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11 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 13 SEPTEMBER 2024 CULTURE Enjoying the diving holiday of a lifetime in Gozo Explore Gozo's vibrant underwater world, a top diving destination offering diverse dive sites, professional dive schools, and breathtaking experiences for both novice and seasoned divers. GOZO'S appeal as a holiday desti- nation has many facets. Gozo div- ing is one of them and it is an area that opens up the realm of aquatic underwater adventures that leads to the discovery of treasures of the deep. Everybody can enjoy snorkelling, but if you're after more magic, you need to consider scuba diving in Gozo. Here are some tips to keep in mind when planning your scuba diving holiday in Gozo: • Gozo's a top diving desti- nation island. Despite the small size and its literal invisibility on a geograph- ical world map, Gozo is a colossus when it comes to diving opportunities. Yet a bigger plus point of choosing Gozo as your diving destination is that Gozo offers so much more – culture, adventure, his- tory and arts. There is a lot to do when you are not diving. Similarly, if your family or friends are not into diving, they can still enjoy a holiday in Gozo as you pursue the underwater world of the many diving sites in Malta and Gozo. • If you're planning your first diving trip to Malta, your first question might be where is it best to stay for a diving holiday. In Gozo, the sea is never far away but you'll find most of the diving schools, dive shops and dive centres located close to the bays in places like Xlendi and Marsalforn. Naturally, if you choose to stay in a sea- side village, the sea will be at your doorstep and you'll need no extra transport to join the diving expeditions organized by the dive cen- tres in Gozo. Another bo- nus is that you'll be close to the seaside restaurants, which are the perfect spot where to end the day. • Gozo is home to many certi- fied and professional diving clubs and schools. If you're already a diver, it is vital that you have the appropriate scuba diving certification, papers and insurance in place. A quick check with local dive centres will surely provide the answers. Don't fret if you're new to diving! Dive centres in Gozo can handle anything from lodg- ing, airport transfers and transport, to diving lessons for different ages, profes- sional diving instructors, along with all sorts of diving equipment needed for your scuba diving adventures. Gozo's a great place to learn to scuba dive. The dive schools and centres are well geared in this field and also provide professional diving courses that lead to scuba diving certification. • Diving requires a certain level of fitness. If you're new to diving, make sure that you're watching your fitness levels and if you have any medical condition, it is ad- visable to bring it up before booking your dive stints to avoid disappointment. • Check out the variety of dive sites that Gozo offers. Each dive site has its charac- teristics. Think about what's your favourite type of scuba diving adventure. Maybe you enjoy cavern diving or wreck diving or deep-sea diving. In Gozo, you'll find a variety of dive sites that have different kinds of ap- peal. From venturing in- to the abyss at places like Reqqa Point, to cave diving at Billinghurst Cave, diving the wrecks off the coast of Ix-Xatt l-Aħmar, and diving into the mesmerising ethe- real light of the Comino wa- ters, there are different kinds of adventures to be enjoyed and a myriad of creatures to encounter. For example, Mġarr ix-Xini is the place to mark for a chance encoun- ter with a seahorse and be- neath the surface of Dwejra, you might catch sight of the mysterious pyrosomoes col- onies. If you're after more mystery, book a night dive. • The Azure Window might be gone, but diving the Blue Hole which is located next to where the Azure Win- dow once stood, is like the holy grail for keen divers. Once labelled by Jacques Yves Cousteau as Europe's top diving site, the Blue Hole in Dwejra, is a spectac- ular dive. • If you're keen on memories and photography, you'll need an underwater cam- era as you discover Gozo's diving sites and underwater paradise. If you're bringing your own camera, make sure that you have tested it before but do note that dive centres and dive shops have photographic equipment for hire. There is no doubt among the international diving community that scuba diving in Gozo is a fan- tastic experience. The visibility is amazing and the variety of dive sites, ensure that a diving in Gozo will be truly rewarding. Both the novice and the seasoned diver will be leaving the island not only with fascinating memories of blue but most likely with the in- tention of a repeat holiday.