The Sunflower hotel is currently closed for refurbishment until April 2022
Malta is a classic all time wreck diving destination in the Mediterranean, favoured by UK divers for the brilliant recreational and technical diving as well as lively apres dive and sun burned scenery. Deep Blue are in the north of the island, only a short hop from excellent shore and boat diving. All of this is just a short flight from the UK with daily and regional departures! The location could not be any better for exploring all that has endeared Malta to us divers through the decades.
The rooms at the Sunflower Boutique hotel are divided into standard and superior room grades. The superior rooms have that extra bit of space. A select number of rooms can also sleep up to three people whilst family rooms can sleep up to 4 adults as well as a terrace. Inside, the decor has a distinctive Maltese, with Maltese limestone used throughout. All of the rooms have access to wifi (in case you want to gloat to your mates about your day's diving!).
Our standard package is based on a B&B basis. The half board upgrade is ideal if you will be out and about all day, but want the convenience of adding your evening meal to your holiday. The half board plus package also includes unlimited drinks during dinner (house wine, house beer, soft drinks, juice and mineral water). Simply ask for a meal plan quote at the time of booking.
When you are a not diving, there is a games room, indoor pool and spa. Relax on the terrace with a sun downer or top up your tan at the roof top pool. The sea views are fabulous and there is also a relaxing whirlpool and swim up Wardija Pool Bar! The Sunflower Boutique hotel is only moments from the promenade at St Paul's Bay, just one of the picturesque bays that pepper Malta's coastline. The hotel's location is quiet but within a few minutes walk you can be supping al fresco or enjoying a much deserved drink at one of the many local bars and restaurants.
Year round rates and long weekend packages available - ask us for a quote
All Hotel Rooms are tastefully finished in a comfortable, rustic style. The majority of Standard Rooms have twin beds and most can accommodate a third bed. Double-bedded rooms are available on request. Twin rooms for sole use are available at a supplement.
In addition to the facilities of a Standard room, Superior rooms are more spacious and include additional services such as tea & coffee making facilities, and an iron with ironing board. Superior rooms also include a sofa bed, which opens into a single bed, accommodating up to three adults in total.
The Family rooms have all the facilities of a Superior room, but are even more spacious and have comfortable amenities such as a bigger terrace with an umbrella and sun loungers. Family rooms can accommodate up to 4 adults. These rooms particularly appeal to couples and families, who wish to retain home comforts whilst on holiday. Superior rooms for sole use are available at a supplement.
Approved international travel to Malta and Gozo has resumed
From 30 June 2021, the Maltese authorities require all arrivals from the United Kingdom to present proof of full vaccination, a full course of vaccination at least 14 days prior to your arrival. If you live in England, Malta will accept the NHS COVID Pass (both the Digital App and letter versions) as proof of your vaccination status. If you live in Scotland or Wales, Malta will accept your respective NHS letter. Children aged 5-11 can travel if they are accompanying their vaccinated parents/legal guardian and must show evidence of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, dated within 72 hours before arrival. Children under 5 do not need a test. Children aged 12-18 will only be able to travel if they have proof of full vaccination.
Everyone must complete a Public Health Travel Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form.
You may not travel to Malta from a country which is red listed via one of the amber listed countries unless you have been resident for at least 14 days.
Until the end of October, fully vaccinated travellers will need to take a day 2 PCR test on your return in the UK. From the end of October this will be replaced with a lateral flow.
Not fully vaccinated travellers will be required to take a day 2 & day 8 covid test plus 10 days quarantine at home or test to release on day 5
You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK
Updated 18th Sept 2021
Malta is just over 3 hours direct flights from the UK and it is always a popular location with British travellers.
The island lies almost in the middle of the Mediterranean, 93km from Siciliy and 288km from the north of Africa. The main island has the nation's capital Valetta. For the north are the smaller islands of Gozo and Comino. Comino is largely uninhabited.
Approved international travel to Malta and Gozo has resumed
From 30 June 2021, the Maltese authorities require all arrivals from the United Kingdom to present proof of full vaccination, a full course of vaccination at least 14 days prior to your arrival. If you live in England, Malta will accept the NHS COVID Pass (both the Digital App and letter versions) as proof of your vaccination status. If you live in Scotland or Wales, Malta will accept your respective NHS letter. Children aged 5-11 can travel if they are accompanying their vaccinated parents/legal guardian and must show evidence of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, dated within 72 hours before arrival. Children under 5 do not need a test. Children aged 12-18 will only be able to travel if they have proof of full vaccination.
Everyone must complete a Public Health Travel Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Form.
You may not travel to Malta from a country which is red listed via one of the amber listed countries unless you have been resident for at least 14 days.
Until the end of October, fully vaccinated travellers will need to take a day 2 PCR test on your return in the UK. From the end of October this will be replaced with a lateral flow.
