Full Day Private charter to Crystal & Blue Lagoon, Caves & Gozo

The best part of this private Malta charter is the freedom to treat the coast like your own swimming map. You move between Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, sea caves, and quiet bays, with time to swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply sit aboard and watch the cliffs pass.

I like the useful gear on board, especially the two stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling equipment, freshwater shower, toilet, coolers, and bar. I also like the personal touch: Anthony handles arrangements, and skipper Albert with first mate Carmelo have taken care of large family groups with calm, attentive service.

The main drawback is the price, $822.08 per group of up to 15, plus a full seven hours on the water. It can be good value for a group, but less so for a couple. Sea conditions also control the day, and the busy Blue Lagoon may feel crowded compared with the quieter bays.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: Your group has the boat to itself, with transportation to the pickup point available by arrangement.
• Two very different lagoons: Blue Lagoon brings beach kiosks and activity, while Crystal Lagoon is better for caves, snorkeling, and cliff jumping.
• A cave with an inland pond: At Santa Maria Caves, you can swim into a cave and reach a small pond about 10 meters inside.
• Useful equipment included: Two paddleboards, snorkeling gear, coolers, a bar, toilet, and freshwater shower are provided.
• About one hour is spent moving between stops: That is part of the sightseeing, with coast and caves visible along the way.
• Flexible food choices: You can buy seafood, use a kiosk, bring your own food, or arrange a traditional platter at extra cost.

A private route through Malta’s clearest water

This is not a land tour with quick photo stops. It is a day on a private boat, built around swimming and coastal sightseeing. The route visits Gozo and several bays around Comino, with about one hour of the seven-hour outing spent traveling from place to place.

That travel time matters. You are not simply being moved from one attraction to another. The coastline, cliffs, caves, and sea views are part of the day. Still, if you want constant swimming time, keep in mind that roughly one-seventh of the tour is spent in transit.

The boat includes a restroom, ice coolers, bar service, freshwater shower, and fuel surcharge. Those are practical comforts, not flashy extras. A shower is especially useful after saltwater swims, while the cooler lets you keep drinks or food cold. The two paddleboards and snorkeling equipment mean you do not need to organize every piece of gear separately.

The experience is offered in English. It is a private activity, so only your group participates. That makes it a better fit for families, friends, and mixed-age groups who want control over their pace rather than a fixed public boat schedule.

Mġarr Harbour gives you a taste of Gozo

The first Gozo stop is Mġarr, the island’s main fishing port. Arriving by ferry, this is the harbor town you first reach, with traditional wooden boats, restaurants, bars, and a Gothic-style church looking over the water.

The stop lasts about an hour and admission is free. You can walk near the jetty, look at the colorful boats, or sit down for fresh seafood at a nearby restaurant. The restaurants are within walking distance of the landing point, which makes Mġarr a sensible place for lunch if you want a proper meal instead of a snack from a kiosk.

Food is not included. You can also eat somewhere else, bring your own food, or arrange a traditional platter with cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread for an additional cost. Ask about the food plan before the boat leaves, since a seven-hour outing can feel long if you rely only on casual snacks.

The description also points to Mġarr as a place for nightlife. That matters less on a daytime charter, but it gives you an idea of the town’s character. This is not just a ferry landing. It is an active harbor with places to eat and linger.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, easy, and busy

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, and it is easy to understand why. The water is clear and bright, there is a sandy beach, and you can swim through a natural cave. The stop lasts about an hour, with the Blue Lagoon pass included.

You will find kiosks serving fast food, pizza, ice cream, and alcoholic drinks in pineapples. Watersports are also available. These extras make the area convenient, especially for a family that wants a quick snack or a little activity without returning to the boat.

There is one tradeoff. Blue Lagoon is the most developed and likely the busiest part of the route. If your idea of a good swim requires quiet water and no distractions, this may not be your favorite stop. Use the hour for the classic experience, then save your longer swim for Crystal Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay.

