Malta Harbour Cruises
Harbour cruises are short sightseeing trips that explore Malta's historic harbours — typically the Grand Harbour or Marsamxett Harbour — with live commentary. They do not include swimming stops or island excursions. This guide helps you compare confirmed harbour cruise products.
A harbour cruise is different from a Comino excursion: it stays close to the departure point and focuses on the harbour's fortifications and history, rather than travelling to an island for swimming.
Choose this if…
- Choose a harbour cruise if you want a short, narrated sightseeing trip close to shore.
- Choose a Comino excursion if you want to travel to the Blue Lagoon for swimming.
Compare the operator's confirmed departure berth, harbours visited and whether commentary is included before booking.
Verified options to compare
The Traditional Harbour Cruise
Options are listed in the order they appear in our verified inventory. No trip is ranked as 'best'.
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What to check before booking
Before booking a harbour cruise, check:
- Departure berth: The exact departure location. Some harbour cruises depart from Sliema, others from Valletta or other points. Confirm the exact berth before booking.
- Harbours visited: Which harbours the cruise explores — the Grand Harbour, Marsamxett Harbour, or both.
- Commentary: Whether live commentary is included and in what language.
- Stops ashore: Whether the cruise includes any stops ashore, or whether it is a non-stop sightseeing trip.
- Duration: The total cruise duration.
Harbour cruises vs Comino excursions
A harbour cruise is a short sightseeing trip that stays close to the departure point. A Comino excursion travels to the Blue Lagoon for swimming and is a longer trip. If you want swimming, choose a Comino excursion; if you want harbour history and fortifications, choose a harbour cruise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do harbour cruises depart from?
Departure points vary by operator. Common departure points include Sliema and Valletta. Confirm the exact departure berth in the operator's description before booking.
Do harbour cruises include swimming stops?
No. Harbour cruises are sightseeing trips that stay close to the departure point. If you want swimming, choose a Comino excursion instead.
Is commentary included on harbour cruises?
Most harbour cruises include live commentary, often in multiple languages. Check the operator's description for the confirmed commentary language.
How long is a typical harbour cruise?
Most harbour cruises last between 1 and 2 hours. Check the operator's description for the confirmed duration.