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

St Paul’s Bay gives you a good taste of Malta underwater without committing a whole day to Gozo or Comino. You’ll make two guided scuba outings among reefs, caves, or wrecks, with the site matched to your certification and comfort level. One recent outing included a clear-water WWII wreck, while another included two jellyfish.

I like the patient, personal approach, especially for newer Open Water divers. I also like the practical setup: two safety briefings, an air-conditioned transfer, and a small maximum group of 15. The main drawback is that the day can run longer than expected, and the equipment information is not perfectly clear, so I’d confirm exactly what is supplied before booking.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions near St Paul’s Bay: You’ll spend the morning visiting two sites rather than rushing through one long session.
• Good support for newer certified divers: The guide can adjust the outing to your experience, with patience for anyone who feels nervous at the start.
• Possible wreck, reef, and cave sites: A WWII wreck in clear water has been part of the experience, but the exact site depends on conditions and ability.
• Safety comes first: You receive two briefings, and some health conditions require written medical approval before you enter the water.
• Five hours is only an estimate: Traffic, weather, sea conditions, parking, punctuality, and group needs can affect the schedule.
• Gozo and Comino require extra payment: Weekly full-day trips are available, but they are separate from this St Paul’s Bay outing.

Starting at 8:00 am in Sliema

Your morning begins at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui-Si-Sana, Sliema, at 8:00 am. This is the meeting point, not a hotel pickup, so you need to arrange your own way there. The centre is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Sliema or nearby.

Arriving on time matters. The operator may send final instructions and a confirmed start time through WhatsApp, SMS, or email, particularly when traffic, parking, or sea conditions affect the plan. Keep your phone close on the morning of the activity.

From the centre, you’ll travel to the chosen site in an air-conditioned vehicle. The transfer is a small but welcome comfort in Malta’s warm weather, especially when you are carrying personal items and wearing or handling scuba gear.

The stated duration is about five hours. I would treat that as a useful planning guide rather than a fixed promise. The schedule can shift because of weather, water conditions, traffic, parking, late arrivals, or the physical needs of people in the group.

Two sessions, two chances to find your comfort level

The basic plan gives you two guided underwater sessions. You are not simply dropped at the water and told to get on with it. Each session has its own briefing, which is important because the site, entry plan, depth, surroundings, and points of interest can change.

For a newer certified diver, this structure is helpful. You get one chance to settle your breathing and equipment, then a second chance to enjoy the setting with less first-session tension. One participant with a tendency to panic at the beginning received steady help from the instructor, continued instead of giving up, and later enjoyed the outing with a son.

That personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Certification cards tell a guide what course you have completed, but they do not always show how comfortable you feel in the water that morning. The centre says the plan is adjusted to your level, and the experience appears suited to people who need a calm start.

The second session also gives you more variety. You might visit a reef on one outing and a wreck or cave on the other, though no fixed combination is promised. Site choice depends on conditions and the group’s abilities.

What you might see below the surface

The available sites may include reefs, caves, and wrecks around Malta. That range gives the experience more character than a simple swim along a single stretch of seabed.

A WWII wreck has been included on at least one outing, in clear water. Wreck sites can provide a stronger sense of place than a generic reef because you are looking at a real object with a connection to Malta’s wartime past. The information provided does not identify the wreck or promise access inside it, so you should expect a guided exterior visit or site exploration rather than a specific penetration experience.

Reefs offer a different kind of outing. They let you focus on rock formations and marine life, while caves add a change in light and surroundings. The exact conditions may shape the day more than the advertised possibilities. I would book this for the chance to explore Malta’s underwater sites, not for one particular wreck or animal.

You might also encounter marine life such as jellyfish. Two were seen during one outing, but this is a possibility, not a guaranteed feature. The centre advises avoiding July and August if you want a quieter experience, since heavier activity around the island can startle aquatic animals.

That advice has another practical benefit. The peak months can bring more traffic and more people around the coast, which may contribute to changes in timing. If your schedule is flexible, a less crowded period may make the morning calmer both above and below the surface.

Equipment, clothing, and the small things you must bring

The highlights state that a complete scuba kit is provided, so you should not need to bring your own regulator, tank, or other core equipment. Yet the inclusion details also say that the use of scuba equipment is not included. That is a genuine inconsistency.

I would contact Aquatica Diving Centre before paying or before the cancellation deadline and ask exactly what the $118.35 price covers. Confirm the cost of the tank, regulator, wetsuit, buoyancy equipment, mask, fins, and any other required kit. Do not assume that every piece is included simply because the tour description refers to a complete kit.

You do need your own swimsuit and towel. Those are not supplied. Bring anything else you normally need for a wet morning, but the stated information only requires you to provide those two items personally.

The activity is for swimmers who hold Open Water certification or a higher qualification. It is not a beginner lesson or a first-time tryout. You should be comfortable swimming and have a moderate level of physical fitness.

