St. Julian’s: Jet Ski Rental in St. George’s Bay

The Mediterranean is your playground here. This jet ski rental gives you a fast, direct way to enjoy St. George’s Bay, with self-driving freedom and striking views from the water. I like the clear safety briefing and the fact that fuel, a life jacket, and comprehensive insurance are included. The main drawback is the first-come, first-served setup, which can mean waiting during busy hours.

I also like the flexible timing. You can arrive between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM rather than being tied to one narrow departure. Still, you need cash for the €100 security deposit on a one-hour rental, and drivers must be at least 18 with valid identification.

Key points to know before riding

• Ride from St. George’s Bay: The jetty sits behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort.
• Choose 15 minutes to one hour: Short rides suit a quick thrill, while the full hour gives you more time on the water.
• Drive yourself: Staff explain how to operate the jet ski and cover maritime rules before you set off.
• Arrive early for less waiting: Rentals are first come, first served, with the shortest waits more likely between 9:00 AM and noon.
• Bring cash and identification: A valid passport or identity card is required, and a €100 cash deposit applies to each jet ski rented for one hour.
• Not for every rider: The activity is unsuitable for drivers under 18, children under five, pregnant women, people with several medical conditions, and anyone over 130 kilograms.

Why St. George’s Bay is a good place for a jet ski ride

St. George’s Bay puts you close to the water without sending you across Malta for the activity. The ride begins from a jetty beside the hotel marina, so the whole experience is built around getting out onto the Mediterranean quickly.

From the seat of a jet ski, you see St. George’s Bay from a different angle. Instead of looking across the water from shore, you can turn toward the bay, the open sea, and the surrounding seascapes as you ride. The setting matters because the attraction is not only speed. It is the combination of movement, sea air, and wide views.

This is a practical choice if you are already staying in or visiting St. Julian’s. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you arrange your own way to the marina. That saves the tour operator from adding a transfer cost, but it also means you need to plan your route and allow time to find the exact entrance.

The ride is offered in a small group of no more than 10 participants. That is small enough for the briefing to remain manageable, though the first-come, first-served system means the group size does not guarantee an immediate departure.

Finding the jetty behind the Verdi hotel

The meeting point can be easy to miss if you only look for a sign on the main road. Go to the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s. The hotel was formerly known as the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, so either name may help if you are checking older directions.

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

I would save these directions on your phone before arriving. Cellphones are not allowed on the vehicle, but you can use yours before the ride to confirm the route. The meeting point is not presented as a hotel lobby check-in, so following the path carefully will save time.

There is no stated requirement to arrive at a fixed minute. You can come to the base any time from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. That flexibility is useful, but it works alongside the first-come, first-served policy. If you arrive when several people are waiting, your ride may not begin immediately.

For a shorter wait, plan for the morning, ideally between 9:00 AM and noon. The afternoon remains possible, but the activity does not promise a specific departure time for every arrival.

What happens before you reach the water

Before you ride, an experienced instructor gives you a safety briefing. You learn how to use the jet ski correctly and receive an explanation of maritime rules and regulations. This part is important even if you have ridden before, since the briefing sets out the local expectations for operating on the water.

You also sign an indemnity form before renting the jet ski. This is a standard part of the check-in process, but you should know it is required rather than optional.

A life jacket is provided. Fuel is included, so you do not need to calculate an extra charge based on how much fuel you use. Fully comprehensive insurance is also included, which gives the advertised price more substance than a bare equipment rental.

The instruction is in English. If you are comfortable receiving safety directions in English, the process should be straightforward. The activity does not list other languages, so you should take that into account when deciding if this is suitable for your group.

Fifteen minutes or a full hour?

The available duration runs from 15 minutes to one hour. That range changes the character of the experience.

A 15-minute ride is a quick hit of speed and sea air. It may suit you if you are fitting the activity between other plans in St. Julian’s, or if one person in your group wants to try a jet ski without committing to a longer session. The tradeoff is simple: you get less time to settle into the controls and enjoy the scenery.

A longer rental gives you more room to appreciate the bay. You have time to become comfortable with the controls, enjoy the views, and share the experience with a passenger if you choose that arrangement. The full hour also requires the €100 refundable security deposit for each jet ski, paid in cash before the ride.

The price is listed at $47 per person, but you should check the exact option before booking because the duration can vary. At that price, the value comes from the equipment, instruction, life jacket, fuel, and insurance being bundled together. It is not the cheapest way to see the sea, but it offers an active experience rather than a passive view from shore.

If your main goal is a fast taste of jet skiing, the shorter option can make sense. If you want the activity to be a major part of your day, the one-hour rental gives the price more weight, provided you are ready with the deposit and enough time.

Riding solo or with a passenger

The activity allows you to ride alone or with a passenger. That gives you a choice between controlling the machine yourself or sharing the ride with someone else.

A solo ride offers the most direct sense of control. You listen to the instructions, manage the jet ski, and take in the bay without another person behind you. A passenger arrangement is useful if someone in your party wants the experience but does not want to drive.

