10 things you must do this summer in Malta
10 May 2015, published by LITTLEROCK.com.mt
As locals, we often miss out on doing some of the most amazing activities that tourists regularly enjoy while visiting our islands, and this is simply because we keep putting them off until next time.
"It's not going anywhere, we can do that anytime..." right?
Yet that time seems to never come.
Well, we say, "Life is now!"
So make sure you make this summer a special one by doing all these wonderful things our islands have to offer, especially if you have never done them before!
1. Go diving
Did you know that Malta and Gozo are right there at the top of the list of best diving destinations in the world? In 2014, Malta and Gozo were awarded 2nd place by one of the most reputed diving websites, thus surpassing the Maldives. This is due to our clear waters scattered with exciting wrecks, fascinating underwater caves, variety of marine life, topography and shore-diving. Yet I would guess that more than 80-90% of Maltese people have never tried scuba diving! What are you waiting for? This summer contact one of the several, reputable diving schools in Malta and go on a "try dive," which allows you to dive to a shallow depth of about 8 metres; this is the best way to discover whether diving is your thing and allows you to better decide whether to go for an Open Water course.
2. Spend a weekend in Comino
Oh that little island with the most beautiful, azure, crystal clear waters! Oh all those tourists that invade the Blue Lagoon daily... yes we understand why the locals tend to steer clear of the crowds during the summer, however the Blue Lagoon is not all there is to Comino. Stay at the Comino Hotel in St Nicholas bay, which is far less busy, or in a private bungalow in Santa Marija bay, which is idyllic. For the more adventurous, camping is encouraged in Santa Marija with the provision of fresh running water, showers and toilets just opposite the police station. While you are there, make sure you visit the blue lagoon before the first tourist boat arrives at 9am, go snorkling, explore the caves and watch sunset from the tower, which is open to the public whenever the flag is flying. In Comino time slows down and you may start to wish you could stay there forever.
3. See the islands from a bird's eye view
There is nothing quite like getting a bird's eyeview of Malta and Gozo and now this experience is available to anyone thanks to Malta Wings's sight seeing flight tour that can last from 20 minutes to one hour. The high wing configuration of the 6-seat Cessna 206 aircraft makes sure that you get a fantastic 360 degree view of the underlying panorama. Even if you do this just once in your lifetime, at least it must be done once!
4. Enjoy a bit of Maltese folklore
Local history, culture and folklore is not just for tourists, it is our heritage. Whether you take your foreign or local friends for a special night out, at least once you should experience the Maltese Summer Folklore Nights at the Limestone Heritage, Park and Gardens, which are held from May until the end of October. Expect good, traditional Maltese food while being entertained with traditional fishermen's and farmers' dances accompanied by sprightly mandolin music and singing; culture, folklore and cuisine at its best.
5. Do an eco tour of Gozo
Gozo prides itself in being a eco destination, so why not relish the charm that rural life in close contact with nature has to offer, even just for a day? You will have the opportunity to discover the varied flora, fauna and geology of Gozo by enjoying a number of nature walks and you can have a go at bird watching. There are also a myriad of produce-related experiences to engage in, including a fruit and veg harvesting experience, an olive themed eco tour, sea salt harvesting, strawberry picking, vine and wine exprerience, bakery experience and ġbejniet (goats cheeselet) making, to mention but a few. Merill Eco Tours makes a good start, and preferably organise a group trip with family or friends to share the experience.
6. Hire a jet ski
Ooh the rush of speed, the kiss of the sun, the warm wind in your hair and the cool shower of water on you skin as you whizz along the surface of the sea on this water vehicle that simply spells FUN. Jet skis may appear to be on the expensive side to rent, but if you go out in two or three people it becomes more affordable, plus you will not be doing this every day will you? Unless you become addicted to the adrenaline, that is; you have been warned!
7. Spend a day at Popeye Village fun park
Popeye Village is not just for kids; in the summer you can enjoy a great day for all the family or with a group of friends who are keen to delight the child within. Besides entrance to Popeye’s film set you gain access to the pool and amenities as well as several other activities, interesting displays and entertaining animation. There is certainly enough to keep anybody entertained for a good few hours, plus the place itself is charming and the sea wonderful to swim in.
8. Go flyboarding
For the more daring, flyboarding seems to be the thing to do. For the unfamiliar, a flyboard is a type of water jetpack which supplies propulsion to move you through air and water aboard a flyboard, which is connected by a long hose to a watercraft. You can literally fly up to 15 metres in the air and dive headlong through the water, hover, spin, swim... and experience complete freedom in air and water for the duration of your ride, which lasts anything between 15 to 30 minutes. Flyboard Malta is one of the most unique experiences around at the moment, you should try it!
9. Cruise around the islands
If some of these sound a little too adventurous, taking a cruise may be a little lower key but still great fun. Seeing the islands from this perspective is entirely a different experience. The very fact of riding the waves gives one a different feeling. You may opt for a short harbour cruise around Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour, or a day trip to the Blue Lagoon and caves, or a day package on one of the more exclusive boats. If you are feeling a little extravagant, you can hire your own boat and skipper - whether this is a luzzu, a fishing boat, a speed boat or a yacht is entirely a matter of taste and financial accessibility. There are lots of trips and tours options available; shop around and have a memorable day.
10. Enjoy your summer to the max
There's little more to say here. Summer in Malta is full of opportunities to live the good life: it is the time for gigs, events and festivals, the villages are celebrating their festas, the beaches are small but beautiful, the restaurants are set up for al fresco dining, and there is simple pleasure to be had from simple things like enjoying a bottle of wine on the beach under the stars in good company and the good old barbecue. Whatever you do, get out and about: if it's too hot during the day, enjoy the cooler evenings and nights. There are simply no excuses: HAVE FUN!
