Malta / Gozo / Comino
Dive Jobs & Work Guide
Central Mediterranean, European Union (Schengen)
Pay Range: USD $1,000–2,000 /month
Living Cost: USD $900–$1,400 /month
High Season: May–October
Visa Info: EU citizens free. Non-EU require a Work Permit
Dive Focus: Shore Diving + Wrecks + Training
Languages: English, German, French, Italian
What's the diving like?
Blue, clear Mediterranean water (18–28 °C), visibility 20–40 m, and structured shore diving. Expect caverns, swim-throughs, limestone walls, and iconic wrecks like the HMS Stubborn and Um el Faroud. Gozo has the best topography; Malta has the big wrecks; Comino is calm and scenic.
Why work here?
Malta is organised, professional, and training-focused. Strong safety culture, predictable schedules, no currents, and a huge EU tourist flow. Ideal for instructors who want volume, stable contracts, and structured operations. Costs are higher than in Asia but lower than in Western Europe.
When do I apply?
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Main hiring: February–April (for May–October high season)
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Secondary: July–August (mid-season replacements)
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Most centres finish hiring before May.
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Hiring is seasonal and predictable
What's the pay like?
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Instructors: USD $1,300–2,000 /month (€1,200–1,850) + commissions
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Divemasters: USD $1,000–1,400 /month (€950–1,300) + tips
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Accommodation: Sometimes subsidised; shared rent $400–700
Pay depends heavily on languages, certifications, and student volume.
What Visa is needed?
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EU/EEA citizens: free to work.
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Non-EU citizens: need a Work Permit + Residency Card sponsored by the dive centre.
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Tourist visas cannot be used for any form of work.
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Paperwork can take weeks, and many shops hire only EU instructors for this reaso
Visa rules change, be sure to confirm with Identity Malta or your sponsoring centre.
What’s the industry like?
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Languages: English (essential), German and French are highly requested; Italian and Spanish are useful in the summer.
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Dive Focus: Open Water, Advanced, DSD, and pro courses DM's + IDC's year-round.
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Main Agencies: PADI is dominant, with a few SSI shops
Item | $USD | Local (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
🍺 Beer (bar) | $4-$6 | €3.50–€5.50 |
📱 SIM Card /month | $10-$15 | €9–€14 |
🏠 Shared rent /month | $400-$700 | €360–€650 |
🛵 Transport /month
| $120-$180 | €110–€165 |
🍜 Local Meal | $10-15 | €9–€14 |
☕ Coffee | $3-$4 | €2–€3.50 |
Costs of Living (Nov 2025 avg)
What's life like at work?
Days start around 08:00. Expect 2–3 guided shore dives per day, plus training in shallow bays and long surface intervals during transport, tank swaps, and paperwork. Wreck dives run on set schedules with briefings and gear checks. Operations are organised and safety-focused.
How's life after work?
Most instructors live in shared flats near St. Paul’s Bay, Sliema, or Gozo village hubs. Evenings mean seaside bars, cheap pasta, or quiet nights at home. Days off include ferry trips to Gozo or Comino, free-diving at Blue Hole, cliff walks, or café days in Valletta. Life is social, safe, and comfortable, but not cheap.
Is it for me?
Best for dive pros who want structured EU diving, stable contracts, and reliable student flow. Not ideal if you want low living costs or tropical conditions. Malta is seasonal, busy, and professional.
Verified local insight
Marco T. – Instructor, Malta (Local insight verified Oct 2025)