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

Comino’s coast is the main event here: a private boat lets you leave the busiest parts of the Blue Lagoon behind and search for quieter coves, caves, beaches, and fishing grounds. I like the freedom to shape the outing around your group, and I like that Captain Mario and Joe have been singled out for friendly, patient service. You can fish, swim, snorkel, or mix all three.

The catch is that this is only three hours, so you cannot expect a full tour of every corner of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Also, the advertised $171 price is for the boat, not the complete outing: the professional skipper and fuel are each listed at €78, while fishing gear, food, drinks, and a barbecue cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You pay by boat, making the cost more attractive for a small family or friend group than for one or two people.
• Fishing is the focus: Choose offshore or inshore spots around Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with help from the skipper even if you have never fished before.
• Captain Mario and Joe are named skippers: Mario is especially associated with showing groups around Comino’s bays and helping families enjoy the water.
• Flexible three-hour route: You can request fishing, swimming, snorkelling, caves, beaches, or a mixture, subject to sea and weather conditions.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food, drinks, fishing equipment, fishing cooler, and barbecue supplies are not included.
• Best for a small private group: The boat, canopy, sun deck, cooler, WiFi, speaker, and snorkelling kit give you a comfortable base on the water.

What this private Comino charter is really about

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise with a long list of timed stops. It is a short, private boat charter built around your priorities. You can ask for fishing along the coast, stop for a swim, snorkel in clear water near Comino, or spend more time exploring caves and small beaches.

That flexibility matters in Malta. Sea conditions, tides, shallow water, and the skipper’s judgment can change the route. A private boat gives you a better chance of making the most of the day, but it does not guarantee a particular bay or fishing result.

I would think of the experience as a three-hour slice of life on the Maltese sea, not as a complete tour of three islands. The boat may cover parts of Malta, Gozo, and Comino, but the exact route depends on your starting point, the weather, and the plan you agree on with the skipper.

The fishing element adds a practical twist. You are not simply looking at the coast from a boat. You can try offshore fishing in recognized fishing grounds or choose inshore areas along the Maltese, Gozitan, or Comino coastline. The skipper provides guidance, which makes this workable for first-time anglers, though you need to bring or arrange your own fishing gear.

Choosing between Malta and Gozo departure points

You can meet the boat at one of two designated locations. From Gozo, the departure area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, it is near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

This choice can shape the day more than you might expect. If you are staying on Gozo, Mgarr is the natural option. If you are already in northern Malta or connecting through the Gozo Channel terminal, Cirkewwa should be simpler.

The pickup directions are described as clear, but I would still arrive 30 minutes early. A boat charter cannot wait indefinitely, and late arrival does not add time to the three-hour booking. Have the meeting point saved on your phone and keep some cash with you.

Pickup is included from the designated meeting points, but this does not mean hotel pickup across Malta or Gozo. Confirm the exact arrangement when booking so you do not confuse a harbour meeting point with private road transport.

The boat setup: useful comfort for a short outing

The boat has comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, safety equipment, an ice cooler, and a Bluetooth speaker. Free WiFi and snorkelling equipment, consisting of a mask and snorkel, are also listed.

For a three-hour trip, these details matter. A canopy gives you a break from Malta’s strong sun, while the cooler helps keep your own drinks cold. The sun deck is useful for sitting out between stops, though you should still pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to six people. That gives you room to talk with the skipper, choose the pace, and avoid sharing the day with strangers. A family can keep the outing relaxed, while friends can make it a fishing session with swimming breaks.

The speaker and WiFi are pleasant extras, but I would not make them the reason to book. The real value is having the boat to yourselves and being able to adjust the route. The snorkeling kit is included, but fishing equipment is not, so anglers should ask what they need to bring or arrange before departure.

How the three hours can unfold

Because this is a tailor-made charter, the following is a sensible way to think about the time rather than a guaranteed schedule.

You begin by meeting the skipper and discussing your priorities. Tell the skipper if fishing is the main goal, if children need swimming time, or if your group prefers sightseeing and snorkelling. The skipper has the final say on safety and may alter the plan for wind, waves, tides, shallows, or other sea conditions.

The boat can then head toward suitable fishing water around Malta, Gozo, or Comino. Offshore fishing gives you the chance to choose among different fishing grounds, while inshore fishing keeps you closer to the coastline. This variety is useful when your group includes both keen anglers and people who mainly want to enjoy the sea.

Handline fishing has been a particularly accessible option on this charter. One group caught something on the way back in, which shows how a short session can still produce a memorable moment. At the same time, you should treat any catch as a bonus. One guest went out hoping for tuna and caught none, but still enjoyed swimming and the boat ride.

A swim or snorkel stop can break up the fishing. Comino’s clear water makes it a natural place to look for marine life, and the charter can also include bays, caves, and beaches. The Blue Lagoon is part of the appeal, but a private boat does not mean you will have the lagoon to yourself. Its popularity can bring crowds, especially in summer.

Your skipper may move toward a quieter location if conditions and access allow. That is one of the strongest reasons to book a private boat rather than a standard group cruise. Still, listen closely to the skipper. A pretty cove is not worth forcing if the sea is rough or the water is too shallow.

Fishing around Comino, Gozo, and Malta

Fishing is not simply an add-on here. The service is built around giving you access to different fishing areas, with the option to combine the session with swimming and sightseeing.

Offshore fishing can appeal to experienced anglers who want time on open water and a chance to select a preferred area. Inshore fishing offers an easier mix of coastline views, short stops, and fishing close to Malta, Gozo, or Comino. The skipper can guide beginners, but the supplied information does not promise a certain species, catch, or fishing method.

