There were a bunch of ways we could’ve gotten from Sliema to Valletta: buses, taxis, walking, or even the ferry. But we noticed these little boats cruising around the bay and thought, why not give them a shot? This is how we got on crossing from Sliema to Valletta, Malta using the local boatmen.
Where do the local boatmen leave from?
Conveniently, the boatmen leave from the exact same spot as the Sliema–Valletta ferry on both sides of the bay. There is a wee sign on the wall telling you where to wait and how much it costs etc.
Times and Costs.
Times –
I’m not 100% sure, but I’m fairly confident the boatmen operate on the same schedule as the ferry. That would be:
Summer:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:45 AM – midnight
- Sunday: 8:45 AM – midnight
Winter:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:45 AM – 7:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:45 AM – 6:30 PM
Unlike the ferry, which runs every 30 minutes, the boatmen leave as soon as the boat is full. There’s usually one ready to go as soon as the last one heads out. The longest we had to wait was about 15 minutes on the way back.
Costs –
The cost of a one-way ride with the boatmen is €3 per person, while the ferry charges €2.50 per person. The boatmen usually accept cash only, though I did spot a few who took Revolut payments, but it’s best to bring cash just to be safe. Try to have the correct change as well, just think how many people they have going everyday having change becomes a nightmare for them.
Journey time –
Similar to the ferry it takes about 10 minutes to cross the bay.
Numbers –
The numbers boarding each boat are limited to a maximum of 8 people, don’t be like the idiots who wanted to have 12 on the boat and argued about it, it just isn’t possible. If there is a group of you, ask to wait on the next boat and go together.
The Experience.
After a short wait, our boatman arrived just a few minutes after the main ferry had left. There were only the three of us and another couple waiting, so we quickly boarded and set off right away.
Getting on the boat was a bit of fun, the boat rocked from side to side as we climbed in. Megan and I were secretly hoping Nicola might fall into the water, but luckily for her, it didn’t happen.
The crossing from Sliema to Valletta took about ten minutes, and Megan had fun dipping her hands into the water, half-expecting a shark bite! As we sped across the bay, we enjoyed the stunning views of Valletta as we approached. The views of the city from the bay were amazing, my photos will never do it justice. We chatted briefly with the boatman, who pointed out some of the sights along the way.
Before we knew it, we were docked right next to the main ferry in Valletta. Our boatman wished us a good day, Nicola stayed dry, and we made our way off the boat and into the heart of the city.
Would we recommend Sliema to Valletta, Malta using the local boatmen.
100%! Megan loved sticking her hands in the water as we zipped across the bay in a wee dinger (Megan’s name for the boats), and Nicola and I really liked the chill, personal feel of the ride and being able to chat with the boatman. It’s a bit more expensive, but honestly, that little extra is totally worth it.
Hope you enjoyed reading about our trip from Sliema to Valletta, Malta using the local boatmen. If you’re ever in Malta, definitely give it a go! Got any questions? Just drop them in the comments below.
Thanks
The Lewis Family
