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

Hold on tight, Malta gets wilder offshore. This 90-minute guided jet ski safari takes you from St. Julian’s past Valletta Grand Harbour and down to the southern coast, where cliffs, bays, and open Mediterranean water replace the usual resort view. I like the small six-person group and the fact that each person gets a jet ski, rather than sitting behind someone else.

I also like the experienced guide, safety boat, fuel, life jacket, and full insurance included in the price. The main caution is cost: at $241 per person, this is a major spend for an hour and a half, and you must also bring a refundable €100 cash deposit for each jet ski. Rough water around the harbor can add extra excitement, but it may not suit anyone prone to motion sickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Southern Malta by jet ski: This route goes beyond the usual St. Julian’s boating area, reaching Marsascala, Delimara, and the Il-Ħofriet bays.
• One jet ski per person: You ride your own machine, with an instructor leading the small group.
• Six-person maximum: The limited group size should make it easier to follow the guide and avoid a crowded boating experience.
• A safety boat follows throughout: You are not left to manage the route alone, and the activity includes a professional instructor and safety support.
• €100 cash deposit required: This is separate from the tour price and must be paid in cash for every jet ski.
• Adults only: Drivers must be at least 18, show a valid passport or identity card, and meet the stated health and weight requirements.

From St. Julian’s to open Mediterranean water

The meeting point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. You will need to find 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s, then look near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking lot for a black iron gate.

Go through the gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground. It leads to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept. This is not a place where you should arrive at the last second. Plan to be there 15 to 20 minutes before the scheduled 10:00 AM departure.

That early arrival gives you time to show your passport or identity card, handle the cash deposit, and get ready without rushing. Bring your swimwear, towel, comfortable clothes, and comfortable shoes. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, so pack proper footwear.

You also need cash for the €100 refundable security deposit on each jet ski. The deposit is not covered by the tour price, and only cash is accepted. This is one of the most important practical details because a missing deposit can spoil an otherwise well-planned morning.

Riding your own jet ski with a small group

After preparation and safety instructions, you ride your own jet ski under the direction of a professional instructor. The experience is designed for both beginners and experienced riders, so you do not need a long history of jet ski use to take part.

That said, beginner-friendly does not mean passive. A jet ski responds quickly, and the conditions can change once you leave the sheltered area. You need to pay attention to the instructor, keep control of your machine, and stay with the group.

The maximum group size is six participants. That is a useful limit for this kind of activity. A large group can feel disorganized on the water, while six riders should be easier for the guide to monitor. The safety boat remains present throughout the activity, adding a second layer of support.

The tour is led in English. If you are comfortable following spoken instructions in English, the language arrangement should be straightforward. The provider also lists full insurance for the jet skis. In the event of an accident, loss, or damage, you are liable only for the insurance excess fee, not the full value of the machine.

You should still treat the €100 deposit and insurance excess as serious financial details. Ask for a clear explanation of the excess before setting off if you are unsure about it.

Passing Valletta Grand Harbour

The first major visual highlight is Valletta Grand Harbour. Seen from the water, Malta’s capital area takes on a different character. Instead of approaching Valletta through streets and gates, you watch the shoreline unfold from the seat of a jet ski.

This part of the route also helps explain why the tour is more than a short ride in front of St. Julian’s. You are moving along a substantial section of Malta’s coast, with the guide setting the pace and route.

Conditions around the harbor can be rough. One recorded experience specifically describes having great fun despite choppy water in the harbor. That tells you something useful: the activity can still work in rougher conditions, but it may feel more demanding than a calm-water cruise.

For confident riders, that extra movement may be part of the thrill. For anyone with back trouble or motion sickness, it is a real warning. The activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, or for non-swimmers.

St. Thomas Bay and Marsascala

The route continues toward St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala. This section brings you farther from the main resort center and into southern Malta’s coastal setting.

St. Thomas Bay is one of the places where the ride shifts from city views to open coastal scenery. You can appreciate the color and movement of the Mediterranean while keeping the energy of a fast water activity. The guide leads the group, so you can focus on riding and looking around rather than trying to work out the route.

A jet ski is not a quiet sightseeing platform. You will hear the engine, feel the spray, and concentrate on handling the machine. That is the trade-off. You cover more coast in a short time, but you will not have the stillness or slow pace of a traditional boat trip.

If your priority is excitement, this is a strong part of the itinerary. If you want to study every cliff and bay in peace, a sightseeing cruise may offer better value.

Delimara and the Il-Ħofriet bays

The southern section includes Delimara and Il-Ħofriet, described as two beautiful bays connected by a natural passage cut through the cliffs. This is the most distinctive part of the route.

The natural passage gives the itinerary a clear sense of discovery. You are not simply turning around at an arbitrary point offshore. The route reaches a particular coastal feature, allowing you to see how Malta’s cliffs and bays shape the shoreline.

Il-Ħofriet is also a good reason to choose this excursion instead of a standard jet ski rental. With a rental, you may get the machine and freedom but not the same planned access to a southern route. Here, the instructor brings you to a specific part of the island and keeps the group moving together.

The drawback is the limited time. The whole outing lasts about 90 minutes, including the ride out, the route, and the return. You should expect a fast overview of the southern coast, not a long stop at every bay. The emphasis is on riding through the scenery rather than spending a full afternoon swimming or sunbathing.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

The stated departure is 10:00 AM, with a return to the St. Julian’s base at about 11:30 AM. That makes this a useful morning activity if you want to keep most of the day free for other plans.

