First Experience Scuba Diving

Malta’s clear coastal water makes a fine place to try scuba, and this small-group session keeps the experience personal. You learn basic equipment use and underwater signals, practice with an instructor, then take a second shore session to look for fish and other sea life at a maximum depth of 5 meters.

I like the fact that the full kit, transport to the site, online lessons, and safety briefing are included. I also like the gentle pace reported by many participants, especially the patient coaching from instructors such as Francesca, Alex, Julia, Holly, and Matteo. The main caution is simple: you must be a swimmer, understand English, and feel ready to put your face in the water. This is an introduction, not a certification course.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuine first taste of scuba: You practice basic skills before exploring underwater.
• Groups are capped at four people: That gives the instructor more time to help if you feel nervous.
• The second session reaches only 5 meters: This is a controlled introduction, not an advanced excursion.
• Malta’s clear water can reveal plenty of sea life: Fish, sea urchins, and even a barracuda have been spotted.
• You need to complete online lessons first: The short preparation helps you understand equipment and hand signals.
• Medical rules are strict: Some health conditions require written approval from a doctor before you enter the water.

Learning to breathe underwater in Malta

The strange, memorable part of this activity is the first breath through a regulator. You are floating in the sea, wearing a mask and air tank, and suddenly breathing underwater feels possible. That moment can be exciting, but it can also feel awkward or frightening. The instructors understand this, and the session is built around small steps.

You begin at the Diveshack20 meeting point on Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana in Sliema. The center is close to public transportation, which makes it fairly easy to reach without arranging a taxi. The exact start time can change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, group readiness, or delays during the busy summer months.

Before the day itself, you receive online learning material through a link sent by WhatsApp, SMS, or email. Complete it in your language if possible, then pay attention to the basic underwater hand signals. You will not be expected to become an expert, but arriving prepared means less time spent sorting out simple questions.

What happens during the 2.5-hour session

Allow roughly two and a half hours from start to finish. The schedule includes check-in, paperwork, equipment fitting, instruction, transport to the coastal site, a training session, a second shore session, and the return to the meeting point.

At the center, the instructor explains the mask, fins, regulator, air tank, and other equipment. You will receive a safety briefing and learn the basic skills needed to stay comfortable underwater. That includes breathing through the regulator, clearing or managing the mask, using hand signals, and responding if you feel uneasy.

This is where the small group matters. With a maximum of four people, your instructor can watch your comfort level more closely than in a large class. Several instructors, including Alex, Emma, Marcell, Francesca, and Julia, have been praised for calm explanations and patience with nervous beginners. That is important because early scuba practice is less about speed and more about building trust in the equipment.

The first session is a training session. Treat it as the most useful part of the experience, not as an obstacle before the fun begins. You learn how the equipment feels, how to control your breathing, and how to communicate underwater. If you need to pause, signal the instructor and take your time.

The second session is a shore excursion with a maximum depth of 5 meters. That limit keeps the activity suitable for a first attempt. You are not heading into a technical setting or an advanced underwater route. Instead, you get a controlled look at Malta’s coastal sea life while your instructor remains close.

Malta’s underwater scenery at a beginner-friendly depth

Malta is known for clear water, and visibility can make a major difference when you are learning. You might see shoaling fish close to the surface, sea urchins, and other small marine life. One participant even reported seeing a barracuda. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the shallow setting gives you time to notice what is around you instead of concentrating only on depth and equipment.

The experience also includes an important environmental lesson. Instructor Vinnie has been praised for explaining the need to respect the sea and avoid touching marine life. Follow that rule carefully. Sea urchins can injure you, and touching animals or the seabed damages the place you came to enjoy.

Weather can change the quality of the session. Calm conditions may provide better visibility and an easier entry, while choppy water can make the activity harder for a beginner. One participant described poor visibility caused by rough weather, although the team tried to move the session to better water. If conditions are unsafe, the activity may be rescheduled or canceled with a choice of another date or a full refund.

Water temperature also varies through the year. Wetsuits are supplied, and one April participant found the suit kept them warm. Another person found the water cold outside the warmer months. Bring realistic expectations: Malta can offer beautiful conditions, but this remains a sea activity, not a warm indoor pool session.

The instructors make or break this first attempt

The most important feature here is not the equipment. It is the instructor standing beside you when the regulator feels unfamiliar.

