Full Day Private Boat Charters Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo

The best part of this Malta boat charter is access to smaller swimming spots that larger boats cannot reach as easily. From Cirkewwa, you spend roughly seven hours moving between Comino’s clear lagoons, Gozo’s beaches, and sea caves, with time to swim, snorkel, paddle, and relax.

I like the privacy of having only your own group aboard, and I like the practical setup: a toilet, shower, ice box, sun-protected area, Bluetooth sound system, charging point, and included fuel. The main consideration is the price, $744.95 per group, which makes strong value for groups rather than solo visitors or couples.

The route includes many stops, so you get variety instead of one long stay in one bay. But you should expect a full, active day, and the skipper may adjust the plan if the weather is poor or if your group wants to spend more time in a favorite place.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to 15 people: You share the charter only with your own group, even though the vessel itself can carry up to 22 passengers.
• Small lagoons are the main advantage: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and San Niklaw Bay offer time for swimming and snorkeling away from a standard large-boat format.
• Gozo adds beaches and variety: Hondoq Bay, San Blas Bay, and red-sand Ramla Bay bring a different feel from Comino’s rocky coves.
• Useful equipment is included: Life jackets, safety gear, snorkeling equipment, and a stand-up paddle board are provided.
• You can bring your own food: The onboard ice box includes ice for food and drinks, but swimwear, towels, and sun cream are your responsibility.
• Bad weather does not simply mean losing the day: The route can be changed for safety, or the charter can be moved or refunded if conditions make the trip unsuitable.

Why a private boat works well around Comino

Malta’s best swimming water is not always found at a formal beach. Much of the appeal lies in rocky coves, narrow cave entrances, and bright water along Comino’s coast. A private boat gives your group more freedom than a fixed large-boat outing, especially when you want to stop for a swim instead of spending the day watching the islands from the deck.

You can also customize the route. The planned day includes several named bays and caves, but the boat trip can be adjusted to suit your group and the conditions. If everyone wants more swimming and less time ashore, you have a better chance of shaping the day around that preference.

The boat capacity is 22, while the booking price covers a group of up to 15. That difference matters. You are not paying a per-person fare for a crowded public cruise, but you also do not get the best value with only one or two people in your party. A family, friend group, or mixed-age group can spread the cost and make the charter quite reasonable.

The current price is $744.95 per group. At 15 people, that is about $49.66 each before any optional extras. At six people, it works out to about $124.16 each. I would see the price as good value for a full private boat, fuel, port fees, gear, and seven hours, provided you can fill enough seats.

Leaving Cirkewwa for Comino

The trip begins at Cirkewwa, the northern point of Malta and a natural departure area for Comino and Gozo. The first stretch takes about 20 minutes, giving you time to settle in as the harbor falls behind and the coast comes into view.

That opening ride is not just transport. It sets up the day, with Comino becoming the focus almost at once. Bring your camera, but also keep your phone protected from spray. The supplied information does not specify the exact boat model or boarding arrangement, so you should check the meeting instructions after booking.

Because this is a private charter, your group can settle into the boat without adapting to strangers’ schedules. That is particularly useful if some people want to swim while others prefer the shade or sun deck.

Crystal Lagoon: 50 minutes for swimming and caves

Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest early stops. Its clear turquoise water makes it a natural place to begin with swimming and snorkeling, and you also have time for cliff jumping and exploring nearby caves.

The word cliff diving in the plan should be treated as an option, not an obligation. If you do not know the area or feel unsure about the water, use the life jacket and follow the skipper’s safety advice. The boat supplies life jackets and safety equipment, but you should bring your own confidence and good judgment.

Fifty minutes is enough for a focused water stop, though it will pass quickly if your group wants to swim, snorkel, paddle, and visit caves. You may want to decide before arrival who wants to use the stand-up paddle board and who wants snorkeling gear, so no one loses half the stop waiting.

Comino’s coast and the Blue Lagoon

A 30-minute coastal stop on Comino follows. Here, the attraction is the island itself: rocky shores, sea caves, and intensely blue water. The short timing suggests a scenic pause rather than a long beach visit, so use it for photographs, a quick swim, or a look at the coast from the boat.

The main Blue Lagoon stop lasts one hour. It lies between Comino and Cominotto and is the place most closely linked with the classic Malta swimming experience. The water is clear, shallow-looking in places, and suited to swimming and snorkeling when conditions are good.

Blue Lagoon can be the busiest and most famous part of a Comino day. A private boat does not turn a popular natural site into a private one, but it gives you a better base for enjoying the water on your own terms. You can return to the boat for shade, use the supplied equipment, or stay in the water without following a large cruise schedule.

The hour is generous enough for a proper swim. Still, do not assume you will have the lagoon to yourself. If peace and quiet matter more to you than the famous name, San Niklaw Bay or the smaller coves may be more appealing later in the day.

Gozo’s Hondoq Bay and Halfa Rock

The boat then reaches Hondoq Bay beside the village of Qala on Gozo. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and includes the area around Halfa Rock, where natural scenery and local history come together.

Hondoq Bay gives the day a useful change of pace. Instead of seeing only Comino’s rocky coast, you get a Gozo setting with a bay, a village nearby, and a distinct sense of place. It is a good stop for a group that wants to alternate between swimming and looking around.

The details provided do not promise a guided walk or a shore excursion in Qala, so treat this as a boat-based coastal stop unless your skipper tells you otherwise. The private format may let you decide how much time to spend in the water and how much to use for views.

San Blas Bay and its red-gold sand

San Blas Bay receives one hour, making it one of the more relaxed stops. The beach is known for golden-red sand, clear water, and a quieter mood than the most famous Comino locations.

