Mgarr/Cirkewwa: Comino, Gozo & Blue Lagoon Private Boat Trip

Comino is best appreciated from the water, where a private boat can slip into sea caves, stop at quiet coves, and let you swim away from the busiest parts of the Blue Lagoon. This 3 to 4-hour trip also reaches Crystal Lagoon, with time for snorkeling and photos.

I like the private format, especially for families or couples who want their own pace, and I like the flexible skipper service. Captain Joe and Mario have adjusted departure times for rough weather, taken photos, and allowed groups to choose how long to stay in each spot. The main catch is cost clarity: the advertised $116 rate covers the boat for up to six, but skipper and fuel charges of €99 each are listed separately, so confirm the final total before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Crystal Lagoon swimming: Clear water and included mask and snorkel gear make this the main stop for seeing fish and enjoying a long swim.
• Private boat for up to six: You share the vessel only with your own group, not a boatload of strangers.
• Sea caves and quiet shorelines: The route can include Comino’s caves, secluded beaches, Santa Maria Beach, and other stops chosen with the skipper.
• Skippers who adapt: Joe and Mario have adjusted times and routes when wind and waves made conditions less suitable.
• Useful onboard extras: Shade, a sun deck, seating, cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and safety equipment are included.
• Two practical departure points: Meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or near the Gozo Channel terminal at Cirkewwa in Malta.

Why Comino works best from a private boat

Comino is small, dry, and famously popular around the Blue Lagoon. From shore, the experience can feel crowded, especially at the best-known swimming areas. A private boat gives you a different view of the island and lets you move on when a cove feels too busy.

The appeal here is not simply getting from one point to another. You get a moving tour of cliffs, inlets, rock arches, caves, and clear shallows, with the chance to stop whenever sea conditions and timing allow. The skipper remains with you, handling the route while you focus on swimming, photos, or music.

This is also a good choice if your group has mixed interests. One person can sit under the canopy, another can use the sun deck, and others can swim or snorkel. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, though the short charter still means you need to choose stops wisely.

The advertised capacity is six people per boat, and the rate is per boat rather than per passenger. That makes the arithmetic much better for a full group. For two people, it becomes a more expensive outing, but a private four-hour boat can still make sense if privacy and control matter more to you than the lowest possible fare.

Boarding from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can start from two locations. In Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

These are useful choices because Mgarr suits people already staying in Gozo, while Cirkewwa is practical if you are based on Malta or are using the Gozo Channel connection. Check the meeting point carefully, then arrive about 30 minutes early. Boat trips run on the sea, not on wishful thinking, and arriving late does not add time to the charter.

The boat is described as comfortable and equipped with shaded seating, a sun deck, and a shade canopy. You also get safety gear, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, free WiFi, and snorkeling equipment consisting of a mask and snorkel.

Bring your own swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hat, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, so pack snacks and beverages if you want them. One couple brought their own supplies and used the boat as a relaxed base between swims.

The cooler is provided, but the listed exclusions say that a separate fishing gear and cooler package is not included. To avoid confusion, ask what the onboard ice cooler covers and what you need to bring yourself.

The sea caves of Comino

The first major pleasure of this trip is seeing Comino from close to the waterline. The island’s caves and narrow openings are difficult to appreciate from a distant ferry. A private boat can approach the rocky shoreline and give you time to look, take pictures, and enjoy the changing light inside the natural formations.

The exact cave sequence depends on conditions. The skipper can change the route because of wind, waves, tides, or other legitimate safety concerns. That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should treat the advertised route as a plan rather than a guarantee.

This is where the skipper’s local judgment matters most. On calm water, you might get a slow look at several inlets and stop near shore. On a rough day, the boat may use more sheltered water or shorten a particular approach. You still see Comino, but the character of the trip can change.

The experience has a pleasant historical angle as well. Comino has a distinctive past and old structures linked to its strategic position, and the tour description includes its historical heritage among the sights. The supplied details do not name particular monuments or promise a formal history talk, so book this primarily as a sea and swimming outing, with heritage views as an added layer.

Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling

Crystal Lagoon is the natural centerpiece. Its clear water is suited to snorkeling, and the trip includes a mask and snorkel so you do not have to bring your own equipment. The lagoon’s visibility and marine life make it a better choice for a short look beneath the surface than a generic stop at an open stretch of coast.

You can expect time to swim, float, and look for fish. The description presents the lagoon as suitable for first-time snorkelers as well as people who already know their way around a mask. Still, remember that sea conditions can affect visibility and comfort, and the skipper has the final say on where it is safe to enter.

I would bring a towel and secure your phone before swimming. The boat is a fine photo platform, but salt water and loose belongings are not a good partnership. If you want underwater pictures, bring only equipment you know is protected for use in the sea.

A private stop gives you a useful advantage here. You can ask for a little more time in the water if your group is enjoying it, or leave sooner if snorkeling is not your thing. The skipper cannot create extra hours, but the route is not locked to a large party’s preferences.

Santa Maria Beach and quieter stops

Santa Maria Beach is another possible highlight, and one of the recorded trips included it despite fairly rough seas. It offers a change from cave viewing and gives you a chance to enjoy a more traditional beach setting on Comino.

The main value of a stop like this is variety. A 3 to 4-hour charter can feel repetitive if it includes only one lagoon, but combining a beach, caves, open-water views, and snorkeling keeps the outing moving. You can also use a beach stop for photos or a break from the boat.

