St Julians: Discover Scuba Diving Experience

First time under water in St. Julian’s is a lot easier than you think. You start with a 30-minute safety briefing and hands-on practice, then move into a guided underwater session designed for new scuba students. I especially like that you get controlled coaching from a certified instructor, not just gear handout and a quick swim.

There is one big consideration: this is health-dependent. If you have any relevant medical conditions, a recent surgery, a cold, or anything that affects breathing or heart function, you may be required to get medical clearance, and you must wait at least 12 hours out of the water before flying.

Key Points I’d Tell a Friend

• Safety-first pacing: clear briefings, hand signals, and protocols taught before you go underwater
• Real skill practice: you practice basic scuba equipment use in shallow water until it feels normal
• Instructor support the whole time: you stay with a certified guide during the underwater portion
• Beginner-friendly setup: shallow start helps you get comfortable breathing and moving with gear
• Value for what’s included: equipment and guidance are part of the price, so you are not scrambling for rentals

St. Julian’s Start Point at Divewise, Westin Dragonara

Your experience is based out of Divewise at the Westin Dragonara Resort area, so you are not fighting complicated logistics just to get suited up. The meeting point is right in the St. Julian’s orbit, which makes it a simple add-on to a day of sightseeing.

In practice, the experience feels organized from the moment you arrive. You are guided into a safety-first mindset, and then the instructor shifts into “learn it, try it, repeat” mode. That matters for first-timers because confidence comes from doing the steps yourself, not watching someone else do them.

The 30-Minute Safety Briefing That Sets the Tone

The first scheduled stop is a safety briefing that runs about 30 minutes. This is where you learn the core stuff you need to function calmly underwater: basic equipment familiarity, important safety protocols, and hand signals for communication. If you are nervous, this part often makes a bigger difference than you expect.

A recurring theme from instructors with this program style is thoroughness without rushing. For example, guides like Jackson and Nico (Nicholas) are described as very thorough, spending extra moments until everyone is comfortable. That extra patience is not fluff. It is what turns “I hope I can do this” into “I know what to do if something feels odd.”

Gear Up and Learn the Regulator and Mask Basics

Next comes the practical portion where you gear up in a wetsuit, fins, mask, and tank, then move into shallow water for skill practice. What’s nice here is that the session is structured so you get used to breathing underwater while you are still at a comfortable depth.

You will typically work through essentials like:

• getting the mask set properly
• learning regulator basics and controlled breathing
• practicing basic steps for mask and regulator procedures
• learning how your body reacts with fins and buoyancy

Instructors such as Iona are described as using an easy practical test approach for mask and regulator procedures. That approach helps you confirm you are handling the basics correctly before going further. If you are the type who worries about missing a step, you will likely appreciate this structured check.

Also, you do not show up empty-handed. The equipment is included, so you avoid the common beginner headache of renting the wrong size or struggling with unfamiliar gear right before you enter the water.

Shallow-Water Practice: The Confidence Builder

The session is designed so your first underwater moments are in calm, shallow conditions. Your instructor guides you through basic scuba skills there so you can:

• get comfortable breathing underwater
• learn how to move slowly with fins
• understand buoyancy and what “neutral” feels like
• practice key safety behaviors with plenty of time

This is where the better instructor style really shows. People describe guides like Mike as patient and diligent, keeping things at a pace that feels mentally comfortable. Others mention instructors like Mark making the whole experience feel personal, including a Malta context talk while on the way over and then calm coaching once at the dock.

If you tend to freeze when you are put on the spot, you will likely like this pacing. The whole point is to practice until your body stops treating the water like a threat and starts treating it like a medium you can control.

The Underwater Portion: Mediterranean Marine Life and Reefs

After you feel ready, you descend below the surface for the guided underwater exploration. This is the moment most people came for: seeing marine life and scenic underwater features in the Mediterranean Sea.

Your instructor stays with you the entire time. That is a meaningful difference between a guided experience and DIY snorkeling. You are not just looking around, you are also learning how to manage your breathing and movement while you observe.

One standout detail from the experience in this area is that your underwater route may include a dramatic World War II wreck story. For instance, Mark is described as explaining they were going to see a World War II shipwreck off a Maltese canal, sunk by an Italian bomber. Even if your exact underwater target varies day to day, you can expect the instructor to share context so your time underwater feels more than just sightseeing.

Why Instructor Communication Matters More Than You Think

Scuba basics are partly physics and partly nerves. The instructors on this program type are repeatedly praised for making communication feel simple and supportive.

You will see patterns in the names mentioned in the experience:

• Nico (Nicholas) is described as patient, explaining clearly and not pushing forward until everyone is ready
• Henry is described as superb
• Sam and Craig show up in notes as kind, supportive, and good at keeping the group at ease
• Yarik is mentioned in first-time comfort coaching
• Nikko appears as supportive in a group with younger divers

Why that matters for you: if your instructor is calm, it helps your breathing and buoyancy. You do not need to be a natural performer. You need to feel safe enough to focus.

