Yacht Charter Malta Archipelago

Yachtbooker is proud to present to all eager Yacht Charter sailors a new itinerary, this time around the island of Malta, which is situated in the center of the Mediterranean basin, south of the Italian island of Sicily. This journey will take not only around the island of Malta, but also to some of the smaller, neighboring islands where you’ll get to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in this part of the Mediterranean.

Before we head out on the sea, let’s take the time to get the general feeling of the Maltese landscape and of its surroundings. Malta has been a strategic point in the Mediterranean, and, as a result, has been fought over for centuries. As a testament to that, you’ll see during your travels along its coast many old fortifications built by various conquering peoples at different times in its tumultuous past. Today, these ruins serve only as Yacht Charter tourist destinations.

Malta has been described by many as an open-air museum thanks to its numerous historical landmarks. The main way of arriving here is by ferry from Italy, a trip which usually takes several hours. Once in Malta, make sure you take a tour around its main city and capital, Valleta. English is listed as an official language so most Yacht Charter groups  won’t have any trouble in making themselves understood. Weather is nice all through the year thanks to its geographic position, classified as subtropical-Mediterranean with lots of sunshine throughout the year.

And now, let’s move on to the proposed itinerary.

DAY 1

The starting base of choice is Msida Marina which is located in Valleta, the main city on the island and also its biggest port. The entry point on the island for most Yacht Charter sailors, the city can be found on the eastern shore of the main island. There are a number of marinas in the bay, but the Msida Marina is considered by many to offer the best Yacht Charter services in Malta. After leaving the marina, head northwest, towards the north end of the island. The next stop you’ll find further north from St. Paul’s Bay and you’ll recognize it by the town of Mellieha, sitting on the top of a hill and overlooking the bay with the same name. This happens to be the bay with the longest beach in Malta, which is why you should spend the night at this location. Here, you’ll find nice restaurants and accommodation.

DAY 2

The second day is dedicated to leaving the Yacht Charter Malta island and heading further north, to the neighboring smaller island of Comino. The first place you should visit here is the infamous Blue Lagoon Bay on the west side of the island, between the mainland Comino and the islet of Cominotto. This is a famous landmark, visited every year by thousands of Yacht Charter boats because of the breathtaking beauty of its cyan waters bordered by white sands and high cliffs. Even if you haven’t been here before, chances are you’ve already seen it, because it’s a favorite of filmmakers, being features in movies such as Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo and Swept Away.

Next, our trip takes us around the north corner of Comino, into the beautiful bay of San Niklaw. This is a favorite spot of divers and snorkelers. Here, the weary Yacht Charter crew can find restaurants, hotels and beaches where they can relax. But don’t get too comfortable just yet! The day isn’t over and the place to spend the night is the Santa Marija Bay, just a few miles to the east. This place is also listed as one of the greatest beaches in Malta because of its beauty but also because of its tranquilty.

DAY 3

The third day of the trip is dedicated to the last island in the Maltese archipelago, Gozo. The landing point here is the Mgarr ix-Xini, basically a gorge on the southwestern part of the island. Here, there’s the a lot of good diving to be done (there’s a sunken ferry to explore), as well as many secluded beaches and the medieval Tower. After you tire of playing in the water, it’s time to set sail again, and this time set a course for the Xlendi Bay, further west up the coast.

Moving on to the north again, further up the island’s coastline, to the Dwejra Bay. This rather unique bay is very popular not just with Yacht Charter aficionados, but also with photographers and artists because of the dramatic seascapes  and the rich wildlife. Make sure not to miss such rock formations as the Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Dwejra Watch-Tower. And since this is the place where you’ll be spending the night, enjoy the evening sun cast shadows over these ancient rocks.

DAY 4

The fourth day of our trip will take us first to the north of the island of Gozo and then down again towards Malta, to the south, circling the eastern part of the island. In order to reach the next stop, you’ll have to keep along the coast, heading north first, and then east to Marsalforn Bay, another popular location for tourists and Yacht Charter enthusiasts coming to Gozo. Plenty of restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops can be found here along the seafront.

After that little bit of shopping and eating out, it’s time to relax on a nice beach and we have the perfect place for you. The large sandy beach of Ramla Bay, just off the coast of Marsalforn, to the southeast. You’ll just have to get used to the reddish tint of the sand here and the relative isolation. Also, there are some other interest points in the neighborhood, such as the famous Calypso Cave that tradition says was mentioned by Homer in The Odyssey as the place where Ulysses spent 7 years under the spell of the nymph Calypso.

But make sure you don’t spend all day in the sun, because just to the southeast, there’s the San Blas Bay which is considered the miniature version of the Ramla Bay. The beauty of this place is its unspoiled nature which makes perfect for snorkeling but also a picnic along the red golden sands.

If you follow the coast towards the south and then towards the west, you’ll end up in Mgarr harbor, which is also the ferry terminal linking up with Yacht Charter Malta.

DAY 5

For the fifth day, the itinerary will take us back to Malta, where we’ll be sailing along the western shores. Leaving the island of Comino to the east, sail towards Malta and drop anchor on the northwestern tip, aptly named Paradise Bay. This is also listed as a favorite bathing spot for Yacht Charter sailors and is located in a natural cove bordered by a wide beach where the young Yacht Charter tourists gather for parties during the weekends.

And speaking of youngsters, they’ll certainly enjoy the next stop in our trip, the so-called Popeye Village in Anchor Bay, further down south. This ramshackle village was built as a set for the movie Popeye and has been available for visits ever since with shows, museums and play houses for children, something for every member in your Yacht Charter crew.

Then, heading further south you’ll get to Gnejna Bay, a secluded strip of shore backed by a steep cliff on the northern side, protecting it from prying eyes, which is why there’s a nudist beach on the location. If you’re not interested in such liberal pastimes, you can settle to admire from your Yacht Charter boat the clay slopes and limestone cliffs.

You’ll be spending your night at the Golden Bay which is set among the Malta countryside and is relatively undeveloped, although there is a small marina on the northern side of the bay where you can moor your Yacht Charter vessel.

DAY 6

During the sixth day of this itinerary, you’ll be sailing down the west coast of Malta, along the high cliffs and passing the little island of Filfla, Wied Iz-Zurrieq which can be found in a large bay on the southern tip of the island. The overnight stay will be made in the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk, on the other side side of the bay, to the northeast. Here, you and your Yacht Charter buddies will be mooring among the many, colorful, traditional fishing boats called luzzu and having your dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants along the waterfront. There’s also a large market on Sundays that selss seafood, groceries, souvenirs and clothing.

DAY 7

The last day of trip consists of sailing along the southern tip of Malta and returning to the port where our little adventure began. The first stop of the day should be done at Delimara Fort, which guards the eastern tip of the bay where you spent the night. Travelling further north you’ll end up in the Pretty Bay which was a popular resort for locals for decades but today it’s mostly used for Yacht Charter purposes and water sports. Feel free to explore the Maltese coast at your own pace before returning to base at Msida Marina and thus ending your trip around the Maltese archipelago.

Expect lots of spectacular cliffs as well as amazing bays with fine beaches and azure waters the likes of which can only be encountered in some oceanic archipelagoes. Testament to the beauty of the Maltese landscape is the fact that it has been featured in many films. So, if you’re looking for a Yacht Charter holiday that can save you from the busy popular resorts of the Mediterranean, look no further than the island of Malta.

Please remember that these locations are merely suggestions that we offer and you are free to modify your itinerary any way you see fit or in a way that makes it more comfortable for you.