That distinction is important. You are paying for access to the boat, skipper, fuel, and time on the water, not for a guaranteed fish. If everyone in your group wants a serious fishing trip, confirm the equipment and intended fishing plan before you go. Fishing gear and a fishing cooler are excluded.

For families, handline fishing may be the better fit because it is simple and easy to combine with a swim. Two boys enjoyed a trip with Captain Mario and did not get seasick, which suggests the shorter private format can work well for children. You should still consider each child’s comfort at sea, since no boat trip can promise that nobody will feel unwell.

Comino’s water, caves, and Blue Lagoon

Comino is the strongest sightseeing draw. Its coastline offers clear water, rocky inlets, caves, and small beaches. From a private boat, you get a different view than from shore, with the chance to pause in the water instead of rushing through a fixed cruise schedule.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but its fame brings a practical warning: do not expect complete solitude. The charter can give you a better chance of finding a calmer stop, yet the skipper cannot control how busy the lagoon or nearby bays are.

Snorkelling equipment is included, so you only need your swimwear and towel. Pack sunscreen even on a hazy day, since the reflection off the water can be strong. Sunglasses and a hat are equally useful, and cash is listed among the items to bring.

The caves and beaches are worth treating as scenery rather than promised individual stops. The skipper may change the route due to water depth, tides, or weather. Ask at the start which areas are realistic during your three-hour window.

What the skipper adds to the day

A private boat works best when the skipper does more than steer. You want someone who can explain the coast, suggest a good balance of fishing and swimming, and make sensible calls about the sea.

Captain Mario is associated with trips around Comino and its bays. He has been patient with families and helpful when groups wanted to mix fishing with sightseeing. Captain Joe is also associated with showing groups around the island, and his outing included handline fishing that produced a catch on the return journey.

The exact skipper may vary, so do not book on the assumption that one named captain is guaranteed unless the operator confirms it. The useful point is that the service is designed around a live guide speaking English or Maltese, rather than a recorded narration.

A good opening conversation can improve the whole charter. Explain your group’s ages, fishing experience, preferred swimming time, and any concern about seasickness. Three hours passes quickly, and a clear plan helps prevent the outing from becoming an unfocused ride.

Price, extras, and overall value

The listed price is $171 per group of up to six. That is a reasonable starting point for a private boat if you can fill most of the seats. Split among six people, the base price is much easier to justify than it is for a couple.

You must budget beyond that headline figure. The professional skipper is listed at €78, and fuel consumption is also listed at €78. Food, drinks, party supplies, barbecue items, barbecue service, fishing equipment, and a fishing cooler are not included.

This makes the final cost less simple than the initial price suggests. Ask for the full total before confirming, especially if you want a fishing setup or catering. The included ice cooler lets you bring your own refreshments, which may be the most practical choice.

The value improves if your group wants privacy and flexibility. You are not paying for a long, fixed program. You are paying for a boat, a skipper, safety equipment, a shaded area, a sun deck, and the chance to choose how your time is used.

The value is weaker for one or two people who only want a quick swim near Comino. In that case, a shared cruise may cost less. This charter makes the most sense for a family, birthday group, or friends who can share the boat and care about setting their own pace.

Weather, timing, and the limits of a short charter

The skipper can cancel, postpone, alter, or modify the charter because of weather and sea conditions. Routes and departure or disembarkation points may also change because of tides, shallow water, or other legitimate safety concerns.

That policy is sensible for a boat trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your Malta or Gozo schedule. The skipper can also adjust your chosen time to find better conditions or fit the operational needs of the boat.

Summer brings the strongest sun, so shade and sun protection matter. The canopy helps, but it does not replace sunscreen. Spring and autumn may offer a more comfortable feel, yet the sea can still determine the plan.

Three hours is enough for a focused outing, such as fishing with one swim stop or sightseeing around Comino with snorkelling. It is not enough to guarantee extensive fishing, a full circuit of all three islands, and long beach stops. Choose your top priority before setting off.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this charter to a small group that wants control over the day. Families can combine easy fishing with swimming, and the private setting lets children take breaks without worrying about a large group schedule.

It also suits friends celebrating a birthday or planning a simple day on the sea. The boat has seating, shade, a cooler, a speaker, and WiFi, so it can feel relaxed without requiring a full party package.

First-time anglers can benefit from the skipper’s help, but serious fishers should confirm the equipment and likely fishing plan. People who want guaranteed tuna, a guaranteed catch, or a particular beach should choose carefully. The sea decides much of the outcome.

I would not book this if your priority is a long historical tour of Malta or Gozo. This is about the coastline, water, fishing, and time outdoors. I would also think twice if you dislike boats or need a fully fixed itinerary.

Should you book Fisher’s Trek?

Book it if you can fill the boat, want a private outing, and like the idea of deciding between fishing, snorkelling, swimming, caves, and beaches as the day develops. The strongest features are the flexible route, access to Comino’s clear water, and the chance to fish with a skipper who can help beginners.

Before paying, confirm the complete price with the €78 skipper fee and €78 fuel charge, then ask about fishing equipment. Arrive 30 minutes early at Mgarr or Cirkewwa, bring sun protection and cash, and treat the catch as a happy extra rather than a promise.

For a family or group of friends, this is a practical way to get on the water without sharing the boat with strangers. For a couple seeking the cheapest swim trip, it may not be the best value.

FAQ

How long is the Fisher’s Trek boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours. You should choose your main priority in advance because the time is limited.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Where does the boat depart?

You can depart from Mgarr Harbour Terminal in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is fishing equipment included?

No. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not included in the listed price.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. Food, drinks, party food, party beverages, barbecue food, barbecue beverages, and barbecue service are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also arrive 30 minutes before departure.