Creative Commons photo by Matt Kieffer

Divers who have gone to Malta rate the island’s diving spots for its dense population of ship wrecks rather than its critter life. Boasting superb visibility and interesting entrance points, wreck diving in Malta is more suited to experienced aquanauts rather than beginners, and can be quite challenging depending on your fitness level.

Top 3 Deep Wreck Diving Spots in Malta

1. Qawra Point

Resident to more than one ship wreck, diving at Qawra Point is mandatory if you’re interested in seeing submarines and battleships from the early 1900s. The HMS Stubborn P238 is a wreck that has received a particularly high rating for her magnificent condition. Built in 1942 by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, this 66 metre long s-class battle submarine carried a crew of 44 men back in the day and was armed to the teeth with an impressive 13 torpedoes. Lying just 4km off Qawra Point at a maximum depth of 56 metres, the HMS Stubborn is the titanic of the Mediterranean and well-regarded as the best wreck diving opportunity the island has to offer.

2. Gozo

The Karwela at Gozo is a relatively easy wreck to reach from the shore. First built in 1957, she served in Malta as a passenger ferry for most of her life before she sank for unknown reasons. Highlights of this wreck diving location includes a variety of entrance points into the actual ship, as well as the infamous Volkswagen Beetle sitting on the Karwela’s deck – a landmark that arrived subsequent to the ship’s sinking, no doubt a prank performed by mischievous locals.

3. Xorb l—Ghagin

A wreck diving spot that is only accessible by boat, divers are recommended to go with a reputable scuba instructor for the chance to explore the Blenhein Bomber, a fantastic World War II aircraft that lies beneath Xorb l-Ghagin’s surface. Making for an absolutely stunning dive, the Blenheim Bomber arrival on the ocean floor is as fascinating as the dive itself. Sent out on a bombing raid in 1941, the aircraft was attacked by the enemy and aborted by its pilot before plummeting to the bottom of the sea where it still sits to this day. A dive that is reserved for experienced divers only, this underwater piece of WWI memorabilia is as thrilling as they come and well worth the effort to see.

Ship wreck diving in Malta is a sport that has evolved since the 1980s. A tourist attraction that ranges from novice scuba courses to experienced dive spots, the Maltese archipelago is littered with historical landmarks that welcome brave travellers into their murky caverns. A year-round activity, wreck diving in Malta presents an open ended invitation to holiday-makers looking to plan their next vacation.

Bella Gray is a lifestyle blogger who highly recommends Malta holidays. A travel guide for tourists looking to go abroad, Gray is the perfect go-to-gal for all your holiday advice and travelling solutions.

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For those who might not know what is it, should be noted that it is a lake of glacial origin. In the Slovak High Tatras there are in a total of 87 glacial lakes, but the most famous one is certainly Štrbské Pleso. It is not the largest or deepest one, nor the highest situated, but it’s just typical.

It lies at the connected point of Furkotská and Mlynická valley at the altitude of 1346.6 metres above sea level. It covers an area of 19.76 hectares and its maximum depth reaches about 20 meters. The lake is almost half of the year covered by ice.

The lakes were created in the Pleistocene by the action of glaciers, which dug them into the valleys. Due to the remoteness and high altitude such lakes have very clean water and are often a home to quite specific types of plants and animals. Štrbské Pleso is home to a fish called European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus). This salmon-like fish is still widespread in many countries, but currently it can be found on the Red List of Threatened Species. It has been found yet, that whitefish from Štrbské Pleso is genetically purest of its kind in the world. The lake is also home to several other species of fish, some of them (especially perch and roach) are unfortunately direct food competitors to whitefish. The management of High Tatras national park therefore prepared a program to capture these fish, to save a rare population of whitefish.

