Fishing Charters in Ta Xbiex Malta

Bluefin tuna are the main attraction here, and the early start gives you a real shot at seeing them feed. Big Game Fishing Adventures uses strong equipment and skippers such as Sebastian and Jake, who help beginners handle a hard-fighting fish. I like the small private group and the option to have a catch cooked at a fine-dining restaurant for an extra charge. I also like that the crew may fillet suitable fish for you to take home.

The trade-off is simple: fishing is never guaranteed. One morning produced several tuna strikes, while another produced only a bonito and smaller fish. Five people can board, but four is the sensible limit when someone is fighting a powerful fish and everyone needs room to move.

Key points to know before you book

• Meet at 6am in Ta Xbiex: The early departure is designed to reach productive water around sunrise.
• Chase serious fish: Tuna, bonito, mahi mahi, and other large species may be targeted, depending on conditions.
• Private boat for your group: Up to five people are accepted, but four gives you more working space.
• Skippers help at every level: Sebastian and Jake have taught complete beginners and assisted during long fights.
• Fresh catch options: Some fish may be filleted for home, while restaurant cooking can be arranged for an added fee.
• Weather controls the day: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Leaving Roland Marina at 6am

Your day begins at Roland Marina, ix-Xatt Ta’ Xbiex, in Ta’ Xbiex. The stated meeting time is 6am, and that is the time I would plan around unless the company agrees to another arrangement. Big Game Fishing Adventures says it can offer flexible meeting times, but the early departure is recommended because it puts you on the water at the best part of the morning.

This is a private activity, so you are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group. That matters here. Fishing for large species involves rods, lines, bait, and people moving quickly around the deck. A private booking lets your group settle into the crew’s rhythm instead of waiting for strangers to take turns.

The marina is also the return point, so there is no separate end location to arrange. The experience lasts about seven hours, giving you a full morning and early afternoon on the water rather than a short harbor outing.

Bring your booking confirmation on your phone. The activity uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is normally sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The boat, the space, and the right group size

The company accepts up to five people, but it openly recommends no more than four. That advice is worth taking seriously. A large tuna can pull hard and require you to shift position while the skipper manages the boat and line. A fifth person may be acceptable for a quieter fishing day, but the deck can feel tight during an active fight.

The boats and equipment have drawn strong praise, with repeated approval for the condition of the boat, the fishing kit, bait, and safety arrangements. The crew uses equipment intended for big fish rather than basic holiday gear. That does not guarantee a catch, but it gives you a fair chance and makes the fight more manageable.

There is one important point to clear up before paying. At least one booking turned into a day tied near a fish farm, with five adults finding a small RIB cramped and the fishing limited to smaller fish. The company treated this as a communication problem and offered compensation, along with a larger boat for a future booking. If your group has five adults, ask directly which boat you will use and what style of fishing is planned that day.

Chasing tuna after sunrise

Once you leave Ta Xbiex, the crew takes you toward fishing water selected for the conditions. The exact route and fishing method are not fixed in the information provided, which is normal for a charter built around fish movement and weather.

The sunrise timing is part of the appeal. One outing reached the fishing area early, and the first tuna action came shortly after 6:45am. Another recorded six tuna hooked between roughly 6:45 and 10am, though only one reached the boat. That tells you two useful things: action can begin quickly, and hooking a tuna is not the same as landing one.

The skipper handles the practical side, including setting up the gear and helping you when the rod becomes difficult to control. You are not expected to arrive with fishing experience. One first-time angler learned during the trip and later described catching a bonito with help from the crew. That makes this a reasonable choice for a mixed group, provided everyone understands that the day may involve long waiting periods between bursts of action.

Tuna are powerful fish. Even experienced anglers can lose them near the boat, and the supplied accounts include several missed fish. Do not measure the day only by what ends up in the cooler. The strike, the fight, and the teamwork are central parts of the outing.

Sebastian, Jake, and hands-on instruction

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this charter. Sebastian and Jake are named as skippers, and both have helped people with little or no fishing background. Their job is not simply to drive the boat and point at the rods. They show you how to work the tackle, step in when the fish becomes too much, and help keep the activity safe.

Sebastian has also been praised for his local knowledge of the fishing grounds and for filleting fish after the trip. Jake has been described as friendly and quick to help, including during tuna fights and catches of mahi mahi. The tone appears informal and social, with conversation and music forming part of the day.

That does not mean the crew can control the result. A skilled skipper can put you in a promising area, choose suitable gear, and help you fight the fish. No skipper can order tuna to bite. The company’s own response to a slow day makes the point clearly: fishing has an element of luck.

If you are new to fishing, say so at the start. The crew has worked with beginners, and asking for a quick explanation before the action begins will make the day less stressful. If you are experienced, you can still expect practical help with the boat’s equipment and local conditions.

What you might catch, and what happens next

The target fish include giant bluefin tuna, along with bonito and mahi mahi. The catch depends on the day. Reports include tuna strikes, a landed bonito, smaller fish, and dolphin sightings. These are possibilities, not a promised list of stops or species.

