Rima Cruises Malta

Rima Cruises Malta is a family run boat tour business in Marsaxlokk, the fishing village on Malta's south east coast. It takes small groups along the southern shoreline on traditional wooden Maltese boats, with an optional swim at St Peter's Pool, a sunset trip each evening and private charters. Departures are from Xatt is-Sajjieda in Marsaxlokk, and you can find the business among our directories of boat charter in Malta and tour operators in Malta.

Traditional boats and a local family

The boats are traditional Maltese craft, such as the colourful luzzu and the frejgatina, adapted for comfort and safety with a sunshade and life jackets. Rima Cruises draws on around 40 years of fishing and boating experience in the family, and the skipper on each trip is local and shares stories and tips about the coast.

Groups are kept small, which makes the trips feel personal rather than crowded. Along the route you also pass working Malta, with the ElectroGas power station, the floating gas storage ship and the cranes of the Freeport container terminal visible from the water, a contrast with the quiet bays that makes the outing more interesting. The experience suits couples, families and small groups of friends, and is relaxed in style rather than a fast ride.

The main boat trips from Marsaxlokk

The Three Bays Tour is the most popular outing. It lasts about one hour, with roughly 30 minutes of cruising each way, and passes San Lucjan Tower, Fort Delimara, Delimara Lighthouse, historic salt pans, tall cliffs, Kalanka Bay, Hofriet Bay and the Hofriet Cave, a sea cave only reachable by boat. A stop at St Peter's Pool is optional. If you take it, you stay for at least an hour or as long as you like, and a return pick-up time is agreed before you board.

The St Peter's Pool trip with a swimming stop follows the same route. A sightseeing run of around 30 minutes takes you to the pool, where you can swim, sunbathe and take photographs, and the boat collects you for a 30 minute return. Swimming depends on weather and sea conditions and may be changed or cancelled if it is unsafe. The sunset trip leaves daily at 19:00, lasts 70 minutes and covers the same landmarks in evening light.

Private charters are also offered, with tailor-made trips to suit your timetable, including a private option with lunch. Our guide to the Blue Grotto covers another famous sea cave in the south of the island, and our best beaches in Malta guide lists more places to swim.

Planning your day in Marsaxlokk

Marsaxlokk is known for its Sunday fish market, and the St Peter's Pool trip is suggested as a pairing: stroll the stalls and see the painted luzzus in the morning, then take the boat along the coast in the afternoon. Check in 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, because the boat leaves on time and late arrivals cannot be refunded or rescheduled.

Bring swimwear, a towel, water, a hat and reef-friendly sunscreen. Snorkel gear is not provided, so bring your own. Our weather guide for Malta helps you choose a month, and our guide to things to do in Malta has more ideas for the rest of your stay.

Booking, cancellation and getting in touch

Guests can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure and change the date or time up to 24 hours ahead, subject to availability. Cancellations inside 24 hours and no shows are not refunded. If the captain cancels because of weather or safety, you are offered a full refund or a later date. Prices are not printed on the pages we reviewed, so ask about current fares when you enquire.

To ask about a trip, a sunset departure or a private charter, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Rima Cruises Malta.