Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming

REVIEW · SLIEMA AND ST JULIANS

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming

3.7 · 155 reviews From $79 Operated by The Dance Island · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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A sunset swim in Malta is hard to top. This Sliema sailboat party pairs an open bar with a live DJ so you can dance on deck, then cool off with a jump-in swim. I like how the drink list is varied and how the music keeps the energy going right through the cruise. The main thing to weigh is that it is a party format with a swim stop and snacks, not a full meal.

What makes it especially fun is the setting: you start in Sliema, cruise out for views toward Valletta, then come back to port in about four hours. Boarding starts at 18:30 and departure is typically between 19:00 and 19:10, so you get that evening rhythm without feeling rushed.

One practical consideration: it is not suitable for anyone under 18, and the alcohol is part of the experience, so plan your pace. Bring swimwear and a towel, because the swim stop is a real highlight and it happens during the cruise, not as an optional add-on.

Key things to know before you go

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Key things to know before you go

  • Find the Faith in front of Burger King at Supreme Boats Rentals for smooth boarding.
  • Open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks so you can mix it up.
  • DJ dance music starts with reggaeton and keeps the vibe moving.
  • A dedicated swim stop in clear water lets you jump straight from the boat.
  • You get ftira snacks (tuna or ham and cheese) plus fresh fruit, but there is no full meal.
  • Onboard photography helps you capture the moment without thinking about your phone.

Around the Sliema strip and St Julians

Setting sail from Sliema, with Valletta in your line of sight

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Setting sail from Sliema, with Valletta in your line of sight
This is the kind of tour that works because it merges three things people usually do separately: drinks, music, and a sea break. You meet in Sliema, step onto a classic-style sailboat, and the cruise quickly turns into a moving party. If you like Malta from the water, this angle feels different from a shore-based evening, especially when the sky starts to turn.

A big draw here is that you are not just passing time. You have space to hang out between music and the sea stop, and the lounge area is specifically called out for sunset views over Valletta. Even if you are there to party, it helps that there is scenery to reset your brain between songs.

Also, the format is built around an evening window. Departure is set for roughly 19:00 to 19:10, and the tour runs about 4 hours. That means you can fit it into a normal travel day without rearranging everything around a long boat day.

Meeting point: Supreme Boats Rentals and the boat named Faith

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Meeting point: Supreme Boats Rentals and the boat named Faith
Getting on board should be simple, but pay attention to the exact meeting instructions. You go to Supreme Boats Rentals departure. Look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

Boarding starts at 18:30. I recommend arriving a little early, so you can check in, get settled, and not scramble with a cover-up and towel right as people start moving. If you are navigating on foot, having that Burger King landmark in your mental map makes things easier.

Once you are aboard, you will spend the evening on the water and then return to the same meeting point when the activity ends. That keeps the logistics low-stress compared to tours that strand you elsewhere.

Drinks and the DJ dance floor: how the party is paced

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Drinks and the DJ dance floor: how the party is paced
The party engine here is the combination of an open bar and a live DJ. The drink list is generous in style, with rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks. If you tend to stick with one type of drink, you are covered. If you like switching things up, you have options.

Music comes from an onboard DJ, and the cruise is described as starting with reggaeton and upbeat dance music. That matters because it sets expectations early. You are not showing up to quiet background playlists. The energy is built for dancing, whether you are on the deck or moving around to the rhythm.

In a tour like this, pacing is everything. Drinks usually motivate people to loosen up fast, and the DJ keeps it from turning into a long, waiting game. The evening plan is set up so you get music during the cruise, then a swim stop, then more dancing under the evening sky before heading back.

My best advice for getting the most out of this part is simple: decide in advance how you want to enjoy the music. If you want to dance the whole time, keep your snacks light and save your main energy for the later portion. If you want a more balanced evening, spend time dancing early, then step back for the sunset views and the swim stop.

Sunset views over Valletta from the lounge area

One of the sneaky strengths of this sailboat party is that it gives you a view even if your goal is nightlife. The tour specifically highlights the sunset over Valletta from the lounge area. That is a great detail because it tells you the boat is not only for dancing.

Here is why I think it is valuable: Malta’s evenings can feel like a blur if you are bouncing between bars and viewpoints. On the water, you get a calmer, more spacious moment while still staying in the same plan. You can watch the light change, take a breath, and then return to the music without having to leave the boat.

Also, because you are sailing out from Sliema and moving with the coastline, the angle changes over time. You are likely to notice more than you would at a fixed spot. Even if you only spend a few minutes in the lounge, it helps balance the alcohol and dancing.

The swim stop in clear water: your mid-cruise highlight

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The swim stop in clear water: your mid-cruise highlight
The tour includes a swim stop where you can jump from the boat into clear water. This is not described as a long beach transfer or a complicated setup. You are simply served the chance to go for a swim from the vessel at a specific location.

