Malta: Jet Ski Safari to St. Paul’s Islands or St Thomas Bay

Malta’s coast is at its best from the water, and this 1.5-hour jet ski safari lets you cover a lot of it at speed. You can choose the north route to St. Paul’s Islands or the south route toward St. Thomas Bay, then follow an instructor along coves and open water. I like the choice of two very different coastal outings, and I like that fuel, equipment, and an instructor are included. The main catch is the €100 cash security deposit per jet ski, plus the fact that drivers must be at least 18 and able to swim.

I also like the small group limit of six participants. It should feel more controlled than a large water-sports outing, while the instructor stays with the group throughout. A recent French-language account describes a stop in a cove for swimming, which adds more variety than simply racing in a straight line. Still, the route is instructor-led, so you cannot wander off or set your own course.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your coast: Head north to Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands, or south toward St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet.
• Start at St. George’s Bay: The meeting point is at Sun & Fun Water Sports, reached through a black gate beside the Corinthia Verdi Hotel.
• Ride with an instructor: The jet ski must remain with the instructor and the group for the full safari.
• Bring cash and identification: You need a valid ID and a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski.
• Pack for sun and spray: Sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and water are all useful.
• Expect a compact outing: The activity lasts 1.5 hours and allows up to six participants.

Two Malta coastlines, one fast-paced outing

The appeal here is simple. You are not sitting on a boat while the shoreline slides past. You are operating a jet ski, feeling the speed, and turning your head often to take in Malta’s rocky shore, small bays, and offshore islands.

The route choice matters. The north option gives you a more island-focused ride, with Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and the waters around St. Paul’s Islands. The south option brings a different view of Malta, passing by Valletta Grand Harbour before reaching St. Thomas Bay and the two bays known as il-Hofriet.

You choose the route when booking or before departure, so think about what you want most. The north route is the better pick if you want offshore scenery and St. Paul’s Islands. The south route is more appealing if you want a longer coastal run toward the southeastern side of Malta and a look toward the Grand Harbour area.

The instructor leads the entire group. That adds safety and keeps the safari moving, but it also limits independence. This is not a rental where you take a jet ski out alone for an hour. You follow the guide’s route and pace, and the jet ski must stay with the instruction group.

Meeting at St. George’s Bay

The base is Sun & Fun Water Sports at St. George’s Bay. Finding the precise entrance matters because the meeting point is not simply described as a broad beach location.

Before entering the Corinthia Verdi Hotel, look for a black gate. Walk through it, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty. The provided map pin for the gate is useful, so save it before you leave your hotel.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the base, and you should allow enough time to find the gate, complete the office requirements, and prepare for the water. The activity has starting times based on availability, so check the departure time carefully when reserving.

At the office, you must read the full rules before riding. The operator can refuse to provide a jet ski if the rules have not been read. Bring a valid ID on the day, and have the €100 cash deposit ready for each jet ski. The information supplied does not state the deposit return procedure, so ask the office about that before handing it over.

What the 1.5-hour safari feels like

The experience begins with the practical side: registration, safety equipment, rules, and preparation. You then meet the professional instructor and head out from St. George’s Bay.

The instructor stays with the group throughout. This is important for anyone new to jet skiing, since you have a clear person to follow instead of having to judge the route alone. It also means the activity has a structured feel. You will not be free to peel away toward a cove that catches your eye.

Once underway, the basic pleasure is speed. You can cross open water, turn beside the shoreline, and view Malta from an angle you do not get from roads or walking paths. The supplied description highlights crystal-clear water, coves, shorelines, and places reachable only by water. Those details explain the value of the trip better than the word safari does: the ride is as much about seeing the coast as it is about operating the machine.

The instructor also takes photos during the safari. That is handy because you will not want to handle a phone while riding. The exact number of photos and delivery method are not specified, so ask how you will receive them if the pictures matter to you.

The total duration is short enough to fit into a busy Malta day, but you should not expect a full-day marine excursion. You get a focused burst of riding and coastal sightseeing, with no food or drinks included.

The north route to St. Paul’s Islands

The north safari departs from St. George’s Bay and heads toward Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands. The route gives you several types of scenery in one outing: a broad bay, a developed coastal area, and offshore islands viewed from the water.

Mellieha Bay is one of the named stops along this route. From a jet ski, the attraction is the change in scale. You see the curve of the bay from the water rather than from shore, and you get a fast-moving view as the instructor guides the group onward.

St. Paul’s Bay adds another stretch of Maltese coast before the safari goes around St. Paul’s Islands. The islands are the route’s most distinctive feature. You cannot reach them by road, so the jet ski gives you a close view of their rocky edges and open-water setting without committing to a separate boat trip.

A photo stop is part of the stated program, and the instructor takes pictures during the safari. The exact stop depends on conditions and the guide’s plan, but you should expect moments when the group slows or pauses rather than nonstop speed for the entire 90 minutes.

Choose this route if the idea of circling small islands appeals to you. It is also the stronger choice for a visitor who wants a north-coast outing without booking a longer boat cruise. The limitation is that you do not get the southern shoreline or the Valletta Grand Harbour passage on this option.

