Malta has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s best scuba diving destinations, and most of its headline sites are only reachable by boat. The visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres. Water temperatures stay comfortable from April through November. The sites range from wartime wrecks colonised by soft coral, to cathedral-scale arches, to vertical walls that disappear into the blue. Booking a space on a dedicated dive boat is the practical way to experience several world-class sites in one day, and Malta’s PADI, BSAC, and SSI-affiliated dive centres run two-dive day trips year-round for everyone from recently certified divers to serious wreck specialists.
Why Boat Diving Makes Sense in Malta
Shore diving accounts for a lot of what happens here, but the headline sites aren’t reachable that way. The Blue Hole and Inland Sea at Dwejra in Gozo sit on a coastline accessible only by boat, unless you want a very long surface swim. The Rozi wreck lies at 36 metres off Cirkewwa Point. HMS Maori is in Grand Harbour under Valletta’s fortifications. Boat diving solves the access problem, gets you to the shot line with tanks filled and weights sorted, and gives you a guide who dives these sites every single day. For visiting divers without local knowledge, that last point is more valuable than it sounds.
What to Expect on a Boat Diving Day in Malta
A standard two-dive day trip from a Maltese dive centre leaves at 08:30 or 09:00, with equipment fitting and briefing done beforehand. The first dive is usually the deeper or more complex site, dived while tanks are full. After a surface interval of 45–60 minutes on the boat or at a nearby café, you do the second dive at a shallower site. You’re back on shore by 14:00 or 15:00. Most reputable dive centres check certifications before departure. You need at least an Open Water Diver cert to join. Advanced certification is required for dives deeper than 18 metres, and wreck or cavern penetration requires the relevant specialty rating.
Top Boat Dive Sites in Malta
The Blue Hole and Inland Sea at Dwejra, Gozo is Malta’s most famous dive. A natural rock arch opens onto a vertical wall dropping to 60+ metres, with Azure Window rubble now adding something interesting at the bottom. Best dived in the morning before afternoon swell builds.
The Rozi wreck near Cirkewwa is a deliberately sunk passenger-cargo vessel from 1992, intact at 36 metres and thick with grouper, moray eels, and encrusting sponges. HMS Maori in Grand Harbour is a World War II destroyer at 14 metres, one of Malta’s most accessible historic dives and exceptional for photography.
The Cirkewwa Arch is a dramatic archway at 15–18 metres with resident turtles and large cephalopods that suits open-water divers well. Comino’s cave system combines cavern diving down to 18 metres with bright shallow reef, making it a good option for mixed-ability groups on the second dive.
Pricing Guide
A two-dive shared boat day trip runs €55 to €80 per person, with equipment hire extra. A single-dive trip (afternoon slot available) runs €35 to €50. The Gozo Blue Hole day trip runs €75 to €100 per person and includes the ferry or RIB transfer. Night dive trips run €45 to €60 per person with torches provided or hireable. A full equipment hire package (BCD, regs, wetsuit, tank) is €25 to €40 per day. Most dive centres give discounts for groups of six or more and for week-long dive packages.
What’s Included
Boat transportation, tanks, weights, a divemaster in the water, site briefings, and safety equipment on board are all standard. Personal dive equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins) is rentable on-site if you don’t bring your own. Dive insurance is strongly recommended — DAN Europe annual cover is around €35 and worth every cent.
Ready to Book?
Browse the dive boat trips below, compare two-dive day trips and Gozo Blue Hole specials, and submit an enquiry for your dates. Bring your certification card and logbook on the day, and book equipment hire at the same time as the dive trip if you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to book boat diving in Malta?
A two-dive shared boat day trip is €55 to €80 per person, with equipment hire extra. Single-dive trips run €35 to €50, and a Gozo Blue Hole day trip is €75 to €100 including transfer. Night dives are €45 to €60 with torches provided or hireable. Full equipment hire (BCD, regs, wetsuit, tank) runs €25 to €40 per day, with discounts for groups of six or more.
What certification do I need for boat diving in Malta?
PADI Open Water, BSAC Ocean Diver, SSI Open Water, or any equivalent from a recognised training agency is the minimum. Dives deeper than 18 metres — including the Rozi wreck at 36 metres and the Blue Hole wall — require Advanced Open Water. Wreck or cavern penetration requires the relevant specialty rating. Bring your certification card and logbook on the day.
Where do dive boat trips in Malta depart from?
Most dive boats depart from Cirkewwa for Rozi, Cirkewwa Arch, and Comino dives, and from Mgarr in Gozo for Dwejra Blue Hole trips. HMS Maori dives leave from Valletta or Sliema for the Grand Harbour run. Dive centres typically include shore-to-boat coordination, with equipment fitting and briefing done at the centre beforehand.
When is the best time of year for boat diving in Malta?
April through November is the comfortable diving season, with water temperatures climbing from 17°C in spring to 27°C in August and easing back to around 20°C in November. Visibility is excellent year-round but peaks in September and October. June through August is peak demand — popular trips to Gozo and Cirkewwa fill days ahead, so book 48–72 hours in advance. Outside summer, next-day booking is usually fine.