Sailing charter along the Maltese shoreline incl. Lunch and drinks

The best Malta days happen offshore. This private sailing charter combines a long, easygoing sail with quiet swimming time, a home-cooked Mediterranean lunch, and the freedom to shape the day with Captain Michael. I especially like the private boat for up to six people and the chance to leave crowded coastal spots behind. The main consideration is the long sailing time to Comino, about two and a half hours each way, which may feel slow if you want constant swimming or sightseeing.

I also like the relaxed, personal character of the outing. The captain shares local information, adjusts the route to the wind, and can choose a quieter anchorage instead of following a rigid schedule. The SUP is not included, so you should treat the paddleboard as an optional extra rather than part of the basic package.

The key points at a glance

• A private sailing day from Senglea: The boat is reserved for your party, with no mixed group sharing the deck.
• A 2.5-hour sail toward Comino: The journey is part of the experience, not just transportation to the swimming stop.
• Swimming at the Blue Lagoon or another anchorage: Wind direction determines the route, and the captain may choose a different destination when needed.
• A Mediterranean lunch prepared onboard: Expect homemade salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, prosciutto, salami, bread, and chilled melon.
• Captain Michael at the helm: His sailing experience, local knowledge, and easy conversation are central to the day.
• A full eight-hour outing: Departure is at 9:00 a.m., with an expected return to Senglea around 5:00 p.m.

Setting out from Senglea at 9:00 a.m.

The charter begins at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea, at Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu. You meet the crew there at 9:00 a.m., receive a short safety briefing, and then set off along Malta’s shoreline.

This starting point in the Three Cities is useful if you are staying near Senglea or using public transportation. If you are coming from Gozo, one helpful route is the fast ferry followed by the Three Cities ferry. The boat is a short walk from that arrival point, according to the practical directions shared by one couple who made the trip.

The briefing should help you understand the plan, the day’s sailing conditions, and how to move around the boat safely. Since this is a private charter, you can also discuss your preferences before leaving. If your group cares most about sailing, swimming, snorkeling, or finding a quieter cove, say so early.

The boat is a classic ketch, and the sailing vessel named in the experience details is Nushen, a well-maintained monohull. That matters if you want a genuine sailing outing rather than a fast transfer on a large motorboat. The pace is slower, the motion is more noticeable, and the wind becomes part of the day.

The long sail toward Comino

The trip to Comino takes about two and a half hours. That is a substantial portion of the eight-hour charter, so set your expectations correctly. You are not buying a short cruise with a quick photo stop. You are booking a full day on a sailing boat.

I like this arrangement for people who enjoy the journey itself. You can watch Malta’s shoreline change from the water, listen to the rigging, talk with the captain, and settle into the rhythm of the sea. Captain Michael is praised for explaining sailing and sharing information about Malta without making the day feel like a formal lecture.

For some groups, this may be the best part. A couple described spending the day learning about Malta, talking with the captain, and enjoying a Mediterranean-style meal between swims. A family group also found the pace suitable for children old enough to participate, although children under five are not permitted.

The wind determines the route. The planned destination is Comino, but the captain may choose another location if the conditions do not favor that direction. This is sensible seamanship, not a missed promise. Still, if the Blue Lagoon is the one sight you care about most, understand that the exact route cannot be guaranteed.

Blue Lagoon, Comino, and the swimming stop

The listed stop is the Blue Lagoon, one of Malta’s best-known swimming areas. The clear water is the main attraction, with time to swim, snorkel, or use water equipment near the anchored boat.

The private format changes how the stop feels. You are not trying to keep up with a large excursion group or follow a loud onboard schedule. Captain Michael can discuss the plan with your party and, when conditions allow, choose a quieter cove. One group of six arranged to visit less crowded places and ended up swimming and snorkeling almost alone for much of the afternoon.

That flexibility is a real advantage, but it depends on wind, sea conditions, and the day’s traffic around Comino. The Blue Lagoon can be busy, especially during popular parts of the season. A private boat does not make the entire area private. It does give you a better chance of finding a calmer anchorage nearby.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need to feel comfortable on deck. Bottled water and soft drinks are included, but the supplied details do not promise rental snorkeling gear. If snorkeling is important to you, ask what equipment is available before departure.

The standup paddleboard is specifically not included in the price. You may be able to use one, but you should confirm the arrangement and any extra cost when booking. The experience does include time for swimming and snorkeling, so the paddleboard is a bonus, not a requirement for enjoying the stop.

Lunch with a Mediterranean plate

Lunch is prepared onboard while you enjoy the water. The food is simple, cold, and well suited to a hot day at sea. Expect homemade salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, cold cuts, salami, prosciutto, baguette or olive bread, and chilled local melon or other fruit.

This is not a restaurant meal with multiple hot courses. It is closer to a generous Mediterranean spread that you can eat casually on deck. I see that as a strength. You can take a plate, return to the water, or keep talking without turning the middle of the day into a formal dining stop.

The menu may include octopus or shrimp in the salads. If you are vegetarian, tell the operator when you book so the food can be adjusted. The supplied information does not give details for other dietary restrictions, so anyone with allergies should ask in advance rather than relying on a general menu description.

Drinks include soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea. Alcohol is not listed as included, so do not assume that wine, beer, or spirits are part of the package. The cool drinks and fruit are particularly practical in the sun, while coffee and tea give the lunch service a little more comfort than a basic packed meal.

