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

Feel Malta from the water. This 1.5-hour jet ski safari gives you two things I especially like: a choice between St. Paul’s Islands and the south coast near St. Thomas Bay, plus a small group capped at six people. You follow an instructor rather than racing off alone, which makes the outing safer and more sociable. The main consideration is the price: at $227 per group up to one person, you should check exactly how your booking is charged before paying.

I also like that fuel, the jet ski, and safety equipment are included. A stop in a sheltered cove for swimming can break up the ride, so this is not only a straight-line speed run. Still, you need to be 18 or older to drive, able to swim, and comfortable with open-water activity.

Key points to know before you ride

• Two very different routes: Choose the north route around St. Paul’s Islands or the south route toward St. Thomas Bay.
• A guided ride, not a free-for-all: Your jet ski must stay with the instructor throughout the safari.
• Small group format: The group is limited to six participants, which helps keep instructions clear.
• Swimming can be part of the fun: The route may include a stop in a cove, a useful break from the engine and sun.
• Bring cash for the deposit: You need a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski at the office.
• Photos are taken during the trip: The instructor takes photos, giving you a way to remember the ride without trying to handle a camera at speed.

Setting off from St. George’s Bay

The safari begins at Sun & Fun Water Sports, near the Corinthia Verdi Hotel. Finding the exact access point matters because the meeting place is not simply a hotel lobby or a broad public beach entrance.

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 along the jetty. Give yourself enough time to find this route, particularly if you are carrying towels, water, and beach gear.

At the office, you will read the full rules before receiving the jet ski. This is not a formality you can skip. The company can refuse to hand over the jet ski if the rules have not been read, and a valid ID is required before rental.

You also need to pay a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski. That deposit is separate from the tour price, so bring the money with you. The supplied information does not state how or when the deposit is returned, so ask at the office before setting off.

The instructor provides safety equipment and explains how to ride. The activity is offered with instruction in English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. That broad language choice is useful, but the key point is still simple: pay close attention to the safety briefing.

Choosing the St. Paul’s Islands route

The north safari starts at St. George’s Bay and heads toward Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands. This route gives you a mix of open-water riding, bays, and island scenery within a fairly short outing.

Mellieha Bay is one of the route’s named stops and helps set the tone for the northern coast. You will pass shoreline views from the water rather than spending time on the beach. That distinction matters. This is a sightseeing ride with a jet ski beneath you, not a beach day with a short rental added on.

St. Paul’s Bay brings another change of coastal setting before the route reaches St. Paul’s Islands. The islands are a strong reason to choose the north option if you want the feeling of going somewhere distinct rather than simply riding along one stretch of coast.

You stay with the instructor as the group goes around the islands. The route is designed around following the guide, so do not expect to choose your own speed or peel away to explore a cove independently. That rule may feel restrictive to an experienced rider, but it keeps the small group together and makes the outing easier to manage.

The north route suits you if island scenery is the main attraction. It also gives you a clear sense of movement, beginning in St. George’s Bay, passing through two named bays, and circling the islands before returning to the starting point.

Choosing the St. Thomas Bay route

The south safari is described as the only south jet ski safari in Malta, and it follows a different character from the northern ride. From St. George’s Bay, you pass by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St. Thomas Bay.

That harbor passage adds a major coastal landmark to the trip. You see Valletta from the water rather than approaching it on foot or by road, which changes the scale and angle of the city. The ride then continues toward St. Thomas Bay.

The route also visits the two southern bays known as il-Hofriet. These bays are a good reason to choose the south option if you care more about small inlets and swimming water than about reaching islands.

A French review described the ride as different from a standard jet ski outing that only goes in a straight line. It specifically praised stopping in a cove for a swim and the friendly staff. That detail helps explain the appeal of this safari. You are not simply holding the throttle for 90 minutes. The route has changes of pace, coastal turns, and a chance to get into the water.

The south option may suit you best if you want a route with Valletta Grand Harbour, southern bays, and a swimming stop. It is also a practical choice if the idea of circling islands does not appeal as much as exploring coves.

What the 1.5-hour schedule feels like

Ninety minutes is long enough to make the outing feel like a real activity, but short enough to fit into a busy Malta day. You leave from St. George’s Bay, ride with the instructor, stop for photos and possibly swimming, then return to the same base.

The description gives the full activity time as 1.5 hours, but it does not provide exact minutes for the safety briefing, riding, or swimming stop. Keep your schedule flexible around the stated duration rather than assuming every minute will be spent at full speed.

The ride is also more physical than a boat cruise. You need to hold on, follow instructions, and cope with sun and spray. Bring sunscreen, water, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. Sunglasses can help with glare, but secure them well because the ride is fast and wet.

The instructor takes photos during the safari. This is a welcome touch because taking your own pictures while operating a jet ski is neither practical nor safe. Ask how the photos will be provided if that matters to you, since the available information confirms that photos are taken but does not explain the delivery method or whether they cost extra.

