Winter retreat to Malta

[northern_diver]

Hi folks,

Me and the buddy (Dad) have decided to try and go away this winter 2-10th Jan or so for a diving trip...much like we did last year in Spain.

However, I havent been to Malta at all and Dads not been for 20years give or take, so we havent really got much information to go on, and the google search etc are giving mixed reviews, so...

Those been to Malta could you suggest some idea's based off our proposed diving.

Both SD's, so diving with in the 35m area
Both Nitrox trained
Both very keen on wrecks (ROZI,CAROLITA,MAORI etc*)
Both like RHIBs/hardboats

Dont really care on agency, but if i could, BSAC be best. We can take all gear except cylinders/weights but will loan if needs be.
I havent figured out if it be best to go to one of the shops, like maltaqua and tell them i want 10 (wrecks:rolleyes: ) dives...or just get a charter boat and say the same.

I was tempted to ring up the local BSAC club and ask if they wanted to go out and do some diving....dont know how into that they would be though, would pay of course. Our club would be up for it, but some have different rules/characters etc

Cheers,
John

* i dont even know where those wrecks are in the surounding area,though they would be depth suitable.

[Eddie Clamp]

[QUOTE=northern_diver]Hi folks,

Me and the buddy (Dad) have decided to try and go away this winter 2-10th Jan or so for a diving trip...much like we did last year in Spain.

However, I havent been to Malta at all and Dads not been for 20years give or take, so we havent really got much information to go on, and the google search etc are giving mixed reviews, so...

Those been to Malta could you suggest some idea's based off our proposed diving.

Both SD's, so diving with in the 35m area
Both Nitrox trained
Both very keen on wrecks (ROZI,CAROLITA,MAORI etc*)
Both like RHIBs/hardboats
Cheers,
John
QUOTE]

Have you had a look here: http://www.bsac.com/findit.asp?cat=tripreports&section=0001000100150047&view=list&glat=&glng=&gzoom=&keyword=Malta&submit.x=55&submit.y=18

Enjoy your trip. :)

[Maria CM]

Hi John,

Lots of it is shore diving so can be a bit annoying because you can use a fair portion of your air getting to and from which limits your diving time. I found Malta quite 'barren' underwater but you should be happy if you like wrecks.

'Maltese Islands, Diving Guide' by Ned Middleton has very good visual representations and fairly detailed info if you want to go it alone. The thread that was for when I went away had some fab info on it.

best wishes,

Maria

[Fish Brown]

All the dives you mention are from shore, so there is no need to charter a boat.

You can either go to a dive centre and do guided diving, or rent tanks and weights, and do the dives yourselves without a guide. However, you will also need to hire a car and drive yourself to the dive sites. In Malta knowing how to drive to the dive site is often harder than finding the wreck once you are underwater.

The wind conditions can be very changable in January, so it is not guaranteed that you will get to dive all of your wish list. I would also recommend bringing your drysuit if you have one.

If you decide not to go for guided diving have a look at Peter Lemon's book "Scuba Diving Malta Gozo and Comino".

Hope you have a great time in Malta, and enjoy all of our wrecks.

[northern_diver]

Thanks folk,

Fish Brown, you have mail.

Cheers,

John

[Howard Payne]

Hi John - I will be out there from the 6-11th, teaching a technical course, based at the excellent BSAC centre: Divewise in Paceville. We will be doing the P29, The Faroud and almost certainly the Blenheim Bomber. I've used Alan and Viv at Divewise several times before and nothing's too much trouble as well as being great value. You'd be most welcome to join us for some dives?

[northern_diver]

Setting off soon:) Packed my bags, got my local cash, all booked up and confirmed.

I'm going to be using the services of Corsair Diving, a fellow forum and BSAC member, so should be good.

Quite looking forward to it all, just hope the weather stays so that me and my buddy can get (i hope) 10 wreck dives in.

I dont think Corsair's had a trip report done, but if they haven't, they will when im done.

Oddly, im already provisionally booked up to do some nice cold pond diving as soon as i get back, what we do for your hobbies eh!?:rolleyes: :D

Have a good newyear party folks.

John

[Jordan]

I might be going out to Malta in the next 2 weeks also - does anyone know if it's drysuit diving or not?

