Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

The best thing about this Comino boat trip is control. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you have a private Lucky Lady charter, a local skipper, and room to shape the day around swimming, snorkeling, music, and lazy time in the sun. The boat carries up to 25 people, so it works for a family gathering as well as a smaller celebration.

I like the choice of swimming spots, from the famous Blue Lagoon to quieter bays around Gozo. I also like the practical setup: a shaded rear deck, rooftop sun deck, toilet, freshwater shower, Bluetooth stereo, cooler with ice, and snorkel masks. The main consideration is that food, drinks, and stand-up paddleboards cost extra, and the most popular places can still be busy in summer.

Key points to know before you book

• Private Lucky Lady charter: Your group has the boat to itself, with a maximum capacity of 25 passengers.
• Flexible route: Stops can include Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Gozo’s south coast, and several caves.
• Strong swimming focus: You get repeated chances to snorkel, sunbathe, and rinse off with the outdoor freshwater shower.
• Useful onboard comforts: Bring your own food and drinks, then keep them cold in the supplied cooler.
• Weather matters: Wind can change the route or cancel the trip, but you can postpone or receive a full deposit refund if conditions are unsuitable.
• Good for groups: At $648 for the boat, the cost becomes attractive when shared by a larger party.

A private boat makes Comino easier to enjoy

Comino is famous for water so clear that the sea often looks brighter than the sky. It is also famous for crowds. The Blue Lagoon can feel packed during the warmest part of the day, with swimmers, ferries, sunbathers, and boats all competing for the same patch of water.

A private charter gives you a better chance to adjust. Your skipper can bring you to Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw, or another stop on Comino, then allow time for a swim instead of rushing you through a photo stop. The exact route depends on weather, timing, and your group’s wishes.

That flexibility is the heart of this experience. You can make the day active with snorkeling and cave visits, or keep it simple with sunbathing, music, and several swims. If one bay feels too busy, you can ask about another location, subject to sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

The Lucky Lady is large enough to feel comfortable without becoming a floating party boat for strangers. It has a maximum capacity of 25, but the price stays the same for the group. A party of seven pays about $93 per person. A full group of 25 pays about $26 per person, which is strong value if everyone uses the boat for most of the day.

Boarding at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can start from Malta at Cirkewwa Jetty or from Gozo at Mgarr Harbour. This is useful because Comino sits between the two islands, and you do not need to arrange a separate transfer to the departure point if you are already staying near either harbor.

At Cirkewwa, the meeting point is behind the food kiosk, next to the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. At Mgarr Harbour, the boat waits from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal. After booking, you receive the precise waiting point by WhatsApp, which is especially helpful in a busy port.

The full-day version normally runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half-day trips normally run from 9 a.m. to noon. Earlier or later starts may be possible, and the length can sometimes be shortened or extended by arrangement.

Allow a little extra time to find the boat. Port areas are not always intuitive, and a private charter is more enjoyable when you arrive without a last-minute sprint along the quay.

The Lucky Lady: comfort without luxury pretension

The boat is designed for a day on the water rather than for formal cruising. At the back, a covered area provides shade and seating. At the front, an open deck gives you space for sunbathing and forward views. There is also access to a rooftop deck, so you can move around instead of staying in one position for hours.

A low bathing platform and climbing ladder at the back make repeated swims less awkward. This matters more than it may sound. If you plan to get in and out of the water several times, a stable ladder is far easier than hauling yourself over a high side.

The onboard toilet is another practical plus. So is the freshwater shower, which lets you rinse salt from your skin before the ride back. Life jackets for adults and children are available if needed.

Inside, you will find a cabin with a sofa. The boat also has a stereo and speakers that you can use through Bluetooth. Bring a playlist if music is part of your plan, but remember that the sea is the main attraction. A quieter stretch can be just as pleasant as a birthday soundtrack.

Snorkel masks are supplied for free use throughout the trip. Stand-up paddleboards are optional and must be booked ahead, with an additional charge. Ask about them before the day if they are important to your plans.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s clear water

Crystal Lagoon is usually one of the most rewarding early stops. The water is suited to swimming, snorkeling, and looking for marine life, and the rocky setting gives the stop a more sheltered feel than the open sea.

The planned schedule allows about 80 minutes here, which is long enough to do more than take a quick dip. You can swim, use a mask, sit on the platform, or simply let the group spread out across the boat.

Bring a secure bag for phones and cameras. The best photo opportunities are from the water and from the boat, but wet hands and a moving deck are a poor combination for expensive electronics.

The lagoon is not a secret place. Its name draws plenty of boats, especially in summer. The value of having a private skipper is not a guarantee of solitude, but the chance to ask for a better-timed stop or another nearby location.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy

Blue Lagoon receives the longest scheduled stop, about two and a half hours. This is where you can swim, snorkel, enjoy free time, and arrange lunch or a cocktail.

The water is the star. It is clear enough for easy surface snorkeling, and the bright colors make this the photo center of the trip. If you want a classic Comino picture, this is likely the place.

The drawback is simple: Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, so it is also the place most likely to feel crowded. A private boat does not remove the other boats and swimmers. What it does give you is a comfortable base away from the shore and the option to spend less time in the busiest water.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard, and the cooler with complimentary ice keeps beverages cold. If you prefer to buy lunch, the skipper can recommend a stop at Mgarr Harbour, where you will find food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants for dine-in or takeaway.

Pack food that is easy to handle on a moving boat. Sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and bottles with secure lids are more practical than anything that requires a full table setting.

Gozo’s south coast offers a quieter change of pace

The route can continue toward Gozo, with possible stops at Halfa Rock, Qala Valley, Hondoq Ir-Rummien Beach, Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay. Not every stop will fit into every half-day trip, and wind may affect the choice.

