REVIEW · SAFARI
Malta: Jet Ski Safari to St. Paul’s Islands or St Thomas Bay
Jet skis + Malta equals fast fun. Choose a north or south route, follow a pro, and see coastline you only reach by water.
What I like most is the small-group feel (limited to 6) and the way the ride is guided, with an instructor staying in control of the route and pace. I also like that they build in a photo moment, so you leave with more than just a “we went fast” memory. The main thing to consider is simple: you must be able to swim, and the activity is not for people with certain health or mobility issues.
If you want a straightforward 1.5-hour burst of sea time, this is a strong pick. You’ll depart from St. George’s Bay, choose your route, and cruise around shorelines that look totally different once you’re skipping over the water.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Picking the Right Route: St. Paul’s Islands vs. St Thomas Bay
- Getting Started at Sun & Fun Water Sports (Near Corinthia Verdi)
- What 1.5 Hours Actually Feels Like on a Jet Ski
- North Safari Route: Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and the Islands
- South Safari Route: Valletta Grand Harbour to il-Hofriet Bays
- How Well This Tour Works for Real People
- Safety, Rules, and the €100 Cash Security Deposit
- What to Bring (and What Not to Forget)
- Price and Value: Is $227 Worth It?
- Who Should Book This Jet Ski Safari
- My Booking Checklist Before You Commit
- Should You Book This Jet Ski Safari in Malta?
- FAQ
- What are the two route options?
- How long is the Malta jet ski safari?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do they include hotel pickup or drop-off?
- What do I need to bring?
- Is a deposit required?
- What are the age and driver requirements?
- Is smoking or alcohol allowed?
Key Things to Know Before You Go

- Two safari options: St. Paul’s Islands on the north route, or St Thomas Bay on the south route
- Instructor-led for safety and flow: you do not ride solo with the rest of Malta, you ride with the team
- Fuel and jet ski rental are included: your $227 covers the main “gear part” of the experience
- Small group size: limited to 6 participants for a less chaotic ride
- You must bring swim essentials: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, plus a hat and sunglasses help a lot
- Cash deposit required: €100 cash security deposit per jet ski at the office
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Picking the Right Route: St. Paul’s Islands vs. St Thomas Bay

This safari is built around one big choice: do you want the north side of Malta, or the south side?
On the north route, you’ll head out from St. George’s Bay and pass by Mellieha Bay and St. Paul’s Bay, then go around St. Paul’s Islands. The payoff here is the feeling of changing scenery as you work your way along the coast, with island views that feel closer than you’d ever get from shore.
On the south route, you’ll pass by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St Thomas Bay, then cruise to two popular bays in the south called il-Hofriet. If you’re the type who likes seeing landmarks as part of the water ride, the Valletta Harbour segment gives you that “big-name view” early, before you spend the rest of your time chasing bay-to-bay shoreline.
If you’re not sure which one to choose, go with your mood. North is more about islands and bay-hopping. South is more about a famous harbour view and a fast run along the south-coast bays.
Getting Started at Sun & Fun Water Sports (Near Corinthia Verdi)

The meeting point is right by Corinthia Verdi Hotel. Look for a black gate before you enter the hotel. Walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.
It’s the kind of arrival that’s easy when you know where to look, and slightly annoying if you’re wandering with wet hair and flip-flops. So, wear sandals you can slip on fast, and give yourself a little time to find the jetty line.
The activity runs for about 1.5 hours, and the schedule is tight enough that you’ll want to be ready with your swimwear on beneath your clothes. (This is one of those tours where “I’ll change later” costs time.)
What 1.5 Hours Actually Feels Like on a Jet Ski

This is not a slow sightseeing boat. It’s a jet ski safari, and that changes your experience.
You’ll be under guidance from a professional instructor, and the jet ski has to stay with the instruction all the time. That means you’re not out there doing random detours on your own. Instead, you get a planned route with a rhythm: cruising, turning, and then brief moments that make photos and quick pauses possible.
They include safety equipment and the jet ski rental, plus fuel. That matters because it turns the tour into a “show up, suit up, ride” activity rather than a scavenger hunt for gear.
Also, the instructor will take some photos during the safari. If you want proof that you were actually there, this is a nice bonus, because jet skiing is quick and wind-blown, and it’s easy to forget to capture anything yourself.
North Safari Route: Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and the Islands
If you choose the north jet ski safari, the ride starts from the base in St. George’s Bay. The instructor then leads you through a classic north-coast path:
1) Depart St. George’s Bay
2) Stop area and cruising around Mellieha Bay
3) Continue toward St. Paul’s Bay
4) Go around St. Paul’s Islands
5) Return to St. George’s Bay
What makes this route special is that it’s not just “straight-line speed.” You’re moving through multiple bays, and the “go around” part matters. When you loop around islands instead of just passing by them, you get a better sense of shape and separation, and the water movement makes it feel like you’re exploring rather than just traveling.
Practical note: the north side can be breezy. Bring sunglasses, and if you’re sensitive to glare, consider tinted lenses. Wind + sun is a winning combo for speed photos, but it can also dry your eyes fast.
South Safari Route: Valletta Grand Harbour to il-Hofriet Bays

