Full-Day Private Sailing Adventure in Malta and Gozo

The best Malta views come from the water. This private sailing day gives you eight hours aboard a 52-foot yacht, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and quiet breaks between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. I especially like the freedom to shape the day with your own group, and I like that skipper Sergio often adjusts the route when wind, jellyfish, or personal comfort call for a change.

The main caution is simple: food and drinks are not included in the base price, despite the tempting promise of lunch, appetizers, and wine in the tour description. You can bring your own supplies, or arrange a freshly cooked lunch and drinks for an extra charge. Also, a boat advertised for up to 11 may feel best with fewer people, so confirm the exact setup if your group is large.

Key points before you book

• A true private boat day: Only your party takes part, so you can decide how long to swim, where to stop, and when to move on.
• Four strong water stops: Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon create a full day of clear water, caves, cliffs, and island views.
• Sergio is both captain and cook: His calm handling, local route choices, and optional fresh lunch receive especially strong praise.
• Swimming equipment is included: Snorkeling gear and a stand-up paddleboard are available, but ask for them clearly when you are ready to use them.
• Weather can reshape the day: Strong wind may mean a sheltered route, fewer stops, or a change from Gozo to Grand Harbour.
• Best value for a group: At $846.56 for up to 11 people, the cost becomes far more reasonable when shared by several people.

Setting out from Ta’ Xbiex at 9:30

Your day begins at Solevela Yacht Charters at Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the boat returns there after roughly eight hours. A 9:30 a.m. start gives you most of the useful daylight for the islands, though it also means you should not assume you will watch sunset from the boat unless a different schedule is arranged.

This is a private activity, not a shared cruise with a fixed crowd. That matters in Malta, where popular water spots can feel busy. Your group can spend longer at a favorite cove, leave a stop early, or ask for a quieter place if conditions allow.

Sergio is the captain most often named in the feedback, and his role extends beyond steering. He is praised for clear communication before departure, careful decisions in rougher weather, and a willingness to adapt the route. Some outings included Carla or Peter as hosts, and one group enjoyed the company of Abi, the boat cat. Those details may vary, so consider them pleasant possibilities rather than guaranteed parts of the booking.

The yacht is 52 feet long, which gives you more room than a small speedboat and makes an eight-hour day easier on the body. Still, comfort depends on how many people come along. The advertised maximum is 11, while the operator has explained that a boat with a legal capacity of 15 may be limited to around 10 for comfort. If you are booking a full group, ask which boat is assigned and how much seating space will be available.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy timing

Blue Lagoon is the obvious first highlight. Its clear water makes it ideal for a first swim and for photographs from the boat. If you enjoy snorkeling, this is a good place to get comfortable with the equipment before moving on to less familiar coves.

The drawback is popularity. Blue Lagoon is one of Comino’s best-known places, so it can be crowded, especially during the warmer part of the day. A private boat helps because you do not have to follow the schedule of a large cruise, but it cannot make other boats disappear.

I would treat Blue Lagoon as a scenic starting point rather than the only reason to book. The real value comes from having a captain who can decide when conditions are too crowded and move you toward a quieter swimming area.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if photographs matter to you. The clearest views may come from the water, and the day includes several chances to swim rather than simply admire the coast from a deck.

Comino and Crystal Lagoon by boat

Comino gives the day its classic Maltese water scenery. The island is known for bright, clear swimming areas and natural caves, and the boat allows you to reach places that are awkward to visit on foot. Several outings included swimming near caves, jumping from cliffs, and stopping for photographs.

Crystal Lagoon is especially appealing if your priority is snorkeling. It is mentioned as one of the most striking places for clear water and underwater views. You can also use the stand-up paddleboard here, provided you ask for it and conditions are suitable.

Do not expect every stop to feel identical. Wind, waves, jellyfish, and boat traffic can change the best choice on a given day. One group found too many jellyfish at a planned stop, and Sergio changed the order so the party could spend more time at another location. That kind of adjustment is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter instead of a rigid group excursion.

The equipment is included, but it may not be placed in your hands automatically at every stop. Ask for snorkeling gear or the paddleboard when you want it. One disappointed party felt the equipment was not offered warmly enough, even though it was available. Clear, direct requests will help keep the day moving smoothly.

Gozo from the sea

The Gozo portion gives you a change of pace from Comino’s famous lagoons. Seen from the water, the island offers a broader sense of the Maltese coast, with open views and more room to enjoy the sail. The exact Gozo stop can depend on weather and time.

If you want a full island sightseeing tour, this is not it. You will see Gozo from a yacht rather than visit its towns and inland sights. The purpose is swimming, scenery, and time at sea, not museums, churches, or a road trip around the island.

That distinction is important. I would choose this outing if you want the islands as a setting for a relaxed day on the water. I would not choose it as your main Gozo sightseeing day if you want to explore the island’s streets and landmarks.

Several parties valued being able to stay at a place as long as they wished. One couple with a mobility concern was taken to a flatter swimming area, allowing one member to enjoy the sea without needing to manage a difficult entry. The activity says most people can participate, but it does not promise full accessibility, so explain any mobility or swimming limits before departure.

