| Average Malta/Gozo temperatures in °C | ||||||||||||
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Air | 12° | 12° | 13° | 16° | 20° | 23° | 26° | 27° | 24° | 21° | 17° | 14° |
| Sea | 11° | 12° | 14° | 19° | 20° | 24° | 27° | 27° | 25° | 24° | 20° | 16° |
It is possible to dive Malta and Gozo all year round. Wear dry suits or a 7mm 2 piece during the winter, and in summer shorties are the best. The winter seas are cold but clear, and as it can be windy in January, February and March, take a warm windproof coat.
The currency is the Maltese Lira and there are numerous banks on the Islands, including HSBC. There are plenty of ATM's but banks are closed on the numerous religious festivals, so check beforehand. Credit cards are used widely. Banks open 8.30 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 16.00 Monday - Thursday and 8.30 - 11.30 Friday and Saturday.
No special precautions need be taken. Holders of UK passports staying less than 30 days may obtain immediate necessary medical treatment in a state hospital through a reciprocal heath care agreement. The two main hospitals are St. Luke’s on Malta, and the Gozo General Hospital on Gozo. Don't forget insect repellant as the evenings tend to bring mosquitoes during the summer months.
The water is perfectly fit to drink, though always a little salty as it is from a desalination plant and therefore we would recommend you drink bottled water.
Diving regulations on the Islands are stricter than elsewhere and divers must be able to prove physical fitness. A medical form should be obtained from your doctor in the UK regardless of your state of health, or the PADI medical form should be completed by your doctor. Alternatively, you may complete the form Malta at a cost of LM6, this can be easily arranged with the dive centre. Please note that the drug used for asthma sufferers, Ventolin, precludes diving and your doctor should therefore be consulted. Divers wishing to dive in their own groups and not with a dive guide should obtain a Malta Dive Permit, which is available at the dive centre. To dive without an Instructor all divers must be PADI Advanced/CMAS 2 Star/BSAC Sports or equivalent. There are two types of permit (a) Sports Diver, must be advanced or above, (b) Instructor. To obtain a local Instructor’s permit you must have a medical carried out locally by a Diving Physician.
Maltese is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Road signs are in Maltese. Italy's closeness to the Islands means it also has a strong influence on its culture.
Driving is on the left and the relatively quiet roads of the Islands makes driving easy. 40 mph speed limit and 25 mph limit in residential areas. Roads are not of the same standard as in the UK so be prepared to use roads that look like tracks. They really do lead somewhere! Taxis are always white and meters are controlled.
The Malta Tourist Authority in the UK is at Malta House, 36-38 Piccadilly, London W1V 0PP Tel. 020 7292 4900. Malta: 1, City Arcades, Valetta (356) 21 237747 or Bay Street, St. George’s Bay, St. Julians (356) 21 37922532. Gozo: 1 Palm Street, Victoria, (356) 21 558106 557407 or Mgarr Harbour, Mgarr (356) 21 553343
240 V. AC 50 Hz. Same 3-pin plug types as in the UK.
Malta and Gozo are rich in archaeological sites - the oldest site of human habitation in the world can be seen on Gozo (Ggantija) - and all sites are protected by law. Artefacts found are not allowed to be lifted or removed and should be reported to your dive guide.