This guide compares two fishing charter operators with published prices: Fishing Malta, based at Creek Yacht Marina in Ta' Xbiex, and Island Fishing Malta, departing from Kalkara. Fishing Malta says it fishes all year round. A shared trip puts you on the boat with other anglers at a per-person rate; a private charter gives your group the whole boat at a per-boat price.
Shared fishing trips — prices per person
A shared trip is the simplest way to fish in Malta: you book a seat, show up, and the gear is provided. Fishing Malta includes fishing tackle, bait and drinking water on its shared trips; Island Fishing Malta includes rods, reels, bait and bottled water. Fishing Malta states that no experience is required.
| Trip | Operator | Duration | Price per person | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fun Reef Fishing | Fishing Malta | 4 hours | €80 | 10 |
| Deluxe Combo | Fishing Malta | 5 hours | €175 | 4 |
| Extended Tour | Fishing Malta | 8 hours | €275 | 4 |
| Bluefin Tuna & Little Tunny | Island Fishing Malta | 6 hours | €250 | 4 |
Fishing Malta's shared trips depart from Creek Yacht Marina, Pontoon Gate "K", Ta' Xbiex. The 4-hour reef trip takes up to 10 anglers, the 5- and 8-hour trips up to 4. Island Fishing Malta's shared bluefin trip departs from Pontoon E in Kalkara.
The 4-hour shared reef fishing trip with Fishing Malta is the lowest-priced trip here at €80 per person. If you want a longer day targeting tuna, the 6-hour shared bluefin tuna trip with Island Fishing Malta is €250 per person for up to four guests.
Private fishing charters — prices per boat
A private charter gives your group the whole boat and the skipper's full attention. Fishing Malta's private charters take up to 4 people and include fishing tackle, bait and drinking water, with a skipper to help. Island Fishing Malta's private trips include a licensed captain, fuel, rods and reels, fresh bait, bottled water and full onboard safety equipment including life jackets.
| Trip | Operator | Duration | Price per boat | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fun Reef Fishing | Fishing Malta | 4 hours | €380 | 4 |
| Deluxe Combo | Fishing Malta | 5 hours | €480 | 4 |
| Extended Tour | Fishing Malta | 8 hours | €795 | 4 |
| Bluefin Tuna & Little Tunny | Island Fishing Malta | 6 hours | €700 | 5 |
| Light Trolling | Island Fishing Malta | 4 hours | €450 | 4 |
| Reef Fishing | Island Fishing Malta | 4 hours | €450 | 5 |
| Squid Fishing | Island Fishing Malta | 4 hours | €450 | 4 |
| Mahi Mahi Trolling | Island Fishing Malta | 6 hours | €800 | 4 |
| Big Game Trolling | Island Fishing Malta | 6 hours | €800 | 4 |
| Catch & Cook | Island Fishing Malta | 8 hours | €980 | 5 |
| Winter Bottom Fishing | Island Fishing Malta | 6 hours | €800 | 2 |
| Deepsea Fishing | Island Fishing Malta | 10 hours | €900 | 6 |
Island Fishing Malta also offers multi-day private packages: a 2-day adventure (16 hours total) for €1,700, a 3-day package (22 hours) for €2,400, 4 days (30 hours) for €3,400, 5 days (40 hours) for €4,400, and 6 days (46 hours) for €5,100 — all for up to five guests per boat.
Shared trip or private boat — how to choose
A shared trip works if you are one or two people, want to keep the spend low, and are happy fishing reef species or joining whatever the boat targets that day. The €80 shared reef trip with Fishing Malta is the lowest-priced option in this guide.
A private charter makes sense for groups: with five guests aboard, the €700 private bluefin trip with Island Fishing Malta works out to €140 per person — less than the €250 shared seat on the same operator's equivalent trip. You also choose the target species and can book formats that do not exist as shared trips — squid, mahi mahi, big game trolling, deepsea, or the catch-and-cook experience.
Tip
Key difference: Fishing Malta departs from Creek Yacht Marina, Ta' Xbiex. Island Fishing Malta departs from Pontoon E in Kalkara. Check which is closer to your hotel.
What is included — and what is not
Both operators include the essentials in their prices:
- Fishing Malta: custom-designed fishing vessels with echo sounder and GPS technology, safety equipment as required by local maritime regulations. No experience is required.
- Island Fishing Malta: licensed and experienced captain, fuel, quality fishing rods and reels, fresh bait, complimentary bottled water, full onboard safety equipment including life jackets and required marine safety gear. Their bluefin trips also include a Bluefin Tuna licence.
Island Fishing Malta lists hotel transfers, meals and alcoholic beverages as not included — with one exception. Its Catch & Cook trip (€980 per group, 8 hours, up to 5 guests) includes a meal prepared from your catch: catch of the day, potato salad and pasta salad, chimichurri sauce, two bottles of local white wine and six cans of local beer.
Important
Not included at Island Fishing Malta: hotel transfers, personal insurance, meals and alcoholic beverages (except Catch & Cook). The operator also lists sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and extra layers as things to bring yourself.
Tuna season and what you can keep
Fishing Malta publishes a seasonal calendar for pelagic species:
- Bonito Tuna — February to April
- Albacore Tuna — May to July
- Amberjack — May to September
- Dorado — August to November
- Skipjack Tuna — October to December
Island Fishing Malta holds a Bluefin Tuna licence, included in the price of their bluefin trips. The licence allows one tuna per week to be kept if registered for that week, with a minimum size limit of 120 cm. Any additional tuna must be catch and release. Little tunny (false albacore): catch and release is encouraged, though you may keep only what you plan to eat, with the rest released responsibly.
Fishing Malta describes the usual method as trolling lures, artificial bait, or live bait.
Island Fishing Malta and the 12-nautical-mile permit
Island Fishing Malta states that it is the only fishing boat with permits to legally operate up to 12 nautical miles offshore. The boat has a toilet on board.
Cancellation and weather
Island Fishing Malta's trips are subject to suitable weather. It offers free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure; late cancellations or no-shows may not be refunded. If the sea is unsafe, the trip may be rescheduled or fully refunded. Guests should arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure.
Children must be accompanied by an adult on Island Fishing Malta trips. Participants should be comfortable on a boat. Fishing Malta states that no experience is required.
Booking
Two trips can be booked online:
- Shared 4-hour reef fishing with Fishing Malta — €80 per person
- Shared 6-hour bluefin tuna trip with Island Fishing Malta — €250 per person
For private charters and the other formats listed above, book directly with the operators.
