Malta: Catamaran Private Day Charter with Skipper

The best part of this private charter is simple: you get the sea to yourself, at least within your own group. A modern catamaran gives you room to spread out, sit in shade or sun, swim from the boat, and change the day’s plan with the skipper. You sail around Malta, Comino, and possibly Gozo rather than following a fixed sightseeing script.

I like the large amount of space, especially for a group of up to 15, and I like the freedom to bring your own food, drinks, and music. Two paddleboards, snorkeling masks, onboard fridges, and unlimited mineral water make the boat feel ready for a full day outdoors.

The main drawback is the price, $1,348 per group, before food and drinks. That can be good value for a large party, but it is a serious spend for two or three people. Also, the route depends on weather, and people prone to seasickness or with mobility and back problems may find the day uncomfortable.

Key points to know before booking

• Eight private hours on the water: The charter begins and ends at 34 Ir-Rampa Ta’ Xbiex, with the boat leaving from Roland Marina Pontoon D.
• Your route can change: Northbound sailing may include Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and nearby caves. Southbound trips may visit Ħofriet, St. Peter’s Pool, and St. Thomas Bay.
• The skipper, fuel, water, and equipment are included: You receive an experienced skipper, fuel, two stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling masks, Bluetooth sound, and onboard amenities.
• Food is your responsibility: Bring your own provisions and use the fridges, or pay for a catered menu. Food and drinks are not included in the base price.
• The catamaran suits social groups: Wide decks, indoor seating, panoramic windows, and generous lounging areas give families and friends room to move around.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Shoes are not allowed indoors or on the boat.

Starting at Roland Marina Pontoon D

You meet at Roland Marina Pontoon D, at 34 Ir-Rampa Ta’ Xbiex. Take a little care with this detail. A marina can have several pontoons, and the correct meeting point saves you from starting the day with a frantic search along the waterfront.

The charter lasts eight hours, with the boat returning to the same location. That gives you a full day rather than a short coastal ride. The schedule has enough time for sailing, swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, lunch, and simply sitting still while the water moves around you.

The host or greeter speaks English. Since this is a private group, you are not sharing the boat with strangers. That matters on a catamaran, where the pleasure comes partly from controlling the pace of the day. You can spend longer in a bay, stop for a swim, turn up your playlist, or ask to move on when a spot feels too crowded or exposed.

The exact boat is selected according to your group size. The available vessels are modern catamarans with bright interiors, wide decks, comfortable seating, and indoor-outdoor areas. Some models have a flybridge, but that feature is not guaranteed, so do not book expecting a raised upper deck.

What a full day aboard the catamaran feels like

A catamaran has two hulls, which generally gives it a broad, steady platform. That does not make it immune to waves, and people prone to seasickness should still think carefully before booking. But for a relaxed day with several people, the wide layout is a major advantage over a small motorboat.

You can choose your own corner. The foredeck is suited to sunbathing and forward views. The cockpit offers a more sheltered place to sit, eat, and talk. Indoor areas provide relief from strong sun, while large windows keep the view in reach.

That layout also helps groups with different ideas about a day at sea. One person can read or listen to music while others use the paddleboards. Some can swim and snorkel while others stay dry. You are not forced into one activity every hour.

The crew includes an experienced skipper, so you do not need sailing skills. The skipper handles the boat and adjusts the route for safety and weather. You should still think of this as a sailing day, not a guaranteed sightseeing timetable. The suggested route is flexible, and the captain has the final say when conditions change.

The boat includes a Bluetooth sound system. Bring a phone or other compatible device if you want your own music, but remember that the sea, wind, and conversation are part of the setting too. Unlimited mineral water is included, which is useful in Malta’s strong sun, but you need to bring any other drinks.

Northbound toward Comino’s famous bays

A northbound route can take you toward Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo. The possible stops include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, and San Niklaw Bay, as well as caves along the coast.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous name here, and it is a natural choice for swimming and photographs. Its popularity can also mean more activity around the water. A private charter gives you a better chance to enjoy the surrounding sea on your own terms, though it cannot make a popular bay empty.

Crystal Lagoon offers another setting for swimming and snorkeling. The rocky coast and clear water make this kind of stop more about being in the sea than touring a formal attraction. Bring the provided mask and take time to look below the surface, but do not expect a guided marine biology session. The experience is self-directed, with the skipper helping manage the stop.

Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay can provide a quieter change of pace, depending on the day and conditions. The value of having several possible bays is that the skipper can choose a suitable place rather than forcing the whole day around one famous stop.

The caves add a scenic element to the cruise. You may see them from the boat and enjoy views along the rocky coast. The route description allows for a scenic visit, but it does not promise that the boat will enter every cave or stop at each named location. Weather, sea conditions, and the group’s preferences can alter the plan.

The Comino portion is listed as lasting around four hours within the wider eight-hour charter. That leaves time for the outbound and return sailing, food, swimming, and pauses along the way. Treat the four-hour figure as a guide rather than a strict schedule.

Southbound options near Malta

If conditions or your preferences favor a southbound route, possible stops include Ħofriet, St. Peter’s Pool, and St. Thomas Bay. This gives the charter a useful second plan rather than making Comino the only reason to book.

St. Peter’s Pool is known as a rocky swimming area, so you should expect a natural setting rather than a sandy beach with full visitor facilities. Ħofriet and St. Thomas Bay offer additional coastal views and possible swimming stops. The attraction is the mix of bays and open-water cruising, not a long visit to one land-based sight.

A southbound day may suit you if you want to see more of Malta’s coastline instead of following the well-known Comino route. The captain decides what is safe and practical, so ask about the likely direction when you book or at the start of the day.

