One diving trip I'm already looking forward to is my trip to Malta and Gozo.
There are places that feel right to you right away. As if you step into a calm you didn't know you were missing. I've been there recently and the combination of great diving, crystal clear water and that relaxed Mediterranean feel made me realize pretty quickly, this is where I want to go back. Add direct flights from Sweden and a very smooth journey, and it's easy to understand why Malta and Gozo are such popular diving destinations.
What struck me first was how smooth everything is. Whether you dive from Malta or Gozo, the dive sites are easily accessible and the days flow without stress. There is plenty of time for both diving and recovery, which makes a huge difference to the overall experience.
Gozo
Gozo quickly became a personal favorite. The island is small, green and much calmer than Malta. Here you find a pace that automatically makes you lower your shoulders. The best thing is that it almost doesn't matter where you live - it takes a maximum of 20 minutes to get to all the dive sites. This makes the dive days efficient and relaxed at the same time.
Diving in Gozo is something special, especially thanks to the spectacular land dives. Stepping into the water at places like the Blue Hole and the Inland Sea and swimming straight out along dramatic cliff walls and tunnels with passageways is an experience that truly sticks in your mind. The visibility is often fantastic and the feeling of space below the surface is difficult to describe – it has to be experienced. In addition to the land dives, there is also the opportunity to dive from a boat, including to Comino and further towards the wrecks in northern Malta.
Learn to dive on your vacation
Malta and Gozo is equally suitable for those who are about to get their certification or are relatively new to diving, as it is for those with many dives under their belt. There are easy, safe dives with calm conditions and fantastic visibility – perfect for building experience and confidence. At the same time, this is a paradise for more advanced divers, with deeper wrecks, advanced profiles and opportunities for technical divers who want to explore the depths or simply have extra bottom time on some of the best wrecks in the Mediterranean. It is precisely this variety that means that Malta and Gozo really have something for everyone.
In Gozo I lived in Xlendi, and it's hard not to fall in love with that place. The village is hidden in a mountain crevice right by the water and it's incredibly quiet and cozy here. Whether you stay in a hotel right by the sea or in new, fresh apartments with a view of the bay, the proximity to the sea is constantly present. After the diving days it was hard to beat a dinner along the water - especially at Moby Dick or The Boat House, both of which serve really good food in a relaxed environment.
If you want a bit more life, but still keep the charm of Gozo, Marsalforn is a very good option. Here there is a bit more movement, more restaurants and a bit of shopping, but without it ever feeling stressful. That typical Gozitan vibe is still there – just with a bit more to choose from after the sun goes down.
