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

Jet skiing in Malta feels like cheating, in the best way. You get a fast, guided ride from St. Julian’s to some of the prettiest south-coast scenery, with a small group feel and a southern Malta route that most day trips miss. For two big reasons, I love how this trip mixes adrenaline with clear, coach-style guidance, and I also like that you ride with a professional instructor and safety boat support throughout.

One thing to think through first: it’s not a casual stroll. You’re on the water for 1.5 hours, you need to be comfortable riding in open sea conditions, and there’s a cash security deposit of €100 per jet ski that you’ll pay on site.

Key things to know before you book

• St. Julian’s jetty location matters: you’ll meet at the jetty behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel and follow the yellow line from the gate
• A true southern loop: the route includes Valletta Grand Harbour, Marsascala’s St Thomas Bay, Delimara, and the il-Ħofriet area
• Small-group ride: limited to 6 participants, with an instructor leading the way
• Safety boat is present the whole time: you’re not out there alone
• Cash deposit, not card: €100 per jet ski paid in cash at the base
• 18+ only: everyone must be at least 18, and non-swimmers or people with certain health limits should skip it

Jet Ski Safari From St. Julian’s, Plus the Southern Route

If you’re doing Malta for the sea, this is one of the few options that genuinely lets you feel the island from the water. The tour starts at St. Julian’s at 10:00 AM and runs for about 1.5 hours, with you back around 11:30 AM. That timing is useful, because it gives you a real activity burst early in the day, then leaves you free to plan lunch and the rest of your Malta afternoon.

The route is the part that keeps it interesting. Instead of staying close to the harbor, your ride turns south. Along the way, you pass recognizable coastline landmarks like Valletta Grand Harbour, then swing by Marsascala’s St Thomas Bay, and keep going around Delimara. The finale includes il-Ħofriet, two beautiful bays connected by a natural passage eroded out of the cliffs. In plain terms: the scenery is dramatic, and you’re moving fast enough that it never feels static.

Also, this is run by Robert Arrigo & Sons Limited, with an English-speaking guide and instruction aimed at both beginners and experienced riders. In one review, the guide named Harry was described as fun and energetic, which lines up with the idea that you’re not just being thrown onto a machine. You’re being guided.

Finding the Jetty Behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel

Getting to the water matters, and this one has a specific meeting setup. You’ll depart from a jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly known as Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s.

Here’s the practical part: when you arrive near the underground parking entrance, look for a black iron gate. Go through the gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty where boats and jet skis are parked. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes early so you’re not rushing, especially if you need to locate the right spot.

If you’re thinking, I can’t miss it, remember that St. Julian’s has a lot going on. Arriving early keeps the whole morning calmer.

What Happens on the Water, Step by Step

This is a guided safari, so you’re not just riding in circles and hoping for the best. One jet ski per person is included, and the instructor leads you during the ride. You also get life jackets, and a safety boat is present throughout the entire activity.

The pacing usually feels like this:

• You start by getting underway with your instructor close enough to guide the route and handle any rider needs.
• You move past major viewpoints along the coast, including the harbor area early on.
• You then reach the south-coast sections where the coastline looks more rugged and the bays feel more scenic.
• After 1.5 hours of ride time, you return back to the base in St. Julian’s around 11:30 AM.

You’ll want to keep in mind that conditions can change. One reviewer specifically called out rough waters around the harbor, which is exactly the kind of detail that matters when you’re planning comfort. If you’re sensitive to choppy sea conditions, bring whatever motion-sickness prevention you’re allowed to use, and understand that the tour is not suitable for people who get motion sickness.

Valletta Grand Harbour to Marsascala’s St Thomas Bay

The route includes passing by Valletta Grand Harbour, then moving toward Marsascala for St Thomas Bay. Even if you’ve seen Malta from the shore, this section hits different because you’re traveling faster, closer to the waterline, and your frame of reference changes constantly.

Why I like this early stretch: it’s a visual warm-up. Valletta Grand Harbour gives you a busy, iconic sense of Malta’s maritime side. Then St Thomas Bay in Marsascala brings a different mood, more coastal and scenic, less city-energy. By the time you’re ready for the more dramatic south-coast visuals, you’ve already settled into the rhythm of the ride.

If waters are a bit choppy near the harbor, it also helps you gauge your comfort level quickly. Better to learn early in the route than right when the scenery is at its best.

Delimara and il-Ħofriet, the South Coast That Feels Sculpted

Delimara is part of why this safari earns its name. Once you head around this stretch, the coast looks more carved, with cliffs and bays that feel like they were shaped for exploring by water.

The highlight area is il-Ħofriet, described as two beautiful bays in the south, connected by a natural passage eroded out of the cliffs. You’re not stopping and walking around like a shore excursion, but you do get to see the coastline lines and the way water moves through that natural connection.

This section is the best match for people who came to Malta for the sea views and don’t want a tour that mostly stays on roads. You get movement plus scenery, and that combo is hard to beat.