Francesca has been praised for being friendly, patient, and easygoing. Alex has been described as reassuring and especially good at helping someone who feels frightened. Julia has received strong praise for her experience and for teaching a young beginner. Holly has been noted for making the session feel safe and fun, while Matteo is described as staying close and responding to questions during the practical work.

Instructor assignments can change, so you cannot assume you will receive a particular person. Still, the consistent theme is attentive teaching. The staff explain the equipment on land, repeat instructions when needed, and watch participants closely in the water.

You should also be honest about your comfort level. One participant stopped because putting their face in the water felt too difficult. That is not a failure, but it shows why this activity suits confident swimmers who are willing to practice. The instructor can help with nerves, but no guide can remove the basic requirement to breathe through a regulator while your face is underwater.

What the price includes, and what it does not

The price is $96.55 per person. For that amount, you receive online theory material, a safety briefing, the full scuba kit, one training session, one shore session, transport to and from the site, and instructor support in a group of no more than four.

That is reasonable value if you want to try scuba without committing to a multi-day course. Equipment rental alone can add cost to water activities, and the included instruction means you are paying for more than a short swim with a tank. The small group also adds value because personal attention is especially useful during the first practice.

You still need to bring your own swimsuit and towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan to reach the Sliema center yourself and return there at the end. If you want an underwater camera or a towel rental, arrange it with the center before the session rather than assuming it is available on the day.

This activity does not provide an internationally recognized scuba qualification. If your goal is a license, ask Aquatica Diving Centre about its separate scuba courses. This session is for trying the activity and learning the basic feel of it.

Health, swimming, and timing rules

You must be a swimmer, have a moderate level of physical fitness, and understand English. Children must be at least 10 years old and need written permission from a parent or tutor.

The medical screening deserves your full attention. Pregnancy, heart, lung, or blood conditions, certain ear and eye problems, recent surgery, neurological conditions, seizures, strokes, head injuries, back problems, hernia, ulcers, diabetes, some stomach problems, and certain medications may require written approval from a doctor. People aged 45 or older who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or smoke also need to check the stated requirements.

If approval is required, obtain it before arriving. The provider states that written consent can come from your own doctor or a doctor in Malta, with doctors available at pharmacies in the morning. If you cannot get approval, contact the center about joining a snorkeling activity instead.

Do not plan a flight immediately after the session. You should wait at least 12 hours, with 24 hours recommended. That makes this a better choice earlier in your Malta itinerary rather than on the final afternoon before flying home.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this for a first-timer who is curious about scuba but does not yet want a full qualification course. It also suits couples and families with older children, provided everyone can swim and meets the health requirements. The short duration keeps the commitment manageable, while the two sessions give you enough practice to feel what the activity is really like.

It is a particularly good fit if you like guided activities with clear structure. You complete lessons in advance, learn the equipment on land, practice basic skills, and then explore at shallow depth. You are not left to work things out alone.

I would think twice if you dislike putting your face underwater, feel unable to follow instructions in English, or want a long underwater route. This is not a sightseeing cruise, a certification class, or a guaranteed encounter with a particular animal.

The cancellation terms are useful if your plans remain flexible: cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and failing to meet the health requirements or arriving late can mean losing the activity without a refund.

Should you book this Malta scuba experience?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised introduction, clear shallow water, included equipment, and a very small group. The strongest reason to choose it is the combination of patient instruction and a short second session where you can look around rather than simply practice skills.

Before paying, make sure you can swim, complete the online material, check the medical rules, and leave at least a day before flying. Bring a swimsuit and towel, watch your phone for the final meeting instructions, and arrive ready to ask questions.

If you want an internationally recognized qualification, choose a proper course instead. If you simply want to find out how it feels to breathe underwater in Malta, this is a sensible and well-supported first step.

FAQ

How long does the scuba experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including instruction, equipment preparation, transport, and the two water sessions.

Where do I meet the group?

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

How deep will I go?

The included shore session has a maximum depth of 5 meters. The activity is designed as an introduction for beginners.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. The complete diving kit, online theory material, safety briefing, one training session, one shore session, and transport to and from the site are included.

Do I need medical approval before participating?

Some medical conditions require written approval from a doctor before you can take part. These include conditions involving the heart, lungs, blood, ears, eyes, neurological system, diabetes, pregnancy, recent surgery, and several other listed concerns.

Can I fly after the activity?

You must wait at least 12 hours before flying after the activity, and 24 hours is recommended.