Apneists UK Three Island Freediving Adventure: Malta, Gozo, and Comino
At Apneists UK, we’re always on the hunt for stunning new locations that test our limits and deepen our love for freediving. This spring, we ventured into the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean for an unforgettable freediving adventure across the Maltese archipelago. Aptly dubbed the Three Island Trip, our week-long journey took us to Malta, Gozo, and Comino — each offering its own flavour of underwater exploration, from awe-inspiring wreck dives to natural arches and vibrant reef systems.
As the organiser of the trip, I’m proud to say that the experience delivered everything we hoped for — challenging dives, advanced training, and the kind of camaraderie that defines our club ethos. Whether you’re planning your next freediving holiday or simply want a taste of what’s possible when passion meets planning, here’s a full recap of our Malta freediving adventure.
Why Malta, Gozo, and Comino?
The Maltese islands are a paradise for freedivers. With visibility often exceeding 30 metres, temperatures ranging from 18–25°C, and an incredible variety of shore and boat dive sites, Malta is a versatile destination for both training and recreational diving. Add in the historical wrecks, underwater caves, and rich marine life, and you have a playground for divers of all levels.
Malta’s compact size also means you can explore multiple islands in a single trip — perfect for a small, mobile group like ours.
Day One – Arrival and Orientation in Malta
Our base for the first part of the trip was on the main island of Malta. The group was small and focused — a mix of seasoned club members, AIDA 4 candidates, and aspiring instructors working towards their AIDA Instructor Certification. We began with a safety briefing, equipment check, and a shoreline orientation.
This set the tone for the week — a balance of advanced depth training, recreational exploration, and plenty of laughter over dinner as we reviewed GoPro footage and swapped stories.
Day Two – The Karwela Wreck
No trip to the Maltese islands is complete without diving in Gozo, which boasts some of the most stunning underwater sites in Europe. After a quick ferry from Malta, we headed straight for the Karwela Wreck — and it did not disappoint.
The Karwela Wreck
The Karwela is a former German passenger ferry, deliberately sunk in 2006 as part of Gozo’s growing dive tourism industry. Sitting at a maximum depth of around 40 metres, the wreck is famous for its haunting staircase — a stunning visual feature that’s become one of the most Instagrammed underwater locations in the world.
With its open corridors and wide passageways, the Karwela is perfectly suited for advanced freediving and SCUBA. The candidates were able to do deep line training alongside the wreck, taking full advantage of the visibility and conditions to work on technique and safety procedures and a couple of our group did it on SCUBA
As we surfaced from our dives, the group’s energy was electric — a mix of fatigue, pride, and awe at what we had just experienced.
Karwela Malta Gozo
Day Three / Four – Wreck Dive – The P31, and Circewwa harbour, Malta
This is one of Malta’s most iconic sites — the P31 Patrol Boat Wreck (easily accessible from shore). This 52-metre-long East German minesweeper was scuttled in 2009 as part of a project to create artificial reefs. Today, it rests at around 30metres , making it ideal for freediving exploration and the area great for line diving practice.
The wreck is beautifully intact, its skeletal frame encrusted with marine life. Swimming through the bridge and along the open hull was a surreal experience, and the visibility was so clear it felt like diving in a giant aquarium.
For those on recreational dives, there is great shallow shore diving in that area — the wreck itself is atmospheric yet accessible. The AIDA 4 candidates and trainee instructor took advantage of the structure to work on dive lines, free immersion, and constant weight descents.
Day Five – Gozo’s South Coast: Depth Lines & the Iconic Blue Hole
We returned to Gozo for another incredible day of freediving — this time exploring the island’s southern coastline and one of the most legendary dive sites in the Mediterranean: the Blue Hole.
Morning: Depth Training on Gozo’s South Side
The morning was dedicated to deep training sessions off the south of Gozo, where dramatic drop-offs and clear conditions provided an ideal setting. With sheltered entry points and access to depth, the location was perfect for AIDA 4 candidates and instructor trainees to refine their skills and increase their depth.
The atmosphere was focused but fun, with divers supporting each other through challenging dives while instructors offered real-time feedback and adjustments.
Afternoon: The Blue Hole and Swim-Through
In the afternoon, we headed to the Blue Hole — arguably Gozo’s most famous dive site. Formed by thousands of years of coastal erosion, the Blue Hole is a vertical shaft carved into the limestone, connecting to the open sea through an underwater archway at around 7–10 metres.
Swimming into the shaft and through the arch into the open ocean was a surreal experience, like being launched into another world. The play of light, the natural acoustics, and the dramatic rock formations made this dive one of the most photogenic of the trip.
