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

Malta rewards curious swimmers. This five-hour experience gives certified Open Water divers two guided underwater sessions around St Paul’s Bay, with possible reefs, caves, and wrecks on the menu. I like the careful preparation, including two safety briefings, and I like the flexible approach for newer certified divers. The main consideration is that hotel pickup is not included, and the wording about equipment fees needs clarification before you pay.

The strongest praise goes to the instructors’ patience and kindness. Holly and Lee are singled out for being caring and good company, while another instructor patiently helped a nervous newer diver settle down instead of pushing ahead. That matters underwater, where calm guidance is worth more than flashy promises.

At $118.35 per person, the price is reasonable if your package includes the full kit and transport to the site. I would confirm that point first, since the details say equipment is provided in one place but also list scuba equipment as not included elsewhere. You also need to reach the St Paul’s Bay area on your own and bring a swimsuit and towel.

Key points at a glance

• Two separate underwater sessions: You receive two briefings and two guided sessions, making this more than a single introductory outing.
• Wrecks, reefs, and caves: The exact sites depend on conditions, your certification, and the guide’s judgment.
• Patient instruction: The experience can be adjusted for newer Open Water divers, including people who need extra time to feel comfortable.
• Air-conditioned transfers: Transport to and from the activity site is included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The group limit is 15 people, with the actual group size dependent on bookings.
• Plan around your flight: You must wait 24 hours after the activity before flying.

Starting at 8:00 am in St Paul’s Bay

Your morning begins at 8:00 am at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, SLM3111 Tas-Sliema, Malta. The meeting point is in the Sliema area, not at your hotel, so allow time to get there and do not assume a resort transfer is included.

The operator plans to contact you by WhatsApp before the session. If you do not use WhatsApp, updates can come by text message or email. Pay attention to those messages, since the exact start time can change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, late arrivals, or the physical abilities of people in the group.

This is useful local planning, not needless fuss. Malta’s roads and coastal access points can make a schedule shift. In July and August, extra traffic and larger crowds can also slow things down. I would keep your morning free rather than booking a tight lunch, museum visit, or airport transfer afterward.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. You receive transportation between the meeting point and the underwater site in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is welcome after carrying or wearing wet equipment in the warm Maltese sun.

Who can take part

This is for certified Open Water divers and people with higher certification levels. It is not a learn-to-swim lesson or a first-time scuba class. You must be able to swim and understand English well enough to follow instructions and safety information.

The activity calls for moderate physical fitness. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to manage the physical demands of getting ready, entering the water, and completing two sessions.

Minors who join without a parent or guardian need written permission. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

Health screening is taken seriously. Written approval from a physician is required for listed medical conditions, and approval can come from your own doctor or a doctor in Malta. The supplied information specifically flags pregnancy, heart, lung, and blood conditions, certain eye, ear, and nasal problems, recent surgery, neurological conditions, loss of consciousness, seizures, strokes, head injuries, back problems, hernias, ulcers, diabetes, stomach or intestinal problems, and some psychological or addiction-related conditions.

It also calls for medical approval if you are age 45 or older and have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a smoking history. Taking prescription medication can also require approval, with birth-control medication and certain anti-malarial drugs excluded from that rule. If you cannot provide the required approval, the operator suggests joining a snorkeling outing instead.

Do not leave this check until the morning of the activity. If you ignore a health requirement or fail to provide requested details on time, you may be refused without a refund.

Two briefings before the first session

The two briefings are one of the best parts of this arrangement. You are not simply handed equipment and sent toward the water. The guide explains the plan, safety procedures, and what you need to know before each session.

For a confident certified diver, that may feel familiar. It is still useful because local conditions, entry points, equipment, and the day’s site can vary. For a newer Open Water diver, the second briefing gives you another chance to ask questions and understand what comes next.

The personal attention appears especially valuable for anyone who feels nervous at the start. One father and son, both newer divers, received a plan suited to their abilities. The father began to panic and considered stopping, but the instructor stayed patient until he was ready to continue. They ended up enjoying the session together and seeing two jellyfish.

That is the kind of practical care I look for in a guided underwater outing. A good instructor should help you regain control without making you feel embarrassed. The experience seems designed to do that, but you should still be honest about your ability and comfort level before entering the water.

What the two sessions may show you

The operator describes possible reefs, caves, and wrecks around Malta. The exact locations are not fixed in the information provided, so you should not book expecting one particular wreck or animal sighting.

That flexibility is sensible. Sea conditions and your experience level should influence site selection. A sheltered reef may be the right choice for a newer certified diver, while a more experienced participant may be suited to a wreck or cave setting.

One session included a World War II wreck in clear water, which gives you an idea of the historical interest that can be part of the morning. The wreck is not guaranteed, but it shows that the experience can move beyond a basic swim around rocks and fish.

Marine life is also unpredictable. Two jellyfish appeared during one outing, but there is no promise of jellyfish or any other animal. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, provided you approach it with realistic expectations.

The two-session format gives you more time to settle into the equipment and rhythm of the day. If the first session feels tense, the second may be more enjoyable once you understand the guide’s signals and the local setting. It also gives the instructor a better sense of what level of support you need.

