Charter bases
Malta's charter fleet is based around the Grand Harbour area, with Kalkara Marina the main departure point, plus facilities in Msida and the Three Cities. These are full-service marinas with fuel, water and provisioning close at hand, and the historic harbour setting makes for a memorable start and finish.
Anchorages
Malta is compact — distances are short and you can anchor most nights.
| Location | Highlight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Comino (Blue Lagoon) | Turquoise water, snorkelling | Free to anchor; busy midday, overnight is best |
| Mgarr, Gozo | Harbour town, ferry link | Gozo's main port |
| St Paul's Bay, Malta | Sheltered, historic | Good overnight anchorage |
| Dwejra, Gozo | Dramatic cliffs, diving | Day stop, weather-dependent |
Gozo & Comino
The three-island hop between Malta, Gozo and tiny Comino is the essence of a Maltese charter. Comino's Blue Lagoon — impossibly clear turquoise water over white sand — is the star, best enjoyed overnight once the day-trip boats have left. Gozo is quieter and more rural, with good harbour towns and dramatic coastline.
Practicalities
A recognised sailing licence is required for bareboat charter, as in the rest of the EU. There's no national cruising tax, and marina fees run around $50/day for a mid-size yacht. Distances are so short that fuel is a minor cost. A refundable security deposit (or deposit insurance) applies as everywhere.