Hire a Sailboat in Malta with Oceans Evasion
Despite being one of the smallest countries in Europe, Malta consists of three main islands. Located just to the south of Sicily, it is the ideal location to hire a sailboat as you can sail between the islands, admiring the beauty of their unspoilt natural landscapes. During a sailboat hire in Malta, you will have the chance to enjoy one of the most popular Mediterranean destinations, lined with white sand beaches, complete with crystal clear, blue waters that practically beg you to swim in them. These beautiful beaches make Malta a true haven for anyone wishing to discover it by boat, and the wide range of marinas and ports available ensure that your mooring needs during your Maltese nautical adventure will certainly be catered for.
How much does it cost to hire a sailboat in Malta?
Many things can influence the cost of sailboat hire in Malta, including the size and brand of the boat, how long you want to sail for, how many people are going, and the season when you want to sail. Hiring with a skipper will also affect the cost skippers aren’t usually included in the base price unless the owner indicates otherwise. In general though, you should expect to pay at least £842 per week.
Do you need to hire a sailboat with a skipper in Malta?
No, in Malta you can hire a sailboat either with or without a skipper, but when considering a bareboat hire, you should check the legislation to see if you need a boating licence. Usually, you only need a boating licence in Malta if you want to hire a boat with an engine power of 30 horsepower or more and you will often get a brief training session before taking the boat out so you know how to safely operate it.
Hiring a sailboat without a skipper is perfect for those with a little experience who want a holiday full of freedom and adventure. If you want someone else to take care of the more technical aspects of your holiday while you just relax, you should instead hire with a skipper who can take you to all the best areas while imparting their local knowledge.
What are the weather and sailing conditions like in Malta?
Maltese weather conditions vary greatly depending on when you want to hire. The air temperature generally ranges from 10-30.56°C, the lowest temperatures generally being recorded in February and peaking in August at 30°C. The water temperature remains suitable for activities such as swimming and snorkeling throughout the year, ranging from an average of 15.56°C in February, to an average of 26.11°C in August.
There is also a lot of variation regarding the amount of rainfall throughout the year. July is Malta’s driest month, receiving just 0.1 inches of rain and November is the wettest month, receiving 2.5 inches, a significant increase. The windiest month in Malta is December, when the average hourly wind speed is around 15.6 mph. July, meanwhile, is the calmest month, with an average hourly wind speed of just 8.6 mph.
When is the best time to go sailing in Malta?
Although the weather is best in the height of the summer period, we think that the best time to go sailing in Malta is the spring and early summer, when the weather is nice but not too hot and there are fewer tourists. This results in less crowded beaches and slightly lower boat prices. Early autumn is another great time to go sailing in Malta for the same reasons. The weather is good for a beach visit, but you can swim and snorkel in all the best spots without having to battle your way through hundreds of other tourists.
What are the best sailing areas in Malta?
There are three main islands in Malta, as well as many other, smaller ones, which means it is the perfect place for a sailing expedition, with more areas to explore than you can count at your disposal. Some of the best places include:
- Gozo
- Blue Hole of San Lawrence
- Ramla Bay
- Ras il-Qala
- San Blas
- Xlendi
- Comino
- Crystal Lagoon
- Blue Lagoon
- Ħaġar Qim
- Valletta
- Mdina
What are the most popular harbours and marinas in Malta?
With many amazing harbours and marinas dotted throughout Malta, each beautiful and unique in its own way, you won’t have enough time to stop off at all of them. With that in mind, we have made a list of our top five that we think are completely unmissable:
- Marsamxett Harbour
- St. Julian’s Bay
- Grand Harbour
- Mgarr Harbour
- Marsaxlokk
What to see in Malta?
These picturesque islands are packed full of amazing things to see and do but here are our favourites:
- Manoel Theatre, one of Europe’s oldest theatres located in the capital, Valletta
- Spectacular shipwrecks, including Um El Faroud and MV Rozi
- The Blue Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves on Comino
- The fantastic nightlife of either SIlema or St Julian’s
- The amazing marine life at the Blue Grotto
- The Blue Hole or Ta’Cenc Cliffs on Gozo
- The fish market at Marsaxlokk
- The catacombs in Rabat
- Vilhena Palace in Mdina
- The Megalithic Temples
- Red Tower in Marfa
- Any of the beaches
- The Dingli Cliffs
- St Peter’s Pool