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

Malta’s southern coast is a fine place to trade a sightseeing bus for a throttle. This 90-minute guided jet ski safari runs from St. Julian’s toward Valletta Grand Harbour, Marsascala, Delimara, and the striking bays of il-Ħofriet. You stay on the water for the whole outing, with an instructor leading and a safety boat nearby.

I like having one jet ski per person, rather than sharing a seat with a stranger. I also like the small group limit of six, plus the route itself, which gives you open-water views and several of southern Malta’s best coastal sights in one brisk ride.

The main consideration is price: at $241 per person, this is a costly 90 minutes. You also need to bring a passport or ID card and pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski, so this is not a casual, turn-up-and-ride activity.

Key points to know before you ride

• Southern Malta by jet ski: Follow the coast toward Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, Marsascala, Delimara, and il-Ħofriet.
• Your own machine: One jet ski is provided per person, with fuel and full insurance included.
• Small, guided outing: An English-speaking instructor leads a group limited to six people, with a safety boat present throughout.
• Strict entry rules: Drivers must be at least 18 and must show a valid passport or identity card.
• Cash required: Bring €100 per jet ski for the refundable security deposit, plus money for any personal needs.

From St. Julian’s to the open water

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

This is not a street-side kiosk that you can spot from the promenade. 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 until you reach the jetty.

Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure. The stated departure time is 10:00 AM, with a return at about 11:30 AM. That makes this easy to fit into a morning in St. Julian’s, but it does not leave much room for a late breakfast, a missed bus, or a slow start.

At the base, you receive a life jacket and safety instructions before setting out. The instructor leads the group, and a safety boat remains present for the entire activity. That boat matters, especially if you are new to jet skiing or feel less comfortable in open water.

You need a passport or valid identity card. A driving licence is not listed as an acceptable substitute, so bring the document specifically requested. If you arrive without the required identification, you can lose the trip without a refund.

What 90 minutes on the jet ski feels like

The appeal here is simple: you control your own jet ski, rather than sitting in a boat and watching Malta pass by. You get the noise, spray, speed, and direct contact with the sea, while still following an instructor on a planned route.

The activity is described as suitable for beginners and experienced riders. That does not mean it is a gentle sightseeing cruise. Jet skis can feel lively, and the sea around Valletta’s harbour may be rough, as one participant found. You should be ready for wind, spray, and a moving ride even when conditions look calm from shore.

A small group helps keep the outing personal. With no more than six participants, the instructor can keep the group together more easily than on a large water-sports trip. The guide may also be Harry, who led one particularly well-received outing and was described as energetic and fun. Guide assignments can vary, so do not book solely expecting a specific person.

The safety boat stays close throughout, which gives the ride a useful layer of support. Fuel is included, and the jet ski comes with full insurance. If there is an accident, loss, or damage, you are liable only for the insurance excess fee under the stated terms, not the full replacement cost.

That said, insurance is not a free pass to ride carelessly. You still pay the €100 security deposit in cash at the base. The deposit is refundable, but the supplier accepts no credit or debit card for it. Bring enough euro cash before you arrive.

Valletta Grand Harbour from sea level

One of the first major sights on the southern route is Valletta Grand Harbour. From the water, Malta’s capital and its harbour fortifications take on a different shape than they do from a road or city viewpoint.

The jet ski lets you see the harbour as part of a working coastal setting, not just as a postcard backdrop. You may find the harbour section especially interesting if you have already visited Valletta on foot and want a fresh angle on the city.

The tradeoff is water movement. A participant specifically found the ride fun despite rough conditions around the harbour. If you are prone to motion sickness, this is a serious warning rather than a minor footnote. Motion sickness prevention is listed among the things to bring, but the activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness.

You should also expect this section to feel more active than scenic. The boat and jet skis are moving, and you will need to pay attention to the instructor and the sea around you. This is not the right outing if you want to sit still and study every fortification.

St. Thomas Bay and Marsascala

The route continues toward St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala, bringing you farther along Malta’s southeastern coast. The bay provides a change from the larger harbour setting, with a more open coastal feel and a closer look at the shape of the shoreline.

For me, this is where the trip becomes more than a speed ride. You are linking several different coastal settings in one continuous outing: a major harbour, a seaside bay, rocky southern shores, and narrow natural openings between cliffs.

The information provided does not promise a landing, swim stop, or extended pause at St. Thomas Bay. Plan on passing by from the water rather than stepping ashore. If you want beach time, pack swimwear and a towel, but do not assume the schedule includes a long swim.

Marsascala also shows why a guided route is useful. You do not need to work out your own course or guess which coastline is worth seeing. The instructor handles the direction while you focus on riding and taking in the views.

