2 Scuba Fun Dives for Certified divers in St Paul’s Bay

Malta puts some of its best sights below the waterline, and this five-hour outing gives certified divers two chances to see them without planning a boat charter or finding separate equipment. You might visit a reef, cave, or WWII wreck, depending on conditions and your group’s ability.

I like the skill-based approach, especially if you are a newer Open Water diver who wants calm guidance rather than a rushed group. I also like the practical setup: two safety briefings, transport to the site, and air-conditioned transfers take much of the day’s fuss away. The main drawback is that there is no hotel pickup, and the equipment information is unclear in the booking details, so confirm exactly what is included before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Two underwater sessions in about five hours: You get a full morning or early-day outing rather than a quick introductory swim.
• Good for certified divers only: You need Open Water certification or a higher qualification, and you must be able to swim.
• Guidance can match your ability: Holly and Lee are among the guides associated with the experience, and the instruction can be adjusted for newer divers.
• Possible WWII wreck sighting: One outing included a clear-water WWII wreck, while other sites may feature reefs or caves.
• Safety comes first: Expect two briefings, health screening, and written medical approval for certain conditions.
• Plan around flying: You should wait 24 hours after the activity before boarding a flight.

Malta below the surface, with two chances to explore

This is not a learn-to-scuba session. It is made for people who already hold Open Water certification or a higher qualification and want a guided day in Malta’s clear water.

The appeal is variety. The exact site is not fixed in the information provided, so you may be taken to a reef, cave, or wreck. That uncertainty is normal for this kind of activity. Sea conditions, traffic, parking, ability levels, and the group’s punctuality can all affect the plan.

Two sessions also give you room to settle in. The first can help you get comfortable with the water, equipment, and local conditions. The second gives you another chance to enjoy the setting once you are no longer sorting out the basics.

I would not book this expecting a guaranteed wreck. The WWII wreck is a genuine possibility, but the final location depends on conditions and the day’s plan. If a particular site matters to you, ask Aquatica Diving Centre before booking.

Meeting at Sliema before the morning outing

The stated meeting point is Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, Sliema, at 8:00 am. The activity ends back there after the two sessions.

This is not a hotel pickup service. You need to make your own way to the meeting point, so allow time for local transport and finding the correct entrance. The operator may adjust the precise start time and will contact you by WhatsApp, SMS, or email with instructions. Keep your phone close on the morning of the activity.

The early start is useful in practical terms. It gives you more of the day after the session, and it may help avoid the hottest part of the afternoon. Still, do not treat 8:00 am as completely immovable. The provider warns that weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, physical ability, and late arrivals can change the timing.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is a manageable ceiling for a guided outing, though the personal feel will depend on how many people attend and how abilities are matched.

Two briefings make the morning safer

Before entering the water, you receive two dive briefings, one for each session. That matters more than it may sound.

A proper briefing helps you understand the site, the order of the activity, the safety plan, and what to expect underwater. For a newer certified diver, this can reduce the mental load that often comes with returning to the sport after time away.

The guidance appears particularly useful for people still building confidence. One session was adapted for a father and son who were newer divers, and the instructor stayed patient when one of them began to panic. That diver nearly stopped but managed to continue and later saw two jellyfish.

That is the kind of support I want from a guided session. The certificate gets you through the door, but it does not mean every certified diver feels equally relaxed in open water. If you are anxious, tell the instructor early. The more clearly you explain your comfort level, the easier it is to shape the outing sensibly.

English is required. You need to understand instructions given before and during the activity. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Reefs, caves, jellyfish, and a possible WWII wreck

The underwater setting is the main reason to choose this activity. Malta is known for clear water, and the available sites can include natural formations and wartime wreckage.

A reef may give you the chance to watch marine life around rock formations. A cave can add a change in light and shape, but it may feel less suitable if enclosed spaces make you uneasy. A wreck offers a different kind of interest, with structure, history, and a stronger sense of place.

A WWII wreck was part of one successful outing in clear water. That is a memorable option, but you should not assume every group visits it. The site choice can depend on weather, sea conditions, certification levels, and the day’s logistics.

You might also see marine life such as jellyfish. Two were spotted on one outing. That does not promise a particular animal sighting, but it shows that the appeal is not limited to wrecks and rocks.

The operator recommends avoiding July and August if you want the best chance of seeing aquatic life behaving naturally. More people around the island can startle marine animals during the peak season. June through August can also bring more traffic, parking pressure, and schedule changes.

Equipment, transfers, and what you need to bring

The overview says a complete diving kit is provided, and the activity includes transportation to and from the dive site. Air-conditioned transfers are a welcome detail in Malta’s warm months, especially when you are carrying personal items and wearing swim gear.

There is an important wording problem in the supplied details. The included section lists use of scuba equipment under both included and not included. Do not leave this unclear. Confirm whether the full kit is included in the $118.35 price or whether an equipment charge applies.

You do need to bring your own towel and swimsuit. Those are specifically excluded. I would also arrive with any personal certification documents or equipment preferences you normally use, although the supplied information does not say that these are required.

