Full-Day Private Sailing Adventure in Malta and Gozo

Malta looks best from the water. This private sailing day takes you aboard a 52-foot yacht to the Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon, with time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out on deck. I especially like the freedom to adjust the route and the chance to travel with only your own group. I also like that skipper Sergio has earned a reputation for cooking excellent fresh meals on board.

The main catch is simple: lunch, wine, beer, and other drinks cost extra, despite the tour description mentioning appetizers and wine. You receive fuel, a skipper, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddleboard, but you should confirm the food arrangement before departure. Strong wind can also change the route or make the ride uncomfortable, even when the skipper considers conditions safe.

• A full 52-foot sailing yacht: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to 11 people.
• A flexible route: Sergio can adjust stops and timing around weather, swimming conditions, and your preferences.
• Malta’s clearest water: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the main stars, with snorkeling and swimming built into the day.
• Fresh food is a major upgrade: An optional lunch cooked on board has been praised repeatedly, including meals adapted for allergies.
• Weather matters: Wind may shorten the route, keep you in sheltered waters, or make the return sail rougher.
• Best for small groups: Seven people fit comfortably according to one account, but 10 or 11 may feel less spacious.

What This Private Sailing Day Is Really Like

This is not a packed harbor cruise with a fixed script. It is a private charter from Roland Marina in Ta’ Xbiex, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and lasting about eight hours. You return to the same meeting point in the afternoon or early evening, depending on how the day develops.

The boat carries up to 11 people, but comfort depends on how many are aboard. The operator states that the yacht can technically carry more, yet limits bookings to 10 for comfort in some arrangements. I would still favor a group of six to eight if you want everyone to have room to sit, move around, and dry off between swims.

Your skipper is Sergio, sometimes joined by Carla or another crew member. Sergio receives especially strong praise for his sailing, cooking, communication, and willingness to tailor the day. He has taken groups to quieter swimming areas, adjusted stops when jellyfish made one location unpleasant, and found calmer water for people who could not swim or were traveling with children.

That flexibility is the heart of the experience. You can spend longer at a favorite cove, change the order of stops, or swap part of the planned route if wind or sea conditions make one side of the islands less pleasant.

Leaving Roland Marina at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Solevela Yacht Charters at Roland Marina, Ta’ Xbiex. The marina is near public transportation, and the directions and communication before departure have been praised as clear. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

The early start gives you a useful stretch of daylight. You are not rushing from one attraction to another on land, but the day is still tightly limited by the eight-hour schedule and the distance between Malta, Comino, and Gozo.

As the boat leaves the marina, the trip shifts from city views to open water and coastal scenery. This first section is part of the pleasure, but it is also when you will notice the wind. Malta sits in a channel where conditions can change quickly. A sunny day does not always mean a smooth sea.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels manageable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and tell Sergio early if you feel unwell. The crew can often make the day more comfortable by choosing sheltered water, but no sailing trip can promise a calm ride.

Blue Lagoon: Clear Water, Crowds, and Your First Swim

The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the famous stop, and for good reason. The water is exceptionally clear, making it ideal for swimming, photographs, and snorkeling. From a yacht, you can appreciate the color and cliffs without being tied to the main shore access points.

The tradeoff is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known sights, so it can feel busy, especially during the warmer months. A private boat gives you more control than a large group excursion, but it cannot remove every other boat from the bay.

I would treat this as the day’s big visual moment rather than assume it will be the quietest swim. Put on the provided snorkeling gear, use the paddleboard if conditions allow, and take your photographs early. If you prefer peaceful water to famous scenery, ask Sergio to balance the Blue Lagoon with a less crowded stop.

Swimming ability matters here. The equipment is included, but you should still be comfortable entering open water. One particularly useful feature is the skipper’s willingness to choose a flatter or calmer area for someone unable to swim because of an injury. Discuss any mobility or medical concern before setting out.

Comino Beyond the Famous Lagoon

The Comino portion is more than a quick photograph at the Blue Lagoon. The island has coves, caves, cliffs, and clear water where you can spend time at your own speed. Some groups have used this part of the trip for long swims, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and relaxing on deck.

The private format makes a real difference here. You do not have to leave the water because a tour leader has announced the next departure. If your group would rather swim for 40 minutes than race through three short stops, you can ask for that.

Sergio has also shown flexibility when conditions changed. When jellyfish affected one swimming area, he offered another stop earlier than planned. That kind of practical adjustment is more valuable than a rigid promise to visit every point on a map.

Comino can be windy. In rougher weather, the crew may keep you on the more sheltered side or decide not to continue toward Gozo. That is not a failure of the tour, but it can mean your day becomes a Comino and Malta outing rather than a complete circuit of the archipelago.

Gozo by Sea: A Different View of the Island

Gozo is the largest stop in the itinerary, and seeing it from the sea gives you a different sense of the island. Instead of moving through villages and roads, you watch its coastline from the yacht, with time for photographs and swimming when conditions are suitable.

The route is not a land tour of Gozo. You should not expect visits to churches, markets, museums, or inland villages. The reward is the coastal view and the easy pace of spending time in the water.

This is also the stop most vulnerable to weather. Strong winds can make the crossing rough, and the captain may decide that remaining near Comino or Malta is the wiser option. One group enjoyed an alternate day around Grand Harbour after heavy wind made the original route impractical. Another group was picked up from Gozo instead of Malta by prior arrangement, which shows that the operator can sometimes accommodate changes, but you should confirm any unusual plan in advance.

If reaching Gozo is essential to you, ask about the likely route and weather policy before booking. If your priority is a good day on the sea rather than checking off every island, the flexibility works in your favor.

