Reviewed · BOAT CHARTERS

8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta

★ 5.0 · 21 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Operated by UNIQUE BOAT CHARTERS MALTA · Bookable on Viator
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Eight hours gives you room to slow down. This private catamaran charter leaves Valletta at 10am and returns by 6pm, giving you time to swim, snorkel, paddle, sunbathe, and visit several bays around Malta, Comino, and Gozo. I especially like the spacious group limit of 14 and the fact that fuel, water, soft drinks, equipment, and a professional skipper are included.

I also like the flexibility. You can bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard BBQ, or arrange food from the available menu. The main consideration is the price: at $1,800.36 per group, this makes the most sense for a full party, not a small group splitting a large private charter.

Key points at a glance

  • 10am to 6pm sailing time: The full eight-hour schedule allows for more than a quick cruise and swim.
  • Private capacity for up to 14 people: At maximum capacity, the price works out to about $129 per person.
  • Stops around Malta, Comino, and Gozo: The exact route can include the Blue Lagoon and other appealing bays.
  • Swimming gear is provided: Snorkels, paddle boards, and noodles are available onboard.
  • St. Paul Island may be a highlight: One outing anchored there, a scenic place for swimming and a relaxed day on the water.
  • Captain Jack has earned praise: A named skipper can make the charter feel more personal, though skipper availability should be confirmed when booking.

Leaving Marina di Valletta at 10am

8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta - Leaving Marina di Valletta at 10am

Your day begins at Marina di Valletta, at Yacht Marina Malta on Haywharf in Pietà. The boat returns to this same meeting point at the end of the charter, which keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another harbor.

The scheduled departure is 10am, so plan to arrive with enough time to find the marina and get settled. The marina is near public transportation, another useful point if you are staying in Valletta or nearby.

This is a private charter on an Excess12 catamaran with a maximum capacity of 14 people. That limit matters. A catamaran with 14 people can feel social and lively, but it is far more personal than a large public boat carrying a crowd. If you are booking for a family group, birthday party, or group of friends, you can share the boat without sharing it with strangers.

The professional skipper handles the sailing, fuel, and basic boat care. Cleaning before and after the charter is also included. That lets you focus on the water instead of the practical work involved in running a boat.

The catamaran setup and space onboard

A catamaran gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit on deck in the sun, move to a shaded area, or find a quiet place to watch the coast pass by. The supplied information does not specify the exact seating layout or the number of shaded spots, so you should ask about those details if shade is important to your group.

The boat includes a restroom and WiFi. The restroom is useful during a full day at sea, especially for families. WiFi is a modest but handy extra, although the main reason to book this outing is to get away from screens for a while.

The onboard gear includes snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, and noodles. You do not need to pack every piece of water equipment yourself. That saves luggage space and makes spontaneous swimming stops easier.

The BBQ grill adds another choice. You can bring food and prepare it onboard, or use a food option available through the charter. Brunch is not included, and alcoholic drinks are also excluded, so plan your supplies before departure. Unlimited water and soft drinks are provided.

Swimming at Malta’s bays

8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta - Swimming at Malta’s bays

The heart of the day is the series of swimming stops. The catamaran may anchor at bays around Malta and Gozo, as well as Comino. The exact order and selection can vary, so think of this as a flexible day on the coast rather than a fixed sightseeing route.

At each stop, you can swim from the boat, use the noodles, or take a paddle board onto the water. The snorkeling equipment gives you a chance to look below the surface for marine life. The water around Malta is a major reason to choose a boat charter, and this setup lets you spend real time in it rather than simply taking a quick photograph from the deck.

The supplied details do not promise a particular number of stops or a fixed amount of time at each bay. That is worth remembering. A private charter can feel relaxed because the day is not built around rushing from one scheduled point to the next, but you should ask the skipper about the intended route at the start.

I like this balance of activity and rest. You might spend one stretch swimming, another sitting under shade, and another eating lunch with the coast around you. No one has to join every water activity.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon

8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta - Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon on Comino is part of the possible route. Its clear water is the attraction, and it is an obvious place for swimming and snorkeling if conditions and timing allow.

The practical catch is that the Blue Lagoon is famous. It can be busy, particularly during Malta’s high season. A private boat gives you a better way to enjoy the area than arriving without a plan, but it does not guarantee solitude. Ask the skipper whether the route can include another bay if the Blue Lagoon is too crowded or if sea conditions make a different stop more suitable.

That flexibility is one of the better reasons to choose a private charter instead of a fixed group excursion. You are not tied to one attraction for the entire day. The final route remains dependent on the skipper and the weather, so treat the Blue Lagoon as a possibility rather than a guaranteed exclusive stop.

St. Paul Island and the best kind of stop

St. Paul Island received especially strong praise from one outing. The catamaran anchored there, and the setting created a memorable swimming stop. The island is a distinctive sight off Malta’s coast, and anchoring nearby gives you a chance to enjoy the water with a striking coastal view around you.

The important detail is that St. Paul Island is not presented as a guaranteed stop on every charter. Still, it shows the sort of place the skipper may consider when planning the day. If this location interests you, ask about it when you confirm the booking.