Saint Mary’s Tower is visible from here and can be visited from the area. The tower adds a historic marker to the coastal view, though the main reason to stop remains the water and cave.

San Niklaw Bay offers a calmer half-hour

San Niklaw Bay provides a change of pace after Blue Lagoon. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, and the bay has two sandy beaches. The setting is described as more peaceful than Blue Lagoon, making it a useful pause for anyone who prefers a quieter shore.

This is also the stop that may work best for parents with young children. Sandy beaches are easier for small children than rocky entry points, though you should still follow the crew’s guidance and watch children closely around the water.

Thirty minutes is not a long visit. Think of San Niklaw as a short swim and reset, not a full beach afternoon. The private boat format helps here because your group can make better use of a brief stop without waiting for a large crowd to organize.

Santa Marija Bay is made for slowing down

Santa Marija Bay gives you about an hour in a more relaxed setting. It has a sandy beach, food kiosks, and a small church just two minutes from the shore.

This stop is a good counterweight to Blue Lagoon. Instead of chasing the most famous water, you can sit on the beach, swim without as much activity around you, or walk briefly to the church. If you are traveling with people who do not want to spend the whole day jumping off rocks or swimming through caves, Santa Marija makes the charter easier to enjoy as a group.

The kiosk option is handy, but meals are still not included. If you want local food rather than fast snacks, Mġarr is the stronger lunch choice.

Crystal Lagoon is the active heart of the trip

Crystal Lagoon is where the charter’s equipment and guide support become most useful. The water is suited to swimming and snorkeling, and two caves can be explored from the boat.

One cave lies under Saint Mary’s Tower. You can swim inside and reach a small sandy beach at the far end. The guide swims with you and knows the route well, which is important in a cave where the entrance and exit may not be obvious from the water.

The second cave is open at both ends. That makes it easier to swim through and less committing than a cave with one clear entrance. If you are nervous about enclosed spaces, start with this one and decide how you feel before trying the cave beneath the tower.

Crystal Lagoon is also the place for cliff jumping. That is an optional activity, not a requirement. You should only jump if you are confident, follow the crew’s instructions, and are comfortable with the conditions that day.

Saint Mary’s Tower is about a 10-minute walk away from the lagoon. A military wreck lies just outside the lagoon and can be seen from the boat when the sea is clear. It rests at about 25 meters, so it is mainly of interest to experienced underwater swimmers with the proper ability and equipment. The charter provides snorkeling equipment, but that does not make the wreck suitable for everyone.

Santa Maria Caves include a pond inside the rock

The Santa Maria Caves stop is the most unusual part of the route. You first swim to the cave entrance, then the guide helps you onto land. After walking about 10 meters inside, you reach a small pond within the cave.

You can swim in the pond. If you are a strong underwater swimmer, the cave has a passage beneath the water that leads through to the other side. This is a more physical stop than simply looking into a cave from the boat, so bring confidence in the water and listen carefully to the guide.

The cave was used for filming The Count of Monte Cristo. Film fans may recognize the setting, but the real appeal is the combination of sea swim, short walk, and enclosed pond. Plenty of other caves are visible around the area, giving you more to see even if you decide not to enter.

This is one place where the private format helps. Your guide can focus on your group, explain the route, and assist with getting out of the water. Still, cave access depends on conditions and your comfort. Someone who dislikes slippery rocks, enclosed spaces, or swimming from a boat may prefer to watch from the deck.

Elephant’s Head and the changing coast

Along the northern part of the island, the boat passes a natural rock shape known as Elephant’s Head. It is a short sightseeing moment rather than a scheduled beach stop, but it adds variety to the day.

This is also where the hour of travel between stops earns its keep. From the boat, you see coastlines and many caves that are not part of the main swimming stops. Keep a camera ready, but protect it from spray. The most memorable views may come between the listed bays, when the boat is moving along the rock face.