[Fish Brown]

I would suggest wearing a drysuit as the water is about 16 degrees, and there can be wind chill to when you are out.

Have fun in Malta!

[northern_diver]

haha well, having just came back from diving with the Corsair team, solely in a drysuit for the last week...i would i agree, its much easier.

Dispite not yet having time to eat my tea, let alone write a report, i can recommend Corsair diving for a Malta jaunt. Good centre, good staff, good local knowledge and a good week.

Even good some stuff signed off. Good weeks diving on 7 wrecks, but with chances to do scenic stuff too.

would recommend pete lemons diving book on malta, good informative book, though not needed with god staff.

John

[Maria CM]

Welcome back¬

Glad you had a good time:)

best wishes,

Maria

[northern_diver]

Hi Maria,

Its nice to be back, dispite the cold and nice diving on offer :)

I agree, the actuall UW is a bit stark, was expecting more life on the rocks etc, though lots more fish etc than i'm used too. Even got some shots of a John Dory and scoprion Fish up close and personal.

Would very much like to go again, i dived with a quite alien 12 litre most of the time, would have been more at home with a 15 and a 3, but thats solesly personal choice. But we still had time for a bit of an explore, even on some of the deeper stuff.

Any one fancy doing a trip over?

John

[Hamish]

haha well, having just came back from diving with the Corsair team, solely in a drysuit for the last week...i would i agree, its much easier.

John

Hi John,

Glad you had an enjoyable week. I go to Malta twice a year and get in as much diving as my other half will allow.:D

I know Melita personally and would recomend Corsair to anyone who is staying up around the Qawra, Bugibba area of Malta. She is such a lovely jovial person always smiling and ready to help you out. I will be looking Melita up on my next trip as I wil be staying in Qawra and will be using Corsair services, although I and my buddy tend to dive on our own. Thats one of the good aspects of Malta, you do not have to dive with a guide if you do not wish to.

regards

Hamish

[northern_diver]

Indeed, i would recommend the services (wither guided or un guided) of the Corsair team, they put up well with myself and my buddies ways of doing things and blantant issues;)

Thanks for a great week Melita and Kevin, was good fun. I looked at the photo's today also and i'll get them on my 'top soon enough and end some over for you.

If im ever to go back (which i might very well;) ) i will very much be buying a copy of Pete lemons dive book.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scuba-Diving-Malta-Gozo-Comino/dp/0954178912/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263057929&sr=1-1-spell

Thanks Howard for the dive invite, was busy however.

Malta is a great dive site, do enjoy:) Though i just think they have half enough wrecks nor those nice pizza things;) :p

John

[Maria CM]

I don't think I got the best of Malta so may go back at some time.

More fish off the east coast! :)

best wishes,

Maria

[northern_diver]

So i hear Maria:(

While they dont know it yet, im gonna try sort a trip (when im not busy with uni) to Malta, i'll let you know, might try get you some more enjoyable dives in :)

...or at least a tan :p

John

P.s seal diving off GT III was good fun, would reccomend it to all.

[Maria CM]

So i hear Maria:(


Fish off east coast or Malta;) :)

best wishes,

maria

[Hamish]

If im ever to go back (which i might very well;) ) i will very much be buying a copy of Pete lemons dive book.


Hi John,

Not wanting to brag but I appear in 2 of the pictures contained in Peters first addition of his book. He dived with myself and an instructor from Paradise Bay dive school specifically to get photographs of divers using DPV's around the Rozi and the Anchour.

It was an interesting day but to long to recount here.

regards

Hamish

[Fish Brown]

Hi John,

Good to hear you got home ok, and there were no snow delays!

Glad you and your Dad had a good week of diving, we enjoyed having you both. Hope to see you in Malta again soon.

Hamish - nice to hear from you, see you next time you are up our end of the island!

Melita

[Hamish]

Hamish - nice to hear from you, see you next time you are up our end of the island!

Melita

Hi Melita,

How are things, still smiling :D as usual. Linda and I are back for our usual 2 weeks in June in Sliema and then for another 2 weeks in September in Qawra so will be seeing you then.

I have now retired so I am considering just coming over for a month rather than 2 weeks at a time so I could always come work for you.;) LOL.

kind regards

Hamish