10 Best Places to Visit by Boat in Malta & Gozo

10 Best Places to Visit by Boat in Malta & Gozo

With crystal-clear Mediterranean water, dramatic limestone cliffs and hundreds of secluded coves, Malta is an island made to be explored from the sea.

Some places are easily reached from land. Others reveal a completely different side when approached by boat.

Whether you're planning a private charter with friends, a family day at sea or simply looking for Malta's best swimming spots, here are some of the most memorable places to discover.

1. Blue Lagoon, Comino

The Blue Lagoon is Malta's most famous swimming destination, known for its incredibly clear turquoise water between Comino and the small island of Cominotto.

During summer, the shore can become extremely busy. Arriving by boat gives you greater flexibility to enjoy the surrounding water and combine the lagoon with quieter locations around Comino.

The contrast between white sand, limestone and bright blue water makes it one of Malta's essential coastal experiences.

2. Crystal Lagoon

Just around the coast from the Blue Lagoon lies Crystal Lagoon.

Surrounded by high limestone cliffs, caves and exceptionally clear water, it has a completely different atmosphere from its famous neighbour.

The lagoon is particularly well suited to swimming, snorkelling and exploring by boat.

Because access from land is limited, experiencing Crystal Lagoon from the sea is by far the best way to appreciate it.

3. St Peter's Pool

Located near Marsaxlokk, St Peter's Pool is one of southern Malta's best-known natural swimming locations.

The bay is surrounded by flat limestone rock formations and clear Mediterranean water.

Exploring this coastline by boat also allows you to discover the many lesser-known coves and geological formations found around Delimara.

4. Il-Hofriet

The two bays of Il-Hofriet near Delimara offer sheltered turquoise water surrounded by Malta's characteristic limestone landscape.

One of the area's most recognisable landmarks is the natural rock window separating sections of the coastline.

It's an excellent stop when exploring Malta's southeastern coast by boat.

5. Għar Lapsi

Situated beneath the dramatic cliffs near Siġġiewi, Għar Lapsi is a beautiful natural inlet popular with swimmers and divers.

From the sea, you can appreciate the scale of the surrounding cliffs while exploring caves and rocky coastline that are difficult to experience properly from land.

6. Fomm ir-Riħ

Fomm ir-Riħ is one of Malta's wildest and least developed bays.

Its remote location and steep surrounding landscape make reaching it from land more difficult than many other beaches.

Approaching from the sea reveals a spectacular coastline dominated by cliffs, rugged countryside and deep blue water.

7. Paradise Bay

Located near Ċirkewwa in northern Malta, Paradise Bay is a small sandy beach surrounded by rocky cliffs.

Its sheltered setting and clear water make it an excellent swimming stop when exploring Malta's northern coastline.

8. Xlendi Bay, Gozo

Xlendi combines a picturesque Gozitan village with an impressive natural bay surrounded by cliffs.

Entering Xlendi from the sea offers a completely different perspective of the valley and surrounding coastline.

The waters around this part of Gozo also contain numerous caves and impressive geological formations.

9. The Coast of Comino

Comino offers much more than just the Blue Lagoon.

A boat trip around the island reveals sea caves, rock formations, secluded inlets and swimming locations that many visitors never see.

Exploring beyond the main tourist areas is one of the best reasons to experience Comino by boat.

10. Malta's Hidden Coves

Sometimes the best destination isn't the famous one.

Malta's coastline contains countless small coves and sheltered swimming locations whose conditions change depending on the wind and weather.

An experienced local skipper can choose locations based on the conditions that day, creating a more relaxed experience away from the busiest tourist areas.