Private Boat Charter Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo

The best part of this private Malta boat charter is getting into Santa Maria Caves, where a small boat can pass through narrow openings that larger vessels cannot reach. You also get time to swim and snorkel at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, with the day shaped around your own group rather than a crowded shared boat.

I like the privacy and the freedom to settle into the water at your own pace. I also like the small-boat access to quiet corners and caves, plus the chance to have a captain such as Bufon explain what you are seeing. The main drawback is price: $786.40 is a serious outlay unless you can fill most of the seven-person boat.

Key points at a glance

• Santa Maria Caves access: A small private boat can enter passages that larger boats cannot.
• Two swimming stops: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each receive about 1.5 hours on the Comino option.
• Gozo choice: The Gozo and Comino version adds about two hours around Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini.
• Private group setting: Only your party participates, making it easier to relax, swim, snorkel, or sunbathe without keeping pace with strangers.
• Sliema departure: You leave from Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema and return there after roughly seven hours.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations are free up to 24 hours before departure.

A private route from Sliema to Malta’s best water stops

This is a full day on the sea, not a quick transfer to Comino. You leave the Strand in Sliema and follow the Maltese coast, with roughly 35 minutes at the start to enjoy the views from the water.

That opening ride matters because it gives you a different angle on Malta. From a boat, the coast becomes a sequence of rocky cliffs, openings, and small coves rather than a string of roads and buildings. I would treat this first stretch as part sightseeing and part time to settle into the boat.

The route then passes Marks and Dukes Window and makes a stop at Smugglers Cave. The listed timing for this part is about 45 minutes, including the passage by the coastal formations and the cave stop. It is a useful early photo break before the longer swims later in the day.

Smugglers Cave and the close approach to Santa Maria

The real advantage of a private charter appears at Santa Maria Caves. The boat can go inside the cave system, giving you a close view of the rock formations, steep stone walls, and clear turquoise water.

You should expect this to be a boat-based visit rather than a long walk through caves. The captain guides the boat through narrow passages, so the experience depends on sea conditions and what can be safely reached that day. Still, this is a more intimate way to see Comino than simply looking at the caves from a larger vessel offshore.

The water and rock make this a strong photography stop. Keep your camera ready, but also watch the space around you. The appeal is the changing view as the boat moves through the opening, with natural rock shapes and marine life visible below the surface.

The Smugglers Cave and Santa Maria section also helps explain why the private format costs more. You are not paying only for transportation between two famous lagoons. You are paying for access to places where a smaller boat can maneuver with greater ease.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, limited quiet

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for many people visiting Comino. The boat anchors here, and you have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply sit on deck and look across the clear water.

On the Comino-only option, the listed stay is about 1.5 hours. That is long enough for a proper swim and a little time in the sun, though you should not expect to have the lagoon entirely to yourself. Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, so its fame is part of the experience and part of the trade-off.

I like having a private boat as your base. You can return to the boat to rest, rather than treating the entire stop as a scramble for space on shore. The charter also lets your group decide how much time to spend in the water and how much time to spend relaxing.

Snorkeling is a natural fit here because the water is clear. Bring your own comfort level and do not assume that every person in the group needs to be in the water at once. Some can swim while others enjoy the boat and the scenery.

The practical point is to think of Blue Lagoon as a beautiful, popular swimming stop, not a secluded cove. If you want more peace, Crystal Lagoon may suit you better.

Crystal Lagoon: a calmer place to snorkel

Crystal Lagoon receives about 1.5 hours on the Comino option. It is surrounded by rocky cliffs and vegetation, and its shallow water supports colorful fish and sea urchins.

This is the stop I would especially value if snorkeling matters to you. The shallow water can make it easier to look down and spot marine life, while the surrounding rock gives the lagoon a more enclosed feel than Blue Lagoon.

You can swim, snorkel, or stay on board. That flexibility is important on a seven-hour outing. A private charter works best when the group does not need to follow one fixed idea of fun. One person can take a swim, another can sunbathe, and another can photograph the cliffs.

Use care around rocky edges and sea urchins. The supplied information specifically notes their presence, so water shoes may be worth considering, though they are not listed as provided. I would also ask the operator what snorkeling equipment is included before departure, since the information confirms the activity but does not list equipment.

Adding Gozo changes the pace

The Gozo and Comino version adds about two hours around Gozo’s coastline. The captain may take you to Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or to Mgarr ix-Xini. The exact Gozo stop is therefore part of the day’s operating plan rather than a guaranteed single beach.

This option is best for you if seeing two Maltese islands matters more than spending the maximum time at each Comino lagoon. With Gozo added, the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops are each listed at about one hour instead of 1.5 hours.

