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

Comino’s coast is the star here: clear water, quiet coves, caves, and fishing grounds all packed into a private three-hour boat trip. I like the freedom to shape the route, and I like that the boat suits both keen anglers and families who mainly want swims and sea views. The main catch is financial: the advertised $171 price is per boat, while the skipper and fuel each cost an additional €78.

I also like the easy meeting points at Mgarr or Cirkewwa and the fact that Captain Mario and Joe have made a strong impression with their friendly, patient approach. Just remember that fishing equipment is not included, and nobody can promise tuna or even a catch. The sea, as usual, gets the final vote.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You get the whole boat, not a seat on a shared excursion.
• Comino is the main prize: Expect bays, caves, beaches, snorkelling water, and the Blue Lagoon.
• Fishing is flexible: Choose from offshore and inshore spots around Malta, Gozo, and Comino.
• Captain Mario and Joe are named skippers: Their patient help suits first-time anglers and families.
• The advertised price is not the full cost: Add €78 for the professional skipper and €78 for fuel.
• Three hours goes quickly: You need to choose between fishing, swimming, snorkelling, and sightseeing.

What this Comino boat charter is really like

This is best understood as a private boat outing with fishing at its core, not a fixed sightseeing cruise. You have three hours on the water, a boat for your own group of up to six, and a skipper who can adjust the balance between fishing, swimming, snorkelling, and coastal sightseeing.

The route may include Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with Comino usually offering the most appealing mix of scenery and water time. The exact path is not guaranteed. Weather, tides, shallow water, and sea conditions can change the plan, and the skipper has the final say.

That flexibility is useful. If your group includes serious anglers, you can spend more time at offshore or inshore fishing spots. If you are bringing children or someone who does not fish, you can ask for swim breaks and time around bays and caves. The only limit is the short duration. Three hours sounds generous until you divide it between transport, fishing, swimming, and sightseeing.

Leaving from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat in Gozo at Mgarr Harbour, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the harbour terminal. From Malta, the departure point is at Cirkewwa, close to the Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The meeting points matter because Cirkewwa and Mgarr are not interchangeable in practical terms. Check your booking details carefully, allow time for traffic, and arrive 30 minutes before departure. The charter does not run longer if you arrive late, so a last-minute dash is a poor way to begin a short private trip.

Pickup is included from the designated departure area, not from every hotel or town. You should confirm which side of the channel applies to your booking before setting out. Clear directions have been provided for the meeting points, but you still need to leave room for delays.

The boat has comfortable seating, a sun deck, and a canopy for shade. That combination gives you a choice between sitting out in the sun and getting a break from Malta’s strong heat. Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Cash is also listed as an essential, which is worth noting when you are planning the day.

Fishing around Malta, Gozo, and Comino

Fishing is the special feature here, but keep your expectations sensible. You can choose among different offshore fishing grounds and inshore areas around the three islands, with the skipper offering guidance and help. The setup is suitable for first-time anglers, though the fishing equipment itself is not included.

That last point is important. If you are booking mainly to fish, ask exactly what gear you need to bring or arrange before paying. A boat, cooler, and skipper do not automatically mean rods, tackle, bait, or a fishing cooler are provided.

The fishing can be hands-on and simple. One family group enjoyed handline fishing and caught something on the way back to shore. That sounds like the right attitude for this trip: enjoy the process, the water, and the chance of a catch rather than treating it as a guaranteed fishing expedition.

You may also have a chance to fish near Comino, where the clear water makes it easier to see marine life. The description points to both catching and observing fish, so this can work for children who enjoy looking into the water even if they have little patience for waiting with a line.

The charter does not promise tuna. One booking resulted in swimming rather than a tuna catch, while another group returned without fish but still enjoyed the boat and the day at sea. That is not a flaw in the operation. Fishing is unpredictable, and three hours is a short window. It is a reason to book this as a mixed sea experience rather than a guaranteed catch.

Comino’s coves, caves, and Blue Lagoon

Comino gives the trip its most scenic setting. The boat can follow the island’s coast, stopping at coves, beaches, and caves that are easier to reach from the water than on foot. You can ask for a route that gives more time to swim and snorkel, or one that puts fishing first.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, with clear water and an instantly attractive setting. The private boat format gives you more control than a crowded group cruise, but it does not make the lagoon private. Conditions and other boats can still affect the feel of the stop.

The included lagoon permits are a useful detail. You do not need to arrange that part yourself, and the charter can include the Blue Lagoon within the wider route. Still, do not assume you will spend the entire three hours there. The skipper may choose another bay or adjust the route because of sea conditions, tides, shallows, or traffic on the water.

Snorkelling equipment includes a mask and snorkel. That is enough to make a swim stop easier, especially if you do not want to pack your own gear. The clear water around Comino is a good reason to bring a towel and swimwear even if you booked mainly for fishing.

Gozo and the wider Maltese coast

The charter can also work along Gozo and Malta’s coastlines. This gives you a broader choice of fishing areas and makes the trip more adaptable when one part of the route is less suitable because of weather or sea conditions.

Gozo’s Mgarr departure point is convenient if you are already on the island. It also puts you close to the waters around Comino, though the final route still depends on the skipper’s decision. From Cirkewwa, the Malta departure point, you can head toward the same general island group without first arranging a separate transfer to Gozo.

