REVIEW · MALTA
Diving experience in Malta
Book on Viator →Operated by OrangeShark Diving Centre · Bookable on Viator
Malta turns nerves into calm. In this 3-hour intro scuba session, you’ll learn to breathe underwater and swim around at up to 12m with an instructor right there. It’s a simple plan with a clear goal: help you feel safe, then help you enjoy the underwater world.
I especially like the patient coaching. In feedback, instructors such as Neeraj and Jen get called out for calm guidance, plenty of time for questions, and never feeling rushed. I also like the structure: you do online theory first, then gear check, then skills, then water time.
One thing to consider: this experience needs good weather. If conditions are poor, your session may be moved to another date or refunded, so build in a little flexibility.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Entering the water at Cirkewwa: what the first moments feel like
- The small-group benefit: you get time, not just instruction
- Meeting at Ramla Bay Resort and getting to the water spot
- Gear, equipment fitting, and the online theory step
- How the instructor keeps it safe (and actually fun)
- The water time: exploring, fish spotting, and moving at your level
- Timing and the 3-hour package: why it doesn’t drag
- Languages and who you’ll be guided by
- Price and value: what $132.45 really covers
- Weather and real-world expectations in Malta
- Who should book this Malta intro scuba session
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- How long is the Malta experience?
- Where does the experience start and end?
- What location is used for the underwater activity?
- How deep will I go?
- Is there online theory before the water?
- What’s included in the price?
- What languages are available for the in-person guide?
- How many people are in the group?
- Is lunch included?
- What if the weather is poor?
Key things to know before you go

- Up to 12m max depth in a beginner-friendly setup
- Small groups (max 10) with in-person supervision
- Online theory ahead of time to speed up the in-water training
- Private transportation to and from the Cirkewwa area
- About one hour in the water for many first-timers, depending on the group
Entering the water at Cirkewwa: what the first moments feel like
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater, this is designed to answer that question fast—without drama. The session is an introductory scuba experience in Malta, based around Cirkewwa. You start at the Ramla Bay Resort meeting point in Il-Mellieħa, then head to the water area and work through a short, instructor-led progression.
The pace is practical. First you learn the equipment basics. Then you practice the key skill: breathing steadily underwater. Finally, you do a handful of beginner techniques you’ll recognize from most scuba instruction—things like controlled movement and simple ways to manage your body position.
The main payoff for first-timers is confidence. When the instructor keeps the focus on basics, you spend less time guessing and more time noticing the real magic: the sound change, the way your buoyancy feels, and the first clear look at fish passing by.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Malta.
The small-group benefit: you get time, not just instruction

This is capped at 10 travelers. That matters more than it sounds. In a small group, the instructor can correct your posture and breathing without rushing everyone along. You’re not just part of a crowd.
In the feedback, people highlight how one instructor guided small groups and checked in often. One review notes that a group of three had one instructor who made sure everyone felt comfortable the whole time. That matches how beginner training should work—slow enough for safety, fast enough for fun.
You should also plan for a training mindset. This is not an all-day “see everything” outing. It’s a short session built to get you through the basics and into the water safely. If you want a long, independent plan, you may prefer a longer course later.
Meeting at Ramla Bay Resort and getting to the water spot

You meet at Ramla Bay Resort, Triq Ir-Ramla, Il-Mellieħa MLH 7100, Malta. The experience ends back at the same meeting point. That round-trip setup is handy in Malta, especially if you’d rather not figure out timing and local logistics while coordinating gear.
Transportation is included and described as private transportation. Reviews also suggest the transfer from the training setup to the actual water spot is quick—around 5 minutes in at least one case—so you’re not losing half your morning to driving.
Here’s a small practical tip: arrive early enough to settle in. Even with a quick transfer, you’ll need time for equipment fitting and a short briefing before anything happens in the water.
Gear, equipment fitting, and the online theory step
Before you go underwater, you get a mix of prep and hands-on practice.
At the training site, you’ll:
- go over the scuba equipment you’ll use
- learn what it’s like to breathe underwater
- practice a few basic skills used in every scuba session
- get time to swim and explore underwater up to 12m
There’s also an online theory component you complete before entering the water. That’s smart for two reasons. First, it can reduce the amount of lecture you need while you’re still adjusting to equipment. Second, it helps the instructor spend their limited water time on feedback and skill repetition instead of repeating the basics.
In one review, the timeline included tutorial time plus a small quiz, which fits this theory-and-practice style. Even if you’ve never done anything like this before, you’ll likely feel more oriented once you’ve done that quick online part.
How the instructor keeps it safe (and actually fun)
The key phrase in the experience description is direct supervision. In plain terms: an instructor stays involved while you learn.
What I like about this setup is that it’s built around reassurance. In feedback, people mention instructors taking time to answer questions and offering encouragement without rushing. One review calls out Jen’s calm guidance when the person felt nervous once underwater. That’s the real value of good beginner coaching: you don’t just learn skills—you learn how to stay calm while you learn them.
You’ll also be supported with real-time correction. When you’re learning buoyancy and breathing, tiny adjustments matter. The smaller your group, the more likely the instructor can catch those details early.
Depth is capped at 12m, which keeps the experience beginner-friendly. It’s enough to feel like you’re truly in the underwater world, without turning the session into advanced training.
The water time: exploring, fish spotting, and moving at your level

