fortina spa - malta

[Kevin Swindin]

apologies if this is the wrong place for the post, but I have got a bit of time in April to go on a break with a non-diving partner. We have been looking at the Fortina Spa - has anyone been and what is it like? Assuming I get a pass out for a dive or two, what is the diving like? What suit will I need in April?
thanks

Kevin

[Adrian Kelland]

I have no idea about Fortina Spa of where on Malta it is, but there is some great diving on Malta and Gozo.

Inland Sea/Blue Hole/Azure Window on Gozo are great. On Malta the pier opposite the Popeye village is fairly popular, as well as the drop off near where the Gozo ferry departs from.

Suit wise, I would go for a dry suit. A good semi is possible - I have used both in Malta, but for top comfort the dry suit wins.

Check out any reports in our Travel Club too. http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/reports/index.html#seurope

Adrian

[Kevin Swindin]

Adrian,
thanks for taking the time out to reply - it is appreciated

Kevin

[ChrisA]

I think the Fortina Spa is the hotel on the Sliema peninsula opposite Valletta,
have a great time loads of diving in the area.

[Hamish]

Kevin,
As stated the Fortina Spa Resort is located on the spit of land which formally led up to the old Barracks at Tigne point and is directly facing across the expanse of water between Sliema and Valletta (Sliema Creek/Marsamxett Harbour). The hotel is looks very nice and has undergone an expansion in the last 2 years. The old barracks at Tigne point which are directly next to the hotel have been demolished and there is now a lot of construction going on in that area. What effect that has on the hotel guests I could not say as I do not stay there. I have although gone into the dive shop located next to the hotel and inquired the costs of diving, being curious.
I have been visiting and diving in Malta for quite some years and found thier prices to be somewhat expensive compared to the other dive operators within the Sliema area I put this down to being located next to one of the only 5 star (Malta's grading) hotels in Malta. I would not recomend any particular dive outfit as each one has there merits, but no matter which one you pick, all of the ones I know will pick you up from the hotel at no extra cost, look here for an alphabetical list of dive operators http://www.visitmalta.com/en/what_to_do/search_diveschool.html?action=search&label=&city=&id_pla= . As for the diving, there are some good wrecks at both Cirrkewwa (The Rozi) and Wied iZ Surrieg (The Um El Faroud) and also around Gozo and Comino the sister Island's to the north.
Hope this information is helpfull.
Regards
Hamish

[Roz]

If memory serves me right, I'm sure that Sport Diver did a feature on this Spa recently. Might be worth giving them a ring. 01799 544 200 (Switchboard number for publishing house, Archant Specialist).

I dived with Blue Waters Dive Cove (based in Qala, Gozo) http://www.divebluewaters.com last year. They were a very professional, friendly, knowledgeable dive centre, who put the fun back into diving. I would recommend them without any hesitation. In fact I would happily send my brother (who has not dived in four years) to this centre and know that he would be safe and looked after properly.

Oh yes, and take a dry suit if you dive one.

[iain aitchison]

Hi Kevin,

check DIVE from March page 95. There seems to be a package deal with or without diving.

Malta is best at the moment with a dry suit. Basically any hotel on Malta Gozo Comino will have diving either in house or brochures in the reception for it. Most schools will pick you up from the hotel on request and cover transport via the dive school to the dive sites. It is all there on Malta from the easiest reefs and shallow wartime wrecks to really serious offshore reefs, deep wrecks and also any amount of spectacular walls, caverns and scenic stuff.

Calypso (Gozo), Stand Divers, Maltaqua (St. Pauls Bay, Malta), Divemed (Malta) are all to be recomended.

If you are doing independant diving without a local school or guide make absolutely certain you can get back out the water after the dive. Never leave valuables unattended at a dive site. Have fun.

regards
Iain