Choosing a Yacht in Malta: Sailing, Catamaran or Motor

8 min read · Published: April 11, 2024 · Updated: October 29, 2026 · Prices and details checked: October 2026

The right yacht for Malta depends on how many people are coming, how much comfort they expect, and whether you want to sail or simply reach the best bays quickly. Couples and small groups are usually well served by a sailing yacht or a mid-sized motor boat. Families and mixed groups are happier on a catamaran, and a gulet suits large parties who want crew, shade and a slow pace.

Key takeaways

Sailing yacht: the lowest daily cost for people who want to sail; narrower hull, more heel, less privacy.
Catamaran: the most stable and spacious option; two hulls give separate cabins and a wide deck, at a higher rate than a monohull of similar length.
Motor yacht: the fastest way to see Comino and the south coast of Gozo in one day; the highest fuel cost and the least restful for a week on board.
Gulet: a crewed wooden motorsailer for large groups who want meals cooked on board and a relaxed route.
Day charters leave from marinas such as Msida, Ta’ Xbiex or Portomaso; a week charter is the better fit if you want to sleep on board and reach Gozo’s west coast.

Old wooden sailing yacht moored in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta

Table of contents

What are the four yacht types you can charter in Malta?
When is a sailing yacht the right choice?
Who should charter a catamaran in Malta?
When does a motor yacht make more sense than sail?
What is a gulet and when is it worth it?
How do I choose the right size for my group?
Day charter or week charter: which fits your plans?
FAQ

What are the four yacht types you can charter in Malta?

You can charter a sailing yacht (monohull), a catamaran, a motor yacht or a gulet in Malta, and each has a clear profile. The choice depends on how your group will actually spend the day or the week.

A sailing yacht is a single-hull boat driven mainly by its sails, with an engine for harbours and calm days. A catamaran has two hulls joined by a wide bridge deck, which gives a flat, stable platform and plenty of usable space. A motor yacht has no sails, is quick, roomy on deck and simple for a skipper to handle. A gulet is a wooden motorsailer in the Turkish tradition, chartered with a full crew, with a broad aft deck and several cabins below.

All four are offered either bareboat (you skipper with a valid licence) or with a skipper or crew. If you are unsure which format fits you, read our guide to what to know before you charter in Malta first; this article concentrates on the boat itself.

When is a sailing yacht the right choice?

A sailing yacht is the right choice when at least part of your group wants to sail rather than just arrive, and nobody minds the boat leaning in a breeze. It is also the most economical way to spend a full week on the water, because fuel plays a minor role.

Sailing yacht under sail off the Malta coast — Sailing yacht off the Malta coast

The trade-offs are physical. A monohull heels when sailing upwind, the cockpit is narrower than on a catamaran, and the bow and stern cabins are compact. In return, a sailing yacht points higher into the wind, which matters when the northwesterly majjistral is blowing and you want to get back from Comino to the Sliema side under sail.

Sailing yachts work best for couples, two couples who know each other well, or friends who are happy to share space. For a family with small children, we would normally steer you towards a catamaran.

Wooden sailing ship in Sliema harbour in front of modern buildings

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Who should charter a catamaran in Malta?

A catamaran suits families, groups with different comfort expectations and anyone planning long hours at anchor. The two hulls keep the boat level under sail and almost motionless at anchor, so cooking, sleeping and moving around are far easier than on a monohull.

Cabins sit in separate hulls, so two families or two couples get real privacy. The cockpit seats everyone at one table, and the trampoline nets at the bow are where children and sunbathers end up. The shallow draught also lets a catamaran anchor closer to the beach in places like the Crystal Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay on Comino.

The costs are higher than for a sailing yacht of similar length: the daily rate, the marina berth and, for bareboat, the deposit. A catamaran is also wider and slower to turn, which is why many first-time charterers in Malta book one with a skipper.

When does a motor yacht make more sense than sail?

