You can hire a boat in Malta and Gozo in two ways: drive it yourself from Hondoq Bay on Gozo's south-east coast (from €100 per boat for three hours, fuel extra, no licence needed on most engines), or book a skippered private charter — from €200 for two hours out of Ċirkewwa on Malta's north tip, or €1,250 for a full day on a larger vessel from St. Paul's Bay.
- Self-drive boats from Hondoq Bay, Gozo — fleet, prices, fuel, deposit
- Skippered private charters from Malta — Comino Ferries and Sea Adventure Excursions
- Skippered private boat trips from Gozo — 3-hour Comino circuit
- Licence rules, age limits, and safety gear
- Blue Lagoon landing pass — required for disembarking
- FAQ
Self-drive boats from Hondoq Bay, Gozo
JoyRide Watersports operates a fleet of self-drive boats out of Hondoq Bay, Qala, on Gozo's south-east coast. No boating licence is required for most of the fleet, though the operator states that boating experience is important. The larger-engine boats (115 hp and 200 hp) do require a nautical licence. Drivers must be 21 or older; those aged 18–21 may be considered depending on their boating experience.
All boats depart from Hondoq Bay. Rental periods are a 3-hour half day or a 6-hour full day, with extra hours available. Fuel is not included — consumption is measured at the end of the trip and charged separately. A cash deposit of €200 is required and refunded in full if the boat is returned undamaged and on time.
| Boat | Half day (3 h) | Full day (6 h) | Extra hour | Max guests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 ft / 40 hp | €100 | — | €40/h | 4 |
| 13 ft / 50 hp | €120 | €180 | €40/h | 5 |
| 16.5 ft / 80 hp | €140 | €200 | €40/h | 7 |
| 17.5 ft / 90 hp | €150 | €220 | €40/h | 7 |
| 17.5 ft / 115 hp ★ | €160 | €240 | €50/h | 7 |
| 19 ft / 115 hp ★ | €180 | €270 | €50/h | 7 |
| 20 ft / 200 hp ★ | €250 | €400 | €50/h | 9 |
★ Nautical licence required for 115 hp and 200 hp boats.
Every boat comes with life jackets, first aid box, fire extinguisher, canopy, cushioned seats, anchor, swimming ladder, and cooler box. The 80 hp and larger boats also include a complimentary stereo system. Children's life jackets in various sizes are available on request.
See the full self-drive fleet and book → JoyRide self-drive boats, Hondoq Bay
Important
Blue Lagoon landing. Going ashore at the Blue Lagoon on Comino needs a landing ticket booked in advance. The rental price covers the boat and its on-board kit, not the landing.
Safety rules for self-drive
The briefing comes with a detailed map of where to go and where to anchor. Key rules: drive slowly in every bay (under 5 km/h, shown on the boat's speedometer); keep 200 metres from the coastline when driving fast; never enter caves or rocky areas; use the anchor only in indicated areas. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on board. Smoking is not allowed on board at any time. Arrive 30 minutes before your slot for the briefing; if you are late, the clock still starts at the agreed time.
Skippered private charters from Malta
Comino Ferries — private charters from Ċirkewwa
Comino Ferries, operating daily round trips to Comino since 1990, also runs private skippered charters out of Ċirkewwa on Malta's north coast. The base price covers up to six people; extra guests are charged per head.
| Duration | Price (up to 6) | Extra person |
|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | €200 | €10 each |
| 4 hours | €290 | €20 each |
| 6 hours | €450 | €20 each |
| 8 hours | €519 | €20 each |
| Sunset | €289 | €10 each |
Every charter includes a private boat for your group only, skipper, fuel, free water, snorkelling gear, all taxes and port fees, and life jackets. Not included: pickup service, hotel transfer, and food and drinks. After the charter, you can stay at the Blue Lagoon and return to Malta on the operator's regular Comino ferry at your convenience any time until 7 PM — free of charge.
A deposit via bank transfer is required to secure the reservation. Bookings are confirmed within 48 hours. The skipper has authority to cancel, postpone or modify the trip based on weather and sea conditions.
