One month into spring, some boat owners may have already taken advantage of the better weather and set sail... Others may be raring to do so, especially new boat owners.
But come a fine, cloudless day with a gentle breeze, where would be the ideal place to spend the day out at sea? Simon Borg Cardona of Nautica Ltd has plenty of suggestions.
Among his top spots is the area known as Il-Ħofra, also known as Island Bay, found between Marsascala and Marsaxlokk.
“The surrounding cliffs are a lovely, white colour and hence the seabed is also very whitish,” he explains.
Three places around our sister island make it to his list: Daħlet Qorrot, Mġarr ix-Xini and Dwejra.
“The seabed at Daħlet Qorrot is very clear and unspoilt,” says Simon. “The same goes for Mġarr ix-Xini, which is an amazing place. The water is deep and crystal clear, so it’s a good spot for snorkelling and diving.”
But his favourite of all is Dwejra. He describes it as “always clean and totally unspoilt” and he loves the fact that “it’s very creepy at night”!
Mġarr ix-Xini is an amazing place. The water is deep and crystal clear
No boat enthusiast can miss the Blue Lagoon in Comino, but Simon only recommends it during weekdays as it gets too overcrowded during weekends.
An alternative in Comino would be the area known as Taħt il-Mazz, below the Comino tower.
“The water there is very clear and very deep and with its many caves and crevasses, it’s an ideal spot for diving and snorkelling.”
Having run the chartering business since 1988, Simon can definitely identify those areas that are the favourite among locals and foreigners.
Less crowded, good alternatives are Ġnejna Bay, Xlendi Bay in Gozo and Pinnacle Bay, close to St Paul’s Islands.
If families are taking young children on board, more suitable areas to throw the anchor would be Blue Lagoon, San Niklaw and Santa Marija, all in Comino, “where kids can play on the sandy beaches”.
Before deciding on your destination, however, it’s a top priority to check the weather conditions: wind strength, wind direction and swell.
“Always play safe and, if in doubt, stay in the marina.”
Simon also suggests to those who are tempted to buy a boat that it’s best if they charter a yacht with a skipper first.
“You will need to gain experience and, after all, you may find that boating is not for you!”