Motorboat Hire in Malta: What You’re Actually Choosing
“Motorboat” covers a lot of ground in Malta. At one end you’ve got small self-drive day boats under 6 metres with a 30HP outboard, suitable for licence-free hire and a relaxed half-day pottering along the coast. At the other end you’ve got 40 to 50 foot cabin cruisers with twin diesels, a flybridge, and proper offshore capability. The price difference is significant, and so is the experience.
Before you book, work out what kind of day you want. If it’s “swim in three bays close to where I’m staying”, a small self-drive day boat is probably enough and it’ll cost you €80 to €150 for a full day. If it’s “Comino, the caves, and back via the cliffs”, you want something larger and faster, ideally with a skipper.
Self-Drive Motorboats in Malta
Self-drive day boats are the most popular rental category in Malta, and for good reason. They’re affordable, you don’t need a licence, and they give you the freedom to set your own route along the coast. Most are simple fibreglass open boats, 5 to 6 metres long, with a small outboard engine, basic seating, an anchor, and a bimini for shade.
These work well for a half-day or full-day along the coast. You can easily reach quiet bays like Armier, Imgiebah, or Ramla l-Hamra (on Gozo) without much trouble, and you can anchor up for swimming, snorkelling, and lunch. They’re not built for long crossings or rough water, so the trip to Comino is on the edge of what’s sensible in a small self-drive.
Pricing for self-drive motorboats runs roughly €50 to €100 for half a day and €80 to €160 for a full day. Fuel is usually charged separately or capped at a fixed allowance.
Skippered Motorboat Charter in Malta
Step up to a skippered motorboat and you’re in a different category. The boats are bigger (typically 25 to 35 feet), faster, and built for proper coastal exploration. With a local skipper at the helm, you can comfortably reach Comino, run along the Gozo coastline, drop into the caves on the western cliffs, and cover ground that simply isn’t realistic in a small self-drive.
Skippered day rates run €350 to €600 for half a day and €600 to €1,000 for a full day, depending on the boat. The skipper is included. Fuel is sometimes included, sometimes extra.
For groups of 4 to 8, a skippered motorboat is usually the best value option in Malta. You get speed, range, and local knowledge, and the cost split per head is reasonable.
Cabin Cruisers and Sport Boats
The next step up is a cabin cruiser or sport boat in the 35 to 50 foot range. These have proper cabins below decks (useful if anyone wants to lie down or change in private), bigger fridges and food prep areas, and engines powerful enough to make the Comino crossing in 20 minutes flat regardless of wind.
Cabin cruisers are popular for groups of 6 to 12, and for charters that want to cover more ground or include an overnight stay. Day rates run €800 to €1,500 in low season and €1,200 to €2,500 in high season. Multi-day live-aboard rates are higher and usually quoted on enquiry.
What to Watch For
Fuel pricing varies between operators and isn’t always quoted clearly upfront. Ask whether fuel is included, capped, or charged at cost on return. The Comino round trip in a fast motorboat can use €50 to €100 of fuel, which is a meaningful line item if you weren’t expecting it.
Insurance and damage deposits also vary. Most self-drive operators take a €200 to €500 deposit, returned when the boat comes back undamaged. On larger skippered boats, the deposit isn’t usually relevant since the skipper is responsible for the boat.
Booking
Browse Malta’s motorboat fleet below and filter by self-drive or skippered, group size, and budget. Most operators have instant booking for self-drive day boats. Larger skippered charters usually require an enquiry to confirm availability and discuss the route. Book early in peak summer (July, August), particularly for skippered options. The good operators sell out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a motorboat in Malta?
Self-drive day boats run €50 to €100 for half a day and €80 to €160 for a full day. Skippered motorboats cost €350 to €600 for half a day and €600 to €1,000 for a full day. Larger cabin cruisers in the 35 to 50 foot range run €800 to €1,500 in low season and €1,200 to €2,500 in high season. Fuel is often charged separately.
Do I need a licence to drive a motorboat in Malta?
No licence is required for self-drive boats under 6 metres with engines up to 30HP — the operator gives you a brief instruction handover before you head out. Anything larger or more powerful needs a Maltese or recognised nautical licence, or you’ll need to book a skippered charter. Bareboat hire of bigger motor boats requires an ICC or equivalent qualification.
Where do motorboat hires depart from in Malta?
Self-drive day boats are typically picked up from kiosks in St Paul’s Bay, Mellieha, Bugibba, and various spots in Gozo. Larger skippered motorboats and cabin cruisers usually depart from Sliema, Msida marina, or St Julian’s. Mgarr harbour on Gozo is also a common base for charters working the Gozo coast.
When is the best time of year to hire a motorboat in Malta?
May through October is the main motorboat season. June and September give you warm water and reliable weather without the July–August crowds and peak pricing. Self-drive day boats work best when the sea is calm — check the forecast the day before, as small open boats are uncomfortable in choppy conditions. Skippered hire runs through the shoulder months too.