Reviewed · MELLIEHA TOURS

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 spend a full day on the water without being tied to a fixed sightseeing schedule. You sail around Malta, Gozo, and Comino, stopping at secluded coves, clear lagoons, caves, and swimming spots that are easiest to reach by boat. Skipper Peter adjusts the day to the sea and your group.

I like the 14-meter sailboat, which gives a group of up to 11 room to spread out, rest, and enjoy the water toys. I also like the practical extras: a kayak, paddle board, snorkeling gear, hammock, drinks, snacks, and a BBQ where you can cook food you bring yourself. The main consideration is wind. Peter can work around it, but your exact route and swimming stops may change with conditions.

Key points

  • Private sailing for up to 11 people: The $823 price covers the group, making the boat a stronger value when shared by family or friends.
  • Depart from Malta or Gozo: Choose Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor Gozo, depending on what fits your plans.
  • Eight hours on the water: This is a full-day outing, not a quick cruise with one brief swim stop.
  • Water activities included: Use the kayak, paddle board, and snorkeling equipment during the swimming stops.
  • Bring food for the BBQ: You supply what you want grilled, while water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are provided.
  • A flexible skipper matters: Peter has been praised for staying patient, welcoming, and attentive while adapting the day to wind and group needs.

Eight hours of freedom around Malta, Gozo, and Comino

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Eight hours of freedom around Malta, Gozo, and Comino

This charter is built around time rather than a checklist. You have eight hours aboard a well-equipped sailing boat, with the chance to cruise along the coast, stop for swims, and spend as long as you like enjoying each bay.

That makes it quite different from a standard sightseeing boat. You are not simply looking at cliffs from a crowded deck before moving on. You can get into the water, paddle to shore or around a cove, snorkel, rest in the hammock, or stay aboard and enjoy the motion of the sea.

The boat has three cabins, so you have indoor space to relax during the day. You are also free to use the open deck and the water equipment. With four adults and four children, one family found there was enough to keep everyone occupied, which is a useful clue for anyone planning a mixed-age group.

The route is not described as a fixed list of named stops. That is a strength, but it also means you should view this as a flexible coastal day rather than a guaranteed tour of every famous site around the islands.

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Choosing between Marfa Jetty and Mgarr Harbor

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Choosing between Marfa Jetty and Mgarr Harbor

You can depart from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbor on Gozo. The choice matters because it can affect how easily the sailing day fits into your wider plans.

Marfa Jetty is useful if you are staying in Malta and want to begin from the northern end of the island. Mgarr Harbor is the natural departure point if you are already on Gozo. The information provided does not specify transfer arrangements, so you should check the exact meeting point and starting time before booking.

The charter lasts eight hours, but the available starting times depend on the date. Check the schedule carefully, especially if you are coordinating this with accommodation, a ferry crossing, or another activity.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of 11 people. That gives you a more personal day than a large shared cruise. It also means the cost needs to be considered as a group expense rather than a per-person bargain.

What the $823 group price really buys you

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - What the $823 group price really buys you

At $823 for up to 11 people, the price works out to about $75 per person if the boat is full. For eight hours, that is a reasonable figure for a private charter that includes the skipper, fuel, port fees, drinks, snacks, equipment, and the boat itself.

A smaller group will pay more per person. Four people, for example, would be paying roughly $206 each before adding their own food. That may still be worthwhile if privacy, flexible stops, and a full day on the water matter more to you than finding the cheapest shared excursion.

The included items also remove several common add-on costs. Fuel and port fees are covered, and you do not need to rent snorkeling equipment, a kayak, or a paddle board separately. Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are provided as well.

Food is the one area where you need to plan ahead. The BBQ is included, but you bring the food you want to grill. That arrangement gives you control over what your group eats, though it means you should shop and pack before reaching the boat.

Cruising past cliffs and coastal coves

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Cruising past cliffs and coastal coves

Once underway, the appeal is the coastline itself. Malta, Gozo, and Comino are best understood from the water, where steep cliffs, rocky shelves, caves, and small coves form a changing view as you sail.

The cruise is not only about reaching a famous lagoon. The route also takes in quieter sections of coast and coves that can only be reached easily by boat. That gives the day a more exploratory feel, although the precise places visited depend on conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

I like the way this format lets you enjoy the coast at two speeds. You can sit back and watch the cliffs pass, then switch to a more active stop when the boat anchors. If your group has different interests, some people can snorkel or paddle while others stay on deck.

Wind can affect the experience. One day may offer calm water and easy swimming, while another may require Peter to adjust the plan. This is not a flaw unique to this charter. It is simply part of sailing, and the skipper’s ability to choose workable stops becomes important.

Swimming in clear water, with time to stay awhile

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Swimming in clear water, with time to stay awhile

The main activity is swimming. The boat makes multiple stops, allowing you to get into clear water rather than treating swimming as a five-minute break between sightseeing points.

You can also use the snorkeling equipment to look for marine life around the rocky coast. The description does not promise a particular species or reef, so I would treat snorkeling as a pleasant part of the day rather than a specialist wildlife trip.

