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

The best part of Fisher’s Trek is the freedom to shape a short boat trip around your group. You can focus on handline fishing, pause for a swim, or ask your skipper to show you Comino’s coves, caves, beaches, and the waters around Cominotto. It is less a fixed sightseeing ride than a private outing with room to adjust the plan.

I like the small private group, which keeps the mood relaxed and makes the boat useful for a family or a few friends. I also like the capable personal touch from skippers such as Mario and Joe, who can help first-time anglers and point out good places to stop. The main caution is cost: the advertised $171 is per boat for up to six people, but skipper and fuel charges are listed separately, and fishing equipment is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Fishing is the main purpose: Choose offshore or inshore spots around Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with handline fishing available.
• Comino is the scenic center: Expect clear water, small coves, caves, beaches, and possible stops near the Blue Lagoon and Cominotto.
• The boat is private: Your group of up to six people does not share the outing with strangers.
• Swimming and snorkelling can be added: Swim breaks depend on your wishes, the route, and sea conditions.
• Skipper Mario gets special praise: He is noted for showing groups around Comino and its bays and for making children feel comfortable.
• Budget for extras: Skipper, fuel, fishing gear, food, drinks, and barbecue supplies are not part of the base price.

What this three-hour charter is really like

At three hours, Fisher’s Trek is a compact sea outing rather than a full-day fishing expedition. That time is enough for a few fishing stops and a swim, or for a scenic run around Comino with snorkelling and time in the water. It is not enough to linger everywhere, so your priorities matter.

Before departure, you can tell the skipper what kind of outing you want. The choices are simple: spend more time fishing, make swimming the centerpiece, or use the boat to see bays and coastal features around Comino, Gozo, and Malta.

That flexibility is useful because groups rarely want the same thing. One person may want to fish, another may want to snorkel, and children may simply want a boat ride and a chance to swim. A private charter gives the skipper a better chance to balance those requests than a large group excursion would.

The route is not guaranteed in every detail. Sea conditions, tides, shallow water, and weather can affect the timing, route, and places where you get on or off. The skipper has the final say, which is sensible on a small boat but worth understanding before you book a particular bay or fishing area.

Leaving from Gozo or Cirkewwa

The charter runs from two meeting points. From Gozo, you 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.

You should arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters at a port, where traffic, parking, ferry movement, and finding the right departure area can take longer than expected. The boat will not wait by extending the trip for a late arrival, so arriving early protects your full three hours.

Pickup is included from the designated meeting points, but this is not a broad hotel pickup service based on the information provided. Check which side of the channel suits your plans before reserving. If you are already in Gozo, Mgarr is the natural choice. If you are staying in Malta and heading toward Gozo, Cirkewwa may be more convenient.

The live guiding is offered in English and Maltese. Communication before the trip has been clear for guests, and the departure points are intended to be easy to find with the supplied directions.

Around Comino, Cominotto, and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the strongest sightseeing section of the outing. Its coastline gives the skipper several types of places to show you: narrow caves, small beaches, quiet coves, and clear water suitable for swimming or snorkelling.

Cominotto adds another appealing stop. The waters around the smaller island are known for visibility and marine life, making them a good fit for a short snorkelling break. Snorkel equipment, specifically a mask and snorkel, is included, so you do not need to bring those items unless you prefer your own.

The Blue Lagoon is also part of the possible route. Its clear, calm water is the draw, but it is a popular place, and the sense of calm can change with conditions and boat traffic. A private charter helps because you are not tied to a large group schedule. Still, the skipper may alter the route if the water, tide, or traffic makes another cove a better choice.

I would ask early in the trip how much time you want at the Blue Lagoon compared with the quieter coastline. The most famous stop is not automatically the best one for your group. A family may prefer a simple swim, while keen snorkellers may get more from a less crowded spot with clear water and marine life.

The boat also gives you a view of the coastline that is hard to get from land. You can see caves and beaches in a short period, then return to the water when the scenery begins to feel familiar. That mix keeps the three-hour format moving.

Choosing between fishing and swimming

Fishing is the distinguishing feature here. You can select from offshore fishing areas and inshore spots along Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The skipper provides guidance, so the activity is open to first-time anglers rather than only people who already know local fishing methods.

Handline fishing is specifically mentioned as a fun option. It is a straightforward way to give everyone a turn, especially on a family outing. One group caught something on the way back to port, but you should treat any catch as a bonus, not a promise.

Fish are not guaranteed. One person enjoyed the boat and the conversation despite catching nothing, while another group did not catch tuna but still had time in the water. That is the honest fishing calculation: the sea, season, chosen area, and luck all matter.

Fishing equipment is not included, and neither is a fishing cooler. Ask about the exact gear you need before departure. The supplied snorkelling mask and snorkel are different from fishing tackle, so do not assume the boat includes rods, lines, bait, or storage for your catch.

If your group is serious about fishing, this trip may feel too short for a patient offshore session. If you want a little fishing mixed with coastal sightseeing and swimming, three hours makes better sense. The format works particularly well when not everyone in the group is an angler.

Meeting Mario, Joe, and the skipper’s role

The skipper is central to the quality of this experience. Mario, who operates from Gozo, is specifically associated with showing groups around Comino and its bays. He has also been praised for keeping children comfortable and making the outing enjoyable for a family with two young boys.

Joe has been singled out for showing a group around the island and helping make handline fishing fun. Those details matter because the captain is not only driving the boat. He is helping choose fishing areas, explaining what to do, managing swim stops, and adjusting the pace.

