Sailing Holiday Malta

A sailing holiday Malta is one of the easiest things to find. Although this is a tiny country, it has been an important seafaring nation for millennia since prehistoric mariners arrive more than 5,000 years ago and built some of the most important existing megalithic temples in the world. Most of the towns and villages along the coast are still home to traditional fishermen, and modern marinas are full of yachts available for skippered charter Malta travel itineraries or for bareboat cruises. If the latter kind of boat hire in Malta appeals to you, you can expect to pay a fairly sizable security deposit as well as to provide proof of your ability to handle the vessel on your own.

There is a difference between skippered charter Malta travel and fully crewed boating. Skippered means the vessel comes with a professional captain and you provide the labor of the crew, which can include hoisting sails, cooking in the galley, and general boat maintenance. Fully crewed boat hire in Malta is more expensive, and means you have both captain and professional crew. Some yachts are quite large and luxurious, and crews for these can include cabin attendants and wait staff. The most elegant will have gourmet chefs and fine onboard dining.

Some of these ships are mega yachts that can make you feel like an Onassis or a movie star, sailing into other glittering Mediterranean ports such as Nice and the Riviera, idyllic Greek Islands, and even the coast of Turkey. In fact, one of the mega yachts that sometimes makes port in Malta is the Christina O named for the Onassis daughter, and sleeping 36 guests plus a crew of 30. Less ambitious sailing on Malta will often take visitors to nearby Sicily, which is only 65 miles away.

Almost every sailing holiday Malta will begin in the large marinas of Sliema and St Julians, which are northern suburbs of the capital city of Valletta. There are also a few companies offering boat hire in Malta in the developing resorts around Mellieha on the northern tip of Malta Island as well as on nearby Gozo Island.

The best Gozo sailing holiday Malta companies will be found based in the Mgarr harbor, which is the island’s ferry port. It lies less than a mile from little Comino Island and about three miles north of Malta Island. Most of the boats here are used for sailing trips of three to seven days that cruise the coast of all three islands, looking for secluded beaches, the lively nightlife of Pacevile, and tours at various attractions. Some of these will also include scuba diving trips.

It is possible to enjoy a skippered charter Malta for a much shorter period of time during your vacations. Many smaller boats, including the traditional fishing luzzus, and sightseeing boats offer day excursions and short tours of places like Grand Harbour that last only the morning or afternoon. There are some larger party boats that cater sunset dinner and luncheon cruises. These are especially popular for those who come here for weddings and other special occasions. It is often possible to book these on site just by walking down to the harbor and negotiating with a vessel’s captain, but large catered events need to be booked in advance.