Published: 30 October 2026
Best Time to Visit Malta 2027: Weather by Month & Sea
The best time to visit Malta is typically May–June or September–October: highs of about 24–29 °C, a sea of 18–26 °C, almost no rain and far fewer people than in July and August. For pure beach, late June to September has the warmest sea; for Valletta, Mdina and walking, October to April is kinder.
This guide goes month by month through typical air and sea temperatures, rain, wind and crowds, then picks the best month for each kind of trip and what still works in winter. We run boats and water sports from St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala from April to October and take people to Comino daily in summer, so the sea-state notes come from being out there.
Malta weather by month: January to June
- •January: typically 15–16 °C by day, sea 15 °C. The wettest stretch of the year, with bright days between — walled cities, museums, Gozo.
- •February: about 16 °C, sea 14–15 °C, the coldest water of the year. Some rain, very few visitors.
- •March: 17–18 °C, sea 15 °C. The island is green; coastal walks and the Dingli Cliffs, too cold for most to swim.
- •April: about 20 °C, sea 16 °C. Our base at St Thomas Bay opens; kayaking is lovely, swimming is for the brave.
- •May: 24 °C, sea 18–19 °C. Dry and quiet, the dolphin season starts, the Blue Lagoon still has room for a towel.
- •June: 28–29 °C, sea 22 °C. Long dry days and a sea that is finally warm; Comino busy from late morning, but nothing like August.
Malta weather by month: July to December
- •July: 31–32 °C, sea 25 °C. No rain, fierce sun from 10:00, humid sirocco spells; the water is at its best, the land before 11:00.
- •August: 32 °C, sea 26–27 °C — the warmest water and the busiest month. Comino departures sell out, beaches fill by mid-morning.
- •September: 28–29 °C, sea 25–26 °C. Still summer, but the heat breaks; our Comino trip runs daily until 15 September, the dolphin season ends with the month.
- •October: about 25 °C, sea 23 °C — warmer than May. The first short showers and the last month of our water-sports season.
- •November: 21 °C, sea 20 °C. Rain returns, but sunny days still outnumber grey ones; Valletta, the Three Cities and Gozo without queues.
- •December: about 17 °C, sea 17 °C. Mild, sometimes windy — a city break, not a beach holiday.
Best time to visit Malta for each kind of trip
- •Beach and swimming: late June to September, sea typically 22–27 °C and almost no rain; September gives the same sea with less heat.
- •Water sports: April to October at St Thomas Bay; June and September combine warm water, flat mornings and space on the sand.
- •Culture and walking: October to April — 15–25 °C suits Valletta, Mdina and the Dingli Cliffs, Malta's highest point at about 250 m.
- •Budget and quiet: November to March, the emptiest months in the walled cities and on the Gozo ferry; allow for the odd rainy day.
- •Families: May–June and September — warm enough for the sea, cool enough at noon; the Popeye Village swimming platform runs May–October.
- •Nightlife: July and August, when St Julian's is at its liveliest and the nights stay warm.
Why May–June and September–October are the best time to visit Malta
Twice a year Malta offers the summer sea without the summer crowds. In late May and June the water climbs from 18 to 22 °C, highs sit around 24–29 °C and the Blue Lagoon is still bearable after 11:00. September and early October are the mirror image: the sea holds 23–26 °C, the air drops to 25–29 °C and the big groups have gone.
The trade-off: in May the sea is bracing and a north-westerly majjistral day can still put up a chop; in October short showers arrive and the odd departure moves by a day. For all our bookable boats the rule is the same in every month: if we cancel for sea conditions you get a full refund or a free reschedule. Our 2027 prices do not change with the month either — the 2-hour south-coast tour with skipper is €180 in June as in August.
Malta in August: heat, sirocco and how to cope
August is typically 32 °C by day with a sea of 26–27 °C, and humid sirocco spells make it feel hotter than the thermometer says. It is also the busiest month: Comino is crowded from late morning, the Blue Lagoon has kiosks but no shade, and the Golden Bay car park fills on weekends.
