A shared boat trip is a fine thing. A private boat charter is something else entirely. When you have a vessel to yourselves — a proper boat with a skipper who answers only to your group, an itinerary that changes whenever you want it to, and no strangers deciding when to leave a beautiful anchorage — the sea around Malta reveals itself at a completely different pace. You linger in the Blue Lagoon until the light changes. You pull into a sea cave on the Comino coast that is not on any tour route. You eat lunch at anchor in a cove you had entirely to yourselves. Private charter is how Malta’s most experienced visitors choose to spend their days on the water, and once you have done it, it is very difficult to go back to anything else.
Why Choose Private Boat Charter in Malta?
The case for private charter starts with flexibility and ends with privacy, but there is a great deal in between.
Total itinerary control. No fixed schedule, no majority vote, no announced stops. If your group wants to spend four hours at one anchorage because the snorkelling is exceptional and no-one wants to leave, that is exactly what happens. If conditions are rough on one side of the island and flat calm on the other, your skipper adapts.
Privacy and exclusivity. Malta in summer is popular. The Blue Lagoon is visited by thousands of people per day at peak season. On a private charter, you position your boat away from the ferry crowds, anchor where you choose, and create your own space on the water regardless of how busy the popular spots are on shore.
Tailored experience for any occasion. Anniversary, birthday, proposal, family reunion, corporate day out — private charter adapts to the occasion rather than the other way around. Catering, decoration, music, photography: every element can be arranged in advance.
Value scales with group size. A private charter for six people from Sliema often costs less per person than a premium shared day cruise, while delivering a dramatically superior experience. From eight or more passengers upward, private charter is almost always better value per head.
Skippered vs Bareboat Charter Malta
Skippered charter. A professional, licensed skipper handles all navigation, anchoring, and seamanship. You focus entirely on enjoying the day. This is the most popular option for holidaymakers, groups unfamiliar with Maltese waters, and anyone who simply wants to relax rather than work. The skipper brings local knowledge of anchorages, sea conditions, and points of interest that no guidebook can replicate.
Bareboat charter. Available to holders of a recognised sailing or powerboat licence (RYA, ICC, or equivalent). You take full responsibility for navigation and the vessel. Bareboat hire gives experienced sailors and powerboat operators complete autonomy — ideal for those who want to explore the Maltese archipelago on their own terms, including overnight passages to Gozo or extended multi-day itineraries. A valid licence and a competency briefing are always required; operators will request documentation before handover.
Most visitors opt for skippered charter. Bareboat is available across several vessel types but requires prior arrangement and licence verification.
Vessel Types Available for Private Boat Charter Malta
Malta’s charter fleet covers a wide range, and the right vessel depends on your group size, intended activities, and budget. RIBs and speedboats (2 to 8 guests) are best for fast day trips, snorkelling, and the Blue Lagoon — from €150 per half day. Motorised day boats (4 to 10 guests) suit family days and relaxed cruising from €250 per half day. Cabin cruisers (6 to 12) are ideal for all-day charters with lunch on board, from €500 per day. Catamarans (8 to 12) offer stability for groups and the Blue Lagoon from €700 per day. Traditional luzzu or wooden boats (4 to 8) deliver an authentic Malta experience from €300 per day. Sailing yachts (4 to 10) suit multi-day trips and Gozo crossings from €600 per day. Luxury motor yachts (8 to 12) for premium occasions start from €1,200 per day, and superyachts (10 to 20+) for ultra-premium events, corporate days, and weddings start from €2,000 per day.
Popular Private Charter Itineraries
The Classic Malta Day (8 hours). Depart Sliema or Valletta, cruise north along Malta’s western coast, arrive at the Comino Blue Lagoon for swimming (3 hours), explore sea caves, return via St Paul’s Islands. The definitive Malta day on the water.
Gozo and Comino in a Day (8 to 10 hours). Depart Cirkewwa or Sliema, cross to Comino and swim the Blue Lagoon, cross to Gozo and anchor in Mgarr ix-Xini bay (famously used in a Troy film and known for outstanding snorkelling), return south. Requires an early departure; full-day charter only.
South Malta and the Cliffs (6 hours). Depart Marsaxlokk or Valletta, cruise south along Malta’s dramatic southern coast, anchor in St Thomas Bay or Peter’s Pool, return via Marsaxlokk. Spectacular cliff scenery, fewer tourists, exceptional water clarity on the southern coast.
Grand Harbour History Charter (4 hours). Depart Valletta, circumnavigate the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour by sea, enter the Vittoriosa (Birgu) waterfront and the Creek, return. An extraordinary architectural and historical tour from the water. Ideal for those with a serious interest in Malta’s history.
Multi-Day Archipelago Sailing (2 to 7 days). For bareboat or skippered sailing charters: a Malta-Comino-Gozo overnight circuit, or extended island-hopping with overnight stays in Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. Advanced booking required.
Pricing Guide
RIB charter (skippered) for up to 8: €150 for a half day (4 hours), €280 for a full day (8 hours). Day boat (skippered) for up to 10: €450 for a full day. Catamaran (skippered) for up to 12: €750 for a full day. Motor yacht (skippered) for up to 12: €1,200 for a full day. Luxury motor yacht for up to 12: €2,000+ for a full day. Superyacht for up to 20+: price on application.
Fuel is typically included up to a standard day trip range. Extended itineraries (e.g. Gozo) may carry a fuel supplement. Catering, drinks packages, and additional crew are available at extra cost.
What’s Included
Standard inclusions on skippered private charters: professional licensed skipper (and deckhand on larger vessels), fuel for a standard day trip itinerary, all safety equipment (life jackets, flares, first aid), snorkelling equipment on most vessels (confirm at booking), use of paddleboard or inflatable toys where available on the vessel, mooring and harbour fees for standard itinerary stops, and local knowledge and itinerary guidance from your skipper.
Not typically included: food and beverages (catering packages can be arranged), fuel supplements for extended range, port fees for non-standard itineraries, and marine park entry fees where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to charter a private boat in Malta?
Skippered private charters start at €150 for a half-day RIB for up to 8, or €280 for a full day. A skippered day boat for up to 10 is from €450, a catamaran for up to 12 from €750, and a motor yacht for up to 12 from €1,200. Luxury motor yachts start at €2,000 per day, with superyachts on application. Fuel for a standard day trip is usually included; extended itineraries may carry a fuel supplement.
Do I need a licence to charter a private boat in Malta?
For skippered charter, no experience or qualification is required — you’re a passenger and the skipper handles everything. For bareboat hire, you need a recognised sailing or powerboat licence (RYA, ICC, or equivalent) and the operator will request documentation plus a short competency briefing before handover.
Where do private boat charters depart from in Malta?
Most private charters depart from Sliema, Valletta, Msida marina, or St Julian’s on the east coast — the main yachting hubs. Cirkewwa is the launch point for Comino-focused trips and Gozo crossings; Marsaxlokk is used for south-coast itineraries. Multi-day charters often include an overnight stop at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo.
When is the best time of year for a private charter in Malta?
May through October is the main season. June and September offer warm water, settled seas, and lower peak-season pricing than July and August. Book three to six weeks ahead for summer dates (sometimes longer for premium yachts), and two to three weeks for the shoulder season. Last-minute availability does exist on smaller RIBs.