Sailing charter along the Maltese shoreline incl. Lunch and drinks

The best part of this Malta sailing charter is the private boat setting. You are not sharing the day with a busload of strangers. Your group of up to six can talk with Captain Michael, choose how much time to spend sailing or swimming, and possibly reach a quieter cove if wind and sea conditions allow. The route begins in Senglea at 9 a.m. and usually returns around 5 p.m.

I like the home-cooked Mediterranean lunch, with salads, caprese, olives, cheese, prosciutto, bread, and melon. I also like that the sailing itself is part of the day, not just a quick ride to a swimming stop. The main consideration is the price, $768.98 per group, which is good value for six people but steep for one or two. The Blue Lagoon can also be busy, and the final route depends on the wind.

Key points to know before booking

• Private sailing for up to six: You get the boat for your own party, with time to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and conversation.
• Captain Michael leads the trip: He shares information about Malta, the coastline, and sailing, while keeping the mood relaxed and personal.
• Comino takes about two and a half hours: The long outward sail gives you real time under sail, but it may feel slow if you mainly want a short swim stop.
• Lunch is prepared aboard: Expect homemade salads, buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, cold cuts, bread, local fruit, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea.
• The Blue Lagoon is the planned stop: If wind direction makes Comino unsuitable, the captain chooses another destination.
• SUP use costs extra: Swimming and snorkeling are part of the plan, but standup paddle board use is not included in the listed price.

A private day on Malta’s water

This is not a quick harbor cruise. It is an eight-hour charter built around a full day at sea, with a morning departure, a long sail toward Comino, a swimming stop, lunch, and a return to Senglea in the late afternoon.

That distinction matters. If you want to tick off a coastal view in an hour, this is too long. If you want one unhurried day with your own family or friends, the format makes sense. You can settle into the rhythm of the boat instead of moving from one scheduled stop to the next.

The boat is a classic monohull sailboat named Nushen. It is described as well maintained, which is important on a full-day charter. You will spend many hours aboard, so the condition of the boat and the captain’s approach matter as much as the destination.

Captain Michael is a central part of the experience. He handles the sailing, explains points about Malta and its past, and talks through the plan before leaving. The tone is informal rather than polished or theatrical. That suits people who enjoy asking questions and getting a more personal introduction to the island.

Leaving Senglea at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is outside the Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea, at Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu. The charter ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another harbor.

The morning begins with a short safety and sailing briefing. This is a useful moment to tell Captain Michael what matters most to your group. Some parties may care most about sailing. Others may prefer a long swim, snorkeling, or a quiet lunch aboard. The captain can discuss the route before departure, although the wind remains the final decision-maker.

Senglea is part of Malta’s Three Cities area, and the harbor setting gives the day a strong start. If you are coming from Gozo, one practical route described for the meeting point is the fast ferry followed by the Three Cities ferry. From there, the boat is a short walk away. The exact transport time depends on your starting point, so do not cut it close for a 9 a.m. departure.

The charter is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this is a private activity, you are booking the boat for your party rather than purchasing individual places on a shared cruise.

The long sail toward Comino

The trip to Comino takes about two and a half hours. That is a substantial stretch of time on the water, and it is one of the biggest differences between this charter and a standard sightseeing boat.

I like this part of the plan because the sailing is not treated as dead time. You can watch Malta recede, listen to the captain explain the area, and enjoy the movement of a proper sailing boat. The long crossing also gives Captain Michael room to adjust the route instead of rushing from port to port.

Still, you should be honest about your interests. If you dislike sitting on a boat for several hours, the outward journey may test your patience. The boat’s pace is shaped by the wind, and sailing is not the same as taking a fast motorboat directly to Comino.

Wind direction may also change the destination. The plan is to head toward Comino, but if the conditions are not suitable, another spot will be chosen. This is not a flaw in the experience. It is simply part of booking a sailing day. You should expect a flexible route, not a guaranteed sequence of exact locations.

The Blue Lagoon and the swimming stop

The planned stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, one of Malta’s best-known places for clear water. Once the boat anchors, you have time to swim and snorkel. The stop is also intended for using the standup paddle board, though SUP use is not included in the price.

The water is the main attraction here. You are not visiting Comino for a long land walk or a museum. This is a swim-and-relax stop, so bring swimwear and anything you need to feel comfortable spending time in the sun.

The Blue Lagoon’s fame has a downside. It can be crowded, especially during the warmer part of the day. One of the most appealing details of this charter is that Captain Michael may discuss quieter options with your group and choose a less crowded cove when conditions permit. That possibility gives the private format real value. You are not locked into the same stop as every large excursion boat.

Do not treat a quieter cove as a promise, however. The supplied plan names the Blue Lagoon, while the route can change because of wind. The final choice depends on safety, sailing conditions, and what works best on the day.

Snorkeling equipment is not specifically listed among the inclusions, so check what you need before booking. Swimming is part of the experience, but the details of available gear are not fully specified. The SUP is explicitly excluded, so ask about its cost if paddling is important to you.

A homemade lunch with a Mediterranean feel

Lunch is prepared while you enjoy the water. The menu is simple, generous, and well suited to a day at sea rather than a formal meal.