"It's not going anywhere, we can do that anytime..." right?
Yet that time seems to never come.
Well, we say, "Life is now!"
So make sure you make this summer a special one by doing all these wonderful things our islands have to offer, especially if you have never done them before!
1. Go diving
Did you know that Malta and Gozo are right there at the top of the list of best diving destinations in the world? In 2014, Malta and Gozo were awarded 2nd place by one of the most reputed diving websites, thus surpassing the Maldives. This is due to our clear waters scattered with exciting wrecks, fascinating underwater caves, variety of marine life, topography and shore-diving. Yet I would guess that more than 80-90% of Maltese people have never tried scuba diving! What are you waiting for? This summer contact one of the several, reputable diving schools in Malta and go on a "try dive," which allows you to dive to a shallow depth of about 8 metres; this is the best way to discover whether diving is your thing and allows you to better decide whether to go for an Open Water course.
2. Spend a weekend in Comino
Oh that little island with the most beautiful, azure, crystal clear waters! Oh all those tourists that invade the Blue Lagoon daily... yes we understand why the locals tend to steer clear of the crowds during the summer, however the Blue Lagoon is not all there is to Comino. Stay at the Comino Hotel in St Nicholas bay, which is far less busy, or in a private bungalow in Santa Marija bay, which is idyllic. For the more adventurous, camping is encouraged in Santa Marija with the provision of fresh running water, showers and toilets just opposite the police station. While you are there, make sure you visit the blue lagoon before the first tourist boat arrives at 9am, go snorkling, explore the caves and watch sunset from the tower, which is open to the public whenever the flag is flying. In Comino time slows down and you may start to wish you could stay there forever.
3. See the islands from a bird's eye view
There is nothing quite like getting a bird's eyeview of Malta and Gozo and now this experience is available to anyone thanks to Malta Wings's sight seeing flight tour that can last from 20 minutes to one hour. The high wing configuration of the 6-seat Cessna 206 aircraft makes sure that you get a fantastic 360 degree view of the underlying panorama. Even if you do this just once in your lifetime, at least it must be done once!
4. Enjoy a bit of Maltese folklore
Local history, culture and folklore is not just for tourists, it is our heritage. Whether you take your foreign or local friends for a special night out, at least once you should experience the Maltese Summer Folklore Nights at the Limestone Heritage, Park and Gardens, which are held from May until the end of October. Expect good, traditional Maltese food while being entertained with traditional fishermen's and farmers' dances accompanied by sprightly mandolin music and singing; culture, folklore and cuisine at its best.
5. Do an eco tour of Gozo
Gozo prides itself in being a eco destination, so why not relish the charm that rural life in close contact with nature has to offer, even just for a day? You will have the opportunity to discover the varied flora, fauna and geology of Gozo by enjoying a number of nature walks and you can have a go at bird watching. There are also a myriad of produce-related experiences to engage in, including a fruit and veg harvesting experience, an olive themed eco tour, sea salt harvesting, strawberry picking, vine and wine exprerience, bakery experience and ġbejniet (goats cheeselet) making, to mention but a few. Merill Eco Tours makes a good start, and preferably organise a group trip with family or friends to share the experience.
6. Hire a jet ski
Ooh the rush of speed, the kiss of the sun, the warm wind in your hair and the cool shower of water on you skin as you whizz along the surface of the sea on this water vehicle that simply spells FUN. Jet skis may appear to be on the expensive side to rent, but if you go out in two or three people it becomes more affordable, plus you will not be doing this every day will you? Unless you become addicted to the adrenaline, that is; you have been warned!
7. Spend a day at Popeye Village fun park
Popeye Village is not just for kids; in the summer you can enjoy a great day for all the family or with a group of friends who are keen to delight the child within. Besides entrance to Popeye’s film set you gain access to the pool and amenities as well as several other activities, interesting displays and entertaining animation. There is certainly enough to keep anybody entertained for a good few hours, plus the place itself is charming and the sea wonderful to swim in.
8. Go flyboarding
For the more daring, flyboarding seems to be the thing to do. For the unfamiliar, a flyboard is a type of water jetpack which supplies propulsion to move you through air and water aboard a flyboard, which is connected by a long hose to a watercraft. You can literally fly up to 15 metres in the air and dive headlong through the water, hover, spin, swim... and experience complete freedom in air and water for the duration of your ride, which lasts anything between 15 to 30 minutes. Flyboard Malta is one of the most unique experiences around at the moment, you should try it!
9. Cruise around the islands
If some of these sound a little too adventurous, taking a cruise may be a little lower key but still great fun. Seeing the islands from this perspective is entirely a different experience. The very fact of riding the waves gives one a different feeling. You may opt for a short harbour cruise around Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour, or a day trip to the Blue Lagoon and caves, or a day package on one of the more exclusive boats. If you are feeling a little extravagant, you can hire your own boat and skipper - whether this is a luzzu, a fishing boat, a speed boat or a yacht is entirely a matter of taste and financial accessibility. There are lots of trips and tours options available; shop around and have a memorable day.
10. Enjoy your summer to the max
There's little more to say here. Summer in Malta is full of opportunities to live the good life: it is the time for gigs, events and festivals, the villages are celebrating their festas, the beaches are small but beautiful, the restaurants are set up for al fresco dining, and there is simple pleasure to be had from simple things like enjoying a bottle of wine on the beach under the stars in good company and the good old barbecue. Whatever you do, get out and about: if it's too hot during the day, enjoy the cooler evenings and nights. There are simply no excuses: HAVE FUN!