The south route past Valletta Grand Harbour

The south safari is described as Malta’s only south jet ski safari, departing from the same St. George’s Bay base. It passes by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St. Thomas Bay, then continues to the two popular bays known as il-Hofriet.

This route gives you a more varied coastal run. The passage near Valletta Grand Harbour links the ride to one of Malta’s best-known maritime areas, while St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet provide the more natural, cove-focused part of the outing.

The wording for the route says you cruise to the two bays at il-Hofriet. That makes this option a good fit if you want the ride to include several bays rather than an offshore-island focus. It also gives you a different view of the Maltese coastline than the north route.

One French-language account describes stopping in a cove for a swim, calling the change from straight-line jet skiing a highlight. You must be able to swim to take part, and you should bring swimwear and a towel. The activity information does not promise a specific swimming stop for every departure, so treat it as a possible part of the outing rather than a guaranteed timed stop.

The south route may suit you best if you have already seen the north coast or want to combine a fast ride with views toward Valletta’s harbor area. Its drawback is the same as the north route’s: the instructor controls the pace, and the full route cannot be treated as a private free-ride session.

Why the small group matters

The group limit is six participants. That is a useful middle ground. You are not booking a fully private tour, but the group is small enough for the instructor to keep track of the riders more easily.

A small group can also make the photo stops and route instructions less cumbersome. You spend less time waiting for a large line of vehicles to gather, although the exact pace still depends on the whole group.

The price is listed as $227 per group up to one participant. Read that wording closely before paying. It appears to cover one participant or one jet ski booking, but the supplied details do not explain passenger arrangements or whether two people can share a machine. If you are booking as a pair, confirm the exact price and rider setup with the operator.

At that price, the value rests on more than the time on the water. Fuel, the jet ski rental, safety equipment, a professional instructor, and the guided coastal route are included. You also receive photos taken during the safari. For someone who specifically wants to ride a jet ski around Malta, that bundle may be worthwhile. It is less compelling if you only want a relaxed swim or a long coastal sightseeing cruise.

Safety rules you should take seriously

You must be at least 18 years old to drive. You also need to be able to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people with heart problems.

A valid ID is required before the rental. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you cannot operate the jet ski under their influence. Smoking is also prohibited.

The instructor remains with the group at all times. This is a safety feature, but it shapes the whole outing. You should be comfortable following directions, keeping to the group, and accepting that the operator can refuse the rental if you do not read the rules.

The equipment supplied includes safety gear. Fuel is included, so you do not face a fuel charge at the end. You should still bring water, since drinks are not provided, and protect yourself from the strong Malta sun with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

What to pack for the jet ski

Wear swimwear and bring a towel. Even if you spend much of the time riding, spray and any cove stop can leave you wet.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• A hat
• Sunscreen
• Water
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Valid identification
• €100 cash per jet ski for the security deposit

Use care with personal items. The supplied information does not describe lockers or dry storage, so avoid bringing anything you cannot risk getting wet. You should also leave alcohol and smoking materials behind, since both are prohibited.

The instructor takes photos, which means you can keep your phone put away during the ride. Ask how those photos are provided before leaving the base.

Languages, cancellation, and practical flexibility

Instruction is available in English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. That broad language range can make the safety briefing easier to follow, though the exact language for your departure depends on availability.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting. A lost ticket cannot be refunded or redeemed, so keep your booking details safe.

The duration is 1.5 hours, and starting times vary. Since there is no hotel transfer, you need to manage your own transport to St. George’s Bay and find the black gate beside the hotel.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this safari if you already want to drive a jet ski and prefer a guided coastal route to a fixed circuit. It suits confident adults who can swim, enjoy speed, and want to see Malta from the water without giving up most of a day.

It is also a good option for a small group that wants a shared activity. The six-person limit keeps the outing fairly contained, while the route choices let you pick between offshore islands and southern bays.

I would skip it if you want a slow boat ride, a fully independent route, or a guaranteed long swim. I would also avoid it if the cash deposit is inconvenient, if you are under 18, or if you have any of the listed medical or mobility concerns.

Should you book the Malta jet ski safari?

Book it if the main goal is active coastal sightseeing. The north route gives you Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands. The south route takes you past Valletta Grand Harbour toward St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet. Both give you an instructor, safety equipment, fuel, and a compact 1.5-hour ride.

The strongest reasons to go are the route choice, the small group, the included fuel, and the chance to stop for photos and possibly swim in a cove. The main considerations are the $227 price for the stated one-participant group, the €100 cash deposit per jet ski, and the fact that you must follow the guide rather than ride independently.

If those terms suit you, this is a lively way to experience Malta’s shoreline and reach coastal views that are difficult to get from land.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski safari start?

It starts at Sun & Fun Water Sports in St. George’s Bay. Before entering the Corinthia Verdi Hotel, find the black gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

How long does the activity last?

The guided jet ski safari lasts 1.5 hours.

Can I choose between different routes?

Yes. You can choose the north route to Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands, or the south route past Valletta Grand Harbour to St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet.

What is included in the price?

The price includes jet ski rental, fuel, safety equipment, and a professional instructor.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach Sun & Fun Water Sports yourself.

How old must I be to drive?

Drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. A valid ID is required on the day before renting the jet ski.

Is a security deposit required?

Yes. You must pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski at the office.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.