Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter

A private boat day changes Malta completely. This eight-hour sailing charter takes up to 11 people along the coasts of Malta, Gozo, and Comino aboard a well-equipped 14-meter sailboat. I like the freedom to stop for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding rather than follow a rigid sightseeing route. I also like that skipper Peter gets repeated praise for his patience, warm hospitality, and ability to find beautiful coves even when the wind is up.

The boat gives your group room to spread out, with three cabins, a hammock, and several water toys. Bring food for the onboard BBQ, then let the skipper grill it while you swim. The main consideration is the price: $823 per group, which is strong value for a large family or group, but expensive for only two or three people. Wind and sea conditions can also affect the route and swimming stops.

Key points

• Private 14-meter sailboat: Your group has the whole boat, with space for up to 11 people and three cabins for resting.
• Depart from Malta or Gozo: Boarding is available at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.
• Several ways to enjoy the sea: Snorkeling gear, a paddle board, kayak, and hammock are included.
• Bring your own BBQ food: Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are supplied, while your own food can be grilled onboard.
• Peter is a major part of the experience: His calm, friendly handling has been especially valued by families and larger groups.
• Eight hours gives you breathing room: You have time for several swim stops instead of rushing from one bay to the next.

Why a private sailing day works so well here

Malta’s best coastal moments often happen away from the road. From land, you can look out at the sea, but from a sailboat you can reach coves and rocky inlets that are not practical to visit by car or on foot.

That matters most on a full-day charter. You are not simply taking a short scenic cruise, snapping a few pictures, and returning to port. You can stop, swim, climb back aboard for a snack, paddle to shore, or sit quietly in the hammock while the boat rocks in the water.

I especially like the private format for families and groups of friends. With up to 11 people, you can set the rhythm for the day. A family with children can spend more time with the kayak and paddle board, while adults can settle into the shaded or cabin areas. You do not have to keep pace with strangers or wait for a large boatload to finish swimming.

The tradeoff is that a private charter is only economical when you fill much of the boat. At $823, the approximate cost is $75 per person for 11 people, $103 per person for eight, and $206 per person for four. For a full eight hours with fuel, port fees, a skipper, drinks, snacks, and equipment included, that can be a fair deal for a full group. For a couple, it is a luxury purchase rather than a bargain.

Choosing between Marfa Jetty and Mgarr Harbor

You can depart from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo. The better choice depends on where you are staying and how you are arranging the rest of your day.

Marfa Jetty is a practical departure point if you are based in northern Malta or want to reach Comino quickly. Mgarr Harbor is the natural choice if you are staying on Gozo or already have a Gozo-based schedule. Since the available departure points are different, confirm the exact meeting place before setting off.

This is not a tour with a long list of fixed sightseeing times. The attraction is the coast itself, and the skipper can shape the day around sea conditions. You should arrive ready for a flexible outing, not a formal sightseeing program with a guaranteed minute-by-minute route.

The live guide speaks English. That is useful for basic sailing information, safety instructions, and suggestions about where to swim or use the water equipment. The experience is primarily about being on the water, not a long historical lecture.

The 14-meter sailboat and what it means onboard

A 14-meter boat is large enough to make a full day more comfortable than a short ride on a small open craft. You have access to three cabins, which gives you somewhere to rest or get out of the sun. The listing does not promise sleeping accommodation, so think of the cabins as useful indoor space during the day rather than hotel rooms.

The boat also includes a hammock. That sounds like a small touch, but on an eight-hour trip it can become one of the best places to spend part of the afternoon. You can alternate between active time in the water and quiet time onboard without feeling packed into a single seating area.

The equipment list is generous:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddle board
• Kayak
• Hammock
• BBQ
• Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco

The water equipment gives the day more variety. You can snorkel around the rocky coast, paddle away from the boat, or use the kayak for a slower look at the coves. The available equipment also helps different ages enjoy the same outing without everyone needing to do the same activity.

A practical point: bring the food you want to cook. The BBQ is included, but the food itself is not listed as included. Reviews describe Peter preparing meat brought onboard, so you can plan a simple picnic and have the skipper grill it for you. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are provided, which reduces the amount of provisioning you need to arrange.

Cruising past cliffs, coves, and rocky coast

The sailing itself is part of the appeal. The route takes you along parts of the Gozo and Comino coastline, with soaring cliffs and clear water as the main scenery. The view changes as you move from open stretches of coast toward narrow coves and sheltered bays.

I would treat the route as a series of coastal discoveries rather than a checklist of famous landmarks. The exact stops can change with wind, sea conditions, and the skipper’s judgment. One verified account specifically praised Peter for making the swimming enjoyable despite windy conditions, which is important in a small-island setting where weather can shape the entire day.

From the water, cliffs look more dramatic than they do from a road. You get a low, open view of the rock face, with fewer buildings and roads interrupting the scene. Keep your phone ready, but also allow yourself time to simply watch the coast pass by. This is one of those trips where the movement between stops is part of the experience.

The sailing portion may not suit anyone who wants constant action. There will be periods when you are simply cruising, sitting, talking, or watching the water. That is a benefit for some people and a drawback for anyone expecting nonstop activities.

