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The beautiful island of Malta, as well as its sister islands of Gozo and Comino, are the perfect places for you to enjoy the best diving experience of your life. Situated at the centre of the clear-blue Mediterranean Sea, our islands’ rocky coastline is surrounded by unpolluted waters with excellent visibility. Since there are barely noticeable low and high tides, as well as few underwater currents in our waters, Malta is considered to be one of the top scuba diving destinations worldwide, as well as one of the safest.

The possibilities for underwater photography are endless: from amazing landscapes to wrecks of ships and planes; from sheer cliffs to exciting species of flora and rich fauna; from natural reefs to thrilling caves, swim-throughs and grottos. There are dozens of dive sites in the Maltese Islands. Some of the best include Cirkewwa, Anchor Bay and the Blue Grotto in Malta, the Blue Hole and Inland Sea in Gozo, together with some great boat dives off Comino. All dive sites are only a short distance away and it is easy to do more than one dive a day.

Examples of marine life abound, but you should be careful what you handle as some sea creatures have poisonous bristles or spines. Always be environmentally aware. In some sites you may come across archaeological artifacts. Should this happen, please do not handle or remove these and inform your instructor or dive centre of your find.

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced diver, you will find a dive site which is perfect for your specific abilities. Malta is also a well-known destination amongst technical divers. If you would rather dive on your own with a buddy you will require a PADI Advanced Open Water certificate, its equivalent or higher.

An underwater gem

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Taking a ‘try-dive’ is a great way to experience the thrill of being underwater for the first time. If you are a certified diver, you may prefer to take a course and further develop your diving skills. You can also get qualified in Malta. There are plenty of diving schools which offer professional certified dive courses up to the highest level. It is recommended that you present a current medical statement before you start diving here. You can also bring this along from your own country.

Our mild climate makes it possible to dive all year round and many diving schools offer their services throughout the year. Their tailor-made packages offer all types of educational and escorted day or night dives, including equipment rental for the more experienced unaccompanied divers. You can choose to dive from shore or from a boat.

A family diving holiday here can be a magical experience, with many dive schools offering snorkelling and diving courses for young sea-explorers. The Maltese Islands can guarantee the definitive diving adventure. So, if you have a passion for diving…what are you waiting for?

A year round diving destination

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Taking a ‘try-dive’ is a great way to experience the thrill of being underwater for the first time. If you are a certified diver, you may prefer to take a course and further develop your diving skills. You can also get qualified in Malta. There are plenty of diving schools which offer professional certified dive courses up to the highest level. It is recommended that you present a current medical statement before you start diving here. You can also bring this along from your own country.

Our mild climate makes it possible to dive all year round and many diving schools offer their services throughout the year. Their tailor-made packages offer all types of educational and escorted day or night dives, including equipment rental for the more experienced unaccompanied divers. You can choose to dive from shore or from a boat.

A family diving holiday here can be a magical experience, with many dive schools offering snorkelling and diving courses for young sea-explorers. The Maltese Islands can guarantee the definitive diving adventure. So, if you have a passion for diving…what are you waiting for?

A year round diving destination

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Malta is not only about diving. There are so many other types of sports that you can experience while on holiday in the Maltese Islands. For example, why not try rock climbing? The islands have ideal climbing conditions, with over 1,300 graded rock climbing routes and whole-year climbing made possible by the excellent climate. Climbing crags and cliffs are easily accessible by a short car drive, followed by a few minutes’ walk.

Malta has plenty of beautiful sea cliff walls and scenic valleys to scale. They are all made of limestone, which has been molded into interesting formations over millions of years. One can also find a number of exciting rock outcrops which are often indented with caves. You can go bouldering, deep water soloing and sea level traversing, as well as single and multi-pitch climbing. All climbs are graded. There are various grades of difficulty - whether you are a novice, an intermediate climber or an expert rock climber. In Malta, you can find established and professional climbing guides who will be happy to help you out, as well as climbing tours.

