Kayak Tours Malta

Kayak Tours Malta is a small guided paddling operator working from Mistra Bay on the north coast, close to Xemxija in the St Paul's Bay area. It began as a way to spend sunny Sundays with friends and, under its founder Alan, grew into a full-time venture that has been operating since 2017. The focus is on a personal, unhurried tour that suits people who have never held a paddle, whether they come as individuals, families, groups of friends or colleagues.

You can find it in our directory of water sports in Malta. The north coast around it is described in our Mellieħa guide.

What a kayak tour involves

The main product is a guided sea kayak tour of around two and a half hours, priced at €39 per person. It begins with a basic lesson and kitting up, which takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes, followed by about two hours on the water. The route explores secluded coastline and sea caves, and the pace is relaxed. The group stops several times to rest, take photographs and look around, and some tours include a swim stop or a short break on land.

The price includes the kayak, paddle, float vest, a dry bag for each kayak and digital photographs, which are emailed a day or two afterwards, together with the guidance of qualified guides. Guests are asked to bring two litres of water each, shoes that can get wet, sun protection and a light snack, plus a towel and spare clothes in the colder months. You will get wet as you paddle. The kayaks are very stable sit-on-top boats about 4.5 metres long, and the fleet has eleven doubles and four singles.

Who can join

Beginners are the main audience, and many guests are first-timers. You do need to be able to swim, because the business cannot take non-swimmers even though a float vest is supplied. A general guide to fitness is that you should be able to manage a brisk two-hour walk with breaks, though no walking is involved in the tour itself.

Children aged eight and over can take part when accompanied by two adults. A child can use the main seat of a kayak at the adult price of €39, or sit in the middle seat of a tandem kayak as a non-paddling guest, with the total for two adults and a child set at €95. Weight limits apply: 250kg combined on a double kayak and 100kg for a single rider. Well-socialised dogs may also come along and ride for free, and the team asks owners to bring a float vest and arrive 15 minutes early so the dog can get used to the kayak on land.

Weather, location and getting there

If conditions are unsuitable, the tour is moved to a more sheltered bay. If that is not enough, the event is cancelled and refunded in full within 24 hours. You can check seasonal conditions in our Malta weather guide.

Mistra Bay is reached most quickly by taxi or ride-hailing app. By public bus you can get off near the Xemxija fire station, or at another stop before the Mellieħa hill, but both involve a walk of around a kilometre, including rough ground and steep rock-cut steps at one of them, so many visitors prefer a short taxi ride from Xemxija. For somewhere to stay nearby, see hotels in Qawra and St Paul's Bay and hotels in Mellieħa.

Team building and private groups

The business also hosts company and group events for up to about 26 guests at a time, and can run several sessions back to back or work with other operators for larger groups. The tour can include kayak games that are collaborative or lightly competitive, and fresh cold fruit can be served at the land break on request. Private tours start from €39 per person for groups of 13 or more, and the team will quote for your preferred date, time and group size.

Many people combine a morning on the water with other north-coast outings. Our things to do in Malta guide and Popeye Village guide are good places to start, and nearby diving is available from Abyss Diving Club Bugibba.

How to enquire

Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page with your preferred date, group size and the ages of any children, and we will pass your message to Kayak Tours Malta.