This is also where the skipper can make a real difference. Captain Jack was singled out for praise after one especially successful day. A good skipper does more than steer the boat. The skipper chooses safe anchorage, keeps an eye on conditions, and helps shape the day around the group’s interests.

Gozo and the wider Maltese coast

Gozo is included among the possible areas visited by the charter. The supplied details do not name a specific Gozo bay, village, or landmark, so you should not book this expecting a walking tour or a particular shore excursion. The focus is the coast and the water.

That can suit you if the main goal is a full day afloat. You will see parts of Malta and Gozo from a different angle, with time to stop rather than simply pass by. The charter is less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour, museum visit, or guided history lesson.

The mix of Malta, Comino, and Gozo also makes the day feel varied. You are not limited to one swimming spot, and the route can respond to conditions. Still, the exact plan should be discussed before setting off because the description leaves the final selection open.

Food, drinks, and the BBQ plan

Food is one area where preparation matters. Unlimited water and soft drinks are included, but alcoholic beverages and brunch are not. You can bring your own food and drinks, and the BBQ grill is available onboard.

Some charters may offer catering in advance or a menu of refreshments. Since the wording allows for different food arrangements, confirm what is available for your date rather than assuming a meal is included.

I would decide on food before the morning of the trip. A group of 14 can go through a surprising amount of lunch, and an eight-hour charter is too long to leave meals to chance. Bringing local specialties could make the day more enjoyable, while the BBQ gives you a more social lunch than eating separate packed snacks.

The boat’s food setup is best seen as flexible, not all-inclusive. If you want a catered brunch, arrange it in advance. If you prefer to control the menu and cost, bring supplies yourself.

Is $1,800.36 a fair price?

8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta - Is $1,800.36 a fair price?

The price is $1,800.36 per group of up to 14 people. At full capacity, that is about $128.60 per person for eight hours, before any extra food or alcoholic drinks. For a private catamaran with fuel, a skipper, cleaning, water, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, paddle boards, a BBQ grill, WiFi, and a restroom, that can be reasonable for a large group.

The value drops for a smaller party. Four people would effectively pay about $450 each, while six people would pay about $300 each. That is the key calculation to make before booking.

I would consider this a group experience first and a bargain second. Families or friends who can fill most of the 14 places get the strongest value. A small party may prefer a shared boat trip or a shorter private option, if available.

The private format does offer something a standard public excursion cannot: control over your group’s space and a more relaxed pace. You are paying not only for transport but also for a full day of access to the boat and water equipment.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This outing suits you if you want a flexible day with swimming as the main event. Families can make use of the restroom, noodles, paddle boards, and shaded areas, while a group of friends may enjoy the BBQ and open-deck setting.

It also works well for people who dislike tightly scheduled sightseeing. You will not spend the day moving through museums or following a guide down city streets. The appeal is simple: sail, anchor, swim, eat, rest, and repeat.

You should think twice if you want guaranteed calm seas, a precise list of bays, or a fully catered meal. The charter requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. The exact stops are also not fixed in the supplied details.

Most people can participate, but you should still consider your group’s comfort on a boat and in the water. Snorkeling and paddle boarding are available, not compulsory.

Booking details that matter

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the charter is often booked well in advance, planning early is sensible, especially if you need a particular date for a celebration or a large group.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 10am start time. Changes made within that final 24-hour period are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

Weather is the main exception. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy gives you useful protection for a sea-based activity, where conditions can affect both comfort and safety.

The experience uses a mobile ticket. Keep the booking accessible on your phone, and confirm the exact marina instructions after receiving confirmation.

Should you book the Valletta catamaran charter?

Book it if you have a large group, want a full day on the water, and value swimming time more than a packed sightseeing schedule. The strongest features are the private capacity, included water equipment, flexible food choices, and the chance to visit appealing bays around Malta, Comino, and Gozo.

I would be more cautious if your group is small or if you expect the Blue Lagoon and St. Paul Island to be guaranteed stops. Ask about the planned route, shade, catering, and skipper before paying.

For a full group of 14, this is a practical way to turn a standard boat outing into a private day with room to spread out. The high praise for the boat, swimming time, equipment, food option, and Captain Jack points to a well-received experience, but the real value depends on filling the boat and getting favorable weather.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

The charter starts at Marina di Valletta, Yacht Marina Malta, Marina di Valletta Limited Haywharf, Pietà, Malta.

What time does the charter leave?

The catamaran sets sail at 10am.

What time does the experience finish?

The charter lasts about eight hours and returns to the meeting point by 6pm.

Where does the charter end?

The activity ends back at Marina di Valletta, the original meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The catamaran can accommodate a maximum of 14 people.

Is a professional skipper included?

Yes. The charter includes a professional skipper, fuel, and cleaning before and after the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the charter.

Can I use a paddle board during the trip?

Yes. Paddle boards are available onboard, along with noodles.

Are food and alcoholic drinks included?

No. Brunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. You can bring your own food and drinks, and a BBQ grill is available onboard. Water and soft drinks are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.

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