Transport is to and from the activity location, not from your hotel. That distinction affects the real cost of the morning. Add your local transport to Sliema when comparing this outing with a hotel-based option.

Is $118.35 good value?

At $118.35 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided half-day with two sessions, briefings, and transport to the site. The value improves if the equipment is truly included, since renting a full kit separately could change the cost comparison.

You are paying for more than time in the water. The price covers planning, instruction, safety management, and access to sites that can be difficult to arrange independently. For a certified diver on a short Malta holiday, that convenience may matter as much as the underwater time.

The price is less attractive if you already have all your equipment, want a very small private group, or are looking for a guaranteed wreck. The maximum group size is 15, and the site is selected according to conditions rather than personal preference.

Ask three questions before booking:

• Is all scuba equipment included, or is there an extra charge?
• Which sites are realistic for your certification and the conditions that week?
• What exact time should you report to Diveshack20?

Those answers will tell you more about the value than the headline price alone.

Health rules are strict for good reason

Scuba activities require honest health screening. Pregnancy is not compatible with this outing, and written approval is required for several medical conditions.

The listed concerns include heart, lung, and blood problems; certain eye, ear, or nasal conditions; recent surgery; neurological conditions; loss of consciousness; seizures; strokes; head injuries; psychological or addiction issues; back problems; hernia; ulcers; diabetes; stomach or intestinal problems; and some prescription medicines.

People aged 45 or older who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or smoke also need written approval. If you take prescription medication, check the rule carefully. Birth control and anti-malarial drugs other than mefloquine, also known as Lariam, are listed as exceptions.

You can obtain written approval from your own physician or from a physician in Malta. The information says a doctor is available at every pharmacy each morning. Do this before the activity, not on the assumption that the operator can sort it out at the last minute.

If you cannot provide the required medical consent, contact the provider about joining a snorkeling tour instead. Do not ignore the health rules. The operator may refuse participation without a refund if restrictions are overlooked or requested information is not supplied on time.

Who will feel most at home here?

This outing suits a certified diver who wants a guided return to Malta’s water rather than a completely independent plan. It is also a good match for newer Open Water divers who want an instructor to adjust the pace and offer patient support.

It may work well for:

• Open Water divers and people with higher certifications
• Swimmers with moderate physical fitness
• Families with certified adult and teenage divers, provided consent rules are met
• Divers interested in reefs, caves, marine life, or a possible wreck
• Visitors who prefer a half-day activity with transport arranged to the site

Minors who join alone need written consent from a parent or tutor. English understanding is required, and you must be comfortable swimming.

This is not suitable for a non-swimmer, an uncertified beginner, or someone who wants to try scuba for the first time. The snorkeling alternative is the better choice if you cannot meet the medical requirements.

Planning around weather, crowds, and flights

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the session, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

That policy is helpful, but do not confuse it with a promise that the timetable will never change. Sea conditions can affect both the start time and the site. In high season, late arrival is especially risky because parking, traffic, and participant readiness can slow the group.

The activity lasts about five hours, but the actual duration can change. Keep the rest of the day flexible instead of booking a tight lunch reservation or another timed tour immediately afterward.

The flying rule is firm: wait 24 hours after the activity before flying. This is essential planning for anyone nearing the end of a Malta holiday. Schedule the two underwater sessions early enough in your trip to leave a full day before your flight.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Gozo and Comino for a longer day

Aquatica also offers weekly full-day trips to Gozo and Comino for an extra fee. These are separate from the St Paul’s Bay outing, and a ferry supplement applies.

That option makes sense if you want to spend more of your holiday in the water and are willing to give up a full day. Ask for current details before booking, since the supplied information does not specify the additional price, sites, or schedule.

For many people, the St Paul’s Bay outing is the better first step. It gives you two sessions in about five hours and lets you judge how much underwater time you want before committing to a full-day plan.

Should you book these two sessions?

Book it if you are already certified, can swim comfortably, and want patient instruction, two guided sessions, and the chance to see Malta’s reefs, caves, marine life, or a WWII wreck. The tailored support is especially useful if you are newly certified or prone to early-session nerves.

I would be more cautious if you need hotel pickup, have a strict timetable, or want one guaranteed site. Confirm the equipment charge, keep your morning flexible, and leave 24 hours before flying.

For the strongest chance of a calm outing, consider avoiding July and August. If you meet the health rules and value careful guidance over complete control of the itinerary, this is a practical way to get underwater in Malta.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours, though the start time and duration can change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and participants’ physical capabilities.

Where does the activity start and end?

It starts at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, Sliema, Malta, at the stated 8:00 am start time. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Do I need scuba certification?

Yes. The activity is for Open Water certified divers and divers with higher certification levels. You must also be able to swim and have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Is scuba equipment included?

The overview says a complete diving kit is provided, but another part of the details lists scuba equipment under both included and not included. Confirm the equipment arrangements and any possible extra charge with Aquatica Diving Centre before booking.

How long should I wait before flying?

You should wait 24 hours after the activity before flying.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, unless the operator cancels because of poor weather.