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Malta's two large marinas are located at the two natural harbours to the left and right of Valletta: at Marsamxett Harbour the Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina, and in the Grand Harbour the Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu. Here you can read how to get from the airport to Msida and Birgu, which marina is where, where to shop for provisions, what the sailing weather around Malta is like, which trip destinations are nearby and what skippers should know when entering.
The essentials at a glance
- Malta airport (MLA) is only about five kilometres as the crow flies from both marinas; by car it is about 15 minutes. Taxis run around the clock at fixed prices.
- From Valletta, ferries depart every 30 minutes to Sliema and to Cospicua, into the same harbour creek where the Grand Harbour Marina is located.
- In summer there is usually light wind from the northwest to northeast. The northeasterly wind Gregale bears onto the east coast and brings rough seas there.
- In Msida and in the Grand Harbour Marina you can have provisions delivered to the marina; in Ta' Xbiex at Msida Marina there is a supermarket.
Which marinas are there near Valletta?
Near Valletta, the two large yacht harbours are on different sides of the city. Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina is at Marsamxett Harbour north of Valletta, deep inside Msida Creek. The Grand Harbour Marina is on the other side of the Valletta peninsula in the Grand Harbour, in Birgu (also known as Vittoriosa) below Fort St Angelo. From Msida to Birgu is about 2.5 kilometres as the crow flies, considerably more by road or around Valletta by water.
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More InformationAlongside these there are smaller facilities: on Marsamxett Harbour the marina of the Royal Malta Yacht Club (May to October only), the Gardens Yacht Marina in Ta' Xbiex and the Marina di Valletta; in Grand Harbour the Kalkara Marina; on the east coast the Portomaso Marina in St Julian's. On Gozo there is the Mġarr Marina with 208 berths. The state reclaimed the Manoel Island Yacht Marina opposite Msida in March 2026 along with the concession for Manoel Island. It continues to operate in transition whilst Transport Malta plans to award a new concession (as of October 2026).
| Feature | Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina | Grand Harbour Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Msida Creek, Marsamxett Harbour | Birgu (Vittoriosa), Grand Harbour, below Fort St Angelo |
| Berths | 720 for yachts up to 22 m | over 250 from 10 m, plus 26 berths for superyachts |
| Mooring | Marina staff bring you to your reserved berth | Marina staff assist around the clock |
| VHF channel | 13 (marina channel), callsign "Msida Marina" | 13 |
| Showers | yes | yes |
| Route to Valletta | on foot approximately 20 minutes | Ferry from Cospicua |
Information correct as at: October 2026.
Arriving for your trip start at the marinas near Valletta
The airport is in the south of the island, Msida and Birgu on the east coast; distances are short.
From Malta Airport to the marinas
The easiest option is a taxi. Taxis run around the clock from the airport to any location on Malta. Buy your fixed-price ticket after arrival at the taxi desk in the arrivals hall (Welcomers' Hall), or alternatively book via the Malta Taxi app. The drive to the marinas in Msida and Birgu takes around 15 minutes by car.
The bus is cheaper. Route TD3 runs from the airport to Gżira, Sliema and St Julian's. In Gżira you are close to the Ta' Xbiex side of the marina in Msida. Route TD4 runs to Valletta and onwards to the fast ferry to Gozo. Tickets are available in the arrivals hall at the Malta Public Transport desk, at machines outside the terminal and on the bus. Buses generally run daily from 5:30 to 23:00.
By hire car, bus or ferry
If you hire a car: traffic drives on the left in Malta. For the journey to Birgu the ferry is convenient: it connects Valletta with Cospicua and docks in the inner part of Dockyard Creek, where the Grand Harbour Marina is also located. A second route runs between Valletta and Sliema. Both ferries run every 30 minutes. Your ferry ticket is also valid on the same day for the Barrakka Lift in Valletta.
Which marina is mine?
The harbour is what matters: the marina in Msida lies on Marsamxett Harbour; the Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu is on the other side of Valletta. Give the taxi driver the full name, either "Msida Marina" or "Grand Harbour Marina, Birgu". The marina in Msida extends from Msida Creek to the waterfront road in Ta' Xbiex. The marina office there is located at Ta' Xbiex Seafront in the Crown Marina Apartments building.
Parking at the Grand Harbour Marina
Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu provides its berth holders with a car park on request, and there are also charging points for electric vehicles.
Showers and sanitary facilities
Both marinas have showers and toilet facilities.
