8-Hour Catamaran Charter from Valletta, Malta

The best part of this private Malta catamaran charter is the freedom to make the sea your day plan. From Valletta, you cruise toward the bays of Malta, Comino, or Gozo, then stop where the water looks most inviting. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, sunbathe, or simply stay on deck and watch the coast slide by.

I like the small private group, capped at 14 people, and the practical equipment provided: paddle boards, snorkeling gear, noodles, a restroom, and a barbecue grill. I also like the full eight-hour schedule, from 10am to 6pm, which gives you time for more than a quick swim. The main consideration is price. At $1,800.36 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by a larger family or group of friends, not a couple looking for a budget boat ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Private Excess12 catamaran: The boat is reserved for your group of up to 14 people, with a professional skipper handling the sailing.
• A full day at sea: You leave Marina di Valletta at 10am and return by about 6pm, with time for several swimming stops.
• Blue Lagoon is possible, not guaranteed: The route may include Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon, as well as bays around Malta and Gozo.
• Swimming gear is included: Snorkels, masks, paddle boards, and noodles are available at no extra charge.
• Food needs planning: Water and soft drinks are included, but alcohol and brunch are not. You can bring food or arrange refreshments in advance.
• Best value for a group: The fixed price works out more reasonably when divided among 10 to 14 people.

Leaving Marina di Valletta at 10am

Your day begins at Marina di Valletta, at Yacht Marina Malta on Haywharf in Pietà. The departure time is 10am, and the charter returns to the same meeting point at about 6pm. That fixed eight-hour window matters: this is a full day on the water, not a short sightseeing cruise with a single photo stop.

The marina is near public transportation, which makes the start easier if you are staying elsewhere in Malta. You should still allow time to reach the dock, find the correct marina entrance, and gather your group before departure. The boat has a mobile ticket, so keeping your booking available on your phone is useful.

Once aboard, the professional skipper takes charge of navigation, fuel, and the practical running of the boat. That lets you focus on the day instead of worrying about the route or handling the catamaran. The skipper may choose different bays around Malta, Comino, and Gozo, so the exact stops can change.

That flexibility is worth understanding before you book. The Blue Lagoon may be part of the plan, but it is not presented as a guaranteed stop. You may instead anchor at another attractive bay, perhaps one with calmer water or better conditions on the day.

What an Excess12 catamaran gives you

The charter uses an Excess12 catamaran. For a group of up to 14, the twin-hull design offers useful room to spread out, with space to sit in the sun and areas where you can get shade. You are not packed into a small open boat for eight hours.

The setup suits mixed groups. Some people can stretch out on deck, while others use the swimming equipment or sit in a shaded area. If your group includes strong swimmers and people who prefer to stay dry, a catamaran is more practical than an excursion built around constant movement from one activity to another.

A restroom is available onboard, which is an important comfort during a long day at sea. WiFi is also included. I would treat that as a convenience rather than the reason to book, since the best use of the day is likely looking out at the coast, not staring at a phone.

Cleaning before and after the charter is included, as is fuel. These details remove several costs that can otherwise appear on a private boat booking. You are paying for the boat, skipper, and operating basics in one group price.

Swimming in Malta, Comino, and Gozo

The main attraction is the series of swimming stops. The catamaran can anchor at bays around Malta and Gozo, along with the well-known Blue Lagoon on Comino. Each stop gives you a chance to leave the deck and get into the water.

The Maltese coast is at its best from sea level. You see rocky edges, open water, and small bays in a way that is difficult from roads or crowded viewpoints. The appeal is not a long list of monuments. It is the simple rhythm of sailing, dropping anchor, and choosing how active you want to be.

At a swimming stop, you can use the snorkeling equipment to look below the surface. The supplied information points to marine life and clear water, though it does not promise a specific species or reef site. That means you should think of snorkeling as an enjoyable extra rather than a formal wildlife tour.

Paddle boards add another option. You can work your way away from the catamaran, then return when you are ready. Noodles are handy for a gentler float. The range of equipment helps a group avoid arguing over a single activity, since several people can do different things at once.

The timing at each bay is not specified, so do not expect a guaranteed minute-by-minute schedule. The skipper will shape the day around the route and conditions. If one particular location matters to you, ask about it when confirming the booking.

Blue Lagoon and the St. Paul Island option

The Blue Lagoon is the name most people associate with a boat day from Malta. It is one of the possible destinations, but the charter also allows for other bays around the islands. That is useful because a private trip can be more adaptable than a fixed public excursion.

St. Paul Island is another possible anchorage, and it has already served as a memorable setting for this charter. The location gives you an open-water setting for swimming and relaxing, away from the marina. If the skipper selects it on your day, it can provide the kind of quiet stop that makes the charter feel personal rather than like a checklist.

You should keep your expectations flexible. The exact route depends on the planned charter and conditions, and the description does not guarantee St. Paul Island, the Blue Lagoon, or any other single bay. That is not necessarily a weakness. It means the value is in having a private boat and a full day to reach attractive water, not in purchasing a guaranteed admission ticket to one site.

