Malta’s seas are consistently voted amongst the world’s top diving locations and, every summer, hordes of tourists and locals head to one of the many diving outlets spread across the islands with the hope of being introduced to Malta’s bright blue, crystal-hued underworld (and elevating their Instagram game in the process). While the industry booms in the sunny months, few realise that scuba diving is effectively an all-year round sport, partly due to the misconceptions surrounding it.
Diving instructor Jan Knols believes winter diving is equally as exhilarating as summer diving, if not more. Together, we're debunking winter diving myths to ensure a highly fun (and safe) underwater experience.
1. Ain't it cold down there?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not sharks that pose the biggest danger to divers but the cold. To combat this, divers generally make use of dry suits – which are thicker and much less penetrable than your regular diving suit. These help you stay warm underwater and Jan reveals you can even get sweaty down there! However, since Malta's sea temperature averages between 13°C and 19°C in the winter months and depending on your constitution, a good quality wetsuit might just do the trick - as long as it's not shorties!
2. Beating hypothermia
Whatever your suit choice, there is always the possibility of feeling chilly down under and Jan is adamant that hypothermia is a condition that should NOT be downplayed. As it is with most things, prevention is better than cure and Jan lists down some pointers: "proper suits, getting a good sleep the night before and being well fed will all help you beat the cold."
He also advises you change into warm clothes as soon as you get back on land and you stay out of the wind as much as possible. Another super useful tip is to prepare a big flask of tea, coffee of soup to warm you up post-dive. It’s also a great way to socialize with your diving group since there's not exactly the space to do so down under.
3. How do I plan my winter dive?
Unto the more serious sections. Each diver is allocated a tank linked to a pressure gauge which indicates how much air the tank has left. Jan reveals that due to the body's efforts to beat the cold, air consumption increases and, as a consequence, winter dives generally tend to be a tad shorter. A useful fact to keep in mind when planning your next underwater tour!
4. It's all about the weather conditions
Winds, currents and high waves are all factors that play a part in the accessibility of winter diving but, due to the island's placing, there is always bound to be an area which is safeguarded from the elements. In practical terms, moderate seas do not directly translate to red flag warnings for divers but stronger swells can easily disrupt boat-diving plans and pose a threat to diver safety. Jan stresses the importance of taking note of weather forecasts but also advises in favour of heading the advice of local guides when choosing a diving site as no one knows the sea better.
5. The fun facts
Granted, there are more factors to take into consideration in winter than a regular summer dive, but the reasons to try it out this winter are many, as Jan illustrates. "Popular sites tend to get crowded in the summer months," the seasoned diver reveals, adding that diving in winter guarantees less traffic. This not only gives you more space to explore, but due to diminished disturbance in the area, it is easier to spot some cool sealife. Selfie with a barracuda anyone?
Anyone looking for a winter dive buddy?