The five islands making up the Maltese archipelago with its famous caves, historical harbours and glorious anchorages that keep many a captain busy with pre season charters and owners keen to explore the bays where Medieval Pirates, Crusading Knights and Romans sunbathed and set sail to conquer lands such as Carthage, Jerusalem and Constantinople. With little current, plenty of deep water and safe navigation, the Maltese islands are abundant with secluded and sheltered anchorages which offer secure anchoring, safe swimming and plenty of space for the toys.
 Cruise around the 200 meter sheer cliffs of Gozo, the mythical isle of Calypso. Anchor in Mgarr Xini, the idyllic creek set into the cliffs of Gozo and favoured by the famous 16th Century Pirate Barbarossa (Red Beard) or overnight in Ramla bay with its famous red sandy beach and used by the corsair Dragut in the 17th Century to capture 1000,s of slaves.
Cruise to the tranquil, and Caribbean like setting of Comino and the Blue lagoon for a swim in the warm clear waters or anchor amongst the spectacular caves and cliffs of Crystal bay. Take the tender to explore this almost deserted island (population 4) and climb the Roman lookout tower with a spectacular view of Gozo and Malta either side.
 Visit the sandy bays of the NE coast of Malta or cruise down to the south and drop into Marsaxlokk for lunch in this quant traditional fishing village. Then cruise up the NW coast to the beautiful coves of Golden sands for a quiet afternoon swimming and lying in the sun. Sail further north to witness the sunset behind the island of Gozo. A sight to behold as the dying rays turn the landscape and hill top churches golden with the surrounding sea becoming a pool of liquid bronze.
Take your boat into the Grand harbour and witness Valletta and the Castles of the three cities as Nelson and Napoleon saw them, as anyone entering the harbour over the last 600 years has seen them. Great care has been taken to preserve the vista, the bastions, the churches and Forts have not changed since they were built. The imposing Fort St Angelo being first built by the marauding Turks 1,100 years ago.
 Cruise into Galley Creek, along Senglia and Birgu waterfronts, the same as did the Knights of St John in their Galleys some five centuries ago, and tie up in the marina alongside the Sunseeker Malta’s office in The Old Treasury for dinner in one of the many restaurants built into Nelsons Royal Navy headquarters. Watch the sun set over Valletta opposite whilst absorbing the atmosphere of a time gone by.
Take the 2.5 hour cruise across to Sicily and open up yet another ancient world of sleepy ports, quiet sandy bays, rugged coastline and the famous towns of Palermo and Syracuse. Cruise past Mount Etna and experience the famous Messina Straights on your way north to spectacular and volcanic Aeolian Islands, many with secure berths so you can relax and explore the villages and resupply the boat with fine wine and provisions.
 There is more than enough to enjoy extremely varied cruising around Islands that won’t put 1,000’s of hours into your log. Such wonderful sunshine and spectacular sunsets set against the majesty of the Maltese and Sicilian landscapes and 1,000 year old towns and castles.
Download the PDF here for a full description and map of cruising areas of Malta and Sicily. |
