Christmas and New Year on the Water in Malta
Yes, a new year boat trip in Malta is genuinely possible — and in some ways more rewarding than a summer one. The Grand Harbour puts on its best show in winter: golden limestone lit by low December sun, almost no other tourist boats, and a coastline that feels entirely yours. The honest answer, though, is that the right option depends on your budget, your group size and what the weather decides to do.
This guide runs through every realistic option, with real prices and honest caveats, so you can book with confidence.
What Malta’s Weather Actually Does at Christmas and New Year
Weather at Christmas in Malta is mild — typically 14–17°C — often sunny, and the island is decorated for the season. Even in December, there are more than five hours of sunshine a day, twice as much as cities like London or Paris. That said, it isn’t all plain sailing.
The Tramontana, the north wind, can be strong in December, particularly on exposed coastal positions, and some diving and boat activities in specific locations are restricted or cancelled in strong northerlies. Most rain falls in short, intense showers rather than all-day drizzle — a window can open and close fast. The key is picking the right kind of trip for the conditions, not giving up on the water entirely.
The Three Cities — Birgu, Senglea and Bormla (Cospicua) — are sheltered from the worst of the winter wind, face south across the Grand Harbour, and catch every hour of low winter sun on their honey-coloured limestone walls. That makes the inner harbour one of the best places to be on a boat in December and January.
For a broader picture of what’s possible between November and March, see our guide to Malta Boat Trips in Winter: What’s Possible Nov–Mar.
Your Options: Ferry, Group Tour, Catamaran or Private Boat
Not every option is open in winter, and not every option suits every group. Here’s the honest comparison.
Traditional harbour ferry / dgħajsa. Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, are older than the capital and full of quiet lanes, fortifications and waterfront cafés. You can take the ferry from Valletta or a traditional dgħajsa boat across the harbour. These short crossings run year-round, cost just a couple of euros, and are a lovely way to arrive in the Three Cities — but they’re a commuter service, not a boat trip.
Group boat tours. Most of the big shared boat excursions — the Comino catamarans, the Blue Lagoon cruises, the full-day Gozo trips — do not run in December. Comino boat trips largely pause until spring. There are some group harbour cruises that run on calmer days, typically from Sliema, starting from around €15–€25 per person, but schedules are reduced and same-day cancellations are more common in winter. If you’re a solo traveller or a couple on a tight budget, a shared harbour cruise on a calm day is your best bet.
Private boat charters. Private charter boats also run in good weather, and winter actually suits a private charter well: no crowds, flexible timing, and a skipper who knows the sheltered routes. We’ll come to this in more detail below.
The New Year’s Eve Fireworks — and Why a Boat Changes Everything
Malta’s New Year’s Eve celebration is one of the most spectacular in the Mediterranean. Valletta welcomes the new year with a spectacular evening of music, entertainment, and fireworks, with performances from Malta’s leading artists and an impressive fireworks display over the Grand Harbour. The fireworks go off at midnight over the Grand Harbour, with sixteen fireworks factories taking part — a display that ran for 25 minutes in 2025.
This is the biggest end-of-year event in Malta, with over 50,000 people expected to attend. On land, that means crowds. From a boat anchored in the Grand Harbour, it means the best seat in the country. The harbour is illuminated after dark, and the reflection of Valletta’s golden limestone in the water is spectacular. An evening private boat charter in Malta — anchored off the Vittoriosa waterfront with the city lit up across the water — is one of the most memorable things you can do in Malta.
Even outside New Year’s Eve, New Year celebrations in Malta centre on Valletta’s waterfront, with fireworks over the Grand Harbour visible from the Three Cities too — which means that a boat positioned in the right spot gives you the full panorama from the water.
Planning a New Year Boat Trip in Malta: What We Offer
We run private boat charters in Malta year-round. Our boat is a 2023 Axopar 37 Sun-Top — a fast, well-equipped 11-person vessel with twin Mercury V8 300hp engines, two cabins, an electric toilet, fridge, Bluetooth speakers, bow and aft sun decks, a shaded cockpit with sliding sun roof, a bathing platform with ladder, an outdoor shower and a paddleboard. Every trip is private — the whole boat is yours — and always with a licensed local skipper.
In winter (November to March), we run shorter sheltered trips around the Grand Harbour, the Three Cities and Valletta, as well as half-day and full-day options when conditions allow. Comino and the Blue Lagoon are a quick run from Valletta on this boat — though in December and January, the weather has the final say on whether that’s sensible. We depart from the Valletta Waterfront, next to the cruise terminal, and pick-up points and start times are flexible on request.
