Malta Gozo Comino: Half Day Sailing Charter

The best part of this charter is the freedom to shape the day. You sail with your own group, stop in secluded coves around Gozo and Comino, and spend more time in the water if that is what you came for. Peter, and sometimes Noah, run a friendly, flexible boat, rather than a tightly timed sightseeing cruise.

I like two things especially: you can bring meat or other food to cook on the onboard BBQ, and the 14-meter sailboat gives you both sunny deck space and shaded places to rest. The main consideration is the short four-hour schedule. With several possible bays, caves, and water activities, you will need to accept a compact route rather than expect a full tour of both islands.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 11 people: The $559 rate covers the group, making the cost more attractive when shared by family or friends.
• Flexible swimming stops: You help decide how long to stay at each stop, so the outing can be active or wonderfully lazy.
• A real onboard activity kit: Snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, kayak, hammock, water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are included.
• Bring food for the BBQ: Your own meat or picnic food can be grilled during the trip, adding a useful personal touch.
• Two departure options: Meet at Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, with the choice based on where you are staying.
• Strong host reputation: Peter is repeatedly praised for communication, local knowledge, music, and a relaxed approach.

A private sail rather than a crowded boat outing

This is a four-hour private charter on a well-equipped sailboat, not a large group cruise with a fixed script. Up to 11 people can share the boat, so you get room to spread out while still having your own companions around you.

That private setup changes the feel of the day. You are not waiting for strangers to finish swimming, and you are not tied to somebody else’s idea of the perfect stop. If your group wants to snorkel, paddle, kayak, or simply sit in the hammock with a drink, the schedule can bend in that direction.

The boat is described as a 14-meter sailboat, and one booking refers to it as a 47-foot Beneteau. It has three cabins, space to relax, and access to both sun and shade. You should think of the cabins as places to rest during the outing, not as private overnight rooms. This is a day charter, with the value coming from the boat, skipper, equipment, and privacy.

The price is $559 per group, not per person. At the full capacity of 11, that works out to about $51 per person. A group of six would pay roughly $93 each, while two people would be paying for a private boat and skipper at a much higher individual cost. I see the strongest value for families, groups of friends, or two smaller groups traveling together.

Choosing between Marfa Jetty and Mgarr Harbour

You can leave from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. The departure point is decided according to where you are staying, so confirm it before setting out.

That choice matters more than it may appear. Malta and Gozo are linked by ferry, and getting to the wrong harbor would eat into a four-hour charter. If you are based on Gozo, Mgarr Harbour is the natural meeting point. If you are staying on Malta, Marfa Jetty may be more convenient.

The two harbors also frame the outing differently. From Marfa, you are already near the northern end of Malta and close to the waters around Comino. From Mgarr, you begin on Gozo, with the island’s striking coast nearby. The operator chooses the practical meeting point, but you should still ask for the exact time and location when your booking is confirmed.

The short trip length makes punctuality important. A four-hour booking includes departure, sailing between stops, and the return, so arriving late does not simply shorten a spare hour at the end. It takes time away from swimming or exploring the coast.

Sailing past Gozo and Comino’s rocky coast

Once aboard, the charter heads toward selected coastal spots around Gozo and Comino. The appeal is not a checklist of famous monuments. It is the simple pleasure of seeing the islands from the water, where cliffs rise above the boat and small coves appear around bends in the coast.

The cliffs are one of the main visual rewards. From deck level, you get a different sense of their height and shape than you do from a road or walking path. The sailboat also lets you look back toward the shoreline from open water, with time to take in the changing view while the boat moves between stops.

The route is not presented as one fixed sequence of named places. That is useful in one way because the skipper can select bays and coves suited to the day. It also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of specific landmarks. The real promise is access to coastal places that can be reached by boat, plus time in clear water.

Peter is repeatedly praised for explaining Malta and Gozo, including local history and facts about the islands. If that matters to you, ask questions as you sail. The commentary appears to be conversational rather than a formal lecture, which suits a private boat and a relaxed afternoon.