A motor yacht makes more sense when your time is short and you want to visit several bays in one day. Speed turns a long sail into a short hop, so a day trip from Sliema or Valletta can take in Comino, the south coast of Gozo and a swim stop on the way back without anyone watching the clock.

Motor yachts also offer the most open deck per metre of length: a large aft platform at water level, a sunpad on the bow and often a flybridge. For a celebration or a group that mainly wants to swim and eat, that layout is hard to beat.

The downsides are fuel, noise and motion. Fuel is normally charged on top of the base rate and becomes the biggest extra on a fast boat. At anchor in a swell, a planing motor yacht rolls more than a catamaran. For a week on board, it is the least relaxed option unless it is a large displacement boat with crew.

What is a gulet and when is it worth it?

A gulet is worth it when you travel as a large group and want crew, cooked meals and shade without organising anything yourselves. These wooden motorsailers have a covered aft deck with a long table, several double cabins and a galley run by a cook.

Yachts moored in the Grand Harbour below Valletta's fortifications, Malta — Yachts in the Grand Harbour of Valletta

The price is usually quoted for the whole boat per day or week. Spread across a full group, the cost per head can be lower than on a crewed catamaran, with more living space on deck. The format suits slow travel: breakfast at anchor off Mellieħa Bay, a swim, a short run to the next bay, lunch, a nap in the shade. If you want to sail actively, or your group is only a couple or two, a gulet is too much boat.

How do I choose the right size for my group?

Choose the size by counting cabins, not berths. Listings count every sofa and convertible table as a berth, but a comfortable trip means one double cabin per couple and a separate cabin for children or friends.

Three practical questions follow. How many heads (bathrooms) are on board, and should each cabin have its own? Is there enough shaded seating for everyone at once, which matters more in a Maltese summer than extra sunpads? A larger yacht also means a larger deposit, a higher berth fee and a higher licence requirement if you charter bareboat. Pick the smallest boat that still gives every subgroup a door to close.

Day charter or week charter: which fits your plans?

Book a day charter if your group is staying in an apartment or hotel and wants one standout day on the water; book a week if you want to sleep on board, reach bays on the far side of Gozo and change plans with the wind.

For a day, a motor yacht or a mid-sized catamaran gets the most out of the hours available. For a week, a sailing yacht or catamaran is the better home: lower running costs, a proper galley and no pressure to cover distance.

The sea around Malta is calmest in high summer, which is also when day charters are most in demand and marinas are fullest. Spring and autumn give more choice of boats and quieter anchorages. Once you have settled on a boat type, our article on yacht charter routes and anchorages around Malta helps you plan where to take it.

FAQ

Is a catamaran or a sailing yacht better for seasickness?

A catamaran is better. Its two hulls keep the boat level under sail and nearly still at anchor, while a monohull heels and rolls more in a swell. If someone in your group is prone to seasickness, choose a catamaran or a larger displacement motor yacht.

Can I charter a yacht in Malta without a licence?

Yes, if you book a skippered or crewed charter. Only bareboat charters require a recognised licence and sailing experience. Most day charters in Malta include a skipper, which is also the easiest option for a first visit.

What is the difference between a crewed catamaran and a gulet?

Both come with crew, but a gulet is a wooden motorsailer with a large covered aft deck, chartered as a whole boat for bigger groups with meals cooked on board. A crewed catamaran is lighter, sails better and offers more privacy per cabin, but less shaded communal space.

How far in advance should I book a yacht in Malta?

As early as you can for the summer months, when catamarans and larger motor yachts go first, especially at weekends and around public holidays.

Where do yacht charters in Malta usually start?

Most leave from the marinas around Marsamxett Harbour, especially Msida and Ta’ Xbiex, or from Portomaso in St. Julian’s. Charters focused on Gozo sometimes start from Mġarr harbour on Gozo. Check the departure point against where you are staying.

Decide on the boat type first, then on size, then on day or week; the price follows from those three choices. If you would like help matching a boat to your group and dates, we arrange yacht charters and other travel bookings in Malta through our booking page.