You should allow extra time before the official start for arrival, identification, the deposit, and preparation. The listed 90 minutes refers to the activity itself, not necessarily the full time from leaving your accommodation to being completely finished.

The compact schedule also limits the risk of turning the excursion into an all-day commitment. You can ride along the southern coast, return to St. Julian’s before midday, and still have time for lunch or another Malta activity.

The trade-off is that the price is high for the duration. At $241 per person, I would book this only if riding a jet ski is one of the main experiences you want in Malta. The value improves if you care about reaching the southern coast, prefer a guided route, and want your own machine with fuel, equipment, and safety support included.

It is less convincing if you simply want coastal views. Malta offers other ways to see the water, and a 90-minute ride may not justify the cost for a casual sightseer.

Safety, age rules, and physical limits

The minimum age is 18, and every driver must show a valid identity card or passport. Bring the actual document, not just a photograph on your phone. If you cannot present the required identification, you can lose the trip without a refund.

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

There is also a maximum weight of 287 pounds, or 130 kilograms. People with motion sickness are advised not to take part, and that advice deserves attention. The combination of speed, waves, engine movement, and salt spray can be hard on your stomach.

Do not arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Bring motion sickness prevention if you normally need it, though the stated restrictions mean this may still not be the right activity for you.

Life jackets are included, and the safety boat stays with the group. Those are meaningful inclusions, especially for first-time riders. You still need to follow the guide’s instructions carefully and accept that sea conditions are not fully under your control.

Guide quality and the feel of the experience

The instructor can make or break a jet ski safari. You are not just collecting a machine and heading out alone. The guide sets the route, manages the pace, and helps beginners get comfortable.

Harry received especially warm praise for being energetic, fun, and easy to enjoy on the water. That kind of personality matters during an activity built around adrenaline. A guide who keeps the mood relaxed can help first-time riders settle in, while still keeping the group focused on safety.

The small group helps here. With no more than six participants, the outing should feel more personal than a large commercial water-sports session. You have a better chance of hearing instructions clearly and staying connected to the group.

Still, the mood depends partly on the sea. Rough conditions can make the ride more exciting, but they can also make it more tiring. You should choose this with an adventurous attitude, not with the expectation of a perfectly smooth coastal glide.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes one jet ski per person, a professional instructor, a safety boat, life jackets, fuel, and full insurance. Those inclusions remove several common extra charges from the final bill.

Fuel matters because a route from St. Julian’s to the southern coast uses more than a short local ride. The safety boat matters because help remains nearby throughout the activity. The life jacket means you do not need to bring your own flotation equipment.

Food and drinks are not included. Since you return around 11:30 AM, you may not need a meal during the outing, but bring any water or refreshments you want for before or after the ride.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included. You must make your own way to the St. Julian’s jetty, so check your route in advance and leave enough time to locate the gate and yellow line.

The refundable security deposit is separate. Bring €100 in cash for each jet ski, even though the published tour price is $241 per person.

Who will get the most from this Malta adventure?

I would recommend this for an adult couple, siblings, or a small group of friends who want speed and scenery in the same outing. It works especially well if you have already seen Malta’s main sights and want a more active way to experience the coast.

It can suit a beginner because an instructor leads the route and safety support remains close. You should still be physically comfortable with waves, motion, and controlling a personal watercraft.

Experienced riders may like the chance to cover a longer route, especially one reaching Delimara and Il-Ħofriet. The guided format means you do not need to plan the southern route yourself.

I would skip it if you want a gentle boat ride, dislike engine noise, are sensitive to motion, or are mainly interested in swimming and relaxing. I would also think twice if the $241 price would make the rest of your Malta budget uncomfortable.

The booking requires at least two participants. That matters if you are traveling alone. You cannot count on setting off as a solo customer, so confirm that another participant is available before building your day around it.

Should you book the St. Julian’s jet ski safari?

Book this tour if your idea of a good Malta morning includes speed, sea spray, and a guided run to the island’s southern bays. The route is more interesting than a short resort-area ride, and the combination of Valletta Grand Harbour, St. Thomas Bay, Delimara, and Il-Ħofriet gives the 90 minutes a clear purpose.

The experience is expensive, and the cash deposit, strict age rules, physical limits, and possible rough water deserve careful thought. But if you want your own jet ski, a small group, a safety boat, and a guide who adds energy to the outing, the package offers a well-supported way to see southern Malta from the water.

For the right person, this is not a quiet sightseeing trip. It is a high-energy coastal ride with scenery as the reward between bursts of speed.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski safari depart from?

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.

How do I find the jetty?

Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking lot, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the ground to the jetty.

What time does the tour depart?

The stated departure time is 10:00 AM. You should arrive 15 to 20 minutes early.

How long does the activity last?

The jet ski safari lasts about 1.5 hours, with an expected return to the St. Julian’s base at approximately 11:30 AM.

Is a security deposit required?

Yes. You must pay a refundable €100 cash deposit for each jet ski. Credit and debit cards are not accepted for the deposit.

What identification do I need?

Each driver must present a valid, legally binding identity document, such as an identity card or passport. Failure to provide it can result in losing the trip without a refund.

Can someone under 18 take part?

No. The minimum age is 18, and drivers under 18 are not permitted.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must reach the St. Julian’s jetty independently.

What happens if the jet ski is damaged?

The jet skis have full insurance. In the event of an accident, loss, or damage, you are liable for the insurance excess fee.