The Best Boat Trips In Malta

Discover this sun-drenched island by the sea

You haven’t seen Malta until you’ve seen it by sea. Though its ancient sites and gorgeous scenery certainly deserve your attention, the country also happens to host some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful caves, bays, lagoons, and beaches. Luckily, there’s no shortage of boat trips in Malta for those whose yen for exploration skews to the maritime. boat trips in MaltaFrom a Grand Harbour cruise to the lofty Dingli Cliffs to the vibrant Marsaxlokk Fish Market, these destinations are best approached on water (just be sure to disembark for a paddle when you can – no one wants sea legs).

You can begin your aquatic adventures with the help of the Corinthia Hotel St. George’s Bay – after all, the hotel hosts its yacht charter, self-drive speed boats, and other private rentals. Otherwise, several other boat tours ferry visitors in everything from speedboats to old-fashioned schooners – even traditional luzzi (Maltese fishing boats). The bulk of boat trips in Malta disembark from Sliema Port, so you’ll also be perfectly situated to dive in – figuratively, at least.

Gozo And Comino

The ferry that journeys from the island of Malta to its next-door neighbour, Gozo (the two are but 20-minutes apart) is certainly among the most popular boat trips in Malta. But don’t stop there – be sure to tack on a visit to miniscule Comino Island, the third largest island in the archipelago and host to the exquisite Blue Lagoon (that name is no understatement). Follow the locals onto the ferry, then, or, for a more majestic impact, hop aboard a luxurious schooner.

The Grand Harbour

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980, Malta’s capital city of Valletta is framed by forts, its skyline punctured by picturesque domes and spires, its golden hue especially tawny under the Mediterranean sun. After you’ve wandered its alleys on foot, you can add another dimension to your sightseeing with a boat tour of the striking Grand Harbour. You’ll also be rewarded with views of ‘The Three Cities’ – Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea.

Marsaxlokk Fish Market

The most famous fishing village in all of Malta? It’s only logical to explore Marsaxlokk by boat. Known for its rainbow-hued fishing boats and its bounteous harvest of Mediterranean seafood, the village is especially lively on Sundays, when the weekly Marsaxlokk fish market is held. Hop into a traditional luzzu and dive into the fray.

All Around Malta

After the best boat trips in Malta? It’d be hard to argue with an itinerary that, well, goes all around Malta. Spend a day circumventing the petite isle and you’ll find yourself floating past the country’s best-known landmarks, from Anchor Bay to St. Paul’s Island (where the eponymous saint was shipwrecked nearly 2,000 years ago), from Valletta to Marsaxlokk, plus a mid-trip stop-off at the Blue Lagoon. If all that exploring tuckers you out, feel free to snooze in the sun.

The Dingli Cliffs

Like the White Cliffs of Dover with a tan, Malta’s famous Dingli Cliffs, the highest point on the island, consist of a 250-metre sheer drop down to the azure waves below. While ramblers up top can benefit from the vantage point, it’s hard to appreciate the true splendour of the cliffs unless you’re gawping up at them from the waters below. Several boat tours wend their way past this Maltese landmark, while charters offer another chance to see them up close.