Equipment and what you must bring

The tour information says a complete kit is provided, which would make the $118.35 cost easier to justify. Yet the inclusions also list use of scuba equipment as not included. That is a real wording conflict, and I would contact Aquatica Diving Centre before booking to ask exactly what the price covers.

Ask specifically if the fee includes the full scuba kit, tanks, weights, exposure protection, and any other standard gear required for both sessions. Do not assume that a phrase such as complete kit means every item is included when another section says equipment is extra.

You must bring your own swimsuit and towel. These are not supplied. A simple dry change of clothes would also be sensible, although it is not specifically listed as a requirement.

The operator provides the two briefings, two guided sessions, and transport to and from the activity location. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Diveshack20 and back to your accommodation.

Timing, weather, and the 24-hour flight rule

The advertised duration is about five hours. That includes preparation, transport, briefings, and the two water sessions, not five continuous hours underwater.

The schedule can change. Weather, sea conditions, parking, traffic, punctuality, and the capabilities of the group all play a part. The operator may also adjust the exact start time during the busy June through August period.

Poor weather can cancel the activity. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity has free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The flight rule is important. You must wait at least 24 hours after the activity before flying. Do not schedule this on the same day as your flight home, even if you expect the morning to finish early.

For the best chance of a relaxed outing, I would avoid July and August if your schedule allows. The operator notes that more people around the island can startle aquatic animals during the busy season. June can also bring schedule pressure, since it is included among the peak months.

Is $118.35 good value?

The answer depends on the final equipment cost. If the price includes the complete kit, two guided sessions, two briefings, and air-conditioned transport to the site, it is a fair package for a five-hour morning in Malta.

The value is also tied to the instruction. A calm guide who can adjust the plan for a newer certified diver is worth paying for, especially if you are returning to scuba after a long break or tend to feel anxious at the start. The positive experiences with patient instructors, including Holly and Lee, support that part of the price.

If equipment is charged separately, the total can become less attractive. Ask for the complete final price before confirming, particularly if you need every item rather than bringing some of your own gear.

There is also an optional extension to full-day outings in Gozo and Comino for an extra fee. Those are separate arrangements, so ask for the supplement and itinerary if you want a longer day. This St Paul’s Bay option is better suited to people who want two sessions without committing a full day.

The group size and personal attention

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not an especially tiny private outing, and the maximum may matter to you if you prefer quiet, highly personal instruction.

Still, a limit of 15 gives the operator a workable ceiling, and the reports of patient support suggest that the guides do pay attention to individual comfort. The experience is tailored to your experience level, but that does not mean every person receives a private instructor.

If you are nervous, tell the staff before the first session, not after you are already in the water. If you are more experienced, explain your certification and recent practice honestly. Clear information helps the guide choose a suitable site and pace.

The English requirement also matters. You need to understand the instructions and communicate clearly with the instructor. This is a safety issue, not simply a language preference.

Best for newer certified divers and wreck fans

I would recommend this experience most strongly to certified Open Water divers who want local guidance rather than an independent outing. It suits you if you like the idea of seeing Malta’s underwater sites but want the operator to handle site choice, transport, briefings, and equipment arrangements.

It is also a good fit for a parent and adult child, friends with mixed confidence levels, or anyone who wants an instructor who will not rush the opening minutes. The father who nearly gave up but later enjoyed the session is a useful reminder that patience can change the whole morning.

Experienced divers may also enjoy it, particularly if the site turns out to include a World War II wreck. Just remember that the operator chooses according to conditions and ability, so you are not guaranteed a demanding route or a specific wreck.

I would not choose it if you are not certified, cannot swim, need hotel pickup, or want a private experience with a guaranteed site. I would also avoid booking until the equipment fee is clarified if you do not own any gear.

Should you book these two Malta sessions?

Book it if you are a certified swimmer, want two guided sessions near St Paul’s Bay, and value patient instruction over a rigid promise of one exact site. The combination of clear water, possible wrecks and caves, two safety briefings, and caring instructors makes this a strong choice for newer certified divers.

Before paying, confirm the equipment policy, check the medical requirements, and make sure you can reach the Sliema meeting point by 8:00 am. Bring your own swimsuit and towel, keep 24 hours free before flying, and allow the whole morning for weather or traffic changes.

If those conditions work for you, $118.35 can be good value. If you need hotel transport, have unresolved health restrictions, or want a guaranteed wreck, choose another plan.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

It begins at Diveshack20, Ix-xatt Ta’ Qui Si Sana, SLM3111 Tas-Sliema, Malta.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am, though the exact time can change because of weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and group needs.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Who can participate?

It is for swimmers with Open Water certification or a higher certification level.

Is equipment provided?

The information says a complete scuba kit is provided, but another section lists scuba equipment as not included. Contact Aquatica Diving Centre to confirm exactly what is covered and if an extra charge applies.

Is transportation included?

Transportation to and from the activity site is included in an air-conditioned vehicle. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring your own swimsuit and towel.

How long must I wait before flying?

You must wait 24 hours after the activity before flying.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

Are Gozo and Comino included?

No. Full-day outings to Gozo and Comino are offered for an additional fee, and the ferry supplement is not included.