Sailing Malta, Gozo and Comino

Malta is a small archipelago that punches far above its size for a sailing holiday. Three inhabited islands — Malta, Gozo and tiny Comino — sit within a few miles of one another in the middle of the Mediterranean, ringed by honey-coloured limestone cliffs, sea caves and some of the clearest water in Europe. Add a season that runs warm well into autumn and English spoken everywhere, and you have one of the easiest, most rewarding short-hop cruising grounds going.

The short answer

Base yourself in Malta, spend your week working the triangle between Malta, Comino and Gozo, and don't rush — the distances are tiny. The undisputed highlight is the Blue Lagoon at Comino, a dazzling turquoise channel that is heaving by midday and blissful at dawn or dusk when you have it almost to yourself. The best months are June, September and October: warm sea, settled weather and thinner crowds than the July–August peak. Because the hops are so short, Malta suits first-timers and families as well as it does confident crews. Browse Malta charters to see what's on the water.

The islands, and the short hops between them

The whole cruising ground fits inside roughly 20 nautical miles, so a "passage" here is often under two hours.

• Comino — barely a square mile, home to the Blue Lagoon and the quieter Santa Marija and San Niklaw bays on the far side. Anchor early, swim before the day boats arrive, then move on.
• Gozo — greener, slower and more rural than Malta. Anchor at Ramla Bay (red sand), tuck into Dwejra near the collapsed Azure Window, or berth at Mgarr to explore the citadel town of Victoria inland.
• Malta — the main island, dominated by the magnificent Grand Harbour at Valletta.

Because everything is so close, you can happily anchor for lunch off one island and sleep off another.

Valletta and the Grand Harbour

Sailing into the Grand Harbour at Valletta is one of the great arrivals in the Mediterranean — a deep natural harbour walled by 16th-century bastions built by the Knights of St John. Berth at one of the marinas in the creeks (Msida, or the smart yacht harbour beneath the Three Cities) and step straight into a UNESCO World Heritage capital of baroque churches, cafés and ramparts. It is worth planning a night here purely for the sail in and the walk ashore.

The weather and the long, warm season

Malta's biggest advantage is its late season. The sea holds its summer heat, so September and October stay very swimmable (water around 24–25°C) while much of the Mediterranean is cooling. High summer is hot and reliably sunny, with air temperatures in the low 30s°C.

The wind to know is the majjistral, the north-westerly that is the prevailing summer breeze — pleasant sailing on most days. The one to respect is the gregale, a strong north-easterly that can blow in from autumn onward and makes some north-facing anchorages, including the Blue Lagoon, untenable. Plan your overnight anchorages with the forecast in hand and you will rarely be caught out.

How many days do you need?

A standard week is plenty — in fact you will spend more time swimming, exploring caves by dinghy and eating ashore than actually sailing. A relaxed loop might look like:

1. Malta base → Comino — anchor at the Blue Lagoon, then move to a quieter bay to sleep.
2. Comino → Gozo (Mgarr) — visit Victoria and the citadel.
3. Gozo west coast — Dwejra and the Inland Sea by dinghy.
4. Gozo → Ramla Bay — red-sand swim stop.
5. Back to Comino — a second, calmer Blue Lagoon morning.
6. Comino → Grand Harbour — sail into Valletta for the finale.
7. Return to base.

What to sail

For this ground, a stable, shallow-draught boat pays off — you will be nosing into rocky bays and swimming platforms matter. A catamaran is a lovely choice for families here: shade, deck space and easy anchoring over the turquoise shallows. Monohulls are perfectly happy too on such short hops. See the whole fleet on the map or filter directly to Malta charters.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to sail Malta? June, September and October — warm, settled and quieter than mid-summer. Malta's late season is a genuine draw, with the sea still warm into October.

Is Malta good for beginners? Yes. The distances between islands are tiny, navigation is straightforward and there's a taverna or town close at hand throughout. It's an ideal confidence-building week.

How do I see the Blue Lagoon without the crowds? Anchor overnight nearby and swim at first light or in the early evening. By late morning the day-trip boats fill it; at the edges of the day it's magical.

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Ready to pick your week? Explore live Malta charters with real per-person pricing, or browse the full fleet on the map.