Diver by Design

Located in Victoria, Diver by Design is a specialised training centre serving the islands of Malta and Gozo. The centre has built a reputation for precision, catering to divers who want to move beyond recreational limits into the realms of technical, sidemount, and cave diving.

While the centre is rooted in the Mediterranean, its expertise extends globally, with training sessions and guided dives conducted in locations including France, Spain, and Mexico. The focus remains on high-level skill acquisition through a personalised, small-group methodology.

The centre is led by an experienced instructor who has been teaching since 2012 and has been active in the diving industry since 2002. As a TDI & SDI Trainer and a PADI TecRec instructor, they bring a high level of multi-agency expertise to every course.

Instruction is conducted with a maximum ratio of two divers per guide, ensuring that every student receives the attention required for complex technical skills. To maximise learning, in-water sessions are filmed, allowing for detailed video debriefs to refine trim, buoyancy, and task loading.

For those looking to professionalise, the centre offers a wide range of instructor training programmes. This includes training for Open Water Scuba Instructors, Nitrox Instructors, Deep Diver Instructors, and specialised roles such as Sidemount and Cavern Instructors.

The training catalogue is extensive, covering everything from entry-level qualifications to the highest levels of technical diving. For those moving into the technical realm, the centre offers PADI Tec 40, 45, 50, and 65, alongside TDI courses such as Advanced Nitrox, Decompression Procedures, Helitrox, and Extended Range.

Sidemount specialists can progress through Sidemount Essentials and Technical Sidemount Diver, with instructor-level training also available. The centre is an authorised provider for the Sidemount Essentials programme from sidemounting.com.

Cave and wreck enthusiasts can find specialised training through Cavern Diver, Intro to Cave Diver, Full Cave Diver, and Advanced Wreck Diver courses. For those interested in propulsion technology, DPV (Diver Propulsion Vehicle) training is also offered.

The centre provides full equipment hire for those not travelling with their own kit. For technical divers, the centre is able to lend out peripheral equipment for testing purposes, which is particularly useful when preparing for new sidemount or technical configurations.

On-site gas blending is available to support advanced diving profiles, with Nitrox and Trimix services provided for those undertaking decompression or extended range training.

The best period for diving in Gozo and Malta is between March and November. During this time, the Mediterranean waters offer a stable environment for both recreational and technical diving across the various reefs, walls, and wrecks of the archipelago.