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

Malta’s Dance Island boat party turns a sunset cruise into a floating night out. You board in Sliema, cruise along the coast as the light softens, then dance to a live DJ with an open bar serving beer, spirits, and soft drinks. At anchor, you can jump into the clear Mediterranean water before returning to the music.

I like the simple combination of swimming and dancing. The four-hour format gives you time to enjoy the boat instead of rushing from one activity to the next, and the included sandwich and fruit are useful when drinks and dancing begin to catch up with you.

The main consideration is the crowd. Up to 238 party people may be onboard, and one rating specifically points out the large international mix. If you want a quiet sailing trip or a small-group cruise, this is not it.

Key points to know before you book

• Four hours on the water: The evening runs from boarding at 18:30 until roughly four hours after departure, with sailing, swimming, and music built into one outing.
• A genuine open bar: Drinks include rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and soft drinks.
• A proper swim stop: The boat anchors in clear water, weather permitting, so bring swimwear and a towel.
• Live DJ and dance floor: The music moves from feel-good house and chart songs to sing-along classics as the sun goes down.
• Light food, not dinner: You receive one tuna or ham and cheese sandwich with fruit.
• Adults only: The activity is for people aged 18 and over, making it best for couples, friends, solo adults, and hen or stag groups.

Boarding the boat Faith in Sliema

The meeting point is easy to describe but still deserves careful attention. Go to the Supreme Boats Rentals departure point in Sliema and look for the boat named Faith, docked in front of Burger King.

Boarding begins at 18:30, with departure planned between 19:00 and 19:10. I would arrive close to the start of boarding rather than cutting it fine. The boat leaves in a narrow time window, and hotel pickup is not provided, so you are responsible for reaching Sliema on your own.

That lack of pickup keeps the price lower, but it also means you need to plan your route. If you are staying elsewhere in Malta, allow enough time to reach the waterfront, find the departure point, and walk to the boat. The meeting instructions are specific, so use the boat name and Burger King landmark rather than relying only on a general Sliema address.

Once onboard, you can expect a social crowd rather than a formal cruise setting. The advertised capacity is 238 party people, which gives you a useful idea of the scale. This is not an intimate sailboat outing with long stretches of silence. It is a floating party with room to dance, chat, move around, and take a break between songs.

Sunset views along Malta’s rocky coast

The first part of the cruise gives you a chance to settle in. The boat travels along Malta’s coastline, passing rocky cliffs, coves, and open Mediterranean views. The sunset timing adds a natural rhythm to the evening: the light is softer early on, then the atmosphere changes as the sun drops and the boat lights come on.

This coastal setting is the reason to choose a boat party instead of a regular club. You get fresh air, wide sea views, and changing scenery while the DJ builds the soundtrack. It is also a good time to take photographs, especially before the dance floor becomes crowded and the light fades.

Do not expect a sightseeing cruise with a narrated tour or stops at named historic sites. The coastline is part of the setting, not the main lesson. The value comes from combining the scenery with music and drinks, not from detailed information about Malta’s buildings, forts, or history.

The music begins with feel-good house, chart anthems, and familiar sing-along songs. That mix matters. It is designed to keep a mixed international crowd involved, rather than serving a narrow club style that might suit only one kind of music fan.

An open bar that shapes the evening

The open bar is one of the strongest parts of the package. Drinks include rum, vodka, gin, tequila, beer, and soft drinks, with service available throughout the four-hour experience.

At $70 per person, the bar gives the outing much of its value. A coastal cruise, DJ, swim stop, and food are included, so you are not paying for a boat ride and then adding every major feature separately. The price makes the most sense if you plan to drink and spend the evening onboard. If you rarely drink, the package may feel less useful.

An open bar also changes how you should pace yourself. You are on a moving boat, then swimming, dancing, and standing for long stretches. Drinking quickly can make the evening uncomfortable, especially once the boat anchors. I would start slowly, drink water when available, and take the swim stop seriously as a chance to cool off rather than as another party challenge.

The package does not include a full meal. You receive one tuna sandwich or one ham and cheese sandwich, plus fruit. That is enough for a light refuel, but it should not replace dinner if you need a substantial meal. Eat beforehand if you know you get hungry after several hours of activity.

One recent five-star rating singled out the staff, music, drinks, and food as the reasons the evening worked so well. That matches the way this package is put together: it covers the basic needs of a party night without requiring you to leave the boat for dinner or a second venue.

The swim stop in clear Mediterranean water

At some point, the boat anchors for a swim stop, weather permitting. This is the outing’s best change of pace. After the noise and movement of the dance floor, you can jump from the boat into clear sea water, cool off, and take photographs in the softer evening light.

Bring swimwear and a towel. These are listed as the main items you need, and you should not assume you will want to swim in ordinary clothes. The water stop is optional in practice, since not everyone wants to swim, but the schedule and conditions may affect it.

The phrase weather permitting matters. Sea conditions can change the plan, and the swim stop is not guaranteed in every situation. You should treat it as a planned part of the outing rather than an absolute promise.

This is also one of the few quiet breaks in the evening. You can swim, stand around the deck, mingle, or simply watch the coast from the anchored boat. If you want the party to continue without interruption, the music returns afterward. If you need a breather, you can use the stop to reset.

