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

Malta’s clear water is the star here, but the best part is the personal pace. This is not a one-size-fits-all morning: Open Water divers and more advanced participants are matched to suitable sites and supported by guides who take safety seriously. The chance to see a WWII wreck, reefs, caves, and even jellyfish gives the outing real variety.

I like the two separate safety briefings, since they keep the plan clear before each session. I also like the air-conditioned transfers from the meeting point to the site, especially when you are carrying gear in Malta’s summer heat. The main caution is that the day can run longer than expected, and the exact timing may shift with weather, traffic, parking, sea conditions, or late arrivals.

Key points to know before you book

• Meet in Sliema at 8:00 am: The starting point is Diveshack20 on Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui-Si-Sana, not your hotel.
• Two guided sessions: You receive two briefings and two recreational underwater sessions, with the route shaped around your level.
• Possible WWII wreck: A clear-water wreck site may be part of the plan, though locations depend on conditions and suitability.
• Patient instruction: Holly and Lee are among the instructors associated with the experience, and support is particularly useful for newer or nervous Open Water participants.
• Bring your own basics: Pack a swimsuit and towel. Clarify the equipment arrangement before arrival because the details describe gear as provided but also list SCUBA equipment as excluded.
• Plan around flying: You must wait 24 hours after the activity before taking a flight.

Clear water, wrecks, and a flexible morning in Malta

This outing is designed for certified Open Water participants and divers with higher qualifications. You are not signing up for a beginner lesson or a short tryout in shallow water. You already need the required certification, swimming ability, and enough comfort in the water to manage a five-hour activity.

The setting around St Paul’s Bay gives the guides several kinds of underwater scenery to work with. Depending on the day and your ability, you might see a reef, enter a cave, or visit a wreck. A WWII wreck in clear water has already been part of the experience, so history can appear in a very physical way here, not as a museum label but as a structure below the surface.

I like this mix because it keeps the morning from feeling repetitive. If your first session focuses on a reef, the second may offer a different type of setting. Still, you should not book with one exact wreck or cave in mind. The final site depends on sea conditions, your group’s abilities, and the guide’s safety judgment.

What happens from the 8:00 am meeting point

You begin at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui-Si-Sana, SLM3111 Tas-Sliema. The activity ends at the same meeting point, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That makes this easier for people staying near Sliema or using Malta’s public transport, but you need to arrange your own way to the centre.

The operator may contact you through WhatsApp before the session to confirm instructions and the exact start time. If you do not use WhatsApp, contact may come by text message or email. Keep your phone close, since traffic, parking, weather, sea conditions, punctuality, and physical ability can all affect the schedule.

Once the group is assembled, expect a safety briefing before the first session. You receive a second briefing before the next one, which is useful because the site, depth, entry plan, or group needs may change. For a certified participant, this is more than paperwork. It gives you a chance to ask about the route and make sure you understand the signals and plan.

The group can include up to 15 people. That is not a tiny private outing, but the activity is still shaped around experience levels rather than treating everyone as an identical group. If you want the calmest atmosphere, avoid July and August when possible. The operator notes that heavier crowds can startle marine life, and the busiest months can also bring more schedule pressure.

The first underwater session: settle into Malta’s conditions

Your first session is a chance to get comfortable with the water, equipment, and guide. The exact location is not fixed in advance, and that is sensible in Malta, where wind and sea conditions can affect which sites are suitable on a given morning.

Newer certified participants may find this part especially helpful. One instructor stayed patient with a participant who felt panic at the beginning and was ready to stop. That support made it possible to continue and enjoy the session alongside a family member. It is a good reason to tell the guide honestly if you feel nervous. Pretending to be relaxed helps nobody.

You might encounter a reef, cave, or wreck during this first outing. The water is described as clear, and marine life can include jellyfish. The sight of two jellyfish was a memorable moment for one family group, but you should treat wildlife as an unpredictable bonus rather than a promised part of the route.

The first session also helps the guide judge how the group is handling the conditions. If you are a newer Open Water participant, a careful pace matters more than reaching the most dramatic site. The aim is to enjoy the underwater setting without turning the morning into a test of nerve or endurance.

The second session: more variety, not a guaranteed itinerary

After the first session and its related logistics, you return for the second briefing and another underwater outing. This is where the morning can gain variety. A second site may bring a different reef shape, a cave, or a wreck, but no fixed location is promised.

The WWII wreck possibility is a strong draw for certified participants who like their underwater sightseeing with a sense of place. Clear water can make the structure easier to appreciate, though visibility is never something you should treat as guaranteed. The guide will decide what is suitable and safe on the day.

The two-session format is also useful for comparing your own comfort. You may feel more settled during the second outing, particularly after becoming familiar with the equipment and the guide’s way of working. On the other hand, the morning is physically demanding, so you should arrive with a moderate level of fitness and enough energy for several hours around the water.

One practical point: the total outing can take more time than you expect. That is not necessarily a problem, but do not schedule a tight lunch, airport transfer, or afternoon appointment immediately afterward. The stated duration is about five hours, with room for changes.

