Private Boat Charter – Comino/Parts of Gozo

The main appeal here is simple: you get the boat to yourself. Instead of following a fixed group around Comino, you can tell the skipper how you want to spend the two hours, then stop for swims, snorkeling, photos, or a lazy spell on deck. Skippers Atef and Fendi have both been singled out for being friendly, helpful, and good at finding attractive swimming spots.

I like the freedom to circle Comino, visit parts of Gozo, and use the included snorkel gear without worrying about a crowded boat. I also like the cooler with ice, a small touch that matters in the Maltese sun. The main catch is the short duration: two hours can pass quickly, and the listed timing for the Comino photo stop is unclear, so confirm the exact plan before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight people: The $259 price applies to the whole group, not each person.
• A flexible route: Weather permitting, you can discuss Comino, parts of Gozo, caves, and swimming stops with the captain.
• Three useful departure choices: Meet near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon access: The boat lets you see Comino’s best-known water spots without relying on a large group schedule.
• Snorkeling gear and an iced cooler included: You only need to bring your own swimwear, towel, beachwear, camera, and sun protection.
• Strong skipper feedback: Atef and Fendi are named in the comments, though the skipper assigned to your trip is subject to availability.

Why a private Comino charter can be worth it

Comino is famous for clear water, pale rock, and small coves that look best from the sea. A private charter gives you a different experience from simply arriving at the Blue Lagoon, taking a few pictures, and trying to find space along the shore.

You can stay with a spot that suits your group or move on when it feels busy. If one person wants to snorkel while another prefers to sit in the sun, the private setup makes that easier to manage. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, and you do not need to fit your swim around a large party’s timetable.

The $259 charge works out to about $32 per person if eight people join. For two people, it is a much bigger spend, at about $130 each. I see the best value for families, couples traveling with friends, or a group that wants privacy and control more than the lowest possible price.

This is not the right choice if you want a full-day cruise or a long visit ashore. The charter lasts two hours, so the experience is about moving between sea views and swim stops rather than spending a relaxed afternoon at every location.

Starting at Cirkewwa, Marfa, or Mgarr Harbour

The usual meeting area is near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, at Marfa Jetty, or at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Your exact starting point matters because it changes which part of the route feels most convenient, especially if you are already staying on Gozo.

The captain meets you at the agreed harbour. Transport to and from the harbour is not included, so you need to arrange that yourself. The supplied information does not give a hotel pickup service, so do not assume the boat operator will collect you from your accommodation.

Cirkewwa is a practical launch point for Comino. From there, the boat can head toward the island’s lagoons and then continue along sections of Gozo’s coast if time and weather allow. If you start at Mgarr, you are already on Gozo, which may suit you if your day is based there.

Bring your swimwear under your clothes if possible. With only two hours, changing time can eat into the trip. A towel, beachwear, camera, and suntan lotion are also on the sensible packing list, although sun protection itself is not supplied.

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and sea caves

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon is one of the main reasons to book a boat rather than just walk around the island. The area is roughly a 10-minute walk from a point identified in the tour information as B, but arriving by boat gives you a water-level view of the rock and makes a swim stop possible.

The name describes the appeal: clear water enclosed by pale limestone. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment here, take photographs from the boat, or simply get into the water if conditions are suitable.

Comino’s caves add another layer to the route. The island is well known for openings and rock formations along its coast, and the boat allows you to see them from an angle that is not available on foot. One previous outing circled Comino completely and included several caves and rock formations, with the skipper pointing out places to swim and snorkel.

Do not expect a long cave visit on land. This is a boat-based look at the formations, and the captain decides what is practical according to sea conditions and the time available. That flexibility is useful, but it also means the precise route is not guaranteed.

The Blue Lagoon photo stop

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s headline attraction. It lies about a 15-minute boat ride across the water from Mgarr, according to the supplied details, and it is the place most people will want to photograph.

From the boat, you can appreciate the water and surrounding rock without committing the whole trip to a shore visit. The listed plan gives the Blue Lagoon a one-hour photo stop, but the skipper can discuss how you want to use your time. You may prefer a swim, a few pictures, or a short look before moving to a quieter part of the coast.

The Blue Lagoon can be the busiest part of a Comino visit. A private boat does not make the lagoon private, but it does let you avoid being tied to a large group’s schedule. If the area feels too crowded for your taste, ask about moving on to another swimming place.

This is also where the two-hour limit becomes important. If you spend a full hour here, the remaining time has to cover the boat ride, any other Comino stops, and a possible stretch of Gozo coast. For a broader route, tell the skipper early that you want to see more than the Blue Lagoon.

Gozo’s coast, Gebla Tal-Halfa, and Mgarr Ix-Xini

The charter can include parts of Gozo, with the route shaped by your wishes and the weather. That gives the trip more range than a simple out-and-back visit to the Blue Lagoon.

Gebla Tal-Halfa is a small, deserted islet and limestone rock on Gozo’s south-east side. It is a quiet-looking contrast to the famous lagoon, with bare rock and open water around it. The boat provides the best way to appreciate its isolation because there is no normal shore visit built into this activity.

Mgarr Ix-Xini is another possible stop. It is described as a beautiful place for swimming and snorkeling, once more secluded than it is now. If you want water time instead of a long list of photo stops, this could be a good place to ask for a pause.

A past route combined a full circuit of Comino with part of the Gozo coast, including caves, rock formations, and swim stops. That is a useful guide to what can fit into a charter, but it should not be treated as a fixed promise. The captain has to balance distance, sea conditions, and your chosen stops.

