beginner
    (100)

    Bugibba & Salina Bay

    18m Max
    15-25m Vis
    shore

    Site Overview

    Bugibba and Salina Bay on the north coast offer several small scuttled boats and shallow reefs ideal for training, refresher dives and macro photography. The clear, sheltered water hides octopus, nudibranchs and the occasional moray, with easy shore access from the busy St. Paul’s Bay area. It is a dependable site for courses and relaxed fun dives close to the hotels. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.

    Dive Briefing

    "Enter from the shore and descend along the shallow reef to the small wrecks, controlling buoyancy over the bottom. Search the rocks for octopus and nudibranchs, then ascend with a safety stop, watching for boat traffic in the bay. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."

    Signature Marine Life

    Common Octopus

    high

    Octopus vulgaris

    Best: Year-round

    Two-banded Sea Bream

    high

    Diplodus vulgaris

    Best: Year-round

    Nudibranch

    medium

    Chromodorididae

    Best: Year-round

    Mediterranean Moray

    medium

    Muraena helena

    Best: Year-round

    Cuttlefish

    medium

    Sepia officinalis

    Best: April, May, June

    Safety & Hazards

    • Shore entry over rocks
    • Occasional mild current
    • Boat traffic in the bays
    • Limited visibility after rain
    • Sea urchins on rocks
    • Variable surge
    Nearest Chamber
    Mater Dei Hospital Hyperbaric Unit, Msida
    12km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Perfect for beginners, students and anyone wanting an easy, convenient shore dive with macro life near the Bugibba bases. It is also good for night dives. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.

    reef
    training
    wreck
    beginner-friendly
    macro

    Quick Stats

    Difficultybeginner
    CertificationOpen Water
    Currentmild
    Water Temp15-26°C
    Best TimeMay - September

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Dive Systems
    • Hurricane Diving
    Pricing Guide
    $60 - $110
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    60mm
    16-35mm

    Best for: macro, wide_angle

    Nearby Stay