Maltaqua

Maltaqua is a long-standing pillar of the Maltese diving community, situated in Qawra. With more than five decades of experience, the centre has built a reputation for professional instruction and reliable operations across the three islands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The centre operates as a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre, meaning they are equipped to train not just recreational divers, but also the next generation of dive professionals. Whether you are looking for your first breath underwater or are a technical diver seeking advanced Trimix or rebreather certification, the facilities are designed to support all levels of progression.

The team is composed of qualified professional instructors dedicated to a structured and safe learning environment. As an IDC centre, the instruction quality is geared towards high standards, catering to everyone from students taking their first PADI Open Water Course to Divemasters and Instructor candidates.

Safety and professionalism are central to their operation. The centre maintains strict requirements, including the verification of certification cards, logbooks, and medical declarations. For divers aged 70 and over, a current medical certificate is required, and those with specific medical conditions must provide a specialist's clearance.

Maltaqua is also approved by COMMAC to support British military diving units on expeditions. This level of accreditation reflects the centre's ability to manage complex logistical and safety requirements for professional groups and school programmes focused on marine conservation.

The training programme is extensive, covering multiple certifying bodies including PADI, BSAC, TDI, and ANDI. For recreational divers, they offer the full spectrum from PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water to Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster. BSAC divers can undertake the Ocean Diver, Advanced Ocean Diver, and Dive Leader courses.

Technical diving is a significant part of the centre's expertise. They offer a deep catalogue of advanced training, including TDI Advanced Nitrox, TDI Decompression Procedures, and TDI CCR Level 1. For those following the DSAT pathway, courses include Tec 40, Tec 45, Tec 50, and the full range of Trimix training from Tec 65 to Full Trimix.

Specialty courses are also available to refine specific skills, such as PADI Sidemount, PADI Wreck Diver, PADI Deep Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. They also provide training in underwater photography and search and recovery.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. This includes regulators, wetsuits, fins, and torches for night dives. All equipment is kept modern and well-maintained to ensure reliability on every trip.

On-site, the facility is equipped to handle technical requirements, offering Nitrox and Trimix. For divers staying in the centre's local accommodation options, there are dedicated facilities, including a large washroom in the basement specifically for rinsing and storing diving kit.

The waters around Malta are home to a diverse array of marine life. You will regularly encounter various species of wrasse (Labridae), sea bream (Sparidae), and salema porgy (Sarpa salpa) cruising the reefs. Larger pelagics and predatory fish, such as great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and dentex, are also part of the local ecosystem.

On the sandy bottoms and near wreck structures, you can find southern stingray (Hypanus americanus), various rays (Batoidea), and flatfish. Groupers (Epinephelus) and moray eels (Muraenidae) are often found patrolling the ledges and crevices of the reefs.

For those interested in macro life, the area offers plenty of interest. Look out for octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). You may also spot nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), and fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) amongst the reef structure.

The seabed is characterised by seagrass meadows and various corals, providing a rich habitat for hermit crabs, damselfish, and many smaller rockfish.

Diving in Malta involves exploring various environments, from shallow reef flats to deep wrecks and walls. Divers should be aware of local regulations, such as the requirement for unescorted divers to hold at least a PADI Advanced Open Water or BSAC Sports Diver certification.