Malta Catamaran Charters

Malta Catamaran Charters hires out private boats with a skipper to groups who want a day or an evening on the water without any sailing experience. Every charter is private, so the boat carries only your party, and every price is for the whole boat rather than per person. From a family trip to the Blue Lagoon to a hen party for 45 friends, the choice of vessels is wide enough to match most group sizes.

The business has been running for more than twelve years, beginning as a small family business and growing into one of the larger catamaran charter operators in Malta. Boats leave from Roland Marina in Ta' Xbiex, or from a base at Tigné Seafront in Sliema, and the people who run it will help you choose a boat, a route and a time of day.

The fleet: nine boats for every group size

The line up runs from an eight guest RIB to a catamaran for 45 guests. Chiquita, a Fountaine Pajot Lavezzi 40 with four cabins, and Cicciolina Mia, a Lagoon 380, each take 14 guests and cost €900 for a full day or €600 for an evening. Both are among the most requested boats and can fill early in summer, and Cicciolina Mia is a favourite for weddings and anniversaries.

Pupa Mia was the company's first catamaran and takes 20 guests, with up to five more at €25 each, for €1,200 a day or €850 for an evening. Siesta Mia takes 25, with five more possible, at €1,300 or €950, and Angelina Mia takes 22, with five more, at €1,300 or €850. Bowie, a Lagoon 42, carries 20 and has air conditioning, a generator and a water maker, which makes it the most comfortable choice in the heat. It is chartered for full days only, at €1,200.

For big parties there is Playtime, an F40 catamaran for 45 guests, with room for ten more at €25 each. A full day costs €1,900 and an evening €1,200. Groups larger than that can book two or three boats together. Shirina Mia is the sailing option: a 45 foot Elan Impression 45 for up to 10 guests at €700 for a day or €400 for a sunset, aimed at people who would rather sail than motor. Extra guests on the catamarans cost €25 each.

Day charters, sunset cruises and special occasions

A day charter runs for about eight hours, usually from 10am to 6pm, and leaves time for sailing, swimming, snorkelling and lunch at anchor. A sunset or evening charter is shorter, roughly two to four hours on the sailing yacht, and is timed around the golden hour. You agree the route with the skipper, and the weather on the day and your group's wishes decide where you stop. Guests are welcome to name a bay or a sight they have in mind, and the skipper will say whether conditions allow it.

The same boats are used for corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries and proposals. Sound systems on board connect to a phone by Bluetooth, and DJs can bring their own equipment on some boats if they warn the team in advance. Playtime is the boat recommended for stag and hen parties, and you can see the sort of celebration it hosts in the photographs on this page. A BBQ on board or a food and drink package can be added when you book, and for larger groups the team can arrange catering. If you would rather bring your own food and drinks, that is fine too, but remember ice.

Where the boats go

Comino's Blue Lagoon is the most popular day trip, with swimming and snorkelling in shallow turquoise water. Our Blue Lagoon guide explains when it is calmer and what to expect there. Many skippers also include the neighbouring Crystal Lagoon, and some day charters combine the lagoon with the sea caves and the south coast near the Blue Grotto.

Gozo is within easy reach for a full day. The boats can anchor off the rugged coast, and the company's skipper, Captain Charlie, who has more than 25 years of professional sailing behind him, tracks the daily weather so that he can suggest sheltered, quiet bays. Our Gozo guide will help you decide which towns and sights to visit once ashore.

In the evening, a cruise around Valletta and the Three Cities shows the bastions lit up from the water. Our guide to Valletta and our Three Cities guide cover what you are looking at, and a swim from the boat is a good contrast to a day of sightseeing. For more beach ideas without a boat, see the best beaches in Malta.

What is included and what to bring

The charter price includes tax, the skipper and fuel, so you do not need a boating licence. Every catamaran and the sailing yacht carry a stand-up paddleboard. Most boats have a cooler box, a Bluetooth speaker, a bathroom and a shower, and life jackets are available for every passenger including children.

Food and drink are not included as standard. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, snacks, drinks, ice and, if you want to snorkel, your own mask and fins. A hat and water shoes are sensible too. The RIB, a Turismo 710 for eight guests, is hired from €500 for the day without a skipper, with fuel charged on consumption and a refundable €200 security deposit. For bareboat hire you need an ICC, an RYA Day Skipper certificate or a Transport Malta nautical licence, and you receive a full briefing on the boat, local waters and safe anchorages before leaving.

Booking, deposits and the weather

Booking takes three steps: choose a date, pay a deposit of €200, then pay the balance on the day of the charter. If the wind reaches Force 5 or above and the charter is cancelled, the €200 deposit is refunded in full. Tell the team your exact numbers when you book, so that the right safety equipment and any catering can be arranged. Because the best boats are busy through the summer, book as early as you can, and if your boat is taken the team will point you to the closest match for your group size.

There is an end of season offer of 15% off charters made before 31 December 2026 for sailings up to the end of that year, applying to the charter price only and not to extras such as the BBQ. Our Malta weather guide shows which months suit a boat day best, and our list of things to do in Malta has ideas for the rest of your stay.

Finding the boats and getting in touch

The main boarding point is the Pontoon D gate at Roland Marina on Marina Road in Ta' Xbiex, which is a short distance from Gżira and Sliema. The Sliema base is on Tigné Seafront, and departure from either is at no extra cost. The pontoon gate has a sign to look for when you arrive, so finding your boat is straightforward. A pickup and drop off service is available, and boat pickups from Buġibba or Gozo can be arranged. If you are looking for somewhere to stay nearby, see our hotels in Sliema.

The company is listed in our directory of boat charter in Malta, where you can compare other operators. To ask about dates, boats or a special occasion, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Malta Catamaran Charters, who will reply to you directly.