Private Boat Charter: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crysral Lagoon

The best part of this private boat charter is the freedom to get away from the packed excursion boats around Comino. You can swim at Blue Lagoon, look into sea caves, or stay aboard for views, while the captain adjusts the route to the weather and your group.

I like the small-group setup, which gives you room to move and makes it easier to reach narrow cave entrances. I also like the practical touches: snorkels, floats, music, a fridge, and a bottle of local Maltese wine. The main caution is time. Two hours passes quickly, and the meeting point and transport arrangements need careful checking before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to six: Your group does not share the boat with a crowd or follow a fixed large-cruise schedule.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Each gets about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing aboard.
• Close cave viewing: The boat can enter or approach places that larger vessels cannot reach.
• Flexible captain-led route: Captains including Jolene, Alfred, Fabio, and others have adjusted plans for weather, swimming preferences, and sea conditions.
• Good value for a small group: At $240.66 for up to six, the price works out to about $40 per person if you fill the boat.
• Plan your arrival carefully: Confirm the exact departure point, pickup arrangements, and parking situation before the day of the trip.

Why a private boat makes Blue Lagoon better

Blue Lagoon is Comino’s famous calling card, with clear turquoise water and pale rock around the swimming area. It is also one of Malta’s busiest water stops. A private charter cannot make the lagoon empty, but it gives you a better chance of anchoring away from the thickest concentration of boats and people.

You get roughly 30 minutes here, enough for a swim and a look around without turning the whole trip into a single stop. If you prefer not to enter the water, you can stay on board and enjoy the view. Captains have also changed the plan for groups that wanted sightseeing rather than swimming.

That flexibility matters. A standard cruise usually has one route, one timetable, and plenty of other people moving to the same places at the same time. Here, you can tell the captain if your priority is a quiet swim, snorkeling, cave views, or a mix of all three.

Still, keep expectations sensible. Blue Lagoon is popular because it is beautiful, so you will not have the place to yourself. The private boat simply gives you more control and a closer look at the coastline.

Crystal Lagoon and the sea caves

Crystal Lagoon is the stronger stop for many people who want to get into the water. Its clear bay and rocky edges create a good setting for snorkeling, and the boat can take you toward caves that are difficult to appreciate from a large vessel.

The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough time to swim, use the provided snorkeling gear, and look into the caves, but it is not a full afternoon at anchor. You may want to decide in advance whether you would rather spend the time swimming or exploring from the boat.

The cave section is listed separately as a sightseeing stop at L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, giving you another 30 minutes to see the rock formations around Crystal Lagoon. This is where the smaller boat earns its keep. Large catamarans and crowded cruise boats may have to remain outside, while a more compact vessel can move closer to the rugged shore and cave openings.

The water conditions matter. One group had a choppy day but still enjoyed the trip because the captain altered the route to avoid the roughest water. Another group visited in April after windy weather and found the sea cold, even though the sun was warm. If you swim outside the summer peak, bring a towel and something warm to put on afterward.

Snorkeling here is mainly about clear water, rock walls, caves, and the pleasure of being at sea. Do not book this as a guaranteed reef or abundant marine-life trip. One account described good snorkeling but few fish or coral. The setting is attractive, but the water experience changes with weather, season, and visibility.

Seeing Gozo from the water at Hondoq Bay

The final stop is Hondoq Bay, on the southern side of Gozo. Here the emphasis is sightseeing rather than a long swimming session. From the boat, you get a different view of Gozo’s rocky coast and small bays than you would from a road or walking path.

Hondoq Bay also helps round out the trip. The route is not only a race between two swimming spots. You get time to look at the shoreline, listen to explanations from the captain, and see how Gozo meets the sea.

The amount of commentary can vary by captain. Alfred, Jolene, Fabio, Roderic, and other captains have been praised for explaining what the boat passes and sharing local information. One person wanted more description, so if you are especially interested in geology, local stories, or place names, ask questions as you go.

A captain who can shape the day

The guide is a major part of this experience. The boat is private, but the quality of the outing depends on how well the captain reads the sea and your group.

Jolene has been especially involved in pre-trip communication, sending meeting instructions, confirming details, and using WhatsApp to keep in touch. She is also described as a Gozo local and a boat captain who takes photos for groups. Alfred, sometimes called Captain Fredo, has been praised for careful handling around rocky shores and caves, along with a calm approach that made people feel safe.

Other names appearing in the experience feedback include Fabio and Roderic. Roderic was praised for sharing information about the route, while Fabio was described as professional and attentive. You may not get a particular captain, so do not book on the assumption that one named person is guaranteed. The useful point is that the company has several captains with experience on this route.

The best captains offer choices without making you feel rushed. If the water is rough, they can seek calmer areas. If your group is not keen to swim, they can add more sightseeing. If children or less confident swimmers are aboard, floats and swim noodles give them extra support.

Cliff jumping is possible at some locations, according to the experience feedback, but it should be treated as an optional activity, not a guaranteed part of the trip. Ask the captain about safe places and conditions rather than choosing a spot on your own.

What is on the boat

The charter includes a bottle of local Maltese wine, and some groups received sparkling local wine. This is a pleasant extra for a birthday, anniversary, or small celebration, though you should not expect a full drinks service.

