From St. Julian’s: Jet Ski Safari to the South of Malta

Malta’s only jet ski safari to the south packs a lot into 90 minutes. From St. Julian’s, you ride past Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, and Delimara, with a guide leading the way and a safety boat present throughout. I like that this is more than a quick spin near the beach, and I like that each person gets a jet ski rather than sharing one. The main drawback is the price: at $241 per person, this is a high-cost morning, especially once you add the €100 cash security deposit per machine.

The small group, limited to six people, should keep the outing personal and easy to manage. Recent outings have included an energetic guide named Harry, and the tour works for beginners as well as experienced riders. Still, rough water around the harbor can make the ride bumpy, so this is not a gentle sightseeing cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• Southern Malta route: Ride from St. Julian’s past Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, Delimara, and il-Ħofriet.
• Your own jet ski: One jet ski is included for each participant, along with fuel, insurance, and a life jacket.
• Safety support: An experienced instructor leads the ride while a safety boat stays with the group.
• Strict age and ID rules: Drivers must be at least 18 and must show a passport or identity card.
• Cash deposit required: Bring €100 in cash for each jet ski. Cards are not accepted for this deposit.
• Short, active outing: The activity lasts about 90 minutes and returns to St. Julian’s at roughly 11:30 AM.

From St. Julian’s to Malta’s southern coast

The ride begins at 10:00 AM from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. You are not leaving from a broad public beach, so allow time to find the entrance and walk down to the water.

At the hotel’s underground parking entrance, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground. That line leads to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

You need to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. This matters because you must show a passport or identity card, pay the cash deposit, get fitted with safety equipment, and listen to the guide before the group leaves. If you arrive without acceptable identification, you can lose the trip without a refund.

The route gives you a moving view of Malta’s eastern coast. Instead of staying in one small area, you cover a long stretch of water and see major coastal sights from sea level. That is the real appeal here. You get speed, but you also get a changing view of Malta’s harbors, bays, and cliffs.

Riding your own jet ski with a small group

Each participant receives one jet ski. That makes the experience more active than sitting behind another driver, and it lets you control your own pace within the guide’s instructions. Beginners are welcome, but you still need to be comfortable with a fast motorized vehicle on open water.

The instructor leads the route in English. The group is limited to six participants, which should make it easier to follow the guide and easier to ask questions before setting off. A safety boat remains with the group for the entire activity, giving the outing a more secure structure than an unsupervised rental.

The machines are fully comprehensively insured, but that does not mean every possible cost disappears. In the event of an accident, loss, or damage, you are liable for the insurance excess fee. The €100 security deposit is refundable, but it must be paid in cash at the base. Bring enough money for the deposit, since credit and debit cards are not accepted for it.

You receive a life jacket, and fuel is included. Comfortable clothing and swimwear make sense because spray is part of the experience. You should also bring a towel and wear comfortable shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, so choose secure footwear that will stay on while you move around the jet ski and jetty.

Passing Valletta Grand Harbour from the water

One of the first major sights on the route is Valletta Grand Harbour. From the water, you get a different angle on Malta’s capital and its fortified waterfront than you would from the streets or a sightseeing bus.

The harbor is also where you may notice the rougher side of the outing. Open water and boat traffic can make the ride choppy, and one recent trip encountered rough conditions around the harbor. That can add excitement, but it can also make the ride tiring or uncomfortable if you are prone to motion sickness.

This section is best for people who want an active view rather than a quiet one. You will not have much time to stop and study every building. The jet ski keeps moving, so the value comes from the broad view and the feeling of crossing the harbor under your own power.

If you want calm water, a slow boat, and plenty of time for photographs, this is probably the wrong format. If you like speed and do not mind spray, the harbor crossing gives the trip a strong opening.

St. Thomas Bay and the coast near Marsascala

The route continues toward St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala. This coastal section brings you closer to the southern part of Malta and away from the busy feel of St. Julian’s.

A jet ski is useful here because you can cover more water than you could by swimming or walking between viewpoints. You see the shoreline from a low position, close to the water, while the instructor keeps the group together. The changing angle makes the coast feel more immediate than it does from a road above the bay.

You should not expect a long beach stop or a meal break. Food and drinks are not included, and the advertised duration is only 90 minutes. The outing is built around riding and seeing the coast, not lounging at a beach club.

The route is also not a private charter. A minimum of two participants is required to operate the booking, and the group can include up to six people. That is still a small number, but you should expect to ride as part of a guided group rather than choose every turn yourself.

Delimara and the two bays of il-Ħofriet

Near Delimara, the tour reaches one of its more distinctive coastal sections. The route passes il-Ħofriet, two bays connected by a natural passage cut through the cliffs by erosion.

This is the kind of detail that gives the safari more purpose than simply riding back and forth. You get a recognizable natural feature, viewed from the sea and approached by jet ski. The cliffs and narrow passage create a more dramatic setting than the open harbor.

The guide controls the route and pace, so the exact amount of time spent near the bays can depend on sea conditions and the group. Do not expect to land and explore on foot. The experience is about seeing the formations from the water, then continuing along the coast.

For me, this is the strongest scenic reason to choose the southern route. Many water activities around Malta focus on swimming spots and clear-water bays. This one adds a longer coastal journey and a natural feature that you can appreciate while riding.

