Mellieha: Introductory Diving Session in the Open Sea

The big appeal here is simple: you get a real first scuba experience in the Mediterranean, not just a pool lesson. After a safety briefing and shallow-water practice, you head below the surface with an instructor and a maximum depth of 12 meters. Arthur Bossard has earned special praise for his calm, patient teaching, including French-language instruction.

I like the clear beginner pathway: learn the basics, try the equipment in shallow water, then move on to the open sea. I also like that the price includes the full kit and transport from the Mellieħa base to the chosen site. The main consideration is that the location is picked on the day, so sea and wind conditions, rather than a fixed sightseeing plan, shape the experience.

Key points to know before booking

• A genuine first scuba session: You progress from theory to shallow-water practice and then an open-sea descent.
• Maximum depth of 12 meters: This keeps the outing within an approachable range for first-timers.
• Arthur Bossard may be your instructor: He has been praised for patience, clear explanations, humor, and steady support.
• The sea site depends on conditions: Wind and waves determine where you go that day.
• Everything essential is supplied: Wetsuit, tank, mask, fins, boots, weights, regulator, and buoyancy jacket are included.
• Mellieħa hotel transfers can be arranged: The 2:00 PM meeting time is at the base, not necessarily your hotel pickup time.

Your first steps beneath the Mediterranean

This outing is designed for people who have never used scuba equipment before. You do not need a certification or earlier scuba experience, but you do need to be comfortable in the water and physically fit for the activity.

Your session begins at the operator’s base in Marfa Bay, near the Riviera Spa Resort. The stated meeting time is 2:00 PM. If you choose hotel transport from within Mellieħa, contact the operator several days ahead to confirm the exact pickup place and time. The 2:00 PM time applies to the base, not automatically to your hotel.

The first stage is an instructor-led theory briefing. This is not wasted time before the fun begins. You learn how the breathing equipment works, how to control your buoyancy, and what to do during the session. For a first attempt, clear instruction matters more than speed. You want time to understand the gear before you are asked to use it below the surface.

The teaching is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. Arthur Bossard is specifically associated with this experience, and the strongest feedback about him points to practical qualities that matter underwater: patience, clear explanations, humor, and a calm manner. Those traits can make the difference between enjoying the session and spending the whole time trying to settle your nerves.

Shallow water practice before the open sea

After the briefing, you move into shallow water to work on the basic skills. This gives you a chance to adjust to the mask, fins, regulator, and buoyancy control jacket before heading farther out.

That sequence is one of the best parts of the program. Scuba can feel strange at first. Breathing through a regulator is different from breathing normally, and the equipment can seem bulky until you get used to it. Practicing close to shore gives you room to focus on one task at a time.

You will also begin to understand the feeling of controlling your position in the water. The aim is not to perform complicated skills. It is to become comfortable enough to listen to your instructor, breathe steadily, and move without fighting the equipment.

The shallow-water section may be the most important part of the whole session for nervous beginners. It lets you build confidence before the main underwater outing. If you need a little extra time, speak up. A good first experience depends on feeling ready, not on rushing to the next stage.

The open-sea session and the 12-meter limit

Once the instructor is satisfied that you are ready, you head into the Mediterranean for the main part of the activity. The maximum depth is 12 meters, which is suitable for an introductory session and gives you a proper sense of being below the surface without turning the outing into an advanced technical trip.

The exact site is chosen on the day. Wind and sea conditions decide where the group goes, so you should not book this expecting one guaranteed underwater landmark or a fixed reef. That flexibility is sensible in Malta, where a sheltered site can provide a much better first experience than a more ambitious location with rough water.

Below the surface, you can expect clear water, marine life, and the unusual sensation of moving freely in three dimensions. The attraction is not only seeing fish or underwater scenery. It is also the quiet change in perspective. You are no longer walking or swimming at the surface. With the buoyancy jacket adjusted correctly, you can hover and move with very little effort.

The experience lasts about two to two and a half hours in total. That includes the briefing, practice, equipment preparation, transfer to the site, and return. Do not read that time as two and a half hours underwater. The actual time below the surface depends on the training, conditions, and pace of the beginner group.

What the equipment and transfers add to the price

The cost is $146 per person. That is not a small add-on price, but it covers the items that would otherwise make a first attempt complicated and expensive.

You receive a wetsuit, regulator, buoyancy control jacket, fins, boots, mask, tank, and weights. Having the full setup included means you do not need to rent individual pieces from several places or work out which equipment a beginner needs. Professional instruction is also part of the package.

Transport from the base to the selected sea site and back is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available for major hotels in Mellieħa, though transfers from outside the Mellieħa area are not included. This makes the session easier if you are staying locally, but it is less useful if you are based elsewhere in Malta.

I see the price as fair for a first-time experience because it combines instruction, equipment, and local transport. The value is strongest if you need the complete setup and want an instructor with you from the first explanation through the final return. It is less compelling for certified scuba users who already own equipment and want a longer or more specialized outing.

Why the instructor matters for beginners

A first scuba session is as much about trust as it is about the sea. You need to believe that the person beside you will explain things clearly, notice when you are uncomfortable, and keep the pace sensible.

