Charter A Boat

Yes, this is Malta! A small sunshine island with sunshine island activities – like sailing! Boat charters here may not quite be as common as taking a cab home but they’re certainly not unusual, are a great way to spend a day as a couple, family or big group and they’re a very real option for you to consider.

They are also a good way to find out, just for a short time, how the other half lives. You know, those millionaires with the kind of bank balance that runs to many figures and is ample to support their own ocean going vessel. Most of us are not in that position but hell, we can pretend can’t we, for a day?

If you are in a group, then the bigger it is the more the costs per head, per couple or per family come spiralling down. And a boat charter is a great chance for you all to spend a memorable day together. 

Typically, unless you have fairly extensive sailing qualifications, you will get a skipper provided, who will take you on a trip out for the best part of a day. They  pick you up from a pre-determined venue and take you on a tour of various beauty spots, usually focusing around the island of Comino, which is much quieter than Malta. 

On this voyage, your boat (“Your boat!” – you’ll never get tired of hearing that!) will stop at popular inlets and bays such as the Blue Lagoon, where anyone who fancies it can leap into the crystal clear aquamarine sea. The sight of the hull’s shadow crawling along the seabed beneath the clear water makes it seem like you’re floating in air rather than on the sea, making this a truly memorable experience.

At some point in the day, the boat normally moors up off the coast of Comino and the captain will bring out a barbecue to rustle up your lunch. This may vary according to your particular agreement with the boat’s owner, but in many cases the food will be included in the price. You will need to take your own drinks but these will be stashed away in a cooler on the boat ready for when you need them.

Those with very large bank balances can charter a boat for more than a day trip and that allows you to sail out deep into the Mediterranean and spend a night on board. It’s certainly not cheap but makes a magnificent addition to a tranquil and relaxing holiday.

You’ll find a great range of boats are available on the island - from motor yachts to catamarans - even a traditional Maltese luzzu. Prices for these all vary considerably but as a rough guide, a group of eight can charter a luxury motor yacht for around €800 per day. When you divide that up then suddenly it’s not too much to pay for one of the most memorable experiences of your holiday!

One established compant with a range of boats and packages to cater for all your charter needs is Boatcare of St Julian's. Contact details are given below.