Daily Diving Requirements

• A day’s diving consists of 2 dives. A 3rd dive is optional.
• Diving commences from the Dive Centre between 08:30 and 09:00 unless otherwise informed. Departure to the dive site is typically between 09:00 and 09:30.
• Return after 2 dives is approximately at 14:30, depending on the chosen dive sites. When diving in Gozo from shore, return is around 17:00 due to ferry crossings.
• Boat dives also start at the Dive Centre between 08:00 and 09:00, or as advised by reception. Departure from the jetty is usually between 09:00 and 09:30, with return after a full day around 15:30 to 16:00.
• All times may change depending on the time of year, weather conditions, and specific dive circumstances.
• For half-day trips, the boat returns to the jetty between 11:30 and 12:00.
• For special trips, departure times will be notified by reception.
• Snorkelers and non-divers in vans and boats are subject to space availability, with preference given to diving clients. Unless organised by Dive Systems, snorkeling must be conducted safely and at one’s own risk, following directions from the instructor before entering the water.
• Departure for night dives from the Dive Centre varies between 17:30 in winter and 19:30 in summer.
• Dives in dive packages do not need to be made on consecutive days.
• You may be required to complete a check dive and/or a refresher dive depending on your level and experience. This is done for your safety and the safety of other divers who will be diving with you.

Pre-Conditions for Diving

• Qualified divers must present their certification card and logbook. Any person who has not dived within the last 6 months needs to make a minimum of one initial check dive.
• All divers will need to complete and sign:

• Self Assessment Medical Statement (RSTC Medical form)
• Risk and Liability Statement

 

• If the diver answers “YES” to any of the medical conditions on the form, a medical certificate signed by a doctor is required. We have a doctor on call at the dive centre, and a medical examination costs around €30.
• Divers under the age of 18 need to provide written parental/guardian consent allowing them to dive. Please ensure you sign the following forms in the parent/guardian section and send them together with the sale voucher:

• RSTC Medical form
  
• Risk & Liability Statement
  
  

Unguided Diving (Independent Diving) and Equipment Rental

• Maltese law requires divers renting equipment (particularly Breathing Apparatus) and diving independently to be qualified as SSI Advanced Open Water Diver, BSAC Sports Diver, or equivalent. Divers below this level may not rent Breathing Apparatus for independent diving.
• A diver wishing to undertake unguided diving must do so with a buddy as per training received. Dive Systems does not recommend nor encourage solo diving.
• Divers opting for independent diving need to have their own transport.
• Customers renting equipment from Dive Systems must check that all equipment is working properly prior to leaving the centre. If stolen or damaged, customers are required to reimburse the centre for the item in full. The customer renting the equipment is fully responsible for all equipment once it is removed from the Dive Centre. Rental equipment is not covered by Dive Systems’ insurance once it leaves the centre.
• All items must be returned in good working order within 24 hours from the time initially taken. Items will be charged on a daily basis until handed back to reception staff. A valuable item such as a passport or driving license will be kept as a deposit until items are returned.

Guided Dives

• Maltese law requires that all divers below Advanced Open Water Diver, BSAC Sports Diver, or equivalent level need to be accompanied/guided by an instructor in the water at all times.
• All Dive Systems dive guides are qualified instructors/divemasters. Divers will be grouped according to qualification and experience, and suitable dive sites are selected according to the group’s preference and ability.
• Transport to and from dive sites is provided free of charge. Divers using our transport do so at their own risk. No valuables should be taken to the dive sites. Dive Systems cannot be held responsible for any loss or theft of client property.
• When a client books a boat trip, Dive Systems will do everything possible to take you to the dive site selected. However, it cannot be responsible if the boat cannot operate, or if the initially selected dive site is not able to be dived that day, regardless of the reason.

Course Requirements

There is an SSI Certification fee of €35 on each successfully completed course included in the course prices.

SSI Standards require that all eLearning material should be completed before commencing course. These are always charged separately from the course, but may be purchased together. 

We have the right to withhold final certification, should the Instructor feel that the student has not reached the required level needed for that level of certification as defined by the training organisation.

