5-Day Sailing Route Around Malta and Gozo

A sailing trip around Malta and Gozo offers one of the most rewarding cruising experiences in the Mediterranean. Whether you're on a Malta sailing charter, joining an RYA Day Skipper course, or looking to build miles for your Yachtmaster program, these islands deliver sheltered bays, clear blue water, and short distances that make route-planning both flexible and fun. This 5-day sailing itinerary is designed for students from Sailing School Malta, visiting sailors, and anyone wanting a structured sailing adventure that showcases the best of Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Why Malta is Perfect for a 5-Day Sailing Route

Before diving into the itinerary, here are a few reasons Malta is an ideal location for a 5-day sailing adventure or RYA course:

•  Short distances between anchorages (rarely more than 1–2 hours apart)

•  Multiple safe bays on all sides of the islands

•  Predictable wind patterns (Maestral, Sirocco, Gregale)

•  Perfect for Competent Crew and Day Skipper students

•  Lots of navigation points for developing passage-planning skills

This route mixes sailing skills, leisurely swimming stops, and must-see locations.

Day 1: Valletta → Marsaxlokk → St. Peter’s Pool

Distance: ~12–15 NM

Ideal for: First-day warm-up, sail handling, basic pilotage

Start your adventure by departing the historic Grand Harbour in Valletta—one of the most impressive harbours in Europe. After clearing the breakwater, head south along Malta’s rugged coastline.

Recommended stops

•  Marsaxlokk Bay – Excellent sandy holding, perfect for lunch on anchor.

•  St. Peter’s Pool – A clear-water cove ideal for swimming and anchoring practice.

This day is great for getting used to the boat and preparing crews who are new to Malta sailing conditions. Overnight: Marsaxlokk or Birżebbuġa.

Day 2: Marsaxlokk → Blue Grotto → Ġnejna Bay

Distance: ~20 NM

Ideal for: Coastal navigation, sightseeing, cliffside sailing

Sail westwards along Malta’s dramatic south and west coast. This day offers some of Malta’s most spectacular scenery.

Highlights

•  Blue Grotto – Sail past towering sea caves (anchoring only in calm weather).

•  Dingli Cliffs – The highest cliffs in Malta, perfect for photography.

•  Il-Ġnejna Bay – A quiet, scenic anchorage popular for overnight stays.

Training opportunity:

Great day for Day Skipper candidates practising coastal navigation and position fixing. Overnight: Ġnejna Bay or Għajn Tuffieħa.

Day 3: Ġnejna → Comino (Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon)

Distance: ~10 NM Ideal for: Short passages, anchoring skills, swimming stops

Sail north toward Comino, the jewel of Malta sailing routes. The crossing is short but scenic, offering excellent opportunities to practise helming, crew coordination, and anchoring.

Must-visit anchorages

•  Blue Lagoon – World-famous turquoise bay

•  Crystal Lagoon – Better shelter, less crowded, great for lunch

Comino’s waters are perfect for training exercises like:

•  Man-overboard practice

•  Buoy pickups

•  Anchoring and reversing

•  Dinghy launching and retrieval

Overnight: Crystal Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay.

Day 4: Comino → Gozo Loop (Ramla Bay, Mgarr ix-Xini, Dwejra)

Distance: 15–20 NM depending on stops Ideal for: Scenic cruising, multiple anchoring drills, Gozo exploration

Spend the fourth day exploring Gozo’s unspoilt coastline.

Recommended Gozo anchorages

•  Ramla Bay – Red-sand beach, ideal lunchtime stop

•  Mgarr ix-Xini – Sheltered fjord-style bay

•  Dwejra Bay – Stunning natural amphitheatre (calm-weather only)

This day offers the most anchoring variety—perfect for building experience during an RYA course. Overnight: Mgarr Marina or Santa Marija Bay (Comino).

Day 5: Comino → Mellieha Bay → Valletta

Distance: ~20 NM

Ideal for: Longer passage, navigation practice, final day wind work

Sail back toward Malta, stopping at Mellieha Bay or St. Paul’s Bay depending on wind direction. These large bays are perfect for:

•  Lunch on anchor

•  Last-day swimming

•  Sail trim practice

•  Passage planning for return to Valletta

Return to Grand Harbour in the late afternoon for a memorable finish.

Why This 5-Day Route Works for RYA Training

This route is specifically designed to support RYA students training at Sailing School Malta:

•  Multiple anchorages → Strong anchoring competence

•  Short passages → Ideal for Day Skipper navigation

•  Varied wind exposure → Great for sail trim and boat handling

•  Gozo loop → A taste of offshore sailing without leaving sight of land

•  Valletta entry → Excellent helming practice and situational awareness

It’s also the perfect foundation before joining a Mile Builder or Malta–Sicily sailing adventure.

Plan Your Malta Sailing Adventure with Sailing School Malta

Whether you're training for Competent Crew, Day Skipper, or advancing toward your Yachtmaster exam, Malta offers an unbeatable combination of scenery, safety, and adventure. This 5-day route is the ideal introduction to the Maltese islands and a fantastic way to build skills and confidence.