Boat & catamaran rental — Gozo
1 option from €100 per boat. Departures from Hondoq Bay. Duration 3h. Operators: JoyRide Watersports Gozo.
A self-drive boat on Gozo costs from €100 per boat for a 3-hour half day with JoyRide Watersports at Hondoq Bay, plus fuel, which is measured and charged when you return.
The short version
The fleet runs from a 13 ft boat with a 40 hp engine for up to 4 adults to a 20 ft, 200 hp boat for up to 9, and every boat carries life jackets, a first aid box, a fire extinguisher, a canopy, an anchor, a swimming ladder and a cooler box.
Boats up to 90 hp need no boating licence but do need previous boating experience; the 115 hp and 200 hp boats require a nautical licence.
Drivers must be 21 or older, a €200 cash deposit comes back if the boat returns undamaged and on time, and you arrive 30 minutes early for the briefing and the map. JoyRide's self-drive boats let you explore the coast of Comino and Gozo at your own pace.
What's included
- Self-drive boat for the booked duration
- Life jackets (children's sizes available on request)
- First aid box and fire extinguisher
- Canopy, cushioned seats and swimming ladder
- Anchor and cooler box
- Stereo system (on 80 hp and larger boats)
- Pre-departure safety briefing and map
Not included
- Fuel (refuelled at the end, you pay for what you used)
Good to know
- Couples, families and groups of up to 9 adults who want to explore Comino and Gozo’s coast at their own pace. Drivers must be 21+.
- No licence up to 90 hp, but boating experience is required — not for beginners. The 115 hp and 200 hp boats need a nautical licence. Full briefing and map before departure.
- Swimwear, towels, sunscreen, water, ID (18+), €200 cash for the deposit and a mobile phone. A cooler box is on board.
- Hondoq Bay, Qala, Gozo — on the jetty under the big yellow umbrella. Parking available at the bay.
Boat & catamaran rental prices in Gozo
| Tour | Duration | Group | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gozo Self-Drive Boat Rental — Hondoq Bay (JoyRide Watersports) | 3h | — | €100 per boat |
Operators: JoyRide Watersports Gozo
FAQ
Do I need a boating licence to rent a self-drive boat on Gozo?
How is fuel charged?
What is the cheapest self-drive boat?
Can I take the boat to the Blue Lagoon on Comino?
Is there a deposit?
What if I am under 21?
Are children's life jackets available?
Self-drive boat rental on Gozo: what to know
Seven boats, one bay — which size fits?#
JoyRide Watersports rents seven self-drive boats from Hondoq Bay in Qala. The smallest, a 13 ft boat with a 40 hp engine for up to 4 adults, costs €100 for a 3-hour half day. Next come the 50 hp 13 ft boat (€120 half day, €180 full day) and the 80 hp 16.5 ft boat (€140 and €200).
The 90 hp and 115 hp boats on 17.5 ft hulls take up to 7 adults from €150 and €160 for a half day, and a 115 hp 19 ft boat costs €180 or €270. The largest, 20 ft with 200 hp for up to 9 adults, is €250 for a half day and €400 for a full 6-hour day.
Extra hours cost €40 on boats up to 90 hp and €50 on the 115 hp and 200 hp boats. Every price is per boat, fuel extra.
Licence, age and deposit#
Boats up to 90 hp need no boating licence, but JoyRide asks for previous boating experience and marks them as not suitable for beginners; the 115 hp and 200 hp boats require a nautical licence. Drivers must be at least 21; between 18 and 21, JoyRide considers the booking depending on boating experience. A €200 cash deposit is fully refunded if the boat comes back undamaged and on time. Alcohol is strictly prohibited on board, and smoking is not allowed at any time.
Where can you go from Hondoq Bay?#
Before you leave, JoyRide gives a briefing and a detailed map showing where to go and where to anchor, so arrive 30 minutes before your slot. The boats are meant for the coastline of Comino and Gozo; to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon you need a separate visitor ticket, booked in advance. The safety rules are short: under 5 km/h in every bay, at least 200 m from the coastline when driving fast, never into caves or rocky areas, and anchor only where indicated.
What is on board — and what is not#
Every boat carries life jackets (children's sizes on request), a first aid box, a fire extinguisher, a canopy that opens or closes, cushioned seats, an anchor, a swimming ladder and a cooler box; the 80 hp boats and larger add a complimentary stereo. Fuel is the extra: JoyRide refuels the boat when you return and you pay for what you used. At the bay there is plenty of parking and a kiosk with food, drinks and ice cream.
If you would rather not drive#
From the same jetty JoyRide runs a 3-hour private boat trip around Comino and parts of Gozo at €300 per boat for up to 8 people, and a direct boat to the Blue Lagoon from €10 per adult. At Hondoq Bay JoyRide also rents jet skis, from €50 per jet ski for 20 minutes.
Guides & articles about Gozo
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