SCENE 01 / MARINE WILDLIFE
Marine & Wildlife Filming
Nature documentary production throughout Malta.
Here is how this works in practice. Marine and wildlife filming in Malta makes the most of the country's central Mediterranean position. Productions can capture loggerhead sea turtles on Maltese beaches, bottlenose dolphins offshore, blue rock thrushes (Malta's national bird), Mediterranean chameleons in covered areas, and major migratory bird flyways crossing the islands each spring and autumn. Iconic locations have the Blue Lagoon at Comino, Golden Bay, St. Peter's Pool and the Dwejra coast on Gozo.
Here is the short of it. We work with skilled Maltese marine and wildlife cinematographers and set up permits through the Malta Film Commission, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and Transport Malta. Our team handles vessel access around Comino, Gozo and the main island, dive operators for Mediterranean reef and wreck sites, and the iconic Malta Film Studios water tanks—one of the largest in Europe—for controlled marine shoots.
Capabilities
Wildlife Services
Specialist marine and wildlife cinematography for documentaries and productions.
01
Marine Filming
- Underwater cinematography
- Surface filming
- Marine life documentation
- Coastal environments
- Mediterranean Sea
Ocean Expertise
02
Wildlife
- Bird cinematography
- Migratory species work
- Remote camera traps
- Hide photography
- Animal behavior
Natural Behavior
03
Production
- Specialist crews
- Water tank stages
- Long-lens work
- Slow-motion capture
- Macro photography
Expert Teams
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Locations
- Blue Lagoon (Comino)
- Golden Bay
- St. Peter's Pool
- Dwejra (Gozo)
- Dingli Cliffs
Maltese Habitats
Natural History Expertise
Capabilities
Our Process
Species Research
Knowing your target species, behaviors, and optimal filming conditions.
Location Planning
Identifying the best Maltese locations and seasons for your wildlife subjects.
Production
Patient filming with pro gear to capture natural behaviors.
Post & Delivery
Processing footage with appropriate grading and sound design.
On Location
Our marine and wildlife crews film across Malta and Gozo's Mediterranean shores — loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, the blue rock thrush and the spring and autumn migratory flyways crossing the islands.
Here is how this works in practice. We work with skilled Maltese marine and wildlife cinematographers and handle the access and permits the work needs, setting up through the Malta Film Commission, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and Transport Malta. Our team manages vessel access around Comino, Gozo and the main island, partners with dive operators for Mediterranean reef and wreck sites, and books the water tanks at Malta Film Studios in Kalkara for controlled marine sequences when natural conditions cannot deliver them on schedule.
Here is the short of it. Malta's compactness is a real advantage for nature work, where timing and patience matter: a crew can cover a turtle nesting beach, an offshore dolphin pod and a clifftop bird hide within a short radius, repositioning in minutes rather than hours. We plan around animal behaviour and covered-area rules, supply hides, long-lens packages and underwater housings, and brief crews on the conservation sensitivities of filming threatened Mediterranean species.
Here is the breakdown. Malta's central-Mediterranean position makes it a genuine wildlife filming location. Loggerhead sea turtles nest on Maltese beaches, bottlenose dolphins move offshore, Mediterranean chameleons inhabit covered areas, and the blue rock thrush — the national bird — holds the cliffs, while major migratory flyways cross the islands each spring and autumn. The settings are striking: the Blue Lagoon at Comino, Golden Bay, St Peter's Pool and the Dwejra coast on Gozo, where the clear, warm Mediterranean water that makes Malta a renowned diving destination also rewards underwater natural-history work.
Here is what that looks like on the ground. The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and Heritage Malta govern covered-area access, with the Malta Film Commission acting as a one-stop liaison. As an EU member where English is universally spoken, permit planning stays straightforward, and a cash rebates of up to 40% on eligible expenditure supports the extended, patient schedules wildlife filming demands.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What marine filming can you do in Malta?
Here is the breakdown. Malta sits at the heart of the Mediterranean and gives top clarity for underwater work. The Blue Lagoon at Comino, Golden Bay, St. Peter's Pool and the Dwejra coast on Gozo are iconic locations with reef life, posidonia meadows and historic wrecks. Bottlenose and striped dolphins are filmed offshore, and loggerhead sea turtles nest on Maltese beaches. Malta Film Studios also gives two large water tanks—one of the largest facilities in Europe.
What wildlife is available in Malta?
Here is what that looks like on the ground. Malta's wildlife is shaped by its central Mediterranean position. The blue rock thrush is the national bird. Mediterranean chameleons live in covered garigue habitats. And the islands are a key waypoint on bird migration routes between Europe and Africa, with raptors, herons and warblers passing through each spring and autumn. Loggerhead sea turtles and dolphins represent the marine fauna.
Do you have specialized wildlife crews?
Here is how the picture comes together. Yes, we work with skilled Maltese marine and wildlife cinematographers. Many have credits with global shoots that have used Malta's water tanks and coastal locations (Gladiator, Troy, Game of Thrones) and bring deep knowledge of both marine work and Mediterranean migratory bird filming.
What about permits for protected species and sites?
Here is what we have to work with. Filming megalithic temples, Valletta and other heritage sites needs permits from the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. Maritime filming permits come through Transport Malta, and covered species work needs site-level planning. The Malta Film Commission can help all permits—lead times of around 10 business days are typical.
Can you provide underwater filming?
Here is the layout. Yes, we give pro dive shooting with RED, ARRI and Sony cameras in housings. Our divers are skilled in Malta's top Mediterranean visibility, working safely with sea turtles, reef life and historic wreck sites. The Malta Film Studios water tanks are also ready for controlled large-scale marine sequences.
What's the best season for wildlife filming in Malta?
Here is how the work shapes up. Sea conditions are best May to October, with peak underwater visibility in summer. Loggerhead turtle nesting happens June to August. Bird migration peaks in March-May and September-October. And the spring wildflower bloom (March-April) adds rich landscape footage. Winter gives dramatic seas and migrating raptors.
Related Services
Productions in Malta that need this often pair it with Night Vision Filming, Thermal Imaging, and Underwater Lighting for full coverage. Most projects also draw on Underwater Camera Operators and Documentary & Docuseries Production.
On Set
Planning Wildlife Filming?
Tell us about your wildlife project and we'll help capture Malta's natural beauty.