English speaking and understanding is required. That matters during the safety briefing, equipment checks, and underwater communication planning. If you are not comfortable following instructions in English, contact the centre before booking.

Safety checks are more than a formality

You receive two safety briefings, one for each session. This is reassuring because a second briefing allows the guide to address the next site rather than relying on information given at the start of the morning.

You must also review the health requirements carefully. Written medical approval is required for listed and serious conditions. The supplied information includes pregnancy; heart, lung, or blood conditions; some eye, ear, and nasal problems; recent surgery; neurological conditions; seizures; strokes; head injuries; psychological or addiction issues; back problems; hernia; ulcers; diabetes; stomach or intestinal problems; and the use of prescription medication, with stated exceptions.

People aged 45 or older who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or smoke also need to pay close attention to the medical rules. If approval is required, obtain it before the activity. The operator says a physician’s written approval may be obtained from a doctor in Malta, with doctors available at pharmacies each morning.

If you cannot provide the required medical consent, the centre suggests joining a snorkelling trip instead. Do not wait until the morning of the activity to raise a health concern. Ignoring a requirement can mean losing your place without a refund, particularly in the high season.

After the activity, wait at least 24 hours before flying. This is a key planning point for a short Malta visit. Do not schedule the scuba outing on the final morning before your flight home.

How the guides handle different ability levels

This experience makes the most sense for certified people who want help choosing sites and managing the logistics. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be open about your comfort level and recent experience.

The strongest feedback focuses on patience and care. Holly and Lee are specifically praised for being genuinely caring and pleasant to spend time with. Another instructor supported a newer diver through early nerves until the person could continue and enjoy the session with a son.

That matters more than a long list of possible sites. A guide who listens can help you have a good morning even if the chosen site changes or you need extra time at the start. Tell the team about your experience, any concerns, and how recently you last used scuba equipment.

Minors who join alone need written consent from a parent or tutor. The maximum group size is 15, which is not a private outing but does place a cap on the number of people involved. The actual feel of the group will depend on how many places are filled and how many instructors are working that day.

Is $118.35 a fair price?

At $118.35 per person, the value rests on what the equipment charge actually includes. The price covers two guided sessions, two briefings, and transport to and from the site. If the full scuba kit is included as the highlights suggest, the package is easier to justify because you avoid arranging tanks and core gear separately.

If equipment use costs extra, the final price is higher than the headline figure. Ask for a full cost breakdown before booking. That one question will tell you far more about the value than the advertised rate alone.

The air-conditioned transfer also saves you from arranging transport to two separate coastal locations, though hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. You still need to reach the Sliema meeting point and return from there after the morning.

For someone who wants two guided sessions without giving up a whole day to Gozo or Comino, the price may work well. For someone who already owns all equipment and prefers to choose sites independently, a guided package may feel less essential.

Gozo and Comino are offered as weekly full-day options for an additional fee. Those are not part of this booking. Ask about the supplement and schedule if you want a longer day beyond St Paul’s Bay.

Timing, cancellations, and conditions

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellation does not receive a refund.

Poor weather can also cancel the outing. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Sea conditions are especially important for comfort and safety, so a weather-related change is a sensible outcome, not a flaw in the experience.

The operator does not guarantee participation if you arrive late, ignore health requirements, or fail to provide requested details on time. Build in extra time for reaching Sliema, and answer any WhatsApp, SMS, or email instructions promptly.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transport. Those details may help with planning, but the activity itself is for swimmers with the required scuba certification.

Who should book this St Paul’s Bay outing?

I would recommend it to:

• Open Water divers who want a guided return to scuba after some time away
• Newer certified divers who value patient support
• Parents and adult children who want to share two underwater sessions
• Experienced divers who are happy to let conditions and the guide shape the sites
• Visitors who want reefs, caves, or a possible wreck without spending a full day in Gozo or Comino

I would be cautious if you need a fixed wreck, a fixed start time, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed animal encounter. I would also choose another activity if you are not a swimmer, do not hold the required certification, or cannot meet the medical rules.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, Sliema, Malta. The scheduled start time is 8:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The expected duration is about five hours. Weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and the physical needs of the group can change the timing.

Who can take part?

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

Is scuba equipment included?

The information says that a complete scuba kit is provided, but it also says that use of scuba equipment is not included. Contact Aquatica Diving Centre before booking to confirm exactly what is covered and whether an extra equipment charge applies.

Can I fly after the activity?

You should wait 24 hours before flying after the activity.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want two guided scuba sessions, appreciate careful briefings, and are comfortable with a flexible plan. The patient instruction, possible WWII wreck, clear water, and personal adjustment for newer certified divers give it real appeal.

Before committing, confirm the equipment cost, bring your own swimsuit and towel, and leave at least 24 hours before your flight. If you need a guaranteed site or a longer full-day outing, ask about the separate Gozo and Comino trips. For a manageable Malta morning with supportive guides and several possible underwater settings, this is a sensible choice.