Delimara and the bays of il-Ħofriet

Around Delimara, the route reaches some of its most distinctive coastal scenery. The ride passes il-Ħofriet, described as two beautiful bays connected by a natural passage eroded through the cliffs.

That passage is the sort of detail you would likely miss on a fast road journey. From the water, the connection between the bays becomes the point of the visit. The jet ski gives you a moving view of the cliffs and the narrow coastal gap, rather than a distant lookout over the top.

This is also the part of the trip that may appeal most to people who have already seen Malta’s main towns. The southern coast has a less urban feel than St. Julian’s or Valletta, and the route gives you a quick look at the island’s rocky edge without committing half a day to a land excursion.

Keep your expectations in check. The tour lasts only 90 minutes, including the ride from St. Julian’s and the return. You will see these places from the sea, but you will not have time for a long stop at each bay, a walk around Delimara, or a relaxed picnic by the water.

What the $241 price really covers

At $241 per person, this is an expensive short activity. The cost makes more sense if you value the personal use of a jet ski, the southern route, the small group, and the support boat.

You are paying for one jet ski per person, an instructor, a safety boat, fuel, life jackets, and full insurance. Those inclusions remove several extra charges that can appear in water sports. You should still budget for the refundable €100 cash deposit, which is separate from the tour price.

The best value comes when you want a focused burst of excitement rather than a full-day boat trip. In 90 minutes, you cover a lot of coastline and get a more active experience than a standard sightseeing cruise. If you are mainly looking for swimming, sunbathing, or long stops in coves, the cost will feel harder to justify.

The small group also helps explain the price. A maximum of six people is a very different setup from a crowded boat with dozens of passengers. You get your own machine and follow a professional guide, rather than renting a jet ski for a short circuit near a beach.

There are only three published ratings, all at five stars, so I would treat the perfect score as encouraging but not a guarantee of ideal sea conditions. The strongest praise focuses on the fun, the guide’s energy, and the ride itself. One participant had also enjoyed a speedboat trip to the Blue Lagoon on another day, then called the jet ski outing one of the best rides experienced in several countries. That is useful context: this is aimed at people who want a proper ride, not a token five-minute spin.

Who should book this Malta jet ski safari

You should consider it if you:

• Are 18 to 65 years old and comfortable on a moving personal watercraft
• Want to see southern Malta from the sea
• Prefer active sightseeing to a passive cruise
• Like having your own jet ski
• Can handle spray, wind, and possibly rough water
• Are happy with a fast route and no promised shore stop
• Have enough cash for the deposit

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

Do not treat those limits as flexible suggestions. They relate to safety, balance, body strain, and the operation of the machine. If you have a medical concern, choose a calmer activity instead of hoping the operator will make an exception.

Wear comfortable clothes and swimwear, and bring a towel. Comfortable shoes are required, while sandals and flip flops are not allowed. Keep in mind that the outing is conducted in English, so you need to understand the instructor’s safety directions.

Alcohol and drugs are forbidden, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. You should arrive sober and ready to follow instructions.

Practical booking advice for St. Julian’s

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but it does not remove the need to bring the cash deposit on the day.

A minimum of two participants is required to make a booking. If you are travelling alone, this may not be the simplest choice. The group can include up to six people, but the published details do not promise a solo departure or a private tour.

Weather and sea conditions will affect how the ride feels. The information supplied does not give a detailed weather cancellation rule, so check the conditions and confirm the activity status if the sea looks rough. Even a strong rider may find choppy water tiring.

Keep your phone and other valuables secure. The operator specifies clothing, ID, cash, and motion sickness prevention, but it does not list storage arrangements for personal items. Bring only what you need and ask at the base where belongings should go before you leave the jetty.

Should you book the southern Malta jet ski safari?

I would book this if the ride itself is the main event. You get your own jet ski, a guided route to southern Malta, a safety boat, and a compact group. The route also reaches places that make sense from the sea, especially Valletta Grand Harbour and the natural passage at il-Ħofriet.

I would skip it if $241 feels steep for 90 minutes, if you dislike rough water, or if you want long stops and swimming time. The cash deposit, strict age and health limits, and required identification also make this less spontaneous than it first appears.

For the right person, this is a high-energy way to add a different view of Malta to a St. Julian’s stay. Book it for the open water, the speed, and the southern coastline, not for a relaxed boat tour.

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 St. Julian’s base at approximately 11:30 AM.

Where does the jet ski tour depart?

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

What age do I need to be?

You must be at least 18 years old to participate and drive a jet ski. You must also present a valid passport or identity card.

How much is the security deposit?

A refundable cash deposit of €100 is required for each jet ski. Only cash is accepted for the deposit, not a credit or debit card.

Is fuel included?

Yes. All fuel costs are included in the activity price.

Is a safety boat provided?

Yes. A safety boat is present throughout the entire activity, and an experienced instructor leads the group.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled activity for a full refund.