Some large bluefin tuna have been caught and released. In one outing, three large tuna were released after the crew explained that they should not be kept. Ask the skipper about the plan for any large fish caught during your trip. Rules and handling instructions matter more than taking a photograph.

If you land a fish that can be kept, the crew may fillet it for you. One customer took mahi mahi home, and another had fish prepared after returning to shore. The restaurant option is a separate extra, and you need to request it in advance. Do not assume a restaurant meal is included in the $65 price.

Having the catch cooked can turn a fishing trip into a complete food experience, but the details need to be settled before departure. Ask what fish can be cooked, where the meal takes place, and what the added cost includes.

Seven hours on open water

Seven hours is enough time to make the trip worthwhile, but it is a long period in the sun. Malta’s light can feel intense on the water, where there is little shade and reflection from the sea adds to the exposure.

Bring plenty of sunblock and use sun protection throughout the day. A hat and light protective clothing are sensible choices, though the supplied information does not list a formal packing list. You should also consider seasickness if you are not used to small boats. One fishing day was affected by seasickness, although the crew helped the person return and recover.

The activity is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Public transport is nearby. Still, a seven-hour private boat trip is more demanding than a short coastal cruise. If you have mobility concerns, ask the company about the specific boat before booking, since the details of the vessel are not fully set out.

The end of the day is uncomplicated. You return to Roland Marina, the same place where you started.

Is $65 good value?

At $65, this is priced well for a private, seven-hour fishing charter, especially if your group shares the cost. You receive the boat, crew assistance, fishing equipment, and bait as part of the core outing. The value is strongest for two to four people who want a serious attempt at large fish without arranging their own tackle.

The price needs a little context. It does not promise a catch, and restaurant cooking is an extra. A slow day can still involve fuel, sea time, scenery, and instruction, but you should not book this expecting a guaranteed tuna dinner.

For a couple, the per-person cost is higher than for a group of four, but you get more space and more chances to handle the rod. For five people, the headline price may look attractive, yet the company itself says four is more comfortable. I would choose four people at most if catching large fish is the main goal.

The private format also adds value. You are not paying for a quick shared outing with limited turns. Your group controls the pace, and the skipper can focus on helping you when a fish takes the line.

The main drawback: communication and expectations

The biggest concern is not the equipment or crew. It is making sure you and the company agree on the exact plan.

The phrase big game fishing can mean different things to different people. You may imagine a full day hunting tuna offshore. The actual outing could include waiting near a fish farm or working smaller fish if conditions and communication lead the crew in another direction. One poor match between expectation and plan caused a disappointing day for a five-person group.

Before you go, confirm four points:

• Which boat will carry your group?
• Is the day focused on offshore big game fishing or another method?
• Can five people fit comfortably, or should you limit the booking to four?
• Is restaurant cooking arranged, and what does it cost?

These questions take only a few minutes and can prevent the main source of disappointment.

Cancellation, weather, and practical booking details

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 6am start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The charter requires suitable weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Since the activity takes place on the open sea, this policy is sensible, but keep your schedule flexible if the trip is an important part of your Malta visit.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. If you need a different meeting time, contact Big Game Fishing Adventures rather than assuming the standard 6am departure can be changed.

Who should book this Malta fishing charter?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, friends, and first-time anglers who want direct help from a small crew. It also suits experienced fishers who care about equipment and want a private boat rather than a shared party.

It is less suitable for anyone who needs a guaranteed catch, dislikes early mornings, or expects a spacious vessel for five adults. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully and ask about the boat before committing.

The strongest reason to book is the chance to take part in a real fish fight with a crew that lets you do the work while stepping in when needed. The strongest reason to pause is that the result depends on weather, fish movement, and clear communication.

Should you book Big Game Fishing Adventures?

Book it if you can accept the uncertainty of fishing and want a hands-on day with a small private group. The combination of a 6am start, serious tackle, experienced skippers such as Sebastian and Jake, and the possibility of tuna or bonito gives the outing real substance for $65.

I would book for four people or fewer, confirm the boat and fishing plan in advance, and request restaurant cooking before the day if that matters to you. Bring strong sun protection, expect a few quiet stretches, and judge success by the whole day at sea rather than by the weight of the catch alone.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter start?

It starts at Roland Marina, ix-Xatt Ta’ Xbiex, in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta.

What time should I arrive?

The recommended start time is 6am. The company can arrange a different meeting time, but you should agree on that in advance.

How long does the activity last?

The charter lasts about seven hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at Roland Marina, the original meeting point.

How many people can join?

Up to five people can board, but the company recommends no more than four because fighting large fish requires room to move.

Is this a shared or private activity?

It is a private activity for your group only.

What fish might I catch?

The charter may target giant bluefin tuna, bonito, mahi mahi, and other large fish. The exact catch is not guaranteed.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The charter provides fishing equipment and bait.

Can my catch be cooked?

You may request to have a suitable catch cooked at a fine-dining restaurant for an extra charge. You must arrange this in advance.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.