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Dive shops ServicesMore than 40 dive shops can be found scattered across the Maltese islands. There are 11 Dive Centres on Gozo alone. The Gozo Dive Shops are well equipped with vehicles dedicated to transporting Divers and their equipment to the Dive Sites. There are not many dives off shore since the islands are surrounded by the deep Mediterranean. A number of ‘shore dives’ are available where the vehicles are parked on the rocky shore a short walk from the water’s edge. All that the divers have to do then is to climb into the water and enjoy the dive site. Most dive sites start with a small shallow plateau ideal to get comfortable underwater at the beginning of the dive and for the safety stop later on during the dive. There is almost always a drop off to varying depths. Caves can be Discovered and Enjoyed on many sites and the typical Mediterranean marine life can be witnessed to varying degrees on the different sites. Dive Shops typically offer a range of services:DIVE EducationMost Dive Shops are also Dive schools of Internationally recognised Scuba Diving bodies such as PADI and CMAS. They offer their clients a choice of courses leading to different levels of certification from beginner level to advanced. Please contact the individual dive shops for prices and detail. Equipment and certification are usually included in the course prices. Beginner DivesPeople who have never tried Diving may simply want to ‘Have A Go’. Qualified Instructors lead total beginners on a shallow dive after some very basic instruction. A beginner dive can be an extremely enjoyable one-time experience but is also highly recommended before starting on the first Scuba diving Course because it gives the individual the opportunity to take their time and get used to breathing under water. Beginner dives are mostly conducted at the shallow end of a safe bay where, after taking time to become confident with breathing under water the Instructor leads the clients on a short tour of the bay. The bays around Gozo are buzzing with Marine Life and it is not unusual to spot several species of fish, octopus and crustaceans. Swimming pools are also sometimes used for beginner dives. Escorted DivesPractically all Dive Shops offer ‘Escorted Diving’ where visiting divers are grouped with others of their same level and escorted around the several Dive Sites of Gozo and Comino. The Gozitan coast line can be described as vast stretches of cliffs with several creeks and bays in between allowing for shore entrance and exit in to the water in several places. Boats are used to transport divers to the Island of Comino and to the many dive sites immediately beneath the several kilometres of Gozitan cliffs. Unescorted Dive PackagesFor those divers who are adequately qualified and who have been diving around Gozo long enough to know their way around the dive sites, many Gozo Dive Shops offer ‘Unescorted’ Dive packages. The clients are expected to hire their own cars and boats and venture on to the dive sites without a guide. Naturally, to buy these packages there need to be at least 2 divers. This is a more economical way of Diving Gozo but one cannot expect to see as much as when being escorted by the Dive Shop guides and is never recommended to groups visiting for the first time. Please contact the individual dive shops for more detail. Equipment HireSome divers prefer to bring along their own kit but those wishing to hire equipment may do so from the Gozo dive Shops. One may hire individual items but most dive shops offer a package for those wishing to hire the full kit. Some of the Dive Shops even hire photographic equipment and dive computers. Please contact the individual dive shops for prices and conditions. Equipment hire is usually included in the price of the courses. Dive ShopsMost Dive centres also sell Dive equipment. They stock basic items like good quality masks, snorkels and fins but also sell BCDs, dive suits, regulators, dive computers and a long list of accessories. Items of Dive equipment by most reputable brands are sold in the various shops. Equipment sold carries all the guarantees offered by the manufacturers and the prices are often extremely competitive. Please contact the individual dive shops if you require a specific item. Some Dive shops are also able to service equipment. Tourist ServicesMost Gozo Dive Shops organise Airport Transfers, accommodation, car hire and any other tourist services that may be required by their clients. For more information please contact the dive shops. |