Not fully vaccinated travellers will be required to take a day 2 & day 8 covid test plus 10 days quarantine at home or test to release on day 5
You have to complete this form online before you arrive in the UK
Form to provide your journey and contact details before you travel to the UK
Updated 18th Sept 2021
Malta has a typically Mediterranean climate, with long dry summers and cooler spring and autumn. Many dive centres close their doors for a few weeks over Winter. The days are long and sunny, with up to 12 hours of sunshine in the summer! From Jan - Apr the average water temp is 15-16C, raising to 26 in August. As the summer cools off, the average is around 20C.
We are able to book a number of charter flight options from the UK to Malta. Flights operate from a number of regional airports. If you have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Malta, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.
As it is a direct service, there are no stop over options
If you are a tourist, you do not need a visa for short trips to EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. You can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you visit more than one of these countries within a 180-day period, check that you do not spend more than 90 days in total across all the countries you visit. That is because most of these countries apply the 90-day limit as a group. There are different rules for Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania.. Do ensure your passport has 6 months validity from your return date to prevent any issues with your airline. It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here
Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here
Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here
Most flights to Malta are charter flights. This means seating is allocated at check in. For some carriers we are able to prebook leg room, window or aisle seats. Please speak to your travel consultant about availability and the current charges levied by your airline.
Depending on your airline, you may be able to complete check in online to print your boarding pass. If not, we will email your flight tickets to you in advance. You must print your ticket coupon.
An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here
Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here
On arrival please make your way through baggage claim and immigration. There will either be a rep to meet you or you will have full details of your where to meet your transfer (with a confirmation voucher) in your travel documentation. If you have any issues on arrival, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.
Transfers are included in your holiday. You be advised in your travel documentation of how to find your transfer.
At the end of your holiday, your return transfer details will be advised locally. EU passport holders do not need to pay a departure tax.
Any local excursions are booked, paid for and taken at your own risk - please ensure you are fully insured for any land activities you wish to enjoy
You will need euros in Malta. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but you should check with your bank about any additional overseas charges they may levy for using your card in Malta.
Phone coverage is generally good - do check with your phone provider about any applicable overseas charges. Alternatively, you may wish to purchase a local SIM for making calls or data use
3 pin round UK plug sockets are used in Malta - 220V
Kit hire can be arranged in resort and is paid for locally
Special trips (gozo, Comino, north Malta by boat) night dives and specific tek wreck dives can all be arranged and paid for locally
The dive centre has a small, limited shop on site
15lt tanks are 1 euro per tank - 32% nitrox is 5 euros per fill
A typical deposit is £400. If you add flights to your holiday full payment of your chosen flight option may also be required to confirm your ATOL bonded package.
We accept mastercard and visa debit or credit cards. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. All non sterling card payments and UK business debit cards will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Overseas bank transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions.
If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation
Are you one of Scuba Travel's repeat customers? Over 60% of our customers trust Scuba Travel to book their next diving holiday, time after time.
And we believe you deserve a huge thanks for your ongoing support over the years, which is what our repeater discount is all about! Travel with us again in either 12 months or 24 months and you will qualify for a discount. That's all you have to do. No forms, no numbers to remember, no fuss, just a good honest price reduction.
Repeat discounts are not cumulative and cannot be applied to special offer prices
Our most popular package includes 7 nights in a standard room (2 people sharing) on a B&B basis. The Maltese Government has introduced an Eco Contribution Tax of € 0.50 per person per night on accommodation to be paid directly to the Hotel on arrival. This Tax will be capped at € 5.00 per person per stay. The standard dive package is 10 dives (5 days) AIR Return airport transfers are included in your package
International flights to Malta (MLA) are not included. Please ask for a competitive quote to add these to your holiday. Additional diving and services are arranged and paid for at the dive centre at the end of your trip Any local excursions are booked, paid for and taken at your own risk - please ensure you are fully insured for any land activities you wish to enjoy Tipping is entirely at your discretion. We do not make recommendations as to how much to tip. Should you wish to leave a tip for the staff and crew, it should reflect the level of service you have enjoyed.
Deep Blue have been diving Malta's wrecks, caves and reefs for nearly 20 years and few dive centres in Malta are as flexible or experienced as these salty sea dogs. Deep Blue are a large centre with all the advantages that this brings, but have worked hard to retain that friendly, welcoming atmosphere that brings divers back year after year.
If you are a certified diver looking to explore Malta underwater, there is a plethora of nerve tingling dives that await. Shore diving gets you to some of the most famous dive sites but there are also boat and rib dives if you prefer. A typical day starts around 8:30 and gets you back mid afternoon - ideal for allowing time to relax on shore or catch up with the family. On top of the outstnading "regular" dives, you can also take special trips to Comino, Gozo and boat dive the sites to the north and south of the island. On request dives can also be made at the Blenheim Bomber, Helespong and Torpedo Ship. Local charges apply for special trips.
The range of diving courses on offer with the team of experienced instructors encompasses PADI, BSAC and SSI. Classroom and pool sessions are on site then let the open water fun begin! Safety and enjoyment at the buzz words here, with high quality rental equipment, a full range of tank sizes and nitrox on request.