Snorkels, floats, and swim noodles have been available. Some accounts also mention water, but one person specifically reported that no water was included, so I would bring your own drinking water unless the operator confirms it. A fridge is available for drinks you bring yourself, and music can be played if your group wants a more festive feel.

The boat is described as a good size for six people. That is important. Six is the maximum group size, not necessarily the ideal number if everyone wants lots of deck space and equipment around them. For a family or group of friends, the size offers a more personal outing than a large catamaran. For six adults carrying bags and snorkeling gear, space may feel more limited.

You remain on the boat except when you choose to swim or snorkel. There is no land tour included in the route, so do not expect time to walk around Gozo or Comino.

Is $240.66 good value?

The listed price is $240.66 per group of up to six. With six people, that comes to about $40 each for two hours, before any transport costs. That is a reasonable price for a private boat, especially if your alternative is a crowded shared cruise.

With only two or three people, the per-person cost rises sharply. At that point, you need to value privacy, flexibility, and closer access to the caves. If your main goal is simply to see Blue Lagoon from the water, a shared boat may cost less. If you want to decide where to swim and avoid being packed onto a large vessel, the private charter makes more sense.

The short duration is the biggest value question. The planned schedule gives about 30 minutes each for Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the caves, and Hondoq Bay. That is a brisk route, and the actual time can be affected by sea conditions, boarding, and movement between stops.

Some bookings appear to involve longer options, including a three-hour version. Confirm the exact duration you are purchasing. One account reported a trip ending earlier than expected, so it is worth checking the timing rather than relying on a general description.

Getting to the departure point

Do not leave transport planning until the morning of the trip. The exact meeting arrangement should be confirmed with Ozzi Cruises after booking.

One account describes a departure from Cirkewwa Harbour, at the northern tip of Malta, with no pickup included. That location can be inconvenient if you are staying around Valletta, St Julian’s, or Sliema. A ride for six people may be hard to find at short notice and can become expensive when demand is high.

Other accounts mention a driver, pickup help, or departure points closer to places such as Siren Quay. Since these details are not consistent, ask the operator where your boat will leave, whether transport is included, and where the driver will meet you if a transfer is arranged.

Parking can also take time, especially around busy harbours and popular swimming areas. Give yourself room to find the meeting point. The company has used location sharing and clear messages to help people find the boat, but you still want a buffer before departure.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. Mobile ticketing keeps the arrival process simple.

Weather, swimming, and comfort

This is a weather-dependent outing. If conditions are poor, the operator can cancel and offer another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The sea around Gozo and Comino can change quickly. A sunny day does not guarantee calm water. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about the forecast and consider appropriate precautions before boarding.

Swimming is optional, but the tour is best suited to people who are comfortable around the sea. The captain may provide floats and noodles, which helps less confident swimmers, yet you should still tell the crew about your group’s comfort level.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry layer. If you visit in spring or on a windy day, you may appreciate warm clothing after swimming. The wine is a nice touch, but do not count on it replacing water or other refreshments.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this boat for a family of up to six, a group of friends, or a couple willing to pay more for privacy. It suits people who want a mixture of swimming, cave viewing, and coastal sightseeing rather than a fixed cruise with narration from a loudspeaker.

It is also a good choice if your group has different interests. Swimmers can get in at the lagoons, while others can stay aboard. A captain can spend more time on caves if swimming is not appealing, or seek calmer water if the sea becomes choppy.

The trip is less suitable if you want a full-day Gozo excursion, long time on land, or a guaranteed quiet Blue Lagoon. It is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes short visits and quick changes of scenery. Two hours gives you a taste of several places, not a slow coastal day.

The private format can be particularly useful for families with children. Captains have been attentive to children, and the boat can carry floats and swim noodles. Even so, adults remain responsible for supervising anyone in the water.

Should you book the Ozzi Cruises charter?

Book it if you want the freedom of a small boat, close cave access, and the chance to shape the outing around your group. At full capacity, the price is strong for a private experience, and the ability to avoid the most crowded boats is the clearest reason to choose it.

Before paying, confirm four things: the exact duration, the departure point, whether pickup is included, and what drinks and equipment will be provided. If the water is warm and calm, the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops can be the highlight of your Malta visit. If the sea is cold or rough, the captain’s flexibility and sightseeing options become even more important.

For a compact, personal trip around Gozo and Comino, I would book it, especially with five or six people. Just arrive prepared for changing weather and a fast-moving schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience is advertised as approximately two hours. The route allocates about 30 minutes to Blue Lagoon, 30 minutes to Crystal Lagoon, 30 minutes to the caves at L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, and 30 minutes to sightseeing around Hondoq Bay. Confirm the exact duration when booking, as longer options may also be available.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people. Only your group participates in the charter.

Does the tour include swimming and snorkeling?

Yes. You have opportunities to swim and snorkel at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. Snorkeling equipment, floats, and swim noodles have been available, but confirm the exact equipment and refreshments included for your departure.

Is a bottle of Maltese wine included?

Yes. The experience includes a bottle of local Maltese wine, and some groups received local sparkling wine. One account reported receiving only a couple of glasses, so confirm serving details if the wine is important to your plans.

Where does the boat depart from?

The departure point can vary or may need confirmation. Cirkewwa Harbour is mentioned, and other arrangements have involved different meeting points or drivers. Contact Ozzi Cruises before the trip to confirm the exact location, parking, and pickup details.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel your own booking for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.