For first-time anglers, practical help is valuable. You do not need to arrive with a fishing plan, but you should be ready to say what you want from the trip. Tell the skipper if fishing is essential, if a child needs short turns, or if swimming and sightseeing matter more than catching fish.

The skipper can change the route or departure and disembarkation points when conditions require it. That authority can be frustrating if you have imagined one exact itinerary, but it is an important safety measure on open water. A good charter needs room to respond to wind, tide, shallows, and sea state.

Comfort on board for a private group of six

The boat includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, and a canopy for shade. Those features make a difference in Malta’s hot summer sun, especially if you plan to spend most of the trip sitting between fishing stops.

There is also an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, and free WiFi. These are useful extras for a small group, though food and drinks are not supplied. Bring your own water and anything you want to eat, unless you arrange separate food or beverage options.

A barbecue is not included. The same applies to barbecue food and drinks, party food, and party beverages. The boat can be set up for a relaxed private occasion, such as a birthday, but you need to budget and organize the supplies yourself.

Safety equipment is included, along with port and marina fees, taxes, and lagoon permits. Those inclusions remove several common add-on worries. The listed equipment does not include fishing gear, so that remains the main activity-specific item to clarify.

The boat is private for your group, with a maximum of six people. That makes the price easier to judge. At $171 for a full boat, the base rate works out to $28.50 per person if six people share it, before the separate skipper and fuel charges. A smaller group pays more per person, but gets the same private space and flexibility.

Understanding the extra charges

The listed price is not the full expected cost. A professional skipper is shown as an additional €78, and fuel consumption is also shown as an additional €78. Since those charges are separate from the $171 base price, check the final booking total and currency conversion before you commit.

Food, drinks, barbecue supplies, a barbecue, fishing equipment, and a fishing cooler are also excluded. The charter does include a cooler with ice, but that should not be confused with a dedicated fishing cooler.

For six people, the base boat price can be good value for a private outing. You are paying for space, shade, equipment for snorkelling, permits, and a skipper-led route rather than a seat on a large shared boat. For two people, the same rate is harder to justify unless privacy and a custom plan are especially important.

I would compare this with a standard sightseeing cruise only if your group does not care about fishing or making its own route. The value here lies in personal control, not in the number of included attractions.

What to pack for Malta’s hot sea days

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A hat is also sensible, even with the canopy, since you may spend time on the sun deck or in open areas of the boat.

Pack water and food if you need them. Drinks and meals are not included, and the supplied cooler can help keep items cold. If fishing is your priority, ask in advance about equipment rather than assuming it will be ready on board.

Use sunscreen before boarding, then reapply during the trip. The water can feel refreshing while the sun remains strong. A towel and dry clothes are especially useful if you plan to swim or snorkel near Comino.

Families, couples, anglers, and birthday groups

Families can get good use from this charter because the boat is private and the route can change pace. A skipper who is patient with children matters, and Mario has been noted for helping young boys enjoy the outing without seasickness.

That said, children should be comfortable with a boat trip and swimming conditions. The activity information does not provide a minimum age, child-size equipment details, or accessibility information, so ask the provider before booking if those points matter to your family.

A group of friends can treat the boat as a flexible coastal outing with music from the Bluetooth speaker, a swim, and a little fishing. Birthday groups can bring their own food and drinks, but party and barbecue items cost extra or need to be supplied separately.

Couples may enjoy the privacy, but the fixed boat price is less economical for only two people. Serious anglers should also ask direct questions about fishing equipment and expected fishing time. This is best for people who want fishing as part of a sea day, not people seeking a specialized full-day fishing charter.

Booking flexibility and conditions

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta or Gozo plans are still shifting.

Weather is the important condition. The skipper can cancel, postpone, change, or modify the charter when the sea is unsuitable. The route and departure or arrival points can also change because of tides, shallow areas, or other legitimate operating needs.

The skipper may adjust your chosen start time to find better conditions or fit the group’s needs. I would keep some flexibility in your day rather than scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward.

The tour lasts three hours, and late arrival does not extend that time. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, then use the extra time to settle in and explain your preferred balance of fishing, swimming, and sightseeing.

Should you book Fisher’s Trek?

Book it if you want a private, adjustable boat trip and your group likes the idea of combining Comino scenery with fishing and swimming. It is particularly well suited to six friends or a family group that can share the cost and wants to avoid a fixed large-boat schedule.

Book with realistic expectations about fishing. You may catch something, as one group did with handline fishing, but you may also spend the day swimming and enjoying the coast without a catch. The strongest reasons to choose this charter are the private setting, the chance to visit Comino and Cominotto by water, and personal help from skippers such as Mario or Joe.

I would skip it if you want an all-inclusive package, guaranteed tuna, included fishing gear, or a full-day offshore expedition. Also check the final price carefully because the skipper and fuel charges are separate. For the right group, though, this is a practical way to put your own stamp on a short Malta sea outing.

FAQ

How long is Fisher’s Trek?

The charter lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

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 leave from?

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

Is a skipper included in the advertised price?

A professional skipper is listed separately at €78. Check the final booking total to confirm how this charge is applied.

Is fuel included?

Fuel consumption is listed separately at €78, so it is not included in the advertised base price.

Is fishing equipment provided?

No. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not included. Snorkelling equipment, specifically a mask and snorkel, is included.

Can I swim or snorkel during the trip?

Yes. The charter can include swim breaks, and snorkelling equipment is provided. The exact stops depend on your preferences and sea conditions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The skipper can cancel, postpone, or change the charter, route, timing, or departure and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other valid safety concerns.