Hondoq Bay closes the day with options

Hondoq Bay is another well-known beach and the final listed stop. You have about 30 minutes to swim, try watersports, or sit beside the blue water. Lunch can also be taken here.

The short stop makes Hondoq best as a final swim or snack break rather than a long visit. If your group still has energy, it offers one more chance to get in the water. If everyone is tired, the boat’s freshwater shower, cooler, and seating become more valuable than another activity.

Because food is not included, Hondoq can be useful for a casual meal if the timing suits your group. For a traditional food platter, arrange it separately rather than expecting it to appear as part of the standard charter.

What $822.08 means for your group

At $822.08 for up to 15 people, this is expensive for one or two people. Split among a full group, the per-person cost becomes much more reasonable, especially since the boat, fuel surcharge, equipment, Blue Lagoon pass, and onboard facilities are included.

A group of 15 would pay about $55 per person before food. A group of six would pay about $137 per person. For a family reunion or larger party, private transport and a boat reserved for your group can justify the total. For a couple, a shared cruise may offer better value if privacy is not important.

The supplied capacity is up to 15 people. One account describes a day involving 28 family members, with Anthony handling the booking and skipper Albert and first mate Carmelo caring for the group. That is useful evidence of family-group experience, but you should not assume 28 people fit on this charter. If your party is larger than 15, confirm the arrangement before paying.

Crew, transport, and timing

Anthony can arrange transportation from your hotel to the pickup location. That can remove one of the most annoying parts of a boat day, especially if you do not know Malta’s harbor areas. Ask for the exact pickup instructions when booking.

Albert is identified as the skipper, with Carmelo as first mate for the large family outing described. The crew’s role matters most at Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves, where getting into the water, finding the cave route, and returning to the boat require more care than a simple beach stop.

Confirmation is normally received at booking. If you book within one hour of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this for a group that wants a full day of swimming without giving up comfort. It suits families with mixed interests, since one person can use a paddleboard, another can snorkel, and someone else can relax aboard or sit at a sandy bay.

It also works well for confident swimmers who want sea caves and cliff jumping. The cave pond and the passage beneath Santa Maria Caves make the route more unusual than a basic beach cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, need a quiet sightseeing day, or do not swim. The itinerary is built around water. Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the cave stops involve swimming from the boat and moving over rock. The private setup helps with pace, but it does not change the physical nature of the activity.

Pack modestly. Bring swimwear, sun protection, and anything your group needs for a long day outside. Food is the main item to plan, since only the traditional platter is mentioned as an extra and regular meals are not included.

Should you book the Gozo and lagoon charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private day that mixes famous sights with quieter water. The strongest reasons are the cave access, the pond inside Santa Maria Caves, the guide swimming with you at Crystal Lagoon, and the practical equipment on board.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and care most about low cost. Also skip it if poor weather is likely, since the route depends heavily on sea conditions. For a family or friend group that values privacy, swimming time, and flexible stops, this charter offers a fuller day than a simple Blue Lagoon visit.

FAQ

How long does the private charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The charter is for a private group of up to 15 people.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

Private transportation to the pickup location can be arranged by the operator.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals are not included. You can eat at Mġarr, Santa Marija Bay, or Hondoq Bay, bring your own food, or arrange a traditional platter with cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread as an additional item.

What equipment is included?

The charter includes two stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling equipment. It also provides coolers, a freshwater shower, a restroom, and a bar on board.

Is the Blue Lagoon pass included?

Yes. A Blue Lagoon pass is included.

Can I swim inside the caves?

Yes. At Crystal Lagoon, you can swim through two caves. At Santa Maria Caves, you can swim to the entrance, walk about 10 meters inside, and reach a pond. Cave access depends on conditions and your swimming ability.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

Most participants can take part, and service animals are allowed. The tour does include swimming, cave access, and time on a boat, so you should be comfortable with those activities.

What happens if bad weather cancels the charter?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.