Scuba Diving in Malta - Pearl of Mediterranean - with Dive Manchester
Malta - Some say "It is the Pearl of Mediterranean"
This small island has a lot to offer to Scuba Divers. You probably know about Malta for the Knights and the Maltese Cross. Whole country is the World Heritage. Mdina Old City, Three Cities, St. Paul's Catacomb, Mnajdra Temple, St.John Co-Cathedral, Casa Rocca Piccola, etc. There are so many places that you love to visit on the islands.
How about under the water? Oh yes!! Malta is well known for Wreck divings and rock formations. You may not find many fish like in Red Sea or Indian Ocean, but its crystal clear water is perfect for wreck divings and its photography.
Until I started diving in Malta, I was a "Fish" diver. I loved Indian Ocean and tropical water colourful fish like Nemo. Once I started diving in Malta, my idea about Scuba Diving changed forever. They look gorgeous in water!!!
Working in Malta as a full time instructor for over 5 years gave me so much joy with Wreck Diving.
(picture from DM Club Malta Trip)
In Malta, even Discover Scuba Divers can enjoy some Wreck diving with instructors. HMS Maori, for example, is 7m deep on top and 12m deep on the deck. This WW2 wreck was one of the boat that was at the sight of the attack of Bismark. When Bismark was sank, HMS Maori saved some German soldiers. Unfortunately, the night was very stormy and many soldiers in water were sacked into the water as they swam towards the ships. And also there were other ships were approaching and HMS Maori had to depart sooner to avoid being attacked.
A few years ago, my friend took a elderly diver to HMS Maori. He was, in fact, one of the crew on HMS Maori during the war. Because of his age, it was going to be his last diving and he managed to dive on HMS Maori. Such a moment...
Another wreck in shallow water is X127 at Manoel Island. The highest point is 6m deep and the deepest is 20m. She is laying nearly vertical. This water lighter is the only recognised ship wreck in Malta as a ship that served for the both WW1 and WW2. Very small wreck and most of the time the visibility is not so great; however, this ship wreck is the only one you can actually see where the torpedo hit. Big opening by the torpedo can show you how the explosion went and how strong it was by showing how thick the metal was and how it was ripped.
Every Wreck has its own story and history. When you know the history of them, your diving will become more interesting.
So many other wrecks; Tug2 (the newest ship wreck for recreational shallow enough for OW divers), P29 (Patrol boat made in Germany), Rosi (Tug boat), Um El Faroud (Libyan tanker that had explosion accident in dry dock), P31 in Comino (sister ship of P29), etc.
If I start writing about them, it will be endless. I love them all.
One thing I can tell you for sure is that you want to dive with guides who know about them well. Some dive sites are quite tricky when the current is not right. You will need someone who can navigate well under water. Most wrecks are long way out to do surface swim. Only the guides without knowledge will make you surface swim to the wreck.
This small island has a lot to offer to Scuba Divers. You probably know about Malta for the Knights and the Maltese Cross. Whole country is the World Heritage. Mdina Old City, Three Cities, St. Paul's Catacomb, Mnajdra Temple, St.John Co-Cathedral, Casa Rocca Piccola, etc. There are so many places that you love to visit on the islands.
How about under the water? Oh yes!! Malta is well known for Wreck divings and rock formations. You may not find many fish like in Red Sea or Indian Ocean, but its crystal clear water is perfect for wreck divings and its photography.
Until I started diving in Malta, I was a "Fish" diver. I loved Indian Ocean and tropical water colourful fish like Nemo. Once I started diving in Malta, my idea about Scuba Diving changed forever. They look gorgeous in water!!!
Working in Malta as a full time instructor for over 5 years gave me so much joy with Wreck Diving.
(picture from DM Club Malta Trip)In Malta, even Discover Scuba Divers can enjoy some Wreck diving with instructors. HMS Maori, for example, is 7m deep on top and 12m deep on the deck. This WW2 wreck was one of the boat that was at the sight of the attack of Bismark. When Bismark was sank, HMS Maori saved some German soldiers. Unfortunately, the night was very stormy and many soldiers in water were sacked into the water as they swam towards the ships. And also there were other ships were approaching and HMS Maori had to depart sooner to avoid being attacked.
A few years ago, my friend took a elderly diver to HMS Maori. He was, in fact, one of the crew on HMS Maori during the war. Because of his age, it was going to be his last diving and he managed to dive on HMS Maori. Such a moment...
Another wreck in shallow water is X127 at Manoel Island. The highest point is 6m deep and the deepest is 20m. She is laying nearly vertical. This water lighter is the only recognised ship wreck in Malta as a ship that served for the both WW1 and WW2. Very small wreck and most of the time the visibility is not so great; however, this ship wreck is the only one you can actually see where the torpedo hit. Big opening by the torpedo can show you how the explosion went and how strong it was by showing how thick the metal was and how it was ripped.
Every Wreck has its own story and history. When you know the history of them, your diving will become more interesting.
So many other wrecks; Tug2 (the newest ship wreck for recreational shallow enough for OW divers), P29 (Patrol boat made in Germany), Rosi (Tug boat), Um El Faroud (Libyan tanker that had explosion accident in dry dock), P31 in Comino (sister ship of P29), etc.
If I start writing about them, it will be endless. I love them all.
One thing I can tell you for sure is that you want to dive with guides who know about them well. Some dive sites are quite tricky when the current is not right. You will need someone who can navigate well under water. Most wrecks are long way out to do surface swim. Only the guides without knowledge will make you surface swim to the wreck.
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