Malta, officially the Republic of Malta comprises an archipelago of seven islands situated in the Southern Mediterranean sea, 60 miles off the coast of Sicily, 180 miles east of Tunisia and 188 miles north of Libya. Only the three largest islands Malta, Gozo and Comino are inhabited. The smaller islands are Filfla, Cominotto and the Islands of St. Paul. The coastline of Malta is well indented and provides numerous harbours, bays, creeks, sandy beaches and rocky coves. The length of the Malta's shoreline is 136 km and 43km round Gozo.

Most charter boats are based in Grand Harbour or Marsamxett Harbour where there are several marinas. Both harbours are located in Valletta.

A typical one week charter might look something like this; Valletta - Mgarr on Gozo Island - Blue Lagoon on Comino Island - Marsaxlokk - Portomaso Marina - Valletta. On a two week charter in addition to visiting the Maltese Islands, it is also possible to sail to other places, including Tunisia (160NM), Sicily (58NM) or Lampedusa (95NM)

As well as your time on the water Malta has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites you can visit, including the Megalithic Temples which are some of the oldest free-standing structures in the world.

What You Need - Experience, Qualifications, Visa Requirements, etc. - For bareboat charters the skipper of the boat is required to have an ICC certificate or equivalent.

Charter Season - The Maltese charter season generally runs from April to the end of October.

Weather - The climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The temperature is very stable, the monthly averages ranging from 12°C (54°F) to 31°C (88°F). Winds are strong and frequent.

Time Difference - UTC+1

How to Get There - Malta International Airport (MLA) is the only airport serving the Maltese Islands. The national airline is Air Malta which operates services to 36 destinations in Europe and North Africa. Lufthansa and Alitalia, EasyJet and Ryanair offer extensive services. Ferries connect Malta to Pozzallo & Catania in Sicily.

Currency - Euro

Language - Maltese. English is spoken widely.

Food & Drink - Maltese cuisine is typically Mediterranean, based on fresh seasonal locally available produce and seafood. While many dishes are native to the island, some popular Maltese recipes reflect Sicilian, Southern Italian or Turkish cuisine, as well as traces of Tunisian, Spanish, Berber, French and British influences. Still, there are many unique, distinctive and popular local dishes such as Ftira, a bread and Pastizzi, a typical Maltese snack.

Suggested Itineraries & Routes

Day 1 - Join the boat at a Valletta marina.

Day 2 - Valletta - Mgarr on Gozo Island - 15 miles. Sail NW along the Maltese coast and then across the straight that separates Malta and Gozo. Gozo Marina lies within the harbour on Gozo's south coast.

Day 3 - Tour of Gozo Island

Day 4 - Mgarr - Blue Lagoon, Comino - 4miles. Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay on the west side of Comino Island. With a white sandy bottom and rich marine life it is popular with divers. Two large bays on the northern coast of Comino Island also provide good shelter.

Day 5 - Blue Lagoon, Comino - Marsaxlokk - 25 miles. Anchor off the small fishing village of Marsaxlokk in a bay on the southern coast of the main island

Day 6 - Marsaxlokk - Portomaso Marina, St Julians. Portomaso Marina lies on the E coast of Malta in the heart of the prime tourist area.

Day 7 - Portomaso Marina - Valletta - 3 miles.

Day 8 - Leave the boat at Valletta

History of the Area - Throughout history, Malta's location has given it great strategic importance and a sequence of powers including the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Sicilians, Knights of St John, French and the British have ruled the islands. Malta gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974.