Grand Harbour Cruise
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Join us on a 90 minute cruise of Malta's Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour, the two natural harbours either side of Valletta, on a state of the art, eco-friendly, 20 metre, harbour catamaran ferry boat.
Relive Malta's gallant history with a detailed live commentary in English and German, unfolding the history between the two Great Sieges of 1565 and 1942.
Enjoy fantastic views of the magnificent forts, battlements, creeks and skylines of Valletta and the Three Cities - this is a great opportunity for some superb photos.
Sit outdoors or indoors in air-conditioned comfort. Free WiFi and restroom facilities are available on board and food and drinks are available to purchase.
Choose from various departure times starting your cruise from Sliema. Either stay on board for the 90 minute cruise back to Sliema or hop-off at the Esplora Interactive Science Centre in Kalkara to visit the science centre and the Three Cities and then hop-on later to return to Sliema.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Board the state of the art, eco-friendly, 20 metre, red iSee Malta harbour catamaran ferry boat operated by Captain Morgan, moored at the Ferries in Marsamxett Harbour in Sliema. Arrive early since boat boarding is on a first come first served basis. Relive Malta's gallant history with a detailed live commentary in English and German. Enjoy and take photos of the fantastic views of the magnificent forts, battlements, creeks and skyline of Valletta. Marsamxett Harbour is a natural harbour located to the north of the larger Grand Harbour bounded by Tigné Point in Sliema and extending to Gżira, Ta' Xbiex, Pietà and Msida. Off Gżira lies Manoel Island, which is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The south eastern shore of the harbour is formed by the Sciberras peninsula, largely covered by the capital city Valletta. At its tip lies the 16th century Fort Saint Elmo.
Grand Harbour
The fortress captial city Valletta on the Sciberras peninsula, divides Marsamxett Harbour from the larger parallel natural harbour, Grand Harbour. The use of Grand harbour dates back to prehistoric times to circa 3700 BC. The Grand Harbour has been described as Malta's greatest geographic asset. Grand Harbour is bounded to the north Saint Elmo Point and the bastions of Valletta, and is bounded to the south by Ricasoli Point and the Three Cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea. Fort Saint Angelo in Vittoriosa was the base for the Order of Saint John for 268 years, from 1530 to 1798. The area was the scene of much of the fighting in the Great Siege of Malta of 1565 when the Ottomans attempted to eject the Order of St. John but were ultimately defeated. The area was heavily bombed during the Second Siege of Malta during World War II, as the docks and military installations around the port became targets, causing a large number of civilian casualties.
What‘s Included
Free WiFi on board
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Sit outdoors or indoors in air-conditioned comfort
Detailed live commentary in English and German
Option to hop-off at Esplora in Kalkara to visit the Three Cities & hop-on later to return to Sliema
Restroom on board
90 minute Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour cruise
Departure from Sliema with a choice of daily departure times
Food and drink (available to purchase from vending machines on board)
Options
From Sliema
Reviews
20 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fabulous and Informative
Duane G,Jan 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was educational, offered spectacular views and it lasted an ideal amount of time. The trip was not too long not too short.
Don't bother
valerietheobalds,Jul 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00Firstly you are told the wrong place to meet the activity to complete the tour. We were told to meet opposite the M&S store when in fact, it was opposite The Londoner Pub. The email received advertised the tour as the following: Find attached your confirmation voucher for Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour catamaran boat cruise from the 'Captain Morgan Harbour Cruise' at The Strand, Sliema (Google map Plus Code: WG53+GW Sliema) opposite M&S Marks & Spencer Sliema departing at 10:30 or 12:30 or 14:45. The whole cruise was boring and what makes it worse is the fact that Malta is a lot richer in history. Would not waste £40 again for this tour, waste of time and money
Disappointing
B9935IHdominiqued,May 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Interesting views but big disappointment because no English translation of the comments or audio guide. Avoid for non-bilinguals
Great cruise, very...
Ann C,Apr 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great cruise, very interesting and informative. We thourghally enjoyed it. Very good value for money, we would definitely recommend it.
Nice tour of the harbors surrounding Malta
Robert M,Oct 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00Excellent overall view of Malta from the water. English ability by your operator was average…difficult to understand at times.
Wonderful views but a poor experience in other respects.
rwt2imvc,Oct 17, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Very disappointing. It’s hard to see how they can have made such a poor job of this wonderful tour. The views are really spectacular and these harbours are full of interesting history, so what can go wrong? The English commentary was really poor, delivered in a monotonous, dreary voice and in an accent that most of our group of 30 intelligent English tourists couldn’t understand. Those who spoke German said that it was better! Most people turned off completely so I can’t comment on the content delivered but we didn’t come back with much interesting background or history. The red two deck catamaran is too big to do this job and so a large portion of people have to sit in seats that don’t afford a clear view or make it easy to take photos, especially as some passengers often stood up to take their own photos blocking the view of those in inner seats. If you get a good view from side seats ok but I can’t recommend this cruise if you want to learn any history. It’s clearly a very popular and commercially successful trip but this sort of “industrial tourism” is not giving a good service.
Harbours’ Tour
Keith N,Sep 15, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00Splendid views of the harbour and Grand Harbour with informative commentary, although sometimes a little difficult to hear/ understand. A pre-recorded commentary might be better. However, overall, good value for money and worth experiencing.
Disappointed
Sejal P,Jul 1, 2024
- Review from Viator
3.00Really nice and modern boat but could not hear the audio guide. We were sitting downstairs and asked for the volume to be turned up but they could not and so we could hardly hear the guide. It could be better upstairs but we sat downstairs as it was cool.
Great views
Marlene L,May 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00What a great way to see Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities from the water. Views you can’t get any other way.,
Not the best
jonv86,Mar 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Captain was on his mobile whilst stirring the boat, couldn't hear a word of the commentators and a German passenger was very rude. Not the best
From €20.00
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Operated by V. Tabone Travel