Yes, you can take kids on a fishing charter in Malta, and every boat listed for Malta on Reelzy says children are welcome. What decides whether the day works is the trip, not the boat: a few hours of bottom fishing or light trolling close to the coast suits most children from about six, while a full day chasing bluefin tuna is a different thing, and one Malta skipper who runs tuna trips asks for kids of about 10 and older.
The short answer
Book an inshore or reef trip, keep it short, and ask the skipper three things before you pay: the minimum age they take, whether there is a toilet on board, and how much shade the deck has. Malta’s waters are calm for much of the year, the harbours are close to the fishing grounds, and the bottom species bite often enough to keep a child interested. Most of what goes wrong on a family trip is about comfort, not fishing.
You do not need a fishing licence to fish with rod and line on a charter in Malta, so there is no paperwork for the children either.
Which trip suits which age
Malta charters fall into three broad kinds of trip. They suit children very differently.
| Trip type | What happens | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom fishing over reefs and ledges | Baited rigs dropped near the seabed, steady bites from bream, scorpionfish, small snapper and similar | Most children from about six, beginners, mixed groups |
| Light tackle and trolling for bonito, little tunny or lampuki | Lures pulled behind the boat or cast at surface fish, short bursts of action | Children from about eight who can hold a rod for a few minutes |
| Big game for bluefin tuna and amberjack | Heavy gear, long runs offshore, waiting, then a hard fight | Teenagers and older children who already fish, around 10 and up at the earliest |
Bottom fishing is the reliable choice for younger kids. Something takes the bait every few minutes on a good day, the fish come up quickly, and a child can feel the bite through a light rod. It is also the kind of fishing where a child can catch something to show you at dinner.
Trolling for lampuki in late summer and autumn is the next step up. Lampuki (dolphinfish or mahi mahi) are fast and colourful, they jump, and the reels screech, which children love. The catch is that trolling involves stretches of waiting between strikes, so it works best for kids who are happy to watch the water for a while. See the lampuki species page for what these fish look like and when they run.
Bluefin tuna fishing is for older children. The rods are heavy, the fights can be long, and the boat may run a long way offshore. Hooked Malta, who run a 25 foot Ranieri boat out of Gzira, say on their listing that kids are welcome “ideally from 10 years and older”, which is a sensible line for this kind of trip.
Malta boats that take children
Every Malta charter on Reelzy lists children as welcome. They differ in what makes a day with kids easy.
- Mister Fish Charters, Marsascala: a four guest sport fishing boat whose listing names family friendly outings next to serious sport fishing and coastal trips, with light tackle, bottom fishing and drift fishing on offer. The boat is alcohol free, which some parents like. Its size makes it a private trip for one family.
- Fishingmalta, Ta’ Xbiex: a 33 foot Targa with a toilet, an ice box and room for up to eight anglers, fishing both the reefs near shore and further offshore. A good fit for a larger family or two families sharing a boat.
- Aquaholic Fishing Charter, St. Paul’s Bay: Captain Paul is a commercial fisherman who describes his trips as educational and suited to first timers, with bottom fishing, reef and wreck fishing and light tackle. A useful choice if your children want to learn how fishing works rather than just hold a rod.
- Axopar 37 Adele II, Floriana: a cabin boat with air conditioning, a toilet, a shower and beds. The cabin is the real asset with children: somewhere cool and shaded to sit out the midday sun or have a nap.
- Hooked Malta, Gzira: tuna specialists with a toilet on board. Best for a parent with a teenager who wants a big fish, not for small children.
You can compare all of them on the Malta fishing charters page, or look at trips from the north of the island on the St. Paul’s Bay page.
Why the toilet and shade matter more than the fish
Ask any skipper who takes families out and they will tell you the same thing: children rarely want to go back because they did not catch enough. They want to go back because they needed the toilet, got too hot, or felt seasick.
- Toilet. Smaller centre console boats often have none. With young children, pick a boat that lists a toilet in its amenities, or keep the trip short enough that it does not matter.
- Shade. Malta in July and August is hot, and the sea reflects the sun. Ask whether the boat has a bimini top or a cabin. Bring hats, high factor sun cream and long sleeved tops for everyone.
- Water and snacks. Several Malta listings include drinks and snacks, but bring your children’s own favourites. A hungry child loses interest fast.
- Life jackets in child sizes. The skipper gives a safety briefing before leaving, and children should wear a life jacket that fits them. Ask whether the boat carries child sizes or whether you should bring your own, especially for very young children.
Seasickness and the best months
Seasickness is the one thing that can ruin the day, and children feel it more than adults. Three things reduce the risk.
- Choose a calm month. Late spring to early autumn usually brings the flattest water around Malta. In winter the gregale, the strong north easterly wind, can make the sea rough for days, and skippers cancel when conditions are unsafe.
- Stay inshore. Reef and bottom trips fish close to the coast, often in the lee of the island, while offshore trips cross open water.
- Go early. Morning trips usually have the calmest sea and the coolest air, and children are at their most patient.
For which fish run in which month, see our guide to fishing seasons in Malta. For a family trip, late August to October is a good balance: warm, usually calm, and lampuki season.
Keeping the fish, and teaching children to release them
Most Malta boats let you keep what you catch within the rules, and some will clean it for you. Rules for bluefin tuna and some other species limit what can be kept, so the skipper decides on the day. Our post on whether you can keep the fish on a Malta charter explains how this works.
Catch and release is welcome on every Malta listing too. Many parents find that letting a child release a fish, with the skipper showing how to hold it with wet hands and slide it back, is the moment the child remembers.
Questions to ask the skipper before you book
Send these through the booking chat before you pay. A good skipper answers them in a few lines.
- What is the youngest age you take on this trip, and how long is it?
- Is there a toilet, and how much shade is there on deck?
- Do you carry life jackets in children’s sizes?
- What will the kids actually catch at this time of year, and how close to the coast do we fish?
- If the sea is rough on the day, can we move the trip?
Reelzy listings in Malta state their weather policy: if the captain decides conditions are unsafe, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
Ready to go?
For younger children, start with a reef or bottom fishing trip on a boat with a toilet, such as Fishingmalta, or a private family trip with Mister Fish Charters. For a teenager who wants a real fight, look at Hooked Malta. Every Malta boat is on the Malta charters page, and you can message the skipper from any listing before you book.
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