This is the kind of place where I would slow down. You can swim, sit by the beach, and enjoy the view without trying to pack every minute with activity. The red tone of the sand also gives your photographs a different look from the pale rock and blue water seen around Comino.

The beach may suit you best if your group includes people who do not want to snorkel or paddle all day. On the other hand, access and shore conditions can vary with the weather, and the supplied information does not specify how long the boat stays directly alongside the beach. Ask the local guide where to leave belongings and how to return to the boat before heading ashore.

Ramla Bay and Gozo’s red sand

Ramla Bay is Gozo’s best-known red-sand beach, with sand dunes and a distinctive natural habitat. The scheduled 35 minutes is shorter than the San Blas stop, so use it for a quick swim, photographs, or a look at the beach rather than planning a long beach session.

Ramla is worthwhile because it is not simply another swimming cove. The red sand and dunes give it a clear identity, and the stop lets you see one of Gozo’s better-known coastal places from the water.

Timing is the trade-off. If your group falls in love with the beach, 35 minutes may feel brief. The charter can be customized, so you can ask about adjusting time if conditions and the rest of the route allow it.

San Niklaw Bay for a quieter hour

San Niklaw Bay on Comino is scheduled for one hour. It is described as an unspoiled, peaceful place, and it may be the stop that best rewards people who find Blue Lagoon too busy or too showy.

You can use this hour for a slower swim, snorkeling, or simply sitting on the boat. The private setting matters here: your group does not need to leave because a public cruise has reached its departure time, and you can make better use of the sun-protected area or bow sundeck.

As always, water conditions control the experience. Clear water is a major reason to book this charter, but wind and sea conditions can affect visibility, swimming comfort, and access to smaller bays.

Santa Marija Caves and Elephant Head Rock

The final major stop is Santa Marija Caves, beneath Comino’s rugged cliffs. The 45-minute visit is designed for cave exploration, photography, and a close look at the rock formations.

You will also pass Elephant Head Rock, a well-known natural rock shape. This is a good reminder that the trip is not only about swimming. The coast itself is the attraction, with openings in the cliffs, unusual stone forms, and changing views as the boat moves around Comino.

Cave visits depend on safe sea conditions. If the water is rough, the guide may change the route. That flexibility is a benefit, not a flaw, since narrow coastal spaces are exactly where safety should come first.

What is included on the boat

The equipment list is unusually practical for a full day on the water. You receive life jackets and safety equipment, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up paddle board. Fuel and port fees are included, so the advertised group price is less likely to grow through standard operating charges.

The boat also has a toilet and shower facilities. Those features matter after several hours of swimming, especially for families or groups who do not want to spend the whole day wet and salty.

For comfort, there is a sun-protected area and/or a bow sundeck. You also get an ice box with ice for food and drinks, plus a Bluetooth sound system and USB charging point. You can bring your preferred food, which gives you more control over the day and may reduce the cost of eating out.

You need to supply swimwear, towels, and sun cream. Pack enough protection for a long day in open sun, even if you plan to spend much of the time in the water. The supplied information does not say that food, drinks, or towels are provided, so plan on bringing those yourself.

Timing, weather, and group fit

The charter lasts about seven hours. The listed stop times add up to several hours of actual sightseeing and swimming, with the remaining time used for travel between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. This is a full day, not a short scenic cruise.

I would book it for a group that wants an active sea day and enjoys variety. It suits families, friends, and private celebrations, as well as people who want to combine swimming with caves and beaches. It may not suit you if you prefer a single beach with no moving around, or if you dislike spending much of a day on a boat.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but exact pickup and boarding details are not provided here, so confirm those specifics after booking.

The weather rule is sensible. If conditions are unsuitable, the route can be adapted for safety and enjoyment. If the charter is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Is the $744.95 group price worth it?

The answer depends almost entirely on your group size. For 10 to 15 people, the cost compares well with the privacy, included fuel, port fees, equipment, and length of the day. You are also paying for flexibility, which is the main difference between this and a standard sightseeing boat.

For a small group, the cost becomes harder to justify. You could still value the private setting, but the per-person figure rises quickly. I would only choose it with a smaller party if privacy, customization, and access to smaller bays matter more to you than keeping the price low.

The strongest reason to choose this charter is not the sound system or the ice box, useful as those are. It is the chance to reach better swimming areas in a private setting, with enough time to combine Comino and Gozo rather than choosing only one island.

Should you book this Malta boat charter?

Book it if you can fill much of the group allowance and want a flexible day built around swimming, snorkeling, caves, and beaches. The private format, smaller lagoons, included gear, and choice to bring your own food make it a strong option for an active group.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. Also remember that the route is weather-dependent, the day is busy, and the most famous bays may still be popular.

The cancellation terms are generous if you act early: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded, so keep that deadline in mind. For the right-sized group, this is a well-equipped way to see Malta’s clearest water and Gozo’s most distinctive beaches without being tied to a large public boat.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How much does the boat charter cost?

The price is $744.95 per group of up to 15 people.

How many people can join the private tour?

The boat has a capacity of 22 passengers, while the advertised private booking covers up to 15 people.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Cirkewwa, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Hondoq Bay, San Blas Bay, Ramla Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Santa Marija Caves. The boat also passes Elephant Head Rock.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddle board, life jackets, and safety equipment are included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your preferred food. An ice box with ice is available for food and drinks.

Are towels and sun cream provided?

No. You need to bring your own swimwear, towels, and sun cream.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The route may be adapted for safety and a more enjoyable day. If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

How late can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.