The Maltese Archipelago, a unique blend of beauty and culture

Megaliths, medieval dungeons and Calypso’s Cave – The Maltese Islands are positively mythic. The narrow meandering streets of their towns and villages are crowded with Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces. As the countryside is dotted with the oldest known human structures in the world, the Islands have rightly been described as an open-air museum.

The Republic of Malta is an archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, nestled between Sicily and Tunisia, consisting of three main islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Malta is the largest island and the cultural, commercial and administrative centre. Gozo is the second largest island and is more rural, characterised by fishing, tourism, crafts and agriculture while Comino is largely uninhabited.

All three stun with their crystal-clear waters that lap dramatic rocky beaches. With some of the most beautiful seascapes you can imagine, Malta makes for the perfect country to rent a boat in and enjoy a day at sea.

Once you have rented your yacht to charter, set sail towards some of the best beaches Malta can offer. Below are just some of the hidden gems you can find strewn across the archipelago and its 196.8Km of coastline (not including 56.01 km for the island of Gozo).

Malta

Discover a truly unique blend of cultures and art by walking the Maltese streets of Valletta, the capital of the country. Mingle with locals during hot summer nights as you sway to live jazz music, sipping on a fresh Kinnie. Learn about the intricacies of the long history of the Maltese islands by visiting acclaimed museums and three of the world’s World UNESCO Heritage sites – but between one activity and the other, find respite in the cool waters of the Mediterranean. Rent a boat and splash into sapphire pools: these are some of the best beaches the island of Malta has to offer.

Golden Bay and Riviera Beach​

Imagine chartering your private yacht to a bay with cyan waters and an orange-gold sandy beach, surrounded by untouched bright green hills. Sounds magical, doesn’t it? Located on the North-West coast of Malta, Golden Bay and its sister Riviera Beach make for the most eye-catching sunset scene, mesmerising with their high-contrast, saturated colours in a golden hue.

Paradise Beach

This beach is truly heaven on earth. Small in size but big in beauty, it offers lovely light-blue gradient water that starkly contrasts the white, sandy beach. Hugged by imposing rocky formations, it is renowned as one of the best places to snorkel and dive. Once anchored the yacht in the bay, you can easily access the shore from your boat and rent a kayak, another popular activity you can take part at Paradise Beach.

St. Peter’s Pool

This small inlet is one of the most secluded on the island of Malta. Tucked away from tourists, the waves have carved the rocks in a most peculiar manner, allowing them to create a steep ring around a deep-sea bed. This is the perfect place to charter your private boat and enjoy a quiet space and, if you are feeling brave, can cliff dive. Marvel at how the white sand rocks take on a golden hue as the sun sets, unwinding with the sound of the waves and dining in style on your exclusive yacht.

Mellieha Bay

This is the top spot for daredevils who want to try out water sports. Rife with exciting challenges, this adrenaline-geared bay has no water currents and boasts clear, shallow water and a white sandy beach that stretches for a good 800 metres. Should you tire of your onboard chef, there are many bars and restaurants in the vicinity which you can visit. As a bonus, you can have a nice family outing in the close by Ghadira Nature Reserve, a stopover for migratory birds.

Ghar Lapsi

Charter your private yacht through the area of the Blue Grotto in the South-West of Malta and stop over at Ghar Lapsi, a small bay with a view over Filfla, one of the untouched islands of the Maltese archipelago home to a variety of unique birds and fish.

Ghar Lapsi is a rocky beach with big, cool caves you can take refuge in during the hot summer days. With your boat safely anchored, dive into the wonderfully clear water which allows for top-quality underwater photography.

A small islet in the middle of the natural pool gives way to brave cliff divers to jump off its height and in to the deep aquamarine waters.
A handful of restaurants and bars overlook the bay, and offer food and beverages to the locals who normally populate the beach.

With beauty to boast, this tranquil beach is the perfect location to stop by as you sail the South-Western coast of the island of Malta.

Armier Beach

Armier Beach is located in the far North of Malta and is divided into two beaches: Armier and Little Armier. Both are quite remote, positioned far from the nearest bus stop; not many tourists are ready to take on the hike from there, leaving the white sandy beaches to be enjoyed by few. Armier and Little Armier are easily accessible by boat.

Locals inhabit the nearby boathouses, creating a small, hospitable town. Children can be heard happily playing through the winding streets whilst adults enjoy a chat in the shade, and cats nap lazily in the sun. Lesser-known than other major sandy beaches, Armier Beach is an excellent choice for those who wish to splash around in limpid waters and relax on a soft bank of sand.

Close by is also the White Tower, a watchtower built in 1658. Built by the Order of Saint John, this limestone landmark is thought to have served as the summer residence of the British Governon. A testament to the rich history of Malta, it is definitely a sight to see.

Gozo

Gozo is the second biggest island within the Maltese archipelago. Rural, stark, quiet, it lights up during the Carnival season with lively parades and bright colours. It is home to one out of three of Malta’ World UNESCO Heritage Sites known as the Megalithic Temples of Malta.

Gozo impresses with its unique seascapes, pristine waters, and untouched nature. Baroque churches rise from the heart of small villages, and traditional farmhouses dot the rural landscape. Its culture and way of life are rooted in tradition and yet open to the present.

Ramla Bay

A translation from Maltese meaning “Red Beach”, Ramla Bay is the biggest beach in Gozo. Rife with history and beauty, it lies close to Roman ruins and an old fortification erected by the Knights of St. John. The bronze, soft sand makes for the perfect relaxing site, and the aquamarine shallow waters enable long strolls along the coast.

