When is the best time to dive in Malta?

Scuba diving in Malta is available all year long, although the conditions significantly differ. With its exciting number of wrecks and clear waters, Malta stands as a premier diving destination in Europe. Understanding the changing conditions is key to planning your dive trip to Malta effectively. Whether you’re drawn to summer’s warmth or the quieter shoulder seasons, knowing the best times to explore Malta’s underwater world is essential. Going through the months, you’ll find how the conditions for diving in Malta evolve.

General recommendation about the best time to visit Malta

Understanding the seasonal variations is crucial when planning your scuba diving adventure in Malta. Here’s an overview of the conditions throughout the year:

In the summer, the air temperature is usually between 24°C and 28°C (75°F-82°F) during the day, while it is between 22°C and 26°C at night (72°F-79°F). While Malta’s climate is Mediterranean, it is essential to note that it is a small island at the very south of the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily, Tunisia, and Libya; hence, the weather is hot and dry in the summer. However, the marine influences on such a small island are significant, and it allows for milder temperatures than in Northern Africa. Spring, for instance, can be quite cold and windy, especially in April, which surprises a lot of visitors. Warm weather usually arrives after mid-May.

If you want to avoid the crowds, crazy traffic and higher prices on accommodation, try not to travel to Malta in July and August. Easter, which can be in March or April, can also create a shorter peak season. Dates change every year, so make sure to check them. Prices on accommodation can be 50% cheaper, and the traffic on the roads is more manageable outside these periods.

Average diving conditions in Malta

The scuba diving season in Malta usually extends from March to November, with several dive centres operating year-round. Malta’s water temperatures are, on average, 18°C (64°F). It allows diving in a wetsuit throughout most of the year, while you might find a semi-dry suit or even a drysuit more comfortable in winter and spring. Malta’s numerous shore dive sites, spread around the island, provide sheltered spots for daily diving, even in winter when stronger winds prevail.

The first time I dived in Malta was in the summer, at the end of July to the beginning of August. During that year, the water temperature was cooler than usual, hovering around 20°C (68°F). I still felt a mild chill despite wearing a 5 mm full wetsuit, complete with a hood, gloves, booties, and a warm undersuit. Typically, summertime sees water temperatures ranging from 24 to 25°C (75°F-77°F).

On my second diving trip in Malta, which was in Spring, I observed a remarkable temperature increase of almost 1°C per week from April to May. Despite occasional shifts in wind patterns, the water temperature went from 16°C to 19°C (61°F-66°F) in just three weeks.

For those in pursuit of the warmest water and optimal visibility during the shoulder season, September is the ideal time to go scuba diving in Malta. The water, heated throughout the summer, provides ideal conditions. Diving during this period offers the advantage of fewer crowds and more budget-friendly accommodation options.

Diving Malta in January

January marks the low season for diving in Malta; many dive centres are closed during this month. January is not the coldest in the water, but a semi-drysuit or a drysuit is definitely the way to go.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 16°C (61°F)
• air temperature: min 13°C – max 16°C (55°F-61°F)
• average days of rain: 5
• visibility **** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in February

Similar to January, February falls within the low season for diving in Malta. This is the coldest month, so ideally a drysuit is a more comfortable option.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 15°C (59°F)
• air temperature: min 13°C – max 15°C (55°F-59°F)
• average days of rain: 4
• visibility **** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in March

March signals the end of the low season, with most dive centres reopening to welcome divers. At that time of the year, divers usually prefer diving in a drysuit. Check Easter weekend dates to avoid crowds from Europe going on holiday for 1 to 2 weeks.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 15°C (59°F)
• air temperature: min 14°C – max 16°C (57°F-59°F)
• average days of rain: 3
• visibility: *** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in April

April is considered the shoulder season in Malta. The weather can be very windy. Check Easter weekend dates to avoid crowds from Europe going on holiday for 1 to 2 weeks. The International Fireworks Festival is also bringing a lot of tourists at the end of the month.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 16°C (61°F)
• Air temperature: min 15°C – max 17°C (59°F-63°F)
• Average days of rain: 1
• Visibility *** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in May

May is still considered shoulder season in Malta, but prices of accommodation start to increase. Water temperatures are still chilly so a semi-dry suit is a good option.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 18°C (64°F)
• Air temperature: min 18°C – max 20°C (64°F-68°F)
• Average days of rain: 1
• Visibility *** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in June

June is the start of the summer season, and the weather is much hotter, but the water hasn’t warmed up yet. Prices of accommodation start to rise significantly.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 22°C (72°F)
• Air temperature: min 22°C – max 24°C (72°F-75°F)
• Average days of rain: 0
• Visibility: **** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in July

July is the peak tourist season with very hot weather, but the water can still be a bit chilly, especially at the beginning of the month. People from all over Europe are on summer holidays, so this is when the prices for accomodation is the most expensive.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 25°C (77°F)
• Air temperature: min 26°C – max 28°C (79°F-82°F)
• Average days of rain: 0
• Visibility **** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in August

August is the peak tourist season with very hot weather and warmer water. People from all over Europe are on summer holidays, so this is when the prices for accomodation is the most expensive.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 26°C (79°F)
• Air temperature: min 26°C – max 28°C (79°F-82°F)
• Average days of rain: 0
• Visibility **** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in September

September is the best diving season in Malta, with good weather, warm water and fewer crowds. Prices of accommodation start to decrease a little.

Conditions:

• Average water temperature at the surface: 26°C (79°F)
• Air temperature: min 25°C – max 26°C (77°F-79°F)
• Average days of rain: 3
• Visibility ***** (1-5 star)

Diving Malta in October

October returns to the shoulder season for diving in Malta. The weather is still beautiful and the water start to cool down but still nice to be in a wetsuit.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 24°C (75°F)
• air temperature: min 22°C – max 24°C (72°F-75°F)
• average days of rain: 6
• visibility: ***

Diving Malta in November

November signals the beginning of the low season. The temperatures have already decreased both in the air and the water, and a semi-drysuit might be a good idea.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 21°C (70°F)
• air temperature: min 18°C – max 21°C (64°F-70°F)
• average days of rain: 7
• visibility: ***

Diving Malta in December

Similar to January , December belongs to the low season for diving in Malta, resulting in the closure of many dive centres, especially around the Christmas holidays. For those who still want to dive, the water is nice enough in a semi-dry suit.

Conditions:

• average water temperature at the surface: 18°C (64°F)
• air temperature: min 15°C – max 17°C (59°F-63°F)
• average days of rain: 5
• visibility:****