The kayak and paddle board add another layer. You can paddle away from the boat, explore the edges of a cove, or simply take turns trying each activity. For children and active adults, these extras help prevent the long day from feeling like eight hours of sitting still.

The water may look inviting, but you should still allow for the normal effects of wind and open sea. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the skipper about each stop before getting in. The provided information confirms snorkeling equipment but does not specify flotation aids or a dedicated swimming supervisor.

Caves are another feature of the stops. You may have the chance to explore coastal caves and look into the water from a different angle, though access will depend on sea conditions and the location chosen that day.

Peter’s role in making the day work

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Peter’s role in making the day work

A private boat day depends heavily on the skipper. Here, Peter is the person steering both the boat and the pace of the experience.

His strongest qualities appear to be patience, hospitality, and flexibility. He has been described as welcoming and attentive, and he has taken care to avoid rushing groups through a cove. That matters because the best part of a private charter is having time to enjoy a place rather than being called back aboard immediately.

He also prepares guests’ food on the BBQ when asked. Bring your own meat, vegetables, or other grill-friendly items, and you can use the included setup for lunch. Do not assume that meals are supplied just because a BBQ is listed.

Peter’s handling of wind is another practical advantage. When conditions are less than perfect, the day may require a different route or fewer exposed stops. A skipper who keeps the swimming enjoyable despite the wind is more valuable than one who follows a rigid plan.

The tour is conducted in English. If your group needs detailed information in another language, keep that limitation in mind when deciding.

A boat designed for both activity and rest

The 14-meter sailboat is more than a transport platform. You have access to all three cabins, along with deck space and a hammock for quieter moments.

That range of spaces is useful on a long day. You can move out of the sun, lie down for a while, or find a calmer spot if the group becomes lively. It also helps families with children, since not everyone needs to be active at the same time.

The boat is described as well equipped, with snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, a kayak, and a hammock. Fuel, port fees, and the skipper are included, so you are paying for a ready-to-use private outing rather than arranging each piece separately.

Still, this is a sailing boat, not a luxury yacht with hotel-style service. The focus is on access to the coast and time in the water. If you want formal dining, a packed meal, or a tightly scheduled sightseeing program, this is probably not the right format.

Food, drinks, and the onboard BBQ

The BBQ is one of the more useful inclusions because it turns the day into a proper outing rather than a long stretch between meals. You bring the ingredients, and Peter can grill them for you. Several groups have made good use of this arrangement, including one that enjoyed grilled meat during the trip.

Pack food that is easy to store and cook. The supplied information does not give a menu or promise refrigeration details, so ask about those points if your meal depends on them.

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are included. That covers basic refreshment, but it does not replace planning a lunch for your group. If you have children, dietary needs, or strong food preferences, bringing your own supplies is especially sensible.

The BBQ also works well for groups because you can decide when to eat. You are not tied to a restaurant stop or a fixed lunch break, although you should coordinate timing with Peter so food preparation fits the route.

Who will enjoy this charter most

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong choice for families, groups of friends, and couples who want a private day rather than a shared boat tour. The ability to swim, snorkel, paddle, kayak, and rest gives the day enough variety for a mixed group.

It is particularly well suited to groups of six to 11 people. At that size, the group price becomes easier to justify, and you still have a private boat with room to spread out.

Families should like the combination of water toys and sheltered onboard space. Children can use the kayak and paddle board while adults relax, though parents remain responsible for supervision. The available information does not provide age rules or specific safety equipment details, so ask before booking if those points are important for your family.

This is less suitable if you need a fixed list of attractions, a guaranteed calm sea, or a fully catered lunch. Wind may alter the route, and you are expected to bring the food for the BBQ.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Malta Gozo Comino: Full Day Sailing Charter - Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

The tour includes skip-the-ticket-line access, although this is a private charter rather than a standard attraction with a large ticket queue. Check availability for the starting time that suits your group.

Before the day, confirm:

  • Your departure point, Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbor Gozo
  • The exact meeting time
  • What food you want to bring for the BBQ
  • Whether your group needs any special equipment or information
  • How wind might affect the planned route

Pack swimwear, sun protection, and a towel as sensible basics for a full day around the water. Those items are not listed as included, so do not expect them to be supplied.

Should you book the Malta, Gozo, and Comino charter?

I would book this if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a relaxed day shaped around swimming rather than a fixed sightseeing route. The private 14-meter boat, flexible stops, water equipment, BBQ, and attentive skipper give you a lot for eight hours.

The best reason to choose it is control. You can spend more time in a cove, let children take turns on the paddle board, pause for lunch, or simply rest in the hammock while the coast passes by.

I would hesitate only if your group is very small, wants a guaranteed itinerary, or does not want to arrange its own food. For everyone else, especially families and groups of friends, this is a practical way to see Malta’s coast from the sea and make the day your own.

FAQ

How long is the sailing charter?

The charter lasts eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a group of up to 11 people.

Where does the boat depart from?

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

Who is the skipper?

The skipper is named Peter.

Is food included?

A BBQ is included, but you need to bring the food you want to grill.

What drinks are provided?

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are included.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can you use a kayak and paddle board?

Yes. A kayak and paddle board are available for use during the charter.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

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