Malta & Gozo

[Titanic]

I'm in the early stages of planning a holiday at a location where my non-diving partner (et al) will be happy while I'm off doing some diving.

I know Malta does not have many sandy beaches which would be a nice option.

Any recommendations for a location in Mata with a good dive school that is nice place to be? I hope to do my AOW while I'm there.
Similar for Gozo (which I'm thinking would be a good change for week 2)?

Anyone recommend any self-catering?
Ta,
Alan

[ScubaSue]

For Gozo, I recommend Gozo Aquasports in Marsalforn:

www.gozoaquaports.com

And send an email to Gail dive@gozoaquasports.com - she'll sort you out with something appropriate. They are able to organise island transfers (taxis and ferry), car hire, the whole shooting match, and of course have excellent instructors too.

I believe it is on the cards that they will be able to offer two-centre holidays from next year too, so you won't even need to worry about organising two different dive centres on both islands.

HTH

[CotoChris]

A lot of people here on YD have been to Malta and Gozo so expect a few replies! My experience is with Gozo which I prefered to Malta. It is smaller, less crowded and less chaotic than Malta, but that is not saying I disliked Malta.
I dive with Gozo Agua Sports (Gozo Diving Holidays (Comino/Marsalforn) : scuba diving holidays at Gozo Aqua Sports. ) and can highly recomend them. They will help you out with accomodation, just ask them the type and they can give you list (if it's not on their site allready). I recomend to rent a car to get around.

[Stesh]

On Malta I stayed and dived with Maltaqua and on Gozo I stayed and dived with Atlantis , I would recommend both

[abucksdiver]

In Malta, I'd recommend Meldives in mellieha (Tell them that Andrew and Karen say Hi!) Plus, the dive school is on the edge of Melieha bay, which includes a sandy bit...

Andrew

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by abucksdiver

In Malta, I'd recommend Meldives in mellieha (Tell them that Andrew and Karen say Hi!) Plus, the dive school is on the edge of Melieha bay, which includes a sandy bit...

Andrew

Gotta say I'm not that impressed with the lack of response from Meldives myself. I've seen them recommended a couple of times on here so I sent them an email last week and then a follow up on Monday and not received any response, not even an acknowledgement. It doesn't instill confidence.

[Conor]

I wouldn't judge a dive center too harshly due to their response to email.....they are generally only slightly more IT aware than the local car mechanics....having said that I reckon you would get a response from Maltaqua....I did

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by Conor

I wouldn't judge a dive center too harshly due to their response to email.....they are generally only slightly more IT aware than the local car mechanics

If a dive centre has a website or advertises their email address in the diving press I expect them to be equipped to respond to an email enquiry.

If they don't it's simply a sign that they are not bothered about their business as they can afford to turn away someone wanting to do up to 20 dives. After all what's the point in advertising an email address if you have no intention of ever responding to enquiries. To me it's just a sign of not willing to make the effort. That in itself is enough for me to reconsider whether I want to dive with them. I mean...what else are they not willing to make an effort with?

I dive throughout the world when I can. Often I only know a few days before hand whether or not I'll be able to dive in a place or not. I always send an email and to date only three places have failed to respond. Guess who didn't get my booking.

That's not to say if they do reply I will automatically book with them but they stand more chance than if they don't!

[Finless]

Gozo, Marsalforn, Calypso Diving is my recommendation. Also, I recommend Marsalforn as a good place to stay.

I always go self catering and eat out every night (loads of places).

I'm sure it applies to most places but I know that George (Calypso) can arrange appartments, car hire and transfer across to Gozo.

[Conor]

Scuttler, I agree with what you say, its just unfotunate that some places seem to think they can hire a 6 form student to do a website and then thats it, they don't invest the effort to support that side of the business.

I would say my experience has been less positive than yours, probably 70% don't follow up an email request in time if at all.

Having said that you are undeniably right to take your trade elsewhere (better the devil you know if nothing else)