Reviewed · MALTA BOAT CHARTERS & SAILING
Sailing charter along the Maltese shoreline incl. Lunch and drinks
Sun, salt, and a private sail day in Malta. I love the private charter setup where you’ve got the whole boat to your party, and I also love the home-cooked lunch style meal that feels properly Maltese instead of snacky-tour stuff. The main thing to consider is that your day is weather and wind dependent, so the plan can shift if conditions aren’t right.
You’ll start in the morning from Senglea and spend most of the day out on the water with Captain Michael guiding you, then anchoring for swim time around the Blue Lagoon area. It’s a classic, relaxed ketch day built for comfort and easy conversation—great when you want real local talk, not a cattle-call tour.
In This Review
- Key points you’ll care about
- A Private Ketch Sail From Senglea to Malta’s Comino Water
- Getting Underway at 9:00 AM in Senglea
- The 2.5-Hour Sail: Where the Day Starts to Feel Like Sailing
- Blue Lagoon Anchor Time: Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Water
- Lunch on Deck: Home-Cooked Salads, Cheese, Cold Cuts, and Melon
- Soft Drinks, Water, and Coffee: Simple Included Comfort
- Heading Back to Senglea Around 3:00 PM
- The Price and Value: What $768.98 Buys for a Group
- What to Bring for a Comfortable Swim-and-Sail Day
- Who This Sailing Charter Fits Best (And Who Might Not)
- Should You Book This Malta Private Sail Day?
- FAQ
- How long is the sailing charter?
- Where is the meeting point?
- Is this tour private, or do I share with other people?
- What food and drinks are included?
- Is the stand-up paddle board included?
- What happens if weather isn’t good?
Key points you’ll care about

- Private boat for up to 6: You’re not sharing with strangers, which makes the day feel calmer and more personal.
- Captain Michael’s local pointers: You get practical sailing guidance plus know-how about where to go and when.
- Anchored swim time at Blue Lagoon: Clear water for swimming and snorkeling breaks up the sail nicely.
- On-board lunch with Maltese flavors: Salads, cheese, cold cuts, and melon, plus coffee or tea.
- SUP not included: You can’t assume stand-up paddleboard use is covered.
- Plan can change with wind: Comino is the target, but an alternate destination may be chosen.
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A Private Ketch Sail From Senglea to Malta’s Comino Water

This is the kind of day you book when you want Malta to feel like it has room to breathe. Instead of bouncing from stop to stop, you’re on one boat with one crew, spending the time that matters: sailing, then anchoring somewhere worth getting in the water.
The sailing is on a classic Ketch style monohull, and the reviews put a lot of weight on the boat’s condition—so you’re not signing up for a rattletrap ride. I also like that the captain and crew steer the day. You’re not just a passenger pushed along by a schedule; you’re part of a shared plan that can adapt to what the wind is doing.
Getting Underway at 9:00 AM in Senglea

The day starts at 9:00 AM at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, Senglea (ISL 1040). If you’re thinking about how to time your morning, build in a little buffer. You’ll do a short briefing first, then you’ll head out once everyone’s settled.
The duration is about 8 hours total. The sailing time to the Comino area is about 2.5 hours, which means you’re not stuck waiting around dockside for half the trip. It’s long enough to feel like a real sail day, not just a short coastal cruise.
Also worth knowing: the destination is Comino if wind direction permits. If not, the captain chooses another destination. That’s not a bad sign—it’s how you keep the day enjoyable instead of forcing conditions that don’t cooperate.
The 2.5-Hour Sail: Where the Day Starts to Feel Like Sailing

Once you’re underway, the rhythm shifts. You’re out of shore routines and into open water mode, with time to relax and watch the coast slide by. This is where the private aspect quietly pays off. With only your group onboard, you can settle into a pace that feels personal—quiet if you want it, chatty if you don’t mind talking to someone who sails for a living.
Captain Michael is repeatedly described as sharing useful sailing context and local insight in a way that’s easy to talk with. The helpful part here is not just the trivia. It’s practical: why certain areas are better for swimming, how conditions affect the day, and what to expect as you head back.
More Maltese Islands boat trips and cruises off the harbour quays
Blue Lagoon Anchor Time: Swimming and Snorkeling in Clear Water
The highlight block is straightforward: you anchor around the Blue Lagoon area, then you get time to swim, snorkel, or use the water setup provided. In the field, that usually means you’re not hopping between crowded points; you’re settling into one spot long enough to enjoy it.
This is the part you plan your day around. The water quality is a big deal, and the reviews are consistent about the cove being beautiful and—at times—quiet enough that you’re not fighting the usual tourist swarm. Even when other boats are around, anchoring tends to feel calmer than beach-hopping.
Two practical notes:
- You should be comfortable entering the water from a boat (you’ll be given time, but this isn’t a floating platform with a paved walkway).
- The SUP (stand-up paddleboard) is not included. You can still swim and snorkel, but don’t assume you can count on stand-up paddleboard use being covered.
If you bring basic swim gear and you’re comfortable with snorkeling basics, you’ll likely make the most of this stop.
Lunch on Deck: Home-Cooked Salads, Cheese, Cold Cuts, and Melon
Lunch is served while you’re on the boat after the anchoring swim time. The meal is home-cooked and built around Mediterranean-style plates rather than a heavy buffet.
Here’s what to expect based on what’s been offered:
- A spread of homemade salads, sometimes including caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives and cheese.
- Cold cuts such as salami and prosciutto, typically with baguette or olive bread.
- Fruit for dessert—often chilled local melon.
Dietary needs matter here. The salads might include octopus or shrimp. If you’re vegetarian, you need to let the crew know when you book. That’s a useful detail because it shifts the lunch from generic to workable for your needs.
Why this matters for value: when a boat day includes food and drinks, you don’t burn time hunting a meal or paying for an expensive on-the-water lunch. Instead, you stay in “vacation mode,” then head back with energy left.
Soft Drinks, Water, and Coffee: Simple Included Comfort
Along with lunch, the package includes soda/pop, bottled water, and coffee and/or tea. It’s not trying to be fancy. It’s meant to keep you comfortable and hydrated while you’re out in the sun.
I like this kind of inclusion because it reduces decision fatigue. You don’t have to track what’s included versus not included while you’re busy enjoying the swim time.
Heading Back to Senglea Around 3:00 PM

