Scuba Malta
SSI and PADI dive centre with bases in St Julian's and St Paul's Bay, running try dives, courses to Instructor, daily guided shore dives and snorkelling.
Last updated September 2026
Book your dive directly with this centre.
About
Scuba Malta works from two bases, one on Malta's east coast and one in the north. The main centre sits at Level -5 of Portomaso Marina in St Julian's and covers the southern and eastern sites; the newer one, at the Sabi Complex on the Bugibba seafront in St Paul's Bay, is minutes from Cirkewwa, the P29 and Rozi wrecks, Comino and the Gozo ferry. Most guided dives go in from the shore: the guide picks the site against the day's sea conditions and visibility, and the group leaves from whichever centre suits it.
Founder Enol Argüelles spent years diving abroad before coming to Malta and building the centre from scratch. Every instructor holds both SSI and PADI ratings, and lessons run in English, Spanish, Italian, French and German.
First-timers start with a Try Dive: one open-water dive to a maximum of 12 m, four people per instructor at most, from age 10. A second version adds a dive on a WWII wreck.
Guided diving is for certified divers: at least Open Water, with card, logbook and a medical declaration, and every dive stays inside the diver's certification depth, 18 m for Open Water and 30 m after Advanced. Under Maltese diving regulations, anyone certified to less than 30 m dives with an instructor rather than a dive leader alone. Outings usually run as two dives in a row, daily and year-round. Fixed days cover Tug 2, X127 and Maori in one morning, or Karwela, Cominoland, the Inland Sea and the Blue Hole on Gozo. The centre lists Um el Faroud at 18-36 m and flags it for high gas consumption, with wreck experience recommended.
Courses run from Scuba Diver to Divemaster and Instructor, with Deep Diver to 40 m, decompression and scooter specialties along the way.
What divers say
Trouble clearing ears or getting the weighting right comes up often in reviews, and the accounts describe instructors taking the time to sort it out so the dive goes ahead. The same patience is reported with children and complete beginners. Reviewers also note kit in good condition. Many guides are named, the founder among them. The one practical note comes from a diver who logged 13 dives over six days: road transfers to sites took from 25 minutes to an hour, with the ferry on top for Gozo.
Dive Sites (6)
Facilities
Pricing
We do our best to show current pricing, but rates may change without notice. Last verified September 2026. Always confirm the latest prices on Scuba Malta's official website before booking.
View pricing details▾
Courses
Guided Dives
Other Services
Equipment, insurance and an instructor or guide are included in every activity price, and course prices include study materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of Scuba Malta's two centres should I book from?▾
It depends on where you want to dive. The Portomaso Marina centre in St Julian's covers the southern and eastern sites; the St Paul's Bay centre on the Bugibba seafront is minutes from Cirkewwa, the P29 and Rozi wrecks, Comino and the Gozo ferry. You meet at whichever centre the activity was booked from, and the guide settles the site on the day against the sea conditions.
What time is the St Julian's centre open?▾
Listings disagree. Two give 08:00 to 19:00 every day, while another shows the centre as open around the clock. Diving itself runs daily all year, so a message on +356 9942 6729 before you walk over is the reliable check.
Is there a price difference between the SSI and PADI courses?▾
Yes. The instructors are certified with both agencies, and the course pages price them separately, with PADI the dearer of the two: Open Water is 550 EUR with SSI and 600 EUR with PADI, and Deep Diver 330 EUR against 380 EUR (prices as of September 2026).
Can a first dive include a wreck?▾
Yes. The Try Dive + Wreck adds a second dive on a WWII wreck after the standard try dive, with the same cap of four people per instructor. The standard Try Dive on its own is a single open-water dive to a maximum of 12 m, for ages 10 and up; under-18s need a parent's or guardian's permission.
What do I need to bring for a guided dive?▾
Proof of at least Open Water certification (or an equivalent), your logbook, and a completed medical declaration. Each dive stays within the depth your certification allows: 18 m on Open Water, 30 m once you hold Advanced Open Water. Maltese law also sets who leads you: a diver certified to less than 30 m is accompanied by an instructor, not only a dive guide.
Is there anything for companions who don't dive?▾
Guided snorkelling trips of about an hour and a half leave from either centre by boat or truck, with an instructor, in groups of up to eight and from age 8.
Is this your dive center?
Claim this page to manage your details, update pricing and hours, showcase your dive sites, and reach divers planning their next trip.