Private Day Sailing Boat Charter

The best part of this Malta charter is simple: you set the mood for the day. Your skipper can take you toward Comino, St. Paul’s Islands, and quieter swimming spots, then adjust the route for wind, sea conditions, and your group’s wishes. You get lagoons, sea caves, and open-water views without being tied to a fixed group schedule.

I like the mix of private space and practical water gear. The boat includes snorkelling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, fuel, and water, so you can swim, paddle, sunbathe, or simply sit back. I also like the skippers’ personal touch. David, Terry, Nick, Steve, Maurizio, Josh, and others are praised for tailoring routes, sharing Maltese stories, and helping families and couples enjoy the day.

The main thing to consider is time. The charter lasts about 8.5 hours, but part of that is spent sailing between locations, leaving roughly three to four hours for stops if you follow a broad route. Start on time, and think carefully before spending your best swimming hours at the crowded Blue Lagoon.

Key points to know before booking

• Kalkara Marina is the starting point: You meet at Pontoon F in Valletta Grand Harbour and return there at the end.
• Comino is the main prize: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and quieter bays form the heart of the day.
• Your skipper shapes the route: Captains such as David, Terry, Nick, Steve, Maurizio, Josh, and Yuri have tailored days around swimming, sailing, food, and family needs.
• Water activities are included: Snorkelling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, and free-flowing water come with the charter.
• Food costs extra: You can add a barbecue meal, but bringing your own cold lunch and drinks may save money and time.
• The price is per group of up to two: At $707.44, it makes the most sense for a couple or a small private occasion, though you should ask about rates for a larger group.

Why a private boat is the smart way to see Comino

Malta’s coast is best understood from the water. From a yacht, you see the stone walls of Valletta and the Three Cities from a fresh angle, pass the Sliema waterfront, and watch the coast open out toward St. Paul’s Islands and Comino.

A private charter gives you something a ferry cannot: control. You are not limited to one landing point, one lunch break, or one crowded swimming area. If the Blue Lagoon is packed, your skipper can move you to a quieter bay. If your group wants more time in the water, you can reduce the sightseeing. If you prefer to sail, sunbathe, and talk, the day can be slower.

That flexibility is especially useful for couples, families, and small groups with different ideas of a good day. One person can paddleboard while another snorkels. Children can swim from the boat or try the paddleboards, while adults enjoy the views and a cold drink.

The boat is private, but the listed price is for up to two people. At $707.44 per group, this is a premium outing for a couple. For a special birthday, honeymoon, engagement, or anniversary, the privacy may justify the cost. For a larger family, the operator has accommodated groups of four to eight, but you should confirm the current price and boat capacity before paying.

Leaving Kalkara and entering Valletta Grand Harbour

The day begins at Sailing Charters Malta Marina, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390. Kalkara sits inside Valletta Grand Harbour, one of the most striking parts of Malta, and the opening and closing passages are part of the experience rather than mere transport.

Allow yourself time to enjoy the harbour at the end. One couple nearly missed the final views while gathering their belongings. That is good advice: keep your camera and attention ready as the yacht returns past the historic waterfront and harbour fortifications.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you must arrange your own way to Kalkara. The meeting point is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not promise a transfer service. Some skippers or staff have helped arrange taxis, yet you should treat that as extra assistance, not a standard inclusion.

The charter returns to the same marina. The published duration is approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes, so plan most of your day around it.

Sailing north past Sliema and St. Paul’s Islands

The usual route heads north. You pass the Sliema seafront, leave the busier harbour waters, and continue toward St. Paul’s Islands and Comino.

This part of the day gives you a chance to settle into the boat. It is also where the private format can feel most valuable. Your skipper may explain what you are passing, talk about Malta’s coastal life, or suggest how to use the available time. Captains named by past customers include David, Terry, Nick, Steve, Maurizio, Josh, Yuri, Niki, and James.

The level of commentary can vary by captain and by how much conversation your group wants. One person specifically wished for more information about Maltese culture during the sailing sections, while others praised captains for telling stories and explaining landmarks. If local history and geography matter to you, say so at the start.

The crew’s first duty is safe handling of the yacht, so the skipper may not provide a running lecture every minute. Sit near the cockpit when you want to chat, rather than spending the whole trip far forward on the bow.

Crystal Lagoon: one hour in clear water

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about an hour and is one of the day’s main swimming stops. The water is known for its striking color, and the setting works well for a quick swim, snorkelling, and photos from the boat.

The included snorkelling equipment means you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. Two stand-up paddleboards are also provided, adding an active option for anyone who wants more than a swim.

The exact stop depends on conditions and the skipper’s judgment. The crew may anchor where the water is calm and safe rather than forcing the yacht into a particular position. That is a sensible tradeoff: you might not get as close to shore as you imagined, but you can still enjoy the water from the boat.

An hour passes quickly. If your group wants a relaxed lunch, long swim, and paddleboarding session, tell the skipper before the route is fixed. The private format gives you room to adjust, but it does not create extra daylight.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and often busy

Blue Lagoon is scheduled for about two hours, making it the longest named stop. The water is a major draw, but this is also the place where expectations matter most.

The lagoon can be crowded, especially around the shore and the usual ferry access points. A yacht lets you see the famous water without standing among the shore crowds, and your skipper can look for a calmer position. Still, the lagoon itself is popular, and you may see plenty of other boats.

One useful strategy is to visit Blue Lagoon separately by ferry if it is a must-see, then use the private charter for quieter bays and coastal spots that are harder to reach. That way, you do not spend the limited private sailing time simply checking off Malta’s most famous swimming stop.

Another option is to ask for a short visit or a pass-by if conditions are poor or jellyfish are present. One couple chose to keep their Blue Lagoon visit brief because of jellyfish and heavy activity, then spent more time at less crowded places.

