What a Gulet Actually Is
A gulet is a traditional Boat wooden sailing yacht. They’ve been built in the Aegean for hundreds of years for fishing and short coastal trade, and over the last few decades they’ve become one of the most popular charter boats in the Mediterranean. They’re slow, wide, comfortable, and they look beautiful on the water. If you want a boat that has actual character rather than a fibreglass production hull, a gulet is the answer.
In Malta, the gulet charter scene is smaller than in Turkey or Croatia, but several operators run quality wooden yachts out of Sliema and Msida. The boats range from 60 to 100 feet, take groups of 12 to 20 for day trips, and accommodate 6 to 12 guests for overnight charters across cabins below decks.
Why People Choose a Gulet Charter in Malta
Honestly? Atmosphere. A gulet doesn’t go fast and it doesn’t sail particularly well. What it does is provide a long, low, wide deck with cushions, shade, and proper space for a group to spread out across the day. The wooden detailing, the traditional rigging, and the slower pace make for a different kind of day from a sleek motor yacht or a performance catamaran.
Gulets are particularly good for groups that want to celebrate something. A wedding party, a milestone birthday, a corporate event where you want photos that look like they were taken in 1970s Bodrum rather than on a generic charter boat. The aesthetic is part of the product.
They’re also genuinely comfortable. The wide beam means stability at anchor, plenty of deck space for sunbathing, and below decks there’s usually a proper saloon with seating for everyone, plus cabins with en-suites for overnight trips.
A Gulet Day Trip in Malta
The typical gulet day in Malta starts around 10am, which is a bit later than other charter options because the boats simply move slower and the day works better at a relaxed pace. The route usually heads north along the coast to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with a long lunch at anchor, swimming and snorkelling off the back of the boat, and a slow return to harbour in the late afternoon.
Most gulet charters in Malta include lunch on board, prepared by the crew. This is one of the things that makes a gulet day distinctive. You eat at a long table on deck, with the boat at anchor in a quiet bay, while the crew clears and resets between courses. Drinks are usually included or charged at modest mark-up.
Multi-Day Gulet Trips
Where gulets really come into their own is on overnight trips. A 3 to 7 day cruise around Malta, Comino, and Gozo, with overnight anchorages in quiet bays and one or two nights at a marina, is a different kind of holiday from anything you’d do on a motor boat. The pace is slow, you cover less ground, but the days are longer and more relaxed.
Multi-day gulet charters typically include all meals, soft drinks, and basic alcohol. Premium drinks and special requests are extra. Cabins are usually doubles with en-suites, though some smaller gulets have shared bathrooms.
What Gulet Charter Malta Costs
Day charter on a typical Malta gulet (60 to 80 feet, 12 to 20 guests) runs roughly €1,200 to €2,500 in low season and €1,800 to €3,500 in high season. Lunch on board is usually included.
Weekly charters on a 70 to 90 foot gulet run €8,000 to €18,000 depending on season, boat, and what’s included. The all-inclusive nature of most gulet charters (food, drinks, fuel, mooring fees) means the headline rate is often closer to the actual final cost than on motor yacht charters where the APA can add 25 to 30 percent.
Crew tips are conventional, usually 5 to 10 percent of the charter fee divided among the team.
Booking and Considerations
The gulet fleet in Malta is smaller than the motor yacht fleet, so book early for peak summer dates. Most quality gulets are spoken for by April for July and August.
Ask about the boat’s age and recent maintenance. Wooden hulls need ongoing care and a well-maintained 30-year-old gulet can be in better condition than a poorly maintained 5-year-old one. Photos help, but ask for recent ones rather than the polished marketing shots.
Browse Malta’s gulet fleet below and submit an enquiry with your group size, dates, and any specific requests (wedding photography, dietary requirements, special menus). Operators will tailor the day around your group rather than offering a fixed package.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a gulet in Malta?
A day charter on a 60 to 80 foot gulet for 12 to 20 guests is €1,200 to €2,500 in low season and €1,800 to €3,500 in high season, typically with lunch included. Weekly charters on a 70 to 90 foot gulet run €8,000 to €18,000 depending on season and inclusions. Most gulet charters are largely all-inclusive — food, drinks, fuel and mooring fees are usually bundled into the headline price.
Do I need a sailing licence to charter a gulet in Malta?
No. Gulets in Malta are chartered with their own professional crew — captain, deckhand, and a cook on most boats. You don’t need any qualification or experience. You turn up, you’re welcomed on board, and the crew handles the navigation, the anchoring, the meals, and the day’s logistics. You just choose where to go.
Where do gulet charters depart from in Malta?
The main gulet bases in Malta are Sliema and Msida marina on the east coast. Most day trips run north to Comino and the Blue Lagoon, with a long lunch at anchor in a quiet bay. Multi-day gulet itineraries usually include an overnight at Mgarr harbour on Gozo as part of a Malta-Comino-Gozo circuit.
When is the best time of year for a gulet charter in Malta?
May through October is the main season. June and September give you warm water, settled seas, and lower rates than the July-August peak. Book early — the Malta gulet fleet is small, and the better boats are usually spoken for by April for summer dates. Weddings and large group bookings should be confirmed several months ahead.