What the $241 price really covers

At $241 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense if you specifically want to drive your own jet ski and reach southern Malta in a small guided group.

You are paying for a 90-minute activity, one machine per person, fuel, a professional instructor, a safety boat, life jackets, and comprehensive insurance. Those inclusions remove several common add-on costs, but the price remains high compared with a simple beach rental or a short ride.

The safety boat matters. You are not simply handed a machine and sent out alone. An instructor stays in charge of the route, and the support boat remains present for the full activity. That is valuable for first-time riders and for anyone who wants to cover open water without handling navigation alone.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a short thrill ride. You may feel that 90 minutes passes quickly, especially after check-in, instruction, and returning the equipment. The route helps balance that concern because the activity travels well beyond the immediate St. Julian’s area.

I would view this as a special-occasion outing rather than a casual add-on. Couples, siblings, and friends who want a high-energy morning may find the cost worthwhile. Budget-conscious visitors or anyone planning several paid activities in Malta should compare it carefully with other ways to see the coast.

Who should book this jet ski safari

This suits adults who enjoy speed, sea spray, and a clear route to follow. It is a good match for a first-time rider who wants instruction and a safety boat, as well as for an experienced driver who wants to see more of Malta than the waters near the resort area.

The activity has a firm minimum age of 18. Children cannot participate, and drivers under 18 are not accepted. You also need a legally valid passport or identity card on the day.

The operator lists several health restrictions. The ride is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, people over 65, or anyone over 287 pounds, or 130 kilograms. It is also not suitable for people who suffer from motion sickness.

These rules are practical rather than minor fine print. A jet ski ride involves bouncing, balance, climbing on and off the machine, and exposure to open water. If you have doubts about your physical condition, choose a calmer boat outing instead.

You must also be sober. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks cannot be brought into the vehicle. That is sensible for any powered-water activity, but it is worth planning your morning around.

Practical preparation for the morning

Bring your passport or identity card, swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothes, and secure shoes. Add cash for the €100 refundable deposit per jet ski. Since cash is the only accepted payment method for the deposit, do not assume you can settle it at the base with a card.

Motion sickness prevention may be useful if you know you are sensitive to boat movement or rough water. The harbor can be choppy, and the jet ski’s movement is more active than a large passenger boat.

There is no hotel pick-up or drop-off. You must make your own way to the St. Julian’s jetty. The meeting point is behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s.

The return is expected around 11:30 AM. That timing makes the safari easy to pair with lunch or an afternoon plan, but do not schedule something that depends on an exact return minute. Sea conditions and group pace can affect the timing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later for the activity. Those options help if your Malta plans may change, but the ID, age, health, and cash-deposit rules still apply on the day.

What the experience is really like

The strongest feature is the mix of movement and sightseeing. You are not just circling near St. Julian’s. You travel toward Valletta Grand Harbour, Marsascala, and Delimara, then see il-Ħofriet from the water before returning.

The best personal touch is likely to come from the guide. Harry has led recent outings with a lively, playful approach, helping turn the ride into a social experience rather than a silent convoy. Guides can change, so I would not book solely on the expectation that Harry will be leading your departure, but the small group gives the instructor room to interact with participants.

The main uncertainty is the sea. Calm conditions would make the coastal views easier to enjoy, while rough water would add more physical effort. One recent outing remained fun despite rough harbor water, but that does not mean every rider will feel the same way.

You should also set your expectations about photography. The jet ski keeps moving, and your hands are occupied. You may get scenic pauses or slower sections, but this is not designed as a dedicated photo tour.

Should you book the St. Julian’s jet ski safari?

Book it if you want to drive your own jet ski, prefer an active outing to a sightseeing boat, and care about reaching Malta’s southern coast. The route is the key advantage, especially the passage through Valletta Grand Harbour and the cliff-cut bays of il-Ħofriet.

Think twice if $241 feels steep, you dislike rough water, or you want a relaxed swim-and-sun experience. You also need to accept the €100 cash deposit, strict identification rules, and the physical demands of a 90-minute ride.

For an adult pair or small group looking for one memorable burst of speed, this is a strong choice. Just arrive early, bring the right documents and cash, and treat the sea conditions as part of the deal rather than a guarantee of a smooth ride.

FAQ

How long does the jet ski safari last?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours, or about 90 minutes. It departs from St. Julian’s at approximately 10:00 AM and returns around 11:30 AM.

Where is the meeting point?

Departure is from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s. Use the black iron gate near the hotel’s underground parking entrance, follow the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Drivers must be at least 18 and must show a valid passport or identity card. If you cannot present the required identification, you can lose the trip without a refund.

How much is the security deposit?

A refundable deposit of €100 is required for each jet ski. It must be paid in cash at the base, as credit and debit cards are not accepted for the deposit.

Is a jet ski provided for each person?

Yes. The activity includes one jet ski per person, along with fuel, a life jacket, an experienced instructor, a safety boat, and fully comprehensive insurance.

Can children participate?

No. The minimum age is 18, and drivers under 18 are not accepted. The activity is also not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with certain health or mobility conditions, people over 65, or anyone over 130 kilograms.