Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter

The real treat here is having a private 14-meter sailboat for a full eight hours, rather than squeezing into a short harbor cruise. Skipper Peter takes you along the coasts of Gozo and Comino, with time to swim, snorkel, paddle, kayak, and look for sea life around caves and quiet coves.

I like the freedom to bring your own food and grill it onboard, plus the generous supply of water, soft drinks, snacks, and prosecco. I also like that the boat has three cabins, a hammock, and plenty of room to retreat when you have had enough sun. The main consideration is simple: this is a sea day, so wind and water conditions can shape the route and swimming stops.

Key points to know

• Private boat for up to 11 people: The $823 price covers the group, making the per-person cost much better for a larger family or group of friends.
• Skipper Peter sets the tone: He is praised for being patient, welcoming, attentive, and flexible when wind affected the day.
• Eight hours gives you breathing room: You get time for several swim stops instead of rushing from one bay to the next.
• Water equipment is included: Use the snorkeling gear, paddle board, kayak, and hammock at no extra charge.
• Bring food for the BBQ: The boat provides the grill, drinks, snacks, and prosecco, while you bring what you want to cook.
• Two departure points are offered: You can start from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo.

A full day on a private sailboat

This charter is built around time on the water, not a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. You spend eight hours aboard a well-equipped sailboat, cruising around Gozo and Comino and stopping at places that are easier to reach by boat than by road.

That difference matters. A land-based visit can show you a beach or viewpoint, but it cannot give you a quiet hour floating beside a rocky cove. Here, the boat itself is your base. You can swim, return for a drink, paddle out again, or simply sit in the hammock while the boat moves with the waves.

The boat accommodates up to 11 people, which makes this a particularly useful choice for a family group or a circle of friends. You are not paying $823 per person. You are paying $823 for the whole charter, so the value improves sharply as your group grows.

For example, a group of four would pay about $206 per person before any separate booking details. A full group of 11 would pay about $75 per person. That is a very different proposition from a private sailing day for only two people.

Leaving from Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor

You can choose a departure from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo. The information provided does not specify exact starting times, so check availability when you book and confirm the meeting point carefully.

The choice of port can shape your day before you even step aboard. Marfa Jetty is on the northern end of Malta, while Mgarr Harbor is Gozo’s main port. Pick the location that fits your wider plans and accommodation, rather than assuming one port is automatically better.

Once aboard, expect the day to move at a relaxed sailing pace. This is not a ferry crossing or a fast sightseeing boat. The purpose is to enjoy the coast from the water, with room to stop and make the most of the boat’s equipment.

Cruising Gozo’s cliffs and rocky coast

The first part of the day is about seeing Gozo from a fresh angle. The coast includes high cliffs, rocky shelves, caves, coves, and small inlets that are difficult to reach on foot. From the deck, you can take in the full height of the cliffs without having to hike to a viewpoint.

I like this kind of sightseeing because it does not demand constant commentary or a long list of stops. You can look outward, take photos, and let the changing shoreline provide the entertainment. The open water also gives children and adults a clear sense of place: Gozo is not simply an island with beaches, but a rugged coast shaped by the sea.

The exact route can change with wind and water conditions. That is not a flaw in a sailing trip, but it is worth understanding before you book. One confirmed experience involved enough wind to affect the swimming plan, yet Peter still found ways to keep the day enjoyable. A flexible skipper matters more than a rigid promise of one exact cove.

Comino’s coves and clear lagoons

Comino is a natural match for this charter. The island is known for clear water, rocky inlets, and swim spots that are best appreciated from a boat. The charter focuses on secluded bays, private coves, and lagoons where you can stop for a swim or explore around the rocks.

The word secluded should be treated sensibly. A popular summer sea area may not feel empty, especially in Malta’s busy season. Still, a private boat gives you more control than a fixed group outing. Peter can look for a suitable place to stop, and you can spend longer in the water instead of following a loud schedule.

Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photos from the paddle board or kayak. That tip is not part of the provided equipment list, so you would need to supply it yourself. The included snorkeling gear lets you look below the surface without arranging a separate rental, though water visibility and marine life can vary by conditions.

Swim stops with time to use the water gear

Swimming is one of the main reasons to book this day. The charter includes several stops, with time to get into the sea, explore caves, and look for marine life. You are not limited to sitting on deck while someone else has the fun.

The paddle board and kayak add variety. You can paddle away from the boat, inspect the edges of a cove, or simply take turns while others swim. The snorkeling equipment is useful for a slower look at the water below you.

I especially like that the equipment is included in the overall price. With a family, separate rentals can become a nuisance, and children can switch activities quickly. One large family group of four adults and four children made good use of the kayak and paddle board, which gives you a useful picture of how the boat works for mixed ages.

The sea is still the sea. Wind, waves, and personal comfort will determine how much time you spend in the water. If you are prone to seasickness or dislike moving water, the eight-hour length deserves careful thought. The boat has cabins where you can rest, but a full day afloat may feel long if you want constant solid ground.

The three-cabin boat and onboard comfort

This is not just a vessel used to carry you from one swim stop to another. You have access to the full three-cabin sailboat, including places to rest and get out of the sun. A hammock is also available, which sounds like a small detail but can become the favorite seat after lunch.