Several people singled out the food as a highlight, calling it delicious and describing the lunch as a perfect fit for a relaxed day at sea. The strongest appeal is freshness and informality, not culinary showmanship.

Captain Michael and the private-boat atmosphere

Captain Michael is a major part of the experience. He is described as passionate about sailing, happy to explain the boat and the coast, and easy to talk with. One family member even managed to keep him discussing sailing for much of the day, which suggests that the conversation can go as deep into nautical subjects as your group wishes.

That personal style will suit you if you enjoy a captain who talks with the group and shares local context. It may not suit someone looking for a polished, silent luxury service with a carefully scripted program. The character here is friendly and informal, more like spending a day with an experienced sailor than joining a large commercial cruise.

The private setting gives Captain Michael room to tailor the day. Your group can talk through the route, spend longer swimming, or place more emphasis on sailing. Of course, weather and safety still control the schedule. You receive flexibility within the limits of the sea, not an unlimited custom itinerary.

The boat itself is reported to be well maintained, which is important on an eight-hour charter. A full day on a small sailing vessel gives you much more contact with the elements than a short harbor cruise. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider bringing whatever remedy you normally use and ask about conditions before setting out.

What the eight-hour schedule feels like

The approximate schedule is straightforward:

• 9:00 a.m.: Meet at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea.
• Morning: Safety briefing and departure.
• About 2.5 hours: Sail toward Comino, weather and wind permitting.
• Around midday: Anchor for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
• Around 3:00 p.m.: Begin the return sail.
• Around 5:00 p.m.: Arrive back at the Senglea meeting point.

This timetable leaves several hours for the water stop, but the sailing legs remain significant. I would choose this charter if I wanted a full sea day. I would not choose it if my main aim were to reach Comino quickly and spend nearly the entire outing swimming.

The return begins at about 3:00 p.m., which gives you a clear end to the swimming portion. You return to Senglea around 5:00 p.m., tired, sun-warmed, and likely ready for a shower. The schedule is long enough to feel like a proper day trip without extending into the evening.

Price and value for different group sizes

The price is $768.98 per group of up to six people. At six people, that works out to about $128.16 per person for eight hours of private sailing, lunch, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea. That is a strong value for a full private charter, especially for a family or group of friends that would otherwise pay separately for several excursion seats.

For two people, the same price works out to about $384.49 each. That is a much bigger commitment, but it buys privacy, a more personal relationship with the captain, and the ability to avoid a mixed charter. One couple specifically valued having the boat to themselves, so the price can make sense for a special occasion or a day when privacy matters more than saving money.

The best value comes with four to six people. You share the fixed charter cost while keeping the entire boat for your own party. Birthday groups, families, and small friend groups are likely to get the most from the arrangement.

The package also removes some common day-trip costs. Lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included. The SUP is not included, and alcohol is not listed, so budget for those separately if they matter to your plans.

Who should book this sailing day

I would recommend this charter to you if you:

• Want a private boat rather than a mixed excursion.
• Enjoy sailing as much as the destination.
• Prefer a calm day with swimming, conversation, and food.
• Are traveling as a couple, family, or group of up to six.
• Like having a captain who can explain sailing and Malta.
• Want the freedom to consider quieter coves when the conditions allow.
• Are comfortable spending several hours on the water.

Families with children over five can enjoy the day, and one family specifically found the outing and lunch a strong memory for the children. Still, an eight-hour boat day asks for patience. Young children who need constant activity may find the long sailing sections difficult.

You should think twice if you want a fast trip, a packed sightseeing program, a hot lunch, or a guaranteed Blue Lagoon stop. You should also confirm food arrangements if you have a strict allergy or dietary requirement.

Booking details, weather, and cancellation

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and is near public transportation.

The charter requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so keep an eye on the local forecast and your schedule.

The meeting point and return point are the same: Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea. That makes the day easier to plan, since you do not need to arrange a second transfer from another harbor.

Should you book the Malta private ketch charter?

Book it if you want Malta from the water at an unhurried pace. The strongest reasons are the private boat, Captain Michael’s friendly sailing guidance, the chance to look for a quieter anchorage, and the simple homemade lunch served onboard.

For six people, the price is especially attractive. For two, it is a splurge, but a meaningful one if privacy and personal attention matter. Skip it if you want a quick ride to Comino, a guaranteed Blue Lagoon itinerary, or a busy program filled with stops.

My practical advice is to book with a group of four to six, tell the captain your priorities before departure, and ask about snorkeling equipment, SUP availability, and dietary needs in advance. If the weather cooperates, this is the kind of Malta day that leaves you sun-tired, well fed, and happily out of the usual sightseeing routine.

FAQ

Where does the sailing charter begin?

It begins at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, Senglea, ISL 1040, Malta.

What time does the charter start?

The start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours, with an expected return to Senglea around 5:00 p.m.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity for your group only, with a maximum of six people.

Is Comino guaranteed as the destination?

No. The plan is to sail toward Comino, but the captain may choose another destination if the wind direction makes that route unsuitable.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes homemade salads, cheese, ham, fruit, and bread. Possible salad ingredients include octopus or shrimp.

What drinks are included?

Soda, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included.

Is the standup paddleboard included?

No. Use of the standup paddleboard is not included in the listed price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.