The south jet ski safari also departs from St. George’s Bay, but the route has a different flavor.
You’ll pass by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St Thomas Bay, then cruise to two popular south bays named il-Hofriet. After that, you return to the base.
That Valletta segment is a smart start because it gives you a recognizable viewpoint early. From the water, harbour edges, breakwaters, and the scale of the city feel different than a walk-on-the-street view. It’s the kind of first impression that makes the rest of the ride more rewarding.
Then il-Hofriet brings you to two popular bays, and in practical terms, this is where you’ll feel the safari rhythm: cruising close enough to the shoreline to take in coves and angles, while still keeping the ride safe and controlled with the instructor leading the group.
One thing to keep in mind: on the south route, you’re often riding with changing light, especially around harbours. If you plan to take your own photos, expect to keep adjusting your angle to avoid blown-out skies and wind noise.
How Well This Tour Works for Real People

This is a small-group activity limited to 6 participants, and that’s a big deal for jet skiing. Fewer people means less jockeying for position at turning points and a smoother ride flow. You’re also less likely to feel like you’re stuck behind someone who’s still figuring out basics.
In addition, the instructor’s multi-language support is clearly planned (English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, Spanish). So if you’re traveling with a friend who’s more comfortable in another language, you’re not stuck hoping the instructor speaks yours.
The group size also helps with that “guided but not babysat” feeling. You follow directions, but you still get your moments of speed and movement across clear water.
Safety, Rules, and the €100 Cash Security Deposit

This tour has safety rules that are not optional, and it’s better that way. Participants must be able to swim. The driver minimum age is 18 years old, and a valid ID is required on the day of the activity before renting the jet ski.
There’s also a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski that must be paid at the office. This is one of those “read it now, not later” details. Bring cash in the right amount so you do not slow the group down, or worse, get turned away.
They also state that:
- You cannot ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Smoking and alcohol and drugs are not allowed
- The company can refuse to give you a jet ski if full rules are not read at the office
- You must keep the jet ski with the instruction all the time
If you want to avoid stress, treat the rules briefing like part of the tour. Listen, ask what you need in the moment, and then focus on enjoying the ride.
What to Bring (and What Not to Forget)

You’ll be on the water, so pack like you’re going to swim, not like you’re going to a museum.
Bring:
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Water
Why this matters: Malta sun plus wind can sneak up on you. Even if you feel cool while moving, your skin can still burn. Sunglasses and sunscreen are your two biggest “don’t regret it later” items.
Not allowed includes smoking, alcohol, and drugs. So keep it simple: gear up, then ride.
Price and Value: Is $227 Worth It?

The listed price is $227 per group up to 1, for a 1.5-hour experience. That can sound straightforward, and the value depends on what’s included and what’s not.
What’s included:
- Professional instructor
- Safety equipment
- Jet ski rental
- Fuel
What’s not included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Personal expenses
Here’s the practical value take: this tour bundles the expensive parts (the jet ski, fuel, and instructor time). Since hotel pickup is not included, you’ll want to be close enough to the meeting point, or plan your own quick transport so you don’t waste time and money.
Also remember the €100 cash deposit per jet ski. That’s not part of the $227, so factor it into your budget.
If you’re already in the area and you want a guided, safety-led jet ski ride with a route that covers meaningful spots like Mellieha, St Paul’s Islands, Valletta Grand Harbour, and il-Hofriet, the price makes sense for most visitors who don’t want to learn everything from scratch.
Who Should Book This Jet Ski Safari
This tour fits best if you:
- Are comfortable riding a jet ski in a group with an instructor
- Can swim
- Want a time-efficient way to see Malta from the water
It’s not suitable for:
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with mobility impairments
- People with heart problems
- Non-swimmers
- Drivers under 18
If any of those apply, it’s worth skipping. With jet skiing, the “quick fun” comes with physical demands you cannot really fake.
My Booking Checklist Before You Commit
I’d book this if the idea of a structured, instructor-led safari matches your travel style. Before you do, I’d quickly check these boxes:
- I’m able to swim
- I have a valid ID with me
- I can meet the 18+ driver requirement
- I can pay the €100 cash security deposit
- I’m bringing swim essentials and sunscreen
- I’m okay with following the instruction at all times
Small groups are great, but jet skiing still has rules. If you like being told what to do so you can focus on the fun part, you’ll enjoy this.
Should You Book This Jet Ski Safari in Malta?
Book it if you want an energetic, instructor-guided way to see Malta’s coastline in a short window. The north route to St. Paul’s Islands and the south route through Valletta Grand Harbour to St Thomas Bay offer two very different “from-the-water” views, and the small group size keeps the experience from feeling chaotic.
Skip it if you’re not a confident swimmer, you have health or back issues listed in the non-suitable category, or you prefer slower, no-rush sightseeing. Jet skiing is speed and wind, and this one is built for riding, not lingering.
If that sounds like your kind of day, it’s a fun, practical way to turn Malta’s water into part of your vacation story.
FAQ
What are the two route options?
You can choose a north jet ski safari to St. Paul’s Islands (with stops around Mellieha Bay and St. Paul’s Bay) or a south jet ski safari to St Thomas Bay (passing Valletta Grand Harbour and cruising to il-Hofriet bays).
How long is the Malta jet ski safari?
The duration is 1.5 hours.
What’s included in the price?
Included are the professional instructor, safety equipment, jet ski rental, and fuel.
Do they include hotel pickup or drop-off?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.
What do I need to bring?
Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water.
Is a deposit required?
Yes. You must pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski at the office.
What are the age and driver requirements?
Drivers must be at least 18 years old, and a valid ID is required on the day of the activity before renting the jet ski.
Is smoking or alcohol allowed?
No. Smoking is not allowed, and alcohol or drugs are not allowed.
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