Full-Day Private Sailing Adventure in Malta and Gozo

The best views of Malta come from the water. This private eight-hour cruise aboard a 52-foot sailing boat gives you a flexible day around Malta, Comino, and Gozo, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and quiet bays. I especially like the private boat format and Sergio’s highly praised cooking when lunch is added. The main catch is that food and alcoholic drinks cost extra, and rough wind can change the route.

You meet at Solevela Yacht Charters in Roland Marina, Ta’ Xbiex, at 9:30 am, then spend the day moving at your own pace. The advertised group limit is 11, but comfort matters here: one response explains that the boat carries up to 15 people legally, while the company limits bookings to 10 for comfort. For a full group, ask about seating before you pay.

This is not a rigid sightseeing cruise. Sergio can adjust the stops to suit the weather, swimming conditions, and your group. That flexibility has produced some excellent days, though one party found the service less warm and the included refreshments less generous than expected. Clarify lunch, drinks, and equipment before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 52-foot sailing boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with a skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, and stand-up paddleboard included.
• Four standout water stops: The planned route includes Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon.
• Lunch is an extra: Water is available, but a full cooked lunch, wine, and beer must be arranged or purchased separately.
• Flexible timing: You can request more time for swimming, photographs, paddling, or simply resting on deck.
• Weather controls the day: Strong winds may mean a sheltered route, a shorter crossing, or a change in stops.
• A strong overall record: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 99 reviews, with 97 percent recommending it.

Why a private sailing day works so well in Malta

Malta is compact on land, but its best swimming places are scattered along three islands. By road, you can spend a good part of your day reaching a popular bay, finding parking, and then sharing a narrow strip of shore with a crowd. On a private boat, you skip much of that fuss.

You can spend the morning in clear water, move to Gozo for a different view, and pause in a sheltered cove when the wind picks up. That freedom is the real product here. You are not paying only for transport. You are paying for control over the pace.

The boat is a 52-foot sailing yacht, large enough to make a full day on the water feel more comfortable than a small speedboat. You can sit on deck, swim from the boat, use the snorkeling equipment, or try the stand-up paddleboard. The boat returns to Roland Marina after roughly eight hours.

The private format also makes sense for special occasions. Families, couples, and groups celebrating birthdays have used the day as a centerpiece of their Malta visit. One group of 10 booked it for a 30th birthday and added a fresh meal, wine, and beer. Another couple used the boat for a relaxed day after a busy trip through Tuscany.

Setting out from Ta’ Xbiex at 9:30 am

Your day begins at Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex. The start time is 9:30 am, and the activity ends at the same meeting point. The marina is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere around Malta, but you should still allow time to reach the dock.

The operator confirms bookings within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the experience is booked around 40 days ahead on average, do not leave this one until the final day of your trip if your schedule is tight.

Before you board, settle the practical details. Ask whether your booking includes lunch, which drinks are available, and how you will pay for any extras. The basic package includes fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, and the stand-up paddleboard. It does not include lunch, wine, beer, or other alcoholic drinks.

One important point deserves attention. The promotional wording refers to appetizers and wine while watching the sunset, but the detailed inclusions say food and alcoholic drinks cost extra. The safest approach is to treat food and drink as optional add-ons unless your confirmation clearly says otherwise. You can also bring your own food and drinks, and the boat has a cooler for storage.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water with a busy reputation

Blue Lagoon is the obvious first stop, and it is easy to understand why. The water around Comino is famous for its pale color and clear visibility. From the boat, you get the best part of the scene without needing to claim a patch of beach.

This is the place for a first swim, photographs, and a look beneath the surface with the provided snorkeling gear. The water can be busy, especially at popular times, so a private boat gives you a better chance to enjoy the setting on your own terms. You can stay in the water, sit on deck, or ask to move on if the area feels too crowded.

Do not expect Blue Lagoon to feel secluded. Its fame is part of the appeal, but it also means this stop can be the least peaceful of the day. Your skipper’s ability to change timing is useful here. If conditions or crowds are not ideal, you can spend less time at Blue Lagoon and more time elsewhere.

Comino and the Crystal Lagoon

Comino offers more than one postcard stop. The island’s rocky coast, clear water, caves, and swimming areas give the skipper room to adjust the day. Several people have particularly enjoyed swimming near caves and jumping from rocks, but you should choose activities according to your own comfort and ability.

Crystal Lagoon is often the high point for snorkeling. The water is clear, and the rocky edges create an appealing place to swim and take photographs. Bring a waterproof phone case if you have one, because the best views are from the water rather than the deck.

The snorkeling equipment is included, but the paddleboard may not be handed to you automatically at every stop. Ask for it when you are ready to use it. One party found that the paddleboard was aboard but needed to be requested, while the operator explained that both the paddleboard and snorkeling gear are available on request.

Conditions can change the experience. One May outing had strong wind and high waves. The group remained around Comino rather than continuing to Gozo, and another windy April day required the skipper to search for a sheltered place for a swim. This is not necessarily a safety problem, but it can make the ride less comfortable and reduce the number of planned stops.

Gozo from the sea

The Gozo portion gives you a different view of Malta’s sister island. From the water, you see the coast without spending the day on roads. The stop is designed around swimming, photographs, and time on the boat rather than a land tour of Gozo’s villages and churches.

That distinction matters. If you want the Citadel, village squares, or inland scenery, you need a separate Gozo excursion. If you want to see the island’s shore at a relaxed pace, this sailing day is a good match.