The cabins give the group more options. You can change clothes, take a break from the wind, or settle into a quieter space while others paddle. The supplied information does not promise private cabin use or sleeping arrangements, so think of them as onboard resting areas rather than hotel rooms.

The boat is described as well equipped, orderly, large, and safe in direct experience of the trip. Those qualities matter on a private charter because the boat is your transport, dining room, changing area, and activity base for most of the day.

Bring lunch, then use the onboard BBQ

The food plan is refreshingly clear. You bring the food you want to grill, and the BBQ is provided. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and prosecco are included, so you do not need to organize every drink and snack from scratch.

This setup gives you control over the meal. A family can bring simple food for children, while a group of friends can plan a longer lunch around grilled meat or vegetables. Peter has prepared food for groups, including grilling meat for one party, but you should not assume that a chef-prepared meal is part of the standard package. Bring the food you want cooked.

Plan the quantities before departure. Eight hours is a long time in the sun, and a few snacks will not replace lunch for a full group. Also consider how easy your chosen food will be to carry and grill. The BBQ is a practical bonus, not a full catering service.

Peter’s role makes a real difference

Skipper Peter is central to the experience. He is described as welcoming, professional, patient, and attentive. He also gives the group room to enjoy the day without rushing, which is exactly what you want from a private charter.

His flexibility is especially important in Malta’s wind. One group found that he adjusted the day so they could still enjoy swimming despite difficult conditions. Another group appreciated that he took them to attractive places and remained attentive throughout the trip.

A private skipper cannot control the weather, but he can control the tone of the day. Peter’s strongest quality appears to be his willingness to work with the group. If you want a fixed route with guaranteed stops at exact times, this may feel less predictable. If you prefer a captain who can adapt the plan, it is a strong point.

The tour is conducted in English. The information provided identifies Peter as the skipper, but it does not give a detailed sightseeing script or promise a certain amount of historical commentary. Expect practical guidance about the route, stops, and boat rather than a formal lecture.

Is $823 good value?

The price is $823 per group of up to 11 people. Fuel, port fees, the skipper, drinks, snacks, prosecco, snorkeling gear, paddle board, kayak, and the eight-hour trip are included. You only need to budget for the food you want to bring for the BBQ and any personal extras.

For a larger group, this is a strong value. Eight people would pay about $103 each, while 11 people would pay about $75 each. That buys a full day of private use rather than a short shared cruise, along with several water activities that could cost extra elsewhere.

For two people, the calculation changes. You would be paying more than $400 each, so the charter makes less financial sense unless privacy and flexibility are your main priorities. A couple who mainly wants a brief swim and a quick look at the coast may prefer a shorter or shared boat trip.

The best value comes for families and friend groups that will use the boat all day. If half your party plans to sit quietly and skip swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding, you may not get as much from the package.

Who will enjoy this sailing day?

I would put this near the top of the list for a group that wants a relaxed day with several choices. You can swim while someone else rests in a cabin, paddle while another person takes photos, and gather for lunch without splitting up.

It suits:

• Families with older children who can enjoy the water equipment
• Groups of friends who want a private day at sea
• People who prefer coves and coast views to a crowded beach
• Visitors who want a flexible route shaped by weather
• Anyone who likes combining sightseeing with swimming

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, need a fixed land-based timetable, or want a formal history tour. The itinerary centers on sailing, scenery, swimming, and relaxation. It is not designed around museums, monuments, or long stops ashore.

The eight-hour duration is both the attraction and the commitment. You have time to settle into the day, but you also need to be comfortable spending most of a day on the water.

Booking details worth checking

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, according to the stated policy. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still taking shape.

Check the available starting times and confirm your chosen port, either Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor. Since the route can be affected by wind, ask any weather-related questions before departure and plan to stay flexible.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 15 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the boat, Peter’s hospitality, the water equipment, and the calm pace. One rating was four out of five rather than five, a useful reminder that conditions can affect the day even when the skipper handles them well.

Should you book this charter?

Book it if you have a group of four or more and want a private day that mixes sailing, swimming, and easygoing time aboard. The strongest reasons are the eight-hour schedule, the included kayak and paddle board, the onboard BBQ, and Peter’s flexible approach to wind and route planning.

I would be more cautious for a small party, especially two people, because the flat group price becomes expensive per person. I would also avoid booking it if your perfect Malta day requires guaranteed sunshine and a fixed list of stops.

For a family or friend group willing to bring lunch and let the skipper adapt the route, this is a practical way to see Gozo and Comino from the water. You get cliffs, coves, clear sea, several chances to swim, and a comfortable boat in which to spend the whole day.

FAQ

Where does the sailing charter depart from?

The charter departs from either Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo. Check the available option and starting time when booking.

How long does the charter last?

The private sailing trip lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one group of up to 11 people.

Is food included?

A BBQ is available, but you bring the food you want to grill. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and prosecco are included.

What water activities are available?

You can use the included snorkeling equipment, paddle board, and kayak. The trip also includes several swim stops.

Is a skipper provided?

Yes. A skipper is included, and the tour is conducted in English. The skipper named in the supplied information is Peter.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.