The rules still matter. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and must show a valid passport or identity card. If you do not present one of these documents, you forfeit the trip and receive no refund. Put your identification somewhere secure before leaving for the marina.

Passengers under five are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, people over 65, or anyone weighing more than 130 kilograms.

These restrictions are not minor footnotes. Jet skiing involves speed, water movement, and physical jolts, so you should take the limits seriously rather than hoping staff will make an exception.

The views, the speed, and the feel of the ride

The heart of the activity is the contrast between the lively motion of the jet ski and the calm reach of the Mediterranean around you. St. George’s Bay gives you open-water views and a chance to see the shore from offshore.

You can expect the ride to feel active from the moment the engine starts. The attraction is the adrenaline rush, but the setting keeps it from being only a speed exercise. You have the bay, the sea, and the surrounding natural views to enjoy as you operate the jet ski.

The ride is self-driven, so you are not simply sitting behind a guide while someone else handles the machine. That independence is one of the best reasons to choose this activity. It also means you need to pay attention to the briefing and maritime rules.

The staff remain involved before you set off and guide you through the process. The experience is designed for beginners as well as more experienced riders, but beginners should not mistake that for permission to ignore the instructions. Give yourself time to understand the controls before you focus on speed.

Cameras and cellphones are not allowed on the vehicle. You will need to enjoy the views without trying to film them. That may disappoint anyone hoping to capture an instant video, but it also keeps loose electronics out of the way during the ride.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Come prepared for water, sun, and a practical check-in.

Bring:

• Passport or identity card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Cash for the deposit
• Any motion sickness prevention you normally use

You should not bring alcohol or drugs, and you cannot ride while intoxicated. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Cameras and cellphones are also prohibited on the jet ski.

The €100 security deposit applies to each jet ski rented for one hour. It must be paid in cash, and cards are not accepted for this deposit. The information describes it as refundable, but you still need to have the cash available before riding.

Comfortable shoes are a sensible choice for getting to the jetty and handling the equipment. Swimwear and a towel make sense because the activity takes place on the water, although the supplied information does not promise that you will swim.

The waiting system and how to plan your day

The flexible arrival window is both a help and a limitation. You can fit the ride around other plans, but you do not receive the certainty of a fixed, immediate launch every time you arrive.

Since rentals are first come, first served, I would avoid placing an important timed activity directly after the jet ski ride. Allow extra time in case several people are ahead of you. Morning arrivals between 9:00 AM and noon are suggested for shorter waits.

The activity lasts from 15 minutes to one hour, but your total time at the marina can be longer because of check-in, the safety briefing, signing the indemnity form, and possible waiting. That distinction matters if you are planning lunch, a boat trip, or a museum visit afterward.

There is no food or drink included, and hotel transport is not provided. Plan those parts yourself. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible before the booking date.

Who will get the most from this experience?

This is a strong fit for an adult who wants an active break in St. Julian’s and likes the idea of controlling the vehicle rather than watching from the shore. It also works well for a pair who want to share a ride, provided the passenger meets the age rules and everyone is comfortable around fast-moving water.

Beginners can choose it because an instructor explains the controls and maritime rules before the ride. Still, beginners should select a duration that matches their comfort level. A short rental limits the commitment, while a full hour gives you more time to get used to the machine.

You may want to skip it if you dislike waiting, cannot provide cash, do not carry acceptable identification, or need a fully scheduled activity. It is also a poor choice for anyone with the listed health, mobility, weight, age, or motion sickness restrictions.

Should you book the St. George’s Bay jet ski rental?

Book it if you want speed, sea views, and the freedom to drive yourself from a convenient St. Julian’s marina. The $47 price has reasonable value because it includes instruction, equipment, fuel, a life jacket, and comprehensive insurance.

I would choose a morning session, bring cash and identification, and leave space in the day for a possible wait. Pick the shorter ride for a quick thrill, or the one-hour option if you want the jet ski to be one of your main Malta activities and can manage the €100 deposit.

Skip it if you need a fixed departure, want to carry a phone or camera, or prefer a quiet sightseeing outing. For the right rider, though, St. George’s Bay offers an easy way to trade the waterfront promenade for open water.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski rental meet?

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

What are the operating hours?

You can arrive at the base between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

How long does the rental last?

The available rental duration ranges from 15 minutes to one hour. Check the available option for the exact start time and duration.

How much does the activity cost?

The listed price is $47 per person.

Is the safety equipment included?

Yes. A life jacket is included, along with a briefing from an experienced instructor.

Is fuel included?

Yes. All fuel costs are included in the rental.

Is insurance included?

Yes. Fully comprehensive insurance is included.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Drivers must present a valid passport or identity card. Failure to show an accepted document means forfeiting the trip without a refund.

Is there a security deposit?

For a one-hour rental, you must pay a refundable €100 security deposit for each jet ski. The deposit must be paid in cash, not by credit or debit card.

Can children ride?

Passengers under five are not allowed. Drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Can I bring my cellphone or camera?

No. Cameras and cellphones are not allowed on the vehicle. Alcoholic drinks are also prohibited in the vehicle.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.