What the captain adds to the experience

The skipper is more than the person steering the boat. Since this is a private outing, you can explain what matters most to your group: the Blue Lagoon, snorkeling, caves, photos, or a quiet swim.

Atef is praised for taking a group to the places they wanted to see and for being helpful, informative, and fun company. Fendi is also named as a skipper who showed guests caves and rock formations and took them to good places for swimming and snorkeling. These names are useful to know, but the operator assigns captains according to availability, so you should not book on the assumption that either person will definitely be onboard.

English is the listed operating language. An English audio guide is also included in the activity details, though the personal interaction with the skipper is likely to be the more useful part of a short trip.

The best approach is to speak up at the start. A captain can only tailor the route if you say what your group wants. Ask how much time is realistic for the Blue Lagoon, how many swim stops fit, and whether a Gozo stop can be added.

The two-hour timing deserves a close look

Two hours sounds reasonable until you count the departure, boat movement, photo stops, and return to the harbour. You can certainly see a good section of Comino in that time, but you will need to choose your priorities.

The itinerary lists a Comino photo stop as 45 hours, which is clearly inconsistent with a two-hour charter. It may be a data-entry error, perhaps intended to mean 45 minutes, but the exact timing should be confirmed before booking. The Blue Lagoon is listed with a one-hour stop.

If your group wants a quick swim and the main Comino views, two hours may be enough. If you want to circle Comino, visit several caves, stop at the Blue Lagoon, and reach Gozo’s coast, the schedule will feel tight.

I would treat this as a focused coastal outing, not a complete tour of both islands. Decide on your top two or three priorities before boarding. That simple step helps you avoid spending the whole trip negotiating the route.

What is included, and what you still need

The charter includes the boat, fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, and a cooler with ice. Those inclusions make the price easier to judge because you are not paying a low headline rate and then adding fuel or basic equipment later.

The cooler is especially practical. You can bring drinks or small refreshments and keep them cold, although the supplied information does not say that food or drinks are provided.

You need to bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Beachwear
• Camera
• Suntan lotion

Transport to and from the harbour is not included. Swimwear and sun protection are also not provided. Because the activity is built around swim stops, leaving these items behind would reduce much of the value of the outing.

There is no mention of a toilet, changing room, meal service, or specific boat model. I would not count on any of those unless the operator confirms them directly.

Who will enjoy this private boat trip

This charter fits people who value privacy and want a say in the route. It is particularly well suited to a group of friends or a family of up to eight, since the fixed group price becomes more reasonable as more people join.

It also suits confident swimmers and anyone who wants to snorkel at more than one coastal location. The included equipment means you can try the water without arranging separate rental gear.

Couples can enjoy it too, but the cost per person is much higher with only two passengers. If saving money is your main aim, a shared boat would likely make more sense, though no shared option is described here.

This is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. A boat moving around Comino and Gozo can be uncomfortable for anyone sensitive to motion, and the operator specifically lists seasickness as a reason to avoid the activity.

The charter may also be less suitable if you need a highly fixed schedule. The route depends on boat availability, weather, and the discussion with the captain. That is a strength for flexible groups, but a drawback for anyone who wants every stop guaranteed in advance.

Booking, cancellation, and practical checks

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a booking without paying immediately. Boats are subject to availability, so check the start times rather than assuming a departure will fit your day.

The activity offers a private group and skip-the-ticket-line arrangements. The important point here is not a formal ticket queue, but the ease of meeting the captain and getting onto your own boat rather than joining a larger boarding process.

Before you pay, confirm four things: the exact harbour, the skipper meeting point, the route you want, and the timing of the Comino stop. That last check is especially important because the listed 45-hour figure cannot fit a two-hour charter.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo charter?

Book it if you want privacy, flexible swim stops, and a small-group day on the water. The fixed $259 price offers fair value for a full group of eight, and the included fuel, skipper, snorkel gear, and iced cooler keep extra costs down.

I would choose it over a large group cruise if your priority is moving at your own pace. The strongest part of the experience is the chance to ask for Comino’s caves, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, or a Gozo stop instead of accepting a one-size-fits-all route.

Think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have only a narrow window for the day, or expect a long, leisurely cruise. For the best result, fill the boat with people you enjoy, agree on your must-see stops before departure, and confirm the timing and harbour in advance.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts two hours. Longer durations may be available, but the supplied activity details only specify a two-hour option and say to check availability.

How many people can join the boat?

The private charter costs $259 for a group of up to eight people.

Where do I meet the captain?

You meet the captain near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, at Marfa Jetty, or at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Confirm your exact meeting point before the trip.

Is transport to the harbour included?

No. Transport to and from the harbour is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the private charter.

Is fuel included?

Yes. Fuel and the skipper are included in the price.

Is there a cooler on the boat?

Yes. A cooler with ice is included.

Can I choose where the boat goes?

You can discuss your preferred places with the captain. The route can be adjusted when weather conditions permit, but boats and specific routes are subject to availability.

Can the charter visit the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

The planned area includes Comino, including the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. The boat may also visit caves, parts of Gozo, Gebla Tal-Halfa, and Mgarr Ix-Xini, depending on timing and conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, beachwear, a camera, and suntan lotion. Swimwear and sun protection are not supplied.

Is the charter suitable for someone prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is specifically listed as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-pay-later option is also available.