Rolex Middle Sea Race 2025

Malta:

Malta

Duration:

10 days - 10 nights

Max number of passengers:

10 people

Available:

Suitable for travellers:

18 - 70 years

Boarding from:

Valletta (Malta)

What's included

Cancellation policy

Organised by:

Germaine W.

Member since 2019 -

Organisation

English

This experience, in a nutshell

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a 606 nautical mile long, anti-clockwise course originally started by a healthy dose of rivalry between members of the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Royal Malta Yacht Club in 1968.

Though 2018 was the 50th anniversary of the race, 2025 will only be the 46th edition as the race was not run between 1983- 1996. This hasn’t stopped it from becoming more popular over the years, with 130 attending boats in 2018. Representing an international fleet from 29 countries, this was a record breaking year for the race.

Set during the autumn months, the unpredictable weather demands that each sailor brings some serious commitment and tenacity with them to the start line. Previous years have seen gentle light winds setting out, only to be ending in thunderstorms, or having massive squalls wiping out half the competition. You just never know what you’re going to get.

However, what we can promise are views of the beautiful Maltese Islands and an amazing diversity of landscape and sea conditions, all of which combine to create the attraction and challenge of the race.

The race itself starts from the Grand Harbour, beneath the Saluting Battery in Valletta, before heading north along the eastern coasts of Sicily. The infamous Mount Etna is usually visible on the fleets’ port side, then up towards the challenging Straits of Messina. From there it’s north to the Aeolian Islands and the second active volcano of the course, Stromboli, where the yachts turn west along the northern coast of Sicily, to the Egadi Islands. From here, it’s south towards the island of Lampedusa, then northeast on the final leg towards the South Comino Channel and the finish at Marsamxett Harbour.

The current record for the Rolex Middle Sea Race is standing at 47 hours, 55 minutes and 35 seconds, set in 2007. We can’t guarantee that we’ll beat it, but you can help us to give it a go!

No Departures available

What's included

Cancellation policy

No Departures available

Malta: 10 days - 10 nights

Malta

What's included

Cancellation policy

No Departures available

10+

Show all

Boat & Classes of Service

Harmony 52 - 2007

Type

Sailboat

Length

15.6 m.

Toilets

Cabins

11+

Show all

Our itinerary

Our trip starts here:

Valletta (Malta).

Check-in: 10:00 AM

Our trip ends here:

Valletta (Malta).

Check-out: 12:00 PM

Our itinerary

Arrival begins with a safety briefing, familiarisation, boat preparation, and cleaning to get the yacht ready. Training continues with focused sessions to prepare for the Rolex Middle Sea Race. A coastal race around Malta, Filfla, Comino, and Gozo follows, capped with an evening prize giving and owner’s reception. The crew then enjoys a lively social event to relax and connect with fellow sailors before attending the official weather and skipper’s briefings. The Rolex Middle Sea Race sets off, spanning several days of exhilarating competition. The trip concludes with the official prize giving ceremony and final cleaning before departure.

The itinerary may be subject to changes due to weather conditions and/or technical or logistical reasons, in order to ensure safety and a pleasant sailing experience for all participants.

Our itinerary

The itinerary may be subject to changes due to weather conditions and/or technical or logistical reasons, in order to ensure safety and a pleasant sailing experience for all participants.

What's included in the price

Boat equipment and facilities

Final cleaning

Tender and outboard

Meals and beverages

Galley

Purchase and storage of the galley

Food for the skipper

Food for the crew

Onboard staff

Skipper

Taxes, fees and moorings

Mooring fees

Embarkation and disembarkation mooring fees

Transport

Fuel (boat/tender)

What's NOT included in the price

Below are the services that are not included in the price of the experience, including any available optional services that you may pay directly to the organiser (we advise you to inform the organiser prior to departure in case you wish to purchase such services and arrange the payment terms directly with him).

Excluded

Bedding kit

Towels kit

Meals/drinks consumed ashore

Frequent questions

The organiser reviews

Organised by:

Germaine W.

Member since 2019 -

Organisation

English

4.0/5

out of

reviews

Skipper

Boat

Destination

European Offshore Mile Builder - Leg 5: St Tropez to Malta

10/14/2025

David J.

Very skilled captain and good ambiance crew However: -state /cleanliness of the boat nok for me, really not maintained enough -no wind=> no sail, nearly only motoring: maybe better to find another formula to allow for more saling? or clearly indicate that it is possible that there is no sailing

European Offshore Mile Builder - Leg 2: from La Rochelle to A Coruña

09/9/2025

ivan l.

Real experience, very usefull

European Mile Builder - Leg 2: Gibraltar to Las Palmas

11/19/2024

Jan C.

The trip was excellent. Very nice crew and Will was an excellent skipper. The boat was safe but a little tired.

European Mile Builder - Leg 2: Gibraltar to Las Palmas

11/13/2024

Alessandro L.

Great group, good skipper. The course was completely with the wind in our sails. The boat would need a little adjustment, but in general an excellent experience if you want to increase your preparation especially in night offshore navigation.