REVIEW · OPEN BAR EXPERIENCES

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming

3.9 · 178 reviews 4 hours From $70 Operated by The Dance Island · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Malta’s Dance Island boat party turns a sunset cruise into a floating night out. You board the boat Faith in Sliema, watch the coast slide past, swim from the anchored boat, and dance while a live DJ keeps the music moving. The open bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks.

I like the simple rhythm of the evening: golden-hour views followed by a swim stop, then a louder party once the sun drops. I also like the practical value of four hours of drinks, a sandwich, fruit, music, and a photographer for $70. The main caution is the crowd. With as many as 238 people onboard and a rating of 3.9 from 178 ratings, this is a busy social party, not a quiet sailing trip.

Key points to know before boarding

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - Key points to know before boarding

  • Faith leaves Sliema near sunset: Find Supreme Boats Rentals in front of Burger King, with boarding from 18:30 and departure between 19:00 and 19:10.
  • The evening changes pace: Expect easy music and coastal views at first, then a fuller dance-floor atmosphere as darkness arrives.
  • The bar is included for four hours: Drinks include rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks.
  • Swimming is part of the plan: The boat anchors for a swim in clear Mediterranean water, weather permitting.
  • Food is a light snack, not dinner: You receive one tuna or ham and cheese sandwich plus fruit.
  • This is an adults-only party: Children under 18 cannot join, and the international crowd may be especially appealing to social solo visitors and groups.

From Sliema harbor to Malta’s open water

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - From Sliema harbor to Malta’s open water

The evening begins at the Supreme Boats Rentals departure point in Sliema. Look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King. Boarding starts at 18:30, with departure scheduled between 19:00 and 19:10, so you should arrive with enough time to find the boat and get settled.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. That keeps the price down, but it also means you need to handle your own way to Sliema. The meeting point is specific enough to be useful: Supreme Boats Rentals, Faith, in front of Burger King. Keep those details handy rather than simply heading to the waterfront and hoping you spot the right vessel.

Once onboard, the first part of the trip is generally the gentler one. You cruise along Malta’s coastline, passing rocky cliffs, coves, and open sea views. The music is already part of the experience, but the early set is intended to let you settle in. This gives you time to look around, have a first drink, and find the areas that suit you best.

The boat carries up to 238 partygoers, so personal space is limited compared with a small sailing charter. That number is also the reason the evening feels social quickly. You can meet people from different countries, join the dance floor, or step away from the speakers when you need a breather.

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A sunset cruise with a built-in change of mood

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - A sunset cruise with a built-in change of mood

The timing is one of the smartest parts of this outing. The cruise begins around golden hour, when the coast and water provide the best backdrop for photographs. As the sun fades, the boat becomes less about sightseeing and more about music, drinks, and meeting people.

The live DJ plays feel-good house, chart anthems, and sing-along classics. That mix matters. A specialist electronic set would suit a narrower crowd, while familiar songs make it easier for a group to join in even if everyone has different musical tastes.

The dance floor is the center of the action, but you are not required to stay there for four straight hours. The boat also gives you room to mingle or sit back between tracks. I would use the quieter moments for views and photos, then return to the music once the deck fills up.

A photographer is included. You should not expect a private photo session, but the photographer adds a useful record of the evening without requiring you to hold your phone all night. Bring your own phone too, especially for the sunset and swim stop, but protect it carefully around the water.

The open bar and what $70 really covers

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - The open bar and what $70 really covers

At $70 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to drink and want a full evening of entertainment in one place. The fee includes the boat tour, live DJ, open bar, swim stop, photographer, and a light snack. You are paying for a four-hour event rather than a short harbor ride.

The bar includes rum, vodka, gin, beer, tequila, and soft drinks. That is a broad enough selection for a mixed group, though the information does not specify particular brands, cocktails, or premium pours. If you are comparing this with a regular sunset cruise, the included alcohol and DJ make the difference in value.

The food should be viewed as a useful pause, not a full meal. You receive one tuna sandwich or one ham and cheese sandwich, along with fruit. That is enough to take the edge off, but I would eat beforehand if you need a proper dinner or expect to drink for the full four hours.

One French-language comment praised the staff, music, drinks, and food together. That combination is important: the snack may be basic, but it helps the evening feel more complete. You are not left with only alcohol and music, though you should not book this as a dinner cruise.

The swimming stop from the anchored boat

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - The swimming stop from the anchored boat

At some point, Faith anchors for a swim stop, weather permitting. You can jump from the boat into clear Mediterranean water and cool off before returning to the party. It is a welcome break from dancing, especially during Malta’s warm summer evenings.

The swim stop also gives the schedule some balance. Four hours of music and drinks can become tiring, while a short swim resets the evening. You can take a dip, enjoy the sea views from the water, and return onboard for the second half of the party.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Those are the only specific items required in the provided information, but they are essential if you want to use the swim stop. The timing and exact location of the anchorage are not specified, and the stop depends on weather, so treat it as an important planned feature rather than a guaranteed swim in every condition.

