Malta, an archipelago nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, presents an irresistible allure for divers worldwide, and Danish enthusiasts are no exception. With its crystal-clear waters, ancient shipwrecks, and dramatic underwater topography, Malta offers a diverse and captivating diving experience.
From vibrant reef ecosystems teeming with marine life to historical wartime relics resting on the seabed, the Islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino promise an adventure that caters to all skill levels, from novice discoverers to seasoned technical divers.
This comprehensive guide will equip Danish divers with everything they need to know for an extraordinary underwater escapade in Malta, covering essential preparations, highlighting the best dive sites, and offering advice for safe and responsible diving.
Embarking on a diving holiday requires meticulous planning to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. For Danish divers eyeing Malta's enticing waters, several key aspects of preparation need to be addressed, including necessary documents, travel arrangements, accommodation choices, and essential packing.
As Denmark is part of the Schengen Area, Danish citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Malta. A valid passport is the primary document required for entry. While a visa is not necessary for short stays, it is always good to check the latest travel advisories closer to your departure date.
For diving requirements, Danish divers should ensure they carry their diving certification cards (PADI, SSI, CMAS, etc.) and their logbooks. Maltese dive centres will require proof of your qualifications. It is also highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers scuba diving activities, including emergency medical evacuation.
Some dive centres may also require you to fill out a medical self-certification form. If you answer "yes" to any of the questions, a local diving doctor's examination may be necessary, which can typically be arranged by the dive centre for a fee.
Malta International Airport (MLA) is the sole airport serving the Maltese Islands and is well-connected to major European cities. For Danish divers, direct flights are often available from Copenhagen Airport (CPH) and Billund Airport (BLL). The average flight time from Copenhagen is approximately 4 hours and 52 minutes.
It is advisable to book flights well in advance, especially if travelling during peak season (July to October), to secure the best fares and availability. Consider flexible ticket options offered by airlines if your travel plans might change.
Malta offers a wide array of accommodation options, catering to various budgets and preferences. For divers, choosing accommodation that is either integrated with a dive centre or conveniently located near popular dive sites is ideal.
Mellieħa, in the north of Malta, is a popular choice, with resorts offering excellent facilities and proximity to diving spots and ferry links to Gozo and Comino. These resorts often provide family-friendly amenities, making them suitable for those travelling with non-diving companions.
Other areas like Marsalforn Bay in Gozo also have dive centres with affiliated guesthouses and apartments, offering packages that combine accommodation with guided or unguided dives. Self-catering apartments are also a flexible option, particularly for groups or those who prefer to cook their own meals.
Beyond your standard travel wardrobe, there are specific items needed for a successful diving trip to Malta. For your diving gear, consider the water temperatures; while Malta is known for warm waters, a 5mm wetsuit is generally recommended for comfort, especially during spring and autumn. During winter and early spring, temperatures can drop to around 14°C, potentially warranting a 7mm wetsuit or even a drysuit.
Essential diving equipment includes your mask, fins, snorkel, dive computer, and an SMB (Surface Marker Buoy), which is vital for safety, particularly in areas with boat traffic. If you own a dive camera, remember extra batteries and a waterproof case.
For surface wear, pack lightweight t-shirts, shorts, a light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings, and comfortable walking shoes for exploring. Sun protection is paramount: high SPF sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses are absolute must-haves. Don't forget your toiletries, any personal medications, a small first-aid kit, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. A small backpack for day trips and a beach towel will also prove useful.
Malta's underwater landscape is a diver's paradise, boasting a remarkable diversity of sites. From intricate caves and dramatic drop-offs to a collection of world-class shipwrecks, the archipelago offers something for every diving enthusiast.
Malta is renowned for its artificial reefs, particularly its intentionally sunk shipwrecks that have become vibrant marine habitats. The UM El Faroud in Żurrieq, on the south coast of Malta, stands as the queen of these wrecks. This impressive 1969 Libyan tanker, broken into two main sections, offers multiple dive opportunities, including exploring its vast engine room. Its sheer size and the marine life it attracts make it a truly spectacular dive, typically accessible to advanced divers due to its maximum depth of around 35 metres.
Another jewel in Malta's wreck crown is the P29 shipwreck at Cirkewwa, in the northwest of Malta. This former German patrol boat, sunk as an artificial reef, rests perfectly upright on a sandy bottom at 36 metres, providing an excellent recreational wreck dive for advanced certified divers. Cirkewwa as a site is also celebrated for its rich underwater environment, including various rock pools, walls, and seagrass meadows. Nearby, also at Cirkewwa, lies the MV Rozi, a tugboat scuttled in 1992. This site is popular for its ease of access and the impressive sight of the upright tugboat, offering a fascinating penetration dive for those with appropriate training.
Moving to Comino, the smaller sister island, the P31 shipwreck offers another captivating experience. This ex-patrol boat, shallower than its counterparts at around 18-20 metres, is accessible to a wider range of certified divers and is often combined with dives in the nearby Comino Caves.
Beyond its wrecks, Malta's natural underwater topography is equally impressive. The Blue Hole at Dwejra, Gozo, often hailed as one of Europe's best dives, is a magnificent natural limestone formation. Divers descend into a natural rock pool, then pass through an archway at 7-9 metres that leads to the open sea and a huge cavern. The interplay of light within the hole and the abundance of marine life make this a truly magical experience.
Adjacent to the Blue Hole is the Inland Sea, a large lagoon connected to the open sea by a long, narrow tunnel. This tunnel dive is akin to cave diving without the overhead environment, with the tunnel starting at 4 metres and gradually deepening to 22 metres, offering stunning light effects as you surface in the cave.
