Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

Comino is best seen from the water, where you can trade the crowded shorelines for a private boat, clear swimming spots, and a flexible route around the island. This charter takes you to the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Caves, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and simply enjoy the ride.

I like the private format, since your group can choose a half-day or full-day outing instead of following a fixed public-boat schedule. I also like the Julie Pearl’s practical setup: shade, an open deck, a toilet, a freshwater shower, a low bathing platform, and a ladder that makes getting back into the boat easy.

The main consideration is price. At $577 per group, this is a strong deal for 10 to 15 people, but expensive for a small party. Food, drinks, and stand-up paddleboards cost extra or must be arranged separately.

Key points to know

• Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon stops: Swim and snorkel in Comino’s clearest, most popular bays, with time set aside for water activities.
• Private Julie Pearl boat: The boat can carry up to 25 people, but 15 or fewer is recommended for comfort on longer trips.
• Useful onboard facilities: You get shade, open deck space, a toilet, freshwater shower, cooler with ice, Bluetooth speakers, and a bathing ladder.
• Pickups from Malta or Gozo: Meet at Cirkewwa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour, with the exact meeting point sent by WhatsApp after booking.
• A flexible Gozo route: Depending on time and conditions, the skipper can visit Qala Valley, Hondoq Ir-Rummien, Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, or San Blas Bay.
• A personal crew experience: Jeanette handles communication, while skipper Fabio is specifically noted for clear instructions, friendly service, and making adjustments for the group.

Why a private Comino charter makes sense

The big advantage here is control. You are not simply ferried to Comino, dropped near a popular bay, and left to find your own patch of shoreline. You have a boat, a skipper, and several hours to move between swimming areas at a pace that suits your group.

That matters most during a full-day trip. You can spend longer in a bay you like, move on when it gets too busy, or ask for more time to swim and less time at a lunch stop. The route is not presented as a rigid sightseeing circuit, even though the usual outing includes several well-known places around Comino and Gozo.

The boat is suitable for families and groups of friends. Kids can use life jackets if needed, and the rear bathing platform is low and spacious. The ladder gives you a more comfortable way back aboard than scrambling up a narrow side ladder.

For a long trip, I would keep the booking to 15 people or fewer. The boat’s maximum capacity is 25, but that is not the same as having room to stretch out, store food, change position, and enjoy the deck. The recommended group size gives you a much better chance of finding shade or a comfortable place in the sun.

Choosing between four hours and six hours

The half-day option normally runs from 9am to noon. The full-day trip normally runs from 10am to 4pm. Starting earlier or later may be possible, and you can ask about shortening or extending the trip, subject to availability.

A half-day works well if you mainly want a swim, a few photographs, and a quick look at the caves. It also makes sense if you are fitting the boat outing between other plans in Malta or Gozo.

The full-day trip offers better value for a larger group and gives the skipper more room to reach additional sites. You can combine Comino’s lagoons with a Gozo stop at Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq Ir-Rummien, Qala Valley, or another southern bay.

The listed price is $577 per group of up to 15. At 15 people, that works out to about $38.50 per person before food, drinks, or optional paddleboards. At six people, it is about $96 per person. This is not a cheap small-group excursion, but it becomes quite reasonable when shared among a full family group or a large circle of friends.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can begin from Malta at Cirkewwa Jetty or from Gozo at Mgarr Harbour. Cirkewwa is behind the food kiosk beside the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. At Mgarr, the meeting point is from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal.

The exact place where the Julie Pearl waits is sent by WhatsApp after you confirm. That is useful because ferry terminals can be confusing, especially if you are carrying towels, bags, and snorkeling gear.

Pick the starting point that fits your accommodation and ferry plans. If you are staying on Gozo, Mgarr Harbour is the natural choice. If you are based in Malta and already heading toward Comino, Cirkewwa avoids an extra crossing to Gozo before the boat trip.

The boat returns to either Gozo Ferry Terminal or Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, so confirm your preferred drop-off when arranging the booking. The service includes pickup, but it is still wise to allow time to find the right jetty area.

The ride past Saint Mary’s Tower

The trip begins with a short sightseeing cruise, followed by a pass by Saint Mary’s Tower. The tower gives you one of Comino’s most recognizable viewpoints from the sea and makes a good early photograph.

This is mainly a scenic stop rather than a long visit. You should think of it as a chance to see the island’s rocky edge from the boat, take pictures, and settle into the rhythm of the trip.

The first cruise segments are listed at about 10 minutes. That is enough time to move between nearby bays without making the day feel like one long boat transfer.

Swimming at Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon is one of the main reasons to book this kind of boat trip. The stop allows time for swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life, and the boat can give you a better position than arriving by land and searching for space along the rocks.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a proper swim, but it is not a full afternoon in one place. If your group wants longer in the water, ask the skipper how much the route can be adjusted.

Bring a waterproof case if you want photographs from the water, and use the boat’s rear platform for entering and leaving the sea. Snorkel masks are supplied and can be used during the trip, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer a particular fit.

The water may be the focus here, but do not expect a quiet private bay simply because you have a private boat. Crystal Lagoon is a famous Comino stop. The benefit is having your own floating base and the ability to move on, not having the entire lagoon to yourself.

Blue Lagoon, cocktails, and free time

Blue Lagoon is the best-known stop on the route. You can swim, snorkel, enjoy a cocktail, and take free time for sightseeing. The water and pale rock make this a natural highlight, but its popularity is also its weakness.

The planned visit is around 30 minutes. That gives you a taste of the area, but you should not expect hours of unhurried lounging unless your skipper agrees to change the schedule. If your group wants a longer Blue Lagoon stop, say so before the boat leaves.

