Private Day Sailing Boat Charter

The best thing about this private Malta sailing charter is simple: you control the day. From Kalkara Marina, your skipper can take you toward Comino, St. Paul’s Islands, sea caves, and quieter swimming spots instead of following a fixed group-boat route. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, sail, or simply stretch out on deck while Malta’s coast slides past.

I especially like the freedom to choose between famous places such as Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon and less crowded bays. I also like that fuel, water, a skipper, snorkeling gear, and two stand-up paddleboards are included. The main catch is time: a good part of the 8.5-hour outing is spent sailing, so start promptly and use the private format for secluded places, not just a quick stop at Blue Lagoon.

Key points to know

• Private boat for your group: You are not sharing the yacht with strangers, and the route can reflect your wishes.
• Kalkara to Comino: The day begins and ends at Kalkara Marina in Valletta Grand Harbour.
• Swimming time matters: Crystal Lagoon gets about one hour, while Blue Lagoon gets about two hours, subject to weather and the skipper’s plan.
• Useful water gear included: You get snorkeling equipment, free-flowing water, and two stand-up paddleboards.
• Barbecue lunch is optional: Food and other drinks cost extra, and you can bring your own provisions.
• A flexible captain makes the difference: Captains including David, Terry, James, Nick, Yuri, Steve, Niki, and Maurizio have been praised for tailoring the day and caring for guests.

Why a private sailing day works so well in Malta

Malta is at its best from the water. The shore is a mix of pale limestone, fortress walls, small inlets, sea caves, and startlingly clear swimming spots. From a boat, you see the islands in a way that is hard to manage from land, especially around Comino, where roads are few and popular beaches can feel packed.

This charter gives you a full day rather than a short coastal cruise. The boat leaves from Kalkara Marina, inside the Valletta Grand Harbour, then usually heads north past Sliema, St. Paul’s Islands, and toward Comino. Your skipper can adjust the route according to wind, sea conditions, and what you want from the day.

That last point matters. A couple looking for a quiet honeymoon stop needs a different route from a family hoping to swim and use the paddleboards. The captains have also helped with sailing instruction, photos, stories about Malta, and small practical needs such as helping a passenger who felt queasy or had mobility issues getting on and off the boat.

You should think of this as a private day on the sea with sightseeing included, rather than a sightseeing cruise with a few minutes for swimming. That distinction helps set the right expectations.

Starting at Kalkara Marina in Valletta Grand Harbour

Your meeting point is Sailing Charters Malta, Marina, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390. The same marina is used at the end of the day.

Kalkara is a useful starting point because the boat begins in the Valletta Grand Harbour, one of Malta’s finest views. As you leave, you get a water-level look at the harbor’s fortifications, waterfront buildings, and working maritime setting. The return through the harbor is worth saving your attention for. It is easy to start packing while the boat is still moving, but the final approach is one of the prettiest parts of the day.

The charter lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes. That sounds generous, but sailing to and from Comino takes time. One passenger specifically found that losing the first hour by starting late made a big difference because only about three or four hours remained for anchoring and swimming.

My advice is firm: arrive ready to go and do not treat the scheduled departure as a loose suggestion. You will get more time in the water and more flexibility later.

The boat is private, so only your group participates. The advertised rate is $707.44 for up to two people. That is a serious price for a couple, but it includes the yacht, fuel, skipper, water, and water equipment for a full day. If your group is larger, confirm the exact rate and capacity before paying, since some parties have used the charter for families and groups of four to eight.

Sailing north past Sliema and St. Paul’s Islands

The route normally heads north from Valletta Grand Harbour. You pass the Sliema seafront and sail by St. Paul’s Islands before reaching Comino.

This first stretch is not dead time, but it is important to understand what you are buying. The view changes gradually, and the pleasure comes from being out on the water rather than ticking off a string of quick stops. Some captains, including Nick and Maurizio, have added stories about Malta, boating, and the places along the route. Others focus more on steering safely and giving you room to relax.

That difference can shape your day. If you want plenty of history and local explanation, tell your skipper early. One passenger wished for more information during the sailing, while others specifically praised captains such as Nick, Yuri, and Terry for sharing stories and explaining Malta.

The boat itself has received strong praise for being clean, attractive, and well kept. One boat mentioned by name was Hati. Still, a sailing charter is not a museum tour. Your captain’s first job is to handle the boat and sea conditions safely, so conversation and guiding may vary.

Crystal Lagoon, the first great swim stop

Crystal Lagoon is usually given about one hour. It is one of the most striking places on the route, with clear water enclosed by Comino’s limestone shore.

This is a good place to use the included snorkeling equipment. You can also swim from the boat and use one of the two stand-up paddleboards. The lagoon’s appeal is visual as much as active: even if you do not snorkel, sitting on deck and looking through the water is part of the pleasure.

The stop may not feel like an hour once you change, swim, paddle, and get back aboard. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and have a towel within easy reach so you do not waste the best water time searching through bags.

Crystal Lagoon is popular, but the private format gives your skipper room to judge the conditions and choose a suitable anchorage. You may not always be placed at the exact spot you imagined. Wind, boat traffic, and safety come first.

Blue Lagoon, famous and often crowded

Blue Lagoon receives roughly two hours in the planned route. Its pale, brilliantly clear water is the postcard view most people associate with Comino.

There is a practical wrinkle. Blue Lagoon can be crowded on shore, even when the water itself feels more open. A skipper may stop there, pass by, or position the boat in a quieter part of the lagoon depending on traffic, jellyfish, and the day’s conditions.

