Review · MALTA

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter

★ 4.9 · 15 reviews 8 hours Operated by Island Quest Boat Charters · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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The best part of this private charter is the freedom to shape the day. You have an entire 14-meter sailboat for your group, with room to stretch out, swim from the boat, paddle into a cove, or simply let the water do the work. The route around Gozo and Comino can reach quiet bays and rocky caves that are difficult to visit from land.

I especially like the water equipment, since the kayak, paddle board, and snorkeling gear turn each anchorage into more than a quick photo stop. I also like the relaxed food setup: bring what you want, then use the onboard barbecue while Peter handles the boat. The main consideration is wind and sea conditions. A strong breeze may affect where you stop, even when the skipper works hard to keep the day enjoyable.

  • Private boat for up to 11 people: A good fit for families or a group of friends who want their own space.
  • Eight hours on the water: Long enough for several swim stops without rushing every anchorage.
  • Skipper Peter: He is praised for his patience, hospitality, and ability to adjust the day to the conditions.
  • Kayak, paddle board, and snorkeling gear: You can do more than swim at each stop.
  • Bring your own barbecue food: Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are supplied.
  • Two departure choices: Meet at Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo.

A Private Day Around Malta’s Northern Islands

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - A Private Day Around Malta’s Northern Islands

This is not a quick sightseeing cruise with a fixed seat and a short stop. It is an eight-hour private sailing day built around time in the water.

You leave from Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor in Gozo, then cruise along the coasts of Gozo and Comino. The exact route is not fixed in the information provided, which is useful on a boat trip. Sea conditions, wind, and the skipper’s judgment affect which coves are comfortable and safe on the day.

You can expect a mix of sailing, anchored swim stops, coastal views, and time to use the boat’s gear. The trip is less about ticking off named sights and more about finding attractive stretches of coast where you can swim, snorkel, paddle, and relax.

That makes this a good choice if you want control over your day. You are not being moved from one crowded attraction to another on a strict timetable. You have a private base on the water and plenty of time to settle into the pace.

What the 14-Meter Sailboat Means for Your Day

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - What the 14-Meter Sailboat Means for Your Day

The boat is large enough to include three cabins, a hammock, and space for a group of up to 11 people. You have access to the full sailboat, so you can take a break below deck or find a quiet place to sit while others use the water toys.

That matters on a full-day charter. Eight hours in direct sun can feel long if there is nowhere to rest. The cabins give you a place to get out of the heat for a while, while the hammock adds an easygoing touch for anyone who would rather read, nap, or watch the coastline.

A group of 11 is the stated maximum, but the experience may feel most comfortable for smaller groups who want plenty of room around the cockpit and deck. Families can spread out, and a group of friends can take turns with the equipment without needing to hire separate activities.

The boat is described as well equipped and includes fuel and port fees in the price. You do not need to worry about adding those charges later. The skipper is also included, so you can focus on the day rather than handling the boat yourself.

More Private Sailing Charters in Malta:

Sailing Past Gozo and Comino’s Rocky Coast

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Sailing Past Gozo and Comino’s Rocky Coast

The coastal scenery is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. You will see steep cliffs, rocky shoreline, sea caves, and small coves approached from the water.

From a boat, the coast looks different than it does from a road or walking path. You see the folds in the rock, the water beneath the cliffs, and the places where a small vessel can anchor close to shore. The trip is designed to reach secluded bays and private coves that are accessible by boat, giving you a quieter setting than a busy public beach.

Do not expect a fixed list of named stops from the information available. The skipper chooses suitable places as the day develops. That can be a strength because the route can respond to wind and sea conditions, but it also means you should not book this expecting guaranteed access to one particular lagoon or cave.

The main visual reward comes from the combination of high cliffs and clear water. You can enjoy the view while sailing, then see the same coast from sea level during a swim stop. I like this change of angle because it makes the day feel varied without requiring constant movement.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and Time in the Water

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Swimming, Snorkeling, and Time in the Water

The charter includes multiple swim stops, with time to explore caves and look for marine life. The clear water is the star here, especially when the boat is anchored away from a busy harbor.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The quality of underwater visibility will depend on weather and water conditions, but the charter is clearly designed to give you time to look beneath the surface rather than only take a quick dip.

The kayak and paddle board add another layer. You can paddle along the edge of a cove, move around the boat, or simply try each activity for a few minutes. With a family group, these options help keep the day moving because everyone does not have to swim at the same time.

The boat also carries a hammock. That may sound like a small detail, but it suits the rhythm of this trip. You can spend one stop in the water, another on the paddle board, and the next doing very little at all.

Wind is the one factor to keep in mind. One August outing had enough wind to require some flexibility, but Peter was able to preserve the swimming time. A private charter gives the skipper more room to adjust the plan, but no skipper can guarantee perfectly calm water.

Peter’s Role as Skipper and Host

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Peter’s Role as Skipper and Host

The skipper is Peter, and his role appears to cover much more than steering. He is described as welcoming, attentive, patient, and professional, with a willingness to let the group enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.