Shopping for the trip
In both marinas you can order provisions in advance and have them delivered to the marina. In Ta' Xbiex, the town by the marina in Msida, there is a supermarket. From Msida you can reach Valletta's shopping streets in about 20 minutes on foot; in the other direction are Gżira and Sliema with shopping centres, cafés and restaurants. In Birgu there are shops, a weekly market and several chandleries around the Grand Harbour Marina.
Hospital and emergency numbers
Malta's main hospital, Mater Dei, with an emergency department, is in Msida. In Malta, one emergency number covers all situations:
- 112: ambulance, police and fire brigade, free of charge
- Maritime emergency: Via 112 a maritime emergency is forwarded to the rescue coordination centre of the Maltese Armed Forces (RCC Malta); at sea you call on VHF channel 16
- Mater Dei emergency department: +356 2545 0000
Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina: one of Malta's largest marinas
With 720 berths for yachts up to 22 metres, the marina in Msida is one of the island's largest. It lies in the innermost part of Marsamxett Harbour; a breakwater protects it from swell from the north-east, and it lies sheltered from the prevailing north-westerly wind.
Every berth has a connection box for electricity and water, paid for via a credit balance that you can also top up online. Marina staff meet arriving yachts and bring them to their berth. Diesel is available via a fuel delivery service that you order in advance.
Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu
Grand Harbour Marina is in Birgu on Dockyard Creek, directly below Fort St Angelo and opposite Valletta. It is open all year round and has over 250 berths from 10 metres upwards, as well as 26 berths for superyachts. Every berth has water, electricity and Wi-Fi; diesel and petrol are delivered by tanker. The marina is guarded round the clock and accessible only to authorised persons. There is a clubhouse for crews and skippers; restaurants and bars line the waterfront in Birgu. In a neighbouring arm of the harbour there is a shipyard for superyachts, and for smaller yachts there is a travel lift and boatyards nearby.
What is the weather like for sailing in Malta?
The most frequent wind in Malta is north-westerly, called Majjistral in Maltese. In summer the wind is usually light from north-west to north-east. Storm days are most frequent in March and December, least frequent in July. The north-easterly wind Gregale blows onto the east coast around Sliema and brings rough seas there. In autumn, the first cold air outbreak is often followed by Scirocco from the south-east, sometimes for many days. In autumn and winter, severe storms are possible from time to time, including Mediterranean tropical-like cyclones (Medicanes).
The tides around Malta are so weak that other fluctuations often mask them. What is typical for Malta, on the other hand, is the "Milgħuba": atmospheric pressure waves set the water in bays and harbours oscillating; it then rises and falls at intervals of a few minutes. More than one metre has been recorded in Mellieħa Bay.
Which sailing destinations lie near Malta?
From Valletta you sail along the north-east coast to Comino and Gozo, or across the Malta Channel to Sicily. The distances are rounded sea routes on the usual course from the entrance to Marsamxett Harbour; for precise planning use the chart. From Grand Harbour add about one nautical mile.
- Blue Lagoon off Comino: around 12 nm, along Malta's north-east coast
- Mġarr on Gozo: around 13 nm, through the South Channel between Comino and Malta
- Marina di Ragusa (Sicily): around 52 nm
- Licata (Sicily): around 77 nm
At the Blue Lagoon a bathing zone for swimmers is cordoned off. Boats must not enter and must keep 5 metres clear of the zone. In the lagoon a maximum of 5 knots applies; through the North Channel of Comino you proceed slowly. The harbour of Mġarr on Gozo is also used by the ferry from Malta; Mġarr Marina is there.
What can you do on a day in harbour near Valletta?
From both marinas you can reach Valletta quickly: from Msida on foot, from Birgu by ferry from Cospicua.
- Valletta: The capital lies on the peninsula between the two harbours. From Msida it is about 20 minutes on foot; from Grand Harbour you come up on the Barrakka Lift.
- Fort St Angelo: The fortress at the tip of Birgu towers over Grand Harbour and offers a sweeping view over the harbour and the surrounding towns. From 1906 to 1979 it was used by the Royal Navy; the upper part is now administered by the Order of Malta. Grand Harbour Marina lies directly below.
- Maritime Museum and Inquisitor's Palace: Both are in Birgu, within walking distance of Grand Harbour Marina. The Malta Maritime Museum shows the island's maritime history.
