SUP Stars Malta

SUP Stars Malta is a paddleboard outfit that takes small groups out onto Maltese water to see caves, quiet coves and the Valletta shoreline from board height. It was founded in 2020 by an instructor who has lived on the island for over a decade, and the programme runs from a 90 minute first lesson to a six hour day trip with a boat to Comino.

For a UK visitor, stand up paddleboarding is one of the gentlest ways to get properly afloat: you stand on a wide, stable board, use a single paddle and move at your own pace. You do not need previous experience, and the team supplies the boards, paddles, leashes and life jackets. Our directory of water sports in Malta lists other ways to get on the sea if you want to compare.

What stand up paddleboarding is like in Malta

SUP combines the calm of being on the water with a steady full body workout that is easy on the joints. A board lets you slip into spots that boats and walkers cannot easily reach, such as sea caves and narrow inlets.

The team points to visibility of up to 30 metres, a long run of sunny days and warm water from May to October. Mornings tend to bring the calmest seas, which is why many sessions start early. If you are choosing your dates, our Malta weather guide shows what each month feels like, and our guide to the best beaches in Malta is useful for planning swim stops around your paddle.

The tours you can book

The programme covers a range of routes and levels. The shortest is a 90 minute introduction for complete beginners at €29, a good way to learn balance, paddling technique and basic sea safety before trying a longer trip. A city style tour around Manoel Island, a filming location for Game of Thrones, shows the Valletta coastline from the water in about two hours and is aimed at first timers.

Cave routes include the three hour Blue Grotto adventure at €55, which explores the famous arch and its seven chambers and offers good snorkelling. Our Blue Grotto guide explains the area from land. On the north west coast, the Gnejna Bay to Ta' Marija Caves paddle is €40, with the last session of the day timed for sunset. The Mistra Bay and St Paul's Island tour is €49 for three hours and finishes with a snorkelling break at the island linked with the Apostle Paul's shipwreck.

Most routes suit all levels, though the boat trips ask for a basic level of paddling. Tours generally take about three hours, and short breaks to rest on the board or swim are built in. Swimming and snorkelling are unguided parts of the trip and are done at your own risk.

Boat trip and paddle to Comino

The longest options combine a boat with paddling. Guests board Sinbad, a refurbished boat that sails from Marfa to the Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon on Comino, with time to swim, snorkel, explore caves and paddle through the turquoise water. The half day trip lasts four hours and costs €75, and the full day lasts six hours and costs €89.

There are two ticket types. The Adventure ticket includes a guided SUP session of about an hour and a half on the half day trip and about two and a half hours on the full day. The Leisure ticket is the boat experience without paddling, for people who would rather swim, snorkel or relax on board. Both include soft drinks and a light Maltese snack, and snorkelling gear is provided. Read our Blue Lagoon guide for what to expect on the island itself.

Free cancellation on the boat trips applies up to 72 hours before departure, and bad weather brings a full refund.

What is included and what to bring

Every tour includes the board, paddle, leash and life jacket, an introduction to basic paddling and an instructor who stays with the group throughout. Professional photos and short videos are taken during the session and shared online at no extra cost.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water and a hat. Aqua shoes are optional, and the Blue Grotto session asks guests to arrive 15 minutes early.

Who can join, and the small print

Groups are capped at eight people so that each guest gets attention, although larger parties of up to 28 can be catered for with extra guides. Guests should be reasonably fit and able to swim, and life jackets mean that flatwater trips can be enjoyed by less confident swimmers while open water routes need confident swimming.

The usual minimum age is 14, with some shorter tours open to 12 year olds, accompanied by a parent if under 18. Children aged 8 to 14 can take part in one to one training with an adult. Boards are rated for guests of about 100 to 120 kg depending on the tour, and tours are not recommended for people with back pain or for pregnant women. Boards are for individual use only, and the team does not rent them out.

Weather decides the plan. If conditions are unsafe, tours are cancelled with notice and guests can reschedule or take a refund, and on some days the route or launch point changes. Standard cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead, while certain tours state 48 hours.

Private groups and where you meet

Tailor made private tours are available for birthdays, anniversaries and corporate team events, with discounts for groups and special occasions. Tours run in English and Hungarian, and other languages may be arranged on request.

Launch points vary by route, and you are sent the meeting point after booking. For pairing a paddle with sightseeing, see our Valletta guide, our overview of things to do in Malta and our list of hotels in Sliema, which is handy for the harbour tours.

To ask about a date, a private tour or a lesson, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to SUP Stars Malta.