News
Diving with… Calypso Diving Centre, Gozo, Malta
In this ongoing series, we speak with the people who run dive centres, resorts and liveaboards around the world about their businesses and the diving they have to offer…
What is your name?
George Vella
What is the name of your business?
Calypso Diving Centre
What is your role within the business?
Owner
How long has the business operated for?
Since 1985
How long have you dived for, and what qualification are you?
Since 1984 and hold PADI OWSI & BSAC Advanced Instructor
What is your favorite type of diving?
Wall dives and caves / caverns
If you could tell people one thing about your business (or maybe more!) to make them want to visit you what would it be?
Nothing replaces experience!
What is your favorite dive in your location and why?
Wied il-Mielah: because even in the peak season, there are hardly any other divers there and the formation of the caves, light reflections and the school of barracuda make it an awesome dive.
What types of diving are available in your location?
We offer both shore and boat diving and the dive sites are never more than a 15 minute bus / boat ride away. We have reefs, caverns, caves, drop offs, visibility in excess of 35 metres, almost no currents and no tides. Many of our dive sites are suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike; they are equally beautiful whether in shallow or deep water.
What do you find most rewarding about your current role?
Seeing a high percentage of our clients coming back to us; even though there is a lot more competition nowadays and we are not the cheapest when it comes to prices.
What is your favorite underwater creature?
Octopus
Are there any exciting changes / developments coming up in the near future?
Nothing specific. We just keep trying to make our clients feel welcome and at home, whilst improving our facilities all the time.
As a center what is the biggest problem you face at the moment?
Price dumping from the new operators on the scene to try and take clients away from you. It is a big issue here, especially when it is a very seasonal operation.
Is your center involved in any environmental work?
We try to make all our dives a clean-up dive every time and involve our clients in it as well by providing them with net bags to collect any rubbish, especially plastic from underwater. Unfortunately a lot of education is still needed in this area.
How do you see the SCUBA / Freediving / snorkeling industry overall? What changes would you make?
It is a growing industry and you can see this by the amount of new operators getting on the bandwagon every year. Marine protected areas are a must here and need to be enforced to sustain our industry and also the fishing industry.
What would you say to our visitors to promote the diving you have to offer?
Our island of Gozo is a gem of an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea which boasts some of the most spectacular diving in this region and is no more than a three and a half hour flight away from most European countries.
Where can our visitors find out more about your business?
Stahlsac dive bags and travel luggage are built for our community of divers, surfers, kayakers and outdoor explorers who need bags that are constructed with durability, toughness, and 
the highest quality the industry has ever seen. We were founded by one man determined to build better watersports and dive bags, and today, that mission is carried on by many. Adventure doesn’t just present itself; it requires discovery. When we design dive bags, we make sure they are tough enough for you to explore in all conditions—warm and cold, wet and dry—to the nearest and farthest reaches of the earth. And for those times you want to push the boundaries of adventure, Stahlsac dive bags make sure you can truly GO ANYWHERE.
Abyss Duffels
Made to be your partner-in-crime on every adventure, Stahlsac’s Abyss Duffels protects your gear from Mother Nature’s worst. Tough and 100% waterproof with double-TPU nylon material that shrugs off daily wear-and-tear, and RF-welded seams further boost the bag’s potential for lifelong exploring. Get Wet. Get Lost. Go Anywhere with Abyss.
- A weatherproof duffel for trips, travel, and adventure
- Ultra-durable double-TPU nylon protects your gear
- Material repels water and keeps your equipment dry
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- Removable straps transform duffel into backpack
- Zippered internal stow compartments carry essentials
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- Density foam padded shoulder straps
- Outside wet/dry pockets
- 2 Carry handles
- Tough, snag-resistant polyester mesh
- Reinforced PVC bottom
For more information about Stahlsac bags, visit www.stahlsac.com/dive-bags.
Sea & Sea is the home of Stahlsac and other leading diving brands in the UK.
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