REVIEW · MALTA

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming

★ 3.7 · 155 reviews From $79 Operated by The Dance Island · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Malta’s Faith sailboat party turns a four-hour evening into a floating club, with music, drinks, sunset views, and a jump-off-the-boat swim stop. You board in Sliema, watch Valletta from the water, then return under the stars.

I like the open bar, which covers rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks. I also like the simple swim stop: when the boat anchors in clear water, you can jump straight in instead of merely admiring the sea from the deck.

The main thing to consider is the party format. This is for adults who want a DJ, dancing, and drinks, not for anyone seeking a calm sail or a full dinner. The published rating is 3.7 out of 5, so it is wise to keep expectations practical.

Key points to know before booking

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Key points to know before booking

  • Faith is the boat to find: Board at Supreme Boats Rentals in Sliema, in front of Burger King.
  • The evening starts early: Boarding begins at 18:30, with departure scheduled between 19:00 and 19:10.
  • The open bar is broad: Drinks include rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks.
  • The swim stop is a real part of the evening: Bring swimwear and a towel for a jump into clear water.
  • Food is a snack, not a meal: You receive one tuna or ham and cheese ftira, plus fresh fruit.
  • This is adults-only: Children under 18 cannot join.

What this Sliema boat party is really like

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - What this Sliema boat party is really like

At $79 per person, this experience is best understood as an evening of entertainment on the water rather than a standard sightseeing cruise. You are paying for a four-hour boat outing, a live DJ, an open bar, a snack, a swim stop, and an onboard photographer.

That package can offer fair value if you plan to drink, dance, and swim. If you do not drink alcohol and have little interest in the party, the price becomes harder to justify. Malta has plenty of ways to see the coast, but this one is built around social energy rather than a detailed account of landmarks.

The setting helps. Sliema sits across the water from Valletta, and the boat gives you a different view of the capital than you get from streets or harbor promenades. The evening timing also gives you sunset light before the party continues after dark.

You should think of the advertised meal as a useful snack. A tuna ftira or ham and cheese ftira with fruit can keep you going, but it is not a full dinner. If you need a substantial meal, eat beforehand.

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Finding Faith at the Sliema waterfront

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Finding Faith at the Sliema waterfront

The meeting point is straightforward, but you need to identify the correct boat. Go to the Supreme Boats Rentals departure point and look for Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

Boarding begins at 18:30. Departure is planned for 19:00 to 19:10, so do not treat the boarding time as the departure time. Arrive with enough time to find the boat, settle in, and avoid a rushed start.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Sliema. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you are responsible for reaching the waterfront and getting back to your accommodation afterward.

The exact starting time should be checked when you book, although the supplied schedule gives the evening pattern above. The total duration is four hours.

Sunset views toward Valletta

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Sunset views toward Valletta

Once the sailboat leaves Sliema, you can order a drink and choose how involved you want to be. The dance area is the center of the action, while the lounge area offers a better place to watch the coastline and sunset.

The view toward Valletta is one of the more worthwhile parts of the trip. From the water, you get a broad look back toward the city rather than the close-up views found on land. The sunset timing adds a natural rhythm to the evening: arrive while there is still light, watch the sky change, then continue with music under the stars.

The experience description specifically points to Valletta views from the lounge area. It does not promise a guided commentary or a list of landmarks, so you should not book this as a history-focused harbor tour. Bring your phone or camera if you want your own pictures, but remember that an onboard photographer is also included.

Reggaeton, dancing, and the live DJ

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Reggaeton, dancing, and the live DJ

The music begins with reggaeton and upbeat dance tracks. A live DJ plays from the boat’s dance area, so the tone is closer to a floating club than a quiet cruise.

I like that the music is part of the plan from the start, rather than an occasional extra. You can dance, sit in the lounge area, or move between the two as the evening changes. The open deck and water views keep the setting different from a bar on land.

Still, music is personal. If you want control over the playlist, a quiet conversation, or a traditional sailing atmosphere, this may feel too loud or too focused on the party. The boat is designed for movement and socializing, not silence.

The adults-only rule matters here. No one under 18 can take part, and the format is clearly aimed at an adult night out. That makes it more suitable for friends, couples who enjoy nightlife, and solo adults who are comfortable joining a group setting.

Same city, a completely different plate:

The open bar and what you actually receive

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The open bar and what you actually receive

The open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks. That gives you a wider choice than a basic beer-and-wine setup, and it is one of the strongest reasons the price may work for you.

The important point is pacing. You are on a boat for four hours, and alcohol combined with sun, music, and swimming can catch up with you quickly. Soft drinks are included, so you can alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic options.

There is no indication that premium brands, cocktails, or a full drinks menu are included. You should read open bar here as access to the listed drink categories, not an unlimited selection of every possible beverage.

The bar also makes the trip easier for a social evening. You do not need to leave the boat to find a drink, and you can move between the dance area, lounge, and swim stop without changing venues.

The swim stop and clear water

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - The swim stop and clear water

The boat stops at a location with clear water, giving you the chance to jump in from the boat and swim. This is not just a photo stop. Swimwear and a towel are specifically recommended, and you should bring both.