Crystal Lagoon and the Best Water Time

Crystal Lagoon is another highlight, especially for swimming and snorkeling. The name fits the clear water, and the rocky setting creates a strong contrast with the open sea. Caves and cliff areas add variety, and some groups have enjoyed swimming into natural cave spaces.

This is where the included gear earns its keep. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are provided, so you do not need to pack a full set of water equipment. Still, the paddleboard is available on request, so ask directly rather than waiting for it to be offered.

Your time here depends on wind, traffic, and the preferences of your group. You might spend a long, lazy stretch anchored in one place, or move on after a shorter swim to find calmer water. I prefer the former approach on a private charter. The point is not to collect stops. It is to find water you want to remember.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The information supplied does not specify storage, changing facilities, or a cabin setup, so pack lightly and keep personal items in a small, practical bag.

The Optional Lunch Is Worth Serious Consideration

Food is one of the most praised parts of this experience, but it is not included automatically. The base price includes the boat, fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboard. Lunch and wine or beer can be arranged for an extra charge, while you can also bring your own food and drinks.

Sergio has been described as an excellent cook, with fresh meals prepared during the day. Past menus have included quiche, cacio e pepe, fish pasta, and other home-style dishes. Food has also been adjusted for allergies when arranged ahead of time.

I would add lunch if your budget allows. Eating a fresh meal on board, perhaps while your group is anchored near the islands, changes the feel of the outing from transport with swimming stops to a proper day at sea. Several groups found the food worth the additional cost, and it can save you from bringing and organizing a full picnic.

Do not assume appetizers are part of the base booking. Water is available free, but other drinks are not included. If you choose the no-lunch option, the boat can provide a cooler with ice for your own food and drinks. Confirm exactly what you are paying for, especially if the phrase appetizers and wine appears in your booking details.

The Boat, Space, and Comfort

A 52-foot yacht gives you more than a small speedboat. You have space to sit at the bow or stern, watch the coast, dry off after swimming, and rest during the return trip. Some groups even settled in for naps on the way back.

The boat has been described as clean, charming, well maintained, and comfortable. A boat cat named Abi has also been part of some outings, though you should not assume the cat will be aboard every departure.

Capacity deserves a realistic note. The booking allows up to 11 people, but the practical comfort level may be lower. Seven adults were reported to fit well, while one group questioned how comfortable 10 would be. For a birthday, family celebration, or small group of friends, the private setting is a strong benefit. For 11 adults expecting lots of personal room, it may feel close.

Sailing Skills and Weather Judgment

Sergio’s strongest practical quality is his handling of changing conditions. He has rerouted trips, sought sheltered water, and made careful choices with children aboard. That matters in Malta, where wind can produce high waves even under bright skies.

You should still understand what you are buying. A sailing adventure is not the same as a guaranteed calm-water cruise. Some departures have been windy and cooler than expected, particularly in April and May. One group described the conditions as uncomfortable and felt the trip should have been canceled, while the operator explained that the sailing was considered safe and that cancellation was available after the weather warning.

The sensible approach is to check the forecast, bring a light layer, and ask about conditions before boarding. If poor weather makes the tour impossible, the operator offers a different date or a full refund. The cancellation policy also allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Price and Value for a Private Group

The listed price is $846.56 per group of up to 11 people. That sounds high until you divide it among a group. At 10 people, the base cost is about $85 per person. At six people, it is about $141 per person, before any optional lunch or drinks.

For a private yacht with fuel, skipper, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard, that can be good value compared with booking several separate activities. You are also paying for control over the route and the ability to avoid a large shared boat.

The value drops if your group is very small and you do not care about privacy. Two people will carry the full group price between them, and lunch or drinks add more. The price makes the most sense for families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone who wants a full day without strangers aboard.

The experience currently carries a 4.9 rating from 99 ratings, with 97 percent of customers recommending it. The praise centers on Sergio’s hospitality, sailing ability, cooking, and flexibility. The lower scores focus on unclear food expectations, limited comfort at higher capacity, and rough weather. Those are useful warnings, not reasons to dismiss the trip.

Who Should Book This Day on the Water?

I would choose this sailing day if you want to swim, take photographs, and move at your own pace. It is especially well suited to groups who value privacy and want to celebrate something without joining a large boat tour.

It also works well for mixed-age groups because the route can be adjusted. Sergio has found calmer areas for children and for someone recovering from surgery. That said, the boat is still on open water, and anyone with serious mobility, balance, or swimming concerns should ask specific questions before booking.

You may want a different tour if you want a guaranteed visit to every island, a quiet sea in all conditions, or a structured historical tour. This is primarily a coastal and swimming experience, not a guided examination of Malta’s monuments.

Should You Book the Solevela Sailing Adventure?

Yes, if you want Malta and Comino at water level, with a private boat and a captain willing to shape the day around you. The clearest reasons to book are the flexible route, excellent swimming stops, comfortable yacht, and optional fresh lunch prepared by Sergio.

Book with two questions settled in writing: how many people will be aboard, and exactly what food and drinks are included. Also check the wind forecast and accept that Gozo may be replaced by a safer or calmer route.

For a group of six to eight, I think this is one of the better ways to spend a full day around Malta. Add the lunch if you enjoy good food, bring a light jacket for the return sail, and ask for the paddleboard and snorkeling equipment when you want them. The result should be a relaxed day shaped by the sea rather than by a stopwatch.

FAQ

How long is the sailing experience?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Solevela Yacht Charters, Roland Marina, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The experience is priced for a private group of up to 11 people. Comfort may be better with a smaller group.

Which places are included in the route?

The planned stops are Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo, and Crystal Lagoon.

Are snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard are included.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and wine or beer are available for an additional charge. You can also bring your own food and drinks, and water is available free.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.