Malta - Great For A Sailing Holiday

Malta, Gozo and Comino are the three largest islands and are located in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily. The Maltese archipelago is right at the centre of the ancient sea and all ships, migrations and invasions passed by its coasts which today offer marvelous scenery and good shelters to those that chooses to sail around it. The rough nature of the rock making up the archipelago produced steep walls and deep fjords where nice marinas have been built.

There are seven islands that make up the Maltese archipelago. These are scattered all over the Mediterranean Sea. The island nation is also located near other well-known tourist destinations, like Sicily, North Africa, and a small portion of Europe. The warm climate and the many things that you can do in the island nation make on a yacht charter in Malta an activity you'd love to take opportunity at.

The Grand Harbor is the first place you may want to visit to charter a yacht. There are several offices that can cater to your needs and can offer a wide range of yachts for you. You can also start from there when you're going to venture into the creeks located near the harbor. Other interesting places to visit are Fort Manoel, a fortress that has been shaped as a star, and the Knights of St. John. Near the harbor is the capital of Malta, Valletta. Your tour in the city can include Auberge D'italie, or officers' quarters. This establishment was built in 1574. Across it is the Palazzo Parisio and its beautiful fa?ade created by Romano Carapecchra.

Sailing in the area can also be done in Gozo. There are actually a number of points that you can choose from. For one, you can go to Xatt L-Ahmar. It's a very flat area, and thus very good for some snorkeling and shallow swimming. At the northeast is Dahlet Qorrot. Qbajjar Bay, meanwhile, is highly ideal for surfing. The currents will be enough to make your heart pump and your adrenalin to rush. The wind is also perfect for sailors but not so much for the beginners.

Lastly, spend your holiday at Comino. It's sandwiched between Gozo and mainland Malta. Now, you may be deceived by what you can initially see. It looks like an ordinary huge rocky outcrop, but when you get to explore the island, you can discover the wide variety of flora and fauna. There are also some historical attractions in the area such as the Blue Lagoon, which is a sheltered cove. Comino is also near an uninhabited islet called Cominotto. It has white sand and turquoise water, which is very good for swimming.

If you are in to more competitive sailing, then Maltese Waters offer some of the best in competitive and long-distance sailing. There are the two big races: Syracuse - Malta; and the Rimini ? Malta ? Rimini Race. The best time for competitive sailing in Malta is autumn through to mid- June. Apart from the short period of winter storms, the prevailing winds make for very good sailing. The Mistral (north-easterly) wind and the more humid, southerly Sirocco give the force you need to get under sail.

Sailing in Malta gives you a taste of the Mediterranean and the interesting blend of different cultures. Hence, the next time you're planning a trip, make sure you can include Malta in your list.

D. Browall writes for http://www.sboats.com. Visit his website if you want to find companies offering yacht charter in Malta as well as many other popular sailing areas such as yacht charter in Greece