MALTA (part 1) - COMINO

Two weeks in Malta looms and the thought of the potential to do some diving in amongst family time is exciting me. I have contacted Viv at Divewise and booked a first day and from there I will see what I can fit in around sightseeing visits and playing in the pool.

View from the roof top pool

On arrival we unloaded our bags at the apartment and proceeded to make use of the two pools, small but fun, however for me the thrill of a 4 by 12 meter pool soon wanes and with the sea nearby and my snorkel equipment available I was inevitably lured to the shore.

Entry point next to the apartments

A typical Malta entry point, a slightly rocky edge and then instantly floating over a few meters of water covering a rocky/sandy seabed with sea grass patches waving lazily in the gentle swell.  It’s wonderful. I lose track of time following schools of big bream busily browsing and watching thin legged crabs scuttling for cover, bodes well for a good week. Cruising lazily just enjoying the moment my eye is caught by two rocks that have just slipped into a crack, so hovering carefully and not letting my shadow fall I wait. Sure enough a tentative movement and then the rocks move part as a small red Octopus eases its way out and timidly observes its surroundings ready to dart backwards into its shelter should the need arise.

Octopus tucked away in its home

The next day I’m up and out early ready for the first days diving, I have requested a selection of the standards and a couple of the ones I missed last time, so Rozi, Faroud, Maori, Two tugs, Gozo (the Blue Hole and Inland Sea) and Comino (P31 and the Santa Marija caverns). Typical to the Divewise team they welcome me to the centre and I feel as though I’m instantly amongst friends, Sarah, Howard and Nev are busily organising the day with their team of instructors, DM’s and DM’s in training setting up kit, loading up vans and ensuring everyone is where they should be.
I join Annabelle and Dan on the van and we set off to catch the dive boat to Comino, two dives await, the P31 and the Santa Marija Caverns. The sea is a stunning blue and looking down from the boat the shadow of the P31 can be seen at 20 meters. Its looking good for the first dive of the week.

Kitting up ready for the P31 dive

One giant stride entry later I am drifting downwards through crystal blue waters towards the P31 which gradually comes into view. The square stern standing proud of the white sand. 

Approaching the P31

We were then able to swim round and through the wreck. It was beginning to be covered in soft corals and had large shoals of fish swimming in and around its superstructure. A good way to start the diving but it was soon time to move onto the Santa Marija Caverns after a brief stop at Comino's Blue Lagoon.

The bow of the P31

The Blue Lagoon is stunning and lives up to its name, it is a beautiful blue, but sadly, it is absolutely rammed with people and instantly lost its attraction. The plus side is that the food stalls did very good chicken salads for lunch. Battling through the crowds we regained our boat and sailed round the corner to the Santa Marija Caverns.

The Blue Lagoon

What a beautiful sight met us as we rounded the point into the jump off for the caves. The sunlight penetrated straight to the sea bed, which was a mix of white sand and sea grass. This was interspersed by huge chunks of rounded stone, all of which could be easily seen, through the crystal blue waters, from the boat. Organising ourselves we stepped into the water and descended through schooling Bream towards the first of the caverns.

Entry point for the caverns.

Some of the many fish schooling around the caverns

The dive took us into large open caverns with nooks and crannies hiding small fish that darted away from our torches seeking the sanctuary of the dark. Tucked away in one cave was a large eel that glared out at our rude intrusion into its inky home. We exited into clear turquoise amphitheaters and then slipped silently back into the next cavern following our guide and enjoying the spectacle.

Exciting one of the large caverns

In between caves we watched crabs scuttle under rocks and swam through schools of smaller fish, the most beautiful of which were the neon purple fry that grow up to be a dull brown. Far too soon the dive was over and I stayed under the boat watching the surroundings until sadly the guide called me up and I had to return to the boat.

Looking out at the divers as they move onto the next cavern.

A great days diving in a beautiful setting with a promise of more to come. Finished off with a stop over at Tony's ice cream bar on the way back to Divewise.