Malta: Jet Ski Safari to St. Paul’s Islands or St Thomas Bay

Malta’s coast looks best from the water, and this jet ski safari gives you a fast, close-up way to see it. You can choose the north route to St. Paul’s Islands or the south route toward St. Thomas Bay, then follow an instructor along coves, bays, and shorelines that are hard to reach on foot.

I like the choice of two routes, and I like that the group is limited to six participants. The guides also take photos during the ride, which saves you from trying to handle a phone on a moving jet ski. The main drawback is the price: at $227 for a group of up to one, this is a costly 90-minute activity, especially since hotel transport, food, and drinks are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different coastal routes: Pick St. Paul’s Islands and the north coast, or St. Thomas Bay and the south.
• A 1.5-hour ride: The time includes the guided coastal route and the return to St. George’s Bay.
• Small groups matter: No more than six participants ride together, helping the instructor keep the group in sight.
• Fuel and safety gear are included: You still need to bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and water.
• You need to be 18 to drive: A valid ID and a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski are required.
• Expect more than straight-line speed: A cove stop for swimming can be part of the outing, so this is not only a point-to-point ride.

Starting at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay

The meeting point is easy to miss if you are not looking for it. Before entering the Corinthia Verdi Hotel, find the black gate. Walk through it, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to St. George’s Bay. Allow a little extra time to find the gate and reach the water. This is not the place to arrive at the last second with a towel still in your hotel room.

At the office, you will need to show a valid ID, read the company rules, and pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski. The deposit is separate from the tour price, so bring cash. The operator can refuse to hand over a jet ski if the rules have not been read.

The instructor supplies the jet ski, fuel, and safety equipment. Listen carefully to the briefing, since the jet ski must stay with the group and follow the instructor throughout the safari. This is a guided ride, not a chance to set your own course around Malta.

Choosing the north route to St. Paul’s Islands

The north option begins at St. George’s Bay and heads toward Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands. It is the better choice if you want a route centered on open coastal views, bays, and the islands just offshore.

Mellieha Bay gives the route a broad coastal opening before the ride turns toward St. Paul’s Bay. From the water, you get a different sense of Malta’s shoreline than you do from a road or beach. The jet ski lets you cover more coast in a short time, but the instructor controls the pace and direction.

The highlight is the trip around St. Paul’s Islands. These small islands are reached by water, and circling them gives you the sense of being away from the main resort strip without committing to a full-day boat trip.

You should expect photo stops and scenic pauses rather than a long guided talk about each location. The supplied languages include English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish, so you can request an instructor who matches your language when availability allows.

Taking the south route past Valletta Grand Harbour

The south route offers a different flavor. From St. George’s Bay, you pass by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St. Thomas Bay, then continue toward il-Hofriet, described as two of the south’s most popular bays.

This route is a good pick if the harbor views appeal to you. Seeing Valletta Grand Harbour from the water gives the ride a more urban and historic setting before the coast opens into the bays farther south.

St. Thomas Bay is the main destination on this route. The ride then continues to il-Hofriet, where the water and rocky shoreline provide the kind of scenery that makes a jet ski outing feel like an exploration rather than a simple rental.

The tradeoff is that you do not get both routes in one session. The tour lasts 1.5 hours, including the return to St. George’s Bay, so each choice gives you a brisk sample of one part of Malta’s coast. If you want St. Paul’s Islands, choose north. If Valletta’s harbor and the southern bays interest you more, choose south.

What the 90-minute ride feels like

This is not a free-form jet ski rental. You stay with the instructor from start to finish, which makes the experience safer and easier for first-time riders who meet the age and swimming requirements.

The route mixes speed with close looks at the shoreline. You can expect stretches where you feel the wind and spray, followed by turns near coves, islands, and bays. A recent outing included a stop in a cove for swimming, a useful detail for anyone who wants more than a straight run across the water.

The small-group limit of six helps. A large convoy can feel slow and impersonal, while a tiny group lets the instructor keep a closer eye on everyone. It also means the pace may be shaped by the least confident driver. Strong riders should not expect a nonstop race.

The guide takes photos during the safari. That is a real convenience. You can keep both hands focused on the ride and still leave with pictures of the outing. The photos are not a reason by themselves to book, but they add value to an activity where taking your own pictures is awkward.

Who can drive, and who should skip it

Drivers must be at least 18 years old. You also need a valid ID on the day of the activity, and all participants must be able to swim.