Should the beach become too crowded, you can venture towards Calypso’s Cave, the site thought to be mentioned in the Odyssey where the homonymous nymph first meets the hero Odysseus.

San Blas

Ideal for a boat rental excursion, the small beach located in the North-East side of Gozo presents itself with luscious greenery hugging a sandy bay. Difficult to access on foot, it is not very crowded and leaves the secluded area to those who hire boats to visit it. The red seafloor starkly contrasts the cerulean sea, abundant with fish and therefore perfect for snorkelling.

Marsalforn Bay

Traditional Maltese fishing boats dot this popular resort, giving it a charming feeling. Plenty of cafés and restaurants are present in the surrounding area. Take a stroll in the local public garden and enjoy quality family time at the nearby park. Gaze in amazement as the limestone formation Għar Qawqla, as the once arch connected to the mainland which collapsed in the 20th century, reminds you of the beauty of natural change.

Qala Rock

Just 65 metres away from the South Coast of the village of Qala is a small islet rock measuring only 95x50 metres. This peculiar formation is located in a lesser-known bay, small enough to house a limited number of boats, making it a quiet place to have fun in the sun. Free spots are hard to come by but if you do, make sure to experience the spectacular display of underwater flora and fauna this area has to offer.

Wied Il-Mielaħ window in Gharb

In the North-Western corner of Gozo lies the valley of Wied Il-Mielaħ. This diving site is only accessible by boat, leaving the tourists on foot too long for a private charter that would take them to admire the striking rock formation known as the Window. A large cave with an air pocket hides under it in direction of the valley. A second open-air cavernous body makes for Instagram-enviable photos and can be found just West of the Window. If you are lucky, a shoal of barracudas may make an appearance if you look straight out from the archway into the blue at about 30-35 metres. With an impressive geometric rock window and grottos aplenty, Wied Il-Mielaħ is the dream spot for adventures and divers alike.

Dwejra Bay

A harmony of fauna, flora, geology, archaeology, and history blend to perfection in Dwejra Bay, resulting in one of the most gorgeous locations of the Maltese Islands.

One of the local attractions of the area is Fungus Rock, a 65m high rock placed 60m away from mainland and completely encircled by water. Its name derives from the discovery of a plant locally known as “Gherq is-Sinjur”, initially thought to be a fungus. This islet stands testimony of the rich Maltese history, with a backstory encompassing the Knights of St. John and the race to find medicinal herbs to cure the ill.

Faithfully guarding the Fungus Rock is Dwejra Tower, a watchtower dating back to the reign of Grand Master Lascaris in 1652. Not far off is the Azure Window, possibly the most well-known landmark of Gozo. Once a jaw-dropping archway, it since suffered fragmentation due to a heavy storm in 2017. Still, this geological masterpiece continues to impress with embedded fossils, its original form well documented in films and television series alike.

Intact remains the Blue Hole, a natural pool with a dazzling display of blue hues. Its underwater marvels garnered its reputation as one of Europe’s best diving sites. For a day trip full of history and natural wonder look no further than sailing to Dwejra Bay.

Comino

Still aquamarine waters. White rocky beaches. A gentle sea breeze brings along the scent of wild herbs. This is Comino: a small island free from urbanisation and full of natural wonders.

Blue Lagoon

A natural shallow pool dazzles with turquoise waters and ivory sand. Stationary food trucks nearby offer fresh cocktails served in pineapples, refreshing ice-creams, and delicious savoury food. Children can be heard splashing in the sea while parents lazily dangle their feet in the cool water.

This spectacular lagoon strikes with its effervescent colours, making it one a top spot for tourists. At 6 o’clock though, when the closing public ferry carries the last visitors back to Gozo, a veil of quiet sets on the Blue Lagoon. Free from the clamour of tourist, those with private boats can enjoy a scenic sunset: the once ivory sand becomes gilded as it reflects the warm rays of sun; the turquoise waters settle as the sky is painted in gradients of purple, red, and orange that melt into the horizon.

Crystal Lagoon

Neighbouring the Blue Lagoon is the small Crystal Lagoon. Only accessible by boat, this beautiful little hidden beach garnered the name from its crystal-clear waters. It is one of the best spots to snorkel in, you can feed your adventurous side by exploring the web of caves and passages that circle it. With nothing but the sound of the splashing of waves, Crystal Lagoon makes for the perfect spot to relax and make the most of your private yacht in Malta.

Saint Maria Bay and its Caves

North of Comino lies St. Maria’s Bay, a small sandy beach that is less trafficked than Blue Lagoon. Sea waves gently lap the ivory sand, an ideal spot for families with young children who wish to safely play in the water. Not far off are its homonymous caves, a sought-after snorkelling and diving site. The majestic caves tower over the Mediterranean Sea and offer shallow waters in which marine life prospers - a unique view spot for those lucky enough to have a private boat for hire.

Skippered Yacht Charters​

With superbly sunny weather, expansive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 7,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do. With a little help from any guidebook, captivating places of interest are immediately identified – the world-famous Hypogeum selected as a place of World Heritage by UNESCO, prehistoric temples and grand palaces are but a few.

The long relationship between the Islanders and the various nationalities that occupied Malta over the centuries has created a marriage of styles and traditions, giving the Islands a fascinating eclectic culture. Contact us on [email protected] if you would like to book your private yacht charter in Malta