1. DiveWise: Cirkewwa

The professionals at DiveWise in St Julian’s, who will be celebrating a milestone 50th birthday next year, have accompanied countless new and experienced divers on underwater expeditions that allow them to witness reefs, wrecks and marine life up close, aiding them along their subaquatic journey around the Maltese islands.

Favourite diving spot: Cirkewwa, in the north of Malta, which is a winner for its easy parking and access, two lovely reefs with swim-throughs, two great wrecks, marine life, a café and toilet facilities. It’s also a suitable site for all diving levels.

2. Orange Shark: Um El Faroud wreck

Located in the north of Malta at the Ramla Bay Resort, Orange Shark diving centre offers training from entry level to professional courses all year round, so you can pursue your diving dreams at your own pace and leisure. You could also, ahem, dive right in and try out an underwater experience suitable for your level.

Favourite diving spot: The Um El Faroud wreck in Wied Iz-Zurrieq, which can be enjoyed to the maximum with the help of Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPVs) and nitrox, and the boat that takes you there allows divers to explore marvelous, less-accessible sites. 

3. St Andrew’s Divers Cove: Crocodile Rock

Located in the picturesque town of Xlendi in Gozo, St Andrew’s Divers Cove is the place to head to discover Gozo’s splendid underwater world. From caves, drop-offs and tunnels to a range of marine life that includes groupers, octopus and barracudas, you’re in for a mighty adventure.

Favourite diving spot: Crocodile Rock in Gozo, approximately 150 metres offshore between Dwejra Point and Fungus Rock, around and beneath which is an incredible underwater topography and marine life.

4. Scuba Systems: The Blue Hole, Gozo

With over 40 years of experience servicing Malta’s diving scene, this is where you want to head to kit yourself out for an underwater experience on the islands. From regulators, BCDs, wet suits and masks, to fins, snorkels, boots, and also underwater scooters - you name it, they have it! Located in Gzira, Scuba Systems offers the best brands in diving equipment, including SCUBAPRO, Seac, McNett, Sealife underwater cameras and IQ UV-protection clothing. And if you need to service your own equipment, the factory-trained certified technicians here can do that too.

Favourite diving spot: The Blue Hole in Dwejra, Gozo. With its crystal clear sea, great visibility and varied species of fish, it’s an all-round fantastic diving experience.

5. Ritual Dive: Cathedral Cave

For the team at Ritual Dive, located in the heart of Xlendi Bay in Gozo, it isn’t just about the dive, but also about creating unforgettable experiences, as well as moulding highly-skilled and eco-conscious divers. In fact, this company offers eco courses, among many others, to divers and non-divers to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our waters. Ritual Dive is an inclusive diving company that offers courses to divers of all levels, always laced with a sense of adventure.

Favourite diving spot: Cathedral Cave in the stunning Wied Il-Ghasri in Gozo. As you dive underneath the arch, you come up to a big dome, which is where the diving spot takes its name from as it resembles a cathedral. It's also got cool acoustics, and once inside the cave, the colour of the sea looking out is a beautiful bright blue.