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

Fast water, big views, no dull stretches. This 1.5-hour jet ski safari gives you a lively way to see Malta from the sea, with a choice between the north route around St. Paul’s Islands and the south route toward St. Thomas Bay. I like the guided format, which keeps the group together, and I like that the trip includes fuel, safety equipment, and an instructor. The main drawback is the price: $227 per group up to one makes this a costly short outing unless riding a jet ski is a top priority.

I also like that the route is not simply a straight run out and back. The safari includes bays, shorelines, islands, and a stop in a cove for swimming, based on the available feedback. You should expect an active ride rather than a sightseeing cruise, and you must be comfortable in the water, able to follow instructions, and at least 18 years old to drive.

The base is at Sun & Fun Water Sports near Corinthia Verdi Hotel in St. George’s Bay. Finding the correct entrance matters, since you do not simply walk through the hotel lobby. Look for the black gate before the hotel, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line along the jetty.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different routes: Choose the north safari for St. Paul’s Bay, Mellieha Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands, or the south safari for Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, and il-Hofriet.
• The instructor leads the entire ride: You must keep the jet ski with the group and follow the guide’s instructions throughout.
• A €100 cash deposit is required: You pay this security deposit for each jet ski at the office before setting out.
• The outing includes a swimming stop: The experience is more varied than simply racing in a straight line, with time to stop at a cove.
• Drivers must be 18 or older: Bring a valid ID, and be ready to read the full rules at the office.
• The group is limited to six participants: That keeps the outing fairly small, though the jet skis still travel as a guided group.

Starting at St. George’s Bay

Your starting point is Sun & Fun Water Sports at St. George’s Bay. The meeting instructions are specific for a reason. Before you enter Corinthia Verdi Hotel, look for a black gate. Walk through it, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

I would allow extra time to find this spot. The directions are clear once you know what to look for, but the black gate and jetty entrance are easy to miss if you are expecting a large watersports sign. The supplied map link identifies the gate location.

At the office, you will deal with the practical side first. You need to show a valid ID, read the company’s full rules, and pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski. That deposit is separate from the listed tour price, so bring cash and do not treat the advertised amount as your only out-of-pocket cost.

Safety equipment and fuel are included. Food, drinks, hotel pickup, and personal expenses are not. Bring your own water, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and hat. A hat can be useful before or after the ride, but make sure anything loose is secure once you are moving.

Choosing between Malta’s north and south routes

The biggest booking decision is the route. Both safaris leave from St. George’s Bay, last about 1.5 hours, and return to the same base. The scenery and direction are different enough that you should choose based on the parts of Malta you most want to see from the water.

The north safari visits Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and the area around St. Paul’s Islands. This is the better pick if you want a route built around bays and offshore islands. The route gives you several changes of scenery, moving from open water to shorelines and island views.

The south safari heads toward Valletta Grand Harbour and St. Thomas Bay, then continues to il-Hofriet, described as two of the south’s most popular bays. This option suits you if the approach toward Valletta and the southern bays sounds more appealing than the northern islands.

You will not be free to invent your own route. The jet ski must stay with the instructor at all times. That is important for safety, but it also means this is a guided group ride, not an independent rental. If you want to stop wherever you please or set your own pace, this format may feel restrictive.

What the 1.5-hour ride feels like

Once the safety briefing and equipment process are complete, you follow the instructor out from St. George’s Bay. The core appeal is simple: you are close to the water, moving quickly, and seeing Malta from a viewpoint that land-based sightseeing cannot provide.

The ride includes open stretches, shoreline views, and access to places reached only by water. The description emphasizes crystal-clear water, coves, and secluded islands. Keep your expectations sensible, though. In 90 minutes, you get a brisk introduction to the coast, not an all-day exploration.

One detail makes this outing more interesting than a basic jet ski rental. The route includes a stop in a cove for swimming. That break gives you time to cool off and enjoy the water instead of spending the entire experience gripping the handlebars. One French-language comment praised this change of pace, noting that the safari was different from a standard jet ski session spent going only in a straight line.

The instructor also takes photos during the safari. This is useful if you want a record of the outing without trying to handle a phone on a moving jet ski. Photo quality and the number of images are not specified, so I would treat this as a pleasant extra rather than a guaranteed professional photo package.

The north safari around St. Paul’s Islands

The northern route begins by heading toward Mellieha Bay and St. Paul’s Bay before going around St. Paul’s Islands. The route gives you a mix of broad bay views and offshore scenery.

Mellieha Bay is one of the route’s major coastal reference points. From the water, you get a different sense of its size and shape than you would from shore. St. Paul’s Bay then adds another change of scenery before the route continues toward the islands.

The ride around St. Paul’s Islands is likely the visual high point of this option. You can see the coast from the outside, look back toward Malta, and enjoy the sense of being briefly separated from the mainland. The route is guided, so your attention can stay on the water and the views rather than on navigation.