The boat does not appear to offer a separate sightseeing stop on land. You stay with the group and return to the boat after swimming. That keeps the schedule straightforward, but it means you will not have much independence once the cruise begins.

When the DJ takes over the deck

As the sun drops, the cruise shifts from scenic outing to full party. The resident DJ plays house music, chart songs, and familiar classics, with the sound designed for dancing rather than quiet background listening.

The live DJ is a major reason to book this instead of a standard evening boat cruise. Music gives the outing its identity, and the dance floor lets you spend much of the four hours doing something rather than simply sitting with a drink.

The strongest praise in the available ratings goes to the DJ and the music. One five-star rating specifically called the DJ very good and said the experience was worth the money. That is useful if music is your priority, but remember that a DJ’s style is personal. The advertised mix gives you a general idea, not a promise that every song will match your taste.

You can dance, move around, mingle, or chill between tracks. That flexibility helps because not everyone in your group will want to dance continuously. Couples can take in the views, solo adults can meet people, and groups can move between the bar, deck, and dance area.

The large crowd is both a benefit and a drawback. It creates energy and makes it easier to meet people from different countries. At the same time, space may feel limited during the busiest part of the evening. The three-star rating that notes many foreigners is best understood as a reminder that this is a strongly international party, not a local Maltese night out.

Who will get the most from this boat party

I would choose this for an adult who wants an easy social night and does not want to arrange several venues. Friends can dance together, couples can enjoy the sunset and swim, and solo adults have a ready-made setting for meeting people.

It also suits hen and stag groups that want a party activity with a clear start and finish. You pay once, board the boat, and have the bar, DJ, snack, and swim stop organized for you. That removes the need to plan transport between a waterfront bar, a club, and a swimming spot.

The outing can work for a solo adult too, especially if you are comfortable joining a crowded social event. The international mix may be a plus if you want to meet people from different places. It may be less appealing if you want a local cultural experience or a small group where everyone knows one another.

Couples should think about their preferred evening style. If you both enjoy music, drinks, and a shared swim, the boat gives you something more memorable than a standard bar. If one of you wants a quiet sunset cruise and the other wants a loud party, this package may not satisfy both of you.

It is not suitable for anyone under 18. Children cannot join, and the atmosphere is built around alcohol, late-day dancing, and an adult party crowd.

Is $70 a fair price?

The $70 price is fair when you use the main inclusions. Four hours on the water, an open bar, a live DJ, a swim stop, a sandwich with fruit, and a photographer give you more than a basic boat transfer or short sightseeing cruise.

The value drops if you do not drink, do not dance, or plan to leave the boat quickly. The open bar is a large part of the price, and the experience is built around it. A person looking mainly for Malta’s coastline and a swim may find a quieter cruise better suited to the money.

You should also budget for the food you may want before boarding. The sandwich and fruit are a snack, not a dinner. Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, you also need to arrange your own way to Sliema and back.

The published rating is 3.9 from 178 ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not universally loved experience. That feels reasonable for a large party boat. People who want high energy, drinks, and a DJ are likely to see the value. People who prefer peace, personal space, or a detailed coastal tour may not.

Practical tips for a better evening

Arrive for boarding at 18:30 rather than the last few minutes before departure. The boat leaves around 19:00 to 19:10, and late arrivals have little room for error.

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring a towel. You may want shoes that are easy to manage around a wet deck, but the supplied information only specifically requires swimwear and a towel.

Eat a proper meal before boarding if you expect to be hungry. The tuna or ham and cheese sandwich with fruit is handy, but it is not a full dinner.

Keep your first drinks moderate. The open bar continues for the full four hours, and the evening includes both dancing and swimming. A slower start usually means you enjoy the final hour as much as the first.

Use the early cruise for photographs. Once the DJ builds the party and the sun goes down, the views become less important than the music. The golden-hour portion is your best chance for clear coastal pictures.

If you want a quieter moment, step away from the dance floor between songs or use the swim stop to cool down. The experience allows you to mingle or relax without leaving the action completely.

Finally, check the date and availability before building your evening around it. Summer departures run several times per week, and popular dates can fill up. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still moving.

Should you book the Dance Island boat party?

Book it if you want a social, adults-only party on the water with an open bar, a live DJ, sunset coastal views, and a chance to swim. At $70, it is a reasonable all-in-one night out for people who will use the drinks and enjoy dancing.

Skip it if your ideal boat trip is quiet, small, educational, or focused on Maltese history. The large international crowd, alcohol-centered format, and dance-floor energy are central to the experience, not side details.

For most party-minded adults, the best plan is simple: arrive early at the Faith, bring swimwear and a towel, eat before boarding, and pace yourself at the bar. If that sounds like your kind of Malta evening, this is an easy way to turn a sunset cruise into a full night out.

FAQ

Where does the Malta boat party depart from?

It departs from Sliema at the Supreme Boats Rentals departure point. 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 experience last?

The boat party lasts four hours.

What drinks are included?

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

Is food included?

Yes. You receive one tuna or ham and cheese sandwich and fruit. This is a snack, not a full meal.

Can children join the boat party?

No. The activity is for adults aged 18 and over.