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

Malta by jet ski feels like a cheat code for seeing coast fast. You pick a north route to St Paul’s Islands or a south route to St Thomas Bay, and you follow a professional instructor the whole time. I especially like the speed across Malta’s clear water and the chance to cruise past different bays that you just cannot reach the same way on land.

The main drawback to plan for is simple: you must be able to swim, and you need a cash security deposit (€100 per jet ski) plus a valid ID.

North vs South: St Paul’s Islands or St Thomas Bay

This trip is built around one idea, two different coastlines. If you want dramatic island scenery and a classic Malta north-coast feel, go for the St Paul’s Islands safari. If you want a route that includes big-city views plus southern bays, choose the St Thomas Bay safari.

Either way, your ride is short and punchy. The whole experience runs about 1.5 hours with the jet ski rental, fuel, safety equipment, and an instructor included.

One more thing that matters for your decision: the group stays small, limited to 6 participants. That usually means more personal attention and less time waiting.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Two safari routes: St Paul’s Islands (north) or St Thomas Bay plus il-Hofriet (south)
• Instructor-led safety: you stay with the guide and you get safety equipment
• Fast water time: speed across crystal-clear water with photo moments built in
• Fuel included: no surprise gas costs during the tour
• Up-close bay access: you cruise shorelines and coves that are hard to do by foot

Price and Value: What $227 Really Buys in 90 Minutes

At $227 per group for a 1.5-hour jet ski safari, the value is mostly in what’s included. You are not just renting a machine. You get the professional instructor, safety equipment, the jet ski rental itself, and fuel. For Malta, that matters because the cost of the ride plus guide time usually adds up quickly when you price things separately.

You can also feel how the company structures the experience. It is small group, limited to 6 participants, and the itinerary is designed for moving along the coast rather than spending half the time parked. If you want water time with a guided route, this is one of those “pay once, ride the whole plan” tours.

Where you should be a little careful is the fine print that can affect your wallet. You need a €100 cash security deposit for each jet ski at the office, and you must bring a valid ID that day. If you forget those, you could lose time or be turned away.

Where You Meet: The St George’s Bay Jetty Setup

You meet at Sun & Fun Water Sports. The directions are specific and worth following exactly, especially if you arrive with limited parking patience.

Look for the black gate before Corinthia Verdi Hotel. Walk through the black gate down the ramp, then turn left. Follow the yellow line on the jetty until you’re at the water.

It helps to arrive a bit early. Not because the tour needs extra time, but because you will want those first few minutes to get your ID checked, settle any deposit requirement, and get into the right gear.

What 1.5 Hours Looks Like on the Water

This is not a long, slow cruise. You should think of it as an energetic guided ride with a few photo stops and route highlights, plus time to enjoy the views from the water.

The instructor takes photos during the safari. That’s useful because it solves the “I’m driving, so I cannot get my own pictures” problem. Just plan to keep your sunglasses handy, because you’ll be dealing with sun glare and wind.

Also, you will be expected to stay with the instructor. The rules are clear that the jet ski has to stay with their instruction all the time. That means you are not off exploring at random on your own.

North Safari: Mellieha Bay, St Paul’s Bay, and the Islands Option

Choose the north safari if you want the itinerary to focus on the northern coast. The north route departs from the base in St George’s Bay.

From there, you follow the instructor to visit Mellieha Bay and St Paul’s Bay, then you go around St Paul’s Islands. The payoff here is variety. You get multiple named bays, and then you get that island-around moment that makes the ride feel like more than a straight coastal pass.

What I like about this route for your photos and your sense of place is that Malta’s northern coastline often looks different from the water. You see curves and coves at speed, and the scale feels more “coastline from above” than “coastline from a sidewalk.”

A possible drawback is that it is still a guided ride, so you should expect a structured path and timing rather than free roaming. If you want the freedom to stop whenever you feel like it, you may feel a little boxed in by staying with the guide.