For many people, the swim stop will be the most memorable part of the evening. Malta is surrounded by clean-looking blue water, and getting in from the deck gives the cruise a more active feel than a simple harbor ride.

You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat before booking. The information provided does not describe a beach, a ladder, water depth, or special swimming support, so do not assume you will have a gradual shoreline entry. It also does not give a detailed account of the swimming location.

Keep your personal items secure while you swim. You will need to leave belongings on the boat, and a towel is useful afterward even in warm weather. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain onboard during the stop, but swimming is clearly one of the main features.

Ftira and fruit during the cruise

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - Ftira and fruit during the cruise

The included food is one tuna ftira or one ham and cheese ftira, along with fresh fruit. Ftira is a Maltese bread snack, so this gives you a small taste of local food without interrupting the party for a formal meal.

The tuna option suits you if you want something savory and filling in a simple format. The ham and cheese version gives you another familiar choice. Since only one sandwich per person is specified, do not count on returning for another serving.

The fruit is useful alongside drinks and swimming, but it does not turn the package into dinner. I would eat a proper meal before boarding, especially if you expect to spend much of the evening dancing or drinking.

Food service on a boat is naturally casual. You are likely to eat around the music and activity rather than at a seated table with several courses. That matches the atmosphere, but it is worth knowing before you compare this with a dinner cruise.

The onboard photographer

A photographer is included, giving you the option of having the evening documented while you dance, drink, or enjoy the views. This can be useful when you want pictures of the group without asking one person to hold a phone all night.

The available information does not specify how many photographs you receive, how they are delivered, or if additional fees apply. Treat the photographer as an included feature, but check the practical details if having the photos is important to you.

The photographer also fits the nature of the event. A party boat creates moments that are difficult to capture while swimming or dancing, so having someone assigned to take pictures can be a nice extra. It should not, however, be the main reason you book.

How the $79 price compares with the experience

Sliema: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming - How the $79 price compares with the experience

The $79 cost includes several items that can add up during a night out: four hours on a sailboat, an open bar, a DJ, food, a swim stop, and a photographer. For someone who would otherwise pay for drinks and nightlife, the package can make sense.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to admire Malta from the water. A large share of the price is tied to the open bar and party atmosphere, not to guided sightseeing. You are not paying for hotel transport, and the included food is limited to a snack.

The price also works better for people who will use several parts of the package. If you plan to dance, have drinks, swim, and stay for the full four hours, you are getting the experience it was designed to provide. If you expect a short scenic cruise with quiet seating, you may feel that you paid for features you did not want.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Malta schedule is still changing.

Who should book this evening on Faith

I would point this experience toward adults who want an easy night out with a built-in setting. It suits friends celebrating something, couples who like music and nightlife, and solo adults who are happy to join an organized party.

It can also work well if you want a swim stop but do not want to arrange a separate boat rental. The boat, DJ, bar, food, and photographer are bundled together, so you can simply reach Sliema and join the evening.

I would be more cautious if you are looking for a romantic sail with quiet conversation. The DJ, dancing, open bar, and party format are not background details. They shape the entire experience.

Families with children should rule it out because the activity is not suitable for anyone under 18. People who want a full dinner should also plan to eat before boarding.

The published 3.7 rating suggests a mixed overall response, which fits the kind of activity this is. A party boat can be excellent for the right mood and disappointing for the wrong one. The clearer your expectations, the better your decision will be.

Practical packing advice for the evening

Bring swimwear and a towel. Those are the two items specifically required for the swim stop, and you will not want to improvise once the boat reaches the swimming location.

Wear something comfortable for standing and dancing. The information does not provide a dress code, so practical clothing is the safest choice. You should also keep personal items to what you need for four hours on the water.

A phone or camera can help with sunset views, though the photographer is included. Bring any medication or personal essentials you need, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided and the boat outing lasts the full evening.

Because the food is limited, eat before boarding if you usually need a full meal. Use the included soft drinks as an option if you do not want alcohol or need a break from it.

Should you book the Sliema sailboat party?

Book it if you want music, drinks, swimming, and sunset views in one adult-only evening. The open bar and four-hour duration give the $79 price a reasonable chance of working for people who will use the full package.

Skip it if your ideal Malta boat trip is quiet, scenic, or centered on a proper meal. You should also skip it if you dislike loud music, do not want to swim from a boat, or would rather explore independently.

My practical advice is simple: choose Faith for the party, not for a guided tour of Malta. Arrive before the 19:00 to 19:10 departure window, bring swimwear and a towel, eat beforehand, and treat the ftira and fruit as a snack. With those expectations, you will know exactly what you are paying for.

FAQ

Where does the sailboat party begin?

It begins at the Supreme Boats Rentals departure point in Sliema. Look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 18:30. Departure is scheduled between 19:00 and 19:10.

How long does the activity last?

The boat party lasts four hours.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

Yes. You receive one tuna ftira or one ham and cheese ftira, plus fresh fruit. This is a snack rather than a full meal.

Is swimming part of the activity?

Yes. The boat stops at a location with clear water, where you can jump from the boat and swim.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Can children join the boat party?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone under 18.

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