Sailing charter along the Maltese shoreline incl. Lunch and drinks

Malta’s best sea day may be the one that gets you away from the busiest patch of blue water. This private sailing charter takes up to six people aboard the well-kept ketch Nushen, with Captain Michael steering from Senglea toward Comino or a quieter cove if the wind calls for a change.

I love having the whole boat to your own group, and I like that the day can be adjusted around your interests rather than run on a fixed public-boat schedule. The homemade lunch, swimming time, and Captain Michael’s local stories add real value. The tradeoff is the long sail to Comino, about two and a half hours each way, so this suits people who enjoy being at sea, not anyone seeking a quick transfer.

Key points to know before booking

• Private sailing for up to six: You get the boat to your own party, with room for a more relaxed and personal day.
• Comino depends on the wind: The morning plan heads toward the Blue Lagoon when conditions allow, but another destination may be chosen.
• A quiet cove may be better than the headline stop: Captain Michael can steer toward less crowded swimming and snorkeling spots.
• Lunch is prepared aboard: Expect homemade salads, buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, cold cuts, bread, and chilled melon or other local fruit.
• The day runs from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m.: You spend roughly eight hours on the water, including the outward and return sails.
• Bring patience for the sea: The price is strongest for a full group of six, while couples pay much more per person for the same private charter.

Setting out from Senglea at 9 a.m.

Your day starts at the Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour in Senglea, at Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu. After a short safety and sailing briefing, the boat heads out toward Comino, assuming the wind is favorable.

That opening briefing matters. You get a chance to settle in, understand the plan, and tell Captain Michael what you most want from the day. Some groups care mainly about sailing. Others want swimming, snorkeling, or a slow lunch in a quiet place. The private format gives you more room to discuss those priorities.

The boat is Nushen, a classic monohull ketch that Captain Michael keeps in very good condition. You are not joining a large sightseeing vessel with a fixed script. You are spending the day on a sailing boat with a captain who is also your main source of information about Malta, its shoreline, and the water around the islands.

The port location is handy for public transportation, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. If you are coming from Gozo, one practical route is the Fast Ferry followed by the Three Cities ferry, then a short walk to the boat.

The long sail toward Comino

The trip to Comino takes about two and a half hours. That is a meaningful part of the day, not a brief ride between attractions. You will have time to watch Malta recede, feel the pace of the boat, and enjoy the simple pleasure of moving under sail.

For some people, this is the heart of the outing. You can talk with Captain Michael about sailing, listen to his account of the area, or simply sit back. His interest in sailing comes through in the way he runs the day, and he is happy to explain what is happening rather than treating the boat as a silent taxi.

For others, the long crossing may feel slow. If your ideal boat trip includes constant stops and nonstop activity, two and a half hours on the way out and a similar return may test your patience. I would choose this charter only if the time spent sailing sounds appealing in its own right.

The route can change with the wind. The intended destination is Comino and the Blue Lagoon, but the captain may choose another place when conditions make that wiser. That is not a flaw in the plan. On a sailing boat, the weather helps decide the route, and a sheltered cove can offer a calmer swim than a famous stop packed with boats.

Blue Lagoon or a quieter swimming cove

The scheduled stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, one of Malta’s most recognizable swimming areas. Its clear water is the main draw, and you get time to swim, snorkel, or use water equipment after anchoring.

The Blue Lagoon can be beautiful, but its fame is also the warning. It is the headline stop, not a promise that you will have it to yourself. One of the strongest features of this charter is the captain’s ability to consider a less crowded alternative when the group prefers peace over the famous name.

That flexibility can make the day feel more personal. On one outing, Captain Michael anchored in a pleasant cove where the group had the swimming and snorkeling area almost entirely to itself for much of the afternoon. You should not expect that exact condition every time, since wind and sea traffic change, but the option is part of the appeal.

Once the anchor is down, the day slows. You can swim in the clear water, snorkel, or stretch out on board. The supplied information also refers to floats, and the planned activities include use of a standup paddle board. However, the SUP is listed as not included, so check the exact equipment arrangement before you book if paddleboarding is important to you.

A Mediterranean lunch served on board

Lunch is simple, local, and well suited to a hot day at sea. The spread includes homemade salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, salami, prosciutto, baguette or olive bread, and chilled melon or another local fruit.

This is not a restaurant meal with multiple hot courses. It is a generous cold lunch that you can eat between swims, with food that travels well and does not weigh you down in the heat. The combination of salty cold cuts, creamy cheese, fresh salads, bread, and sweet melon fits the setting far better than a formal meal would.

Salads may include octopus or shrimp. If you are vegetarian, tell the operator when booking so the food can be planned accordingly. The stated inclusions also cover bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea.

I like this part of the arrangement because lunch is built into the day rather than treated as a problem to solve after anchoring. You do not need to leave the cove to find food, and the meal gives the group a natural pause between swimming and the return sail.

Do not expect alcoholic drinks based on the listed inclusions. Soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea are provided. If you want anything else, ask before departure rather than assuming it is available.

Heading back to Senglea around 3 p.m.

The return sailing begins around 3 p.m., with arrival back at Senglea expected around 5 p.m. That timing creates a full day but still gives the excursion a clear shape: morning departure, a long outward sail, several hours near the water, then a steady return.