Prices are for the whole boat, skipper included:
- Half day (3.5 hours), Nov–Mar: from €750
- Full day (7 hours), Nov–Mar: from €1,250
Fuel is an optional €200 package paid upfront, or charged on what’s actually used. Food and drinks are yours to bring — pack a cooler, pick up pastizzi and wine the night before, and you’re set. We don’t offer catering, but we can pause near a waterfront restaurant in Birgu or Senglea if you’d like lunch ashore.
If the weather turns, we offer a free reschedule or a sheltered route — your money isn’t lost to a rough sea day.
Who is this right for? A private charter at Christmas or New Year is ideal for a group of four or more who want something genuinely special — a family celebrating together, a group of friends, a couple marking a milestone — and have the budget to split the boat cost between them. At €750 for a half-day boat split eight ways, that’s under €95 per person: not far off some premium group tours, and entirely your own space.
Who should look elsewhere? Solo travellers, couples on a tight budget, or anyone hoping to swim at the Blue Lagoon in December. The sea in January sits at around 16°C, which is cold for most people. A shared harbour cruise or simply taking the ferry over to the Three Cities for a walk and lunch is a perfectly good alternative.
For more on how private and group trips compare, see: Private vs Group Boat Tour Malta — Which is Worth It?
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day: Practical Things to Know
A few things change over the actual holidays that are worth knowing before you plan.
- Gozo ferry: Gozo Channel announces a temporary suspension of ferry crossings between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with services halted between noon and 3pm on both public holidays. If you’re planning a Gozo day trip on Christmas Day or 1 January, go in the morning or the afternoon — not midday. Always check the Gozo Channel website for the latest timetable before you travel.
- Group boat tours: Most are not operating in December and January. Don’t book on the assumption they’ll be running — check directly with operators.
- Private charters: We operate subject to weather. Contact us in advance and we’ll give you an honest forecast assessment. We’d rather be upfront than have you disappointed.
- Sunrise and sunset: On 21 December, sunrise is around 7:08am and sunset is around 4:52pm, giving you roughly ten hours of daylight. A morning half-day departure makes the most of the best light.
FAQ
Can you do a new year boat trip in Malta in winter?
Yes — private charter boats run in winter when conditions allow, and the Grand Harbour is particularly beautiful in December and January. The big shared Comino and Blue Lagoon tours mostly don’t operate in winter, but sheltered trips around Valletta, the Three Cities and the creeks of the Grand Harbour are very much possible. A new year boat trip in Malta is one of those experiences that’s genuinely different from the summer version — quieter, more atmospheric and far less crowded.
How much does a boat trip in Malta cost in December and January?
Group harbour cruises from Sliema, when running, start from around €15–€25 per person. Private boat charters are priced for the whole boat: with us, that’s from €750 for a half day and from €1,250 for a full day in the November–March period, skipper included. Fuel is an optional add-on. For a group of six to ten people splitting the cost, a private charter often works out surprisingly affordable per head.
Is the Blue Lagoon worth visiting on a new year boat trip in Malta?
The Blue Lagoon is a quick run from Valletta on our boat, and it is strikingly beautiful in winter — no crowds, vivid colour. The sea is not really swimmable at 15–17°C for most people, and the Comino ferry service is reduced in winter. Whether it’s worth the trip depends on your expectations: if you want to swim in turquoise water, wait for summer. If you want to see it at its most serene, with no other boats around, December and January can actually be better than August. See our full take in Blue Lagoon Malta Winter: Is It Worth Visiting?
Where do the fireworks go off on New Year’s Eve in Malta, and can you watch from a boat?
A spectacular aerial fireworks display over the Grand Harbour unfolds at midnight — a shared countdown, a shared cheer, and a shared beginning. You can absolutely watch from a boat; in fact, anchored in the harbour with Valletta’s illuminated fortifications behind the fireworks, the view from the water beats anything on land. Contact us to discuss a New Year’s Eve trip and we’ll work out the best position and timing with you.
Ready to Plan Your Day on the Water?
Whether you’re here for Christmas week, New Year’s Eve or a quiet January escape, there’s a boat trip in Malta that works for you. If a full private charter feels right for your group, we’d love to hear from you. Check dates and prices on our bookings page, and we’ll come back to you quickly with options that suit your group, your timing and the conditions.