Is the Malta Channel rough? What to expect on the crossing
Sometimes, and mostly from November to March. The Malta Channel is open water, about 81 to 102 km wide, and Virtu Ferries' catamarans cross it in about 1 hour 45 minutes. A 2021 Frontiers in Marine Science study of Mediterranean wind waves puts November to March in the stormy period and June to August in the calm one.
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Channel · Central Mediterranean · Reputation among passengers: mixed: commonly reported as uncomfortable in the wrong conditions.
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
Roughness summarises typical reported conditions for this crossing, not a forecast for any given sailing.
Open channel exposed to north-westerly gales
In the Nausea Index table of the 121 sea crossings we cover, the Malta Channel is rated manageable, one of 81 in that band, with 40 rated higher. Full table: the roughest sea crossings, ranked.
Key facts
- The Malta Channel is a channel, and passenger reports place it in the moderate roughness band.
- The mechanism behind that reputation: Open channel exposed to north-westerly gales.
- Conditions are reported roughest in January, February, March and December.
- The calmest months are usually June, July, August and September.
- It is also known as Sicily-Malta Channel / Malta-Sicily Channel.
Why does the Malta Channel get rough?
The channel separates Malta from the southern tip of Sicily. It is up to 102 km wide and about 81 km at its narrowest, with relatively shallow water and a maximum depth of 171 m. University of Malta researchers say the western approaches to the islands are more exposed to the prevailing north-westerly winds. In a December 2019 gale of up to 22 m/s, waves reached 7 m west of Gozo, an event with a return period of about 10 years.
When is the Malta Channel roughest?
The Frontiers study defines a stormy period from November to March and a relatively calm period from June to August. Wave reanalysis data (ERA5) in mid-channel ranks January roughest, with February and December next, and August calmest. University of Malta wave records west of Gozo show the wave resource more than halved in spring against winter, weaker again in autumn, and lowest in summer.
| Roughest water in Jan | Roughest water in Feb | Roughest water in Mar | Roughest water in Apr | Roughest water in May | Roughest water in Jun | Roughest water in Jul | Roughest water in Aug | Roughest water in Sep | Roughest water in Oct | Roughest water in Nov | Roughest water in Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rough | Rough | Rough | Mixed | Mixed | Calm | Calm | Calm | Calm | Mixed | Mixed | Rough |
Typical seasonal pattern, not a forecast. Any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Check the marine forecast for your sailing date. Select a month to see every sea and ferry crossing ranked for it.
Where to be on board
Front to back
- Bow (front)Avoid
- MidshipBest
- Stern (aft)OK
The crossing: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Roughest stretch: The open mid-channel, well clear of Malta and Sicily
Stay low and near the middle of the ship. Virtu Ferries points to the Starboard and Port Lounges as the most stable seats.
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The crossings that cross it
| Route | Typical duration | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Valletta to Pozzallo | About 1 hour 45 minutes | Virtu Ferries catamarans Saint John Paul II and Jean de la Valette. |
| Pozzallo to Valletta | About 1 hour 45 minutes | The same two ships, with the same crossing time. |
What helps on this crossing
- Use the most stable seats. Virtu Ferries says the most stable area in adverse sea conditions is in the Starboard and Port Lounges, on the seats on the far side of the windows.
- Choose June to September if you can. Wave data rates those months as low, and December to March as the roughest part of the year.
- Sit low near the middle, face forward and watch the horizon. The crossing is under 2 hours, so keep your phone away until you land.
For the full toolkit see the seasickness guide, or what to do once it has already started. For what the trials actually say about the oldest trick on that list, see the verdict on looking at the horizon. If the rocking follows you ashore afterwards, that is land sickness, which is normal, and it passes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Malta Channel rough in July?
July is among the calmest months. It falls inside the June to August calm period in the Frontiers study, and wave data rates it as low in mid-channel.
Is the Malta Channel rough in January?
January is the roughest month in the wave data for mid-channel, and it sits inside the stormy period from November to March. University of Malta researchers say the western approaches to the islands are more exposed to the prevailing north-westerly winds.
How long is the Valletta to Pozzallo ferry?
Virtu Ferries' schedule lists a 06:30 departure from Malta arriving at 08:15 in Pozzallo, which is 1 hour 45 minutes. The 18:00 sailing from Pozzallo arrives at 19:45.
Which seats are steadiest on the Virtu ferry?
Virtu Ferries says the most stable area in adverse sea conditions is in the Starboard and Port Lounges, on the seats on the far side of the windows. It adds that the Fore Lounge has the best sea views.
Other crossings
Sources & further reading
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_Channel
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtu_Ferries
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.760614/full
- https://www.virtuferries.com/schedule/6
- https://www.virtuferries.com/onboard_experience/16
- https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23442
- https://www.um.edu.mt/newspoint/news/2019/12/malta-weather-dec
- https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/marine-weather-api
Sea conditions described here are typical patterns drawn from published marine and operator information as of July 2026, not a forecast: conditions on any given sailing depend on the weather that day, and any month can deliver a calm crossing or a bad one. Route and operator names are trademarks of their respective owners; Dizzout is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Seasickness sensitivity varies from person to person; this page is informational and not medical advice.