See all charter options and book → Comino Ferries private charter
Sea Adventure Excursions — full-day charter on the SEA Explorer
For a larger group or a full-day charter, Sea Adventure Excursions offers the SEA Explorer, a vessel that can carry up to 38 passengers. The full-day private charter costs €1,250 per boat and departs from MOLL in St. Paul's Bay, heading north to Comino Island and surrounding waters.
Included: skipper, comfortable cushioned seats, toilet facilities, shaded area, drink cooling facilities, USB music playback, and a freshwater shower. Special dietary needs must be given to the operator 24 hours before the trip. The vessel is not wheelchair accessible.
Day charters run from 09:00 with arrival before 17:00; night charters from 18:00 with arrival before 23:00. The skipper may cancel or change the trip because of the weather. Other departure locations are available by quote.
See the charter and book → SEA Explorer private charter
Skippered private boat trip from Gozo — 3-hour Comino circuit
JoyRide Watersports also runs a 3-hour skippered private boat trip around Comino and parts of Gozo for €300, up to 8 guests. This is not a self-drive rental — the operator's crew handles the boat. The route from Hondoq Bay visits the Blue Lagoon, St. Nicholas Bay, Santa Maria Bay and Caves, Elephants Rock, Battery Tower, Crystal Lagoon and its caves, and then returns past Gebla tal-Halfa and Mġarr ix-Xini on Gozo's south coast.
The €300 is for the whole boat, not per seat. For more than 8 people, JoyRide quotes the price on request.
JoyRide boat trips to Comino from Hondoq Bay → Comino & Cave Tour
Which format to choose
| Self-drive (Gozo) | Skippered charter (Malta) | Skippered trip (Gozo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | €100 / boat (3 h) | €200 / boat (2 h) | €300 / boat (3 h) |
| Fuel | Extra, metered | Included | “No hidden charges” (operator) |
| Deposit | €200 cash | Bank transfer deposit | — |
| Licence needed? | No (except 115 hp+) | No (skipper aboard) | No (skipper aboard) |
| Min. driver age | 21 | N/A | N/A |
| Max guests | 4–9 depending on boat | 6 base + extras | 8 |
| Departs from | Hondoq Bay, Gozo | Ċirkewwa, Malta | Hondoq Bay, Gozo |
A self-drive boat gives you complete freedom over your route and stops — you set the pace, anchor where you want, and nobody else is aboard. It suits small groups who are at ease on a boat and want to explore at their own rhythm. The trade-off is fuel on top of the rental price and responsibility for the boat (the €200 deposit).
With a skipper, nobody in your group has to drive. On Comino Ferries charters the skipper, fuel, life jackets and snorkelling gear are in the price, and afterwards you can stay on at the Blue Lagoon and take the operator's ferry back until 7 PM. The 2-hour charter is the shortest commitment; the 4-, 6- and 8-hour options cost €290, €450 and €519. The SEA Explorer's €1,250 charter suits bigger groups (up to 38) who want a private vessel for the whole day.
Tip
If you are staying on Gozo, both JoyRide formats start from the same jetty at Hondoq Bay — the self-drive boats and the skippered 3-hour Comino circuit, which takes in the Blue Lagoon.
Getting to the departure points
Hondoq Bay, Gozo (JoyRide): parking is available at the bay. Look for the big yellow umbrella on the jetty. A kiosk at the bay serves food, drinks and ice cream.
Ċirkewwa, Malta (Comino Ferries): the operator runs its Comino ferry from Ċirkewwa and Marfa on Malta's northern tip; the boarding point for a charter is confirmed when you book.
St. Paul's Bay (Sea Adventure Excursions): the SEA Explorer departs from MOLL in St. Paul's Bay. For other departure locations, the operator provides quotes on request.
Blue Lagoon landing pass
Going ashore at the Blue Lagoon on Comino needs a landing ticket booked in advance. JoyRide tells passengers of its Blue Lagoon boat trips to book it separately; Comino Ferries says its ferry ticket already includes Blue Lagoon landing access, with no separate QR code or visiting time slot to book. On a hired boat or a private charter, sort out the landing before the day if you want to step ashore.