- Sliema and Gżira: Along the waterfront opposite Valletta there is a succession of restaurants, cafés and shopping centres. From Sliema the ferry runs to Valletta every 30 minutes.
For skippers: berthing and marine weather at the marinas near Valletta
Valletta VTS is responsible for the harbours near Valletta on VHF channel 12; you reach the marinas on channel 13. All vessels in Maltese territorial waters take part in the traffic service, including leisure craft.
Registration with the Traffic Service
Yachts arriving from outside Maltese waters report their arrival via VHF to Valletta VTS, channel 12, telephone +356 2555 4491, 24 hours a day. Report the yacht's name, estimated time of arrival, length, persons on board, last port and intentions. Before departing, you report your next port accordingly. Anyone sailing in Malta or lying at anchor keeps a continuous listening watch on the assigned channel. Channel 16 is only for distress, safety and calling purposes; afterwards you switch to a working channel. On Gozo, Mġarr LPS harbour service is responsible on channel 10.
Registration and berthing in the marinas
- Msida & Ta' Xbiex Marina: VHF channel 13, call sign "Msida Marina". Berth and clearance can be booked in advance, telephone +356 2133 7049, outside office hours +356 7933 7249, e-mail info@creekdevelopments.com. Marina staff welcome you, take you to your reserved berth and give you the keys for electricity and water. At reception you present proof of insurance, boat registration and passport or identity card. Anyone who has already cleared in at another Maltese harbour does not need to repeat this.
- Grand Harbour Marina: Berthing instructions via VHF channel 13, telephone +356 21 800 700. The marina can be approached by day and night and in any weather; staff assist with berthing around the clock.
Sailing area rules along the coast
In many bays around Malta, Gozo and Comino, yellow buoys mark zones where speed limits of 10 or 5 knots apply. The buoys are usually laid from June to October, but the speed limits apply all year round. Bathing zones are reserved for swimmers; you must not make fast to the marker buoys.
Approach
You make your first call to Valletta VTS 12 nautical miles from the coast; sometimes a second call is required one nautical mile before the entrance. For the Grand Harbour, leave the breakwater with the St Elmo lighthouse at its eastern end to starboard and the short breakwater off Fort Ricasoli to port. Then round Fort St Angelo to port and follow the channel with small red and green buoys to the marina. Between Valletta and Cospicua, ferries cross the channel. You reach Marsamxett Harbour between Valletta and Tigné Point, with Manoel Island beyond and Msida at the very end of the bay.
Which sea weather forecast applies to Malta?
The sea weather forecast is issued by the Malta Meteorological Office at Malta Airport. The forecast for mariners covers three days and the area up to 50 nautical miles from the coast. It gives the weather situation, wind in Beaufort, sea state, swell and visibility as well as warnings. Valletta VTS broadcasts navigational warnings and weather reports on VHF channel 11, daily at 07:03, 11:03, 17:03 and 22:03 UTC, which in summer is two hours and in winter one hour later local time.
Trips from Malta on Törnfinder
In October 2026, there are 21 trip dates on Törnfinder in the next twelve months with departure or destination in Malta. Most depart in May, December and April; eight days is typical.
All current offers are in the trip overview; trips throughout the sailing area around Malta, Sicily and the other coasts can be found under Sailing in the Mediterranean.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Malta airport to the marina?
Quickest by taxi, which runs 24 hours at fixed prices and takes you to Msida or Birgu in about 15 minutes. Cheaper are the buses: line TD3 goes to Gżira and Sliema, line TD4 to Valletta.
Are the marinas in Msida and Birgu in the same harbour?
No. The marina in Msida is on Marsamxett Harbour north of Valletta, the Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu is in Grand Harbour to the south. Between the two lies the Valletta peninsula.
Are there showers in the marinas near Valletta?
Yes, both the marina in Msida and the Grand Harbour Marina in Birgu have showers and sanitary facilities.
Where do I shop for the trip?
At both marinas you can have provisions delivered to the marina. In Ta' Xbiex at Msida Marina there is a supermarket; in Birgu there are shops and a weekly market.
Which VHF channel applies in Malta?
Channel 12 for Valletta VTS, where you report on arrival, and channel 13 for the marinas. Channel 16 is the distress and calling channel.
When is the best time for sailing around Malta?
Summer, as the wind is usually light from north-west to north-east, and July has the fewest storm days. In autumn the scirocco often blows from the south-east; the most storm days occur in March and December.
