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

Clear water, wrecks, and patient instructors make this Malta scuba outing appealing to certified swimmers. I like the custom approach to ability levels, especially after an instructor helped a nervous newer participant settle in and continue. I also like the chance to see reefs, caves, jellyfish, and a WWII wreck during two guided sessions.

The main catch is that the schedule can shift with weather, traffic, parking, sea conditions, and late arrivals. You also need to meet strict health requirements, bring your own towel and swimsuit, and confirm exactly what equipment is included before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions in about five hours: You get two briefings and two guided fun sessions, with the activity beginning at 8:00 am.
• Good for certified scuba participants: Open Water certification or a higher qualification is required, along with swimming ability and English comprehension.
• Patient instruction for newer participants: Guides can adjust the pace to your skill level, which helps if you feel anxious at the start.
• Malta’s varied underwater sites: Reefs, caves, jellyfish, and wrecks may form part of the experience, with a WWII wreck already featured in one outing.
• Small maximum group: The total group is limited to 15 people, with transport to and from the underwater site.
• Plan around health and flights: Written medical approval may be required, and you must wait 24 hours after the activity before flying.

Two Malta sessions built around your ability

This outing from Aquatica Diving Centre is aimed at people who already hold Open Water certification or a higher scuba qualification. It is not a first-time lesson, and it is not suitable if you cannot swim.

That said, certified does not mean equally confident. Some people arrive with plenty of logged experience. Others are newly qualified and still need a little time to settle into the equipment and the sea. The best feature here is the promise of tailoring each session to your ability.

That promise matters. One family outing included a newer son and parent, and the instructor adjusted the experience to their level. The parent became anxious at the beginning and nearly stopped, but the instructor stayed patient until the situation felt manageable. The result was an enjoyable session and a sighting of two jellyfish.

I like this kind of practical support more than a flashy sales pitch. Underwater comfort can change quickly, especially at the start. An instructor who watches your pace, rather than rushing everyone along, can make the difference between a stressful morning and a fine one.

Meeting at Sliema for an 8:00 am start

You meet at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, in Sliema. The activity begins at 8:00 am, although the exact timing can change. The operator contacts you through WhatsApp, or by SMS or email if you do not use WhatsApp, with instructions and confirmation before the session.

Keep your phone nearby. This is not the kind of outing where I would casually wander out of the hotel and assume the details will sort themselves out. Traffic, parking, sea conditions, physical ability, punctuality, and the busy summer period can all affect the start time.

Transport to and from the underwater site is included, and the vehicle is described as air-conditioned. That is a useful comfort in Malta, particularly during the warmer months. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Sliema meeting point yourself.

Public transport is nearby, which makes the meeting point reasonably practical if you are not hiring a car. Service animals are allowed. The total group can reach 15 people, so this is not a private outing, but the limit keeps it from becoming a very large operation.

Two briefings before you enter the water

Safety receives clear attention here. You get two separate briefings, one before each session. That gives the guide a chance to explain the site, conditions, procedures, and any changes instead of treating the entire morning as one generic talk.

For an experienced participant, a briefing may feel familiar. It is still useful because every site has its own shape and conditions. A reef, cave, and wreck call for different attention, and a calm reminder before entering the water helps you focus.

For someone newly certified, the second briefing is especially valuable. After the first session, you may have questions about buoyancy, equipment, comfort, or the pace of the group. A fresh explanation before the next session lets the guide respond to what actually happened earlier.

You should also expect to take some personal responsibility. Read the medical requirements carefully, answer health questions honestly, and provide written approval when requested. The operator can refuse participation if you ignore restrictions or fail to supply requested information in time, particularly during the busy summer period.

Reefs, caves, jellyfish, and a WWII wreck

The underwater appeal is variety. The plan may include reefs, caves, and wrecks, depending on conditions and the site selected. You should not treat any one location as guaranteed, since weather and sea conditions can affect the program.

A WWII wreck is already part of the experience offered by this centre, and it produced one of the strongest moments reported from the outing: clear water around the wreck and a very enjoyable session. If wartime wrecks interest you, this adds a little context and character beyond simply swimming over rocks and fish.

Jellyfish can also appear. Two were spotted during one outing, a reminder that Malta’s clear water is home to more than the sights people expect from a holiday brochure. Encounters with sea life are never guaranteed, but they can make a session memorable.

Caves and wrecks require attention to the guide. You are not simply sent off to explore on your own. Listen carefully to the briefing, stay within the group plan, and match your pace to your certification and comfort.

The operator also offers weekly full-day outings to Gozo and Comino for an extra fee. Those trips are separate from this five-hour experience and may suit you if two local sessions leave you wanting more. Ask Aquatica Diving Centre for current details and the additional cost before committing.

What the five-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is about five hours. That includes meeting, transport, two briefings, preparation, two sessions, and the return to the meeting point. It is not five continuous hours in the water.

That distinction matters when you plan the rest of your day. I would avoid booking a tight lunch reservation, a ferry connection, or another timed activity immediately afterward. The operator warns that the schedule can change because of sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and the physical capabilities of the group.

The morning start is sensible. An early departure leaves more room for changing conditions, though it also means you need to be ready on time. Late arrival can lead to losing your place without a refund, especially in July and August.