The skipper may change the order or duration of stops. One group was collected from Gozo instead of Malta after arranging it in advance, which shows that the operator can sometimes adapt the meeting plan. Do not assume that option is standard. Ask before booking if you are staying on Gozo.

The sea can be more exposed on the route toward Gozo. On a windy day, the crossing may feel choppy, and the planned Gozo stop may be shortened or removed. If your priority is Gozo itself, keep a backup plan for another day.

Lunch on board, and why it may be worth adding

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the optional lunch. Sergio is repeatedly described as an excellent cook, and specific meals have included quiche, cacio e pepe, fish pasta, fresh dishes, and food prepared around allergies. Lunch is cooked on board while you swim, which makes the meal feel like part of the day rather than a rushed stop at a restaurant.

I would add the food if you value convenience and want the day to feel special. It saves you from packing a full meal and lets you eat without giving up your swimming time. Wine and beer can also be arranged for an extra charge.

If you prefer to control your budget, bringing your own food is perfectly reasonable. The boat has a cooler, and you can bring drinks and snacks. Water is provided free. Just do not assume that appetizers, soft drinks, or wine are included in the base price. A three-star experience specifically criticized the lack of refreshments, while the operator explained that the booking had been made without the lunch option.

This is a good example of why clear communication matters. Ask for the exact food package, drink choices, price, and allergy arrangements before the day begins.

Sailing, swimming, and the pace of the afternoon

A full day at sea needs variety. This one offers a natural rhythm: sail to a new area, stop for a swim, use the snorkel gear or paddleboard, eat if you have added lunch, then rest on deck while the boat moves again.

Some parties spent long stretches swimming and lying in the water. Others used the boat as a floating lounge, taking photographs and relaxing on the bow or stern. The skipper generally lets you decide how long to remain at each location, within the limits of weather and daylight.

Sailing back can be especially pleasant when the wind is right. On calmer days, you may enjoy the sails open and the boat moving quietly across the water. On rougher days, the return can be tiring. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully and ask about the forecast.

Sergio’s role is more than steering. He is often praised for being flexible, cooking lunch, explaining Malta, and making route changes when jellyfish or wind affected a stop. His partner Carla has also hosted groups, and one boat has a cat named Abi. That small detail will charm some people and matter very little to others, especially if anyone in your group has allergies or dislikes cats.

How much value do you get for $846.56?

The listed price is $846.56 per group of up to 11 people. For two people, that is a serious splurge. For a family or group of eight to 10, the cost becomes much easier to justify because you are buying a private boat for the day rather than individual seats on a shared cruise.

At 10 people, the base cost works out to about $85 per person. At six people, it is about $141 per person. At two people, it is about $423 per person before lunch and drinks. The value improves sharply as your group grows.

You also receive fuel, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, and a paddleboard. The biggest saving is not just the equipment. It is the ability to avoid a fixed route and share the boat only with people you know.

The price is less compelling if you dislike spending a full day on the water, want a guided land tour, or are happy with a crowded public boat. You may also spend more than expected after adding lunch, wine, and beer. Get those costs in writing before booking.

Who should book this sailing adventure?

I would recommend it most strongly for:

• Families who want a private day without splitting up.
• Couples celebrating an occasion and willing to pay for privacy.
• Groups that want swimming and snorkeling rather than a museum-heavy day.
• People who like flexible plans and do not need every stop guaranteed.
• Anyone who values a cooked meal on board.

You should think twice if you need a firm itinerary, dislike choppy water, or mainly want to explore Gozo on land. The boat can carry a large group, but 11 people may feel less relaxed than six or eight, especially if everyone wants room on deck at the same time.

Most people can participate, but this remains an active water day. Swimming, boarding from the boat, snorkeling, and paddleboarding require a level of mobility and comfort around water. If someone in your group cannot swim, tell the operator in advance. The skipper has previously found a flatter, easier swimming area for a passenger recovering from arm surgery.

Weather can rewrite the route

The tour requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel it. That policy is useful, but it does not mean every windy day will be canceled.

The captain may decide that conditions are safe but uncomfortable for some people. Strong wind can keep you near Comino, prevent a Gozo crossing, or send the boat into Grand Harbour instead. One group with rough seas still enjoyed the day because the captain changed the plan, served lunch, and used the sheltered route.

Ask about the forecast before departure and be honest about your comfort level. The operator says the choice to proceed may remain with you when the wind is strong but not unsafe. That is fair, but you should not feel pressured to accept a rough day simply because the boat can technically sail.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted within 24 hours. If the weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this private sailing day if you want Malta’s coast to be your main event. The combination of a private 52-foot boat, flexible stops, clear swimming areas, Gozo and Comino views, and optional cooking makes it far more personal than a standard group cruise.

I would book for six to 10 people, add lunch if the budget allows, and confirm the food and drink details in writing. I would also keep the schedule flexible enough to accept a changed route. If you need guaranteed access to every island and every lagoon, choose a land-based plan instead.

The high rating, strong praise for Sergio’s sailing and cooking, and repeated reports of memorable days make this a convincing splurge. Just remember the two rules that matter most: the sea sets the timetable, and lunch is not automatically included.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour start and finish?

It starts at Solevela Yacht Charters at Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta, at 9:30 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing adventure lasts approximately eight hours.

Which places are included in the planned route?

The planned stops are Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon. The exact route and timing can change because of weather and sea conditions.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is available as an extra option. You may also bring your own food and drinks, and water is provided free.

Are snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard included?

Yes. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard are included. Ask the crew when you want to use the equipment.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.