Orangeshark Diving Centres

OrangeShark Diving Centre is a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre situated in Mellieha, Malta. Positioned at the Ramla Bay Resort, the centre serves as a central hub for divers looking to explore the diverse underwater topography of the Maltese islands, from the deep wrecks of the Mediterranean to the intricate cave systems of Comino.

The centre operates year-round, catering to both recreational divers and those pursuing professional instructor qualifications. With a strong emphasis on technical proficiency and environmental responsibility as a Green Fins member, it is a well-equipped base for serious divers planning to dive the local reefs, walls, and historical wrecks.

As an Instructor Development Centre (IDC), the team is comprised of highly qualified professionals capable of guiding you through the entire PADI progression. This includes everything from initial certifications to professional advancement and instructor training.

The staff maintains a focus on small group sizes for both recreational dives and training courses. This approach ensures that attention to detail and safety remains high, regardless of whether you are completing a basic course or a complex technical specialty.

The centre is also a dedicated service and maintenance partner for SUEX DPV, meaning the team possesses specific technical expertise in diver propulsion vehicles.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Scuba Diver course, progressing through Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to refine their skills, specialties such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver are available.

For technical divers, the centre offers a robust curriculum including TEC 40, TEC 45, TEC 50, and TEC Deep. Advanced gas blending and Trimix training, including TEC Trimix 65 and Full Trimix, are core components of their technical programme. The centre also provides specialised training for rebreather divers using the Hollis Prism 2 and specialized courses for Full-Face Mask diving.

Professional candidates can undertake the full IDC programme, including EFR Instructor and PADI Professional Advancement. The centre also offers niche training in underwater photography, videography, and Search and Recovery.

The centre operates a 30ft private boat for excursions, including trips to Gozo. These boat trips depart from the centre with a meeting time of 08:15. For those looking to extend their range or explore deeper sites, the boat provides access to various offshore locations throughout the summer months.

The shore-based facilities include a full range of high-quality Cressi rental equipment. You can hire complete sets or specific items such as masks, snorkels, fins, and wetsuits. For night diving, torches are available to ensure you can navigate the sites effectively.

Technical divers will find the centre well-prepared with Nitrox and Trimix capabilities. The centre also supports advanced propulsion with the rental and sale of SUEX DPV units, allowing you to increase your dive radius during excursions.

The local waters are home to a variety of larger species, including Grouper (Epinephelus) and various Moray eel (Muraenidae) that frequent the rocky crevices. You will often encounter schools of fish moving across the reef flats and walls.

For those interested in macro life, the seabed and reef structures host a variety of crustaceans. Divers should keep a keen eye on the surroundings for these smaller inhabitants hiding amongst the rocks and corals.

The underwater scenery is defined by its diverse biological community, providing a rich backdrop for both recreational and technical diving.

The diving environment in Malta is generally characterised by an absence of strong currents or significant tidal excursions. This makes the area accessible for a wide range of divers, from those on their first shore dive to advanced technical divers.

Visibility in the area is often excellent, reaching up to 40 metres, though this can vary depending on the season and local conditions.