That is a clear choice:

• Choose Comino only for longer swimming and snorkeling stops.
• Choose Gozo and Comino for a wider coastal route and around two hours at Gozo.

At Gozo, you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and look along the coast from the boat. The route does not promise a land tour of Gozo’s towns or inland sights. This is a coastal visit, so book it for time on the water rather than for museums, churches, or village sightseeing.

Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, and Mgarr ix-Xini give the captain several possible areas to use. Since the exact stop can vary, I would ask at the start which bay is planned and how long the boat will remain there.

What seven hours feels like on the water

The scheduled day adds up to roughly seven hours. After the final stop, the return to Sliema takes about 40 minutes. That ride gives you time to sit back and watch the Maltese coast from the opposite direction.

Seven hours is long enough to feel like a proper day out, but it also means you should be comfortable spending much of the day on a boat. The itinerary includes several chances to swim, yet the boat remains your main base between stops.

A private group of up to seven is a good size for this format. You can keep conversation easy, and the captain can respond to your group’s interests more directly than on a large excursion. The smaller boat also explains the access to Santa Maria Caves and the ability to reach quieter areas.

The downside is simple: the more people in your party, the better the value. At $786.40 per group, a full group of seven pays about $112 per person before any other personal costs. A couple or small family will pay much more per person, but will still receive a private boat for the day rather than buying several individual seats on a shared trip.

The price makes the most sense for families, close friends, or a group that values privacy. It is harder to justify for one or two people unless a private charter is a major priority.

Captain Bufon and the feel of the day

Captain Bufon receives special praise for combining information with a relaxed pace. That balance matters on a boat day. You want enough explanation to understand the caves and coast, but not a nonstop lecture while you are trying to swim.

The strongest feature here is the easy rhythm: cruise, stop, swim, rest, and move on. You are not being pushed through a long list of land sights. The private setup lets the day feel more personal and less like a race between viewpoints.

The captain is also your source of local context. You can ask about the formations, the caves, and the route as you go. The activity is offered in English, which makes it suitable for English-speaking groups who want commentary during the cruise.

The company is A1 Boat Charters Malta. The experience has a 5 rating from 157 evaluations, with 100 percent recommendation shown in the supplied booking information. Those numbers suggest a strong record, but I would still focus on fit: this is primarily a relaxed sea outing, not a structured history tour or a full Gozo land excursion.

Timing, meeting point, and what to clarify

The meeting point is Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from Comino or Gozo.

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, according to the activity information, but swimming ability and comfort on a boat will shape how much you enjoy the day.

The listed timings have a small point worth clarifying. The Comino option gives about 1.5 hours at both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. The Gozo and Comino option reduces each to about one hour and adds around two hours at Gozo. Ask which version you are booking so you know exactly how your water time is divided.

The experience depends on good weather. If rough conditions cause cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

The information does not specify food, drinks, towels, or snorkeling gear. Ask what is included before you set off, and plan around the fact that you will be away from Sliema for most of the day.

Who should book this private charter

I would choose this charter for a group that wants Malta’s water highlights without sharing the boat with a large crowd. It suits people who care about swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and a slower day outside the city.

Families can benefit from the private setting because not everyone has to swim at the same time. Friends can use the boat as a comfortable base between stops. Couples should think carefully about the price, since the group rate is much better when divided among several people.

The Comino-only option suits you if Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the main reason you are booking. You receive longer at both lagoons and can give the swimming stops more attention.

The Gozo and Comino option suits you if you want a broader taste of the islands. You will give up some time at each Comino lagoon, but you add a two-hour coastal stop in Gozo.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed visit to Gozo’s interior, a walk through historic towns, or a tightly planned sightseeing schedule. It is also not the best choice if you dislike sun, open water, or a full day aboard a boat.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if your group can share the cost and values access, privacy, and time in the water. The Santa Maria Caves passage is the most distinctive part, while Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon provide the classic Comino swimming experience.

Choose Comino only for longer lagoon stops. Choose Gozo and Comino if seeing more coastline matters more than maximizing swim time. If your group includes up to seven people, the price can be reasonable for a private day with a captain, especially when compared with arranging separate boat outings. For a small group, compare the cost carefully before committing.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

The charter starts at Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema.

Where does the experience end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Sliema Promenade.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to seven people.

What can I see at Santa Maria Caves?

The boat enters narrow sections of Santa Maria Caves that larger boats cannot reach. You can see rock formations, clear turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and marine life.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

On the Comino option, you spend about 1.5 hours at each lagoon. On the Gozo and Comino option, you spend about one hour at each.

What does the Gozo and Comino option include?

It includes a coastal visit to Gozo, with possible stops at Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini. You have around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and viewing the coastline.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. 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 accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.