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

Comino’s coast is best understood from the water, where a private boat can slip past busy shorelines and pause at coves, caves, beaches, and fishing grounds. I like the small private group, which lets you set the pace, and I like that Captain Mario or Joe can make the trip work for both anglers and swimmers. The main catch is practical: the advertised price is per boat, but the skipper and fuel are extra, and fishing gear is not included.

I also like the built-in flexibility. You can spend more time around the Blue Lagoon, try handline fishing, swim off Comino, or look toward Gozo and Malta, depending on sea conditions and your interests. Three hours passes quickly, though, so you will need to choose between a fishing-focused outing and a broad sightseeing cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: The price covers the boat, not an individual seat, so a full group can get good value.
• Comino and the Blue Lagoon: Expect clear water, bays, caves, beaches, and possible swim or snorkel stops.
• Fishing is flexible: Choose inshore or offshore areas, with skipper help for first-time anglers.
• Mario and Joe are named skippers: Both are praised for good communication, local knowledge, patience, and friendly service.
• Bring your own fishing plan: Fishing equipment, fishing cooler, food, drinks, and barbecue supplies cost extra or are not provided.
• Three hours on the water: Arrive 30 minutes early at Mgarr in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta.

A private way to see Comino from the sea

The appeal here is not a fixed sightseeing circuit. It is the chance to shape a short boat trip around what your group wants most.

Comino is the natural focus. Its coastline gives you a mix of bright water, rocky inlets, caves, beaches, and calm swimming areas. The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, but the private format matters because your skipper can try to find a quieter place when conditions and timing allow.

You might spend part of the outing looking along the coast and part of it fishing. You might also use the boat as a floating base for a swim and snorkel. That flexibility is useful for a family with children, a birthday group, or friends who do not all want the same holiday activity.

The boat carries up to six people. That is small enough for direct conversation with the skipper and large enough to make the per-boat price sensible for a group. If you are booking for only one or two people, the cost feels less attractive.

What the three-hour route can include

The exact route is not fixed, and that is both the charm and the limitation. Weather, tides, shallow water, and sea conditions can lead the skipper to change the route, departure point, or stops.

A typical outing can cover waters around Comino, Gozo, and Malta, with time for fishing, swimming, snorkelling, or coastal sightseeing. The supplied snorkel mask and snorkel let you make use of clear water without bringing a full set of equipment.

The Blue Lagoon is likely to be a visual highlight. Its clear water is ideal for a swim or a look below the surface, but it is also a well-known area. Do not book this expecting guaranteed solitude. The private boat gives you more control than a large shared cruise, but it cannot control how busy the lagoon is.

Around Comino, the skipper can point the boat toward smaller bays, caves, and beaches. These places are valuable because they give you a change from the main lagoon and a closer look at the island’s rough coastline. You may find the most enjoyable moments come from stopping at a simple cove rather than trying to pack every named sight into three hours.

The boat may also travel along parts of Gozo or Malta. The departure point affects how much time is spent getting to each area, so check the starting location before booking. A trip from Gozo leaves near Mgarr Harbour, while the Malta meeting point is near Cirkewwa in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Fishing with Mario, Joe, or another skipper

Fishing gives this charter its identity. This is not simply a sightseeing boat with a rod added as an afterthought. You can ask to focus on offshore fishing grounds or try inshore fishing along Malta, Gozo, or Comino.

The skipper provides guidance, which makes the activity possible for first-time anglers. Handline fishing is especially approachable because it is simple to understand and keeps the group involved. One group even caught fish on the way back toward port, a useful reminder that the most memorable catch may come when you are not expecting it.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Fish are wild, and no catch is promised. One outing produced no tuna but still included swimming, and another had no fish caught at all while the boat, conversation, and sea time made the day worthwhile.

Fishing equipment is not included. That is an important cost and planning detail. The same applies to a fishing cooler. Ask what you need to bring or arrange before departure, especially if fishing is the main reason you are booking.

Captain Mario is praised for showing people around Comino and its bays, and for helping families enjoy the water without rushing them. He was also patient with a birthday group. Joe is praised for showing the island and making handline fishing fun. The skipper assigned to your trip may differ, but these names give you a sense of the hands-on style available.

Swimming and snorkelling between fishing stops

You do not need to make this a full fishing trip. If some people in your group prefer swimming, tell the skipper before leaving.

The boat has a sun deck, comfortable seating, a canopy for shade, and a cooler with ice. Those features matter on a hot Maltese day. You can move between sun and shade, sit comfortably during the boat ride, and keep personal drinks cool.