You can expect homemade salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, salami, prosciutto, baguette or olive bread, and chilled local melon or another local fruit. Soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are included.

This is one of the charter’s strongest practical features. You do not have to leave the anchorage to find food, and you are not relying on a snack bar at a crowded swimming site. A cold Mediterranean-style spread also works well after a swim, when a heavy hot meal would be less appealing.

The menu is not designed for people seeking a restaurant-style lunch with several cooked courses. It is cold food, served in a relaxed boat setting. Salads may include octopus or shrimp, so vegetarians should mention their needs when booking. The information provided specifically asks vegetarian passengers to notify the operator in advance.

The meal also adds value to the group price. At $768.98 for up to six people, the cost works out to about $128 per person if you fill the boat. For a private full-day charter with lunch and drinks, that is a reasonable split for a group that values privacy. For two people, the per-person cost rises sharply, so couples should decide if the exclusive boat and personal service justify the premium.

Sailing back to Senglea around 3 p.m.

The return sail normally begins around 3 p.m., with arrival in Senglea around 5 p.m. By then, you will have had a full day outside, not simply a two-hour harbor outing.

The return leg can be a pleasant chance to talk with Captain Michael, revisit the day’s route, and watch the shoreline from a different angle. It also means you should not plan a tightly timed evening activity immediately afterward. Weather and sailing speed can affect the schedule, even when the stated return time is around 5 p.m.

The day’s shape is best for people who like a slow pace. You will have long stretches with no formal entertainment, no series of rapid stops, and no rush to get back to port. Bring a relaxed attitude. The appeal is the combination of open-water sailing, a flexible swimming stop, lunch, and time with your own group.

Why the private format matters

A shared boat can be cheaper, but it gives you less control over the mood and timetable. Here, the group size is limited to six, and only your party takes part.

That works especially well for couples, families, and small groups of friends. A family can keep the day simple and spend more time in the water. A group of adults can talk, eat, and sail without needing to fit into someone else’s schedule. One couple described the experience as similar to sailing with an old friend, which captures the informal character better than a polished sales pitch would.

The private format also helps with personal interests. You can tell Captain Michael if sailing matters more than swimming, or if you would rather seek a less crowded anchorage. He cannot control the wind or guarantee solitude, but he can respond to the group in a way a large cruise normally cannot.

This is not the right choice if you want a highly structured tour with constant commentary, a fixed list of landmarks, or a low individual price. It is a better match for people who want room to breathe and do not mind that nature sets part of the schedule.

What is included, and what is not

The price includes the private charter, homemade lunch, soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea. The food covers several easy-to-share items, including salads, cheese, ham, fruit, and bread.

The standup paddle board is not included. That is the most important extra cost to clarify before departure. Swimming and snorkeling are listed as activities, but specific snorkeling gear is not detailed in the information provided.

The tour is not suitable for children younger than five. Most older children can participate, and the experience has worked well for families, but a full day on a sailboat requires children who can manage a long outing at sea.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted.

The captain, the boat, and the mood

Captain Michael receives strong praise for his sailing ability, conversation, and knowledge of Malta and the surrounding waters. He is also described as passionate about sailing and careful with Nushen.

That combination matters. On a private charter, the captain is not just operating the boat. He shapes the day. You will likely get more from the outing if you are happy to ask questions, discuss the route, and take part in the relaxed conversation.

The experience is not formal luxury. The appeal is a well-kept sailing boat, a personable captain, a homemade meal, and the freedom to spend the day your way. If you expect white-glove service or a yacht-club atmosphere, this may feel too casual. If you prefer a friendly, personal outing, the style should suit you.

The strong overall rating of 4.8 from 16 ratings and a 94 percent recommendation rate support the idea that the charter delivers what it promises. The sample size is not huge, so I would not treat those numbers as a guarantee. Still, the praise is consistent around the same points: Captain Michael, the boat, the food, the private setting, and the beautiful swimming areas.

Is this Malta sailing charter worth booking?

I would book this for a group of four to six people who want a full day on the water and can split the $768.98 cost. The per-person value improves quickly when the boat is full, and the private setting gives you something a standard cruise cannot.

I would also consider it for a couple celebrating a special day, provided you are comfortable paying more per person. The relaxed captain, homemade lunch, and chance to tailor the route make it feel personal rather than mass-produced.

I would skip it if you want a cheap way to reach Comino, dislike long sailing periods, or need a guaranteed Blue Lagoon visit at a precise time. For everyone else, this offers a thoughtful mix of sailing, swimming, food, and local conversation, with enough flexibility to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

Where does the sailing charter start?

The activity starts at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, Senglea, ISL 1040, Malta.

What time does the charter leave?

The scheduled start time is 9 a.m.

Where does the charter finish?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Senglea.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours. The boat generally leaves Comino around 3 p.m. and arrives back in Senglea around 5 p.m.

Is the Blue Lagoon guaranteed?

No. The plan is to sail toward Comino and stop at the Blue Lagoon, but wind direction may require the captain to choose another destination.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes homemade salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, salami, prosciutto, baguette or olive bread, and melon or other local fruit. Soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea are also included.

Can children join the charter?

Children younger than five cannot participate. Most other travelers can take part, subject to the conditions of the day.