Our crystal-clear waters are a magnet for sailing enthusiasts who visit us from all over the world. The archipelago’s waterways are a spectacle of sailing boats which take to the sea to explore the many inlets and coves that dot the shoreline. Malta boasts various harbours and marinas which can accommodate any kind of seacraft. You can also opt to charter a sailing boat for a week or weekend, while day cruises are a favourite with many of our visitors.

Outdoor fun and adventure

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The islands are a haven for the practice of all kinds of sea sports, including surfing, swimming, kayaking, paragliding and even jet skiing. Safe and well regulated facilities are available at every sea resort on the islands. You will find that the temperate nature of the sea surrounding these islands also makes it ideal for swimming practically all year round.

Hiking will give you the opportunity to really appreciate our islands’ unique character, to stray from the beaten tourist track and explore our villages, the rugged landscape and spectacular coastline. There are plenty of interesting routes that you can take. Gozo is excellent walking country and a particular favourite with ramblers. The small island of Comino also features some great trails and good camping locations.

If horse riding appeals to you, there are a number of stables which offer well-trained horses and qualified instructors. Or you can decide to explore Malta by bike, an experience which will offer you some of the most breathtaking scenery.

Islands to explore

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Whatever time of the year you are in Malta, there are sure to be sporting events of some kind going on. With our fantastic climate and the dazzling blue sea surrounding the Islands, one can organise, participate in and watch sports all year round.

Malta has also become one of the most popular venues in the Powerboat calendar, appreciated by participants and fans for its good climate and unique historic setting. The beautiful waters off our capital city of Valletta play host to some of the sport´s most exciting races. Sea-farers should also not miss the Rolex Middle Sea Race - an offshore classic race which takes place in October. The race runs by incomparable scenery and is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often unpredictable and tough conditions.

If running is your thing, why not try out the Malta Marathon and Half Marathon, which usually take place in February or March? If you enjoy the thrill of the race but would rather be a spectator, horse racing takes place almost every weekend. Tennis is also a popular sport here, so you will be easy to find good tennis courts. The Marsa Sports Club boasts 19 courts, seven of which are floodlit. Marsa also hosts the prestigious Royal Malta Golf Club, set up in 1888.

If you prefer looking up to the skies, the Malta International Airshow usually takes place in September. This is a fantastic, interesting day out for all the family. A static display features a number of fascinating aircraft and there are spectacular aerial displays held over the island.

For a holiday with a difference, featuring a plethora of different things to do every day, Malta is definitely the best place to be!

Sports events … and much more!

Calypso’s CaveCitadel

Mnajdra Prehistoric TemplesĦaġar Qim Prehistoric TemplesTarxien Prehistoric TemplesĦal Saflieni HypogeumMosta Dome

VictoriaXlendi

Dwejra

GOZO

MALTA

COMINO

Mellieħa

St Paul’s Bay

Mġarr

MdinaRabat

Dingli

Birżebbuġa

Blue Grotto

Golden Bay

Blue Lagoon

Paola Tarxien

ŻurrieqQrendi

VallettaSliema

Marsaxlokk

MostaNaxxar

Marsa

Nadur

Xagħra

Mġarr

Ramla l-Ħamra Bay

Inland Sea Azure Window Fungus Rock

Landmark Index

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kilometres

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St John’s Co-CathedralDingli Cliffs

Ġgantija Prehistoric Temples

FlorianaGħar Dalam CaveTa’ Haġrat Prehistoric TemplesDomus RomanaSt Paul’s CatacombsSt Agatha’s CatacombsFort Rinella – 100 ton gun

Grand Harbour

Marsamxett Harbour

Vittoriosa

SengleaCospicua

Cirkewwa

Main photography Jurgen SciclunaKurt ArrigoMarkus KirchgessnerPaolo Meitre LiberatiniNathaniel Attard

Malta Tourism AuthorityAuberge d’ItalieMerchants Street, VallettaTel.: (356) 22915000

info@visitmalta.comwww.visitmalta.com