St Julians: Discover Scuba Diving Experience

Malta’s underwater lessons feel calm and controlled. You start with safety-first instruction and then practice shallow-water skills before going below. The one drawback to plan for is the medical screening, plus you need at least 12 hours out of the water before flying.

What makes this experience appealing is the pacing. It is designed for beginners, so you are not thrown in. And in a couple of real-world examples of instructor styles, guides such as Nico, Henry, Jackson, Iona, Mark, Sam, and Mike are described as thorough, patient, and focused on comfort before anything more advanced.

Key things to know before you go

• Certified guidance the whole time: your instructor stays right with you, from the briefing through the underwater portion.
• Beginner-friendly structure: 30 minutes of safety orientation, then hands-on basics in shallow water.
• Clear skill practice, not chaos: you’ll work through core equipment and breathing procedures, with time to get comfortable.
• Mediterranean marine life and reefs: expect underwater scenic spots and plenty of sea life to look at.
• Possible historic underwater sights: you may be able to see a World War II shipwreck, depending on conditions.

Getting Started at Divewise by Westin Dragonara Resort

The meeting point is at Divewise, Westin Dragonara Resort in St. Julian’s. In practical terms, this is a good setup because you are starting in an established resort area, which usually means it is easy to find, even if you are not super confident with Malta directions.

Getting there is also part of the “stress level” equation. The activity lists highly rated transport, with 96% of reviewers giving it a perfect score. Even if you are arriving on your own, it signals that the logistics around getting you to the water are handled.

Wear swimwear underneath your outfit before you go. You will be changing into your wetsuit (included in the equipment setup), so arriving ready saves time. The experience asks you to bring beachwear too, since you’ll want something comfortable for after you’re out of the water.

The 30-Minute Safety Briefing That Actually Matters

Before you touch the water, you get a safety briefing that runs about 30 minutes. This is not just a lecture. The format is meant to teach you the real fundamentals you’ll use underwater: how to handle your equipment, key safety protocols, and hand signals you’ll rely on when communication is harder.

You also get an orientation to the equipment you’ll use, including how scuba gear works as a system rather than a pile of parts. You’ll practice understanding regulator and mask basics, plus the logic of what to do if something feels off.

One reason people feel confident during this kind of first session is that the instructor does not rush the “learn it and go” stage. You should expect an instructor who checks that you understand. In multiple examples of instructor feedback styles, guides are praised for being thorough without making it stressful.

Shallow-Water Skills Practice: Build Buoyancy and Comfort First

After the briefing, you suit up and head to a pool or a calm, shallow ocean area. The goal is simple: get your body used to breathing underwater while wearing full gear, without pressure to perform.

Plan on about one hour of skills practice in shallow water. This is where you’ll work on the basics like regulator breathing, mask management, and controlled movement. You should also expect buoyancy practice, even if it’s on a beginner scale. In a couple of instructor stories, patience and coaching were specifically called out as they helped students acclimatize and figure out weights and buoyancy at an easy pace.

In one described first-timer setup, there is even an easy practical check of basic procedures, like mask and regulator handling. That’s a good sign for you, because it means the lesson is structured: you learn a step, you repeat it, then you move forward when you’re comfortable.

If you are nervous, take that as normal. Shallow water is designed for the exact moment your brain says, Wait, how am I supposed to do this? The instructor’s job is to slow things down until your breathing and movement feel predictable.

The Instructor Stays Close When You Go Below

Once you feel comfortable with the shallow-water skills, you descend underwater to explore. Your instructor stays by your side the entire time, focused on safety and helping you navigate the underwater world.

This is a key difference between “trying scuba once” and learning scuba basics the right way. You are not left to figure things out on your own. You follow directions, you use the hand signals you practiced, and you get correction on what you’re doing if needed.

The lesson includes a guided look at Mediterranean sea life and scenic reefs. That matters for two reasons. First, it makes the time underwater feel like an actual experience rather than a test of your lungs. Second, seeing wildlife and reefs helps you understand why this sport is so popular. You are learning because the underwater world rewards attention.

The instruction style also shows up in what happens during the water time. In examples of instructor approaches, guides are described as giving feedback after the lesson and adjusting pacing when someone takes a little longer to acclimatize. That “no rush” approach is what turns first-timers into confident participants.

What You Might See: Fish, Reefs, and a World War II Wreck

Underwater visibility and wildlife vary by day, but the experience is set up around the Mediterranean’s strengths: rocky areas, reefs, and fish life. Expect to spend time looking and getting used to the way underwater movement feels.

There is also a strong chance you may encounter historic underwater sights. One described highlight included a World War II shipwreck off a Maltese canal sunk by an Italian bomber. You should treat that as a possible route or highlight rather than a guaranteed promise, but it’s exactly the kind of Malta twist that makes this lesson more memorable than a generic first plunge.