That matters on a private day. A rushed captain can turn a relaxing charter into a schedule exercise. Here, the emphasis is on staying at attractive coves long enough to swim, paddle, and enjoy the boat.

Peter may also prepare the food you bring for the barbecue. You supply the ingredients, while the onboard grill gives you a simple lunch option without leaving the water. One group specifically appreciated having its meat prepared onboard, and that arrangement is useful for families who do not want to pack a full picnic that must be eaten cold.

A skipper’s judgment is especially important around Gozo and Comino. Wind can change the feel of a cove, and a good route is not always the most obvious route on a map. Peter’s willingness to adjust the day is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter instead of a fixed group cruise.

The Onboard Barbecue and Included Drinks

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - The Onboard Barbecue and Included Drinks

Food is partly included, but you need to understand the arrangement. The charter provides a barbecue, water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco. You bring the main food you want to grill.

This is good value if your group enjoys planning its own meal. You can choose meat, vegetables, bread, or other foods that suit your party instead of accepting a fixed menu. It also works well for families with particular tastes.

You should organize the food before departure because the boat’s food service is not presented as a catered lunch. The supplied drinks and snacks cover the basics, while your own barbecue ingredients make the meal personal.

The grill also adds to the feeling that this is a private day with friends rather than a standard sightseeing outing. Lunch can fit naturally between swim stops, and nobody needs to leave the boat to find a restaurant.

Prosecco is included, but you should still think about the needs of your group for an eight-hour trip. The provided water is useful, though the amount of water and snacks is not specified. If you want additional drinks or special food, plan to bring them yourself.

Price: When $823 Makes Sense

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Price: When $823 Makes Sense

The price is $823 for the whole group, up to 11 people. That works out to about $75 per person if 11 people share the boat, before considering the included skipper, fuel, port fees, drinks, snacks, barbecue, and equipment.

For a full private day, that is a different value calculation from a per-seat cruise. You are paying for privacy, control over the route, and eight hours of access to a well-equipped sailboat. The cost becomes more attractive with a full group, especially if you expect to use the kayak, paddle board, snorkeling gear, and barbecue.

A smaller group will pay more per person. For four people, the same charter costs about $206 each, so I would compare it with other private boat options before booking. The advantages here are the long duration, the three-cabin boat, and the large selection of included activities.

The value is strongest for a family or friend group that plans to spend much of the day on the boat. If your main goal is a short visit to one famous swimming spot, you may not need an eight-hour private charter. If you want a full day with several stops and your own space, the price is easier to justify.

Departure Points and Day Planning

You can depart from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor in Gozo. Choose the departure point that best matches where you are staying and how you plan to reach the harbor.

The starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before you commit to other plans. Since the trip lasts eight hours, allow the day to remain open. This is not an experience to squeeze between a morning museum visit and an evening dinner reservation.

Bring the food you want to grill and any personal items you need for a full day around the water. The boat supplies water, soft drinks, snacks, Prosecco, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and a kayak.

The activity is offered in English, with a live English-speaking guide and skipper. If your group needs another language, the supplied information does not indicate that one is available.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, though you should still check the available start time before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most

I would recommend this for families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that want a day with both activity and downtime. The boat’s size and equipment mean that children and adults can choose different ways to enjoy an anchorage.

It also suits people who dislike crowded boat excursions. You are not sharing the vessel with a large public group, and the route can be adjusted around the conditions.

The trip is less suited to anyone who wants a guaranteed named attraction, a tightly scripted sightseeing itinerary, or a catered lunch. The experience depends on the sea, the wind, and the skipper’s decisions, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Strong swimmers and water-sports fans will get the most from the kayak, paddle board, snorkeling gear, and caves. Still, you do not have to be active all day. The cabins, deck, and hammock give non-swimmers ways to enjoy the coast.

Should You Book the Malta, Gozo, and Comino Charter?

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Should You Book the Malta, Gozo, and Comino Charter?

Book it if you can fill most of the 11 places and want a private day rather than a standard cruise. The combination of several swim stops, a full sailing boat, barbecue facilities, and water equipment gives you a lot to do without forcing a packed schedule.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a group with mixed interests. Some people can snorkel or paddle, while others relax in the hammock, use the cabins, or enjoy the cliffs from the deck.

Think twice if your group is small and price is your main concern, or if you need a specific destination guaranteed in advance. For everyone else, this is a strong way to see the northern Maltese islands from the water, with skipper Peter adding the kind of practical attention that can make a long day feel easy.

FAQ

Where does the sailing charter depart from?

You can depart from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

How long does the charter last?

The private sailing trip lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one group of up to 11 people.

Is a skipper included?

Yes. A skipper is included, and the skipper named for this experience is Peter.

What water activities are included?

The boat provides snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, and a kayak. You can also swim and explore caves during the stops.

Is food included?

A barbecue, water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are included. You bring your own food to grill.

Can I cancel the booking?

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

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