The operator lists several conditions that make the activity unsuitable: pregnancy, back problems, mobility impairments, and heart problems. You should also skip it if you do not swim or if you are not comfortable handling a moving watercraft under instruction.

Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden before and during the activity. Smoking is also not allowed. These rules are sensible on the water, and the company can refuse use of the jet ski if its requirements are not followed.

If you are booking for more than one person, check the driving arrangements before you pay. The listed price is $227 per group up to one, and the activity information confirms a maximum of six participants, but it does not spell out every passenger or sharing arrangement. Ask the operator if a second person plans to ride on the same jet ski.

Packing for Malta’s sun and spray

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. The list is short, but every item earns its place.

Sunglasses help with glare and spray. A hat is useful before and after the ride, though you should secure it well. Swimwear and a towel matter because the route can include a swimming stop, and you may get wet even if you do not plan to swim.

Fuel is included, so you do not need to budget for a fuel charge at the end. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no hotel transfer. Have water with you and plan your meal separately.

Leave alcohol and drugs behind. Bring the required €100 cash deposit and a valid ID instead. Also remember that a lost ticket cannot be refunded or redeemed.

Is $227 a fair price?

The value depends heavily on how much you enjoy active water time. You are paying for a jet ski, fuel, safety equipment, an instructor, a guided route, a small group, and photos. For someone who already loves jet skiing, the chance to ride around St. Paul’s Islands or along the south coast can justify the cost.

The price is harder to defend if you mainly want a cheap swim or a casual look at the shore. At 1.5 hours, this is a short activity, and the ride begins and ends at the same base. There is no meal, hotel pickup, or longer beach stop included.

The unusual wording of the price, $227 per group up to one, also deserves attention. Confirm the exact total for your party before booking, especially if two people plan to share a jet ski or if you are booking several jet skis.

The free cancellation policy gives you some protection. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Malta schedule depends on weather or changing plans, though the operator’s rules still apply once you arrive.

How this compares with a standard jet ski rental

A normal rental often gives you time on the machine but little sense of the coast. Here, the instructor leads you to named bays and islands, keeps the group together, and manages the route.

That makes this a better choice if you want to see Malta from the water without planning your own course. It also suits you if safety guidance matters or if you are trying jet skiing for the first time.

The limitation is independence. You cannot leave the group, extend the ride, or choose a private route. The jet ski must stay with the instructor, so experienced riders looking for a free-speed session may find the format restrictive.

The French feedback describing the outing as more interesting than simply riding in a straight line fits the setup well. The appeal is the combination of speed, turns, coastal stops, and a possible swim pause. It is an active sightseeing trip, not just equipment hire.

Practical booking advice for St. George’s Bay

Choose the route before you arrive. The north safari goes to Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands. The south safari passes Valletta Grand Harbour, reaches St. Thomas Bay, and continues to il-Hofriet.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothing and bring a towel. Apply sunscreen before you reach the jetty, then pack it for later. Keep your schedule clear around the 1.5-hour duration, since the stated time includes the ride out, coastal stops, and return.

The instructor languages are unusually broad: English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. Language availability can vary, so request your preferred language when booking rather than assuming it will be available at the dock.

The safety deposit is cash only according to the instructions, so do not rely on a card. Bring your ID, and do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Should you book this Malta jet ski safari?

Book it if you want a lively way to see Malta’s coast and you value a guided route over a cheap rental. I would choose the north route for St. Paul’s Islands and the south route for Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, and il-Hofriet.

I would skip it if you want a relaxed boat trip, dislike following a group, or are not comfortable with the price for 90 minutes. The €100 cash deposit, age rule, swimming requirement, and medical restrictions also matter.

For the right person, this is a compact, energetic outing with clear sights, a friendly instructor, and the bonus of guide-taken photos. Just confirm the final price for your group, bring cash for the deposit, and choose your coast before you set out.

FAQ

How long does the jet ski safari last?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours, including the guided ride and the return to Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Sun & Fun Water Sports. Before entering Corinthia Verdi Hotel, find the black gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

Which routes can I choose?

You can choose a north route to Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands, or a south route past Valletta Grand Harbour to St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Jet ski rental, fuel, safety equipment, and a professional instructor are included.

What age must the driver be?

Drivers must be at least 18 years old. A valid ID is required on the day of the activity.

Is a security deposit required?

Yes. A €100 cash security deposit is required for each jet ski at the office.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must be able to swim. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. Hotel transfers, food, drinks, and personal expenses are not included.