Do not expect every listed place to receive the same amount of time. The skipper may need to adjust the route, stop order, or disembarkation point because of tides and weather. If Santa Maria Beach is important to you, say so at the start, then listen to the skipper’s advice about conditions.

The promise of secluded shorelines should also be read sensibly. Private boating can get you away from the main crowd, but Comino’s best-known waters are popular. The quieter feeling comes from timing, route choice, and the ability to move on, not from a guarantee that you will have an entire island to yourself.

The skipper makes the difference

The strongest personal touch in this experience comes from the skipper. Captain Joe has been praised for taking groups around Gozo and Comino, allowing plenty of swimming time, and taking photos and videos for them. Mario has also been singled out for explaining the sights, allowing passengers to play music, taking pictures, and handling a change of schedule when weather required it.

One particularly useful detail is the way the crew handled a windy day. The captain called the evening before, discussed the conditions, and changed the time so the trip could go ahead more safely. Another family was able to modify its reservation when one child became ill.

These examples point to the real value of a small private charter: communication and flexibility. You can ask about the best use of your time, explain your swimming ability, and tell the skipper what matters most to your group.

At the same time, the skipper has broad authority to cancel, postpone, or alter the charter. That is not a minor footnote in Malta. Wind and sea state can change the comfort and safety of a boat ride quickly. A modified route is preferable to a stubborn attempt to follow a postcard itinerary.

The listed live guide languages are English and Maltese. The named skippers in the supplied information include Joe and Mario, but the assigned skipper can vary. If a particular captain matters to you, ask before booking rather than assuming.

Music, shade, and the feel of the boat

The boat is set up for both movement and downtime. Shaded seating protects you from the strongest sun, while the sun deck gives you a place to stretch out between stops. The Bluetooth speaker lets your group choose its own soundtrack, an easy feature that can make a private charter feel more personal.

You should keep the music at a level that allows you to hear safety instructions. The skipper remains responsible for the boat, route, and swimming decisions, and you will want to hear any warning about rocks, current, or departure time.

The ice cooler and onboard shade are practical rather than flashy. They matter because Malta’s sun can be intense, and a few hours on open water can leave you thirsty and tired. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, and fishing gear are not included, so plan your supplies before boarding.

Free WiFi is listed as an onboard inclusion. Treat it as a useful extra, not the reason to choose the trip. The real payoff is being on the water, with the freedom to look up from your phone and enjoy the coast.

What the price really means

The advertised rate is $116 per group of up to six, which sounds attractive when divided among a full party. But the exclusions list a professional skipper at €99 and fuel consumption at €99. Because those charges are separate from the headline rate, you should confirm whether they are required additions and ask for the complete cost in the booking currency.

That distinction matters most for couples. A pair may find the trip pricey, while six friends or a family can spread the boat cost across the group. The private format, flexible route, equipment, port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, cooler, and WiFi all add value, but only if the final price remains clear.

The boat is not the cheapest way to see Comino. Shared boats and ferries may cost less per person, though they give you less control and less privacy. This charter is best judged against other private boats, not against a standard public crossing.

You also save time by using a separate entrance and avoiding a large shared-boat setup. That does not mean every part of the day is instant. You still need to arrive early, board on time, and allow for sea conditions.

Weather, timing, and comfort

The charter can last 3 to 4 hours, with starting times available according to the booking calendar. A four-hour trip gives you the best chance of combining caves, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Beach, and other shorelines without rushing.

The sea can be rough, even in warm weather. One group had a very windy day but still enjoyed the outing after the captain adjusted the plan. That is encouraging, but it should not lead you to ignore the weather policy or assume every stop will be possible.

The skipper can modify departure time, route, itinerary, and pickup or drop-off point. If you have a flight, ferry connection, or fixed lunch reservation afterward, leave a generous buffer. A boat trip is not the place for a tight schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still moving, though weather-related changes remain under the skipper’s control.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this for a family, couple, or group of friends that values privacy and swimming time. It works especially well for people who want to bring snacks, choose their own music, take photos, and avoid being tied to a fixed shared-boat schedule.

It is also suitable for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel at Crystal Lagoon, while others can stay aboard in the shade. The crew can help shape the timing, but the boat still operates as a sea excursion, not a full walking tour of Comino.

You may want a different option if your main goal is detailed historical touring, a full day on the beach, or the lowest possible cost. The heritage element is present, but the supplied details focus much more on caves, lagoons, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino trip if you can fill most of the six seats or if privacy is worth paying for. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, included snorkeling gear, shaded boat, access to Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Beach, and skippers such as Joe and Mario who have shown good judgment when weather or family plans changed.

Before paying, get the final price in writing, including the listed €99 skipper charge and €99 fuel charge. Then arrive 30 minutes early with water, snacks, sun protection, and a towel.

For a relaxed half-day on Malta’s clearest water, this is a strong choice. Just keep your route expectations flexible and let the sea, rather than the brochure, have the final word.

FAQ

Where does the private boat trip depart from?

You can depart from Mgarr in Gozo, meeting near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, meeting near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long does the boat trip last?

The charter lasts approximately 3 to 4 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is per boat for a private group of up to six people, not per passenger.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. You should still bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

The listed inclusions cover the boat and related items, but professional skipper service at €99 and fuel consumption at €99 are listed separately as not included. Confirm the final total before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather and sea conditions. The route, stops, and departure or disembarkation points may also change.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.