Private boat Charters around Malta, Gozo & Comino

The best part of this private charter is control. You choose the pace, the swimming stops, and the company, then cruise aboard the 43-foot MV INGE III, a handsome Venetian-built motor cruiser with teak decking and a mahogany interior. Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the main draw, but the boat can also reach quieter bays around Gozo.

I like the useful gear included: masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, and paddle board. I also like the practical setup, with shaded seating, a sundeck, a bathing platform, two restrooms, a freshwater shower, music, and a cooler with ice. Joseph has earned particular praise for choosing good swimming spots and adjusting plans when ship schedules change.

The main caution is that the price is high if your party is small, and the advertised timing needs careful confirmation. A 2 to 4-hour cruise is not the same experience as a full day around both Comino and Gozo, so ask exactly how long you will be aboard and which route is planned.

Key details before you book

• A private MV INGE III charter: Your group has the boat to itself, rather than sharing space with a large public excursion.
• Comino swimming stops: The usual route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay.
• Gozo by boat: You can reach coves and swimming places that are difficult or impossible to access by road.
• Water equipment included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, kayak, SUP, and paddle board are provided.
• Bring your own picnic: Food is not included, but you are welcome to bring snacks, drinks, or a full meal.
• Morning, afternoon, or sunset timing: Cruises generally begin around 9 or 10 a.m., while sunset trips run from 5 to 9 p.m.

A classic cruiser with room for your own plans

MV INGE III is not a basic open boat. Built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders, this 43-foot motor cruiser has a rustic mahogany interior and teak decking. The finish gives the boat a traditional look, while the shaded area, sundeck, bathing platform, restrooms, and shower make a long spell on the water more comfortable.

That matters in Malta. A day on the sea can mean bright sun, saltwater, and little shelter, especially during the warm season. Here, you can move between the shaded seating and the open deck, rinse off after swimming, and use a restroom without needing to return to shore.

The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 people. However, the private charter details give a maximum of about 20 to 25 people, while the stated booking price covers up to 15. If your party is larger than 15, confirm the final capacity and price before paying.

This is a good fit for a family group, a birthday, a small celebration, or friends who want to play music and stop for swims without strangers on board. Bluetooth, AUX, and USB connections let you provide the soundtrack, though you should bring any needed device and cables.

Starting from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

The cruise can leave from Cirkewwa in northern Malta or Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. That gives you some useful flexibility. Cirkewwa is the natural choice if you are staying on Malta, while Mgarr makes more sense if you are already on Gozo.

The exact meeting point and route deserve attention when you book. The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you should plan your day around that return rather than treating the cruise as a one-way transfer.

Cruises normally start at 9 or 10 a.m. for a morning or afternoon outing. The sunset option runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Opening hours are listed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5 to 9 p.m., so ask the operator to confirm the start time for your chosen date.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, build in extra flexibility. The crew has been willing to work around changing docking times, but a late arrival can still shorten your time on the water. Tell Seabreeze Cruises your real port schedule before finalizing the departure.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and smaller bays

Comino is the usual centerpiece. The island is especially suited to swimming and snorkeling, with clear water, rocky coves, and several well-known points reached most easily from the sea.

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop. Its pale, clear water is ideal for a swim, but its popularity means it can feel busy. A private charter helps because you are not tied to the schedule of a large group, though the boat cannot make the area empty. Your captain can help decide how long to stay and when to move on.

Crystal Lagoon offers another strong swimming stop. It is known for clear water and a more enclosed setting, with cliffs and rock around the bay. You can use the supplied masks and snorkels to look below the surface, or simply swim from the boat and use the bathing platform for an easy exit.

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay add variety. These stops give you more room to tailor the outing to your group. Some people will want a long swim, while others may prefer a short stop for photographs and a look at the coast.

The boat also passes Comino landmarks such as Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower. These sights give the cruise some context beyond a series of swimming breaks. You see the island from the water, where its caves, rock formations, and defensive structures make more sense as part of one coastline.

A useful point to remember: the water stops are the heart of this trip, not a formal guided walking tour. You should expect sightseeing from the boat, swimming, snorkeling, and time on deck rather than a detailed shore visit at every landmark.

Gozo’s coves and boat-only access

A Gozo cruise focuses on the island’s coastal side. The route can include swimming and snorkeling spots that are difficult to reach by road. That is the main reason to choose this option instead of a standard land tour.

Gozo is well known for its countryside and villages, but this outing shows a different side of the island. You see rocky shorelines, small inlets, and coves from the water. The captain can suggest places for swimming and may adapt the route to suit sea conditions and the time available.

The Gozo portion is best for people who have already seen some of the island inland, or for anyone who wants a relaxed day built around the sea. It does not replace a full Gozo sightseeing tour. You will not be covering village streets, churches, or inland attractions from the boat.

The supplied information describes Comino and Gozo as separate two-hour portions. Since the overall activity is listed as approximately 2 to 4 hours, confirm whether your booking includes both islands, one selected route, or a longer custom charter. This is one of the most important questions to ask, especially if you expect a full circuit of Gozo plus several Comino stops.

