Malta
From CruisersWiki
Malta Cruising Guide
An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Malta.
| Malta | |
 Malta - Chartlet | |
 Flag | |
| Capital: | Valletta GPS: 35°54.4′N, 14°31.1′E |
|---|---|
| Language: | Maltese |
| Currency: | Euro € |
| Time Zone | CET (UTC + 1)
CEST (UTC + 2 summer) |
| More notes about the country | |
Malta consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta's total area is 316 km2 (121mi2).
Malta has a long history. The islands were inhabited from neolithic times and have seen many conquerors —Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Crusaders. The last were the Knights of St. John who after they were chased away from Rhodes by the Ottomans moved to Malta in 1522. They built the very imposing Valletta overlooking the Grand Harbour. They were followed, in 1798, by the French under Napoleon and finally by the British in 1800. The harbours of Valletta (Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour) were a major anchorage of the allied fleet during World War II. Following the war, the British left and Malta became an independent nation in 1964.
Malta is the most densely populated (about 410,000 inhabitants) in Europe. In 2004 Malta became a member of the expanded European Union.
Today the Maltese people as a result of all the innovations are a definitely Mediterranean mixture but having been under the British have s most un-mediterranean industriousness and efficiency. They speak Maltese which is an amalgam of Arabic, Italian, and French but everyone speaks fluent English.
In Marsamxett Harbour you can get any conceivable repair for your boat. Because of this and because Malta being in the middle of the Mediterranean it is a very popular stop of many cruisers.
Climate & Weather
The climate of the Malta islands is Mediterranean, which translates in mild rainy winters and hot dry summers. Snow is very rare but high winds are common especially the dreaded Gregale a NE wind. The average high temperature is 21° C (71°F) reaching into the low 30's in July and August, while the average low temperature is 15° C (60° F) reaching 9° C in January and February.
Weather links for Malta:
- Malta Weather
- Weather on Line provides detailed 7 day forecast charts for the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Atlantic
- GRIB files - download software, free. It is easy to use.
- Wind Guru A surfer's site with worldwide wind forecasts
- Frank Singleton's weather page
- Navtex Broadcasts List of all the Navtex broadcast times and frequencies
Charts
Click for larger view
- BA 2124 Isola di Lampedusa to Capo Passero including Malta
- BA 2537 Ghawdex (Gozo), Kemmuna (Comino) and the northern part of Malta
- BA 2538 Malta
- BA 194 Approaches to Malta and Ghawdex (Gozo)
- NIMA 53200 Malta to Stretto di Messina
- NIMA 53203 Islanda of Malta and Ghawdex (Gozo)
- NIMA 53204 Northwest Malta
- NIMA 53205 Approaches to Valletta Harbors and Marsaxlokk
- NIMA 53206 Valletta and Marsaxlokk
Refer to official charts and pilots.
Local Radio Nets
Also see Cruiser's Nets
- Valletta Port Control - VHF channels 12 & 16,
- Valletta Radio - VHF Channel 12 transmits weather forecasts every 4 hours starting at 0903
- Malta Radio - Channel VHF 04 transmits weather forecasts every 4 hours, one hour ahead of Valletta Radio.
Arrival/Departure procedures
Click for larger view
Arrival
The first port of call for visiting yachts MUST be at an official Port of Entry. Contact "Valletta Port Control" on VHF 12 or 16 before entry to the harbour. Yachts will normally be directed to the visitors dock in Msida Marina. It is best to time your arrival during office hours - in daylight. Pets (must be in compliance with the "Pet Passport") must be cleared by the Health Department vet before the vessel is allowed to berth. Malta Maritime Authority, Yacht Center, Msida Marina, Ta'Xbiex, MSD 011, Malta. Ph: +356 2133 2800, Fax: +356 2133 2141. Email
Departure
Departure clearance is obtained from the Customs and Immigration office at the Yacht Centre in Msida where a detailed crew list must be presented. Yachts must leave within 24 hours of clearing out.
Customs and Immigration
Immigration
Malta is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
Visas are not required for nationals of all European Union countries, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA, UK Overseas Territories, Vatican City and Venezuela.
Visas are required by all other nationalities, obtainable from Maltese or British diplomatic missions abroad. Nationals from countries needing a visa and arriving aboard a yacht are usually granted a short-stay visa on arrival.
Customs
Yachts may remain for an indefinite period of time in Malta - crew stays are governed by the immigration allowances.
Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival and be will be held in custody.
PETS: Dogs and Cats fall under the European Regulations on non-commercial movement of pet animals (Pet Travel Scheme) and the usual conditions requiring a "Pet's Passport", microchip, current Rabies Vacination and Health Certificate apply in Malta.
Ports & Popular Stops in the island of Malta
- Marsamxett Harbour. A large natural harbour lying on the west side of Valletta. Manoel Island lies pretty much in the middle of this harbour. To the N of Manoel Island is the the Sliema waterfront, a major tourist area with numerous hotels, bars, etc. Many day tripper and harbour tour boats operate from here. To the S of Manoel Island is Lazaretto Creek where Manoel island Marina is located. Further to the SE is Msida Creek which is the location of Msida Marina.
- Grand Harbour. A large natural harbour on the East side of Valletta. Primarily a commercial harbour used by cruise ships and other commercial traffic. Also home to Camper & Nicholsons Grand Harbour Marina. The approach is protected by a detached breakwater off the entrance on the NW side.
- Marsaxlokk. A fishing port on the SE side of Malta. Attractive for its colourfully painted fishing boats.
- Portomaso.
Marinas, Boat Yards & Yacht Clubs
Marinas and other yacht berthing facilities
- Msida Marina. A floating pontoon marina in Marsamxett harbour. Now privately run.