Equipment, transfers, and the details that need checking

The experience includes transportation between the meeting point and the activity site in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is a useful comfort, especially in Malta’s warm months, and it avoids making you find an unfamiliar shore location on your own.

The equipment information needs a careful check before you book. The highlights say a complete kit is provided, while the inclusions and exclusions also refer to SCUBA equipment in a conflicting way. Contact Aquatica Diving Centre and ask exactly what is supplied, what you must bring, and if any equipment charge applies. Do not assume the answer from one line alone.

You must bring your own swimsuit and towel. Pack only what you need for the water and keep personal belongings secure, since no hotel transport is provided. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

English is required for communication and safety instructions. You should be able to understand the briefings, follow the guide’s directions, and communicate clearly in the water. This is not a good setting for relying on a companion to translate key instructions.

Safety rules are strict for a reason

You need to be a swimmer and hold Open Water certification or a higher qualification. The operator also expects a moderate physical fitness level. Minors who join alone need written consent from a parent or tutor.

Medical screening is an important part of the booking. Written approval from a physician is required for listed conditions, including heart, lung, blood, eye, ear, nasal, neurological, back, stomach, intestinal, and diabetes-related problems. Recent surgery, seizures, strokes, loss of consciousness, certain psychological or addiction issues, hernia, ulcers, and some ongoing conditions are also included.

People aged 45 or older who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or smoke need medical approval. Pregnancy is listed as a restriction, as is taking prescription medication, apart from the stated exceptions for birth control and certain anti-malaria medication. If you cannot provide the required consent, the operator suggests joining a snorkelling outing instead.

These rules can feel demanding, but they protect you and the guide. Contact the centre before booking if you are unsure. Failure to provide requested health information or arriving late can mean you cannot participate, especially in the busy season, with no refund guaranteed.

Do not plan a flight the same day. You must wait at least 24 hours after this activity before flying, so schedule it early enough in your Malta stay or leave the following day open.

Is $118.35 a fair price?

At $118.35 per person, the price is reasonable if the package truly includes the equipment described, the two briefings, two sessions, and transport to the sites. You are paying for a guided half-day rather than simply renting gear and finding your own entry point.

The value is strongest for certified visitors who want local planning. You do not need to research suitable sites, arrange a vehicle, or decide which location fits changing sea conditions. The guide handles those choices, while you get several hours in the water.

The value is weaker if you already have all your equipment, your own transport, and a strong preference for a specific site. It is also less attractive if you want a relaxed beach morning with no fixed start. Meeting at 8:00 am and keeping to safety procedures makes this an active outing, not a casual swim.

Ask about equipment before paying, because the conflicting equipment details affect the true cost. Gozo and Comino full-day outings are available for an extra fee, but that supplement is not included here, and neither is the ferry.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for a certified Open Water participant who wants more than a standard resort activity. It suits you if you like the idea of reefs, caves, or wrecks but prefer a guide to handle the site decisions and transfers.

It is also a good fit for newer certified participants who want patient supervision. The experience involving a nervous participant shows why speaking up matters. A calm instructor can make the difference between abandoning the morning and enjoying it with your companion.

More experienced participants may appreciate the chance to request a suitable challenge, though the actual plan remains subject to safety and sea conditions. If you want a private guide, guaranteed wreck access, or a precise maximum depth, ask before booking because those details are not specified.

This is not suited to non-swimmers, uncertified beginners, people who dislike early starts, or anyone who cannot meet the medical requirements. It is also a poor match for a schedule built around a flight later that day.

Booking, cancellation, and final practical advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to another date or a full refund.

Before the morning, confirm the meeting point, equipment, pickup arrangement, and exact start time. Bring your swimsuit and towel, read messages on your phone, arrive early, and leave plenty of space after the activity before any flight.

Should you book these two Malta sessions?

Book it if you are already certified, want varied underwater scenery, and value careful guidance over complete control of the itinerary. The patient instruction, two safety briefings, air-conditioned transfers, and possibility of a clear-water WWII wreck make this a strong choice for a half-day on Malta.

Skip it if you need hotel pickup, a guaranteed wreck, or a fixed finish time. I would also resolve the equipment wording before booking. For the right participant, this is a practical way to see Malta below the surface without having to plan every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui-Si-Sana, SLM3111 Tas-Sliema, Malta. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

What time should I arrive?

The stated start time is 8:00 am. The exact timing may change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, participant ability, or punctuality.

Who can take part?

The activity is for swimmers with Open Water certification or higher certification levels. Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness and be able to understand English safety instructions.

Do I need medical approval?

Written approval is required for listed serious or relevant medical conditions. These include several heart, lung, neurological, surgical, medication-related, pregnancy, and other health conditions. Contact the operator if you are unsure.

What should I bring?

Bring your own swimsuit and towel. The equipment information is inconsistent, so confirm with Aquatica Diving Centre exactly what SCUBA equipment is included before the activity.

Can I fly after the activity?

You should wait 24 hours before flying after the activity. Plan your schedule around this rule.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is cancelled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.