First Experience Scuba Diving

Malta’s clear coastal water makes a fine place to try scuba for the first time. This half-day session takes you from basic equipment and hand signals to breathing underwater, with a training session followed by a guided shore session to a maximum of 5 metres. You do not need previous experience, but you must be able to swim and feel ready to put your face in the water.

I like the small maximum group of four, which gives your instructor room to watch each person closely. I also like that the price includes the full kit, online theory, transport to the shore site, and a proper safety briefing. The main drawback is that this is not an internationally recognized licence, and the schedule or site can change with weather, sea conditions, traffic, or late arrivals.

Key points before you book

• Two stages in one session: Learn the basic skills first, then use them during a guided shore session.
• Maximum four people: A small group means more personal attention, especially useful if you feel nervous.
• Shallow beginner depth: The second session reaches no more than 5 metres.
• Full equipment included: Bring your own swimsuit and towel, but the scuba kit is supplied.
• Strict safety rules: You must swim, understand English, and obtain medical approval for certain conditions.
• No qualification at the end: This is a first taste of scuba, not a certification course.

A gentle introduction in Malta’s clear water

This activity is built for people who want to find out if scuba suits them without signing up for a full licence course. In about two and a half hours, you receive a short theory lesson, equipment instruction, safety guidance, basic practice, and two sessions in the water.

The setting helps. Malta is known for clear coastal water, and the shallow maximum depth keeps the first proper outing within a manageable range. You may see shoaling fish, sea urchins, and other small sea life close to shore. One group even spotted a barracuda, although wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

The most important thing to understand is that this is not a sightseeing cruise. You will be learning how to breathe through a regulator, clear your mask, use underwater hand signs, and stay calm while wearing unfamiliar equipment. The reward comes after the initial nerves settle.

Starting at Diveshack20 in Sliema

You meet at Diveshack20 on Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana in Sliema. The location is near public transportation and easy to reach, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow enough time to get there independently.

The centre handles the check-in, paperwork, and equipment fitting before you leave for the water. Bring a swimsuit and towel. A wetsuit and the rest of the scuba equipment are supplied, but if you want to rent an underwater camera or towel, arrange that with the centre ahead of time.

Your exact starting time may be adjusted. The team contacts you through WhatsApp, or by text message or email if you do not use WhatsApp, with the e-learning link and final instructions. Keep your phone available. In the busy summer months, parking, traffic, sea conditions, punctuality, and the physical ability of the group can all affect the schedule.

The meeting point and finishing point are the same, even though the actual shore site may be elsewhere. This matters if you are planning another activity right afterward.

Completing the online theory before arrival

Before the practical session, you complete online learning in your chosen language. This covers basic scuba knowledge and introduces the underwater hand signs you will need once you cannot speak normally.

Do not treat this as paperwork to rush through. The practical session moves more smoothly if you already understand the main equipment and signals. One useful tip is to practise the hand signs before you arrive. That leaves more attention for breathing, balance, and staying relaxed in the water.

The centre uses an online learning portal for the theory. Forms are part of the process, and the staff can help if something is unclear. You should still read the material carefully, especially the safety sections and medical questions.

English comprehension is required for this activity. That is not a minor detail. You must understand the briefing, respond to the instructor, and follow safety instructions underwater.

Equipment briefing and the first training session

At the centre or shore site, your instructor explains the regulator, mask, buoyancy equipment, cylinder, and other parts of the kit. You also learn how to breathe, communicate, and respond to common beginner problems.

The first water session is a training session rather than a sightseeing outing. Your instructor helps you practise the basic skills under direct supervision. If you feel anxious, this is the moment to say so. Several instructors, including Francesca, Alex, Julia, Emma, Marcell, and Mark, are described as patient and reassuring, but your comfort still depends on speaking up early.

A good instructor will not expect you to rush. You may need time to get used to the regulator or to place your face fully in the water. One person who became nervous decided not to continue, while their partner carried on. That is a useful reminder: scuba is not for everyone, and it is better to stop than to force yourself through panic.

At the same time, the activity does require a basic level of commitment. You need to swim, put your face in the water, and follow instructions. If you cannot do those things, even a careful beginner session cannot progress.

The guided shore session to 5 metres

Once the basic exercises are complete, you move into the second shore session. The maximum depth is 5 metres, which keeps the outing suitable for beginners and lets the instructor remain close.

This is where the activity begins to feel less like a lesson and more like exploration. You may see fish near the surface and along the rocky seabed. Sea urchins and clear water are common themes in the reports from this outing, while visibility can vary with the weather.

The shore format has advantages and limits. You avoid the cost and time of a boat trip, and the shallow water is a sensible place to learn. On the other hand, entering from shore may feel less dramatic than boarding a boat, and the distance or visibility may be reduced if the sea becomes choppy.

The team may relocate the session to a different site when conditions are poor. That flexibility is useful, but it can also create confusion if you expect to change at the Sliema centre or have already planned your clothing around one location. Confirm the final site and changing arrangements when the team contacts you.