Food, drinks, and the barbecue grill

Unlimited water and soft drinks are included. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and brunch is also excluded. You can bring your own food and drinks, or use refreshments available onboard if offered for your charter.

A barbecue grill is available to use. You may also be able to arrange catering in advance or bring local food for a meal at anchor. The details of the catering menu and pricing are not specified, so confirm those points before departure if lunch matters to your group.

This is one area where planning improves the day. An eight-hour charter is long enough for most people to want a proper meal, not just a snack. If you bring food, choose items that are easy to serve and eat on a moving boat or at anchor. Drinks should be packed with the group’s needs in mind, since only water and soft drinks are included automatically.

The food option can also add a local touch. Bringing Maltese specialties gives your group a more memorable meal than relying only on packaged snacks. Just remember that the barbecue is an amenity, not a promise that brunch or ingredients are supplied.

How much value do you get for $1,800.36?

The total price is $1,800.36 per group of up to 14 people. At the full capacity, that is about $129 per person. With 10 people, it is about $180 per person. For a private eight-hour charter with a skipper, fuel, cleaning, equipment, water, soft drinks, and a restroom, that can be fair value for a special group day.

The calculation changes sharply with a small party. For two people, the same fixed price becomes expensive. For a family reunion, birthday, wedding group, or large circle of friends, the private format is easier to justify because everyone shares the boat and can set the pace.

I would compare this with what matters most to your group. If you want the lowest possible cost and do not mind a fixed route with other people, a shared cruise may be cheaper. If you want your own space, a skipper, several hours for swimming, and the ability to relax without a crowded public boat around you, this charter offers more control.

Fuel and cleaning being included also helps with budgeting. You do not need to add those charges later. You should still budget separately for alcohol, brunch, and any catering you arrange.

The group size and the feel onboard

The maximum capacity is 14 people. That is large enough for a family group or a gathering of friends, but small enough for everyone to use the boat’s facilities without becoming anonymous in a crowd.

A group of 10 has already fit comfortably on the boat, with room for swimming and use of the equipment. That gives you a useful sense of scale. The boat is not just suitable on paper for a large party; it has worked for a family-sized group with plenty of time in the water.

Your group should discuss the day before boarding. Some people may want to swim at every stop, while others may prefer shade and conversation. The catamaran setup supports both, but the day will be more enjoyable if nobody assumes it is either a nonstop water-sports session or a completely quiet sailing trip.

The skipper also affects the experience. Captain Jack has been specifically praised for choosing a beautiful anchorage at St. Paul Island. While the route cannot be promised, the skipper’s role is central to making good use of the weather, time, and available bays.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that wants a private day and can fill much of the boat. Families with older children, groups of friends, and small celebrations are a good match. The paddle boards, noodles, and snorkeling equipment give active people plenty to do, while deck seating and shade provide a slower option.

It also suits people who want to combine Malta, Comino, and Gozo without spending the day changing transport. You can see several parts of the archipelago from the water and stop for swims along the way.

This is less suitable if you need a tightly fixed sightseeing itinerary. The exact bays are flexible, and not every named location is guaranteed. It is also not the right pick if you want a meal and alcohol included in the base price, since those require separate planning.

Most people can take part, according to the supplied activity details, but you should still consider your own swimming ability and comfort around open water. The charter provides equipment, not a promise that every person will want to use it.

Booking details and weather plans

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10am start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses Malta’s local time.

Because this is a weather-dependent day, I would avoid building an important connection or flight around the return time. The stated return is by 6pm, but a full day on the sea is best placed on a day when your evening plans are flexible.

Should you book this Malta catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want eight hours of swimming, sailing, and private time around Malta, Comino, and Gozo. The included equipment, onboard water and soft drinks, restroom, and professional skipper make the day easy to organize.

I especially like the combination of freedom and structure. You have a clear 10am to 6pm schedule, but the skipper can choose among several bays rather than forcing the group into one fixed stop. Captain Jack’s St. Paul Island outing shows how a good anchorage can become the highlight of the day.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and want low-cost sightseeing. Also skip it if the Blue Lagoon is your only reason for booking, since it is a possible destination rather than a firm guarantee. For a full group that values space and time on the water, this is a strong way to spend a Malta day.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The charter departs from Marina di Valletta, at Yacht Marina Malta on Haywharf in Pietà, Malta.

What time does the charter start?

The catamaran leaves at 10am.

What time does the charter return?

The stated return time is about 6pm, making the total activity approximately eight hours.

How many people can join?

The catamaran accepts a maximum of 14 people per group.

Is the charter private?

Yes. The price is charged per group of up to 14 people.

Is a skipper included?

Yes. A professional skipper is included in the charter.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Are paddle boards available?

Yes. Paddle boards and noodles are available onboard.

Are food and alcohol included?

No. Alcoholic beverages and brunch are not included. Water and soft drinks are included, and you can bring food or arrange refreshments separately.

Can the trip be canceled because of bad weather?

Yes. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.