A gentle swim to right of the entry point and you will eventually arrive at this magnificent underwater feature. Once a cave the roof has long since collapsed leaving this beautiful halo in the sea often patrolled by shoals of Jacks and Barracuda. The top of the arch is 9 metres and the sandy bottom is at 18 metres.
This site is reached through a narrow cutting in the rock wall. It is a shallow site with a maximum depth of around 17 metres and its main attraction is a cave that runs into the cliff face at 6 metres. You can surface in several chambers in this cave and it provides a great way of introducing this kind of diving to those who always wanted to take a look.
A shallow and easy reef dive along colourful rock formations. This dive can also be done as a deeper dive on the outer side of the reef where it may reach 36 metres.
This dive site, along with Cirkewwa in the north of Malta, ranks as one of the most visited sites on the island as it offers dives for all levels of experience. Its many features include of course the wreck of the Um El Faroud but long before this wreck was put in place this area was a major attraction. The depth ranges form 4 to 40 metres and offers such diversity as to please any dive enthusiast.
This beautiful part of the Maltese coast is a favourite with the locals as a swimming area as it has superb and picturesque sheltered water rising into shady land caverns ideal for shading from the summer sun. For divers though it is the network of shallow caves and gently sloping reef down through gin clear waters to a sandy sea bed at 15 metres that entice us to this location.
The 115m long HMS Maori was sunk in a german air raid in 1942. The destroyer now sits in the sand at 17 metres with the top part of the remaining structure at 9 metres just 70 metres off the coast in Sliema Creek overlooked by the magnificent Fort St Elmo. A lot of this wreck is buried underneath a bed of sand. However after over 50 years in a shallow resting place it is remarkably still a very interesting dive.
Until very recently this vessel was thought to be just a service barge that was torpedoed in WWII whilst moored in the harbour. We now know that this barge is actually a vessel with significant historical value as it is in fact one of the last remaining examples of a fleet that was commissioned to land forces during the Gallipoli campaign. She now lies in a vertical position bow to stern 6 to 24 metres.
Just 70 metres from the shore lying at 36 metres you will be met by the sight of this superb wreck. Scuttled initially as an attraction for a submarine tour that no longer runs this Tug Boat holds a special place in hearts of divers visit her and get seduced by her stately grace. Often surrounded by Mediterranean fish of all shapes and sizes, this is a dive that you cannot miss seeing if you visit Malta.
The Um- El- Faroud is possibly one of Maltas most popular and most famous wrecks. With a length of 110m and width of 16m she is a great wreck dive. Renamed when she was bought, this ship started life as a freighter after being built in Sunderland England. After purchase and conversion to a Libyan oil tanker she was the victim of a tragic explosion in the Malta dry docks while in for repair. In 1998 the Um- El- Faroud was cleaned up and sank as an artificial reef for scuba divers just of the coast of the site Blue Grotto. Top deck 15m, sandy bottom, 36 metres.
The entrance to this cave is usually through the lower opening at 22 metres after which the diver heads up into the chimney and out through slits in the reef wall.
Shot down on its approach to Malta during WWII and now lies on a sandy sea bed at 42 metres deep. As you descend from the shot line form our cover boat the spectacular view comes into your line of sight. If it is your first visit to this site the memory will linger in your minds eye for years to come.
This wooden paddle steamer hit a mine in WWII while carrying out its duty. It sank immediately and sits upright on the bottom at 41m. A stunning wreck that remained remarkably intact.
A short boat trip form st pauls bay and we can begin to explore the reefs around this little island which has been reputed to be the place that st Paul was ship wrecked and so brought Christianity to Malta. Starting form 5 meters we can descend to max depth of 25 meters tracing the reef wall and rocky seabed.
The Geranium Restaurant on the ground floor serves a mouthwatering choice of Maltese cuisine laced with Mediterranean influences. Fish, meat, pasta and vegetarian dish are on offer, and the restaurant is used for breakfast and dinner.
The bar serves a fantastic choice of spirits, local and foreign beer, wine and cocktails. The bar is conveniently open 24 hours a day for light snacks between 11am & 2pm
The rooftop terrace is where you will find the unique Wardija Pool Bar. The bar has seating in and out of the pool and serves snacks, refreshing drinks and ice-cream. During the summer, the bar offers a variety of fresh salads and grilled meat or fish prepared on the barbecue.
A classic Maltese hotel offering B&B or half board options, the Sunflower Boutique Hotel a short walk from Dive Deep Blue. It's time to dive Malta's awesome wrecks, caves and reefs.
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The Madonna
Skill level: Novice | Ave Depth: 15m | Max Depth: 30mThis famous underwater marker is located just over the reef wall at 17 metres and is one of the attractions that nearly every visitor has on his tick list. Placed there many years ago as a good luck charm for divers this small statue watches over her underwater flock. This dive site has several tunnels and two nice swim troughs. Marine life includes barracuda, amberjacks, scorpion fish and then even trigger fish.