Fisher’s Trek: Cominotto Island, Prime Fishing Spots & Gozo

Comino is at its best from the water, especially when you can trade the busy Blue Lagoon for a quiet cove, a fishing stop, or a swim beside a cave. This private charter lets you shape the outing around your group, with skippers such as Mario and Joe guiding the boat around Comino, Gozo, and Malta.

I like the small private format, which gives you room to focus on fishing or sightseeing instead of following a fixed group schedule. I also like the practical setup: snorkeling gear, shade, a cooler, comfortable seating, and lagoon permits are included. The catch is financial as well as literal: the $171 price covers the boat for up to six people, but the skipper and fuel each cost €78 extra, and fish are never guaranteed.

Key points

• Fish or swim as you choose: Use the three hours for offshore or inshore fishing, snorkeling, swimming, or a mix of all three.
• A boat for up to six people: The price is charged per boat, making it better value for a full group than for one or two passengers.
• Comino is the main prize: Expect clear water, coves, beaches, caves, and the option to seek calmer spots away from the Blue Lagoon crowds.
• Mario and Joe know the local waters: The excursion includes live guidance in English or Maltese, with help for first-time anglers.
• Useful comforts are included: You get shade, a sun deck, safety gear, a cooler with ice, Bluetooth audio, WiFi, and snorkeling masks and snorkels.
• Fishing gear is extra: Bring your own equipment or confirm arrangements before booking, since fishing gear and a fishing cooler are not included.

A private boat instead of a fixed sightseeing cruise

This is not a standard sightseeing trip with a printed list of stops. You hire the whole boat for up to six people and work with the skipper to decide how to spend the time.

That flexibility matters in Malta. A calm morning may suit offshore fishing, while a warmer afternoon may call for a swim in Comino’s clear water. If your group includes keen anglers and people who would rather snorkel, a private charter gives you a fair chance of keeping everyone happy.

The boat can reach the coastlines of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with access to caves, beaches, bays, and fishing grounds. You are not promised a particular fish, cove, or route, since the skipper can change plans for weather, tides, shallow water, and sea conditions. That is a sensible rule on a small boat, even if it means your preferred stop may change.

The service is private, so you do not share the outing with strangers. That makes this a good fit for a family, a birthday group, or friends who want a more personal day on the water. One family used the trip for a birthday, and the skipper was patient while taking the group to fishing spots suited to them.

Meeting at Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can start from either Gozo or Malta. From Gozo, the departure point is in the Mgarr Harbour area, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, the meeting point is near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is useful at a port, where traffic, parking, and finding the right departure area can cost more minutes than expected. The pickup directions have been described as clear, but do not treat the 30-minute buffer as optional. A late arrival does not extend the charter.

The exact departure or return point can change if sea conditions, tides, or shallow water require it. Your skipper has the final say on postponing, changing, or canceling the boat trip for safety reasons. That flexibility is part of the deal with a small private boat, rather than a weakness in the service.

Three hours around Comino, Gozo, and Malta

Three hours gives you a lively taste of the coast, but it is not a full-day fishing expedition. You need to decide what matters most before setting off.

A practical plan might combine a short fishing session with one swim and a look at a cave or beach. If fishing is your main goal, tell the skipper early so you do not use too much of the charter time sightseeing. If swimming and snorkeling matter more, ask to prioritize Comino’s clearer, calmer waters.

The route is not fixed. The skipper may take you along Comino, around nearby parts of Gozo, or toward fishing grounds along Malta’s coast. This means the trip can respond to the day’s conditions, but it also means you should not book it expecting a guaranteed list of landmarks.

The boat’s sun deck and canopy give you two useful choices. You can sit in the sun for the full sea-going feel or move under shade when Malta’s heat becomes tiring. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. Cash is also recommended.

Comino’s coves, caves, and Blue Lagoon waters

Comino is the strongest sightseeing part of the charter. Its coast is known for clear water, small beaches, rocky inlets, and caves that are easier to appreciate from a boat than from a crowded shore.

The Blue Lagoon is included in the charter area, and lagoon permits are provided. The water can be wonderfully clear, but the Blue Lagoon is also one of Malta’s busiest spots. The value of a private boat is not simply reaching the lagoon. It is being able to ask the skipper about quieter water nearby, timing your stop, or moving on when the main area feels too busy.

Do not expect complete solitude. Comino is famous precisely because many people want to see it. Still, a private boat gives you more control than a shore visit, where you may spend time searching for a place to sit or swim.

Snorkeling equipment includes a mask and snorkel. That is enough for a simple look beneath the surface, though you should not assume that fins, wetsuits, or advanced fishing equipment are supplied. Marine life can be seen in the clear waters around Comino, but the charter does not promise particular sightings.

The caves and beaches are best treated as scenic stops rather than a land-based walking tour. You may see a cove from the boat, pause for a swim, or explore the water with a mask. If you want long time on a beach, the three-hour format may feel tight.