Arthur Bossard receives especially strong praise for those points. His instruction has been described as professional, patient, clear, and reassuring. He has also been noted for speaking French, which can be useful when technical instructions are easier to follow in your first language.

You should still take responsibility for speaking honestly about your comfort level. Tell the instructor if the mask feels wrong, if breathing through the regulator feels difficult, or if you need another explanation. The indemnity form signed at the base does not replace a proper conversation about your health and ability.

The available instruction languages are English, French, Italian, and Spanish. If language is important to you, confirm your preferred option when booking rather than assuming a particular instructor will be assigned.

Sea conditions, timing, and the practical rhythm

The 2:00 PM base meeting gives you an afternoon activity rather than an early start. That can fit well after a relaxed morning in Mellieħa, but you should leave enough time to reach Marfa Bay and complete any hotel pickup arrangements.

The underwater site is selected according to wind and sea conditions. This is a useful safety measure, but it also means the scenery and exact route cannot be promised in advance. If you want a specific wreck, cave, or named bay, this is not the right format. If you care more about a safe and enjoyable first session, the flexible site choice makes sense.

The schedule includes travel to the water and back. Bring patience as well as enthusiasm. Beginner activities take time because equipment must be fitted, instructions must be understood, and each person needs a chance to become comfortable.

The session is offered with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, though medical suitability and sea conditions remain the more important issues.

Health rules are not optional

You must be in suitable physical and mental health for scuba. This is not a casual snorkel outing, and the pressure changes and breathing equipment require honest answers about your health.

The activity is not suitable for people with heart problems, respiratory issues, epilepsy, kidney problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, recent surgery, or other pre-existing medical conditions. The restrictions also include pregnancy, mobility impairments, and being a non-swimmer.

Some medical conditions may require an assessment by a doctor before taking part. This includes asthma, chronic lung disease, heart conditions, seizures, certain medications, and other concerns affecting the lungs, heart, nervous system, or general fitness.

If you are unsure, ask a doctor before booking. Do not rely on a quick guess or assume that a condition is harmless underwater. You must also sign an indemnity form at the base before participating.

The minimum age is 10. Children younger than 10 cannot take part.

Who will get the most from this experience

This is a good match for you if you want to try scuba without committing to a full certification course. It offers a taste of the activity, with enough preparation to make the first attempt more than a quick dip below the surface.

It also suits couples, friends, and families with children aged 10 or older, provided everyone meets the health and swimming requirements. The language choices make it practical for mixed-language groups, and the included equipment keeps the planning simple.

You may particularly appreciate it if you are staying in Mellieħa. The base is in Marfa Bay, hotel transport can be arranged locally, and the activity fits into a half-day plan.

This is not the best choice for non-swimmers, people with medical restrictions, or anyone looking for a full-day scuba trip. It is also not designed for certified participants who want a demanding route, a guaranteed site, or advanced training.

What the strong ratings tell you

The experience has received a top rating from three verified bookings. The comments focus on feeling safe, enjoying the first attempt, and receiving strong personal attention from Arthur.

One French-speaking participant described the entire process as well organized from pickup through return, with particular praise for Arthur’s explanations, patience, humor, and ability to build confidence. Another participant highlighted his professionalism and care during the safety review, planning, and underwater guidance.

Those points are worth emphasizing because they match what a beginner needs. The most important success measure here is not the number of fish you see. It is whether you understand the basics, feel secure using the equipment, and finish wanting to learn more.

The sample size is small, so I would not treat the ratings as a guarantee of your own experience. Still, the praise is specific rather than vague, and it points to the instructor’s approach as the central strength of the outing.

Should you book the Mellieħa session?

Book it if you want a carefully guided first scuba experience in clear Mediterranean water, need all equipment supplied, and are happy to let conditions determine the exact site. The shallow-water practice, 12-meter limit, multilingual instruction, and included local transport make it a sensible introduction.

Before paying, check your medical suitability, confirm your pickup time if you are using a Mellieħa hotel transfer, and understand that the base meeting time is 2:00 PM. If you need a fixed underwater attraction or a longer technical session, choose something more specialized.

For a healthy swimmer who wants to try scuba without taking a full course, this offers a practical route from nervous first breaths to a genuine underwater outing.

FAQ

Is previous scuba experience required?

No. This is a beginner program, and no previous scuba experience is required.

What is the maximum depth?

The maximum depth is 12 meters.

How long does the experience last?

The session lasts about two to two and a half hours.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at the base in Marfa Bay, near the Riviera Spa Resort.

What time is the meeting?

The stated meeting time at the base is 2:00 PM.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are available from major hotels in Mellieħa if you book that option. The 2:00 PM time is the base meeting time, so you must confirm your hotel pickup time and location with the operator.

Is transport from outside Mellieħa included?

No. Pickup and drop-off from outside the Mellieħa area are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The package includes a wetsuit, regulator, buoyancy control jacket, fins, boots, mask, tank, and weights.

Which languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, French, Italian, and Spanish.

Can children take part?

Children must be at least 10 years old. The program is not suitable for children under 10.

Who should not participate?

The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, heart problems, respiratory issues, epilepsy, diabetes, kidney problems, high blood pressure, recent surgery, or other pre-existing medical conditions. Medical concerns should be assessed by a doctor before participation.