If you are the type who likes your activities with a story attached, ask your instructor what the plan is for the day and what you’ll try to see. Even in beginner lessons, instructors often know the local underwater geography and can give you a quick, practical context to pair with what you are observing.

Gear, What to Bring, and How to Prep the Day

The experience includes scuba diving equipment and guided instruction. That means you do not need to rent or buy your own gear for this first session, which is a big value for beginners.

What you should bring:

• Swimwear
• Drinks
• Beachwear

What you should wear:

• Comfortable swimwear ready to go under a wetsuit
• Something easy to get back into after you return to shore

What you should avoid:

• Alcohol and drugs are not allowed

You’ll likely spend time getting geared up and then drying off again after. So plan to dress in layers you can change quickly. Malta can be warm, but it’s still a coastal environment, and you want to avoid being cold once you’re done.

Also, mental readiness is part of the program. The experience notes that recreational scuba requires good physical and mental health. If you’re sick, take it seriously. Avoid diving if you are feeling ill.

Fitness and Medical Requirements You Cannot Ignore

This is not a casual activity you should wing without considering health. The experience includes a medical questionnaire, and if you tick yes to any medical question, you are required to get medical sign off from a Dr.

The guidance also includes a key safety constraint: you must not fly within 12 hours of diving. (For planning purposes, treat that as a hard rule for this day and the next.)

It also lists specific categories of participants who are not suitable, including people with:

• back problems
• heart problems
• respiratory issues
• epilepsy
• a cold
• pre-existing medical conditions
• high blood pressure
• recent surgeries

If any of that overlaps with you, get clarity before booking. The lesson is designed for beginners, but safety gear and instructor attention still can’t replace medical screening.

Price and Value: Is $106 a Good Deal?

The price is $106 per person for about 2.5 hours. On its face, that sounds simple. The value comes from what’s included: an orientation and safety briefing, equipment, and guided underwater exploration with a certified instructor support.

For a first scuba experience, that bundle matters. Beginners often spend money figuring out gear, then spend extra time learning basic procedures. Here, the structure is built in: briefing first, skills practice in shallow water, then guided underwater time. You are paying for coaching plus equipment plus a guided route, not just “being allowed in the water.”

It is also a good use of time. Two and a half hours is enough to learn core basics and experience real underwater scenery, without turning it into a half-day ordeal.

Who This First Scuba Session Is Best For

This works well if you:

• are doing your first scuba lesson
• want a controlled, safety-focused introduction
• feel nervous but want a guide who takes time and explains clearly
• want to learn real equipment basics and procedures, not just a sightseeing swim

It also fits well if you are traveling with limited time in St. Julian’s. You can pair this with a morning exploring Malta’s coastline, then be back for lunch.

A couple of described instructor strengths that show up in real student experiences: thorough equipment explanation, patience while weights and buoyancy feel unfamiliar, and careful pacing so you don’t get pressured.

Who Should Skip It (Or Get Medical Advice First)

Even if you want to try, this experience is not for everyone. The list of not suitable conditions is specific, and it’s not the kind of thing you should negotiate with your comfort level.

Skip or get medical advice first if you have issues like:

• epilepsy
• heart or respiratory problems
• high blood pressure
• a cold or feeling ill
• recent surgery
• back problems

Also, the experience lists children under 10 years as not suitable. If you are booking for a teenager, people under 18 need parent permission to enroll.

Book It or Keep Looking: My Decision Guide

I’d book this if you want a beginner-friendly underwater lesson with a strong safety foundation and patient instruction. The best sign is how the program is built: safety briefing first, shallow-water skill practice for comfort, then guided underwater time with an instructor staying close.

I would think twice if you:

• have any medical concerns that might trigger the questionnaire
• need to fly soon after (remember the 12-hour minimum)
• want a long, nonstop underwater adventure (the lesson is structured and timed, not a marathon)

If you are curious about scuba and want a confident start, this is a solid choice. Just do your medical check early, bring what they ask for, and give yourself permission to go at the pace your body needs.

FAQ

How long is the St. Julian’s scuba experience?

It lasts about 2.5 hours total.

Where do I meet for the experience?

You meet at Divewise, Westin Dragonara Resort.

What’s included in the price?

You get an orientation and safety briefing, scuba equipment, and guided underwater exploration with certified instructor support.

What should I bring with me?

Bring swimwear, drinks, and beachwear.

Is this experience beginner-friendly?

Yes. It is described as beginner-friendly, with a safety briefing, shallow-water practice, and an instructor guiding you the whole time.

Do I need to answer medical questions before booking?

Yes. You are asked to review medical questions to ensure you are fit to dive, and if you tick yes to any medical question you will need medical sign off from a doctor.

Can I fly soon after the session?

No. You need a minimum of 12 hours out of the water before flying.

What are the age requirements?

Children under 10 years are not suitable, and anyone under 18 will need parent permission to enroll.

What languages do instructors speak?

Instructors are listed as speaking English, Spanish, French, Italian, Afrikaans, and Polish.