Swimming in clear water and exploring sea caves

The main event is getting off the boat. The charter includes several swimming stops, with snorkeling equipment available for you to use. The water is described as crystal clear, and the snorkeling gear lets you look for fish and other marine life close to the coves and rocky shore.

You can also explore caves and small coastal inlets from the water. The exact access depends on the chosen route and conditions, so treat cave exploration as part of the possible experience rather than a guaranteed stop at one named cave.

The flexibility is valuable here. One booking specifically praises having control over how long the group stayed at each stop. That is a major advantage over a scheduled boat tour. If the water is the highlight for you, you can use more of the four hours for swimming and snorkeling instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next.

Still, the clock does not disappear. Every extra swim stop leaves less time for sailing farther along the coast. A group that wants to see more of Gozo and Comino may choose shorter swims. A group with children, confident swimmers, or keen snorkelers may prefer fewer stops with longer water time.

The provided details do not state whether flotation vests, wetsuits, or towels are supplied. Ask the operator what is available if you need any of those items. The confirmed inclusions are snorkeling equipment, a kayak, a paddle board, and the boat itself.

Paddle boarding, kayaking, and hammock time

The water sports are included, so you are not paying extra each time you want to use the paddle board or kayak. These give the charter more variety than a standard swim-and-sun cruise.

The paddle board suits a quiet look around the bay, while the kayak can be useful for moving along the water near the boat or toward a cove. The details do not promise a guided water-sports lesson, so you should be comfortable using the equipment or ask Peter for help before setting off.

You can also choose the least energetic option. The hammock offers a place to lie back while the boat rocks gently, and the three-cabin layout provides room to rest below deck. Several people who booked the charter appreciated the relaxed pace, shade, background music, and ability to spend the day without a rigid program.

That mix is why this works well for groups with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can sit with a drink and watch the cliffs. On a smaller boat, those choices can sometimes create awkward waiting. Here, the equipment and space make it easier for everyone to enjoy the outing in their own way.

Bringing your own food for the onboard BBQ

Food is one of the more unusual strengths of this charter. The BBQ is included, but you bring the food you want to grill. That can mean meat, vegetables, or another picnic item suited to your group.

This arrangement gives you control over both the menu and the amount. A family with particular dietary needs can bring food it knows will work. A group of friends can turn the swim break into a casual meal rather than buying an expensive spread in advance.

Water, soft drinks, snacks, and Prosecco are included. Coffee is also mentioned in one account of the boat experience, but it is not listed among the standard inclusions, so ask if that matters to you. The same applies to ice, plates, cutlery, and cooking supplies. The BBQ is included, but the supplied details do not spell out every serving item.

Plan the food sensibly for a four-hour trip. You will want something easy to carry and quick to grill, not a complicated meal that takes up half the charter. Confirm how much food you should bring and whether any preparation is expected before boarding.

The BBQ adds more than lunch. It makes the charter feel personal. Instead of receiving the same packaged meal as everyone else, your group can choose what to cook and when to eat it. Just remember that cooking takes time that could otherwise be spent in the water.

Peter’s relaxed style and local knowledge

Peter is the central personality of the experience. He is praised for confirming details in advance, communicating clearly, welcoming groups aboard, and keeping the day flexible. Those small habits matter on a private charter because the skipper sets the tone from the first message to the final return.

He is also described as friendly and well informed about Malta and Gozo. You can expect useful stories and facts while sailing, though the emphasis seems to be on an easy conversation rather than nonstop narration. That leaves space for music, quiet, and your own group’s conversation.

Noah is also named as a host on one booking. Since the supplied information does not explain his regular role or whether he joins every departure, do not assume he will be aboard. Peter is the skipper and the person you should expect to deal with.

The repeated praise for communication is especially useful for first-time private charter customers. Details such as meeting point, food, and timing are easier when the skipper contacts you before the outing. Even so, I would still confirm the departure harbor, start time, food arrangements, and any equipment questions yourself.

