First Experience Scuba Diving

Malta makes a fine place to try scuba: clear water, lots of fish, and a short, shallow first session keep the experience within reach of beginners. You learn the basics on land, practice with an instructor, then spend time underwater rather than sitting through a long classroom course.

I like the maximum group size of four, which gives your instructor room to watch your breathing and help with equipment. I also like that the price includes the complete kit, transport to the water, online lessons, and two underwater sessions. The catch is that this is an introduction, not an internationally recognized scuba qualification, and you must already be able to swim.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater sessions: Use the first to practice basic skills, then enjoy a second guided exploration to a maximum depth of 5 meters.
• Small groups of four: You receive closer supervision than on a large boat-based outing.
• Patient instruction: Francesca, Alex, Julia, Emma, Davide, and other instructors are praised for calm explanations and careful support.
• Malta’s clear water: You might see shoaling fish, sea urchins, and other marine life close to shore.
• All core equipment supplied: The kit, safety briefing, online theory, and transport to the site are included.
• Important health rules: Swimmers only, English understanding is required, and some medical conditions require written approval from a physician.

What this Malta scuba session is really like

The experience lasts about two and a half hours, though the exact start time and duration can change with weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, group readiness, and the pace of participants. You meet at Diveshack20 on Ix-Xatt Ta’ Qui-Sana in Sliema, a practical location near public transportation.

Before arriving, you complete online theory material in your chosen language. This is not filler. It covers basic scuba knowledge, safety, equipment, and underwater communication. I strongly recommend doing it before the day of the activity, not while rushing out the door. The material helps you recognize hand signals and understand what your instructor is asking you to do in the water.

At the center, you complete the required paperwork and meet the professional team. Your instructor explains the equipment, helps check the fit, and runs through the safety rules. The process can feel busy during the summer months, so arrive ready and keep your questions clear. If you are nervous, say so early. The instructors are used to first-timers who need extra time.

The center provides the complete scuba kit. You need to bring your own swimsuit and towel. If you want to use an underwater camera or need to rent a towel, arrange that with the center ahead of time rather than assuming it will be available on the day.

Land instruction before you enter the water

The first useful lesson is learning how the equipment works. Your instructor explains the regulator, mask, buoyancy equipment, and other parts of the kit, then shows you how to breathe and communicate underwater.

For a beginner, the regulator can feel strange at first. It is normal to need a few moments to settle into breathing through your mouth. You should not feel pressured to rush. Good instructors, including Francesca, Alex, Julia, Emma, and Davide, have been praised for patient explanations and steady support.

You also learn basic skills before moving away from the entry point. These can include clearing your mask, managing the regulator, and using hand signals. The exact order depends on the instructor and your comfort level.

This is where the online preparation pays off. If you already know the basic signs for okay, stop, and trouble, you can focus on your breathing and surroundings instead of trying to remember every instruction. I would treat the pre-session study as part of the experience, not an optional extra.

The first session is practice, not a sightseeing trip

The first underwater session is designed to help you get comfortable. You practice the essential skills under close supervision, probably near the entry area, before moving into the exploration portion.

This is the moment when some people discover that scuba is not for them. You must be able to put your face in the water and breathe through the regulator. If you panic, cannot settle your breathing, or do not feel ready to continue, tell the instructor. The staff can provide support, but they cannot remove the basic requirements of the activity.

One reported problem came from a participant who felt rushed, had concerns about changing arrangements, and became too anxious to continue. The provider’s response indicated that the instructor offered further help but that the participant could not become comfortable with having their face in the water. This is a fair warning: the activity is beginner-friendly, but it is still real scuba. You need to be open to the physical sensations involved.

For most people, the first few minutes are the hardest. Once you become familiar with the breathing rhythm and hand signals, the experience becomes much easier to manage. Your instructor remains close and checks that you are comfortable before moving on.

The second session reaches only 5 meters

After practicing the basic skills, you take a second guided underwater session. The maximum depth is 5 meters, so this is intentionally shallow. That makes it a sensible first taste of scuba, especially if you are unsure how you will react underwater.

The focus is simple: stay calm, breathe normally, follow the instructor, and look around. Malta’s water can be remarkably clear, and the marine life may include shoaling fish, sea urchins, and other small species. One participant even reported seeing a barracuda.

Do not expect a long expedition or a qualification-level training session. The aim is to give you a controlled introduction and let you decide if you want to continue with formal scuba training later. The center can provide information about recognized courses if you want to earn a license.

Some conditions can change what you see. Strong wind or choppy water may reduce visibility, and the center may move the activity to a different site to find safer or clearer conditions. One participant described poor visibility caused by rough water but also noted that the team worked to relocate the session.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is four participants. That is one of the strongest features of this experience.

In a large group, an instructor has to divide attention among many people, and a nervous beginner can feel lost. With four or fewer, your instructor has a better chance to notice if your mask is leaking, your breathing is too fast, or you need another explanation.

Several instructors are praised for staying close underwater and checking regularly that everything is fine. That matters more than a long list of equipment. Scuba feels much less intimidating when you know exactly where your instructor is and can get help quickly.