Do not expect a full coastal tour of Malta and Gozo in three hours. The islands are large enough that you cannot see every coastline, cave, and beach in one short charter. Think of the area as a menu of possible stops. The skipper will choose a workable route, and your group can state its priorities before setting off.

This is where a private booking earns its keep. A shared boat has to satisfy a larger mix of interests. Here, six friends can request more fishing, while a family can ask for more swims and calmer sightseeing. The skipper can still reject a request if conditions are unsafe, but you are not locked into a rigid group schedule.

What Captain Mario and Joe add to the day

Captain Mario is associated with the Gozo side of the operation, and his patient approach is especially useful for families. One family with two young boys found that the children enjoyed the trip and did not get seasick, which says something about the calm, comfortable feel they experienced on the boat.

Another family used the charter for a birthday outing. The skipper was patient with the group and took them to good fishing spots, which is exactly the kind of personal attention that a private boat can provide.

Joe has also been praised for showing his group around the island and for making handline fishing fun. These details point to an important part of the experience: your skipper is not only steering the boat. He is helping decide where to go, explaining the fishing, and shaping the pace of the outing.

The available feedback names both Mario and Joe, but you should confirm your assigned skipper when booking. The service is offered in English and Maltese. Communication before departure has been clear for some customers, which is helpful when meeting at a working harbour.

The boat setup and what is included

The boat includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, and a canopy for shade. For Malta’s hot summer weather, the canopy is more than a minor extra. Three hours in full sun can become tiring, especially for children or anyone who is not used to being on the water.

An ice cooler is included, along with Bluetooth audio and free WiFi. These features are useful for a relaxed private outing, though you need to bring your own food and drinks. Party food, party beverages, barbecue food, barbecue drinks, and the barbecue itself are all excluded.

The boat also includes safety equipment and port and marina fees. Taxes and lagoon permits are covered as well. Snorkelling equipment is limited to a mask and snorkel, so bring personal gear if you prefer a particular fit.

Food and drink are not included, and the supplied information does not confirm that a full onboard meal can be prepared. Pack what you need, but keep it practical. You should also remember that the listed fishing cooler is not included, even though an ice cooler is provided for general use.

The real price and whether it offers value

The advertised rate is $171 per group of up to six, not $171 per person. That is attractive for a private boat if you fill all six places. Split among six people, the base price works out to $28.50 each before the extra charges.

The professional skipper costs €78, and fuel costs another €78. Those charges bring the minimum stated extras to €156, so you should confirm the final total and currency before booking. The base rate and the additional fees are shown in different currencies, making this a point worth checking rather than guessing.

For six people, the total can still be fair for a private three-hour boat with shade, seating, snorkelling gear, lagoon permits, and the freedom to choose your focus. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, and a shared cruise may offer better value if privacy is not important.

The price makes the most sense for a family, a small group of friends, or a birthday outing. It is less compelling if you want a long fishing session, supplied fishing equipment, or a guaranteed catch. In those cases, ask questions before booking so the inclusions match your plans.

Who should book this private trip

I would choose this charter if you want a flexible day on the water and your group has mixed interests. One person can fish while others swim or snorkel, and the private format keeps the group together instead of forcing everyone into the same activity.

Families may appreciate the patient skipper style, comfortable seating, shade, and the chance to adjust the pace. The experience also suits a small celebration, provided you bring your own food and drinks and do not expect the barbecue to be included.

First-time anglers can take part because the skipper provides guidance. Experienced anglers should note the limits: three hours is short, fishing equipment is excluded, and the catch is never certain.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from seasickness, since the trip takes place on the open sea and the information does not promise especially calm conditions. The weather policy gives the skipper power to cancel, postpone, or alter the route when needed. That is sensible for safety, but it means your chosen itinerary is not guaranteed.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The skipper can change the route, departure or disembarkation point, or start time if weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate conditions require it. Arrive 30 minutes early, and do not count on a late arrival being added to the end of your charter.

This is a private group activity, with a maximum of six people per boat. English and Maltese are available. Bring cash, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and a towel, and sort out food, drinks, and fishing equipment before you arrive.

Should you book Fisher’s Trek?

Book it if you want Comino’s clear water and coast in a private setting, with the freedom to mix fishing, snorkelling, swimming, and sightseeing. The strongest reasons are the small group size, flexible route, useful shade, and skippers such as Mario and Joe who can help families and beginners enjoy the time.

Skip it if you need guaranteed fishing results, included fishing gear, or a full-day outing. Before paying, confirm the final cost after the €78 skipper fee and €78 fuel charge, then tell the skipper whether fishing or swimming matters most. With realistic expectations, this is a good compact sea trip for up to six people.

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?

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

Is pickup included?

Pickup is included from the two designated meeting points at Mgarr or Cirkewwa.

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

No. The professional skipper costs an additional €78.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption costs an additional €78.

Is fishing equipment provided?

No. Fishing equipment is not included.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The skipper can change the route, stops, departure point, or disembarkation point because of weather, tides, shallow water, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also arrange your own food and drinks if needed.