Brian, a family man and father of two, has been a professional diver since 1996, having begun his diving career right after completing a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Brian’s story into the diving world is intertwined with his personal life. Now, just past his fiftieth birthday, Brian explains that his girlfriend’s family (now wife) ran a dive centre, and this was the hinge on which the story unfolded. “I was already a diver,” Brian recalls. When the dive centre manager decided to leave, they needed someone to take over, and Brian was ready to embrace a new job and adventure. This was nothing short of surprising to his family, who were not yet aware that he was into diving, and he quietly informed them that he was spending 10 days in Malta to acquire the necessary diving instructor certifications.

Brian’s first diving experience is a memory that sticks with him to this day. His first dive at Xwejni Bay at 18 was an impressive and beautiful moment, and he reminisces, “The underwater world was just so different from anything I had known”. The echoes of this dive still live on, as Xwejni Bay is still one of his favourite places to take students for training dives. The cove at Xwejni provides easy entry and enchanting crystal-clear waters, making it the ideal location for novice divers. The shallow waters gradually deepen, perfect for practising buoyancy control and other fundamental diving skills.  Brian is, however, keen on emphasizing the experience, saying that beyond the mechanics of diving, it’s also about giving the students their first magical experience of the underwater world.

Clearly, for Brian, diving is not just a job but a lifelong passion, and when asked what made him fall in love with diving, he is quick to mention that it was not just the thrill of the underwater world but the environment it created for him to escape the daily stress of life. Diving, for Brian, offers a much-needed release. “When I dive, it’s my personal getaway. It’s where I can disconnect from the mobile phone, the calls, and the world’s noise. It’s the one place where I can truly relax,” he explains. “Even after all these years, I’m never bored of it. Every dive is unique. Even if I have dived in the same spot, like Double Arch Reef, a hundred times, I see something different every time. For Brian, it’s not just about exploring new places but also about reconnecting with the deep silence of the ocean. “Underwater, you’re in a completely different world. No horns, traffic, or stress—just pure silence and serenity.”

When diving in Gozo, Brian quickly points out the island’s unparalleled underwater landscape. As an avid diver, he has had his fair share of diving stints in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Pacific, and the Caribbean, but Gozo remains his favourite place to dive. “The underwater topography here is unique. We have caverns, tunnels, swim-throughs, and arches like the Double Arch Reef and Triple Arch Reef,” he explains. “This landscape, with its various features, is unlike anything I’ve found elsewhere.” Gozo’s topography allows divers to explore stunning natural features, including the famous Blue Hole and the Inland Sea.

In Gozo, the underwater topography is second to none, and Brian goes to explain that the Mediterranean marine fauna is unique because it has a range of interesting species. His diving philosophy embraces the concept of exploration. Whether searching for nudibranchs in the crevices or ledges of steep reef walls or being on the lookout to spot an elusive octopus, diving in Gozo is about appreciating the small, unique details of the underwater world.

Brian also highlights how accessible these dive sites are. “What makes Gozo special is that you can reach some of the best dive spots within minutes. From the north coast to the south of Gozo, it only takes 5 to 20 minutes to get to these sites, and you’re diving into an area with so much variety.” This differs significantly from abroad, where reaching some diving locations involves lengthy journeys.

While recreational diving remains the most popular, technical diving could be a bonus or an essential in Gozo. Tackling some of the island’s dive sites found at greater depths can necessitate longer underwater stays, thus requiring technical diving.  Brian delves into the detail of what is technical diving as this involves more equipment and specialized knowledge.  One needs multiple tanks and gases and careful management of depth, time and decompression stops.   Technical divers have the opportunity to explore the wrecks and archaeological sites found at certain depths.

It is clear that when it comes to wrecks, this is like opening yet another spellbinding facet of diving in Gozo. Beyond the artificially created wrecks, Brian is fascinated by the authentic historical wrecks dating back to the First and Second World Wars as wrecks that have a story behind them. “Diving on a wreck from the First or Second World War is like diving into history,” he says.  On the other hand, the wrecks off the southern coast of Gozo, such as the wrecks of MV Xlendi, the Karwela and the MV Cominoland, provide excellent opportunities for technical divers. These wrecks, which have been scuttled in the past years, serve as artificial reefs and intriguing dive sites.

Asked about his T-shirt emblazoned with “Phoenician Shipwreck: Dive into History”, Brian effortlessly dives into an explanation of yet another kind of wreck.  He describes that possibly the Phoenician Shipwreck Project is one of the most interesting things he has been involved in. This project is an ongoing archaeological effort to explore and protect an ancient Phoenician shipwreck off Gozo’s coast. The wreck, lying at a depth of around 110 meters, has been remarkably well-preserved because of the profound depth where it lies. This site is off-limit to public diving, but Brian has had the privilege of joining the diving expeditions to the site with Heritage Malta.

In addition to the Phoenician shipwreck, Brian explains there’s also the Tower Wreck Project, which focuses on the remains of ancient shipwrecks near the Xlendi Tower. “The Tower Wreck Project is possibly a mix of Roman and Phoenician wrecks,” Brian explains. Thousands of amphorae and other artefacts are scattered across the site, which spans around 67,000 square metres, and this site might be one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. While studies and photogrammetry (the 3D mapping of the bottom) are ongoing, Heritage Malta, Malta’s national agency responsible for historical and cultural sites, opened the Tower Wreck site as a protected site to the public in 2024. Two diving chartered routes were created for technical divers, and diving in this protected area requires a permit from Heritage Malta.

While daytime dives offer their unique experience, Brian also highlights the thrill of night diving. Nighttime diving is not highly requested because while on holiday, many divers might prefer to enjoy the balmy Mediterranean evenings unwinding after a day at sea. However, night diving is when the underwater world truly comes alive. Many creatures, like octopuses and moray eels, are more active at night. “If you want to see marine life in its most natural form, night diving is the way to go,” he says.  Brian’s favourite location for night diving is Mġarr ix-Xini, known for its abundance of nocturnal marine life. He considers it a five-star diving spot and encounters with various creatures, such as sand eels, octopuses, and tun shells (Tonna galea), are the norm. The latter is a Mediterranean shell that can grow up to 30 centimetres and spends its day hidden in the sand, coming out to eat at night.

If you’re considering a diving holiday, Gozo awaits. Whether you’re a curious novice or a seasoned technical diver, Gozo’s underwater spell is ready to enchant you. With its rich history, fascinating topography, marine life, and accessible dive sites, Gozo keeps calling all those who desire to explore its hidden wonders.  Diving instructors like Brian, for whom diving is second nature, are key to opening Gozo’s underwater realm for those yet to experience it.

Gozo is home to many diving instructors.  Getting in touch with a diving instructor in Gozo is easy.  Dive into VisitGozo’s List of Diving Centres.

VisitGozo would like to thank Mr Brian Azzopardi for this interview and for sharing the photos.