Review · BAY AND COASTAL YACHT CRUISES
Private Boat Charter to Comino Blue Lagoon
Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline, but the best part of this charter is the freedom to leave the crowds behind. At the marina, your skipper helps shape the day around your group, your swimming plans, and the sea conditions. Paul and Justin are named skippers, and both are praised for relaxed service and flexible routing.
I like the private boat for up to 10 people, which turns the price into fair value for a full group. I also like the useful extras: snacks, soft drinks, water, snorkels, paddleboards, and a gas BBQ are ready on board. The main drawback is the long run to Comino, roughly two hours each way according to one account, and the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded once you arrive.
Key points to know before booking

- A private route, not a fixed sightseeing cruise: You help decide between Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and quieter bays.
- The group rate works best with numbers: At $826.61 for up to 10 people, the cost is about $82.66 each if you fill the boat.
- Snorkeling and paddleboarding are included: You can swim, explore the coast, and use the equipment without arranging separate rentals.
- You can use the onboard BBQ: Bring or arrange food if you want to cook, since lunch is not included by default.
- Blue Lagoon may be crowded: The skipper can suggest other bays, especially when wind or sea conditions make Comino less practical.
- The day runs from 9:00 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m.: Meet at Creek Marina Pontoon in Ta’ Xbiex and return to the same place.
Setting out from Ta’ Xbiex at 9:00 a.m.
Your day begins at Creek Marina Pontoon, Ta’ Xbiex, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting point is described as easy to find and close to public transportation, a useful advantage when you are carrying towels, swimwear, and whatever food you plan to cook.
Before leaving, the skipper shows you around the boat and gives a safety briefing. This is also when you talk through the route. You are not simply handed a timetable and sent along the coast. You can explain whether your group wants a famous swimming stop, quiet coves, snorkeling time, paddleboarding, or a mix of all four.
That flexibility matters in Malta. Wind and sea conditions can change the best plan. One group reached a different lagoon because it was too windy for the Blue Lagoon, and the alternate stop worked better. Another group visited southern Malta instead and spent time in quiet swimming spots. The skipper’s local judgment is part of what you are paying for.
The available feedback repeatedly praises Paul for being friendly, responsive, and calm. Justin is also specifically praised for shaping the route around a group’s wishes. Since skipper assignments can vary, you should not assume one particular person will operate every departure, but the named skippers give you a useful sense of the service style.
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The long run toward Comino

If your group chooses Comino, allow plenty of time for the journey. One detailed account put the trip from the marina to the Blue Lagoon at about two hours by boat. That makes the ride itself a significant part of the day, not just a quick transfer between swimming stops.
The trip gives you time to sit back and watch Malta from the water. One group used the boat ride to look at the coast and Malta’s past from a different angle. You will not be following a formal museum-style commentary, but the skipper can suggest places to visit and help you understand the route.
The boat may be described as a sailboat in some accounts, but sailing depends on the wind. One outing had no wind, so sailing was not possible. If the sailing element matters to you, treat it as a pleasant possibility rather than a promise. The charter still operates as a private boat day, with the route and swimming stops as the main attraction.
Soft drinks, bottled water, snacks, coffee, and tea are included. These are modest but useful provisions, especially when you are spending hours in the sun. A cold pasta lunch can be provided if requested, but lunch is otherwise not included. Ask about it before departure rather than assuming the snacks amount to a full meal.
Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and quieter bays

The Blue Lagoon is the obvious target. Its clear water and sheltered swimming area make it a natural place for a dip, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. The boat lets you reach the area without joining a larger shared excursion, and you can bring your own group into the day rather than adapting to strangers.
The catch is popularity. Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, particularly during the main part of the day. The water may be beautiful, but the setting can feel less peaceful than its name suggests. If you want a quiet swim, tell the skipper early. You may prefer to spend only part of the day there, then move to another bay.
Crystal Lagoon is another possible stop on Comino. It offers a different setting for swimming and snorkeling, and your skipper can help decide if it fits the weather and the mood of your group. The route is not locked to one famous photo stop, which is a major strength of the charter.
Quieter bays are often where the private format earns its keep. Several outings included less busy swimming areas, including bays in southern Malta. You may see more of the coast and spend less time surrounded by other boats. The exact stops depend on your discussion with the skipper, the wind, and the sea.
Do not expect every departure to follow the same route. This is best understood as a flexible day on the water, with Comino as the main possibility rather than a guarantee that every minute will be spent at the Blue Lagoon.
Snorkels, paddleboards, and time in the water

