Tall Ship Sailing in Malta

YOUR SAILING AREA

Malta, Comino & Gozo

Join Florette in Sliema, a vibrant coastal town on the east coast of Malta, directly across the harbour from the capital of Valetta. Renowned for its waterfront cafes, long promenades, lively atmosphere and a mix of modern amenities, Sliema is well worth exploring before you board.

You’ll be collected by tender from the shore, close to the ferry dock, and taken to Florette by one of the friendly crew who will help you on board. This is a hands-on sailing adventure with the opportunity to learn from a seasoned crew who have called Florette their home for over twenty years. 

Your first evening aboard will be spent getting to know your fellow guests and crew over a delicious dinner, before settling into your cabins, ready for an early morning and the voyage ahead. Florette is a traditional wooden tall ship with all the natural creaks and noises that you would expect from her style of boat. For very light sleepers, bring a set of earplugs with you.

The following morning, you will enjoy your morning coffee on deck, watching the sunrise over Valetta and enjoy breakfast together with your new shipmates. Over breakfast, Captain Ron will review the sailing plan for the day and outline the rich history of Florette, explaining what makes her so special to sail. During this time, you’ll also get a rundown of how life on board works, what you can expect, and in turn what is expected from you as a guest on board. This will include a thorough safety briefing and basic rules for everyone to follow for the best possible experience during the voyage.

Once breakfast has been cleared away and everyone is ready to start their first stretch of sailing, you will be assigned to one of three groups for the duration of the voyage. Each group will work together to haul the sails under the close direction of a dedicated member of the crew.


Spend the morning and early afternoon sailing from Malta before choosing a picturesque anchorage as a base for the rest of the afternoon. The first leg will sail to the tiny island of Comino, tucked between Malta and Gozo and about a three-hour sail from Sliema Creek along the eastern coast of the island. Famous for its blue lagoon, Comino is a paradise for snorkellers and divers.

The beach can get busy during the day due to ferries dropping off visitors to explore from Malta and Gozo. Captain Ron may suggest heading ashore for a beach visit later in the evening or early the next morning, when the crowds are less. Nothing beats an early morning swim when you have the picturesque blue lagoon to yourself.

Guests can choose to relax onboard, make use of the boat’s water toys, or head to the island to hike, swim, or explore. The crew will be happy to drop you off by tender for onshore self-guided exploration.  

Our next stop will be the laid-back island of Gozo. This is within easy distance of the anchorage spot and Comino Island. The best anchorage is usually directly between the two islands, meaning that guests may prefer to visit the larger island while the beaches of Gozo are busy and avoid the crowds in favour of more inland-based exploration.

The island has been inhabited for thousands of years and has evidence of historical habitation from the Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, French and British. It’s known for its Neolithic Ġgantija Temple ruins, which are even older than the Egyptian pyramids. It is easy to navigate the island in a short time by bus or taxi and visit multiple points of interest during your time ashore.

The main town of the island, Victoria, offers a fantastic selection of bustling cafes that spill out into colourful, cobblestoned squares and side streets. There is no shortage of lunch spots and fresh bakeries to try out before you climb the Cittedella and take in a 360-degree view from the top.

Malta’s coast has crystal clear waters, with shipwrecks and a plethora of marine life, which are perfect for snorkelling and swimming. Each day along this short voyage will involve hours of sailing and time to explore onshore. Depending on the weather and sailing conditions, you may find yourself exploring further around the coast of Malta to the quiet bays and popular trekking locations along the more rugged northern edge of the island. 

Our last full day will see a longer day under sail, where everyone can enjoy hauling the ropes together one last time, cementing the teamwork and skills you’ve learnt over the past few days.

Returning to Sliema for our last night in port before disembarkation, there will be one last meal together.  Often the first mate will create a special BBQ aboard, with delicious fresh fish and meats from the local market to celebrate a successful voyage.

Enjoy drinks on deck under the lights shining across the water from the lively towns of Sliema and Valetta on either side of Florette’s mooring.

As Florette is the Haines family home, you will be joined by their beautiful Spanish water dog, Lucy, who is hypoallergenic and does not venture below decks. 

Things to note

Sailing vs Shoretime

Night-watches?

Travel insurance notes

As this is an active adventure holiday, we advise that everyone has the appropriate personal accident travel insurance whilst onboard in addition to standard travel insurance which would cover you in the time between making your booking and departing for your adventure. These policies can sometimes be combined so please check with your travel insurance provider.

Please read more information on our Insurance guidelines page.

This voyage will be more than 12 miles offshore.