In terms of nature is the human presence on the shores of lake negligibly short, but more intense. The first mention of a lake comes from David Frölich in 1644. Later there came hunters, loggers and miners. A lake has almost ceased to exist in 1860. It was due to the residents of nearby Štrba town, who tried to drain the lake and use that “useless puddle” for new pastures! Fortunately, they didn’t do it well …

The same-name settlement of Štrbské Pleso was founded in 1872, when there was a hunting lodge built by Jozef Szentiványi. Other buildings were then built at the instigation of Hungarian Carpathian Association. At present, a town of Štrbské Pleso is a popular winter and summer resort with many hotels and restaurants, and also serves as a climatic spa centre. With its altitude it is also the highest situated resort in Slovakia. There are lots of opportunities for hiking and skiing, including ski lifts and cable cars to Solisko peak.

Despite its mountainous location, you can get to Štrbské Pleso by both road and rail. The main gate to Štrbské Pleso and High Tatras is the city of Poprad where is an international airport as well.

Whether you come to Štrbské Pleso for hiking or skiing, you will be surely surprised with its beauty and surrounding nature. There are lots of hiking trails leading from this place to several important peaks – Kriváň (2,495 m) or Rysy (2,503 m) or you can visit the great 10 metres high waterfall Skok (1,725 m), or another popular lake Popradské pleso (1,494 m).

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Aquapark Sopot has 25 meters long and 12.5 meters wide swimming pool. There is also a leisure pool with a water geyser in the middle of it, massage sofas, an artificial river and a cave with a waterfall. For the youngest children there is prepared a mini pool with a depth of 30-60 cm. You can enjoy a lot of fun in the form of water cannons, slides and animals. The water temperature reaches pleasant 31-34 °C.

Aquapark Sopot offers also an outdoor pool for seasonal recreational use, with a maximum depth of 130 cm. It is coloured and adapted for interactive games. For lovers of adrenaline and excitement there are 2 water slides, one with a length of 110 meters with many curves and a second, very fast, with a length of 70 meters. If you have never swim in the natural mountain streams you should try Wild River which is flowing at about 600 liters per second.

Aquapark offers also whirlpools with bubble massage with a water temperature of 34 °C. It is great for complete relaxation and cleaning the body. You can find here bars, steam, dry and Finnish saunas, a bowling hall, cosmetics and massage.

Aquapark Sopot is open daily from Monday to Sunday from 8.00 to 22.00 hours.

Admission to the complex Aquapark Sopot ranges from 20 zł /1 hour or 50 zł /whole day, children under 3 are admitted free. You can use a family and a student discount or discount for people with disabilities and visitors over 65 years.

For further details visit official website of Aquapark Sopot.

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Lago de Sanabria covers an area of ​​318.7 hectares. Its maximum depth is 51 m. The lake was created by the glaciers in the Quaternary.

Today it is a popular summer destination for tourists and holidaymakers. On the southern shore of the lake you can find a beautiful sandy beach, that is overcrowded during the warm sunny days. They mainly come here to bathe. But also to enjoy various activities such as canoeing or rowing.

Here you can also rent a pedal boat. Right on the beach of Lago de Sanabria there is a pleasant restaurant with outdoor seating. More than 50 000 people visit the lake every year. The lake’s surroundings is ideal for the mountain biking or hiking.

Lago de Sanabria is part of the Sanabria Lake Natural Park, which covers an area of ​​22,635 hectares. It is situated at an altitude of 997-2124 m. The park is characterized by its great diversity.

The oaks, birches, willows, yews and various shrubs grow here. A rarity in these latitudes are also peat. The animals include lynx, wolf, partridge, golden eagle or otter. In lakes and streams you can find trout. Sanabria Lake Natural Park was founded in 1978. The park includes also the villages Galende, Cobreros, Trefacio y Porto de Sanabria.

Center of the park is located in a former medieval Cistercian monastery of San Martín de Castañeda.

