Scuba
diving is great fun and combined with the Maltese
islands, it's people, the dive sites and it's
clear seas, can offer a very diverse activity,
an experience of a lifetime. Whether experienced
or just a novice we have various sites to please
all tastes.
The Maltese Archipelago
The main Island Malta, the smaller
island of Gozo and the tiny little island of Comino
is a real paradise for divers and snorklers. These
islands have fortunately retained their natural
state due, to a large extent, to the sea and its
fauna. The attraction of the Maltese islands for
the diver, however, is based on their unique topographic
structure, their healthy water situation and their
rich fauna. Apart from other positive aspects,
one of the most important is that the Maltese
Islands are an all-year-round centre for the diver.
Even in a severe winter (which is extremely rare)
the sea temperature never drops below 13°
Celsius. The climate and duration of sunshine
at that time of year are similar to an average
North European summer, sometimes even better.
In stormy weather, sheltered coasts offer a sufficient
number of interesting diving sites.
Diving in winter offers the advantage
that many species of fish move inshore to shallower,
slightly warmer waters and as they are not disturbed
by swimmers during this season, the diver has
even better opportunities for observation and
photography than in summer. Sea temperatures in
summer are about 23° Celsius, and divers may
wear a light 3 mm diving suit or even swim without
one. The Maltese Islands are within easy reach
of the European mainland—two to three hours
at most—the facilities compare favourably
with other more distant and expensive countries.
The Maltese people make you feel at home and practically
everyone speaks English. The islands offer a well-developed
infrastructure for divers, which represents a
high standard and is capable of coping with the
most sophisticated demands.
The Maltese diving schools have
organised themselves into the Association of Professional
Diving Schools, with the result that the staff
are well-trained and responsible. All schools
offer up-to-date equipment of the best quality
with an excellent follow-up service. It is not
necessary to bring along your own equipment for
a short diving visit of 8-10 days as it is possible
to lease equipment at a favourable rate. The diving
schools have compressors which are regularly checked
by the Department of Health. Against presentation
of the Maltese diving permit any diver can get
his cylinders filled or can rent cylinders. Beginners
and advanced divers will receive all help and
assistance from the schools to ensure that their
diving holiday in Malta is trouble free and enjoyable.
Diver safety is target number one.
The seas around Malta are virtually
tide less. Underwater currents are very rare in
Summer and more frequent in Winter. However, due
to the small size of the island, divers can shift
to an alternative dive site very easily. In places
which are hard to reach, it is more comfortable
to dive from a boat, especially as there is always
somebody available for assistance and control
of the divers. The schools also make sure that
at all interesting dive sites the diver finds
entry without problem. |
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