By this point, you may be pleasantly tired from swimming and sun. The return is also when the private format pays off. You can talk with Captain Michael, compare favorite parts of the day, or enjoy the boat without having to follow a crowd’s timetable.

The exact pace depends on the wind and sea conditions. The advertised schedule is approximate, so allow some flexibility if you have evening plans. I would avoid booking a tight dinner reservation or another timed activity immediately after the expected 5 p.m. return.

What makes the private format worth the price

The charter costs $768.98 for up to six people. With six people, that works out to about $128 per person for eight hours, including the boat, captain, lunch, and nonalcoholic drinks. At that group size, the cost compares well with a full-day private outing, especially since you are not sharing the boat with strangers.

For two people, the same total is about $384.49 each. That is a much bigger commitment, although a couple who wants a private sailing day may still value the quiet setting and personal attention. The price makes the most sense for a family or group of friends who can fill most of the six available places.

The private setup is more than a label. You can talk through the plan, ask for local context, and spend more time on the activities your group enjoys. A family may prefer an easy swim and lunch. A group of sailing fans may want more time under sail. A couple may value the chance to make the day feel unhurried.

The main thing you are paying for is not a long list of included attractions. You are paying for time, privacy, a captain-led route, food aboard, and the chance to reach a less crowded anchorage when conditions permit.

Captain Michael and the tone on board

Captain Michael is central to the experience. He brings a strong interest in sailing and shares information about Malta, the coastline, and the area’s past. He also adjusts his manner to the group. If you enjoy asking sailing questions, you can have a detailed conversation. If you prefer a quiet day, the boat can remain relaxed rather than turning into a nonstop lecture.

The tone is informal. Think of it as spending the day with an experienced local sailor, not attending a formal guided tour. That will suit many people, especially those who like conversation and a personal connection. If you prefer polished service, a strict schedule, or a luxury-yacht atmosphere, this may feel too casual.

The feedback attached to the activity gives the boat and the captain particularly strong praise, with a 4.8 rating from 16 reviews and 94 percent recommendation. The repeated strengths are the well-maintained boat, excellent swimming locations, good food, and Captain Michael’s friendly approach. One family also found the day worked very well with children, though the minimum age is five.

Who should book this Malta sailing charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• A group of up to six friends or family members who want the boat to themselves.
• Couples who place a high value on privacy and are comfortable with the cost.
• People who enjoy sailing as part of the attraction, rather than seeing it only as transport.
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several hours at anchor.
• Families with children aged five or older who can manage a full day on the water.
• Anyone who likes local conversation and an informal captain-led outing.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need a fixed route, or want a busy schedule of many shore stops. This is not a quick Comino transfer. It is a full day shaped by wind, sailing time, anchoring, food, and swimming.

The private format also means your group should be comfortable making decisions together. You may be offered a choice between aiming for Comino and selecting a more sheltered or less crowded spot. That freedom is useful, but it works best when everyone has similar expectations.

Practical details that affect your day

The activity begins at 9 a.m. and lasts about eight hours. It ends back at the Senglea meeting point, so plan around an approximate 5 p.m. return rather than treating that time as guaranteed to the minute.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, and mobile tickets are accepted. It is near public transportation, which makes the Senglea departure point reasonably straightforward to reach.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation or change made less than 24 hours before departure is not refunded or accepted.

The minimum age is five. Most people can take part, but the day involves a boat, a long sail, swimming, and sun exposure. Bring the usual personal items you need for a full day by the water, while remembering that the provided food and drinks are already covered.

My verdict on the Nushen sailing day

Book this charter if you want a private, unhurried day at sea and your group enjoys the idea of sailing for its own sake. The strongest reasons to choose it are the personal route planning, Captain Michael’s easy conversation, the chance to reach a quieter cove, and a good homemade lunch already waiting on board.

For six people, the price is quite sensible. For two, it becomes a special-occasion splurge. I would also confirm the SUP arrangement before booking, since paddleboard use is mentioned in the day’s activities but listed separately from the included items.

If you want a dependable eight-hour outing with swimming, local stories, food, and a captain who can adjust the plan, this is a strong choice. If you want a fast ride to the Blue Lagoon with little time spent sailing, choose a different kind of boat trip.

FAQ

Where does the sailing charter start?

It starts at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, Senglea, ISL 1040, Malta.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 9:00 a.m.

Where does the activity finish?

It finishes back at the same meeting point in Senglea.

How long does the sailing experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with an expected return around 5 p.m.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat is available for a private group of up to six people.

Does the route always go to Comino?

The plan is to sail toward Comino and the Blue Lagoon when the wind allows. If conditions are unsuitable, another destination is chosen.

How long does it take to sail to Comino?

The outward sail to Comino takes about two and a half hours.

What food is included?

Lunch includes homemade salads, buffalo mozzarella, olives, cheese, salami, prosciutto, baguette or olive bread, and melon or other local fruit. Some salads may include octopus or shrimp.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea are included.

Is the standup paddle board included?

No. Use of the standup paddle board is listed as not included, so check the arrangement before booking if you plan to use it.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under five are not permitted. Most people can participate, but the activity includes a long sail and time in the water.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.