Do what the locals do: sea and sights before 11:00, a long lunch, back out from 17:00. Book Comino several days ahead in July and August — our trip carries about 30 guests per departure and sells out — and get the mandatory government entry QR at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon yourself: it is not included in any boat trip. Bus fares are higher from mid-June to mid-October (a 2-hour ticket about €2.50 against €2.00 in winter; fares at publictransport.com.mt).
Swimming season in Malta: when is the sea warm enough?
The sea warms up and cools down later than the air: typically 16 °C in April, 18–19 °C in May, 22 °C in June, 25 °C in July, 26–27 °C in August, 25–26 °C in September, 23 °C in October and still 20 °C in November. So the swimming season for most people runs from late May to the end of October, and October beats May for a bathing holiday.
Wind decides whether a given day is a sea day. A majjistral from the north-west can close Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa to swimmers and stop the Blue Grotto boats while the opposite coast stays flat. Check the forecast the evening before and save the Comino day for a calm one.
Malta in winter: what still works from November to March
Winter is typically 15–18 °C by day, with most of the year's rain between October and February — but with around 300 sunny days a year that still means more blue sky than grey. It is the season for Valletta (UNESCO World Heritage since 1980), the Three Cities, Mdina and Rabat, and Gozo, where the Ċirkewwa–Mġarr ferry takes about 25 minutes — check the current timetable and fares.
Our boats and water sports pause until April, but the year-round experiences carry on: Popeye Village is open all year from €15 (swimming platform May–October only), the Malta National Aquarium in Qawra from €17 is the rainy-day plan, the Mdina & Rabat walking tour is 2 hours from €20 and a Gozo quad is 3 hours from €80. For these the “Book now” button opens our partner's booking page in a new tab, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Water sports season in Malta: April–October at St Thomas Bay
Our base is on St Thomas Bay in Marsaskala, a shallow sand-and-rock bay on the south-east coast, open 09:00–19:00 from April to October. 2027 prices; most activities take a small deposit online and the balance on the day. Join the 2027 list and we tell you when your dates open.
- •Jet skis (no licence, 18+): 130HP from €50 for 20 minutes, 170HP from €60; fuel included up to 40 minutes.
- •Fiat 500 boat (no licence, driver 21+): from €55 for 30 minutes; 45-minute sunset cruise with champagne at 19:15, €170.
- •Hydra 530 self-drive boat (no licence, driver 21+): from €120 for 2 hours — enough to reach St Peter's Pool and back.
- •28ft open boat with skipper (no minimum age): €180 for 2 hours up to €530 for a full 8-hour day along the south coast to the Blue Grotto.
- •Kayaks and SUP: single kayak from €8 per hour (16+), double from €15 per hour, SUP from €10 per hour (16+).
- •Dolphin spotting: 1 hour, €120 per person, max 6 per boat, mornings from St Thomas Bay, May–September only.
- •Comino & Blue Lagoon: €30 per person, daily at 10:00 from Welbee's Supermarket, Pendergardens, St Julian's, until 15 September; paid in full online, return transfer included.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Malta?
For most people June or September: typically 28–29 °C by day, a sea of 22–26 °C, almost no rain and fewer people than July and August. May and October are the quieter alternatives, with a cooler sea in May and the odd shower in October.
Is Malta warm enough to swim in October?
Yes, for most people. The sea is typically 23 °C in October — warmer than in May — and highs are about 25 °C. The first autumn showers are usually short. Our water sports at St Thomas Bay run until the end of October; the Comino trip finishes on 15 September.
How hot is Malta in August?
Typically 32 °C by day with a sea of 26–27 °C, and sirocco spells make it feel hotter and more humid. It is the busiest month: sea and sights before 11:00, book Comino several days ahead and get the entry QR at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon before you go.
Is Malta worth visiting in winter?
Yes, for cities and countryside rather than the beach. Expect 15–18 °C by day, rain on some days between October and February and sun on most others. Valletta, Mdina and Gozo are at their quietest, Popeye Village and the National Aquarium stay open all year, and our water sports return in April.
When does the 2027 water-sports season start in Malta?
Our base at St Thomas Bay opens in April and runs to the end of October, 09:00–19:00. Dolphin tours run May to September and the Comino & Blue Lagoon trip runs daily in summer until 15 September. Join the 2027 list and we tell you when your dates open for booking.