Snorkelling equipment includes a mask and snorkel. The waters around Comino are described as clear and full of marine life, so a short stop can add a simple underwater element to the trip. Bring your own towel and swimwear, and pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

The sea can affect the outing. The skipper has final authority to cancel, postpone, alter, or modify the charter if weather or sea conditions make the planned trip unsuitable. That rule protects the group, but it also means you should not treat a particular cave, beach, or fishing area as guaranteed.

Families should consider the pace. A private boat is easier to manage than a large shared trip, and one family found that two young boys enjoyed the ride without getting seasick. Still, three hours is a compact window, so young children may prefer a plan built around swimming and sightseeing rather than sustained fishing.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The $171 rate is per private boat for up to six people, not per passenger. For six people, that is a reasonable starting price for a private outing. For a couple, it is a much more expensive way to spend three hours than joining a shared cruise, assuming a shared option is available for your date.

Included items are:

• Private boat
• Comfortable seating
• Sun deck
• Canopy for shade
• Safety equipment
• Port and marina fees
• Taxes
• Ice cooler
• Bluetooth speaker
• Free WiFi
• Mask and snorkel
• Lagoon permits

The professional skipper is listed separately at €78, and fuel consumption is also listed separately at €78. Confirm how these charges are applied before paying, since they can change the final cost substantially.

Food and drinks are not included. Party food, party beverages, barbecue food, barbecue drinks, and the barbecue itself are also excluded. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not provided.

This is a self-contained boat outing, not a catered party cruise. That is good news if you want control over what you bring, but you need to pack provisions. Cash is also listed among the items to bring.

Meeting points and timing that matter

You can board from one of two designated areas.

In Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, meet near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boat will not extend the charter if you arrive late, so leave extra time for traffic, finding the terminal, and walking to the meeting area. The pickup information is described as clear, but a marina or ferry terminal is not the place to cut timing close.

The activity runs in English and Maltese. It is a private group experience, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Starting times depend on availability. Since the trip is only three hours, think about what you want from the outing before selecting a slot. A fishing-first trip needs enough time to reach suitable water and work the line. A sightseeing-and-swimming trip benefits from choosing a time that fits your wider day around Gozo or Malta.

Comfort, equipment, and the realities of a hot day

The boat’s seating and shade make this more comfortable than a basic open fishing launch. The sun deck is useful for lying back or taking in the coast, while the canopy gives you a break from direct sun.

Do not rely on the boat’s cooler for a full meal service. It is an ice cooler, not a promise of drinks or lunch. Bring water and food yourself, since neither is included.

Malta’s summer sun is strong. Sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen belong in your day bag. The sea breeze can make the heat feel manageable while you are moving, but a stationary boat stop can still feel intense.

Free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are included. These are pleasant extras, especially for a birthday or private group, but they should not be the reason you book. The real value is the boat access, the skipper’s flexibility, and the chance to combine several coastal activities in one short outing.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would choose this for a group of friends who want a private boat without committing to a full-day charter. Six people sharing the price can make the numbers work, particularly if you value control over the route and do not want to sit with a large crowd.

It also suits families. A private skipper can adapt the pace, add swim breaks, and help beginners try handline fishing. The experience is not guaranteed to prevent seasickness, but the smaller setting and ability to adjust the route may feel easier for some children.

Anglers should book it only after checking the fishing equipment question. The fishing itself can be rewarding, but there is no promise of tuna or any other specific catch. If catching fish is your only goal, the uncertainty may disappoint you.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want a long, relaxed day at sea. Three hours gives you a taste of Comino and nearby waters, not an unhurried tour of every bay around all three islands. You may need to choose between more fishing, more swimming, and more coastline.

Is Fisher’s Trek worth booking?

Book it if you want a private, flexible three-hour boat trip and your group includes a mix of anglers and swimmers. The strongest reasons are the small group size, access to Comino’s coves and clear water, and the skipper’s ability to adjust the outing around your interests.

Before booking, budget for the €78 skipper charge and €78 fuel charge, then ask about fishing gear if you plan to fish. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, towels, and cash. Arrive early at the correct terminal.

My call: this is a good-value choice for up to six people who care more about personal service and time on the water than a guaranteed catch or a fixed sightseeing route. It is less suitable if you want an all-inclusive trip, a full-day cruise, or certainty about seeing every listed location.

FAQ

How long is the boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price applies to one private boat for a group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart from?

In Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, it is near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the skipper included in the listed price?

The professional skipper is listed separately at €78.

Is fuel included?

Fuel consumption is listed separately at €78.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Is snorkelling equipment available?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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