Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, comprises an archipelago of seven islands located in the southern Mediterranean Sea, 60 miles off the coast of Sicily, 180 miles east of Tunisia and 188 miles north of Libya. Only the three largest islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, are inhabited. The smallest islands are Filfla, Cominotto and the San Pablo Islands. Malta’s coastline is well defined and offers numerous harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. The length of the Maltese coastline is 136 km and 43 km around Gozo.
Most charter boats are based in Grand Harbor or Marsamxett Harbor, where there are several marinas. Both ports are located in Valletta.
A typical one week charter might look like this; Valletta – Mgarr on the island of Gozo – Blue Lagoon on the island of Comino – Marsaxlokk – Portomaso Marina – Valletta. In a two-week charter, in addition to visiting the Maltese Islands, it is also possible to sail to other places, such as Tunis (160 NM), Sicily (58 NM) or Lampedusa (95 NM)
In addition to your time on the water, Malta has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can visit, including megalithic temples, which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.
What you need: experience, qualifications, visa requirements, etc. – For bareboat rentals, the skipper of the boat is required to have an ICC certificate or equivalent.
Charter Season – The charter season in Malta generally runs from April to the end of October.
Climate – The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The temperature is very stable, the monthly averages oscillate between 12°C (54°F) and 31°C (88°F). The winds are strong and frequent.
Time difference – UTC+1
How to get there – Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport serving the Maltese Islands. The national airline is Air Malta, which operates services to 36 destinations in Europe and North Africa. Lufthansa and Alitalia, EasyJet and Ryanair offer extensive services. Ferries connect Malta with Pozzallo and Catania in Sicily.
Euro coin
Language – Maltese. English is widely spoken.
Food and Drink: Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on locally available fresh, seasonal produce and seafood. While many dishes are native to the island, some popular Maltese recipes reflect Sicilian, Southern Italian, or Turkish cuisine, as well as traces of Tunisian, Spanish, Berber, French, and British influences. Still, there are plenty of unique, distinctive, and popular local dishes, including Ftira, a bread, and Pastizzi, a typical Maltese snack.
Itineraries and suggested routes
Day 1: Join the ship at a Valletta marina.
Day 2 – Valletta – Mgarr on the island of Gozo – 15 miles. Sail NW along the Maltese coast and then across the straight line between Malta and Gozo. Gozo Marina is located within the harbor on the south coast of Gozo.
Day 3 – Gozo Island Tour
Day 4 – Mgarr – Blue Lagoon, Comino – 4 miles. Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay on the west side of the island of Comino. With a white sand bottom and rich marine life, it is popular with divers. Two large bays on the north coast of the island of Comino also provide a good shelter.
Day 5 – Blue Lagoon, Comino – Marsaxlokk – 25 miles. Anchor in the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk in a bay on the south coast of the main island
Day 6 – Marsaxlokk – Portomaso Marina, St Julians. Portomaso Marina is located on the east coast of Malta, in the heart of the main tourist area.
Day 7 – Portomaso Marina – Valletta – 3 miles.
Day 8 – Leave the ship in Valletta
History of the area: Throughout history, Malta’s location has given it great strategic importance and a number of powers, including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Sicilians, the Knights of St. John, the French and the British They have ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974.