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental for the day. The same applies to paddleboards. That makes it easy to switch activities once the boat is anchored: swim for a while, look for fish, paddle near the boat, then return for a drink and a snack.
The equipment is especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel farther from the boat, while less confident swimmers can stay close and use the paddleboard as part of the fun. One skipper even tried to help a guest learn to swim, though you should not treat swimming instruction as a formal part of the tour.
The water time is also where the private format feels most personal. You are not racing to keep up with a large group or waiting for a scheduled departure from each cove. If everyone wants another swim, you can ask to stay longer, subject to the skipper’s judgment and the day’s overall route.
Bring the practical basics: swimwear, sun protection, and a towel. The supplied information confirms drinks, snacks, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards, but it does not specify every item available on the boat. You should also plan food if you want more than light snacks.
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Using the gas BBQ on board

The onboard BBQ adds a fun option for a group that wants to make lunch part of the day. You can choose the option to BBQ yourself, making the meal another shared activity rather than a quick stop at a restaurant.
The BBQ is included, but lunch is not. That distinction is important. You may need to bring ingredients or arrange food in advance. A cold pasta lunch can be provided on request, so ask about that option before the trip if you want something simple and ready to eat.
A BBQ works best for a group that enjoys a relaxed pace. It is less suitable if your priority is squeezing in every possible bay. Cooking takes time, and the skipper still needs to balance food, swimming, travel, and the return to Ta’ Xbiex. Used sensibly, it gives the day a local, social feel and helps make the boat your base rather than just your transport.
What the $826.61 group price really buys

The listed price is $826.61 for a private group of up to 10 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $82.66 per person for roughly eight hours. For five people, the equivalent is about $165.32 each, so the value changes sharply with group size.
The charter is most attractive for families or groups of friends who can fill much of the boat. You are paying for privacy, a skipper, fuel for a normal trip, route planning, swimming equipment, paddleboards, drinks, snacks, and the chance to use the BBQ. You are not just buying a transfer to Comino.
The price is harder to justify for a very small group unless privacy matters a lot. A shared boat would likely cost less, but it would also give you less control over the stops and the pace. Here, you are paying for room to make the day your own.
Keep the lunch cost in mind. Since lunch is not included by default, your final spend may rise if you request cold pasta or bring food and drinks beyond what is supplied. Fuel is included for a normal trip, but the skipper sets the practical route, especially when conditions are poor.
Timing, weather, and the return to Ta’ Xbiex

The stated duration is about eight hours, with a 9:00 a.m. start and return around 5:30 p.m. That is a full day, so plan your evening with some breathing room rather than scheduling an early dinner or another timed activity immediately afterward.
The charter ends back at the same marina where you start. That simple arrangement makes the day easier to manage, especially if you are staying near Ta’ Xbiex or using public transportation.
Weather matters. This experience can be canceled in poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. Wind can also change the route during an otherwise successful outing. The best response is to view the skipper’s alternate bay suggestions as part of the service, not as a failure to follow the plan.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local Malta time.
Who will enjoy this private boat day

This charter suits you if your group wants control over the day. Families, birthday groups, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that prefer swimming over formal sightseeing should find the format appealing.
It is especially good for a celebration. One group of nine booked it for a 30th birthday and relied on the skipper to suggest the best places because they had no firm route in mind. That is a sensible approach if you want a special day but do not want to spend hours planning every cove.
You should think twice if you want a guaranteed quiet Blue Lagoon or a short journey to Comino. The ride can take about two hours each way, and the lagoon may be crowded. You should also be comfortable with a day shaped by weather and sea conditions.
This is not a museum tour, a scheduled island-hopping circuit, or a meal-inclusive cruise. It is a private day on the water with a skipper who helps you make decisions as you go.
Should you book the Comino charter?
Book it if you have a group of several people and value privacy, flexibility, and time in the water. The strongest reasons are the adjustable route, useful onboard gear, friendly skippers such as Paul and Justin, and the chance to trade the crowded Blue Lagoon for a quieter bay when conditions or mood call for it.
Before booking, ask about the skipper assigned to your date, the lunch option, and what food you should bring for the BBQ. If your group is small, calculate the per-person price carefully. If you are happy to share a boat and follow a set route, a cheaper option may suit you better.
For a full group that wants a relaxed Malta day with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a flexible plan, this is a strong choice. Just keep your expectations realistic: Blue Lagoon is popular, the trip to Comino takes time, and the best stop may not be the one you first had in mind.
FAQ
Where does the private boat charter start?
It starts at Creek Marina Pontoon, MVFXX+25Q, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta.
What time does the charter begin?
The start time is 9:00 a.m.
Where does the tour finish?
The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the marina.
How long does the charter last?
The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with a planned return around 5:30 p.m.
How many people can join the private boat?
The price covers one private group of up to 10 people.
Is the Blue Lagoon guaranteed?
No. The skipper helps plan the route, and possible stops include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and other bays. Wind and sea conditions can affect the route.
Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment and paddleboards are included, along with bottled water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included by default. A cold pasta lunch may be provided upon request, and you can choose to use the included BBQ yourself.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
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