Also, some instructors help you wrap up with a post-session debrief, and at least one guide is described as helping log a dive on the PADI app. That kind of small extra makes the experience feel complete, like you just did something official, not just tried a novelty.

2.5 Hours Total: How the Timing Works

The total duration is 2.5 hours, with a rough flow of briefing first, then about one hour underwater for the guided exploration portion. For most people, this is a practical time commitment. It fits into a day of Malta sightseeing without swallowing your entire schedule.

A useful way to plan around it:

• Arrive on time so you do not feel rushed during gearing
• Build in buffer time afterward for showering and drying off
• If you get motion-sensitive, keep expectations realistic about travel time and how you feel after

Because it is a beginner setup, you should expect the process to feel slower than a seasoned outing. That is good. It is also one reason the session is priced the way it is.

Price and Value: What $106 Buys You

At $106 per person for a 2.5-hour session, you are paying for instruction, supervision, and equipment access. You are not paying only for underwater scenery.

Included in the price:

• orientation and safety briefing
• scuba equipment
• guided underwater exploration with certified instructor support

Not included:

• meals and drinks
• personal expenses

So where is the real value? It is in the combination of shallow-water skill teaching plus a guided underwater segment. If you tried to piece together rentals and self-guided snorkeling, you would still lack the communication skills, controlled breathing practice, and on-site coaching that reduces stress for first-timers.

Also, you can treat this as a low-risk first step toward more advanced scuba training. The program is beginner-friendly, and if you want to continue later, this kind of introduction often makes open-water certification feel far less intimidating.

What to Bring (and What Not to)

You will want to show up with:

• swimwear
• drinks
• beachwear

You also need to avoid bringing alcohol or drugs, since those are not allowed.

A practical note: bring what helps you feel comfortable before and after the water. For many people, the post-session period matters as much as the prep. Being able to relax, change, and hydrate right away makes the whole experience smoother.

Medical Check and the No-Fly Rule

This is where you should take the instructions seriously. The program requires you to review medical questions before booking. If you tick yes to any medical questions, you will need medical sign off from a doctor.

It also lists specific examples of what could make you ineligible, including issues related to lungs, breathing, heart or blood affecting performance, eye or ear problems, recent surgery within 12 months, and a history that includes loss of consciousness or seizures, among other concerns.

It is also not suitable for people with:

• children under 10 years
• back problems
• heart problems
• respiratory issues
• epilepsy
• a cold
• pre-existing medical conditions
• high blood pressure
• recent surgeries

And the flying rule is clear: you need a minimum of 12 hours out of the water before flying. This is a common scuba precaution, and it affects how you plan your last day in Malta if you are flying out soon.

If you have any doubt at all, check the medical questionnaire before you lock it in. You want to know you are cleared to participate, not hope for the best.

Who This Experience Fits Best in St. Julian’s

This session is best for people who want a guided, beginner-friendly intro to scuba with strong coaching. It is also a good fit if you are nervous at first but open to practice, because the shallow-water format helps you build control step by step.

You should consider booking if:

• you want to learn the basics with a certified instructor
• you prefer structured teaching and a calm pace
• you want to see real marine life rather than only snorkeling

You might skip it if:

• you fall into the listed medical restrictions
• you have a cold on the day
• you are dealing with recent surgery or significant heart or respiratory issues
• you know you cannot meet the no-fly-after rule

Age-wise, it is not suitable for children under 10. If someone is under 18, a parent permission is required to enrol.

Should You Book This St. Julian’s Intro Scuba Session?

Yes, you should book it if you are healthy enough to dive, you want a calm beginner experience, and you value instruction that feels safe and controlled. The combination of a safety briefing, shallow-water practice, and a guided underwater look at Mediterranean marine life is a solid way to test scuba without jumping straight into something advanced.

I would not book it if you are dealing with any of the health exclusions listed, or if you are unsure and cannot get medical sign off. Also, if your travel schedule makes the 12-hour no-fly rule hard to meet, plan a day buffer now rather than stressing later.

If you can meet the health requirements, bring swimwear and water, and show up ready to learn at an unhurried pace, this is the kind of first scuba experience that can turn a little curiosity into a real next step.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the St. Julian’s experience?

You meet at Divewise, located at the Westin Dragonara Resort.

How long is the experience?

The total duration is about 2.5 hours, with a 30-minute safety briefing and about 1 hour for the scuba portion.

How much does it cost?

The price is $106 per person.

What is included in the price?

It includes the orientation and safety briefing, scuba diving equipment, and guided underwater exploration with certified instructor support.

What is not included?

Meals and drinks are not included, along with personal expenses.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, drinks, and beachwear.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instructors speak English, Spanish, French, Italian, Afrikaans, and Polish.

Is this experience suitable for beginners?

Yes, it is described as beginner-friendly and includes learning the basics plus shallow-water practice.

What medical requirements should I know before booking?

You should review the medical questions first. If you tick yes to any medical question, you will be required to get medical sign off from a doctor.

Can I fly after scuba, and how soon?

You need a minimum of 12 hours out of the water before flying.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.