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There are several places from you can get to Zelené pleso:

• Tatranské Matliare (yellow-blue, 2h55″/3h30″)
• Skalnaté pleso lake (red, 2h15″/2h00″)
• Kopské saddle (blue-red, 1h00″/1h00″)
• Plesnivec cottage (red-green, 1h45″/2h00″)
• Tatranská Kotlina (red-green, 3h05″/3h30″)
• Jahňací peak (yellow, 1h40″/2h00″)
• Tatranská Javorina village (red-blue, 3h30″/4h00″)
• Veľká Svišťovka (red, 1h00″/0h45″)

There is also one of the most romantic accommodation is Slovakia – Chata pri Zelenom plese (cottage at Zelene pleso), where you can stay in a newly reconstructed room at the price of €11-€13/night.

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Lago di Garda, Italy by Elliott Brown

Beauty hurts, or is more expensive than the sea
Lago di Garda enjoys a large tourist popularity. This corresponds to a number of first-class hotels and guesthouses. With the mark of prestige, prices are higher here than in other Italian resorts (apartments for around €20, campings for €10).

Even lake queen would not have to be ashamed of the lake – 346 meters depth is really impressive. Glacier Lake Garda was founded thanks to the global warming about 10 thousand years ago. Receding Alpine glaciers created this beautiful water world. The upper part of the lake is narrower, surrounded by great rock massifs. Towards the south, the lake opens up and allows visitors easier access. The lake lies at an altitude of 65 meters. Its maximum depth is 346 meters and if you would like to walk it all around, you have to prepare to about 160 kilometre-long way.

The right place for more demanding tourists and adventure lovers is the northern part of Lake Garda. Biking, hiking, rock climbing is just a fraction of what the area offers. Lake Garda is ideal for active holidays. You find here hundreds of kilometres of marked cycling and hiking trails that lead deep into the mountains, on the water you can enjoy boating, scooters or just play a beach volleyball.

Lago di Garda Italy by Robert Wirrmann

If you decide to go on a proper mountain hike, do not forget the map. It can be obtained in tourist centers or hotels. Losing here is really not hard at all. The ideal starting point for tours is the town of Riva del Garda, where you can go either west or east. The western side offers steep rock walls, suitable more for hiking. The eastern hills are a paradise for passionate cyclists. (You can rent bikes and all the amenities from some of many rental services here, but prices are often quite high).

In addition to alpine tours and resting at blue lake you can also go for culture or rich night life, which is characteristic for Italy and its inhabitants. Visit a town of Riva del Garda. This place is ideal for lovers of history.

Lake Garda, Italy by Marjolein Knuit

In the southern part of the lake, you can visit a spa town Sirmione, known as the “Pearl of Lake Garda.” The Romans built here two castles, ports, and a whopping villa of Grotte di Catullo. On the ruins of one of the ports you can now visit the castle Scaligeri Rocca, which is one of the landmarks of Sirmione.

Glacier Lake Garda is truly one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. It is suitable for everybody – hikers, adventurers, historians…

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Domaša lake / P.matel

Optimal climate and water temperature of around 23 °C provide pleasant swimming in clean water from June through mid September. Domaša is ideal for lovers of water sports and recreation. Its shores are lined with nice hills and ridges, which offer a unique scenery and a nice view of the water surface.

Its right western side is forested, which creates a paradise for mushroom pickers, hunters and lovers of long walks.

Water surface and its shores are characterized by variety of waterfowl. You can see the black stork, bitterns, plovers, various species of ducks, swans, herons, raptors from the kite, white-tailed eagle and others.

Fishermen will find a beautiful, quiet nooks, with the possibility of hunting different types of fish – carp, perch, pike, ache, catfish, bream, eel, chub. Rich fishing is also provided by a buffer tank adjacent to small towns of Malá Domaša and Slovenská Kajňa.

If you will be looking for an accommodation, there are several hotels, pensions, cottage resorts or campings around the lake. The best time to visit Domaša is, of course, the summer, when several summer festivals take place here. Some of the best known and most popular include Miss Domaša or a music festival, Domaša Fest.

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