Bareboat Charter Malta — Self Drive Boat Malta 2026

No skipper. No schedule. No other passengers.

Just you, your group, and a powerful boat — the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino sea caves, Cominotto island, and the Gozo coastline all within reach, entirely on your terms.

Bareboat charter Malta — also searched as self drive boat Malta, self drive boat hire Malta, and boat rental Malta no licence — is the most liberating way to experience Malta’s extraordinary coastline. You choose where to go. You choose how long to stay. You choose the pace of your entire day.

And critically — no boat licence is required.

This guide covers everything — the boat, the briefing, where you can go, what is included, how it works, the honest difference between a bareboat charter and a skippered private tour, and why Ċirkewwa is the only departure point that makes real sense for a self-drive Malta day.

Written by the team at I Malta Boat Trips — based at Ċirkewwa, on this water every single day.

Quick Facts — Bareboat Charter Malta 2026

What Is a Bareboat Charter Malta?

A bareboat charter is a boat rental without a skipper — you take the helm yourself, navigate your own route, and operate the vessel independently. The term “bareboat” comes from the maritime industry — a “bare” boat with no crew, as opposed to a crewed charter where a skipper comes with the boat.

In Malta, bareboat charter and self drive boat hire are used interchangeably — they mean exactly the same thing. You rent the boat, you drive the boat, you decide where to go.

The critical difference from a skippered private tour:

A skippered private tour gives you an experienced local guide who knows every cave, reef, and hidden bay on the Comino and Gozo coastline — and who drives while you swim, relax, and take photographs. Furthermore, the skipper handles all navigation, anchoring, and sea condition decisions.

A bareboat charter gives you complete independence. You are the captain. You make every decision — where to anchor, how long to stay, which direction to explore next. No schedule, no guide, no input from anyone else.

Both are extraordinary. The right choice depends entirely on what you want from your day. More on this comparison below.

The Boat — Blue Line 19ft

The I Malta Boat Trips bareboat fleet consists of Blue Line vessels — 19 feet in length with a 100HP outboard engine.

This is a purpose-selected vessel for the self-drive experience. Here is why it works:

Easy to handle. The 19ft Blue Line is designed for straightforward operation — the kind of boat that a complete beginner can learn in a 30-minute briefing and feel genuinely confident driving within the first ten minutes on the water. The controls are intuitive. The boat responds predictably. Furthermore, the 100HP engine provides more than enough power for the Comino channel without being overwhelming.

Fast enough to cover ground. At approximately 40 km/h maximum, the Blue Line reaches the Blue Lagoon from Cirkewwa in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Consequently, even on the half-day rental you have genuine time to explore multiple locations rather than spending the whole session in transit.

Comfortable for 6 people. The vessel comfortably accommodates up to 6 passengers — ideal for a group of friends, a family, or a couple who want the maximum space for a relaxed day on the water.

Shallow enough for the good spots. The Blue Line’s design allows access to sheltered coves and anchoring positions that larger vessels cannot reach. Consequently, self-drive guests access genuinely excellent swimming positions rather than being limited to deep-water anchorages.

No Licence Required — How It Works

You do not need a boat licence to rent a self-drive boat from I Malta Boat Trips. This applies to every guest — regardless of nationality, regardless of whether you have ever driven a boat before.

Before departure, every self-drive guest receives a comprehensive 30-minute safety briefing from our team at Ċirkewwa. The briefing covers:

• How to start, stop, and control the vessel
• Navigation rules in Maltese waters
• Anchoring technique — how to drop anchor safely and securely
• The designated operating area — Blue Lagoon, Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo coastline
• Safety equipment on board — life jackets, flares, first aid kit
• Emergency procedures — what to do and who to call
• Weather awareness — what conditions to watch for
• Speed limits in restricted zones

After 30 minutes, the vast majority of guests feel completely confident and ready to depart. Furthermore, our team is available by phone throughout your rental period. If anything is unclear or if any question arises during the day, call us and we will answer immediately.

Support — You Are Never Alone

One of the most important details for first-time bareboat charter guests — you are never unsupported on the water.

I Malta Boat Trips operates a dedicated support boat from Ċirkewwa. If you experience any difficulty — mechanical, navigational, or otherwise — call us immediately and we will reach you within 30 minutes maximum.

This is not a theoretical guarantee. Our support boat is operational whenever rentals are out, specifically for this purpose. Consequently, self-drive guests can explore with genuine confidence rather than anxiety — knowing that assistance is always close.

Furthermore, the Comino and Gozo channel are among the most actively monitored stretches of water in Malta — the Gozo Channel ferry, the coastguard, and multiple private operators are on this water throughout the day.

Where Can You Go — The Self-Drive Operating Area

This is the question most guests ask first — and the answer is significantly more generous than most bareboat charter operators in Malta offer.

From Ċirkewwa, self-drive guests can navigate to:

The Blue Lagoon ⭐

The most famous turquoise bay in the Mediterranean — 15 to 20 minutes from Ċirkewwa. Anchor in open water away from the ferry crowds. Swim from the boat. No Blue Lagoon access pass required when swimming from the boat without going ashore.

