Malta Fireworks Festival from Catamaran: Grand Harbour Views

The fireworks are synchronized to a live orchestra performing from a floating stage in the middle of the harbour.

A catamaran tour departing from Bugibba or Sliema that takes you to Grand Harbour, Valletta, for the Malta International Fireworks Festival. The boat passes through the lit-up towns of St Julians and Sliema before entering the natural harbour, where you watch the fireworks display from the water. The show is choreographed to live vocals and music composed for the occasion. The tour runs 5 hours and operates on select dates during the festival week.

Step-by-step itinerary

Malta fireworks festival on catamaran

• Depart from Bugibba or Sliema
• Pass St Julians and Sliema towns
• Enter Grand Harbour, Valletta
• Watch fireworks show from catamaran
• Enjoy live vocals and orchestra

The experience

What makes watching fireworks from a boat different from watching them from shore? You get the 15th-century walls of Valletta rising behind the display, the water reflecting the light, and room to move around instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder on a crowded promenade. The catamaran departs from either Bugibba or Sliema and travels through the illuminated waterfront of St Julians and Sliema on the way to Grand Harbour. Boarding opens 15 minutes before departure, so you have time to settle in and find your spot on deck.

The fireworks are not random bursts. They are synchronized to a live orchestra and vocalists performing from a floating stage anchored in the harbour itself. The music was written specifically for the festival, so the timing, the crescendos, the quiet moments between bursts are all planned. You watch from the comfort of the catamaran, which means you can sit, stand, move to different sides of the boat to follow the action, or step inside if you need a break. The boat itself becomes part of the vantage point: you are on the water, surrounded by other boats and the natural amphitheatre of the harbour walls, rather than pressed into a viewing area on land.

The tour operates during the Malta International Fireworks Festival, with shows on the 20th and 25th of April, and the finale on the 30th of April 2026. The 5-hour duration gives you time for the journey out, the show itself, and the return. Wheelchair accessibility is available across all areas of the boat, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Service animals are welcome. If you are choosing between the available catamaran options (VIP, SeaBreeze, Sea Bird, or Standard), each offers the same fireworks experience from the water. The difference is in the boat itself and the level of comfort or amenities on board.

What’s included

• View of the fireworks display from the catamaran.
• sea journey from Bugibba or Sliema to Grand Harbour.
• passage through the lit-up waterfront of St Julians and Sliema.
• entry to Grand Harbour with views of the 15th-century walls of Valletta.
• the fireworks show synchronized to live music and vocals performed from a floating stage.

Options for this experience

2 options

Fireworks: SeaBreeze CatamaranAvailable from 20 Apr 2027VIP option: fewer guests on board for a more relaxed, intimate outing on a stylish, comfortable sailing catamaran; an optional BBQ is available. Departure is at 17:45 from Siren's Quay in Bugibba, or at 18:30 from the side of Londoners Pub in Sliema that faces it.

VIP ticket for the Fireworks FestivalAvailable from 20 Apr 2027VIP option: enjoy a VIP area and access to the sundeck for the finest panoramic views, with priority boarding and a priority queue at the bar for shorter waits. Power catamaran. Choose to depart from Siren's Quay in Bugibba at 18:00, or opposite Londoners Pub in Sliema at 18:45.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 20 Apr 2027

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (1 and older) · Infant (under 1)

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Sea Trips

Is this one for you?Choose the catamaran tour if you want to watch the fireworks from the water rather than fighting for space on shore. You get a clear sightline, room to move, and the natural amphitheatre of the harbour walls as your backdrop. If you are deciding between the four boat options, all of them deliver the same fireworks experience. Pick the one whose vessel and onboard comfort level match what you want for a 5-hour evening on the water.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 1).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens if I arrive late? Will the catamaran wait for me?

Boarding closes at the departure time, so you need to arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat departs on schedule to ensure everyone reaches Grand Harbour in time for the fireworks show.

Is the catamaran accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the catamaran is wheelchair accessible, with all areas and surfaces designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Service animals are also allowed on board.

What is the difference between the VIP, SeaBreeze, Sea Bird, and Standard ticket options?

All four options include the same fireworks experience from the catamaran in Grand Harbour. The differences lie in the specific boat you board and the onboard amenities or comfort level each offers. Choose based on your preference for the vessel and experience.

How long does the tour take, and when do the fireworks actually start?

The tour is 5 hours total, which includes the journey from Bugibba or Sliema to Grand Harbour, the fireworks display, and the return. The fireworks shows run on the 20th and 25th of April, with the festival finale on the 30th of April 2026.

Will I see the towns of St Julians and Sliema during the tour?

Yes, the catamaran passes through the beautifully lit-up towns of St Julians and Sliema on the way to Grand Harbour, so you see the waterfront illuminated before arriving at the main event.