Malta looks different from the water. The fortified harbours, the pale cliffs, the sea caves and the thin line of Comino are best seen from a deck. Boats range from short harbour hops to full-day cruises, and almost all of them depend on one thing: how the sea behaves on the day.
Operators come and go, and prices change, so this page stays with the types of trip, the places they reach and the conditions that matter. Booking is a matter of checking current schedules for the day you want.
Harbour cruises
The two harbours either side of Valletta are the easiest water to see. Marsamxett Harbour lies between Valletta and Sliema; the Grand Harbour opens to the east with the Three Cities across it. Cruises around them pass the fortifications from the water, and the view of Valletta from the sea shows how the bastions rise straight from the water.
For a simpler option, the public ferry across Marsamxett works as a short sightseeing ride; see Valletta to Sliema by ferry. A boat across the Grand Harbour to Vittoriosa is the most scenic way to arrive at the Three Cities, and from the water the bastions of Fort Saint Angelo show how the harbour was defended.
Comino and the Blue Lagoon
Comino sits between Malta and Gozo. The Blue Lagoon is a shallow turquoise channel between Comino and the islet of Cominotto, with pale sand and clear water. Boats reach it from Ċirkewwa on Malta and Mġarr on Gozo, and many cruises leave from Sliema, Bugibba and other resorts. Crossings are shortest from Ċirkewwa and Mġarr.
Shade is scarce, so a hat, sun cream and water matter. In July and August the lagoon is crowded around midday; going early or staying late gives more space. Snorkelling is the main activity, and the water is clearest on calm mornings. Comino has few facilities, so carry what you need.
Blue Grotto cave boats
Short boat trips run from the small harbour at Wied iż-Żurrieq into a group of sea caves on the south-west coast. The Blue Grotto is famed for the colour of its water, and the light is best in the morning. The boats run only when the sea is calm enough, so a windy day can mean no trip.
Combine it with the south coast: Ħaġar Qim stands close by, and the boat fits between the temples and lunch at Marsaxlokk. A car park sits above the harbour, with a short walk down to the quay.
The Gozo coast and Dwejra
Cruises along Gozo’s coast show the cliffs, sea arches and caves that the roads cannot reach. At Dwejra, small boats run through a natural tunnel from the Inland Sea to the open water, when the weather allows. Rough days close the passage, so check on the day. The collapsed arch of the Azure Window is gone, but the coast around it is still among the wildest on the islands.
Some boat tours combine the Gozo coast with a Comino stop and a swim. Read things to do in Gozo to see what can be added on land.
Fishing boats and diving
In the south, the painted luzzu fishing boats of Marsaxlokk fill a harbour that is as picturesque from the quay as from the water. For divers, boats and shore entries serve wrecks and caves; browse the diving sites for what is on offer, from the Rozi tugboat to the Blue Hole on Gozo.
Seasons, wind and sea
Most trips run from spring to autumn, with the choice at its widest from June to September. The sea is warmest in late summer; spring water is cooler. Winter trips are few, and rough days are common. Malta’s sea is affected by wind direction as well as strength: a northerly makes the north coast rough while the south stays calm, and the reverse in southerly weather. This is why the same operator can run one trip and cancel another on the same day.
Choosing a trip
Start with how long you have. A harbour cruise or the Blue Grotto takes an hour or two and fits any itinerary. Comino is a half to full day, because crossing and swimming take time. A Gozo coast cruise takes most of a day. Then consider who is on board: small children enjoy the cave boats and the shallow lagoon, but long open-water crossings tire them, while confident swimmers and snorkellers get the most from Comino and the Gozo coast.
Look at the forecast two days ahead and again on the morning. Trips are usually easy to move by a day if the wind picks up, so book the first outing early in the stay and keep a spare day in the plan.
What to bring
A hat, sun cream, water, a light layer for the open deck, a towel, swimwear and shoes that grip wet boards. Keep valuables dry. Seasickness tablets from a pharmacy help those prone to it, and a morning start helps everybody. For more ideas on land, see Malta day trips and things to do in Malta.
