From St. Julian’s: Jet Ski Safari to the South of Malta

Malta’s south coast is the star of this 90-minute jet ski safari. From St. Julian’s, you ride past Valletta Grand Harbour, Marsascala, Delimara, and the twin bays of Il-Ħofriet, seeing parts of the island that are hard to appreciate from a road. I like the route because it is more than a quick spin near the marina, and I like that each person gets a jet ski rather than sharing one. The catch is the price, $241 per person, plus a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski.

I also like the small group limit of six and the safety boat that stays with you throughout the activity. Instructor Harry has been singled out for bringing lively energy to the trip, which matters when you are handling a powerful machine in open water. This is an adults-only ride, with firm limits for non-swimmers, people with certain medical conditions, and anyone over 65.

Key points before you book

• The route reaches Malta’s south coast: You pass Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, Delimara, and the two bays of Il-Ħofriet.
• You ride one jet ski per person: You are not simply sitting behind another driver.
• The group is limited to six: That gives the instructor room to keep the ride together.
• A safety boat follows the whole way: Life jackets, fuel, and fully comprehensive insurance are included.
• Bring €100 cash: Each jet ski requires a refundable security deposit, and cards are not accepted.
• This is for confident adults: You must be at least 18, able to swim, and fit the stated health and weight limits.

From St. Julian’s Marina to the Open Sea

The meeting point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. The address is 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s.

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

You need to arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. The stated departure time is 10:00 AM, with a return at about 11:30 AM. There is no hotel pick-up, so you must make your own way to St. Julian’s. That is easy enough if you are already staying in the area, but it adds time and cost if your base is elsewhere on Malta.

Before setting off, you will meet the English-speaking instructor, receive a life jacket, and go through the basic safety arrangements. The professional instructor leads the ride, while a safety boat remains present for the entire activity. That support is important because the route moves beyond the sheltered feel of a marina and into open coastal water.

Riding Your Own Jet Ski for 90 Minutes

The main appeal is simple: you get your own jet ski. You are not limited to watching the sea from a passenger seat, and you do not have to take turns with another person. The result is a more active outing, with the machine responding directly to your steering and speed.

The description promises smooth riding, but you should still expect changing sea conditions. One participant specifically found the water around the harbor rough but still had a great time. That is useful context. Calm conditions are never guaranteed on a sea excursion, and the ride can feel bumpy when the water is up.

The instructor sets the pace and keeps the small group together. This is not a free-for-all race, and you should not book it expecting to disappear across the horizon at your own speed. The point is a guided coastal ride with a route, a leader, and a support boat.

The group limit of six is a real advantage. A large crowd can turn a jet ski outing into a stop-and-start procession. With fewer machines, the guide has a better chance of keeping everyone in sight and helping if someone needs extra direction. Harry, one of the instructors associated with the experience, has a reputation for being energetic and fun, which may suit you if you want a relaxed mood rather than a stiff, formal lesson.

Still, you should pay attention to the practical restrictions. Drivers must be at least 18 and must show a valid passport or identity card. If you arrive without the required document, you can lose the trip without a refund. Bring the original document rather than relying on a photograph unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Valletta Grand Harbour from the Water

One of the first major sights on the route is Valletta Grand Harbour. From land, Malta’s capital and its harbor are usually viewed from roads, gardens, or elevated city points. From a jet ski, you get a lower angle and a broad view across the water.

The harbor is a working coastal setting rather than an empty swimming cove. Boats, harbor traffic, and changing water conditions are part of the setting. That makes this section visually interesting, but it may also be where you notice rougher water, as one rider did.

You will not have a long sightseeing stop at Valletta. This is a moving route, so you should think of the harbor passage as a chance to see the city and its shoreline from offshore, not as a guided history talk or a photo session on land. If you want detailed information about Valletta’s fortifications, this is not a substitute for a city tour.

What you do get is a strong sense of Malta’s shape. The water shows how the harbor sits within the coast, and the jet ski gives you a fast, open view that a walking tour cannot provide. Keep your camera plan modest, since handling a phone while riding is not practical and the sea spray may be an issue.

St. Thomas Bay and Marsascala

The route continues toward St. Thomas Bay near Marsascala. This part of the trip shifts from the capital’s harbor setting to a more open coastal view. The bay is one of the main visual rewards of heading south rather than staying near St. Julian’s.

You will pass along the coast rather than spending the outing on shore. That matters if you are choosing between this and a beach excursion. There is no food, no drink, and no stated swimming stop included, so the value comes from the ride and the changing views rather than time relaxing on a beach.

Marsascala gives the trip another change of scenery. You see the coast as a connected stretch rather than a series of isolated postcard stops. The speed of the jet ski also lets you cover more distance in 90 minutes than you could by swimming or walking between these areas.

The trade-off is that the itinerary is brisk. If you like lingering at one bay, taking long photographs, or asking questions at every stop, you may find the pace too quick. If you prefer a compact activity with constant movement, the timing works well.

Delimara and the Twin Bays of Il-Ħofriet

Around Delimara, the route reaches one of its more rugged sections. The coast here is known in the itinerary for its natural shapes and sea views, and the ride lets you see the rock formations from the water.