For the complete Blue Lagoon guide including the access pass details and the best anchoring positions, read our Blue Lagoon Malta guide here.

Crystal Lagoon

Tucked beside Comino — deeper water, more intense colour, and significantly fewer visitors than the Blue Lagoon. One of the finest swimming and snorkelling spots in the Maltese islands. Anchor just outside and swim in.

Cominotto Island

The tiny uninhabited island directly opposite the Blue Lagoon — accessible only by private or self-drive boat. Outstanding snorkelling over the Cominotto reef. Moray eels, octopus, parrot fish, wrasse, and cuttlefish in spring. Almost nobody goes here on a ferry.

For the complete Cominotto guide, read here.

Comino Sea Caves

The famous Comino sea caves — Lovers Cave, Santa Marija Caves, Popeye Cave, Alex Cave — are all within the operating area. Navigating to the cave entrances and swimming inside is one of the most extraordinary self-drive experiences available. Note that cave entry requires calm sea conditions — your briefing will cover when and how to approach safely.

For the complete Comino sea cave guide, read here.

The Gozo Coastline

The southern Gozo coastline — Mġarr Harbour, Ħondoq Bay, Crow Rock, and the surrounding coves — is accessible on the full-day rental. Consequently, a full-day self-drive gives you genuinely extraordinary range — the entire Comino experience plus the beginning of the Gozo south coast.

For the complete Gozo coastline guide, read our best beaches in Gozo Malta guide here.

Half Day vs Full Day — Which Should You Book?

Our recommendation:

Half day — if this is your first self-drive experience, if you have young children, or if you want to combine the boat rental with a beach or land activity in the same day. Three hours gives you the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Cominotto — the core Comino experience — comfortably.

Full day — if you want to genuinely explore. Six hours lets you move at a slow, relaxed pace — longer at each location, more stops, the Gozo coastline added, and the genuine feeling of a complete day at sea rather than a quick excursion.

Book the half-day self-drive rental here. Book the full-day self-drive rental here.

Bareboat Charter Malta vs Skippered Private Tour — Honest Comparison

Choose bareboat charter if: You want complete independence, you enjoy the experience of driving a boat, you want to make every decision yourself, and you are comfortable navigating unfamiliar waters with a good briefing.

Choose a skippered private tour if: You want to relax completely, you want local expertise guiding every stop, you want someone else to handle the anchoring while you swim, or you are travelling with young children who need maximum adult supervision in the water.

Both are genuinely excellent. The bareboat charter is not a budget compromise — it is a different kind of experience that many guests actively prefer for precisely the freedom it provides.

For the complete skippered private tour options, read our full private boat tour Malta guide here.

What to Bring on Your Bareboat Charter Malta

Essential:

• Swimwear — you will want to swim at multiple stops
• Towels — one per person minimum
• Sun cream SPF 50+ — no shade on open water, reflection intensifies UV
• Cash in euros — no ATM on Comino
• Water and non-alcoholic drinks — bring enough for the full day, particularly in summer
• Food and snacks — bring what you need. The Blue Lagoon kiosks are available but more expensive than mainland Malta
• Camera — waterproof case or action camera strongly recommended
• Sunglasses and a hat

Provided on board:

• Life jackets for all passengers
• First aid kit
• Flares and safety equipment
• Anchor and mooring lines
• Basic navigation charts of the operating area

Note: No alcohol is permitted on board. This is a firm safety policy — not negotiable. Non-alcoholic drinks, food, music, and everything else are welcome.

Why Ċirkewwa Is the Only Departure Point That Makes Sense

Some bareboat and self-drive operators in Malta depart from Sliema, St Julian’s, or Buġibba. The problem is simple — from those locations, the Blue Lagoon is a 45-minute to 1-hour transit each way. On a half-day rental, you spend two hours travelling and one hour at the destination.

From Ċirkewwa, the Blue Lagoon is 15 to 20 minutes away.

On a three-hour half-day rental from Ċirkewwa, you have over two hours of genuinely useful time at the destination. On the full-day rental, you have the entire Comino and Gozo coastline within comfortable reach.

Furthermore, Ċirkewwa is:

• 5 minutes by car from Mellieħa Bay (Għadira Bay) — ideal for beach and boat day combinations
• 45 minutes from Valletta
• Direct bus connection (routes 41 and 42 from Valletta)

For the complete Ċirkewwa guide — ferry times, webcams, parking, and everything at the harbour — read our complete Ċirkewwa Malta guide here.

