Experience & Adventure
Malta Activities — Experience the Island Like Never Before
Beyond the Beach
Malta's Best Activities and Adventures
Malta is more than beaches and baroque architecture. The archipelago offers an extraordinary range of outdoor activities that rival destinations far more commonly associated with active holidays. The warm Mediterranean climate, dramatic limestone coastline, and clear warm sea create the conditions for world-class water sports, climbing, cycling, and aerial experiences.
From paragliding over the Dingli Cliffs with all of Malta spread below, to kayaking through sea caves accessible only from the water, to diving the extraordinary wrecks of the Um El Faroud and HMS Maori — Malta consistently surprises visitors who arrive expecting only sun and history.
The activity season runs from April to November, with June to September offering the ideal combination of warm water, reliable winds for watersports, and long days for cycling and exploration. Malta's compact size — just 27km long — means multiple activities can be combined in a single day.
Most activities are operated by professional, fully insured operators with English-speaking staff. Malta's strong tourism infrastructure means booking activities is straightforward and the quality of operators is consistently high.
On the Water
Water Sports & Sea Activities
Jet Skiing
Jet ski hire is available at Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, St Julian's, and several other locations around the coast. Sessions typically run 30-60 minutes. No licence required for guided sessions on designated routes. One of Malta's most popular activity experiences.
Kayaking & Sea Caves
Sea kayaking in Malta offers access to sea caves, hidden coves, and stretches of coastline unreachable by any other means. Guided kayaking tours from Mellieha, Sliema, and several Gozo locations explore the dramatic limestone cliff coastline.
Boat Trips & Boat Parties
Malta's boat trip industry ranges from traditional luzzu fishing boat excursions around the Grand Harbour to full-day charter boats to Comino and Gozo. Boat parties with music, swimming stops, and food are a major part of Malta's summer social scene.
Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarding has grown rapidly in Malta, with hire available at most resort beaches. The calm sheltered conditions in the morning are ideal for beginners. Sunrise and sunset sessions around the Grand Harbour and Marsaxlokk Bay are particularly memorable.
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
Malta's consistent summer winds — particularly the north-westerly maestral — create good conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Mellieha Bay and the northern coast are the main centres, with the relatively flat water ideal for learning.
Parasailing
Parasailing flights over the Maltese coastline are available from Mellieha Bay and St George's Bay. Flights typically reach 100-150 metres altitude, providing extraordinary aerial views of the coastline and the Blue Lagoon.
On Land & In the Air
Land Activities & Aerial Adventures
Paragliding
Paragliding from Malta's Dingli Cliffs — the island's highest point at 253 metres — offers one of the most spectacular aerial experiences in the Mediterranean. Tandem flights with qualified instructors available for beginners.
Rock Climbing & Abseiling
Malta's limestone crags offer climbing routes for all abilities. Guided climbing and abseiling days are available for complete beginners. The sea views from the cliff tops are exceptional, with the limestone rock providing excellent quality climbing.
Cycling & Cycle Hire
Cycling around Malta and Gozo has become increasingly popular with quieter coastal roads and rural tracks. Cycle hire from around €10-15 per day. Electric bikes make Gozo's hillier routes accessible. A circumnavigation of Gozo by bicycle is one of the island's most rewarding full-day activities.
Moped & Scooter Hire
Hiring a moped is one of the best ways to explore Malta independently. From around €25-35 per day, a moped allows access to smaller roads, hidden bays, and hilltop villages. Malta drives on the left, making it immediately familiar for UK visitors.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is available across Malta with trails through the countryside, along cliff tops, and through rural villages. The Golden Bay area offers beach rides at low tide. Lessons available for beginners, with longer trail rides through the island's interior for experienced riders.
Hiking & Coastal Walks
Malta's coastal path network offers some of the most dramatic walking in the Mediterranean. The cliffs from Dingli to Fomm ir-Rih are extraordinary. Gozo's Ramla Valley and the cliffs above Dwejra are equally impressive.
Beneath the Surface
Diving Malta's Famous Wrecks
Malta's underwater world is one of the Mediterranean's great secrets. The Um El Faroud — a 109-metre Libyan oil tanker sunk in 1995 — is the flagship wreck dive, lying at 18-36 metres with extraordinary marine life colonising the hull. HMS Maori, a British destroyer from World War Two, lies at just 14 metres in Valletta's harbour, accessible to beginner divers.
Beyond the wrecks, the Blue Hole at Dwejra in Gozo is one of Europe's finest dive sites — a natural circular opening in the limestone dropping to 60 metres along a dramatic wall. Visibility regularly exceeds 30 metres. PADI-certified dive centres operate throughout Malta and Gozo.
Before You Go
Malta Activities — Practical Guide
Best Season
April to November for outdoor activities. June to September for water sports. Year-round for climbing and cycling.
Booking
Most activities can be booked on arrival at beach kiosks. Pre-booking recommended in July-August peak season.
Costs
Jet ski from €40/30min. Kayak hire from €15/hr. Moped from €25/day. Paragliding tandem from €80. Boat trips from €25.
Safety
All commercial operators licensed and insured. Malta has strong water sports safety regulations. Check operator qualifications before booking.
Getting Around
Most water sports based at main resort beaches. Moped ideal for reaching activity centres. Boat trips depart from Sliema, Mellieha and Marsaxlokk.
For All Ages
Most activities suitable from age 8+. Family-friendly options include kayaking, snorkelling, boat trips and cycling. Age/weight restrictions apply to some activities.
Common Questions
Malta Activities FAQs
What activities can you do in Malta?
Malta offers an exceptional range including paragliding, kayaking, jet skiing, boat trips, boat parties, scuba diving on wrecks, snorkelling, rock climbing, abseiling, cycling, moped hire, windsurfing, and paddleboarding. The warm Mediterranean climate makes outdoor activities possible from April to November.
Can you go paragliding in Malta?
Yes. Paragliding in Malta is available from the Dingli Cliffs. Tandem paragliding flights with qualified instructors are available for beginners.
What water sports are available in Malta?
Malta offers jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, banana boat rides, parasailing, and boat hire. Most water sports are based at Mellieha Bay, Golden Bay, and St George's Bay.
Can you hire a moped in Malta?
Yes. Moped hire is widely available from around €25-35 per day. A valid UK driving licence with category A entitlement is required. Malta drives on the left.
Is rock climbing available in Malta?
Malta has established climbing areas including Wied il-Mielah on Gozo and coastal crags near Dingli. Guided climbing and abseiling experiences are available for beginners.
Book Your Malta Adventure Holiday
Direct flights from London with KM Malta Airlines. ATOL-protected packages available.