Around 3:00 PM, you’ll start the return leg and should arrive back around 5:00 PM. That timing is handy. You’re not losing your whole evening to a tour that runs long, and you’ll still have daylight for a walk, dinner, or a drink in Senglea or nearby areas.
You’ll usually feel pleasantly tired in a good way: sun time, salt time, and enough movement on the water to make the body feel like it actually did something. It’s the kind of finish that makes a hotel shower feel earned.
The Price and Value: What $768.98 Buys for a Group
The price is $768.98 per group, up to 6 people. On paper, that may look like a big number—until you think about what’s included and what a private boat day replaces.
You’re getting:
- A private sailing charter (not shared with strangers)
- A half-day-plus on the water with swim/snorkel time
- A home-cooked lunch
- Soft drinks, bottled water, and coffee/tea
For couples and small groups, the value often comes from the layout of the day. A private setup means the captain can tailor where you go within the day’s constraints. The reviews also point to the experience feeling relaxed and laid-back, with time spent in coves that can be less crowded.
So the real value question isn’t just price per person. It’s whether you want a calmer, more flexible sailing day with food built in.
What to Bring for a Comfortable Swim-and-Sail Day
Even with floats available, you’ll enjoy the day more if you show up ready for water time and sun.
Pack the basics:
- Swimwear and a towel
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A light layer for when you’re back out on the water (breeze can cool you down)
- Water-friendly footwear if you tend to prefer it
If you plan to snorkel, bring your own mask if you have one. If you don’t, you can still enjoy the clear water, but having your own gear usually makes things smoother.
And because lunch is on board, you’ll likely feel better eating it right after you swim—then you won’t be searching for a meal later.
Who This Sailing Charter Fits Best (And Who Might Not)
This is a private tour, so it works especially well when you:
- Want a full boat day for just your party
- Like swimming and snorkeling more than “standing and sightseeing”
- Prefer conversation and local insight over rigid tour commentary
- Are traveling as a couple, family group, or small group of friends (up to 6)
Most travelers can participate, but it’s not suitable for children below 5 years old. If you’re traveling with kids old enough for the water time, the format can still be fun because it’s not a museum-style schedule—it’s a day built around breaks and swim time.
If you hate being on boats for long stretches, or you need constant on-land control, this may feel like too much. But if you’re game for open water and anchoring time, it’s a strong match.
Should You Book This Malta Private Sail Day?
Book it if you want a Malta day that feels like sailing first, sightseeing second. The private setup, the on-board lunch, and the swim time around the Blue Lagoon area are exactly the right ingredients for a memorable trip day without chaos.
Don’t book it if your travel dates are rigid and you’d be unhappy with a wind-driven change of plan. The day depends on weather and wind direction, and the route can shift away from Comino if conditions aren’t right. That said, the goal is still the same: make the day work well where the captain can anchor and let you enjoy the water.
If you’re celebrating something, this is also a thoughtful choice. The crew has a track record of making a birthday day feel special—without turning it into a formal event.
FAQ
How long is the sailing charter?
It runs about 8 hours. The start time is 9:00 AM, with the sail to Comino taking about 2.5 hours, and the return arriving back around 5:00 PM.
Where is the meeting point?
You’ll meet at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, Senglea, ISL 1040, Malta.
Is this tour private, or do I share with other people?
It’s private. Only your group participates, with a maximum group size of up to 6.
What food and drinks are included?
Lunch is included with homemade salads, cheese, ham/cold cuts, and fruit (like melon). Soda/pop, bottled water, and coffee and/or tea are also included.
Is the stand-up paddle board included?
No. Use of the stand-up paddle board (SUP) is not included.
What happens if weather isn’t good?
This experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. There is also free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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