The activity ends back at the Sliema meeting point. You should bring your own towel and swimsuit. The supplied details say a complete scuba kit is provided, but the inclusion list also contains a conflicting note that equipment may not be included. Confirm this directly with Aquatica Diving Centre before booking, and ask if there is anything specific you must bring beyond swimwear and a towel.

Health rules are strict for a good reason

The health screening is not a minor formality. Written approval is mandatory for listed medical conditions, and the operator says a physician’s approval can be obtained from a doctor in Malta, with doctors available at pharmacies each morning.

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

The policy also asks about prescription medication, with birth-control and most anti-malarial medication exceptions noted. If you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, smoke, and are aged 45 or older, written approval is required.

You should not wait until the morning of the activity to sort this out. If you cannot provide the required medical consent, the operator suggests joining a snorkelling outing instead. That is a sensible alternative, but you must contact the centre about it rather than assume the change is automatic.

You need moderate physical fitness and swimming ability. English comprehension is also required because the briefings and safety instructions are given in English. Minors who join without a parent or tutor need written permission.

The best season for calmer encounters

July and August bring the busiest conditions around Malta. The operator recommends avoiding these months for the best experience, noting that larger crowds can startle aquatic life.

That advice has two sides. Summer may be the easiest period for warm-weather planning, but it can also mean more people, heavier traffic, and more pressure on parking and timing. June, July, and August are specifically noted as months when schedule changes may be more likely.

If your dates are flexible, I would look beyond July and August. You may find a quieter feel and fewer disruptions, although weather can still affect the program at any time. No season removes the need to keep your schedule flexible.

Is $118.35 fair for two sessions?

The price is $118.35 per person. That is not a bargain-basement activity, but it covers two guided sessions, two briefings, and transport to and from the site. For a certified participant who wants a structured morning without arranging site access, equipment, and supervision independently, the price can be reasonable.

The value rises if you are newer to scuba and want an instructor who will adjust to your pace. The patient handling of early anxiety is one of the clearest reasons to choose a guided centre rather than trying to arrange an unfamiliar site on your own.

The value is less clear if you already have extensive local experience and expect a private guide or a guaranteed wreck. The group can include up to 15 people, and the specific site depends on conditions. Gozo and Comino full-day outings cost extra, as does the ferry supplement for those trips.

Because the equipment information is inconsistent, ask for a written confirmation of what the fee covers. The highlights say a complete kit is provided, while the inclusion section separately lists scuba equipment as not included. This is the one practical question I would settle before paying.

What I like most about the guides

The strongest impression from this outing is the human side. Holly and Lee are specifically praised for being caring and pleasant to spend time with. Another instructor stayed with a nervous participant until the person felt ready to continue.

That patience is worth more than a long list of sites. You can have clear water and an interesting wreck, but if the guide makes you feel hurried, the session loses its appeal. Here, the available feedback points to instructors who pay attention to comfort and ability.

Still, expectations should remain realistic. A guide can adapt the pace, but cannot remove the need for swimming ability, moderate fitness, certification, and honest health disclosure. You remain responsible for following instructions and telling the staff if something feels wrong.

Practical booking and cancellation advice

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. Before the session, watch for the WhatsApp, SMS, or email message that confirms instructions and the exact start time.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Poor weather is an exception: if the activity is cancelled for that reason, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Do not book this on the same day as a flight. You must wait 24 hours after the activity before flying, a standard precaution that affects short Malta visits.

Who should book this Malta outing?

I would choose this for a certified participant who wants two guided sessions, air-conditioned transport, and help judging local conditions. It is particularly suitable if you are newly qualified, returning to scuba after time away, or prone to early nerves.

It also suits a parent and adult child or a small group with mixed confidence, since the pace can be adjusted to ability. The maximum group of 15 offers some structure without promising a private experience.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed wreck, dislike flexible timing, cannot swim comfortably, or have a medical condition that may require approval. I would also avoid booking until the equipment question is settled.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, Sliema, Malta.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am, but the exact time may change because of weather, traffic, parking, sea conditions, punctuality, and group capabilities.

How long does the experience last?

The activity takes about five hours, including transport, preparation, two briefings, two sessions, and the return to the meeting point.

Who can take part?

The activity is for swimmers with Open Water certification or a higher scuba qualification. You also need English comprehension and a moderate level of physical fitness.

Do I need medical approval?

If you have any of the listed serious medical conditions or relevant health concerns, written approval from a physician is required before taking part.

What should I bring?

Bring your own towel and swimsuit. The supplied information says a complete scuba kit is provided, but another section gives conflicting equipment information, so confirm the exact arrangement before the activity.

Can I fly after the experience?

You need to wait 24 hours before flying after the activity.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a guided Malta morning with two sessions, varied underwater possibilities, and instructors who can be patient with newer or nervous participants. The clearest strengths are the flexible pace, caring staff, and chance of seeing something memorable, from jellyfish to a WWII wreck.

Before you pay, confirm the equipment arrangement, disclose any medical concerns, and leave room in your schedule for a delayed start or longer finish. If those conditions suit you, $118.35 is a fair price for a supported, certified-only outing based in Sliema.