South Safari: Valletta Harbour Views, St Thomas Bay, and il-Hofriet

Pick the south safari if you want a route that connects Malta’s major sights with classic southern bay cruising. It also departs from St George’s Bay, but the path starts with a pass by Valletta Grand Harbour on the way to St Thomas Bay.

Then you cruise to the most popular two bays in the south named il-Hofriet. The south option is the one I’d steer you toward if you like mixing “big picture” views with smaller-water moments.

Why this route is valuable is that it gives you a mental map of the island. You start near St George’s Bay, you see Valletta’s harbour area from the water, and then you slide into more sheltered bay cruising.

You should also know the obvious practical side: with a south route, your time is still about 90 minutes total. That means you will experience a highlight-focused run, not a slow meander with long breaks.

Photo Stops and Wind Factor: How to Dress for Real Jet Ski Conditions

Jet ski time in Malta means sun, spray, and wind. You’ll be going fast, so your comfort depends on what you wear before you launch.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen and water

For gear, you get safety equipment. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and smoking is not allowed during the activity. You’ll want to skip any heavy lotions that sting in salty water, and keep sunscreen you trust.

One small practical tip that helps most people: wear something you do not mind getting wet. Even with safety gear, expect water contact. A towel matters because you might be wiping off wind spray while you wait for the next segment.

Swimming Requirement and Who Should Skip This Ride

The activity is not for everyone, and the rules here are there for a reason.

You must be able to swim. The company is clear that participants must be able to swim, and that also shows up in the not suitable for list. That list includes non-swimmers, people with heart problems, people with mobility impairments, people with back problems, and pregnant women.

Also, drivers must be at least 18. A valid ID is required on the day of the activity before renting the jet ski.

If you’re on the edge physically, treat this as a “no risk, no romance” moment. The water is part of the experience, so you want confidence in your ability to handle it.

Safety Rules That Affect Your Comfort

Most of the safety rules are straightforward. You have a professional instructor, and you get safety equipment. You are not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

There are also a few rules that affect how the tour operates:

• The jet ski has to stay with instruction all the time
• Full rules must be read at the office, and the company can refuse to give you a jet ski if rules are not read
• A cash security deposit of €100 per jet ski is required at their office

The deposit part is the one people forget. Bring cash. If you don’t, it could be a big delay, even if you are excited and ready.

Finally, the instructor will take some photos. If you hate being on camera, just mentally prepare. You can keep your focus and enjoy it anyway, because you’re doing something most people only dream about doing.

Group Size, Language, and the Instructor Dynamic

This is a small group, limited to 6 participants. That tends to keep the ride more coordinated and less chaotic. It also means you can ask questions and get clearer guidance without feeling like you’re competing for attention.

Instructors speak many languages, including English, French, Italian, Danish, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. If you want comfort in your native language, this is one of the better setups.

Your guide is also part of the fun. One of the strongest signals from the feedback is that the guides are friendly and that the photos turn out useful. If you like having proof that you really did this, that matters.

A Practical Packing List Before You Go

This is what you’ll want to show up with:

• Sunglasses (wind glare is real)
• Hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Water

Also, bring your valid ID. Plan for the €100 cash deposit. If you’re driving, make sure you meet the minimum age rule.

Not allowed during the activity includes smoking and alcohol or drugs. If you’re thinking of day-drinking in Malta before a water activity, save it for later.

Should You Book This Jet Ski Safari?

Book it if you want:

• A fast, guided Malta experience that mixes speed with scenic coast time
• The two-route choice that lets you pick north St Paul’s Islands or south St Thomas Bay and il-Hofriet
• Included fuel, safety equipment, and an instructor in a small group
• Photos taken for you during the ride, so you can actually enjoy the driving

Skip it if:

• You cannot swim confidently
• You have medical limitations listed by the company, like heart problems or back issues
• You prefer long stops and lots of free time, since you’ll be following the guide and staying with instruction
• You would rather not handle the cash security deposit or bring an ID

If your body is up for it and you’re excited by speed on open water, this is a high-impact way to see Malta. And because you have two different routes, you can match the ride to your mood, islands and north bays, or Valletta views plus southern coves.