It is up to the client to make sure that he/she has enough time to complete the course based on the guideline in our brochure/website and allowing some additional time for unforeseen circumstances. All SSI courses need to be completed within 12 months from commencement.  Dive Systems will do all that is possible to fit a course within a stipulated time. However, it cannot guarantee the duration as each student will have to fulfill all the obligations and standards of the course which might take more time than envisaged.  If extra dives are required by the student to complete the course these will be charged at the accompanied diving rates.

Airport Transfers

Upon request and availability, a person will be waiting at outside the arrivals lounge at the Malta International Airport on the road just outside the arrivals hall. The person will have a sign with Dive Systems on it. The client’s name will also be on it.Once your plane lands kindly contact us on +35621319123 to inform us and get further directions. Transfers are direct to the hotel booked (unless otherwise agreed). 

Daily Hotel Transfers to Centre

Dive Systems offers free MORNING transfers from local (Sliema/St. Julians/Gzira) hotels for divers booked for guided diving packages or training courses. Clients are to make sure that they have all the necessary paperwork including logbooks and vouchers. Please  understand that the bus cannot be held up to wait for individual clients and leave other clients waiting. On the other hand if we are more than 15 mins late kindly contact us on +35621319123.

All divers and passengers making use of Dive Systems transport need to be decently dressed and are asked to wear dry clothes even after dives.

Return transfer to the hotel cannot be guaranteed at a fixed time and can only be done once the dive centre closes (i.e. May-October at 18:30, November-April at 17:00.)

Insurance

Guests are responsible for taking out adequate Trip/Travel insurance cover for their diving activities and equipment.

Personal items or equipment left in the dive centre during the day or over night are not covered by Dive Systems Insurance. Items left on Dive Systems premises are left at the customers’ own risk as the service is offered in good faith. 

Force Majeure

Actions of Independent contractors such as Airlines and Tour Operators are not the responsibility of Dive Systems W.S. Ltd.

We reserve the right to shorten a trip, change itineraries or substitute a vessel for weather, mechanical or logistical reasons.

Securing your booking

For online payments bookings are secured once the order has been processed (i.e. upon full payment).

A booking voucher will be issued. Please make sure you bring this voucher with you.

Cancellation Policy

Pre-Arrival

Individual Bookings: if cancelled 14 days prior to date of service, a single €25 administrative charge is applicable. If cancelled less than 14 days prior to date of service, payments are not refundable.

Under special cancellation circumstances, the deposit may be held available for use by the client for another booking if taken within one year. The decision on what is “special” will be at the sole discretion of Dive Systems.

Scheduled Dives

Dives from a dive package are not refundable if diver does not show up or shows up late for the scheduled dive.

Refunds are not given for scheduled dives that are not completed when already on location.

If a scheduled course dive is missed because diver does not show up or shows up late for the scheduled appointment, an extra  charge will be enforced to reschedule the missed dive lesson.

Dives can only be refunded if cancelled by client 24 hours beforehand by informing us in person or via telephone call within our working hours. (i.e. May-October 8.30 to 18.30 November-April 8.30 to 17.00.)

Dives will also be refunded if diver is unable to dive due to sickness and provides a doctor’s certificate. In the case of sickness, the client must inform the Dive Centre at least the day before the diving day in normal circumstances. Of course Dive Systems understands that in certain cases the client cannot inform beforehand, but it must be clear that the sole reason for cancelling is sickness.

Being drunk or hungover is not considered being sick, so whilst the client will not be allowed to dive, charges will still apply.

In the case that clients have booked a dive package or course with us and are unable to dive due to bad weather conditions or breakage of vehicle or boat or any other reason, Dive Systems will only be held responsible for the services it offers and no other related services to the holiday such as flights, accommodation, transportation, etc.

It is strongly recommended that you take adequate Trip/Travel insurance cover for your diving activities and equipment.

Items to bring with you to the Dive Centre:

• Certification card
• Doctors certificate when needed
• Logbook / Referral or E-Learning paperwork
• Voucher (Booking confirmation)
• Swimsuit, towel, sunscreen
• Money for lunch, drinks, sundries

Please do not take in vehicles any valuables that you are not able to take with you in the water.
The Dive Centre has a Safe Locker where you may leave valuables for the day while diving.

Currency

Rates quoted are in Euro (€) and are subject to change without prior notice.