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Scuba Diving around Malta
There are few European destinations where scuba divers and snorkelers can go cave diving, explore shallow reefs, and dive around famous sunken shipwrecks.
This section contains a list of places to go diving and snorkeling near Malta with details about the marine creatures found in this part of the Mediterranean Sea.
Optimum Months to Dive Malta's Dive Spots
If you're looking for the best scuba diving in Europe, you should take a look at this archipelago in the central Mediterranean.
In fact, the Republic of Malta gained its independence from Spain back in 1964.
Since then, scuba divers have been exploring the stunning underwater structures that exist a few metres below the surface.
So, when is the best time to dive in Malta and the nearby islands, such as Gozo and Comino?
The summers in this area are some of the longest in all of Europe. The warm weather usually starts in April and extends through to November. As a result, this is where you'll find some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean Sea.
The annual daily temperature averages 22° Celsius in Malta (72° Fahrenheit). Plus, it barely drops much below it in the night-time.
As a rule, the winter wind and rain arrives in December and stretches through to the end of February. But, it's rare for the sea temperature to drop much below 15° Celsius (59° Fahrenheit) even in the colder months.
Here's the thing:
June, July, and August are the hottest and the driest months of the year. So, this is when scuba divers, freedivers, and snorkelers will experience warm seas.
Pro Tip: In general, the best time of the day for diving and snorkeling is between 10am and 2pm. The higher sun angle is better if you're learning how to take underwater pictures.
Most Popular Dive Sites in Malta
You shouldn't think that Gozo's Blue Hole diving site is the only popular location for diving and snorkeling around Malta.
Some of the other world class dive sites nearby, include:
- Anchor Reef
- Blue Lagoon Comino Island
- Bottleneck Cave
- HMS Maori Destroyer
- Maltese Patrol Boat P29
- The Blue Hole (San Lawrenz)
- Um El Faroud Wreck Dive
House Reef
It's fair to say that many of the local dive schools in Malta use the dive site called House Reef to conduct entry-level courses, such as Discover Scuba Diving by PADI.
Some of the local species that fall under the classification of marine life include, cuttlefish, flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans), octopus, along with other critters seen when night diving.
Important: The underwater topography at most of the Malta dive sites means getting the PADI® wreck diving certification would qualify you to join organised excursions around deep, sunken shipwrecks.
Marine Life in Malta, Comino, & Gozo
The warm, clear water found in this part of Europe is full of marine life diversity and vibrant macro fauna. You will also find various vertebrates and invertebrates hiding in the artificial reef structures, including:
Barracudas- Dolphins
- Grouper fish
- Jellyfish (e.g. Portuguese man-of-war)
- Moray eels
- Puffer fish
- Scorpionfishes
- Seahorses (Hippocampus)
- Sea urchins
- Sharks
- Tuna fish
Some dive schools also organise beginner snorkeling tours and the PADI Skin Diving course - both are extremely popular with holidaymakers. In fact, marine tourism is an expanding industry in this part of the world.
Boat Diving in Malta and the Islands
Can you imagine a better way to cool down during the scorching summer months? Plunge into the water around the islands for the best chance to see wrecks and reefs with diverse marine life in the central Mediterranean.
- Best Dive Sites at Comino Island
- Best Dive Sites at Gozo Island
The best places to scuba dive are only a short boat ride away at the surrounding islands. In addition, some of the popular locations are shallow enough for freediver courses and snorkeling activities.