The skipper should help you judge the day. On a quieter weekday, you may find a comfortable anchorage. On a busy summer day, the value of the charter lies in moving away from the main concentration of boats.

St. Paul’s Bay and the story of the shipwreck

The itinerary allows about 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Bay, traditionally identified as the place where St. Paul was shipwrecked.

This is a shorter stop than the lagoons, so think of it as a scenic and historical pause rather than a long beach visit. Your skipper can point out the setting and explain its connection with Malta. If you want more detail, ask directly, since the amount of commentary depends on the captain and your group’s interests.

The bay also helps break up the northbound route. You get a different view of Malta’s coast, with an important religious and historical association, before the yacht returns toward Valletta Grand Harbour.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of lunch

The base charter includes taxes, fuel, the skipper and guide, water, and snorkelling equipment. It does not include food or drinks beyond the supplied water.

A barbecue can be added, and several captains have prepared meals featuring items such as swordfish. A Maltese platter is another option mentioned by families. The boat barbecue can make the day feel like a proper celebration, especially if you are marking a birthday or honeymoon.

There is a practical downside. Cooking and eating take time that could otherwise be spent swimming or sailing. One couple found the lunch expensive and preferred the idea of bringing a cold meal and wine or prosecco. The operator allows you to bring your own food and drinks, which gives you a useful way to control both cost and timing.

Ask about the menu price before booking the meal. If you choose the barbecue, treat lunch as part of the experience, not a quick snack between stops. If your priority is water time, pack food that is easy to eat at anchor.

What the boat day feels like for families and couples

Couples get the most obvious benefit: a private setting, quiet time, and room to shape the route around swimming and scenery. Honeymoon couples have used the charter for a full day on the water, and captains have helped create a relaxed, personal atmosphere.

Families can also make good use of the boat. Children have been invited to try sailing, fish, swim, and paddleboard, and captains have helped when a child felt queasy. One family with children aged 11 and 2 and a half found enough variety to keep both children occupied.

The boat is not an amusement park. You need to be comfortable with a long day at sea and with changing conditions. The sea can be choppy, even when a lagoon is calm. If someone in your group is prone to motion sickness, mention it before departure and ask the captain about the best place to sit.

The supplied details state that most people can participate, there is no minimum age requirement, and the activity is private. One captain also helped a passenger with mobility issues get on and off the boat. Still, you should discuss your exact mobility needs with the operator before booking, since yacht access can vary.

Timing matters more than the schedule suggests

A 10 a.m. start may sound close enough to a 9 a.m. departure, but on a long charter it can cost you useful swimming time. The route includes sailing from Kalkara to the northern coast, stops at several bays, and the return through Valletta Grand Harbour.

I would arrive ready to board and avoid treating the start time as flexible. The best hours often pass quickly once you combine sailing, anchoring, swimming, lunch, and moving between bays.

Tell the skipper your priorities early:

• Spend more time swimming
• Visit Blue Lagoon
• Avoid crowded areas
• Have a barbecue
• Sail as much as possible
• Keep the route easy for children
• Hear more about Maltese history and coastal landmarks

The more specific you are, the easier it is for the captain to build a useful plan.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For any other cancellation or amendment, the payment is non-refundable and cannot be changed, so check your plans carefully before booking.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel, since the central activities are swimming, snorkelling, and paddleboarding. Food and drinks are your responsibility unless you arrange the optional barbecue. Water is provided.

The route is not fixed in stone. Weather, sea conditions, crowd levels, and your preferences all matter. A skilled skipper may shorten one stop to reach a calmer or quieter bay, which is usually a better day than following the printed plan rigidly.

Is $707.44 good value for two?

For two people, this is an expensive day, but it is not comparable to a standard ferry ride. You are paying for a private yacht, a skipper, fuel, equipment, flexibility, and a full day on the coast.

The price makes the strongest sense when privacy matters. A honeymoon couple, a birthday pair, or anyone who dislikes crowded boats may find the premium worthwhile. You also avoid the fixed pace of a public excursion and can bring your own food.

The value is weaker if your only goal is Blue Lagoon. Ferries and public boats can get you there for much less. The private charter earns its price when you use it for what public transport cannot provide: quiet anchorages, route changes, personalised sailing, and time away from the main crowds.

For a larger group, the per-person cost may become more attractive, but the advertised rate is for up to two. Ask Sailing Charters Malta Ltd for the correct rate and capacity before assuming the couple’s price applies to four, six, or eight people.

Should you book this Malta sailing charter?

Book it if you want a full private day on the water and care more about freedom than the lowest price. It is particularly well suited to couples, families, and small celebrations, with enough equipment and route flexibility to keep different ages happy.

I would book it with three requests: start promptly, ask for quieter bays, and decide in advance whether the barbecue is worth the lost swimming time. If Blue Lagoon is your only target, choose a cheaper public option and save your money.

If you want Comino’s lagoons, Malta’s harbour views, swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding, and a skipper who can adjust the day around you, this is a strong choice. The best version of the charter is not a rushed checklist. It is a carefully paced day that uses the yacht’s privacy to get away from the busiest water.

FAQ

Where does the private sailing charter begin?

It begins at Sailing Charters Malta Marina, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390, Malta.

Where does the charter end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Kalkara Marina.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately 8 hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the charter cost?

The listed price is $707.44 per group of up to two people.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is food included?

Food is not included in the base price. You can arrange an optional barbecue meal or bring your own food and drinks.

Are drinks included?

Free-flowing water is included. Other drinks are not included.

What equipment is provided?

The charter provides snorkelling equipment and two stand-up paddleboards.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you must make your own way to Kalkara Marina.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Other cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.

Is there a minimum age?

No minimum age requirement is stated. The activity information says most people can participate.