Buddies Dive Cove

Buddies Dive Cove is a family-operated dive centre situated in the heart of Bugibba. It is positioned just a five-minute walk from Qawra and St Pauls Bay, making it an easy base for those staying along the north coast of Malta.

The centre operates seven days a week, all year round, providing access to the diverse underwater topography of the Maltese islands. From the sheltered caves of Comino to the deep wrecks of the surrounding waters, the centre organises daily excursions by boat and shore-based dives.

As a PADI 5 Star Career Development Centre, the team is built around high-level instruction. The staff includes seven instructors, including Course Directors Martin Stanhope and Jason Pritchard, and IDC Staff Instructor Karen Barnes. This depth of expertise ensures that the centre can support divers from their very first breath underwater through to professional instructor development.

The team also includes instructors such as Jerry Marshall, Rachel Gill, and Caroline Carro Cremello, alongside Junior Divemaster Emily Stanhope. This professional structure allows for personalised attention and small group sizes, whether you are completing a beginner course or training for a career in diving.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver programme, while experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver specialties.

For those pursuing a professional path, the centre is a dedicated training ground. They offer the full range of professional development, including Divemaster, the Instructor Development Course (IDC), and the Specialty Instructor programme. Technical training is also a core component, with courses ranging from Discover Tec through to the Tec 40, 45, and 50 series, as well as Tec Trimix 65.

The centre is fully equipped for both recreational and technical diving. They offer full equipment hire, so you can arrive with just your mask and computer if required.

For those looking to extend their bottom time or move into technical territory, the facility includes Nitrox and Trimix capabilities. They also provide support for rebreather divers, ensuring the shop is prepared for the specific needs of the technical community.

The local waters are home to a variety of larger species. You can often find Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) patrolling the area, alongside various types of ray (Batoidea) and shark (Selachimorpha) species.

In the rocky areas and around the wrecks, look for groupers (Epinephelus), dentex, and various species of sea bream (Sparidae). You will also frequently encounter moray eel (Muraenidae) and conger eel (Congridae) tucked into the crevices of the reef.

For those interested in macro life, the Mediterranean floor offers plenty of detail. Keep an eye out for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and various nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) species. Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae), stonefish (Synanceia), and flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) are also common residents of the seabed.

The centre operates year-round, with water temperatures typically ranging between 22 and 23 degrees Celsius. The area is accessible for diving in all seasons, though local conditions will vary depending on the time of year.