Useful Diving Information

Before you dive

Regulations covering diving were introduced to ensure the maximum safety for divers.

Any person wishing to dive needs to register at a dive centre prior to diving. Registration includes filling out a form of personal details and showing proof of qualifications (except for persons attending a PADI open-water course or equivalent; or a taster dive). In the case of minors, a written consent of parent or legal guardian is required.

All persons registering at a dive centre are required to fill out a medical questionnaire to show that they are medically fit to dive. Notwithstanding the answers in the medical statement, in any case of doubt or at the discretion of the director of diving, persons may be requested to undergo a full medical examination by a physician who shall give his approval in writing before diving.

Diving Services

Only licensed dive centres are allowed to offer the following diving services: Training and education, organised and guided diving, rental of scuba.

Diving Instruction

Only qualified diving instructors registered at a licensed dive centre are allowed to offer diving instruction services.

For information on dive schools and regulations, contact the local Professional Dive Schools Association:

Professional Dive Schools Association,
P.O. Box 12
St. Paul's Bay,
MALTA

Website: www.pdsa.org.mt
Email: info@pdsa.org.mt

Surface Marker Buoys

Speedboat and ferry traffic can be quite heavy especially in peak summer months and in the Gozo Channel area.  Divers are required to fly the code-A flag or use a Surface Marker Buoy.  This is for your own protection.Divers visiting the Maltese Islands will find visibility of up to 50 metres even at depths of 30 metres.  There is little land surface run off to disturb visibility.  However, while conditions are generally favourable, please be careful.  Keep within your limitations and avoid over confidence.

Recompression Chamber – Hyperbaric Unit

Divers should be aware that there is a decompression chamber within St Luke’s Hospital, Guardamangia, Malta.  Staff there can be contacted for any diving incidents requiring medical attention on: (+356) 21234765 or (+356) 21234766 or by dialling the emergency telephone number 196.

There should be no attempt to perform ‘in water’ recompression.  In case of decompression sickness, do not delay contacting the highly competent diving specialists available.

Deep Waters

Divers visiting the Maltese Islands will find visibility of up to 50 metres even at depths of 30 metres.  There is little land surface run off to disturb visibility.  However, while conditions are generally favourable, please be careful.  Keep within your limitations and avoid over confidence.

Archaeological Finds

In some areas of the Islands, diving is strictly prohibited in order to protect the archaeological underwater heritage. These areas will be pointed out to you when you receive instruction or obtain your diving permit.

If you come across archaeological or cultural finds while diving, you should report these to the authorities.  Do not let temptation spoil your holiday. Removal of finds or failure to report them is considered unlawful.  These guidelines, and those protecting natural fauna and flora, are common sense to sports' divers worldwide.

Spear- and other fishing

Spearfishing is tightly controlled, and forbidden without a license. Fishing, from boats and trawlers, is strictly forbidden over designated dive sites.