Meeting point: Next to the Ċirkewwa Cafe at Ċirkewwa port. If travelling by Bolt or Uber, type “Cirkewwa Cave” into the app. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Bareboat Charter Malta — What Our Guests Say

“We had an amazing time on our tour with our family. Jimmy our captain was great, super knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended trip.” — Sean H, Google Review

“Had an unreal time. Captain Chris was the man. Knew everything, showed us everything, and brought some great vibes too.” — Aidan Lowry, Google Review

“We had a fantastic day with Joe on the tour today. Extremely knowledgeable about the local history and geology and extremely expert in his boat handling.” — Adil Rizvi, Google Review

For more verified reviews, visit our TripAdvisor page here.

Practical Tips — First Time Bareboat Charter Malta

Arrive 10 minutes early — your 30-minute briefing starts on time. Late arrivals reduce your time on the water.

Watch the weather the night before — west wind and westerly swell are the conditions that make Comino less enjoyable. Check the Ċirkewwa webcam for current conditions before leaving for the harbour.

Go early — departing at 09:00 or 09:30 gets you to the Blue Lagoon before the ferry crowds arrive. The water is at its calmest in the morning. Furthermore, the sea caves are best in morning light.

Anchor away from the shore at the Blue Lagoon — the finest water is in open position away from the beach, not in the crowded shore section. Your briefing will cover the best anchoring positions.

Bring snorkelling gear — the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Cominotto reef all have excellent snorkelling. Gear is not provided on the bareboat rental — bring your own or hire from us separately.

Save the skipper’s number — our support boat is available throughout your rental. Programme the number into your phone before departure.

Check in on the return — call us when you are 15 minutes from Ċirkewwa on your return so we can prepare your berth.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bareboat Charter Malta

Do I need a licence for a bareboat charter Malta?

No — I Malta Boat Trips self-drive boat rentals require no boat licence whatsoever. A comprehensive 30-minute safety briefing is provided before departure. This applies to every guest regardless of nationality or previous boat experience.

What is the difference between a bareboat charter and a self drive boat Malta?

They are the same thing — different terms for the same experience. Bareboat charter is the formal maritime term. Self drive boat Malta, self drive boat hire Malta, and boat rental Malta are all common search terms for the same product. You rent the boat without a skipper and drive it yourself.

Can I go to the Blue Lagoon on a bareboat charter from Malta?

Yes — the Blue Lagoon is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Ċirkewwa by self-drive boat. Comino, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto island, and the sea caves are all within the operating area. The Gozo coastline is accessible on the full-day rental.

How many people can go on a bareboat charter Malta?

Up to 6 passengers per boat on I Malta Boat Trips self-drive rentals.

How much does a bareboat charter Malta cost?

The half-day (3 hours) is €169 for the whole boat — approximately €28 per person in a group of six. The full-day (6 hours) is €299 for the whole boat — approximately €50 per person in a group of six. Book here.

What happens if I have a problem on the water?

Call us immediately — our support boat will reach you within 30 minutes maximum. Our team is contactable throughout your entire rental period. You are never unsupported on the water.

Can I bring food and drinks on a bareboat charter Malta?

Yes — bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks. No alcohol is permitted on board. This is a firm safety policy.

Where do I depart from for a bareboat charter Malta?

From Ċirkewwa port in northern Malta — next to the Ċirkewwa Cafe. If travelling by Bolt or Uber, type “Cirkewwa Cave” into the app. Arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled departure. Complete Ċirkewwa guide here.

Is a bareboat charter or skippered private tour better?

It depends on what you want. Bareboat charter gives you complete independence — you drive, you decide, you go at your own pace. A skippered private tour gives you an expert local guide who handles all navigation and finds the best spots while you relax. Bareboat is better for independence lovers. Skippered is better for first-timers, families, and anyone who wants to completely relax. See all skippered tour options here.

What is the best time for a bareboat charter Malta?

Depart at 09:00 or 09:30 to reach the Blue Lagoon before the ferry crowds arrive. Best months are May, June, September, and October — warm water, lower crowds, and the calmest sea conditions.

Can I go to Gozo on a bareboat charter Malta?

Yes — on the full-day (6-hour) rental, the southern Gozo coastline is accessible. The Mġarr Harbour area, Ħondoq Bay, and the surrounding coves are within comfortable range from Ċirkewwa.

Further Reading — More Local Malta Guides

• Private Boat Tour Malta — Complete Guide
• Comino Private Boat Tour — Complete Guide
• Blue Lagoon Malta — Complete Guide
• Ċirkewwa Malta — Complete Guide
• Cominotto Island — Malta’s Best Kept Secret
• Comino Island Malta — Complete Guide
• Best Beaches Gozo Malta
• Mellieħa Bay Malta — Complete Guide
• 5 Days in Malta Itinerary
• Valletta Cruise Port Malta

Book Your Bareboat Charter Malta

• Half-Day Self-Drive Rental — €169 — 3 hours, Blue Lagoon, Comino, Crystal Lagoon ⭐
• Full-Day Self-Drive Rental — €299 — 6 hours, Comino + Gozo coastline

Or choose a skippered private tour:

• 3-Hour Private Tour — €289 ⭐ Most Popular
• 6-Hour Private Tour — €519

👉 See all tours here. | Contact us here.