The small group also gives you a more personal lesson on land. If one part of the equipment is unclear, you can ask about it. If you are comfortable and another participant needs more time, the instructor can work with the group at a safer pace.

The instructors set the tone

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the instruction. Francesca is repeatedly described as kind, patient, and fun, with strong communication skills. Alex is praised for making nervous beginners feel safe. Julia receives especially warm comments for helping a young participant build confidence.

Emma and Marcell are noted for reassuring a nervous partner. Davide is praised for explaining everything clearly, helping patiently with early water skills, and keeping close watch during the session. Mark, Kas, Holly, Vinnie, Matteo, and others are also singled out for professional and careful teaching.

Staff backgrounds and languages vary, and English understanding is required. If you have a strong preference for an instructor, you can ask, but an individual instructor cannot be guaranteed.

The instruction also includes a conservation message. One instructor encouraged participants not to touch marine life and to respect the sea. That is exactly the right approach. Look closely, but leave fish, urchins, rocks, and other underwater life alone.

Water temperature, equipment, and comfort

The center supplies wetsuits and the rest of the scuba equipment. Participants have found the suits warm enough even in April, though another person found the water cold at a different time of year. Your comfort will depend on the season, the weather, and how long you remain in the water.

Wear your own swimsuit underneath the wetsuit. Bring a towel, since one is not included. Also come prepared for the possibility that the meeting point and the water entry site are not the same place.

Transportation to and from the activity location is included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not. The tour begins and ends at the Sliema meeting point. The center later confirmed that one first-timer’s session took place at St. Paul’s Bay, which shows why you should pay attention to the final instructions sent before the activity.

The company contacts you through WhatsApp, or by text message or email if you do not use WhatsApp. Watch your phone for the exact start time, meeting instructions, and online learning link.

Price and what you receive for $96.55

At $96.55 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours in Malta. But the price includes the online theory, safety briefing, full kit, instructor-led training, a second underwater session, and transportation to the site.

That package makes reasonable sense if you want a proper introduction rather than a quick swim with a mask. You are paying for equipment, instruction, and close supervision, not just access to the water.

The value is strongest for a small group of friends or a couple who want to try scuba without committing to a multi-day course. It is also useful for families with older children, since participants must be at least 10 years old and minors need written permission from a parent or tutor.

The value is weaker if you already hold a scuba qualification or want a long underwater tour. This experience has a 5-meter depth limit and does not issue an international certificate. A formal scuba course is the better choice if you want a license.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to a confident swimmer who is curious about scuba but does not yet know if it feels comfortable. You receive a short theory lesson, hands-on equipment training, one practice session, and one guided exploration without signing up for a full certification course.

It suits couples, families with children aged 10 or older, and small groups who value close instruction. It is also a good fit if you want to see Malta’s marine life without spending a whole day on a boat.

You should think twice if you dislike having your face underwater, feel strongly anxious about breathing through equipment, or cannot swim. This is not a passive activity. You need moderate physical fitness and enough English to understand safety instructions.

Medical screening is important. Pregnancy, heart, lung, blood, neurological, ear, eye, nasal, back, and several other conditions may require written medical approval. The same applies to some participants aged 45 or older who have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or smoke, and to people taking prescription medicines. If you cannot provide the required approval, ask about the snorkeling option instead.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Book at least a little ahead if your Malta schedule is fixed. This activity is often reserved about 16 days in advance, and summer sessions can be affected by traffic, parking, weather, and higher demand.

You must arrive on time. The provider says late arrival or ignoring health requirements can mean losing the activity without a refund. If you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time, you can receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted, except when the company cancels because of poor weather. In that case, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Plan your post-session schedule carefully. You should wait at least 12 hours, and ideally 24 hours, before flying after scuba activity.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a careful, shallow, small-group introduction to scuba in Malta and you are a swimmer who can follow English instructions. The 5-meter limit keeps the session approachable, while the clear water and fish give you a real sense of what underwater exploration feels like.

I would book with realistic expectations. You may feel nervous, the water may be cold or choppy, and the activity is not a certification course. But with the full kit included, patient instructors, and no more than four participants, this is a sensible first step for many beginners.

FAQ

How long does the scuba experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, although weather, sea conditions, traffic, parking, punctuality, and participant ability can affect the schedule.

Where does the activity start and finish?

You meet at Diveshack20, Ix-Xatt Ta’ Qui-Sana, Sliema, Malta. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is transportation included?

Transportation to and from the activity location is included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What equipment is provided?

A complete scuba kit is provided, along with the online theory material, safety briefing, and instructor guidance.

Do I need to bring anything?

Bring your own swimsuit and towel. An underwater camera or towel rental may be available, but you should arrange those details with the center ahead of time.

How deep will I go?

The guided exploration session has a maximum depth of 5 meters.

Does this activity provide a scuba license?

No. This is an introductory experience and does not provide an internationally recognized scuba certification.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. The activity is for swimmers only, and participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 10 years old. Minors need written consent from a parent or tutor.

Can I fly immediately after the activity?

No. You should wait at least 12 hours after the activity before flying, with 24 hours recommended for extra caution.