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. Already know what you want? Compare all 9 boats and prices on our boat rental Malta page.
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 a recognised boat licence from any country, such as an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), an RYA Day Skipper certificate or a Transport Malta nautical 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. No licence? The same RIB can be hired with a skipper for €600.
What’s Included
Skippered catamaran and yacht charters include the skipper, fuel, tax and an ice box, plus a SUP board on selected boats. Bring your own towels, drinking water, and a mask and fins if you’d like to snorkel. The RIB works a little differently: fuel is charged separately based on what you use, on top of the daily rate, whether you drive it yourself or take a skipper. 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
- Self-drive RIB (bareboat): from €500, plus fuel
- RIB with a skipper, full day: €600, plus fuel
- Sailing yacht (skippered), full day: from €700
- Catamaran (skippered), full day: from €900
- Evening or sunset charter: from €400
All of these prices are per boat, not per person, which matters more than it sounds once you’re comparing options for a group. See every boat’s day and evening price on our boat rental page.
Good to Know Before You Book
- The main season runs April to October, and we sail all year, weather permitting
- A €200 deposit secures your booking online; the balance on the day can be paid by card, cash or Revolut
- Cancellations follow a Force 5 wind policy
- Charters depart from Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex or Tigné Seafront in Sliema, at no extra cost
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 a recognised boat licence from any country, such as an ICC, an RYA Day Skipper certificate or a Transport Malta nautical 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.