Sailing back through the Maltese archipelago

The return journey is part of the experience, not just transportation back to the marina. When the wind cooperates, you may sail with the canvas open and enjoy a quieter ride after the swimming stops. Some people used the return trip to rest on the bow or stern, and even took short naps.

That slower rhythm is a welcome contrast to Malta’s busy roads and packed sightseeing days. You are not rushing from one ticketed attraction to the next. You are watching the shoreline change, drying off in the sun, and deciding if you have energy for one more swim.

Wind is the big variable. A strong breeze can make the ride exciting for experienced sailors but uncomfortable for anyone prone to seasickness. In one May outing, rough seas led to a shorter route around Comino rather than a full visit to Gozo. Another windy day brought cooler temperatures and a search for sheltered water instead of the planned activities.

The operator says safety comes first and that tours may be canceled when conditions are genuinely unsafe. Even when sailing is considered safe, it may not feel pleasant to everyone. If your group includes young children, anyone with motion sickness, or people who dislike choppy water, ask about the forecast and cancellation options before committing.

The optional lunch is a major part of the value

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. Sergio is often described as an excellent cook, with fresh meals prepared aboard. Past menus included quiche, cacio e pepe, fish pasta, and other generous meals, along with beer and wine when that option was arranged.

This is not included in the $846.56 base price. You can bring your own lunch and drinks, and the boat has a cooler with ice. Water is available free of charge. Wine, beer, and a cooked lunch can be purchased as extras, but you should arrange this ahead of time rather than assume it will appear on the day.

I think the lunch add-on is worth considering for a special occasion. A freshly prepared meal while your group is anchored in a quiet cove turns a boat rental into a more complete day. It also saves you from packing enough food for eight hours, though bringing your own remains the better budget choice.

Be precise about dietary needs and expectations. One group received food adapted for allergies, but you should communicate restrictions in advance. If you choose the no-lunch option, bring enough food and drinks for the full day, since the base package does not promise appetizers, soft drinks, or wine.

The sunset promise deserves a little care too. An outing beginning at 9:30 a.m. and lasting about eight hours normally ends in the late afternoon. If sunset dining is important to you, ask whether the timing can be changed and what extra charges apply.

What the $846.56 price really buys

The headline price is per group, not per person, for up to 11 people. At 10 people, that works out to about $85 per person. At six people, it is about $141 per person. For a couple, the cost is a serious splurge.

The value improves when you compare the private format with a standard shared cruise. You are paying for the yacht, fuel, skipper, privacy, route flexibility, snorkeling equipment, and stand-up paddleboard. You are not paying for a rushed schedule or for sitting beside strangers all day.

For a family celebration, birthday, honeymoon, or group of friends, the price can make good sense. The boat becomes your base for eight hours, and you can choose whether your day centers on swimming, photography, sailing, food, or simple rest.

For two people on a tight budget, I would think carefully. You may love the comfort and privacy, but the cost per person is high before lunch and drinks. This is a premium day, not a bargain excursion.

Who will enjoy this private sailing day

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families or friend groups who want the boat to themselves
• People who prefer swimming and sea views to guided land sightseeing
• Couples celebrating a special occasion
• Strong swimmers and confident water users who want snorkeling and paddleboarding
• Anyone who values a flexible route
• Groups willing to arrange lunch and drinks in advance

You should pause before booking if you need a tightly fixed route, dislike wind and waves, or want extensive time on Gozo itself. This is also not the right choice if your main goal is a sunset cruise, since the standard start and duration point to a daytime outing.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Ask about the exact boat and group size. The stated maximum is up to 11, but a smaller party will have more room to move, sit, and dry off.

Arrange lunch before you arrive. The optional cooking is highly praised, but it is not part of the base fare. If you skip it, bring your own food and drinks and use the cooler.

Request the gear. Snorkeling equipment and the paddleboard are included, but tell the crew when you want them brought out.

Check the wind forecast. A windy day does not automatically mean an unsafe day, but it can mean rougher water, a changed route, and less comfortable swimming.

Tell the captain about special needs. A flatter swimming area may be possible for someone with limited mobility, but this should be discussed before departure.

Do not plan your whole Malta holiday around every named stop. Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon are the intended highlights, but weather and sea conditions can change the order or remove a stop.

Should you book this Malta sailing adventure?

I would book it for a group that wants one memorable day at sea rather than another crowded coach excursion. The private format, flexible route, comfortable 52-foot yacht, and strong captain-host combination offer real value when shared among six to 11 people.

For the best version of the day, confirm the boat capacity, ask about the weather, and decide in advance between bringing your own food and adding Sergio’s lunch. If you do that, this can be one of the most relaxed and personal ways to see Malta, Comino, and Gozo from the water.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Solevela Yacht Charters, Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own party takes part in the activity.

How many people can join?

The advertised group size is up to 11 people. Because comfort depends on the boat and group size, confirm the exact arrangement if you are booking a large party.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, wine, beer, and other alcoholic drinks are extra. You may also bring your own food and drinks, and water is available free of charge.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.