Swimming gear, paddle boards, and onboard comfort

The included equipment adds real value. You receive free masks and snorkels, along with swimming aids, so you do not need to buy or pack a full set of water gear. A kayak, SUP, and paddle board are also available for a change of pace between swims.

These extras work best for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle farther from the boat, while less confident swimmers can use the aids and stay close to the bathing platform. The equipment also means children and adults do not have to spend the whole trip doing the same thing.

Bottled water and a large cooler with ice are included. You can bring food, snacks, and drinks, but lunch is not provided. I would plan this in advance rather than assume you can buy a meal during the cruise. A packed lunch is especially useful for a longer private charter or a sunset trip.

The boat has fresh water for rinsing, two restrooms, and a shaded area. Those details matter more as the hours pass. You can stay comfortable without treating the outing as a short transfer between harbors.

Morning swims or a four-hour sunset cruise

The morning and afternoon departures suit different kinds of days. A morning cruise gives you time for several swimming stops, followed by the rest of your day on Malta or Gozo. An afternoon trip may work better if you want a slower start or plan to combine the boat with another activity.

The sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9 p.m. It offers a different mood, with time on deck, music, and a meal or snacks that you bring yourself. Because lunch is not included, the sunset option is better viewed as a private evening on the water rather than a dinner cruise with catering.

The listed duration is approximate, and the available options range from 2 to 4 hours. A short charter could work well for a quick swim around Comino. A longer booking gives you more room for Gozo, several bays, paddle equipment, and unhurried time in the water.

Ask these questions before booking:

• Is the charter 2, 3, or 4 hours?
• Does the price include both Comino and Gozo?
• Which harbor will you use?
• How many people can join at the quoted rate?
• Can you bring your own food and drinks?
• What happens if sea conditions change?

Clear answers will prevent the most likely mismatch between expectations and the actual outing.

Captain Joseph and the value of a private crew

The crew is an important part of this experience. Joseph is specifically praised for handling the boat well, suggesting good swimming areas, and sharing practical advice about Gozo. That combination matters on a private charter because your captain shapes the day more than a fixed public schedule would.

The crew has also been responsive before departure. That is useful if you have questions about timing, harbor access, food, or a cruise ship connection. Communication cannot control the weather, but it can make the day easier to organize.

You should still treat the route as flexible. Sea conditions, time, and crowd levels at the lagoons can affect the order of stops. A private boat gives you more say, not unlimited control over the water.

The boat itself is reported to be clean and photogenic. The teak deck, mahogany interior, coast views, and swimming platform give you plenty to photograph, even when you are not in the water.

Is $1,137.10 good value for your group?

The listed price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15 people. That works out to about $75.81 per person if all 15 places are filled. For 10 people, the effective cost rises to about $113.71 each. For a couple or a small family, the total price becomes the main drawback.

The value improves when you use the boat as a private base for several hours. Fuel, skipper, crew, water, ice, snorkeling gear, paddle equipment, and onboard facilities are included. You are also paying for privacy and the ability to shape the route, rather than simply purchasing a seat on a standard transfer.

It is less attractive if you only want a quick ride to Blue Lagoon and back. A shared excursion could cost less for that narrow purpose, though it would not offer the same space, privacy, or control.

Groups celebrating a special occasion may find the price easier to justify. You can bring your own food and drinks, play your own music, and avoid splitting the day with another party. For a group of 12 to 15, this becomes a sensible way to share a private experience around Malta’s best-known swimming waters.

Who should book this Malta charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want a private boat and easy access to swimming aids.
• Friends who plan to swim, snorkel, paddle, and bring their own refreshments.
• Couples or small groups marking a special occasion and willing to pay for privacy.
• People staying on Gozo who want to explore the coast from Mgarr Harbour.
• Cruise ship passengers who need a flexible plan, provided they confirm port timing early.
• Anyone who wants a sunset boat outing with their own snacks and music.

It may not suit you if you want a low-cost activity, a fully catered meal, a detailed walking tour, or a guaranteed full-day circuit of both islands. It is also not the right choice if you dislike changing plans around weather and sea conditions.

The experience is weather dependent. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should you book MV INGE III?

Book this charter if your priority is a private day on the water, especially with a group large enough to share the cost. The combination of Comino swimming stops, optional Gozo coves, onboard gear, shade, restrooms, and a flexible skipper makes it more useful than a simple boat ride.

Before you commit, confirm the exact duration, departure harbor, passenger limit, and whether both Comino and Gozo are included. If those details match your plans, this is a strong choice for a relaxed, active outing with room to set your own pace. If the price feels steep for your group size, choose it only when privacy and flexibility matter more than finding the cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The listed price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15 people.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately 2 to 4 hours. Morning and afternoon cruises generally start at 9 or 10 a.m., while the sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9 p.m.

Where does the boat depart?

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The cruise ends back at the meeting point.

Which places can the boat visit?

The usual Comino route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. The boat also passes landmarks such as Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower. Gozo routes include coastal swimming and snorkeling spots.

Is food included?

Lunch is not included. You are welcome to bring your own food, snacks, and drinks onboard.

What equipment is provided?

Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, and paddle board are included. Bottled water and a large cooler with ice are also provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.