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

Comino’s clear water is the main draw here, but the real appeal is having a small private boat and a skipper who can adjust the route to your group. You can fish offshore, stop for a swim, snorkel near Comino, or inspect caves and beaches along the coast.

I like the private format for families and small groups, and I like the choice between fishing and a more relaxed cruise. Captains Mario and Joe have earned praise for their friendly handling and local guidance.

The main catch is the price structure. The $171 rate covers the boat for up to six people, but the professional skipper and fuel are listed separately at €78 each, while fishing gear, food, and drinks cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You get the whole boat rather than sharing with a large party.
• Comino is the focus: Expect clear water, bays, caves, beaches, and time near the Blue Lagoon.
• Fishing is flexible: You can choose offshore or inshore fishing, but rods and other fishing gear are not included.
• Swimming and snorkelling can be added: Mask and snorkel are supplied, with swim breaks available if you want them.
• Captains Mario and Joe are names to note: Both receive strong praise for friendly help and island sightseeing.
• Budget for extras: Skipper, fuel, fishing equipment, food, drinks, and barbecue supplies are outside the base price.

A private boat, not a fixed sightseeing ride

This is best understood as a three-hour private charter rather than a rigid sightseeing cruise. You are hiring the boat for your group of up to six, then shaping the outing around fishing, swimming, snorkelling, or coastal sightseeing.

The waters around Malta, Gozo, and Comino give the skipper several options. You might spend more time near Comino and the Blue Lagoon, work along the Gozo coast, or concentrate on fishing grounds around Malta. The skipper has the final say if weather, tides, shallow water, or sea conditions make a planned route unsafe.

That flexibility matters. A boat trip can look perfect on a calm morning and need a different route later in the day. I would treat the published stops as a guide to the kind of places you can visit, not a promise that every bay, cave, or fishing area will fit into the same three-hour run.

You also get a private group, English or Maltese guidance, seating areas, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, and safety equipment. Free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are useful extras, though the sea and the scenery should do most of the entertaining.

Starting from Malta or Gozo

There are two departure points, and choosing the right one can save you a needless rush. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the departure area at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, the meeting point is close to Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The pickup details are described as clear, but I would still arrive 30 minutes early. Cirkewwa and Mgarr are working ferry ports, and arriving late does not extend your three-hour charter. This is especially important if you are carrying towels, swimwear, sun protection, or fishing supplies.

The boat trip is private, but the transfer to the marina is not part of a general hotel pickup service. The stated pickup information points you to the designated marina meeting areas, so check your confirmation carefully before setting out.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon by small boat

Comino is the natural center of this trip. Its water is the reason many people book, and a private boat gives you more say in where and how long you stop than a standard group cruise.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous scene: bright, clear water, rocky shores, and a setting that looks made for a swim. It is also the place most likely to feel busy, particularly during Malta’s hot summer season. The charter cannot guarantee solitude, but it can give you a more personal way to reach the area and then move on if the conditions or crowd level do not suit you.

You can ask for a swim or snorkel break. A mask and snorkel are included, so you do not need to bring your own basic set. Bring a towel and swimwear, though, because the boat is not simply a sightseeing platform. The water around Comino is also described as a place to observe marine life, making it a good fit for children who enjoy looking below the surface.

One family brought two young boys and found the boat comfortable for them, with no seasickness during the outing. That is encouraging, but it is not a guarantee for every child. If anyone in your party is prone to motion sickness, keep the trip flexible and tell the skipper what you need.

Caves, coves, and beaches along the coast

The boat can follow Comino’s coastline and reach caves, small bays, and beaches that are difficult to appreciate from land. These are not separate long stops with a formal walking tour. They are part of the coastal route, with the skipper adjusting the pace to your interests and the sea.

I like this part of the charter because you can spend less time on places that do not interest you. If your group wants photos and a short swim, you can keep moving. If the water near a quiet cove looks good, you can ask to stay longer, subject to the captain’s judgment and the schedule.

The word quiet needs a little caution. The tour offers access to less exposed coastal spots, but it does not promise an empty island. The Blue Lagoon and Comino are popular, and sea conditions may dictate which coves are practical on the day.

The canopy is useful here. Malta’s summer sun can be fierce, and three hours on open water is a long time without shade. Use the covered area, apply sunscreen often, and bring sunglasses and a hat. The sun deck is available when you want open views, but it should not become your only seat for the whole trip.

Fishing around Malta, Gozo, and Comino

Fishing is not a minor add-on. The charter is designed for people who want to try offshore or inshore fishing around the islands, with the route shaped around suitable fishing areas.

Offshore fishing gives you the chance to choose preferred fishing spots in Malta’s fishing grounds, while inshore fishing keeps the action closer to the coasts of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Your skipper provides guidance, which makes the activity approachable if you are new to fishing.

Still, you need to bring the right expectations. Fish are not guaranteed. One outing produced a catch using handlines on the way back to port, while another group did not catch tuna but still enjoyed swimming. That is the honest pattern with sea fishing: the boat can take you to promising water, but it cannot arrange the result.