Why the guided format matters

You do not receive a jet ski and then set off on your own. The instructor leads the route, and the jet ski must remain with the group at all times.

For a first-time rider, that is a major benefit. You have someone setting the direction and keeping the group together. The instructor also helps make the experience more than a basic rental, since the route includes particular bays, islands, and shoreline sections.

Experienced riders may want more freedom than this format allows. You cannot treat the jet ski as your own private machine for the afternoon. The company can also refuse service if rules are not read or if a participant is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The group limit is six participants. That is small enough for the instructor to keep the formation manageable and for instructions to remain useful. The exact number in your departure may be lower, but the stated maximum is six.

Safety equipment and fuel are included. You do not need to budget for fuel by the hour, which makes the final cost easier to understand. You still need to account for the cash deposit and anything you buy before or after the trip.

Price and what you receive for it

The listed cost is $227 per group up to one person. That wording is unusual, so I would confirm the final charge during booking, especially if you plan to ride with another person or reserve more than one jet ski.

The price includes the jet ski rental, fuel, safety equipment, and a professional instructor. Those inclusions matter because fuel charges can make water activities less predictable, while safety gear and guidance are essential rather than optional extras.

Value depends on what you want from Malta. If you only want a few minutes of speed, the price may feel high. If you want a guided coastal route, a cove stop, photos, and a structured visit to either St. Paul’s Islands or the southern bays, the cost is easier to justify.

You should also remember that food, drinks, personal expenses, and hotel transfers are not included. You make your own way to St. George’s Bay, and the meeting point requires a short walk through the black gate by the hotel.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Malta activities and do not want to pay everything at once.

Who should book this safari

I would recommend this for adults who want a lively way to see Malta from the water and who are happy to follow a set route. The activity is especially well suited to couples, friends, or solo riders who enjoy a mix of speed, scenery, and swimming.

It is also a good match for people who already like jet skiing but want more than a marked riding area. The French feedback specifically praised the route for avoiding a repetitive straight-line ride. The island and bay routes give the outing more shape.

You should not book it if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or have mobility limitations. Non-swimmers cannot take part, and drivers must be at least 18. The information does not state the minimum age for passengers, so ask the operator directly if someone under 18 hopes to ride with an adult.

Anyone planning to drink during the day should schedule the safari before alcohol, not after. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the company will not permit operation under the influence.

Practical preparation for the jetty

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water. Leave alcohol and smoking products behind, since smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed during the activity.

Bring valid ID and the €100 cash deposit for each jet ski. A lost ticket cannot be refunded or redeemed, so keep your booking details secure until the outing is finished.

The company does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off. Plan your own way to Sun & Fun Water Sports and use the black gate entrance by the Corinthia Verdi Hotel, not a general hotel reception route.

I would also avoid carrying loose valuables. The supplied information does not describe storage facilities, so take only what you need and secure anything you bring.

The strongest part of the experience

The best feature is the combination of motion and place. A normal jet ski rental can become a noisy loop with little sense of where you are. Here, the route gives your ride a purpose: reach the islands in the north, or pass Valletta Grand Harbour and explore the southern bays.

The swimming stop adds another welcome change. One short French review praised stopping in a cove, along with the friendly staff. That matches the design of the safari, which gives you more than continuous riding.

The photos are another practical bonus. A verified booking described the instructor as very friendly and appreciated the pictures taken during the ride. You can concentrate on steering and the views, while someone else records the outing.

The only serious caution is that the activity has real physical and safety requirements. It is not suitable for every visitor, and the €100 cash deposit requires planning. Read the rules, bring ID, and confirm the price structure before you commit.

Should you book the Malta jet ski safari?

Book it if you want an active coastal outing with a guide, a small group, and a choice of two routes. Choose St. Paul’s Islands for an island-focused ride around Mellieha Bay and St. Paul’s Bay. Choose St. Thomas Bay for Valletta Grand Harbour, southern coves, and the il-Hofriet bays.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat trip, need hotel transportation, cannot swim, or prefer complete control over your route. For confident adults who like speed but still want a planned visit to Malta’s coast, this is a strong 90-minute option, provided the unusual group pricing and cash deposit are clear before booking.

FAQ

Where does the jet ski safari start?

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

How long does the safari last?

The activity lasts 1.5 hours, including the guided jet ski outing and the return to Sun & Fun Water Sports.

Which routes can I choose?

You can choose a north safari to Mellieha Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and St. Paul’s Islands, or a south safari passing Valletta Grand Harbour and continuing to St. Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet.

How old must I be to drive a jet ski?

Drivers must be at least 18 years old. A valid ID is required on the day of the activity.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. Participants must be able to swim, and the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Fuel, the jet ski rental, safety equipment, and a professional instructor are included.

Do I need to pay a security deposit?

Yes. A €100 cash security deposit is required for each jet ski at the office.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water. You should also bring valid ID and the cash security deposit.

Can I cancel the booking?

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