How the $559 price works for your group

At $559 for up to 11 people, this is not priced like a basic shared boat ride. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, a skipper, fuel, port fees, four hours on the water, drinks, snacks, and access to several pieces of water equipment.

The price becomes easier to justify as the group grows. Eleven people pay about $51 each. Eight people pay about $70 each. Four people pay about $140 each. For a small pair, the cost is high, but it buys privacy, control over the route, and a much more personal outing than a standard group excursion.

Fuel and port fees are included, so the headline price is less likely to grow through those common add-ons. The BBQ is included as well, but your food is not. Consider that when comparing this with a tour that advertises lunch but gives you little choice about what is served.

I would compare this charter with two alternatives. A cheaper shared cruise may suit you if you mainly want a short scenic ride and do not mind fixed stops. A private full-day charter may suit you better if you want more sailing time around both islands. This half-day version is the middle ground: private and active, but compact.

Who will enjoy this four-hour charter most

I would recommend it most strongly to a group that wants time in the water and values privacy. Families can use the flexible schedule, friends can share the cost, and couples can enjoy the boat without joining a large crowd.

It also suits mixed groups. The sailboat has sun and shade, a hammock, cabins for resting, music, and water activities. You do not need to spend every minute swimming to get value from the trip.

It may be less suitable if your main goal is a detailed sightseeing tour of every major coastal landmark. The charter focuses on selected bays, coves, caves, and swim stops, and four hours passes quickly. It is also not the best match for anyone who wants a fully catered meal, since you are expected to bring the food for the BBQ.

Swimmers and snorkelers should be happiest with the format. If you are not confident in the water, ask in advance about safety equipment and how the water stops are handled. The supplied details confirm the recreational equipment, but they do not describe swimming support or accessibility arrangements.

Booking details worth confirming

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking system allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

The tour is conducted in English. Check availability for the starting time, then confirm whether you will meet at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour. The meeting point depends on where you are staying, but the exact location and departure instructions should be clear before the day.

The charter is private for your group, with a maximum of 11 people. Fuel, the skipper, port fees, water, soft drinks, snacks, Prosecco, snorkeling equipment, paddle board, kayak, and the four-hour boat trip are included. Bring the food you want to cook, and ask about any picnic or BBQ items not specifically listed.

Should you book the Malta Gozo Comino charter?

Book it if you want a private, easygoing day built around clear water, several swim stops, and time with your own group. The strongest reasons are the flexible schedule, Peter’s attentive communication, the well-equipped sailboat, and the ability to bring food for the BBQ.

Think twice if you want a long island tour, a fixed sightseeing route, or a fully supplied lunch. Four hours is enough for a memorable coastal outing, but not enough to linger everywhere around Gozo and Comino.

For a full group of family or friends, the $559 price is reasonable for a private boat with equipment and refreshments already covered. I would choose this charter for a group that wants to paddle, snorkel, grill lunch, and relax in the shade, rather than simply look at the coast from a seat.

FAQ

How long is the sailing charter?

The private charter lasts four hours.

How many people can join?

The boat accommodates a private group of up to 11 people.

How much does the charter cost?

The price is $559 per group of up to 11 people.

Where does the boat depart?

Departure is available from Marfa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. The meeting point is decided according to where you are staying.

What can I do during the trip?

You can swim, snorkel, explore coastal caves and coves, use the paddle board or kayak, relax in the hammock, or rest in the sailboat’s cabins.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are the paddle board and kayak included?

Yes. Both the paddle board and kayak are included for use during the charter.

Can I bring food?

Yes. You can bring your own food to cook on the onboard BBQ.

What refreshments are provided?

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

Who is the guide?

Peter is the skipper. Noah is also named as a host in one account, but the supplied details do not say that he joins every departure. The tour is conducted in English.

Can I cancel the booking?

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