Malta dive report

hoochykoochy · Jul 18, 2002

Managed to get 3 dives in whilst on family holiday to Malta. All were shore dives at Marfa Point, descending down the wall to about 17m max. A truly fantastic set of dives, at points I was laughing into my reg I was so enjoying myself. Thought buoyancy was perfect for all 3 dives, not a single "up-down-up" scenario etc.
Water was 24 deg and vis was "on & on". Saw a variety of fish..Rainbow Wrasse, Cardinal Fish, Scorpionfish, Tuna, managed to coax a couple of Octopus from their lairs and even a seahorse. I would have stayed there for the entire week but a wife and 2 little ones would'nt have been that impressed!!

g2 · Jul 19, 2002

Thanks for the trip report!

I've heard Malta wants you to have a diving medical exam before they'll let you dive there. Did you do that after you arrived, and if so, how much trouble was it?

Cheers!

hoochykoochy · Jul 19, 2002

The medical cost approx £2 sterling. I had to pee in a bottle that had litmus paper dipped in it (alcohol or drugs??) and answer and sign the usual 2 pages of medical questions. The doc also took bllod pressure, pulse and monitored my breathing. Also checked ears nose and throat. Passed fine and now have a medical cert that is good for 2 years.
My local doc wanted £20 sterling for the same before I left England.

Louie · Jul 20, 2002

I dived in Gozo last month and the medical there consisted of: my filling in a form with a medical questionnaire; doctor listening on the stethoscope; taking blood pressure and check of the ears. I've been told that during busy times, the doctors make the rounds of the dive shops on the island so the divers don't even have to leave the shop. The charge was 8 Maltese pounds (£5 stirling).
My doctor in London wanted £65 so I told her where to go.

g2 · Jul 20, 2002

Originally posted by Louie
...My doctor in London wanted £65 so I told her where to go.

I hope you told her to go to Malta, hehe!

Thanks Hoochykoochy and Louie, I've been meaning to dive there for some time but didn't know the "ins and outs".

I may be headed to Italy in September, but I doubt I'll make it down to Malta this time. I'll be flying into Milan and my only goal is to find some sleepy seaside town (west coast) where I can sip espressos all morning and snooze away languid afternoons.

Cheers!

ScubaBaby · Jul 21, 2002

I'll be heading to Gozo in October so I am glad I caught this thread as I didnt know about any medicals.
Not sure if I'll need to get this as we are going to a villa with a dive centre thats based there....will have to look into it!

hoochykoochy - where abouts in essex are you? Do you know lakeside shopping centre - i'm 5 mins down the road from there!

lakesdiver · Jul 24, 2002

Any of you folks care to share the name of the dive op. you're using? Or a good place to stay? I keep hearing good things about Malta and am interested in checking it out, so any clues would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Louie · Jul 24, 2002

I stayed at and dived with Frankie's Gozo Diving Centre last month.

Cons: it's in Xewkija, a little village that's inland so if you're after beachfront, it's not ideal. Although Gozo's quite small, it's a bit awkward getting around without transport if you want to do sightseeing (I didn't dare walk on the roads as everyone drives like homicidal race car drivers and the buses are dreadfully inadequate).

Pros: it's a small cozy family-run operation that specialises in divers. They have their own dive operation and the staff were really great, easygoing and accommodating. AND the food is home cooked and in generous portions. The rooms were basic but they go out of their way to make you comfortable.

Their website is: http://www.digigate.net/frankie/indexuk.htm

Drew Sailbum · Jul 24, 2002

Malta does require a :doctor: doctor's written medical approval for any recreational diving. Usually, the medical exam is quite cursory, easily arranged, and cheap.

Originally posted by Louie:
The charge was 8 Maltese pounds (£5 stirling).

Sorry to say, Louie but even at 8 Maltese Lira, you got screwed! Going rate is closer to 3Lm - that's about $6.75US!

gle:

Diving on Gozo offers some interesting underwater topography. There are several operators, including a friend of mine who has just started up a shop in Marsalforn. Look up Nat at Frog Spawn Divers, and say hi for me.

hoochykoochy · Aug 7, 2002

Aquaventure was who I did my dives. seemed v professional, v friendly guys/girls. Picked us up from our hotel and took us home and ferried wife & kids during the day. Based in St Juliens I think..doh!

ScubaBaby...I live just south of Cambridge, right up the M11. About 45 mins from Lakeside.

Malta dive report

Please register or login

hoochykoochy

Registered

g2

Contributor

hoochykoochy

Registered

Louie

Contributor

g2

Contributor

ScubaBaby

Contributor

lakesdiver

Contributor

Louie

Contributor

Drew Sailbum

Contributor

hoochykoochy

Registered

Similar threads