You should also think about your comfort around water. The experience is built around jumping or getting into the sea from the boat, not visiting a beach. If you prefer dry sightseeing, the swim stop may feel like an interruption. If you enjoy a quick sea swim, it is likely to be one of the most memorable parts of the night.

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Music, crowd, and the adults-only atmosphere

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - Music, crowd, and the adults-only atmosphere

This is a party first and a boat tour second. The coastline provides the setting, but the main event is the DJ, the bar, and the crowd. The atmosphere is intended to build from relaxed sunset drinks into a full dance-floor session once the lights come on.

The experience is open only to people aged 18 and over. That makes it a better match for adult groups, couples, solo adults who like meeting people, and hen or stag groups. It is not suitable for families or anyone looking for a calm evening at sea.

The crowd is international. One short assessment found the number of foreign visitors noteworthy, which is hardly surprising for a social boat party in Malta. You should expect a mix of nationalities rather than a local-only evening. That can be a strength if you like easy conversation and a holiday-club feel, but it may not suit you if you want a distinctly Maltese cultural experience.

The size of the boat party also affects how the music feels. A good DJ can make a large group easy to join, and a recent five-star rating specifically praised the DJ and called the outing well worth the money. Still, music taste is personal. The scheduled mix of house, chart songs, and sing-along classics gives you a fair idea of the tone before booking.

What the staff and photographer add

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - What the staff and photographer add

The crew handles the practical side of the outing while you focus on the social part. Staff are responsible for the bar, boarding, the swim stop, and keeping the event moving from cruise to party. A positive assessment singled out the staff along with the music, drinks, and food, which suggests that service is an important part of the overall impression.

Do not expect a guided history lesson about Malta. No named guide or sightseeing commentary is provided. The value comes from having a crew organize the boat, music, refreshments, and swim stop so you do not have to arrange each part separately.

The included photographer is another small advantage. Boat parties can leave you with plenty of blurred phone shots and very few pictures showing the whole group. A photographer may capture the deck, the sunset, or the party atmosphere while you stay involved.

Who gets the most from this boat party

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - Who gets the most from this boat party

You are likely to enjoy this experience most if you want an easy social night with a built-in itinerary. It works especially well for:

  • Friends who want music and drinks without arranging several bars
  • Couples who enjoy a lively sunset setting
  • Solo adults who are comfortable joining a large group
  • Hen and stag groups seeking a single organized event
  • Anyone who wants a swim and a party in the same evening

You may want something else if you prefer small boats, quiet scenery, local food, or detailed sightseeing. The international crowd and large capacity are central to the experience, not minor details. This is not a private sailing trip, a serious food outing, or a cultural tour of Malta.

The four-hour length is also worth considering. It is long enough to include the cruise, swim, food, and a proper DJ set, but short enough to fit around other evening plans. You will still need to arrange your own transport to and from Sliema, and no meal beyond the sandwich and fruit is included.

Practical planning for a smoother evening

Wear swimwear under your clothes or bring it with you, and pack a towel. You may also want a small waterproof pouch for your phone, though that item is not specifically supplied or required.

Arrive before the 18:30 boarding time. The departure window is 19:00 to 19:10, and boats do not make a convenient meeting point once they leave the dock. Confirm that you are at Faith, not simply somewhere along the Sliema waterfront.

Eat before boarding if you want a full dinner. The tuna or ham and cheese sandwich with fruit is a snack, and the open bar may make you feel hungrier during the evening. Drinking water and eating beforehand are sensible choices, though the included drinks list does not specify bottled water.

The event runs in summer on multiple days each week, but dates can sell out. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the available starting time when booking, since the stated schedule is based on the evening departure.

Should you book The Dance Island?

Malta: Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Snack, and Swimming - Should you book The Dance Island?

Book it if you want a high-energy adult party on the water, value an open bar, and like the idea of swimming from the boat before dancing into the night. At $70, the combination of four hours, drinks, DJ, snack, photographer, and sea stop gives you a fair package, especially if you would otherwise spend money on several drinks and a club entrance.

Skip it if your ideal Malta evening means peace, personal space, a small group, or a full meal. The 238-person capacity and international party atmosphere are the defining features, and the 3.9 rating suggests the experience will suit some tastes more than others.

For the right audience, the appeal is clear: one meeting point, one boat, one open bar, one swim stop, and a full evening of music. Bring swimwear, arrive early at Faith, and treat the sandwich as a snack. If that sounds like your kind of Malta night, The Dance Island is a practical way to turn a sunset cruise into a complete party.

FAQ

Where does the Malta boat party depart from?

It departs from Supreme Boats Rentals 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 boat party last?

The activity lasts four hours.

What drinks are included?

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

What food is provided?

You receive one tuna sandwich or one ham and cheese sandwich, along with fruit. A full meal is not included.

Can children join the boat party?

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

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. The boat includes a swim stop, weather permitting.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the Sliema meeting point.

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