Rent a boat in Malta and you’ll quickly discover it means different things to different people: a fully crewed catamaran for the day, a self-drive RIB, even a week-long yacht charter. Here’s how to figure out which one is right for you.
Two Ways to Rent a Boat in Malta
Almost everything that gets called “boat rental” here is really a private charter, meaning the boat comes with a skipper included. There’s one exception: a self-drive RIB you can take out yourself. Knowing which category you’re looking at before you book saves a fair bit of back and forth.
Skippered Charters: The Default, and the Easiest
This is what most people mean when they say they want to rent a boat in Malta. You book a sailing yacht or catamaran, a local skipper handles the boat, and you spend the day, or the evening, doing everything except drive. It suits first-time charter guests, groups who just want to relax, and anyone without a boating licence. Everything from a full day trip out to Comino to a short sunset run falls into this category.
Self-Drive (Bareboat) Rental: For Confident Boaters
If you’d genuinely rather be behind the wheel, the option is the Turismo 710 RIB, available as a bareboat rental from €500. To take it out yourself, you’ll need one of the following: an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), an RYA Day Skipper certificate, or a Transport Malta nautical licence, plus a VHF radio licence. A €200 refundable security deposit applies. This suits people who’ve driven a boat before and want the independence of setting their own route rather than following a skipper’s plan.
What’s Included
Skippered charters include the skipper, fuel, tax, snorkelling gear, an ice box, fresh water, towels and a SUP board. The self-drive RIB works a little differently: fuel is charged separately based on what you use, on top of the daily rate. Either way, you’re welcome to bring your own food and drinks, or add the onboard BBQ package for €40 per person.
What It Costs
- Sailing yacht (skippered), full day: from €700
- Catamaran (skippered), full day: from €900
- Evening or sunset charter: from €400
- Self-drive RIB (bareboat): from €500, plus fuel
All of these prices are per boat, not per person, which matters more than it sounds once you’re comparing options for a group.
Good to Know Before You Book
- Season runs April to October
- Payment is by card only
- Cancellations follow a Force 5 wind policy
- Charters depart from Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex or Sliema
Whichever way you’d rather spend your day on the water, in the passenger seat or behind the wheel, it helps to know which one you’re actually booking before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a boating licence to rent a boat in Malta? Only for the self-drive RIB, where you’ll need an ICC, RYA Day Skipper certificate, or Transport Malta nautical licence, plus a VHF radio licence. Skippered charters need no licence at all, since a local skipper handles the boat throughout.
Is boat rental in Malta priced per person or per boat? Per boat. A group of ten pays the same as a group of two for the same vessel.
Can I bring my own food onto a rented boat? Yes, BYO is fine, or you can add the onboard BBQ package instead.
