Diving and snorkelling in Malta

Umiq88

Hi

going on holidays to malta in september with GF. Just bought the lidl snorkelling gear as i reckon it would be handy to have so we can just head out ourselves.

Also bought the full 3 piece set for myself as would like to do the open water course over there and contiue diving while over here.

Question is is snorkelling on our own a good idea?? I've done it before seems straight forward and as long as we are snesible cant see any problems but open to correction.

Also will we need a wetsuit for snorkelling i will have mine if i bring it but the GF wont. Water temp i think is about 24degrees around that time so im thinking we both wont need one unless diving or we could use the shorty and the fully suit (5mm and 6.5mm) each or lidl have 3mm shortys at the mo.

So could we get away without a wetsuit i mean ive gone swimming in ireland without major issues so shouldnt be that bad.

sunshinediver

psittacosis wrote: »

Hi

going on holidays to malta in september with GF. Just bought the lidl snorkelling gear as i reckon it would be handy to have so we can just head out ourselves.

Also bought the full 3 piece set for myself as would like to do the open water course over there and contiue diving while over here.

Question is is snorkelling on our own a good idea?? I've done it before seems straight forward and as long as we are snesible cant see any problems but open to correction.

Also will we need a wetsuit for snorkelling i will have mine if i bring it but the GF wont. Water temp i think is about 24degrees around that time so im thinking we both wont need one unless diving or we could use the shorty and the fully suit (5mm and 6.5mm) each or lidl have 3mm shortys at the mo.

So could we get away without a wetsuit i mean ive gone swimming in ireland without major issues so shouldnt be that bad.

Like you said there is no problem at all snorkelling on your own once you are sensible about it. I would however call into a local dive centre and ask them where the best places are, any strong currents etc. Apart from that just use common sense and don't stray too far from the shore.

As regards the wetsuit you'll get away without it but to stay in the water longer than 20 mins i'd get a 3mm shorty, the full suit will definetely be overkill for Malta and you'll need a stack of weight to dive under.

If you can, take the ferry to Gozo for the day and drive around the coast, Loads of nice snorkelling sites there. Enjoy.

Pigeon Reaper

stick to the bouyed off swimming areas and you'll be fine. Speed Boats come in close to the coast which would be the only worry. Scorpion fish are all around so watch your feet going into the water and some jellyfish which can catch you off guard but nothing too bad. Loads to see including octopus which look fantastic. I didn't find the water cold and only used a 3mm shorty when actually diving but that was in the summer. It's not too expensive to get diving over there with lots of dive centres offering padi courses and daytrips. Probably one of the cheapest place to learn in the EU.

Fratton Fred

sunshinediver wrote: »

If you can, take the ferry to Gozo for the day and drive around the coast, Loads of nice snorkelling sites there. Enjoy.

+1

around the inland sea and the Blue Hole should be pretty good, especially if the viz is good.