The highlight is Il-Ħofriet, described as two beautiful bays connected by a natural passage cut through the cliffs. That feature gives the route a clear sense of discovery. You are not simply riding in a straight line along an undistinguished shoreline, but moving toward a specific coastal formation.

The natural passage is best understood as a view from the water, not a promise that every group will stop and ride through it at length. Conditions, safety, and the instructor’s judgment control how the group approaches the coast. The ride is guided, so you should follow directions rather than attempt your own route through narrow water.

This is also where the value of the safety boat becomes clearer. It remains with the group while you travel along the coast, providing support away from the departure marina. Life jackets are supplied, fuel is included, and the jet skis are fully comprehensively insured. In the event of an accident, loss, or damage, you are liable only for the insurance excess fee, not the full replacement value. The exact excess amount is not stated, so ask the operator if that figure affects your decision.

What the $241 Price Really Covers

At $241 per person, this is an expensive short activity. The 90-minute duration means you are paying for an intense, tightly planned outing rather than a full-day boat trip or a long water-sports session.

The price does cover several costly items: one jet ski per person, an instructor, a safety boat, life jackets, fuel, and fully comprehensive insurance. Those inclusions make the amount easier to understand, especially compared with activities where fuel or equipment fees appear later.

The small group also adds value. You are not paying for a huge group operation with dozens of riders. A maximum of six participants gives the guide a more manageable group and reduces the chance that your time is lost waiting for a distant rider.

Even so, you should compare it honestly with other Malta sea activities. If your goal is simply to see the coast, a shared boat will usually offer more comfort and more time on the water for less money. If you specifically want to control a jet ski and cover the southern coast at speed, this experience offers something those boats cannot.

You also need to budget for the €100 refundable deposit per jet ski. It must be paid in cash at the base. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for this deposit. Bring enough cash before you arrive, since a missing deposit can prevent you from taking part.

Who Should Book This Ride

This suits adults who want an active outing and are comfortable around open water. You do not need to be an expert driver. The instructor leads the activity, and the experience is presented as suitable for beginners as well as more experienced riders.

You must be 18 or older, and you must be able to swim. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people with motion sickness. It is also not suitable for anyone over 65 or over 287 pounds, which is about 130 kilograms.

Those rules are not minor fine print. A jet ski can be physically demanding, particularly when the sea is rough. If you already know that boat motion makes you ill, a fast ride may not be a good choice. Motion sickness medication is listed among the suggested things to bring, but you should consider your own health needs before booking.

Do not arrive after drinking. Alcohol, drugs, intoxication, and alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are not allowed. The operator also asks you to avoid sandals and flip-flops, so wear secure, comfortable shoes. Swimwear, a towel, comfortable clothes, and some cash are sensible additions to your day bag.

Weather, Water, and the Feel of the Trip

The sea is the central variable. One outing can feel smooth and easy, while another can include noticeable bumps, especially near the harbor. You should be ready for spray and changing conditions, even though the ride is described as smooth when conditions allow.

The safety boat and life jackets provide useful protection, but they do not turn the activity into a calm sightseeing cruise. You are still operating a motorized watercraft in the sea. Listen closely to the instructor, keep the group’s pace, and treat the route through coastal areas with care.

The morning schedule is helpful. A 10:00 AM departure gives you an early start and a return around 11:30 AM, leaving much of the day free. That makes the trip easier to combine with another Malta activity, though you should allow extra time afterward to change clothes and dry off.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Malta schedule depends on the weather. They do not remove the need to check the sea forecast or confirm that the activity is running.

Should You Book the South Malta Jet Ski Safari?

Book it if you want speed, open water, and a real hands-on ride rather than a quiet boat tour. The southern route is the main reason to choose it, with Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, Delimara, and Il-Ħofriet packed into a focused 90-minute trip.

The strongest points are the individual jet skis, the six-person group limit, the safety boat, and the lively instructor style associated with Harry. The main concerns are the high price, the cash deposit, the strict age and health rules, and the possibility of rough water.

I would choose this for an active morning when the jet ski itself is the point of the day. I would skip it if you want a slow coastal cruise, a beach stop, a history lesson, or a low-cost way to see Malta from the water. For the right rider, it delivers a quick and memorable view of the south coast, but you should arrive prepared, document in hand, cash in pocket, and ready to get wet.

FAQ

How long is the jet ski safari?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. Departure is scheduled for 10:00 AM, with a return to the base at approximately 11:30 AM.

Where does the activity depart from?

It departs from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s. Use the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, follow the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

What places will I see on the route?

The route passes Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala, Delimara, and Il-Ħofriet, including the two bays connected by a natural passage through the cliffs.

Do I get my own jet ski?

Yes. One jet ski per person is included. A professional instructor leads the group, and a safety boat remains with the activity throughout.

How much is the security deposit?

A refundable deposit of €100 is required for each jet ski. It must be paid in cash, since credit and debit cards are not accepted for the deposit.

What identification do I need?

Drivers must be at least 18 and must present a valid, legally binding identity document, such as a passport or identity card. Failure to provide the document can result in losing the trip without a refund.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, wheelchair users, non-swimmers, children under 18, people over 65, people over 287 pounds or 130 kilograms, people with motion sickness, or drivers under 18.