That is what makes it such a good payoff. You get the party atmosphere, and then you get a quick reset in the sea. It also helps that the tour is called out as having clear water. In practice, when the water is clear, it feels more inviting and it is easier to judge where you are stepping in.

What to bring matters a lot here. The tour lists swimwear and a towel. I also suggest wearing something you do not mind getting wet, plus a simple cover-up if you want to stay comfortable while you dry off. You can also plan to keep your phone protected, since you are on a moving boat in a party environment.

Time-wise, the swim stop is built into the 4-hour window, so you should not plan to treat it like an extended swim session. Think of it as a fun reset, not a full swimming workout.

Snacks that actually fit a party: ftira plus fresh fruit

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Snacks that actually fit a party: ftira plus fresh fruit
You do get food, but it is intentionally light. You are served a Maltese snack: tuna ftira and ham and cheese ftira, plus fresh fruits.

This is worth noting because people often assume a boat party equals a full dinner. Here, it is more like fuel for dancing. The sandwich-and-fruit format makes sense for a few reasons. It is easy to eat without slowing people down, and it helps you keep energy up through music and a swim stop.

The tour specifically lists that a meal is not included. So if you tend to need a substantial dinner to keep your energy steady, you will likely want to eat earlier on land. If you are arriving hungry, grab something before you head to Supreme Boats Rentals.

If you are choosing between the tuna or the ham and cheese sandwich options, pick what you normally prefer when you are eating while drinking. For a lot of people, comfort food wins because it is easier on the stomach during a moving cruise.

Price and value: is $79 per person a smart deal?

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Price and value: is $79 per person a smart deal?
At $79 per person for about 4 hours, you are paying for a stack of things that are usually separate costs in Malta. You are getting the boat tour, a live DJ, an onboard photographer, an open bar, a swim stop, and a snack.

Here is the value logic I see: the open bar plus DJ plus boat time is the core bundle. If you were doing this as separate plans, the entertainment and drinks would add up quickly, and you would still need to figure out a swim option. This tour solves that by bundling it into one fixed-time evening.

Is it expensive? Compared to a standard boat trip, yes. Compared to a night that includes drinks plus a proper sea moment, it can feel fair. You also get the convenience of being back at port the same night without dealing with multiple transfers.

The only time the price feels less worth it is if you are not interested in the alcohol and party vibe. Since the plan is built around dancing and an open bar, you will feel the value less if you want a quiet, scenic cruise with minimal partying.

Who this sailboat party suits best

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Who this sailboat party suits best
This is best for people who want a social evening with movement and a sea swim, not a formal sightseeing cruise. I think it fits well for:

  • Adults 18 and up who enjoy DJ music and dancing at night
  • Small groups and friend circles who want a shared activity
  • People staying in or near Sliema who want an evening plan without complicated transfers

It is not the right choice if you are looking for a calm nature cruise, a long swimming beach day, or a sit-down dinner experience. It also is not suitable for those under 18.

And because alcohol is part of the open bar, it is worth being honest with yourself about your comfort level. If you want to party lightly, you can still do that, but the overall setting is clearly designed for fun and energy.

Small tips to make the evening smoother

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Small tips to make the evening smoother
A few practical moves can turn a good time into a great one:

  • Arrive on time for 18:30 boarding, so you get settled before the DJ energy ramps up.
  • Bring swimwear and a towel. Do not trust that you will have a dry backup.
  • Have a plan for food. The snack is tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira plus fruits, but no full meal is included.
  • Bring a light layer if you cool down easily after the swim stop.
  • If you want photos, let the onboard photographer do their thing. It is one less thing to juggle during the party.

Also, remember the cruise duration is about 4 hours. Pace yourself, because you will be doing dancing, drinks, and swimming in a single condensed evening.

Should you book this Sliema sailboat party?

I would book it if you want an easy, single-plan night in Malta: open bar drinks, a live DJ with reggaeton-style energy, a mid-cruise swim from the boat, and ftira snacks plus fruits. The $79 price feels most justified when you plan to actually use the bar and the party setting.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a long swim session, or a full dinner. And if you are sensitive to loud music or you prefer alcohol-free evenings, this one might feel like too much of a party package.

If you are deciding between a shore bar crawl and a boat evening, this offers a built-in sea break and a moving view toward Valletta, all without extra planning.

FAQ

What time do boarding and departure start?

Boarding starts at 18:30. Departure is between 19:00 and 19:10.

How long is the sailboat party?

The duration is about 4 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Supreme Boats Rentals departure. Look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

What drinks are included in the open bar?

The open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks.

Is there a swimming stop?

Yes. There is a swim stop where you can jump from the boat into the sea. Bring swimwear and a towel.

What food is served onboard?

You get one snack: either tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira, plus fresh fruits.

Is there a DJ and an onboard photographer?

Yes. There is a live DJ, and there is an onboard photographer to help capture moments.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.