I would not book this charter only to visit Blue Lagoon. You can see Blue Lagoon by ferry and spend time there separately. Use the private boat for what public boats cannot offer as easily: quieter bays, small coves, sea caves, and a route shaped around your group.

That is where the money makes more sense. You are paying for time, space, and flexibility. If your dream is simply to say you swam at Blue Lagoon, a public boat may cost less. If your dream is to swim in clear water away from the thickest crowd, let the skipper choose an alternative.

Hidden coves, sea caves, and the value of a flexible route

The most rewarding part of the day may not have a famous name. The captains can suggest less crowded locations around Comino and adjust the route to the weather and your priorities.

You might spend time in a calm bay, swim from the yacht, paddle along the shore, or visit a sea cave that cannot be reached by road. The exact stops are not fixed, and that is both the charm and the limitation. You get a more personal day, but you cannot treat every advertised location as guaranteed.

Several captains have been praised for finding quiet water when the open sea was choppy. That is important in Malta, where a windy day can make one location uncomfortable and another perfectly calm. Families with children have used the swimming and paddleboards to stay active, while couples have chosen a slower route with secluded stops.

Tell the skipper what matters before the boat gets underway. Say if you want more swimming, more sailing, fewer crowds, a barbecue, history, or a chance for a child to try the helm under supervision. The better your captain understands your priorities, the more useful the private format becomes.

Lunch on board, fresh barbecue or your own picnic

Food is not included in the base price. You can add a fresh barbecue meal, or bring your own food and drinks. Free-flowing water is included, but other drinks are not.

The barbecue has been a highlight for many groups, with specific praise for well-cooked swordfish and fresh meals served on board. It can turn the charter into a special celebration, especially for birthdays, honeymoons, and family occasions.

But lunch also takes time. Cooking and eating during an 8.5-hour sailing day reduces the hours available for swimming and exploring. One couple found the barbecue option expensive and preferred the idea of bringing a cold meal with wine or prosecco. That is sensible if your priority is time in the lagoons.

If you choose the barbecue, ask for the menu and price before departure. If you bring provisions, keep them simple and easy to serve. A cold lunch means less waiting and lets you return to the water quickly.

What the skipper adds to the day

A good captain is more than a person at the wheel. The strongest part of this experience is the personal attention provided by captains such as David, Terry, James, Nick, Yuri, Steve, Niki, and Maurizio.

David has been praised for clear communication before the trip and for taking time to answer questions. Terry and Terrance have been singled out for a calm manner, sea experience, and friendly conversation. James received praise for entertaining both an 11-year-old and a toddler while also preparing a well-cooked meal.

Nick and Yuri have been noted for building routes around requests, especially when a group wanted to avoid busy places. Maurizio has shared sailing stories and, when conditions allowed, let a passenger take the helm for a short time. Those touches are not guaranteed, but they show what this private setup can offer.

You should still speak up. If you want local background, ask for it. If you need a quieter bay, say so. If you are nervous about the sea, tell the captain early. The skipper must make the final call on safety, but your preferences help shape the day.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong choice for couples celebrating a honeymoon, engagement, birthday, or anniversary. The private boat gives you space to set your own rhythm, and the return through Valletta Grand Harbour adds a memorable finish.

Families also have good reason to choose it. Children can swim, snorkel, paddle, and possibly try sailing under the captain’s care. There is no minimum age requirement, and most people can participate, though you should consider your group’s comfort with boat access and time at sea.

It also suits anyone who dislikes crowded public cruises. You cannot remove all boat traffic from Comino, especially at Blue Lagoon, but you can ask for quieter bays and spend more time away from the main shore crowd.

This is less suitable if you want a cheap, tightly scheduled way to see one landmark. It is also not ideal if you dislike spending several hours sailing between swim stops. The private format rewards flexibility.

Practical details before you book

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The marina is near public transportation, but hotel pickup is not included, so you must arrange your own way to Kalkara.

Included items are fuel, all taxes, water, a skipper and guide, snorkeling equipment, and two stand-up paddleboards. Food and drinks beyond the included water cost extra.

There is no minimum age requirement, and most people can take part. If someone in your group has mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and explain what help is needed. One captain helped a passenger with mobility issues, but the information does not promise a specific boat-access arrangement.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. It requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. Because your own cancellation is not refundable, choose your date carefully.

Should you book this private Malta sailing day?

I would book it if you want a full day on the water, value privacy, and are happy to let the skipper shape the route. The strongest reasons are the quiet swimming options, the clean and comfortable boat, the included snorkeling and paddleboard gear, and the chance to see Comino beyond the busiest shore.

I would not book it solely for Blue Lagoon. Take a ferry there separately if that is your main goal, then use this charter for the coves and sea caves that make a private boat worthwhile.

Arrive early, pack a swimsuit and towel, decide if you want a barbecue, and tell the captain what kind of day you want. For couples and families who prize freedom over a bargain price, this can be one of Malta’s most memorable outings.

FAQ

Where does the private sailing charter begin?

It begins at Sailing Charters Malta Marina, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390, Malta.

Where does the tour end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Kalkara Marina.

How long does the sailing experience last?

The experience lasts about 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

How much does the charter cost?

The listed price is $707.44 per group of up to two people.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price. You may add a barbecue meal or bring your own food and drinks.

What equipment is provided?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment and two stand-up paddleboards. Free-flowing water is also included.

Does the tour visit Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon?

The normal route includes Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, with about one hour at Crystal Lagoon and about two hours at Blue Lagoon, subject to weather and the skipper’s plan.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Your own cancellation or amendment is non-refundable.