Why a Catamaran Is Usually the Right Call in Malta
Malta’s water was more or less designed for catamarans. The summer sea is calm, the passages between Malta, Comino, and Gozo are short, and the kind of day people actually want (anchor up, swim, eat, swim again) suits a wide stable boat far better than a heeling monohull. If your group has more than four people, a catamaran is almost always the better choice.
The twin hulls keep the boat flat. That matters more than people realise. Children stay calm, anyone prone to seasickness stays comfortable, and you can move around the deck without holding onto something. The wide beam gives you a proper saloon below, more cabins than a monohull of the same length, and a forward trampoline that becomes the most popular spot on the boat the moment you drop anchor.
Split between 10 friends, a day on a catamaran often comes out cheaper per head than buying a seat on a packed party boat. And it’s a much better day.
What a Day on a Catamaran Charter Looks Like
A typical Malta catamaran charter leaves Sliema, St Julian’s, or Msida around 9am and gets back in the late afternoon. If the wind cooperates you’ll sail. If it doesn’t, you’ll motor. Either way, the size of the boat means people aren’t on top of each other. There’s room to eat, swim, snorkel, and just sit in the sun without anyone feeling crowded.
Most charter catamarans in Malta comfortably hold 8 to 14 guests for a day trip. Smaller sport cats work for groups of four to six. Larger performance cats and live-aboards take 12 or more across multiple cabins.
Skippered charters are what most people book. Your skipper handles the navigation, the anchoring, and the local knowledge of where to actually go. Bareboat hire is available if you have an ICC or equivalent qualification.
Where You’ll Likely End Up
The Blue Lagoon at Comino is the headline stop on almost every catamaran trip in Malta, and there’s a good reason. The water sits at about 3 metres over white sand and the colour is genuinely striking. Get there in the morning before the crowds and it’s one of the best swimming spots in the Mediterranean.
The Blue Grotto on the south coast is a different experience, a series of sea caves cut into the cliffs where catamarans usually anchor outside while passengers swim in or take the tender. It’s worth doing once.
For full-day or multi-day trips, Gozo opens up. The Inland Sea at Dwejra is dramatic from the water, and the quieter bays on the north side of Gozo are excellent overnight anchorages. St Peter’s Pool near Marsaxlokk is a natural rocky lido, popular for jumping and snorkelling. The Grand Harbour run past Valletta’s fortifications is included on most half-day routes and it’s genuinely impressive from the sea.
What Catamaran Hire in Malta Costs
Prices in Malta vary by season more than people expect. A skippered half-day (4 hours) runs roughly €300 to €450 in low season (April through June and October) and €400 to €600 in high season (July through September). A full skippered day is €500 to €800 in low season, €700 to €1,100 in peak. Bareboat full-day rates are a bit lower, generally €350 to €650 in low season and €550 to €900 in summer. Multi-day live-aboard charters work out to around €600 to €950 a day in low season and up to €1,400 a day in peak.
Skipper fees, where not bundled, usually run €150 to €250 a day on top.
What’s Included and What Isn’t
Charter rates almost always include safety equipment, snorkel gear, the anchor and mooring lines, the skipper (on skippered trips), and a chart plotter. Fuel is usually charged separately at cost, which is fair. Food, drinks, harbour fees, optional watersports gear, and marine park fees are extras you’d budget for separately.
Common Questions
For skippered charters you don’t need a boat licence. The skipper holds the qualifications. Bareboat hire requires an ICC or equivalent. Most charter catamarans take 8 to 14 passengers on day trips. The best months are late May through June, and September through early October. The water is warm, the sun is reliable, and you’ll pay less than in peak summer.
To book, browse the catamaran fleet below, pick your date and charter type, and submit an enquiry or instant booking. Bring sun cream, a hat, swimwear, deck-friendly shoes, food for your group, and something light for the ride home in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a catamaran in Malta?
A skippered half-day catamaran charter runs €300 to €450 in low season and €400 to €600 in high season. A full skippered day costs €500 to €800 in low season and up to €1,100 in peak summer. Bareboat full days are slightly cheaper. Multi-day live-aboard charters work out to €600 to €1,400 per day depending on season and boat size.
Do I need a licence to charter a catamaran in Malta?
For skippered catamaran charters you don’t need a boat licence — the skipper holds the qualifications and handles the boat. Bareboat hire requires an ICC (International Certificate of Competence) or equivalent qualification, and operators will ask to see your certificate and may also ask about your previous catamaran experience.
Where do catamaran charters depart from in Malta?
Most catamaran charters in Malta depart from Sliema, St Julian’s, or Msida marina on the east coast. A small number operate out of Mgarr harbour on Gozo. The standard day itinerary heads north toward Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with an option to extend along the Gozo coast on full-day or multi-day trips.
When is the best time of year to hire a catamaran in Malta?
Late May through June and September through early October are the best months for a catamaran day trip. The water is warm, the sun is reliable, and prices sit below the July–August peak. May through October is the main season overall. Winter charters are possible but conditions are unpredictable and most operators wind down between November and March.