Swim stops and clear water

The day includes multiple opportunities to stop for swimming. The boat can reach secluded bays, private coves, crystal-clear lagoons, and coastal areas that are accessible only from the sea.

Those stops are where the charter earns its full-day format. You can take your time instead of squeezing a quick swim into a short cruise. Get in the water, return for a drink, then go back out with the paddle board or kayak. Larger groups especially benefit from this flexibility because not everyone gets ready at the same time.

The water is also suited to snorkeling. Equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. You might see marine life around the rocks and coves, though the exact conditions and visibility will vary. Clear water does not guarantee a particular wildlife sighting, so enjoy snorkeling as an open-ended part of the day rather than a wildlife tour.

The main limitation is weather. Wind can change where the boat anchors and how easy it is to use the paddle board or kayak. The skipper’s experience matters here. Peter is described as patient and attentive, and one account notes that he still helped the group enjoy swimming on a windy day. That suggests a practical, flexible approach, but no skipper can control the sea.

A relaxed BBQ lunch instead of a formal meal

The onboard BBQ adds a social center to the day. You bring the food, and the boat provides the grill, water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco. For a family or group of friends, this can feel more personal and less rushed than stopping at a restaurant.

Plan your food sensibly. Choose items that are easy to carry and grill, and bring enough for the number of people in your group. Since the food is not included in the price, this is one expense you should add to your planning.

Peter’s willingness to prepare food was praised directly in the feedback, including meat brought by a group from Italy and food supplied by a large group of friends. That service makes a difference because you can enjoy the water without having to manage every part of lunch yourself.

Still, do not mistake the BBQ for a catered meal. You remain responsible for selecting and bringing the food. If your group includes children or people with special dietary needs, plan carefully before boarding.

The skipper can make or break the day

Boat quality matters, but the skipper shapes the mood. Peter is repeatedly described as welcoming, professional, patient, and attentive. A group of four adults and four children especially appreciated that he encouraged everyone to use the kayak and paddle board and allowed them to enjoy the boat at their own pace.

That is valuable on a private charter. You are not buying only transport from one bay to another. You are paying for someone who can handle the boat, read the conditions, suggest good places to stop, and help the group feel comfortable onboard.

The strongest praise centers on his hospitality and local judgment. He took groups to attractive swimming spots, allowed plenty of time in the coves, and kept a lively group organized without being rigid. Those qualities are especially helpful if you are bringing children or a large group of friends with different ideas about how to spend the day.

The available feedback is very positive, with an overall rating of 4.9 from 15 reviews. One rating was four out of five, noting that Peter handled the wind well and preserved the swimming experience. That small note is useful because it shows the day is not dependent on perfectly calm weather, though conditions still affect the experience.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this trip most strongly to:

• Families who want swimming and water activities in one outing
• Groups of friends splitting the private price
• People who prefer a flexible day over a fixed sightseeing schedule
• Visitors who want access to coves from the sea
• Anyone comfortable spending eight hours around water and onboard a sailboat

The trip seems particularly well suited to mixed-age groups. Children can use the kayak and paddle board, adults can snorkel or relax, and everyone can gather for lunch. The three cabins and hammock also give people a chance to rest between activities.

It may be less suitable if you want a short, low-cost boat ride, a highly structured historical tour, or guaranteed calm water. The day depends on the sea, and the price only makes strong financial sense when several people share it.

What the $823 price includes

The $823 rate covers the whole group, up to 11 people, for eight hours. Fuel, the skipper, and port fees are included, so you are not facing the usual surprise of adding boat operation costs later.

You also get the BBQ, water, soft drinks, snacks, Prosecco, snorkeling equipment, paddle board, and kayak. That collection of inclusions makes the price easier to justify for a full group. A comparable day built from separate boat hire, equipment rentals, drinks, fuel, and a skipper could quickly become complicated.

The value is less clear for a small party. Four people would pay about $206 each before buying BBQ food. That can still be worthwhile for a special occasion, but you should compare it with shared boat trips if keeping costs low is your main concern.

The ability to reserve now and pay later gives you some planning flexibility. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the exact terms and start time when booking, since the departure schedule depends on availability.

Should you book the Malta Gozo Comino charter?

I would book this charter if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a full day built around swimming, coastal views, food, and time together. The combination of a private 14-meter sailboat, several water activities, and a skipper praised for his care gives you more freedom than a standard boat excursion.

Before booking, confirm your departure point, plan the food for the BBQ, and accept that wind may change the route or the best swimming locations. If your group includes eight to 11 people, the price looks especially attractive. For a smaller party, book only if the private setting and personal attention matter more to you than saving money.

FAQ

How long is the sailing charter?

The charter lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private charter can accommodate a group of up to 11 people.

Where does the boat depart?

Departures are available from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

Is a skipper included?

Yes. A skipper is included, and the live tour guide language is English.

Is food included?

A BBQ is included, but you need to bring your own food to grill. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are provided.

What water equipment is available?

Snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and a kayak are included.

Are fuel and port fees included?

Yes. Fuel and port fees are included in the price.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.