Fishing in Malta’s local waters

Fishing is the feature that separates this outing from a basic Comino cruise. You can choose from offshore fishing and inshore fishing, with possible spots along Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Offshore fishing gives you the chance to select among Malta’s well-known fishing grounds with help from the skipper. Inshore fishing keeps the boat closer to the coast and can be a better fit if your group also wants swimming or if sea conditions make a longer run less suitable.

The skipper can help first-time anglers. That is useful for families and mixed groups, since you do not need to arrive with expert fishing skills. Handline fishing is also available, and it can be a simple, hands-on activity for children and adults. One outing even produced a catch on the way back to port.

Still, fishing is fishing. One group did not catch tuna, while another person caught nothing at all and still enjoyed the boat, the conversation, and the sea. You should book this for the chance to fish, not for a guaranteed haul.

Fishing equipment is not included, and neither is a fishing cooler. Ask for clear arrangements before the day if you do not have your own gear. Food, drinks, barbecue supplies, and a barbecue are also extra, so this is not an all-inclusive fishing package.

What the skippers add to the trip

The experience depends heavily on the skipper. Mario is mentioned by name in several outings from Gozo, including a family trip with two young boys who stayed comfortable at sea and did not get seasick. He also showed the group around Comino and its bays.

Joe guided another group around the island and made handline fishing a highlight. These details suggest the skipper can do more than operate the boat. You can expect local orientation, help with fishing, and practical adjustments for your group’s interests.

The available languages are English and Maltese. Communication before the trip is important, particularly if you want fishing to take priority, need to discuss equipment, or are arranging the outing for children.

A skipper may also change the route or departure time to match the best sea conditions. You should see this as a safety and comfort measure, not as a promise that every requested stop will happen.

Comfort on a small boat

The boat includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, safety equipment, and a cooler with ice. Bluetooth audio and free WiFi are included too, although the natural soundtrack of water and wind may be all you need.

The canopy matters in Malta’s strong summer sun. A three-hour trip can feel longer than expected if you remain exposed the entire time, especially with children or anyone sensitive to heat. Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses are basic equipment here, not afterthoughts.

Snorkeling masks and snorkels are included, which saves you from packing those items. Bring your own towel and swimwear. Food and drink are not included, so plan ahead if your group needs refreshments.

There is also an important distinction between the included cooler and the excluded fishing cooler. The standard ice cooler is part of the boat setup, but the listing specifically excludes a fishing cooler, so confirm what storage is available for any catch.

The real cost for a group of six

The advertised price is $171 per group of up to six people, not $171 per passenger. For six people, that is a reasonable starting price for a private boat and can compare well with paying individual fares for a shared cruise.

The headline price does not tell the whole story. A professional skipper costs €78, and fuel consumption costs another €78. Those two charges add €156 before you consider food, drinks, fishing equipment, or a barbecue. Since the base price is in dollars and the extra charges are in euros, check the final amount and exchange rate when booking.

For a full group, the cost can still make sense. You are paying for privacy, flexible routing, a boat with shade and seating, snorkeling equipment, lagoon permits, and the ability to split time between fishing and swimming. For one or two people, the value is less obvious, especially once the skipper and fuel are added.

The trip works best when your group fills most of the six available places. A birthday outing, family group, or set of friends can share the fixed costs and make the private format worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this for a group that wants more control than a standard cruise provides. It suits people who want to fish for part of the time, swim for part of the time, and ask the skipper to adjust the route.

Families may appreciate the private setting, the patient approach described by the group celebrating a birthday, and the option to avoid spending the full three hours on fishing. Young children can still enjoy the scenery and water, though you should bring the usual sun protection and be realistic about how they handle a boat.

It also suits first-time anglers because the skipper can offer guidance. You do not need to be a serious fisherman to take part, but you should be comfortable with the fact that the result may be conversation and scenery rather than a full cooler.

This is less suitable if you want a long beach visit, a guaranteed tuna catch, a full barbecue meal, or a full-day fishing trip. It is also not the right choice if you dislike flexible plans caused by weather and sea conditions.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity has a separate entrance and a live guide in English or Maltese.

The skipper may postpone, cancel, alter, or shorten the route when weather, tides, shallows, or other legitimate conditions make it necessary. Departure and disembarkation points can also change. Arrive early, since lateness does not add time to your charter.

Pack sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. If fishing is your priority, settle the question of equipment before you arrive. If swimming is the priority, tell the skipper at the start so the three hours are used well.

Should you book Fisher’s Trek?

Book it if you value a private, flexible boat day and want to combine Comino sightseeing with fishing or snorkeling. The strongest reasons are the small group size, the choice of local waters, the comfortable boat setup, and the chance to work with skippers such as Mario or Joe.

Before paying, add the €78 skipper fee and €78 fuel charge to the advertised $171, then decide if the total works for your group size. I would book this for six friends, a family birthday, or a mixed group of anglers and swimmers. I would choose another option for a guaranteed catch, a long beach stay, or an all-inclusive meal on the water.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts 3 hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers a private group of up to 6 people.

Where can the boat depart from?

You can depart from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, close to Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the skipper included in the price?

No. The professional skipper costs €78 extra.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption costs €78 extra.

Is fishing equipment provided?

No. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.