SSI Freediver or PADI Freediver courses, typically run over 1–2 days. Prerequisites are basic swimming ability and comfort in open water. Costs: €150–220 for the beginner course.

Safety: always freedive with a trained buddy who remains at the surface and monitors. Never freedive alone. Shallow water blackout (loss of consciousness on ascent) is the primary risk for enthusiastic but undertrained freedivers.

---

Diving with marine protected areas in Malta

Several areas around Malta and Gozo are designated as marine protected areas (MPAs) with restrictions on anchor damage, spearfishing and specific access.

Filfla Island: the small uninhabited island south of Wied Iz-Zurrieq is a natural reserve. Diving around its base is permitted but landing on the island is not. The underwater walls of Filfla (20–40+ m) are among the most pristine in Maltese waters, with large grouper and good soft coral cover. Access requires a boat from Wied Iz-Zurrieq or Marsaxlokk.

Comino north coast: the caves on Comino’s north side are increasingly protected. Commercial diving here is managed by permits — your dive operator will have the relevant authorisation.

General rules: spearfishing is illegal within 500 m of the coastline in Malta. Collecting shells, coral or marine organisms from the seabed is illegal regardless of location. These regulations apply to all divers including tourists.

---

Liveaboard options from Malta

While Malta itself is small enough to return to a base each day for dive boat trips, several dive charter vessels operate multi-day liveaboard trips from Malta as a base, covering Gozo, Comino, Filfla and occasionally Sicily.

What liveaboard trips cover: 3–5 day itineraries typically include Cirkewwa wrecks, Blue Hole, Cathedral Cave, Comino caves and Filfla in a single trip. 3–5 dives per day. Accommodation on board the vessel.

Who it suits: experienced divers who want maximum underwater time and prefer not to spend time transiting between dive sites each day. Also suits those doing an extended technical or cave diving programme.

Typical cost: €200–350 per person per day all-in (accommodation, meals, equipment, guide, gas fills). Book well in advance — Malta liveaboard capacity is limited.

The diving overview page provides the base for planning liveaboard itineraries around Malta’s key sites.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20