Portomaso Marina St Julian’s

What Portomaso is and isn’t

This is a small private marina built into the Portomaso development at the southern end of St Julian’s. It’s effectively part of the Hilton complex and the apartment community surrounding it. Berthing is limited, primarily allocated to apartment owners on long-term contracts, with limited transient availability when slots free up.

If you can get a berth here, the location is hard to beat. You step off the boat into a marina cafe, walk five minutes to the heart of St Julian’s nightlife, and have direct access to the Hilton’s pools, spa and restaurants. The downside is that getting a berth without owning at Portomaso is genuinely difficult.

Berthing

Apartment owner contracts are the dominant model. Annual rates aren’t published openly, they’re handled through the management company. Transient rates exist but are higher than Msida or Mgarr, easily 80 to 150 euro per night for a 12-metre boat in season, when slots are available at all.

The inner basin handles boats up to about 18 metres comfortably. The outer wall takes larger yachts but is exposed to easterly weather and uncomfortable when fresh from that direction. Power, water and basic services on all berths.

Surroundings

This is the urban marina experience. Restaurants, cafes, the hotel, the casino across the street, Paceville’s nightlife within walking distance. It’s not quiet. If you want sleep, this isn’t your marina in summer. If you want to be in the middle of things, it’s perfect.

Practical notes

Approach is from the north, around the rocky point. The entrance is narrow and the swell can build up across it in fresh northeasterlies, making berthing awkward. Call the marina office in advance, they’re tight on space and will tell you honestly whether anything’s available. The marina has its own breakwater but a long-period swell from the northeast still finds its way in occasionally and rocks boats on the outer berths.

Marina Information