Fishing equipment is not included. The listing also excludes a fishing cooler, so ask before booking what you need to bring and what can be arranged. Food and drinks are also your responsibility. If fishing is the main purpose of the trip, confirm the equipment and any extra charges rather than assuming the boat is supplied like a full fishing operation.

Handline fishing can be a good choice for a mixed group. It gives children and first-time anglers something simple to try, while the rest of the party can swim or enjoy the ride. One birthday group found the skipper patient and the fishing spots well chosen, which is exactly the kind of service you want when several people have different skill levels.

What the skipper adds to the day

The skipper is more than the person steering the boat. This person decides which route makes sense, helps with fishing, points out coastal features, and manages the balance between activity and rest.

Captain Mario, who operates from Gozo, has been praised for showing groups around Comino and its bays. He also handled a family outing with two small boys comfortably. Captain Joe received praise for taking a group around the island and making handline fishing enjoyable.

Those names are useful when you book, but availability may vary. The experience includes an English- or Maltese-speaking live guide, not a guaranteed named captain. If you have a preference, ask in advance.

The skipper also has broad authority over the trip. Weather and sea conditions can lead to a cancellation, postponement, changed route, or different departure or return point. Tides, shallows, and other legitimate safety concerns can also alter the plan. That is normal for a small boat charter, and it is better than forcing a route that is uncomfortable or unsafe.

What is included, and what is not

The base package includes the private boat, seating areas, a sun deck, safety equipment, a canopy, ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, snorkelling mask and snorkel, lagoon permits, taxes, and port and marina fees.

That is a useful set of inclusions for a short swimming and sightseeing cruise. You do not have to pay separately for basic snorkelling gear or lagoon access, and the canopy gives you a break from the sun.

The important exclusions are the professional skipper at €78 and fuel consumption at €78. These are listed separately from the $171 group price, so your final cost needs careful checking. The base price applies per boat, not per person, which makes it more appealing when six people share the cost, but less attractive for a couple or a very small group.

Fishing equipment, a fishing cooler, food, drinks, party supplies, barbecue food, barbecue drinks, and the barbecue itself are also not included. Bring cash for small needs, and do not assume the ice cooler means food and beverages are supplied.

Is three hours enough?

Three hours works well for a focused outing. You can fit in a fishing session plus a swim, or a Comino route with a few snorkelling and photo stops. It is long enough to feel like a proper sea trip without taking a full day from your Malta or Gozo plans.

It is not long enough to see every coastline feature around all three islands. If you want extended fishing, several long beach stops, a barbecue, and relaxed sightseeing, you may find the schedule tight. The best approach is to choose your main aim before departure.

For a family, I would prioritize Comino, one swim, and a short fishing attempt. For keen anglers, I would make fishing the first request and treat swimming as a bonus. For a birthday or small celebration, the private boat, music speaker, shade, and flexible stops may matter more than the number of bays you visit.

Who will get the best value

This charter suits a group of friends or family members who can share the boat cost and agree on a general plan. Six people can make the per-person value much better, especially if everyone wants a mix of water time and coastal sightseeing.

It also suits first-time anglers because the skipper can guide you. Children may enjoy the short format, handline fishing, and clear water, though parents should bring sun protection and watch conditions closely.

It is less suitable if you want a guaranteed tuna catch, supplied fishing gear, a meal on board, or a fixed route with every stop confirmed. It is also worth reconsidering if your party has no interest in swimming, snorkelling, fishing, or sitting on a boat in strong sun.

The private setup is the biggest value point. You are not paying for six separate seats on a standard cruise. You are paying for control, privacy, and a captain who can adapt the outing, with the best value coming when your group is close to the six-person limit.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The charter operator can adjust the start time to suit conditions and your needs, but you should not treat that as a license to arrive late.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. I would also pack a hat and a light cover-up for the ride, since the exposed deck can be hot. Food and drink are not included, so plan ahead rather than expecting a snack service.

The charter runs from Malta or Gozo, and the language options are English and Maltese. Confirm your exact meeting point, final price, skipper charge, fuel charge, and fishing equipment before you leave for the marina.

Should you book Fisher’s Trek?

Book it if you want a private three-hour boat day with several possible moods: fishing with guidance, snorkelling near Comino, swimming in clear water, or viewing caves and bays from the sea. Captain Mario and Captain Joe add confidence, and the private format works especially well for families and small groups.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed catch, a fully supplied fishing boat, or an all-inclusive meal and drinks package. Also check the added €78 skipper fee and €78 fuel charge before deciding.

For the right group, this is a flexible and personal way to see Comino. Set realistic fishing expectations, arrive early, bring your own supplies, and let the skipper adjust the route to the day’s conditions.

FAQ

How long is the boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Where does the boat leave from?

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

Is the skipper included in the base price?

No. The professional skipper is listed separately at €78.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €78.

Is fishing equipment provided?

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

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can change, postpone, cancel, or modify the charter because of weather, sea conditions, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A hat is also recommended for Malta’s sunny summer conditions.