This is the better route for you if island scenery is the main draw. It is also a good fit if you want several recognizable northern locations packed into a short trip. The tradeoff is that the itinerary moves quickly. You will not have the time for long stops at every bay, and the 1.5-hour duration limits how much the instructor can cover.

The south safari toward St. Thomas Bay

The southern route takes you past Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St. Thomas Bay. That opening section combines the speed of the ride with a striking approach toward Malta’s capital area.

The harbor view is a strong reason to choose this route. Seeing Valletta Grand Harbour from the water gives you a broad coastal perspective rather than the close street-level experience you get on land. It is a useful choice if you have already explored Valletta on foot and want a different angle.

From there, the safari continues to St. Thomas Bay and then to il-Hofriet, two popular bays in the south. The route is shaped around coves and coastal inlets, with time to appreciate the shoreline and stop for a swim.

I would choose this option if your Malta plans already include the northern coast and you want to see more of the south. It may also appeal more if you like the idea of combining harbor views with a swimming stop. As with the north route, you should not expect a relaxed beach day. The group keeps moving under the instructor’s direction, and the total outing remains only 90 minutes.

Safety rules that affect the experience

The guided setup is one of the strongest practical features of this safari. An instructor leads the ride, and the jet skis must remain with the group. That reduces the chance of getting lost and keeps the outing organized, especially for people who have not ridden in Malta before.

You must be able to swim. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, and that rule makes sense given the open-water setting and the swimming stop. You should also be comfortable with physical movement, spray, and the possibility of a bumpy ride.

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and must show valid identification. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back, heart, or mobility problems. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited, and you cannot operate the jet ski under their influence.

Read the full rules at the office. The company can refuse to provide a jet ski if you do not read them. The ticket also cannot be refunded or redeemed if lost, so keep it safe during the outing.

These rules are not fine print to ignore. They shape who can take part and help explain why the company requires a deposit and a formal check-in before departure.

Is $227 good value for a short safari?

At $227 per group up to one, this is an expensive 1.5-hour activity. The price includes the jet ski, fuel, safety equipment, and a professional instructor, so you are not adding fuel charges or paying separately for basic riding equipment. Even so, the cost is high compared with many standard sightseeing activities in Malta.

The value depends on what you want from your day. If you are looking for the cheapest way to see the coast, this is not it. If you specifically want the speed, spray, and excitement of a jet ski, the package becomes easier to justify because the main costs are already included.

The small group limit of six also helps. You are not signing up for a huge fleet spread across the bay. Still, the group format means the price buys a guided shared experience, not total privacy or control over the route.

I would book it for a special occasion, an active day by the water, or a group that already knows jet skiing is a favorite activity. I would skip it if you are mainly interested in slow coastal sightseeing, swimming for hours, or keeping your Malta budget tight.

What to bring and what to expect afterward

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water. You should assume you will get wet. There is no food or drink included, so arrange your own refreshments before or after the safari.

Secure your personal items before setting out. The supplied information does not describe storage, so avoid bringing anything you would not want exposed to spray or lost in the water.

The instructor speaks English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. That wide language range can make the briefing easier for many participants, but the exact language arrangement for your departure is not specified.

The outing finishes back at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to and from the base.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this safari to adults who can swim, enjoy fast outdoor activities, and want to see Malta’s coast from the water. It works especially well for couples, friends, and small groups who want a memorable activity rather than another museum or walking tour.

The north route is best for St. Paul’s Islands, Mellieha Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay. The south route makes more sense for Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, and il-Hofriet. If you are unsure, choose based on which side of Malta you have explored less.

I would not recommend it for children who cannot drive, since drivers must be 18 or older. It is also unsuitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, and people with back, heart, or mobility problems.

The strongest praise has focused on the friendly staff, the instructor’s photos, and the fact that the safari includes more than straight-line riding. Those details matter. You get guidance, a swimming break, and a visual record of the day, not just a key and a time limit.

Should you book Malta’s jet ski safari?

Book this if you want speed, coastal scenery, and a guided water adventure in a compact 90-minute format. Pick St. Paul’s Islands for the northern bays and island views, or choose St. Thomas Bay for the southern coves and the approach past Valletta Grand Harbour.

Think twice if $227 feels steep for a short activity, or if you prefer a quiet boat ride with long stops. Bring the €100 cash deposit, arrive with your ID, and follow the meeting directions carefully. For the right kind of visitor, this is a fun and well-organized way to add some action to a Malta itinerary.

FAQ

How long is the Malta jet ski safari?

The safari lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes, including the guided route and return to Sun & Fun Water Sports.

Where does the jet ski safari start?

It starts at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay, near Corinthia Verdi Hotel.

How do I find the meeting point?

Before entering Corinthia Verdi Hotel, look for a black gate. Walk through it, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

Can I choose the route?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes the jet ski rental, fuel, safety equipment, and a professional instructor.

Is a security deposit required?

Yes. You must pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski at the office.

How old must I be to drive?

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and must show a valid ID on the day of the activity.

Do I need to know how to swim?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking terms.