The private setup helps here. You can use the open front or rear deck, return to the shaded area, rinse off with the outdoor freshwater shower, and keep cold drinks in the provided cooler. Those small comforts matter after snorkeling, especially for children and anyone who would rather not sit wet and salty for the rest of the trip.

Food and drinks are not included. You may bring ready-to-eat food and drinks aboard, and the cooler comes with complementary ice. Do not expect a full galley or meal service. If you prefer to buy lunch, the skipper can suggest a stop at Mgarr Harbour.

Lunch and a walk at Mgarr Harbour

Mgarr Harbour provides a useful change of pace. After time in the water, you can go ashore for lunch, shopping, sightseeing, or a short walk. The harbour has food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants, with options for eating in or taking food back to the boat.

This stop is especially useful on the full-day schedule. A boat trip made entirely of swimming stops can become tiring, and a chance to sit down for food gives everyone a break.

The tradeoff is time. Every lunch stop reduces the time available at a bay. If swimming is your main goal, bring your own food and eat aboard. If your group has different needs, Mgarr Harbour gives you more choice than a fixed meal arrangement.

Hondoq Ir-Rummien and Gozo’s southern coast

Hondoq Ir-Rummien Beach is another swimming and snorkeling stop, with time for marine-life viewing. It offers a change from Comino’s most famous lagoons and brings Gozo into the day rather than treating the island as a distant backdrop.

The usual stop is about 30 minutes. Use it for another swim, a little snorkeling, or a quieter period on the boat. Conditions and timing can affect which Gozo sites are visited, so ask the skipper what fits best on your chosen half-day or full-day route.

The wider Gozo options include Qala Valley, Halfa Rock, Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay. These are not presented as guaranteed stops on every outing. They are possible additions or alternatives depending on duration, weather, and what your group requests.

That flexibility is valuable for repeat visitors to Malta. You can ask for a route that puts more weight on Gozo’s coast, rather than spending the whole trip around Comino.

Santa Maria Caves by boat

Santa Maria Caves are visited mainly for photographs and sightseeing. The boat passes by and may pause for around five minutes, so this is a quick scenic moment rather than a long cave exploration.

That short timing is worth keeping in mind. If you want a slow look at the rock formations, ask whether the skipper can linger. The caves are part of the coastal scenery, and seeing them from the water is the point.

After the caves, the boat returns toward the chosen drop-off point. The route includes several 10-minute sightseeing cruises between stops, so the day has a pleasant mix of movement, swimming, and time aboard.

What life aboard the Julie Pearl is like

The boat is arranged for a relaxed day rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. You have covered shade, open decks at the front and back, seating, and a table in the middle. The layout lets sun seekers stay outside while anyone needing a break can sit under cover.

The Bluetooth stereo is another unusual feature. You can connect a phone and play your own music through the boat’s speakers. Keep the volume reasonable, since the sea and the views should not be reduced to background scenery for your playlist.

The toilet is useful on a four to six-hour outing, and the freshwater shower lets you rinse away salt before the return trip. A cooler with ice is included, but you still need to bring the contents.

Life jackets are available for adults and children if needed. Snorkel masks are included, while stand-up paddleboards can be arranged for a small additional charge and must be booked before the trip.

The skipper and the personal touch

Communication is in English. Jeanette is the contact for arranging the outing, and Fabio is the named skipper associated with the service. Clear directions to the meeting point are particularly helpful at Cirkewwa and Mgarr, where several ferry operations share the waterfront.

Fabio is also noted for spending time making sure the group was happy and for giving useful instructions about finding the various sites. That matters on a private charter because the skipper’s judgment shapes the day. You are not simply buying a boat; you are relying on someone to manage the route, timing, and sea conditions.

Bad weather can stop the trip. If conditions do not permit sailing, you can postpone for another available date or cancel and receive the deposit back in full. You can also cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

Who should book this private boat trip

I would recommend it to families, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a swimming day without sharing a boat with a large crowd. It suits people who value a private deck, flexible stops, music, and the ability to bring their own food.

It is also a good fit for a group already splitting the cost. The $577 rate makes much more sense with 10 to 15 people than with two or three.

I would be more cautious if your priority is a long, quiet stay at one single beach. The route includes several stops, and the standard schedule gives many locations roughly 30 minutes. You should also think twice if you want a fully catered day, since food and drinks are not included.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want your own boat around Comino and Gozo, a choice of half-day or full-day timing, and plenty of chances to get into the water. It offers good value for a group of up to 15, especially with the cooler, snorkel masks, shower, toilet, shade, and fuel included.

Before booking, agree on your priorities: Blue Lagoon, snorkeling, Gozo’s coast, lunch at Mgarr, or as many swimming stops as possible. Tell Jeanette and Fabio what matters most, keep the group near the recommended 15-person limit, and bring your own food and drinks if you want to avoid losing swimming time to lunch.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The price is $577 per private group of up to 15 people.

How long does the boat trip last?

The trip lasts between four and six hours. Half-day trips normally run from 9am to noon, while full-day trips normally run from 10am to 4pm.

Where can I board the boat?

You can board at Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Where is the Cirkewwa meeting point?

The Malta meeting point is behind the food kiosk, next to the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes area.

Where is the Mgarr Harbour meeting point?

The Gozo meeting point is from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal.

How many people can the boat carry?

The Julie Pearl can carry a maximum of 25 passengers, but no more than 15 people is recommended for comfort on longer trips.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring ready-to-eat food and drinks aboard, and a cooler with complimentary ice is provided. You may also stop at Mgarr Harbour to buy food.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkel masks are provided and can be used throughout the trip.

Are stand-up paddleboards included?

No. Stand-up paddleboards are available for a small additional charge and must be booked before the trip.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

The trip may be postponed to another available date or canceled with the deposit refunded in full if weather conditions do not permit sailing.