Scuba Diving in Malta, Past to Present
Scuba Diving in Malta has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The island’s strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it a hub for maritime activities, including diving. In the past, local fishermen and sailors explored the underwater world for survival and trade. However, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that recreational diving gained popularity in Gozo.
Today, Gozo is renowned for its crystal-clear waters and diverse marine life, attracting scuba divers from around the globe. The island’s commitment to preserving its underwater ecosystems has contributed to a thriving and sustainable diving scene that balances exploration with conservation.
The Evolution of Malta's Diving Scene
Over the years, Malta’s diving scene has evolved from a niche activity to a world-class destination. The government and local communities have actively supported the growth of the diving industry, ensuring that safety measures, environmental regulations, and infrastructure are in place. Dive schools and centers on Gozo offer training and certification, making the island accessible to divers of all levels.
Malta’s commitment to preserving its underwater heritage is evident in the establishment of marine protected areas and ongoing conservation initiatives. This evolution has transformed Gozo into a paradise for both beginners and experienced divers seeking unique underwater experiences.
World-Famous Diving Spots Malta
Gozo boasts a plethora of world-famous dive sites that cater to every diver’s preference. The island’s clear waters provide excellent visibility, enhancing the exploration of its diverse underwater landscapes. Whether you’re into exploring vibrant reefs, sunken wrecks, or mysterious caves, Gozo has it all.
Reef Dives: Gozo’s reefs are a kaleidoscope of colors and marine life. From the famous Blue Hole to the stunning Inland Sea, divers can encounter a variety of fish, crustaceans, and underwater flora. These reef dives offer an immersive experience in vibrant and thriving ecosystems.
Wreck Dives: The waters surrounding Gozo are a graveyard for historical shipwrecks, providing a unique opportunity for wreck diving enthusiasts. The HMS Maori and the MV Karwela are just a couple of the notable wrecks waiting to be explored, offering a glimpse into Malta’s maritime history.
Cave Dives: Gozo’s coastline is dotted with fascinating underwater caves, each with its own allure. The Cathedral Cave and the Billinghurst Cave are popular choices for cave divers, offering a magical and ethereal experience beneath the surface.
Gozo Technical Divers: Mastering the Depths
Gozo’s allure extends beyond traditional scuba diving, beckoning seasoned enthusiasts to its depths. The island hosts a thriving technical diving community, drawing those eager to embrace challenges and delve further into the mesmerizing underwater world.
The wrecks and caves of Gozo stand as the epicenter for technical divers seeking an adrenaline-fueled encounter with the unknown. Wreck diving enthusiasts are lured by the island’s maritime history, exploring sunken vessels like the HMS Maori and the MV Karwela that silently rest on the seabed, weaving tales of a bygone era.
Cave diving, an art form in itself, finds a perfect canvas in Gozo’s intricate underwater caverns. The Cathedral Cave and the Billinghurst Cave, with their play of light and shadows, captivate cave divers seeking an otherworldly experience beneath the surface.
Gozo’s deep walls, challenging conditions, and network of underwater tunnels create an environment that tests the skills of even the most seasoned technical divers. The island’s commitment to safety and responsible diving practices ensures that these explorations are not only thrilling but conducted with the utmost care for both divers and the underwater ecosystem.
As word spreads of Gozo’s technical diving treasures, the island becomes a pilgrimage for those seeking the ultimate underwater challenge. The camaraderie among technical divers is palpable, creating an environment where shared passion and expertise converge. Dive schools and centers equipped to cater to technical divers’ specific needs have proliferated, further establishing Gozo as a destination of choice for those aiming to master the depths and uncover the hidden secrets concealed beneath the waves.
In the realm of technical diving, Gozo stands as a beacon, inviting the intrepid to venture beyond conventional boundaries and explore the uncharted territories of the underwater world. Here, the wrecks and caves hold promises of unparalleled experiences, making Gozo an indispensable destination for the global community of technical divers.
Here’s what our long-standing members of staff have to say about diving on Gozo & Malta
“I first formally qualified as a diver in 1983 but it was 1990 before I was introduced to Gozo. I have dived in many parts of the world but have always been magnetically drawn back to “The Gem in the centre of the Mediterranean”. The reason is simple: nowhere else can I enjoy the range and variety of diving I find on Gozo.
The magnificent underwater scenery with its walls, chimneys, caves and caverns is just a few minutes away from the Dive Centre. The deep azure blue colour of the ocean as you exit from one of those caves or caverns can never be faithfully reproduced in a photograph. The multitude of marine organisms colonising the walls and overhangs is both beautiful and captivating.
I have heard it said that the Mediterranean does not have much sea life. I can assure you in the case of the Maltese Islands that is far from reality. With Brian and the Atlantis Diving Centre, I have seen numerous enchanting seahorses, female octopuses blowing on their eggs to keep algae at bay, large dusky, white and golden groupers, majestic dentex, graceful sting and eagle rays, large shoals of barracuda and lone amberjacks not much smaller than myself. The shy congers in caves and caverns, the more inquisitive morays, the strange-looking Spanish lobsters and the countless varieties of colourful nudibranchs are all there to be discovered.
Wreck diving ranges from scuttled ferries and patrol boats to World War II submarines and aircraft to ancient passenger vessels. Most can be safely penetrated by the experienced diver and offer that rare opportunity to step back in time.
In my early years the term “technical diving” would probably refer to a diver using a digital dive watch. Today, it has a slightly different interpretation so if you like the challenge of the deep, Gozo, Malta and the Atlantis Diving Centre has so much to offer. Within a few metres of some parts of the shoreline, you will find depths ranging from 50 metres to 90 metres and beyond.
On the other side of the coin, there are the shallow sandy and rocky bays ideal for training dives for the less experienced and those who are just beginning to learn the sport. Couple all this with crystal clear waters and temperatures approaching those of a warm bath during the main season and diving could not be more comfortable.
I was hooked in 1990 and I am still hooked 27 years later.”
Jack Dabill
10 Things You Never Knew About Scuba Diving in Malta
- Malta has Many sunken World War II wreck ships, submarines and fighter planes
- The underwater visibility around Gozo can exceed 40 meters, providing an unparalleled view of the marine life and topography.
- The Blue Hole, a popular dive site, is connected to the Inland Sea through a breathtaking underwater tunnel.
- Gozo is home to the second-largest shipwreck in the world accessible to recreational divers, the MV Karwela.
- The underwater sculptures at the Xwejni Bay Art Reef project add an artistic touch to Gozo’s diving experience.
- The island’s commitment to marine conservation is evident in the unique collaboration between divers and scientists to monitor and protect underwater ecosystems.
- Gozo’s diverse marine life includes seahorses, nudibranchs, and various species of rays, providing an underwater photographer’s paradise.
- The Santa Maria Caves offer an extraordinary play of light and shadows, creating a surreal atmosphere for cave divers.
- The Maltese Kristu Statue lies at a depth of 25m next to the Imperial Eagle Wreck
- The local diving community in Gozo is known for its hospitality and camaraderie, making it a welcoming destination for divers from all walks of life.
