Logistics · Destination Guide
Wrecks, arches, and year-round Mediterranean water time
Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 25 sources
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Fly into Malta International Airport (MLA). Many European cities have direct flights, and KM Malta Airlines now operates as the national carrier. For Gozo, drive or bus to Cirkewwa for the car ferry to Mgarr, or take the high-speed passenger ferry from Valletta to Mgarr.
Malta International Airport
MLA • LMML
8 km • 15-{{ 20 | duration:minutes }} drive to Valletta, ~{{ 50 | duration:minutes }} to Cirkewwa
Single-terminal airport serving the entire archipelago with extensive European connectivity.
Transport: Airport taxis and ride-hail, Public bus to major hubs, Pre-booked hotel shuttles, Car rental on site
Compact road network with right-hand driving. Public buses connect Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Mellieha, and Cirkewwa. Ride-hail and taxis are widely available. Parking fills early at popular shore entries.
Malta is in the Schengen Area. Many nationalities can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Ensure a passport with sufficient validity and confirm any upcoming ETIAS requirements before travel. No general dive permit is needed for recreational sites. Access to historic underwater cultural heritage wrecks requires booking through licensed operators.
Shops stock 12 L and 15 L 232-bar cylinders, nitrox 32 at most centers, and lead. Bring booties for rocky entries, an SMB for every diver, and a primary torch for wrecks and caverns. Freedivers should tow a float with flag.
Euro (EUR)
Cards are widely accepted. Small seaside kiosks and boat vendors may prefer cash.
ATMs are common in Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s, Mellieha, Victoria, and Mgarr.
230V • 50Hz • G
Type G three-pin outlets. Most modern chargers are dual-voltage.
Communications
Local carriers offer strong 4G and growing 5G coverage. Prepaid eSIMs are easy to activate. Signal can be patchy at remote cliffs. Download offline maps for Gozo’s byways.
Language
Maltese and English are official. Italian is widely understood in tourist zones.
Insurance
Carry travel insurance that covers diving and medical evacuation. DAN membership is recommended for dedicated water trips.
Packing list
3-5 mm suits from late spring to autumn, 7 mm or drysuit in winter. Hard-soled booties for rocky entries, reef-safe sunscreen, compact first-aid, and spare mask straps. Freedivers add a tow float with flag.