The instructors and the feel of the group

The strongest part of this activity is the instructor attention. With no more than four people, the guide can keep a close eye on everyone and respond when someone needs help.

Francesca is praised for being kind, patient, fun, and reassuring. Alex is described as informative and particularly good with nervous beginners. Julia receives strong praise for helping a young person learn, while Emma and Marcell are noted for making a nervous couple feel safe. Mark and Kas were especially patient with a teenage participant.

Instructor assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your session. The repeated pattern is more important: the centre uses a calm, hands-on approach, and several instructors are described as attentive in the water.

The staff also stress respect for the sea. You should expect reminders not to touch marine life or the seabed. That is good practice for Malta and helps protect the very environment you came to see.

Is $96.55 good value?

At $96.55 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a fully arranged introduction rather than a short equipment demonstration. You receive online theory, the safety briefing, all scuba equipment, a training session, a guided shore session, and transport to and from the shore site.

The small group improves the value. A cheaper large-group outing might leave you waiting while other beginners handle their first skills. Here, the instructor has a better chance to correct your technique and notice when you are struggling.

Still, keep the limits in mind. You do not receive an internationally recognized certification, and the 5-metre depth is deliberately modest. If your goal is a licence, ask Aquatica Diving Centre about its full scuba courses instead. If you want only a quick look below the surface, the session may feel longer and more structured than expected.

The price also does not cover your swimsuit, towel, or transport from your hotel. Those are small costs, but they matter when comparing this with a boat-based package.

Safety rules you should take seriously

The health requirements are extensive. You need written approval from a physician if you have certain heart, lung, blood, neurological, respiratory, ear, eye, nose, or other serious medical conditions.

Approval may also be required for pregnancy, recent surgery, back problems, hernia, diabetes, seizures, strokes, loss of consciousness, migraines, some psychological conditions, and the use of prescription medication. People aged 45 or older with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a smoking history also need to check the requirements carefully.

Do not wait until the morning of the activity to raise a concern. The centre says written approval can come from your own doctor or a doctor in Malta, with doctors available at pharmacies each morning. If you cannot provide the required approval, the centre suggests joining a snorkelling tour instead.

You must also wait at least 12 hours after the session before flying, with 24 hours recommended. Plan this carefully if Malta is the final stop of your trip or if you are catching a flight the next morning.

Who will enjoy this most?

This is a good choice for a first-timer who can swim, wants close instruction, and is curious about Malta’s marine life. Couples and families may appreciate the small group, and the minimum age is 10, with written consent from a parent or tutor for minors.

It also suits you if you are unsure about committing to a full qualification. You can learn the basic sensations and decide later if you want more training.

I would not choose it if you dislike putting your face in water, have serious health concerns that have not been cleared, or want a certified qualification in one afternoon. It is also a poor fit if you need a fixed schedule, since weather and sea conditions can alter the timing or location.

The activity requires moderate physical fitness. You should be ready to carry or wear scuba equipment, enter the water, follow instructions, and stay calm while practising.

Booking, cancellations, and practical planning

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded. This policy is worth noting because one person who became unwell on the day was unable to reschedule.

If poor weather forces the centre to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same flexibility does not necessarily apply when you cancel late, arrive late, or ignore the health and swimming requirements.

I would book this early in a Malta trip rather than on your final day. The activity is often booked about 16 days ahead, and leaving a spare day gives you some protection if the sea is rough or the schedule shifts. Do not plan a flight within the recommended 24-hour window afterward.

Should you book this beginner scuba session?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first taste of scuba in Malta, especially if a small group matters to you. The shallow second session, full equipment, clear preparation, and repeated reports of patient instructors make it a sensible choice for a confident swimmer who feels a little nervous but still wants to try.

Skip it if you want certification, guaranteed weather, hotel transport, or a boat trip to a deeper site. Read the online material, bring a towel and swimsuit, keep your phone nearby for the final meeting details, and be honest about your health and comfort level.

For the right person, $96.55 buys more than a few minutes underwater. It buys a structured introduction, careful supervision, and a realistic chance to discover if scuba belongs in your future travel plans.

FAQ

How long does the scuba session last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, though the timing can change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and the physical ability of the group.

Where do I meet the group?

You meet at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, Sliema, Malta. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Transport to and from the shore activity site is included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not.

What equipment is provided?

A complete scuba kit is included in the price. You must bring your own swimsuit and towel.

How deep will the second session go?

The guided shore session reaches a maximum depth of 5 metres.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No previous experience is required. You complete online theory first, then receive a safety briefing and hands-on instruction before entering the water.

Do I need to be able to swim?

Yes. This activity is for swimmers only, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

Does this activity provide a scuba licence?

No. It is an introductory experience and does not provide an internationally recognized scuba certification. Contact Aquatica Diving Centre about its full scuba courses if you want a licence.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be at least 10 years old. Minors also need written consent from a parent or tutor.

Can I fly after the activity?

You should wait at least 12 hours before flying, with 24 hours recommended for safety.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the centre cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.