Questions before you paddle?
Sea kayaking in Malta: your questions, answered
Costs, cancellations, weather, what to wear and whether you need to be a strong swimmer. Search below or browse by topic.
Booking & pricing
How much does a guided tour cost?
It's a flat €55 per person. That covers your kayak and paddle, buoyancy aid, dry bag, guide, photos from the day and all booking fees, so there's nothing extra to pay at the beach.
The trip calculator on the homepage shows the total for your group.
Booking & pricing
How do I book a tour?
Choose a route, date and number of spots in the trip calculator, then send it through. We'll follow up by email to confirm your booking.
Our phone and WhatsApp line is for questions only. We don't take bookings by phone.
Booking & pricing
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 48 hours before launch.
If your plans change inside that window, get in touch as early as you can and we'll talk through the options. If we cancel because of the weather, see the weather question below.
Booking & pricing
Can I book a private or larger group tour?
Yes. Choose Custom Coastal Tour in the inquiry form on the homepage, or email info@melakayak.mt with your group size, preferred dates and any ideas.
We keep groups to a maximum of eight paddlers per guide, so bigger parties are split across several guides.
Weather & routes
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first, and wind and swell make the call. If conditions change, we first try moving your tour to a more sheltered stretch of coast.
If we can't run it safely at all, you can either reschedule or take a full refund. That's our weather safety guarantee.
Weather & routes
Where do tours start, and how do I find the meeting point?
Launch spots change with the forecast and the route, because we pick whichever cove gives the calmest water on the day.
Ahead of your tour we send you an exact GPS pin for the meeting point, so you can navigate straight to it.
Weather & routes
Which routes do you paddle?
Our four guided routes are:
- St. Thomas Bay & Hofriet / St. Peter's Pool
- Selmun Coast & St. Paul's Islands
- Grand Harbour & The Three Cities
- Armier Bay, Coral Lagoon & Slugs Bay
Details and difficulty levels are in the routes section of the homepage. The route you pick is a preference, and the final choice depends on the sea forecast.
Weather & routes
Will we paddle into sea caves?
Some routes include caves, arches and hidden coves, such as the open-top collapse cave at Coral Lagoon. Going inside is always optional.
Your guide decides on the day whether the swell and the group make it safe.
Safety & skills
I've never kayaked before. Is that a problem?
Not at all. Most of our guests are first-timers, and our tours are built around them.
Every trip opens with a 15-minute briefing on land covering how to sit, the forward stroke and what to do if you tip over, before anyone touches the water.
Safety & skills
Do I need to be able to swim?
Yes. Every paddler needs to be able to swim without help.
A buoyancy aid is compulsory on all our tours, but it's a safety back-up and not a replacement for swimming ability. If you're not yet confident in the water, a few swimming lessons first will make the day far more enjoyable.
Safety & skills
How safe are the tours?
We paddle wide, stable sit-on-top kayaks in small groups of no more than eight per guide. Our guides are trained to Paddle UK safety and rescue standards, and they stay in radio contact with shore control by VHF throughout the tour.
Safety & skills
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. We are licensed under Transport Malta's Small Ships Regulations (SSR) and fully insured.
If you're booking for a school, company or event and need paperwork, email info@melakayak.mt.
Safety & skills
Can I paddle with an injury or medical condition?
Often, yes, but you'll need to be able to sit upright and paddle comfortably for the length of the tour. If you're unsure, ask your doctor and email us before you book.
Whatever the situation, let your guide know before we launch so we can plan around it.
Kit & clothing
What's included in the price?
Everything you need on the water:
- Sit-on-top kayak and paddle
- Certified buoyancy aid and high-visibility sea gear
- Waterproof dry bag
- Your guide, the safety briefing and all booking fees
- Action photos from the day, sent to you free of charge
Kit & clothing
What should I bring?
- Drinking water, a couple of litres each
- High-SPF sunscreen
- A hat and sunglasses (with a retaining strap)
- A towel and dry clothes for afterwards
- A snack, if you're on a longer route
- A waterproof pouch, if you want your phone along
Kit & clothing
What should I wear?
Think comfortable, quick-drying and secure:
- Swimwear that stays put, ideally board or swim shorts over bikini bottoms to stop the seat rubbing
- A shirt or rash vest under your buoyancy aid, which is required
- Shoes that can get wet and stay on. No bare feet, please
Kit & clothing
Where do I keep my phone and valuables?
Each paddler gets a waterproof dry bag. Even so, nothing at sea is completely waterproof, so bring only what you'd be fine getting wet and leave other valuables at home. We can't accept responsibility for lost or damaged personal items.
Waiver & photos
Do I have to sign a waiver?
Yes. Every paddler signs a printed waiver when we meet, before launch.
To avoid surprises, read the whole thing beforehand on our guest waiver page, and pass the link to everyone in your group.
Waiver & photos
Will there be photos of me, and can I opt out?
Your guide takes photos throughout the tour, including inside caves and at swimming stops, and we send them to you free of charge.
We may also use photos and video on our website and social media. If you'd rather not appear, tell your guide before we launch. Privacy can't be guaranteed in public places or in wider group shots.
No matching questions
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Still have a question?
Message us and we'll get back to you. Call or WhatsApp is for questions only, as bookings are made through the website.