The itinerary centers on Cirkewwa, which is the place you’ll head to for your underwater session.
Most first-timers go in expecting a short look and a quick learning moment. What often surprises people is how much they can do once they’re comfortable. Reviews mention seeing lots of fish of different sizes, and another review says the group could explore the underwater environment while supported the entire time.
In one detailed account, the person notes that they were in the water for roughly an hour, with the remaining time used for tutorials, quiz, preparation, and transfer. That breakdown is exactly what you hope for. You get meaningful water time, not just a token “try it once” experience.
A word of realism: you’ll likely be busy focusing on breathing, equipment feel, and instructor cues. That doesn’t stop fun. It focuses it. When you stop fighting the process, everything becomes more interesting—fish, movement, light, and the slow rhythm of underwater travel.
Timing and the 3-hour package: why it doesn’t drag

The total duration is about 3 hours. In this kind of experience, short is good. You’re learning a new physical rhythm—breathing, calm movement, and basic skills. A long day can turn into fatigue, which is the opposite of what a beginner needs.
The typical flow you should expect:
- instructor intro and equipment fitting
- online theory already done before arrival
- a structured set of basic skills practice
- short transport to the water area
- the in-water session (often around an hour for first-timers)
- return to the meeting point
If you’re the type who gets impatient with long tours, this is a strong fit. If you’re the type who likes to linger and chat, plan for a quick schedule and save deeper questions for the instructor times during the training.
Languages and who you’ll be guided by
The tour is offered in English, and the in-person guide can be Spanish, English, French, or Italian. That’s helpful for mixed-language groups.
One standout from the feedback is how friendly and attentive the staff are. Names that come up include Lauren, Constantine, and Paddie, along with Neeraj and Jen. Even if you don’t get the exact same instructor, you can reasonably expect the same teaching style: clear explanations, careful pacing, and active support.
If you want a smooth experience, pick an instructor language you feel comfortable with for questions. Scuba basics rely on communication—especially for breathing and safety cues.
Price and value: what $132.45 really covers
At $132.45 per person, this isn’t a throwaway activity. But it’s also not priced like a big, complicated program. Here’s what you’re getting for the money, based on the included items:
Included:
- private transportation
- use of scuba equipment
- in-person guide
- online theory (required before entering the water)
Not included:
- lunch
- alcoholic beverages
- soda/pop
- snacks
For value, the biggest wins are the equipment and supervision, plus the fact that it’s small-group. Beginner sessions live or die by instructor time. If you’re paying for that attention and not renting gear separately, the price starts to make sense.
If you’re comparing options, consider whether you’d have to pay extra for gear rental, instructor guidance, and transport. This package bundles those pieces together, which usually reduces stress on the day.
Weather and real-world expectations in Malta
This experience requires good weather. That matters because Malta can deliver calm seas some days and rougher conditions others. If conditions aren’t safe, the operator will offer a different date or a full refund.
So I recommend booking with your schedule in mind. If you’re only in town for one day and weather turns, you may not have a backup option. If you can, plan for this activity on a day where you have some flexibility.
Also, remember you’re learning a physical skill. If you show up tired or stressed, it’s harder to enjoy the learning curve. Arriving rested helps more than you’d think.
Who should book this Malta intro scuba session
You’ll likely enjoy this if:
- you’ve never done scuba before and want a beginner-friendly first experience
- you like structure and clear coaching
- you want enough water time to actually feel the underwater difference
- you prefer a small group (max 10)
You might want a different option if:
- you want a longer, exploration-heavy day with lots of free roaming
- you hate weather-dependent plans
- you don’t feel you meet a moderate physical fitness level requirement
That moderate fitness note matters. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should be ready for the movement and equipment handling involved in a short training program.
Should you book it?
I’d book this if you want your first underwater experience to feel safe and guided, with real time in the water and an instructor who takes nerves seriously. The small-group setup, equipment included, and the focused “learn basics then explore” structure make it a solid value at $132.45.
I’d think twice if your schedule is tight or you can’t handle weather changes, since the session depends on conditions. But if you have even a little flexibility, this is a smart way to go from curiosity to calm underwater breathing.
FAQ
How long is the Malta experience?
It’s approximately 3 hours.
Where does the experience start and end?
It starts at Ramla Bay Resort (Triq Ir-Ramla, Il-Mellieħa) and ends back at the same meeting point.
What location is used for the underwater activity?
The session stop is at Cirkewwa.
How deep will I go?
The experience includes swimming and exploring underwater up to 12m depth.
Is there online theory before the water?
Yes. You’ll be given access to online theory to complete before entering the water.
What’s included in the price?
Private transportation, use of scuba equipment, and an in-person guide are included.
What languages are available for the in-person guide?
The in-person guide can be Spanish, English, French, or Italian.
How many people are in the group?
There’s a maximum of 10 travelers.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
What if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.






