Submerged caves where sunburst rays
Light caverns carved by endless days
Eroding wrecks of long gone strife
Give footholds new, to nurture life
Swim through arches, in the reef
Stunning vistas, stark relief.

Seven days thirteen dives, impossible to see all that Malta has to offer. It was an amazing trip that has left me with no alternative other than to return again soon not only to see the people at Aquatica dive centre again, but to take in more of the wrecks I was unable to dive due to the freshening winds that put some of these dive sites off the week's agenda.
I would like to say thanks to Emmie for being a wonderful guide as well as modelling for me on some of my photos, and to thank Metka for her help in getting my camera in and out of the sea. Also, I wish her the very best as she is shortly to move on to Australia to continue with her diving courses.

Qawra point   check dive – easy access available:  Steps into sea pool, short swim over rocks to open sea, short distance along reef, you will find a cave. As a check dive this is a great little sight due to being able to surface in the blow hole and chat before heading back. If you have relatively new divers with you just out of inland dive sites and swimming pools, the chatter will go something like “awesome, wow, wicked” and back on shore the chatter will continue with phrases like “oh man that was so cool the best dive yet (high five)”.  Overview: If you are organizing this trip with a group of newbie divers this is a must check dive.

Cirkewwa (Mafra Point): Access has close parking with a wall to aid donning of kit. Slope down to a giant stride entry with ladder exit. There are also a number of other entry and exit points as well as different dives to choose, from reefs to wrecks, but for me the highlight was the overhang where I took the photograph of the sunburst through the hole in the reef. There are two wrecks although I only got to dive the P29 due to the freshening winds. There are good photographic opportunities at the P29, making it a great place to photograph those on their first wreck dive, or in my case, a chance to get a photo of captain cod (my buddy) in the crows nest. Overview: Number of dive possibilities, and since the P29 was scuttled, sea life is beginning to gain a significant foothold.

Tuna pens: Short boat ride to the off shore nets where they keep the previously caught blue fin tuna alive till it’s time for them to go to the plate. Now this may sound gruesome but if you consider my poem on the Cornwall page which is about sustainable stocks and the fact that we are all part of a food chain that initially stems from the sea then it’s not so bad. I was however concerned about other marine life being caught in these nets as I am aware that this is a major problem throughout the world. I am glad to say I did not see any evidence of this while I was diving in the pens. Overview: When you dive to the centre of the pen the large tuna swim in a circle around you creating a vortex that pulls you down to the bottom, so if you are not sufficiently  experienced or have newbie divers with you,  stay closer to the nets  and avoid the washing machine. For those who do venture into the vortex it is a dive not to be missed.

Popeye Village (Anchor Bay): So called because of the village that was built here for the film Popeye. What a beautiful site to pull up to. The bay is very picturesque with its golden high cliffs and cartoon like village.  The highlight of this dive is the cave in which once you have swam a short distance into, you can then surface into a small cavern  where you can’t help but admire the golden dome shaped space which has no light other than your torch. As you leave, pop your head up into the larger cavern as well. Overview: This site has easy access into the water with a stride off the jetty and is definately a talking point at the bar later.

Blue hole and Inland Sea (Gozo): The Blue Hole is definitely not for the less fit. It is quite a trek down lots of steps, rocks as well as over the slippery boulders to the point where you can drop down into the sea, but it is well worth the effort. Once you drop into the hole you can either enter into a large cave or swim out under an arch to the open sea were you will find the scenery totally awesome.  The Inland Sea is again a truly beautiful setting. It has shallow water and is surrounded by high cliffs. Here above the water it looks like a cave yet below the surface it is more like a tunnel leading to the open sea. This is a relatively easy dive yet it gives you a feeling of adventure due to the fact it is quiet narrow and with depths ranging from 3 to 26 meters. Overview: Both dives should not be missed as they are world famous dive sites and I for one can see why.

Comino (Santa Marija) Caves: Submerged caves where sunburst rays light caverns carved by endless days.  Awesome, wicked, wow, and you can hear the divers mumbling this even with their regulators in under the water. At the end of the dive doff your kit and just swim in the clear warm waters in magnificent surroundings, and just chill.  What a fabulous last dive.