Sports

If you prefer your fun more vertical than horizontal, then why not try Stand Up Paddle-boarding, regularly organised by Gozo Fun.   Stand Up Paddle-boarding, often called ‘SUP’ is another amazing eco-friendly way to sightsee from the sea!

During the summer our waters are usually tranquil and clear and so travelling across them is like paddling over a clear large lake.

Mamo from Gozo Fun says: “SUP is a great way to explore Gozo because you can easily access caves and gulleys which would be difficult to reach otherwise.  It’s a brilliant activity for families with children aged 10 years and upwards because the youngsters totally love the freedom of being on the water.  In fact, its been so popular we are starting a summer camp this year.”

Gozo Fun often base themselves out of Dwejra, Ħondoq Bay and even paddle over to Comino.   They regularly teach beginners and say youngsters can adapt to paddle-boarding quicker than their parents because the technique is more to do with balance than physical strength.   They have recently introduced sunset SUP trips over to Comino which includes camping on the island overnight.  They even have a Giant SUP which can accommodate a whole family, so you can all get on the same board and paddle together.

Kayaking is a low impact, eco- friendly way to navigate our coast and great fun for families to participate in together,  (youngsters aged 6 to 14 must pair up with a parent in a double kayak,  where co-ordination and teamwork are vital).   Don’t worry if you are a new to kayaking; many people are and both Gozo Adventures and Kayak Gozo organize tours with qualified instructors who’ll teach you the basics on land, before getting you out onto the waters accompanied by their guides.

It’s amazing how quickly you’ll pick it up.   You may even get to travel over to Comino, Gozo’s sister island –  which is just a 20 minute paddle away from Ħondoq Bay.   When you arrive on Comino’s quiet Santa Maria Bay and explore the caves used for ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ filming  you’ll feel as if you’ve discovered your very own treasure island!

Gozo has busy coastal resorts and secluded beaches, coves and valleys –  all of which are popular for swimming and snorkeling.

If you crave quieter locations then try Għasri Valley – a long, narrow, deep inlet set within caves further along the coast from Marsalforn. The valley attracts some spectacular marine life and as the visibility in our waters is about 20 metres during the summer, who knows what delights you’ll encounter in their waters and surrounding caves.

Other snorkeling sites off the tourist trail include: The Blue Hole, near Dwejra – a sensational inland sea pool with gorgeous rock formations leading out to the open sea.

Xwejni Bay and Daħlet Qorrot Bay are also lesser-known gems away from the popular beaches of Ramla and Ħondoq Bay –  which are just as beautiful, but can become busy with tourists during high season.

Cornil Wambergue runs Gozo Adventures, the islands oldest outdoor pursuits company and is regularly out enjoying our waters.  He says: “People are surprised at how blue our seas are especially during summertime when it’s the brightest aqua blue with amazing visibility.   Last year I was out snorkeling just 10 metres off the coast of Xwejni Bay and a shoal of thousands of small fishes started playing with our group, swimming around us in formation creating a big sphere and dispersing and then re-forming again.  This went on for ages,  it was amazing, the kind of thing you’d watch on The Blue Planet and yet it was just one of those magical moments you can have in Gozo.”

The Maltese Islands’ clear blue Mediterranean sea is ideal for scuba diving. All three Islands offer some unique diving experiences with an abundance of reefs, caves and wrecks that make diving here some of the most interesting in the Mediterranean.

Diving in Malta. The calmness and clarity of the sea makes for excellent visibility whilst  the risk of encountering dangerous fish is extremely low, creating the ultimate conditions for first time divers and beginners. For the more experienced divers, there are plenty of challenging dives to choose from.

The depths of the dives vary, from the very shallow 12-metre Għar Lapsi dive to Lantern Point, with its underwater tunnel leading down to well over 50 meters.

Gozo is renowned throughout the Mediterranean as a top dive resort, with truly unique dive sites and numerous diving schools equipped to teach beginners through to highly skilled technical divers.   In the past, youngsters aged 10 and over were only allowed to submerge to depths of between 1 to 2 meters.   However, Gozo Adventures now run a ‘Mini B Dive’ experience giving youngsters of this age the chance to genuinely experience diving.

Divers who wish to dive unaccompanied are required to have a buddy as well as to present a PADI Advanced Open Water or equivalent certification by other agencies (e.g. CMAS Two Star Diver, BSAC Sport Diver, SSI Advanced Open Water, etc). It is always recommended to check with the diving center as to where would be suitable to dive, depending on weather conditions and experience.

The long track record of the diving industry here, coupled with safe, clear waters – there are no tides and few strong currents – makes the Islands ideal for first-timers and novice divers. Most centers offer long weekend taster course or beginners’ dives to give you a feel for what’s involved. Tuition starts on land, followed by a pool orientation session before your first sea dive of around 30 minutes.

Cornil from Gozo Adventures says:  “Our ‘Mini B Dives’ dives are based at Xwejni Bay where it’s shallow, so on their initial dive we check they are OK using the equipment to breathe under the water.  Afterwards, we’ll go further down the bay and the youngsters will do a proper dive of up to 4-5 meters using their Mini B kit.   It’s a great introduction for them and for the parents, we can take a whole family out together and that’s what makes it so special.”

The next level, usually a four-day course, combines shore-based instruction with up to six open water dives with the instructor. To gain an entry-level diving qualification you will need to spend more time, up to six days. Check with individual dive centers for details and prices.

Experienced, qualified divers can rent equipment and dive, so long as they are accompanied. Qualified instructors can take their own groups diving in Malta.