TRAVEL continued
Diving schedule: 2-tank mornings are standard. Shore ▪ dives are conducted by transporting divers to local dive sites in small vans and buses. Malta-based operators can arrange trips to Gozo and can take care of ferry arrange- ments, etc. Certification: Open Water or higher suits most sites; Ad- ▪ vanced/Nitrox recommended for longer profiles and the deeper shipwrecks. It's best to check with the dive shop if the wrecks you plan to dive require Deep and/or Wreck certification. Dive conditions: Occasional strong currents on certain ▪ wrecks and shore diving sites. Tech diving is accommodated on ▪
in September 1998 after an explosion in the large bay of Valletta, causing the death of nine workers while they were performing maintenance. The wreck sits in 100 feet of water and is accessible via a shore dive. The Bristol Beaufighter : This is a WWII aircraft that ▪ crashed during training in 1943. The wreckage sits in 120 feet of water. Gozo: The Blue Hole: one of the most famous dive sites in the ▪ archipelago. This unique rock formation is accessible from the shore and is a secluded body of water fed from the ocean through the bottom. However, divers can only
reach this dive site after a difficult and treacherous walk in full gear over rough and slippery rocks. Still, the dive is worth the effort. Divers descend through the ver- tical chimney to a maximum depth of 100 feet and then journey into the open ocean where they will encounter a beautiful rocky reef to explore. Inland Sea: Another shore dive where ▪ divers begin the dive in a shallow and confined bay. A tunnel extends from this bay under a massive rock coast to the open sea. Once divers emerge from the tunnel, they can explore a dramatic wall, which drops to more than 150 feet. Non-diving add-ons: A dive trip to Malta should also include tours of the country to explore its rich history and vi- brant culture. Some sites of interest could include:
deeper sites, caves and shipwrecks. Make sure you discuss your sup- port needs ahead of time. Group dive trips: Dive shops may wish to add Malta as a destination for organized group travel. Contact any of the local dive shops to arrange ac- commodations and dive support. A group tour might be configured to ac- commodate both tech and recreational divers; contact the dive shops to find the ones that can accommodate both types of divers. There are no liveaboards here; plan to stay in hotels or resorts close to the dive shop you will be working with. Dives not to be missed. These are some of the most iconic and best dives in Malta: Malta:
Descending into the Blue Hole of Gozo
P-29 Wreck
Ġ gantija Temples (Gozo) are among the oldest freestand- ▪ ing structures in the world, predating the Egyptian pyr- amids. Ħ a ġ ar Qim & Mnajdra Temples are Neolithic temple ▪ complexes located on the southern coast. Valletta is the capital city, featuring St. John’s Co-Cathe- ▪ dral, Fort St. Elmo, and the National War Museum Lascaris War Rooms (Valletta): Underground tunnel ▪ complex used during WWII. Fort St. Angelo: A large fort in Vittoriosa. ▪ Summary: Malta is a diving gem in the middle of the
Cirkewwa: one of the most popular dive sites in Malta. ▪ Located on the north-west side of the island. Perfectly equipped for divers, the shore diving site offers ship- wrecks, arches, small caves and tunnels. Rozi shipwreck: deliberately sunk in 1992 as an under- ▪ water attraction for divers. The Rozi lies upright in 100 feet of water on a sandy bottom. This is one of the most popular dive sites in the Maltese Islands. P-29 : Purposely sunk on August 14, 2007, this is an ac- ▪ cessible shore dive to a wreck lying upright in 100 feet of water. Arch and Madonna Statue: Located in the north of the ▪ island, this site features a spectacular drop off from 25 feet to 90 feet. With small tunnels and caverns, a high- light is a dramatic underwater arch. Um el Faroud shipwreck: This 330-foot tanker was sunk ▪
Mediterranean Sea. Divers of all skill levels and interests will find the experience of diving Malta to be enriching and exciting. Shipwrecks, caves, geology, history and marine life combine to create a fascinating travel experience.
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FORTY-FIVE | SCUBA DIVING INDUSTRY
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