Mgarr Harbour is scheduled as a 30-minute visit and works well for lunch or a short break on land. It also gives you a change from the boat after several hours of swimming.

Hondoq Ir-Rummien Beach is another planned stop, with about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life. The shorter time here makes it more of a quick water break than a full beach afternoon.

Gozo’s bays are a good reason to choose the full-day option. A half-day can cover the main Comino sights, but the longer charter gives your skipper more room to include Gozo and to slow down when your group finds a favorite spot.

The Gozo coast also gives you more variety. You may see rocky inlets, open bays, and quieter swimming areas rather than repeating the same Blue Lagoon scene. If your group includes people who want photos, swimming, and a lunch stop, the full day is easier to balance.

Caves and photo stops around Santa Maria

Santa Maria Tower is a brief five-minute photo stop and sightseeing pass. It adds a bit of Comino’s character to a day that otherwise focuses on the sea.

Santa Maria Caves are scheduled for about 10 minutes. This is a short visit, but the boat’s position gives you a chance to look into the formations and take pictures without committing to a long shore excursion.

The trip can also include other caves and rocky areas around Comino, depending on conditions. Do not expect a guided geology lecture or a long cave walk. This is a boat-based look at the coast, with the skipper choosing what is safe and worthwhile on the day.

One particularly memorable option described by the group experience is a view toward a shipwreck around 20 meters below sea level. Visibility and conditions will determine how much you can see, so treat this as an added possibility rather than a guaranteed feature.

The skipper shapes the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. Angelo and Marvic are names associated with particularly well-liked trips, while Fabio and Frankie have also led flexible outings. Skippers may vary, but the service style is clear: local crew, direct communication, and adjustments based on the sea.

Marvic, nicknamed Maverick by one birthday group, was praised for showing the best places to jump in, explore caves, and snorkel. He also joined the group for lunch in Gozo. That kind of easy interaction can make a private charter feel more personal, though you should not assume every skipper will join your meal.

The company’s communication also matters. Jeanette handled a weather-related cancellation promptly and arranged a new plan with Fabio and Frankie. The replacement trip included swimming and a cave visit when conditions allowed.

That flexibility is worth more than a rigid promise to visit every named bay. On Malta’s exposed coast, wind can make one side of Comino uncomfortable while another side is calm. A good skipper’s job is to read the conditions and keep the day enjoyable rather than force a planned route.

What to bring for a better day

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and food and drinks if you do not want to stop for lunch. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible, especially if you plan to take pictures from the bathing platform.

The boat supplies snorkel masks, but you can bring your own if you prefer a particular fit. Water shoes may also be useful for rocky entries, although they are not listed as provided.

Plan your personal comfort around both sun and shade. The rear deck is covered, while the front and rooftop decks are open. That lets you switch positions during the day, but you still need sun protection.

Keep belongings compact. The boat has seating and storage areas, but a private charter is more comfortable when the deck is not covered with large bags.

Weather, timing, and the main limitations

Sea conditions are the biggest variable. The trip only operates when the weather permits. If conditions are unsuitable, you can postpone to another available date or cancel for a full refund of the deposit.

Wind can also change the route during an otherwise good day. This is not a weakness unique to this boat. It is simply part of spending time around Comino and Gozo, where exposed coastlines can quickly become uncomfortable.

The advertised duration is four to six hours, but the normal full-day timing is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the usual half-day timing is 9 a.m. to noon. Confirm your preferred start and length before setting other plans.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The host and crew communicate in English.

Who gets the best value from this charter?

This is a strong fit for families and friends who want to spend most of the day in and around the water. The shaded seating, toilet, freshwater shower, life jackets, and low bathing platform make the boat more practical for mixed-age groups than a bare-bones small craft.

It also suits birthdays and other group occasions. One seven-person group used the boat for a 40th birthday, brought drinks, connected music by Bluetooth, and stopped for lunch in Gozo.

You should consider it if you dislike crowded shared excursions or want to control the pace. It is less suitable if you want a structured historical tour, an included meal, or a guaranteed quiet Blue Lagoon.

The price makes the most sense with at least six or seven people. For a couple or a very small group, $648 is a high private charter cost. For a larger party, you are paying for privacy, skipper service, fuel, equipment, and several hours on the water rather than for a seat on a short transfer boat.

Should you book the Lucky Lady?

Book this Comino and Gozo charter if your ideal day includes clear water, several swimming stops, flexible timing, and space to enjoy the boat with people you know. I especially recommend the full-day option for groups that want both Comino and Gozo, while the half-day trip is enough for a focused morning around Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon.

Think carefully about the busy-season atmosphere and the extra cost of lunch, drinks, and paddleboards. If you accept those limits, the private format, capable local skippers, good onboard setup, and strong group value make this one of the more flexible ways to see the islands from the water.

FAQ

Where does the boat pick you up?

You can be picked up at Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The exact waiting point is sent by WhatsApp after booking.

How many people can the Lucky Lady carry?

The boat has a maximum capacity of 25 passengers.

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts between four and six hours. Full-day trips normally run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while half-day trips normally run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Can I choose an earlier or later departure?

Earlier or later starts may be possible, depending on availability. You may also be able to shorten or extend the trip by arrangement.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard, use the supplied cooler and ice, or stop at Mgarr Harbour to buy lunch.

Are snorkel masks provided?

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

Are stand-up paddleboards included?

No. Stand-up paddleboards are optional and available for an additional charge. They must be booked before the trip.

Does the boat have a toilet and shower?

Yes. The Lucky Lady has a toilet and an outdoor freshwater shower for rinsing off salt water.

Can I play my own music?

Yes. You can connect your device to the onboard stereo and speakers through Bluetooth.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If weather conditions do not permit the trip, you can postpone it to another available date or cancel and receive the deposit back in full. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.