The Santa Marija Caves around Comino are a series of interconnected caverns and swim-throughs, offering diverse light effects and opportunities to spot octopus, barracuda, and various reef fish. These shallower dives, around 11-15 metres, are suitable for divers of all levels and are a fantastic introduction to Malta's cave diving. Għar Lapsi, on Malta's south-west coast, provides another network of shallow caves and swim-throughs, ideal for less experienced divers or for warm-up dives.
Malta's reefs, while not as vibrant with hard corals as tropical destinations, are teeming with Mediterranean marine life. Sites like Reqqa Point in Gozo offer dramatic drop-offs and excellent visibility, often exceeding 30 metres. This site is known for its impressive topography, chimneys, and the chance to spot groupers, scorpionfish, and various nudibranchs. The Double Arch Reef, also in Gozo, is another stunning site, characterised by two large arches that create an ethereal underwater landscape. It is home to a variety of fish and offers fantastic photographic opportunities.
While diving, keep an eye out for painted comber, Mediterranean damselfish, peacock wrasse, salema, Mediterranean moray eels, red scorpionfish, and flying gurnards. In the seagrass meadows of Posidonia oceanica, which are vital marine habitats, you might encounter seahorses and various types of nudibranchs.
Safety and environmental protection are paramount when exploring the underwater world. Adhering to best practices not only ensures your well-being but also contributes to the preservation of Malta's precious marine ecosystems.
Always dive within the limits of your certification and experience. If attempting advanced dives like wreck penetration or deeper dives, ensure you have the appropriate training and consider hiring a local guide who possesses invaluable knowledge of the site's intricacies, currents, and potential hazards. Malta's waters, while generally calm, can experience currents, particularly around Comino. Always assess current conditions and plan your dive accordingly.
Thorough equipment checks are non-negotiable. Regularly inspect your gear for any signs of wear or malfunction. If renting equipment, familiarise yourself with it before your dive. Carrying a Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) is crucial, especially when surfacing in areas with boat traffic, which is common in Malta during peak season. Deploying an SMB during ascent makes you visible to surface vessels, significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
Buoyancy control is a fundamental skill that must be perfected, especially when diving near delicate reefs or wrecks. Maintaining neutral buoyancy prevents accidental contact with marine life or historical artefacts, safeguarding both the environment and yourself. Always ensure you are well-rested and hydrated before and after dives, as fatigue can impair judgment and physical ability. Familiarise yourself with the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis and understand your depth limits. In case of any concerns or discomfort during a dive, do not hesitate to communicate with your buddy or dive leader and abort the dive if necessary. There is no shame in prioritising your safety.
Responsible diving extends beyond personal safety to encompass the protection of the marine environment. The mantra "take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but bubbles" should be the guiding principle for every diver. Refrain from touching, collecting, or disturbing marine life, including corals, fish, and any underwater artefacts. Malta's marine ecosystems, while resilient, are sensitive to human impact.
Practice proper finning techniques, such as frog kicking, to avoid stirring up sediment, which can reduce visibility for other divers and disturb delicate habitats. Maintain a respectful distance from all marine creatures, observing them in their natural behaviour without interference. Avoid feeding fish, as this can disrupt their natural feeding patterns and make them reliant on human interaction.
Malta is actively working towards establishing and managing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to conserve its biodiversity, particularly important habitats like Neptune seagrass beds and various cave and reef habitats. While specific recreational diving restrictions within these areas may vary, always adhere to any local regulations and guidelines provided by your dive centre or local authorities. Supporting dive centres that promote and adhere to environmentally friendly practices is also a crucial aspect of responsible tourism.
Renting a car in Malta offers unparalleled freedom and flexibility, significantly enhancing your overall diving holiday. The archipelago is relatively small, making it easy to navigate by car, and having your own transport allows you to explore beyond the dive sites.
Having a car allows you to easily access various dive sites across Malta and Gozo at your own pace, without being reliant on organised transfers or public transport schedules. This flexibility is particularly beneficial if you plan multiple dives a day or wish to explore different areas of the island after your dives. There is also the added convenience of transporting your own diving equipment if you bring it, as it eliminates the need to rely on dive centre vans or taxis.
Beyond diving, a rental car opens up opportunities to discover Malta's rich history and culture. You can easily visit UNESCO World Heritage sites like the ancient Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, explore the silent city of Mdina with its medieval charm, or wander through the Baroque streets of the capital, Valletta. Scenic drives along the coast, trips to traditional fishing villages like Marsaxlokk, or excursions to the megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra become effortless.
Malta drives on the left-hand side of the road, a point to remember for Danish drivers accustomed to right-hand traffic. Roads can be narrow, especially in older towns and villages, and parking can sometimes be a challenge in popular areas. While traffic can be dense in urban areas, patience and careful planning of your routes, especially during rush hour, will ensure a smooth driving experience.
The benefits of unhindered exploration and flexibility that a rental car provides far outweigh any minor inconveniences, allowing Danish divers to fully immerse themselves in both Malta's underwater wonders and its captivating land-based attractions. Booking in advance, especially during peak season, is highly recommended.
In conclusion, Malta stands as a top-tier diving destination, offering Danish divers an unparalleled blend of natural beauty, historical intrigue, and thrilling underwater adventures. By carefully planning your trip, respecting marine life, prioritising safety, and embracing the freedom of a rental car, your Maltese diving holiday will undoubtedly be an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Mediterranean's aquatic marvels. So, pack your bags, prepare your gear, and get ready to dive into the extraordinary depths of Malta. Rent a car for your diving expedition today!
