There’s something magnetic about Malta for technical divers. Maybe it’s the clean visibility or the convenience of hopping into the water from shore. Or perhaps the promise of untouched heritage wrecks and their sheer diversity: ocean liners, submarines, torpedo boats, bombers. Name it, Malta probably has it.
To better understand why Malta continues to shape so many technical diving journeys, we spoke with Simon Sciberras, instructor trainer and director of Dive Systems Malta, and Jose Ventura, tech diving instructor and OEM support specialist at Shearwater.
Simon Sciberras describes his home country as “a little bit of a wreck paradise,” with shore access to extended range depths and a reliable helium supply”. As a visitor who fell for the Mediterranean archipelago, Jose Ventura calls it a destination with “world-class dive operations that make your trip safer and more enjoyable.” Whether you’re advancing into decompression procedures or trimix, Malta lets you do it with real wrecks, real depth, and real challenge.
Photo of Jose Ventura by Jason Brown
Why Malta?
Malta’s transformation into a technical diving hub is no accident. It began with deliberate investment and recognition of its underwater cultural heritage since the 1970s. “Malta has an abundance of amazing wrecks,” says Jose Ventura. “We can get depth directly from the shore without needing a boat,” Simon explains, “so it makes it a little more affordable”. There’s also a dependable supply of helium and dive centers that operate with tech divers in mind. “From a training perspective,” says Simon, “we have professionals teaching both open circuit and CCR, all the way to trimix.”
Beyond these logistical advantages, the country’s strategic location has long made it a battleground and maritime stronghold. The sea floor tells that story. “The heritage wrecks stand out for their historical interest,” says Jose. With many lying below 50 m (164 ft.), they’re technically demanding and less accessible and thus better preserved.
Photo of Tug Wreck in Malta by Byron Conroy
Dive Sites as Tech Diving Training Grounds
Malta’s topography offers a gradual progression. Jose emphasizes the learning value of the variety of the dive sites: “A technical diver aiming for deeper wrecks should have incrementally developed his skills and experience in shallower wrecks.” Scuttled shipwrecks between 20 and 40 m allow divers to refine skills before tackling more exposed environments. With this objective in mind, consider diving these sites, also accessible to advanced recreational divers:
· UM El Faroud
A 110 m (360 ft.) long tanker with a maximum depth of 36 m (118 ft.) and plenty of safe penetration opportunities.
· Bristol Beaufighter & Blenheim Bomber
Two airplanes from WWII, respectively at a maximum depth of 38 m (125 ft.) and 42 m (138 ft.) deep.
· The Gozo Blue Hole
While far shallower (15 m / 49 ft. deep) than its counterpart in Egypt, once you exit it, you head into a maze of swim-through created by the collapse of the Azure Window, depths can go well below 30 m (100 ft.).
· MV Karwela
This former ferry linking the island of Malta to Gozo lies at a maximum depth of 42 m (138 ft.). It includes exciting penetration opportunities, including its iconic staircase (as shown in the cover photo by Nadine Bauer).
Photo of MV Karwela by Byron Conroy
Few destinations jump from advanced nitrox to normoxic trimix as seamlessly as Malta. Many of the best historic wrecks lie between 40 and 65 m (131 and 213 ft.), ideal depths for real-world application of trimix training. Here are the three sites that Simon ranked (not without difficulty) as the most rewarding for tech divers:
· SS Polynesien
A 154 m (505 ft.) long ocean liner sunk by a U-boat in 1918 during WWI, resting at 63 m / 207 ft. deep. “Full of coral, full of fish,” says Simon. “It’s beautiful and at the right depth for normoxic trimix.”
· HMS Nasturtium
A British WWI minesweeper at 67 m / 220 ft. deep. “She has two nice guns, everything intact, and the coral growth is amazing”. Reaching her requires a long boat trip, but the pristine condition makes it worth it.
· B24 Liberator
A massive American WWII bomber resting at 56 m / 184 ft. deep. “Still has the glass and all the instruments. It’s like a live museum.”
Other honorable mentions include the HMS Stubborn (a submarine at 55 m / 180 ft. deep, scuttled for sonar training by the navy) the HMS Southwold (one of Jose’s favorite, a WWII British destroyer at 70 m / 230 ft. deep), and the HMS Urge (a WWII submarine lying at 108 m / 354 ft. deep).
Photo of HMS Stubborn by Byron Conroy
Challenges to Keep in Mind
Malta’s tech diving conditions call for realistic divers. Tech divers should, of course, master the basics such as buoyancy and trim, but they also need to be confident in handling gas issues, dry suit failures or changing dive conditions mid-plan.
The top 3 considerations to keep in mind while diving in Malta:
Shore Entries
One of Malta’s perks can also be a challenge. While diving from shore offers flexibility and affordability, walking to the water entry point while carrying double tanks or CCR units into the sea can be physically demanding. “Be fit,” says Simon. “A tech course is not like a recreational course; it requires a basic level of fitness.”
Currents and Exposure
Many deeper wrecks are in unprotected waters. Currents can be strong at both the surface and depth. “Get trained and get experienced before attempting these dives,” warns Jose.
Colder Water
While surface waters warm up in summer, the deeper sites stay chilly year-round (around 15°C / 59°F). Dry suits are strongly recommended for the long runtimes involved in most technical dives.
Photo of Tug Engine Entry by Byron Conroy
Logistics
Malta’s accessibility and diving infrastructure make it one of the most convenient places to plan and execute serious technical dives. Due to the small size of its islands (Malta, Comino and Gozo), everything you need is close at hand.
Tech Diving Infrastructure
Malta’s dive centers are among the most tech-savvy in Europe, offering full support for decompression diving, CCRs, gas blending, and deep wreck exploration. From rental DPVs to boats equipped with lifts, the infrastructure is built around the needs of technical divers.
Regarding safety, the size of Malta is again an advantage. Three hyperbaric chambers, two on Malta Island and one on Gozo Island, are all reachable in a maximum of 30 to 40 minutes.
Access & Cost
Malta is easily accessible from most major European cities, and direct flights to Luqa Airport are available. For divers from the EU, it’s a short flight away with minimal to no time-zone change and no visa requirement.
There is a wide choice of accommodations from hostels to luxury hotels, but prices increase significantly during the peak tourist season from June to September. Regarding diving, while the shore dives come at a very affordable rate, note that additional costs are involved in exploring the historic wrecks managed by Heritage Malta.
Best Time to Go
While Malta is technically a year-round destination, May through October brings the best weather and water conditions. Water temperatures vary from 15°C (59°F) in the winter to 26°C (79°F) in the summer. However, even in summer, thermoclines at depth mean dry suits remain the norm for technical dives. Visibility remains high throughout the year, making wreck identification and navigation easier, but it is worth noting that the best visibility is in September-October.
Photo of HMS Stubborn by Byron Conroy
Learn more:
Professional Diving Schools Association of Malta, Gozo & Comino (PDSA)
Heritage Malta – Everything you need to know to dive the historic wrecks of Malta
Virtual Underwater Museum – For 3D models and detailed wreck descriptions