One caution: because this is open water, your experience will depend on sea conditions. Choppy water can make the ride feel more intense than the photos online. If you’re someone who wants smooth, calm conditions only, you might want to be flexible or consider other formats.

Safety, Insurance, and the Stuff You Should Actually Read

You get a few safety and risk-protection elements in the included details:

• Safety boat present throughout the activity
• Life jackets provided
• Fully comprehensive insurance
• Fuel costs included
• All fuel costs covered in the price

There’s also a key financial detail. Even with fully comprehensive insurance, in case of an accident, loss, or damage to the jet ski, guests are only liable for the insurance excess fee. That’s not the same as paying the full damage cost, but it’s still something you should understand before you go.

Then there’s the security deposit. A refundable security deposit of €100 per jet ski must be paid in cash at the base. Only cash is accepted; credit or debit cards won’t work for the deposit. Make sure you have enough cash ready when you show up.

This tour is also clearly not for everyone health-wise. It’s not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, children under 18, non-swimmers, people over 65, and people over 287 lbs (130 kg). Motion sickness is also a disqualifier. If any of those apply, it’s worth skipping, even if you’re tempted by the views.

Price of $241, and Whether It’s Worth It

At $241 per person for about 1.5 hours, this is not a cheap thrill. But it can feel fair depending on what you compare it to.

Here’s why it can be good value:

• One jet ski per person means you’re not sharing your own machine
• fuel is included
• a professional instructor is included
• a safety boat is present for the whole ride
• fully comprehensive insurance is included

Where the price can feel steep:

• there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off included, so you’ll handle getting yourself to the St. Julian’s meeting point
• there’s no food or drinks included, so you’ll budget for that separately
• you must pay a refundable €100 cash security deposit per jet ski

I’d treat it like this: you’re paying for time on the water, guided route coverage to the south coast, and safety structure. If that combination sounds like your kind of day, the price makes sense. If you want something slower, more walking-friendly, or strictly calm-water focused, you may feel like you paid for speed you didn’t fully want.

Who This Jet Ski Safari Really Suits

This is built for adults who want movement, sea views, and direct coaching. It’s a strong fit for:

• first-time jet ski riders who want an instructor leading the route
• people who like active tours rather than sitting on a bus all day
• anyone traveling in a small group or as a pair, since the group is limited to 6

It can be a poor fit if:

• you want lots of breaks or a long scenic stop time
• you dislike choppy conditions
• you fall under the health and mobility restrictions listed by the operator

The minimum age required is 18, and drivers must be at least 18 and show valid identification. If you’re planning to go with friends, double-check ages and make sure you all carry the right ID.

My Practical Tips for a Smoother Ride

To get the best day with the least stress, I’d plan like this:

Bring the basics that are explicitly required

• passport or ID card
• swimwear
• towel
• comfortable shoes
• comfortable clothes
• cash for the €100 deposit
• motion sickness prevention (even if it’s just to be safe)

Wear what works on a jet ski

The operator says no sandals or flip flops. That matters because you’ll want secure footing when you’re moving around the jetty and stepping on/off.

Avoid alcohol

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle are also not allowed. This is a safety ride, so treat it like one.

Arrive early

You should be at the departure location 15 to 20 minutes early. That buffer helps you find the jetty route and get fitted properly without rushing.

Think about sea comfort

One review mentioned rough waters around the harbor. If you’re sensitive to that, prepare accordingly, and remember motion sickness issues make this tour unsuitable.

Should You Book This Jet Ski Safari to the South of Malta?

Book it if you want an adult, fast-paced water experience with a guided southern route, and you’re comfortable riding in open sea conditions. The combination of small group, a professional instructor, and a safety boat present the entire time is exactly the kind of structure that makes the adrenaline feel manageable instead of reckless.

Skip it if you want a restful, low-intensity tour, if you are restricted by the health or mobility rules, if you need hotel pickup, or if you are highly sensitive to choppy water. Also, if you can’t easily handle the cash deposit requirement, that logistical friction can sour the experience.

If your main goal is to see Malta’s south coast from the water, and you’re ready to ride for 1.5 hours, this is one of the more memorable ways to do it.

FAQ

How long is the Jet Ski Safari to the South of Malta?

The ride lasts about 1.5 hours. The tour departs at 10:00 AM and you return to the St. Julian’s base at approximately 11:30 AM.

Where do we meet for the tour?

You meet at the jetty behind Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s. It’s at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. Follow the black iron gate, ramp, turn left, and then the yellow line on the ground to the jetty.

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.

What’s included in the price?

Included are one jet ski per person, a professional instructor, a safety boat present throughout the activity, life jackets, all fuel costs, and fully comprehensive insurance.

Do I need to pay a security deposit?

Yes. A refundable security deposit of €100 per jet ski is required, paid in cash at the base. Credit or debit cards aren’t accepted for the deposit.

What is the minimum age to participate?

The minimum age required is 18. Drivers must also be at least 18 and present valid legally binding identification.

Are non-swimmers allowed?

No. Non-swimmers are not allowed to participate.

Is cancellation free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.