We took advantage of the conditions to capture some incredible footage — both underwater video and stills that highlighted the grace and control of our divers in this iconic location.
This dive was a personal favourite for many, offering a mix of exploration, beauty, and a sense of freediving history.
Day Six – Comino’s Double Arch, Crystal Bay, and the P29 Wreck
Comino, the smallest of the three islands, may be tiny, but its underwater features are anything but. On our final diving day, we ticked off three unique sites: a rare geological formation, a picture-perfect bay, and one of Malta’s most impressive wreck dives.
Crystal Bay – Serenity
We hired a private boat and moored in Crystal Bay, a shallower, scenic site perfect for relaxed exploration.
Named for its luminous, almost glassy waters, the bay offered textbook conditions for refining core skills like:
The calm surface and soft, white sand bottom gave everyone the freedom to focus on form without distraction. For those winding down from the week’s depth sessions, it was the perfect environment to finish on a high, but mellow note.
Double Arch Dive – A Natural Masterpiece
One of the crown jewels of Comino is the Double Arch, a rare underwater formation sitting at about 12 metres. Two massive stone arches stacked one above the other form a sort of submerged cathedral that’s both humbling and exhilarating to explore.
We approached the arches through a hidden entry point in the rocks that we discovered — a great little find that made the dive feel even more special and adventurous.
Freediving through the arches was a highlight for many of us. The way the sunlight streamed through the stone formations created dramatic shadows and glowing hues of blue — a freediver’s dream both in terms of experience and underwater photography. This spot offered not just beauty, but space for creative dives and expressive movement.
P29 Wreck – A Final Adventure Beneath the Surface
Before wrapping up the day, we descended on one of Malta’s standout wreck dives — the P29. Resting at approximately 34 metres, the P29 is a former East German patrol boat that was scuttled off Comino’s coast as part of an artificial reef project.
Larger and deeper than its sister ship the P31, the P29 Wreck offered a satisfying challenge for our advanced divers. Its vertical structure, commanding silhouette, and accessible swim-throughs made it a perfect final dive for those wanting one last thrill.
The gun turret, bridge, and open hull sections allowed for multiple exploration routes, while the depth made it ideal for practicing controlled descents and ascents under supervision. With crystal-clear water and great light penetration, the wreck was as photogenic as it was awe-inspiring.
It was the perfect finale to an incredible week of underwater exploration, skill development, and shared passion.
Training Focus: AIDA 4 and Instructor Courses
While the trip was designed to be recreational and exploratory, it also served as a training ground for advanced development. Throughout the week, several members completed their AIDA 4 courses, tackling concepts like:
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Advanced equalisation (mouthfill technique)
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Depth adaptation
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CO₂ and O₂ tables in open water
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Rescue from 20–30m
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Dive planning and safety procedures
We also had instructor candidates completing their final assessments. They demonstrated leadership, rescue scenarios, teaching techniques, and knowledge of theory to a high standard.
The combination of real-world dive sites and structured training made for a uniquely effective learning environment.
Beyond the Dives: Camaraderie, Culture, and Connection
While the freediving was the focus, the heart of the trip was the bond between members. Our small group meant we got to know each other deeply — sharing meals, watching sunsets, and discussing everything from dive technique to life back home.
Evenings were spent reviewing video footage, going over dive logs, and planning the next day’s adventures. We made time for local cuisine, explored a few historical sites, and soaked in the beauty of island life.
For new members, the trip was a welcoming initiation into the Apneists UK family. For the veterans, it was a reminder of why we dive — not just to go deeper, but to connect more deeply with ourselves and each other.
A Look Back — and Ahead
As we packed up our gear and boarded the return ferry to Malta, there was a quiet sense of accomplishment in the group. Over the course of a week, we’d dived some of the best sites in Europe, completed advanced training milestones, and shared unforgettable moments both above and below the water.
For me personally, as the organiser, it was deeply rewarding to see the group grow in skill and spirit. The Three Island Trip will be a hard one to top — but it’s just the beginning of what we have planned for Apneists UK in the months ahead.
A video of our adventure:
https://youtu.be/j1S0_UY3q_I?si=t73AnheGm144r7o-
Thinking of Joining Us?
Whether you’re an aspiring freediver, a seasoned depth enthusiast, or someone curious about the sport, we’d love to have you join our community. We run regular UK-based sessions and organise international trips like this throughout the year.
Visit www.freedivers.co.uk to learn more about upcoming courses, trips, and events.