- Msida Breakwater. Stern or bow to mooring with tailed lines to the breakwater. Electricity and water points. No showers or toilets. Controlled by Malta Maritime Authority. Note that the MMA office in the corner of the nearby Royal Malta Yacht Club is closed since February 2011.
- Lazaretto Creek. Stern or bow to the quay. Controlled by Malta Maritime Authority.
- Manoel Island Marina. A floating pontoon marina in Marsamxett harbour on the south side of Manoel Island.
- Grand Harbour Marina. A primarily floating pontoon marina in Grand Harbour. Some stern to berths for larger vessels.
- Portomaso Marina. Part of a residential complex approximately 1.5 miles NW of Valletta.
- Gozo Marina. A floating pontoon marina in Mgarr harbour on the island of Gozo. Now privately run.
Boat yards
- Manoel Island Yacht Yard. A full service boat yard on the N side of Manoel Island in Marsamxett harbour.
- Kalkara Boat Yard. A smaller boat yard in Kalkara creek, located in Grand Harbour.
- Manoel Island Marina. A smaller boat yard attached to the marina.
- A & J Baldacchino Boat Yard. A small family run yard close to the container port at Birzebbuga in the SE corner of Malta.
Note that some Malta boat yards have restrictions on what work can be done by owners, what must be done by the yard, whether outside contractors may work in the yard, whether an owner may liveaboard in the yard, etc. These restrictions vary from year to year. Owners of yachts should check carefully before committing to a particular yard.
Yacht clubs, etc.
Fuel
- Diesel by mini-tanker to Msida marina or Msida breakwater.
- Shell diesel fuel barge in Marsamxett harbour, on the port side when heading from the harbour entrance to Msida Creek.
- Petrol from petrol station on Sliema water front by the bridge to Manoel Island.
Offshore Islands
Tourism
In Malta the major points of interest can be divided into the prehistoric and the medieval.
Valletta
Click for larger view
The best place to start sightseeing in Malta, is to visit the its capital Valletta the city built by the knights of Malta, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Go to the palace of the Magnus Magister (Grand Master), and the St. John's Cathedral which houses two Caravaggio paintings: the Beheading of St. John and St. Jerome. The latter was stolen in 1987 but amazingly enough has been recovered. Caravaggio by the way, had lived in Malta for 4 years and had became a knight of St. John.
Wandering in Valletta and seeing these most impressive fortifications one can not help but think how much the native Maltese must had "loved" the knights who used them as labor. Also, some of the sculptural memorials of Grand Masters in the palace and in St. John's Cathedral, in particular the one to Nicolas Contono, depict captive Turks and Blacks as lesser people. These were, of course, "infidels" and were fair game to be enslaved. For a very interesting account of the Maltese Knights/Pirates read the Alonso De Contreras chronicle.
You can begin your prehistoric Malta visit at the Auberge de Provence[http://www.example.com link title that houses the Archaeological Museum. They have many amazingly large and curvaceous prehistoric female figures.
 The Grand Masters Palace |
 A Street in Valletta |
 A Knife Sharpener's Cart |
 The Main Street in Valletta |
Paola
| Paola is the location of Hypogeion the fabulous underground prehistoric and UNESCO World Heritage site. Unfortunately you need a reservation for the visit and it may take over a week. Reservations have to be made in-person at the site.
Next to the town is the site of Taxien, another UNESCO World Heritage site, is on the surface and while it is very confusing it is also very impressive. The megaliths here are very soft and the whole site ought to had been under a roof to protect it from the elements. |  Click for larger view |
 Monumental Figure of a Woman |
 The Megaliths |
Mdina & Rabat
Mdina and Rabat are right next to each other. They are mediaeval towns from before the arrival of the knights. Mdina is the old capital of Malta before the arrival of the Knights of St. John. It is fantastic and in a very well preserved state. Everything is very clean. You can spent the best part of the day wandering through the old streets and admire the view from the ramparts.
 A Street in Mdina |
 The Cathidral of Mdina |
Mosta Dome
Click for larger view
On the way to Mdina & Rabat you drive through the city of Mosta. Mosta has a famous Cathedral with a very large dome. During the war a German bomb fell and went right through the dome but did not explode. This, of course, was attributed to a miracle: Il-Miraklu Tal-Bomba.
Health
Submit any health warnings/information here.
Security
Generally considered to be a relatively safe environment. Beware of pickpockets especially in the crowded tourist areas of Valletta, Sliema, etc. Boat owners should take care to secure outboards etc. and lock up when leaving their vessels unattended. There have been cases of theft reported from boats in Msida marina and on the Msida breakwater.
Transportation
Malta has an extensive bus service with routes to most parts of the island. The airport has daily flights to London, Rome and Madrid. Scheduled flights are also available to a number of other European and Middle East cities.
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
Links to Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
References & Publications
- Heikell, R. Mediterranean Cruising Handbook, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 0852887795
- Rod Heikell and Lu Michell, Mediterranean Almanac , Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9781846230837
- R.C.C. Pilotage Foundation North Africa - Gibraltar to Maroco, Algeria, Tunisia & Malta, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 0852888406
- Rod Heikell, Italian Waters Pilot, Imray Laurie and Wilson, Cambridgeshire, ISBN 9780852889138
- Philip Dallas, The Adventures of Captain Alonso De Contreras, Paragon House, New York, ISBN 1557781680
External Links
- Malta Maritime Authority
- Malta (Wikipedia)
- Knights of St. John
Personal Notes
I have visited Malta twice and both times I was not disappointed, in fact I loved it. It is one of the most "cruiser friendly" places I have been. The people here combine British efficiency with Mediterranean warmth and hospitality. And they love boats.
--Istioploos 
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
- Section on marinas, yards & clubs updated Feb 2011 --Wayward
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