This flexibility is one of the charter’s strongest features, but it also creates an important expectation. You are booking private access and a tailored day, not a fixed list of guaranteed stops. If a particular bay is essential to your plans, understand that the captain may need to change course.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding

The equipment included is modest but useful: two stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling masks. Two boards are enough for casual use, but they will not let a group of 15 paddle at once. If your party is large, plan on taking turns.

The same applies to snorkeling masks. They let you explore near the boat without renting extra gear, but you should bring your own mask if you need a special fit or prescription lenses. The activity is best for confident swimmers who are comfortable entering open water.

Non-swimmers are not considered suitable for this charter. That does not mean every person in your group needs to spend the day in the water, but the boat’s main pleasures involve swimming, sea views, and outdoor time. Anyone staying onboard should be comfortable with the motion of a boat and the lack of firm ground.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen. The included mineral water helps, but food and other drinks are not supplied. Pack items in containers that will not create a litter problem, and keep loose belongings secure on deck.

Shoes are not allowed on the boat or indoors, and high heels are specifically prohibited. Smoking indoors, making fires, fireworks, and littering are also forbidden. These are sensible rules on a sailing vessel, not fussy extras.

Food, drinks, and the onboard setup

Food and drinks are not part of the base price. You have two choices: bring your own provisions or choose one of the available catered food packages.

Bringing your own food can help control costs, especially for a large group with different tastes. The boat has fridges, so you can keep drinks and suitable food chilled. Think in terms of easy meals that work on a moving boat. Anything messy, fragile, or difficult to serve may turn lunch into deck maintenance.

Catering is the easier choice if you want the crew or provider to handle more of the planning. It costs extra, and the food quality may not be the main reason to book this outing. One piece of feedback praised the food overall but noted that the fish could have been better. I would treat a catered menu as convenient rather than the centerpiece of the day.

The boat includes unlimited mineral water. That is useful, but you should still pack any soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, or other beverages you want. Intoxication is not allowed, so keep alcohol consumption moderate and sensible.

Is $1,348 good value for up to 15 people?

The price works best when you fill much of the boat. At the full capacity of 15, the listed cost comes to roughly $90 per person before food and drinks. At ten people, it is about $135 each. For two people, it becomes a costly private outing.

That calculation does not tell the whole story. You are paying for eight hours, an experienced skipper, fuel, a private boat, water, two paddleboards, snorkeling masks, and use of the onboard facilities. A private catamaran also gives you more control than a standard shared cruise.

The value is strongest for a family celebration, a group of friends, or a private day built around swimming and time together. It is less compelling if you mainly want a quick look at the coast or a low-cost way to reach Comino.

Remember to budget for food and drinks. If you bring your own, the base price is easier to manage. If you select catering, ask what the menu includes before assuming lunch is covered.

The spacious boat is a real part of the value. One recent party praised the crew, the generous seating, and the amount of room onboard. Another noted that the service was punctual, with the boat arriving and returning on time, and that there was enough drinking water available. Those details matter on an eight-hour trip, when poor organization or cramped seating can spoil an otherwise beautiful day.

Who should book this private charter?

I would recommend it most to groups that value privacy, flexible timing, and an easy day on the water. Families can spread out, friends can use the music system and paddleboards, and couples can enjoy more room than they would have on a shared excursion.

It is also a good fit for people who want a special day without needing to plan every nautical detail themselves. The skipper handles the sailing, while you choose how active or restful the day becomes.

I would think twice if anyone in your group has serious back or mobility problems, gets seasick, or cannot swim. The boat may be stable, but it remains a boat, and access around a catamaran is not described as suitable for electric wheelchairs. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and all children must be part of an appropriately supervised private group.

The trip suits you best if you are happy with a flexible route. If you need a guaranteed visit to one exact bay, this is not the safest choice, since the captain may change plans for weather and safety.

Practical details that can save your day

Cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times because the charter lasts eight hours, and an early or late departure will shape how much time you spend in each bay.

The meeting point is Roland Marina Pontoon D. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, food, and drinks. Leave shoes and high heels behind, and do not bring fireworks or anything intended for making a fire.

The boat returns to 34 Ir-Rampa Ta’ Xbiex. Since the same place is used at the beginning and end, arrange your day around reaching the marina on time. The charter is private, and the language listed for the host is English.

Should you book it?

Book this Malta catamaran charter if your group can share the cost and wants a relaxed private day with swimming, coastal views, paddleboards, snorkeling, and plenty of room. The experienced skipper, included fuel, water, and flexible route make it more useful than a bare boat rental.

Skip it if you want a cheap excursion, a fixed sightseeing timetable, or a food-focused cruise. The biggest costs are the base price and any catering, and the sea conditions may change your plans.

For the right group, this is a strong way to spend a full day between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Bring your own food, pack for sun and swimming, and treat the named bays as possible stops rather than promises. That is the key to enjoying the freedom this charter offers.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran charter start?

The meeting point is Roland Marina Pontoon D, at 34 Ir-Rampa Ta’ Xbiex.

How long does the private charter last?

The charter lasts eight hours and returns to 34 Ir-Rampa Ta’ Xbiex.

Is the boat shared with other groups?

No. This is a private group experience for up to 15 people.

What places might the route visit?

A northbound route may include Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and nearby caves. A southbound route may include Ħofriet, St. Peter’s Pool, and St. Thomas Bay.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring your own food and drinks and use the onboard fridges, or choose a catered food package. Unlimited mineral water is included.

What equipment is included?

The charter includes two stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling masks, a Bluetooth sound system, fuel, onboard amenities, and an experienced skipper.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, food, and drinks. Shoes and high heels are not allowed onboard.

Can the route change after departure?

Yes. The suggested route is flexible, and the captain may adjust it for weather and safety. The itinerary can also be tailored to your group’s preferences as much as conditions allow.