Private boat Charters around Malta, Gozo & Comino

Comino is the main event here. From the deck of the MV INGE III, you can reach Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay without sharing your boat with a crowd. Joseph, the captain, can also guide you to coves and caves around Gozo, making this more than a quick stop at one famous beach.

I like the private format, since your group controls the pace and can spend more time swimming or move on when a bay feels too busy. I also like the boat itself: its 43-foot size, teak deck, shaded area, two rest rooms, shower, and water sports gear make a long outing much easier. The main drawback is price. At $1,137.10 per group of up to 15, this makes the most sense when the cost is shared, and you should confirm the exact passenger limit before booking.

Key points at a glance

• A private 43-foot cruiser: The MV INGE III has a classic mahogany interior, teak decking, a sun deck, shade, a bathing platform, and two rest rooms.
• Comino’s best-known swimming spots: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and Comino’s caves.
• Gozo by boat: You can reach swimming and snorkeling spots that are not accessible by road.
• Useful gear included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, fresh water shower, and bottled water are provided.
• Bring your own picnic: Food, snacks, and drinks are welcome onboard, but lunch is not included.
• Flexible departure choices: Trips leave from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, with morning, afternoon, and sunset options.

Why a private boat works well around Comino

Comino is small, but its most famous water stops can feel very different depending on the time and sea conditions. A private boat gives you more choice than a fixed group excursion. You can stop for a swim at Blue Lagoon, look into a cave, or move toward a quieter bay without waiting for a large group to gather.

I particularly like this setup for families and groups of friends. The boat has room to spread out, and the bathing platform makes getting into the water simple. If some people want to swim while others prefer to sit in the shade, both options are available without splitting up.

The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, but the operating information gives a smaller working limit of 20 to 25 people, while the advertised group rate covers up to 15. That difference matters. Before paying, ask Seabreeze Cruises to confirm how many people your booking can include and what boat layout will apply.

The MV INGE III, a classic boat with practical comforts

The MV INGE III was built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders. Its rustic mahogany interior and teak decking give it an old-school feel that is quite different from a basic transfer boat. You are booking time on a pleasure cruiser, not simply a ride from one port to another.

The 43-foot length is useful on a full or half-day outing. You have a shaded area for a break from the sun, a sundeck for views, and a bathing platform for swimming stops. Two rest rooms and a fresh water shower are especially welcome after salt-water swims.

Music can be played through Bluetooth, AUX, or USB. The boat also carries a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes, plus bottled water. You can bring your own food, snacks, and drinks, so you are not tied to a set meal schedule.

Lunch is not included. I would treat that as a benefit rather than a problem if you enjoy putting together your own picnic, but it does require planning. The crew can also suggest a restaurant at Gozo, according to the information provided about Joseph’s service, so you may prefer to combine a boat stop with a meal ashore.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and northern bays

The Comino portion is described as roughly two hours, although the total experience can run from two to four hours depending on the selected plan. The boat can circle the island and stop at several key places.

Blue Lagoon is the name most people recognize, and the water is the main attraction. From the boat, you can swim rather than simply look down from shore. The private format also means you can ask about timing and spend less time at a crowded stop if that suits your group.

Crystal Lagoon offers another swim and snorkeling setting. Comino’s coastline is marked by caves and rock formations, and the boat can show you parts of the island that are difficult to reach on foot. You will see places such as Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower from the water.

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay add variety to the route. They are useful stops when you want a change from the best-known lagoon, though the exact sequence depends on the skipper, weather, and sea conditions. I would not expect every listed place to receive an equal amount of time on a shorter charter.

The free masks and snorkels are a real help. You do not need to add rental gear to the price, and swimming aids are also available. A kayak, SUP, and paddle board give your group other ways to enjoy the water, though the supplied details do not promise that every item will be used at every stop.

Gozo’s coast and swimming spots reached by boat

The Gozo portion is also listed as roughly two hours. Here, the point is less about one famous lagoon and more about seeing coastal places that you cannot reach by road. You can stop for swimming and snorkeling at spots selected for the conditions on the day.

This part of the charter is a good reason to choose the longer option rather than focusing only on Comino. Gozo gives the cruise a wider range of scenery, and the skipper can recommend a restaurant if you want to eat ashore. The boat also lets you view the coast from a different angle, with no need to find parking or walk between separate bays.

The trade-off is that the supplied route does not name each Gozo stop. If a certain bay is important to you, ask about the plan before departure. You should also allow the skipper some flexibility. Sea conditions, wind, and the needs of the group can affect where it is comfortable to stop.

Choosing between a morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise

Morning and afternoon cruises normally begin at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., while the sunset option runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The posted opening hours also show a daytime period from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and an evening period from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A morning start is the sensible choice if swimming and snorkeling are your main goals. It gives you more usable daylight and leaves the rest of the day open. An afternoon start may suit you if you are arriving from another part of Malta or Gozo and want a shorter outing.

The sunset cruise is aimed at a different kind of occasion. The boat’s seating, music connections, cooler, and open deck work well for a private celebration, dinner cruise, or relaxed evening with friends. Food is still not included, so plan your meal in advance.

If your schedule depends on a cruise ship, allow room for changes. Seabreeze Cruises has adjusted timing for a group whose ship repeatedly changed its docking time, but you should contact the provider as soon as your port schedule shifts. Flexibility helps, but it is not a guarantee that every late change can be accepted.

Departing from Malta or Gozo

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. That choice can save time if you are already staying near one of those ports. It also makes the charter useful as part of a Gozo stay rather than only as a day trip from Malta.

The exact meeting details should be confirmed at booking. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so arrange your onward plans with that return in mind. Since the charter can be private, it is worth asking about the start time, likely route, and expected return before the day begins.

Mobile tickets make the booking simple, but the practical details still matter more than the ticket format. Check the departure harbor, the number of people allowed, and whether you are booking a short cruise or a longer Comino and Gozo plan.

What the price means for your group

The listed price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15. Divided among 15 people, that is about $76 per person. With a smaller group of six, the cost rises to about $190 per person, before any food or drinks you bring or buy.

That is not a bargain for a couple or a small family. It can be good value for a larger group that wants a private boat, included fuel, skipper, crew, equipment, water, ice, and onboard facilities. You are also paying for control over the day, which has real value around busy Comino.

The cost includes fuel, so you are not faced with a surprise fuel charge as the boat moves between islands and bays. It also includes the captain and crew, which means you do not need to handle the boat yourself. Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, and paddle equipment add value if your group would otherwise rent them separately.

I would compare this with the total cost of several smaller outings, not only with the price of a public boat. If you want privacy, a flexible route, and room for a group, the charter is easier to justify. If you only want a brief ride to Blue Lagoon, a shared excursion may cost less.

Captain Joseph and the service onboard

Joseph is identified as the captain in the available guest feedback, and the comments about his work are especially positive. He is described as skilled at finding attractive swimming spots and offering useful suggestions around Gozo.

That matters because the boat’s value depends heavily on the person choosing the route. The written plan lists several bays, but the captain decides how to fit them together on the day. A good skipper can help you avoid wasting time and can point out coastal sights such as caves, Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.

The crew also handles practical details. The boat is described as clean, punctual at meeting points, and comfortable for photographs. Those details may sound minor, but they matter when you are spending several hours onboard with wet towels, food, and a full group.

Communication before the trip has also been a strong point. If you have questions about timing, departure harbor, food, or the route, ask them before the charter. This is especially important because the supplied information gives several possible group limits and several possible cruise lengths.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend it most for:

• Families who want easy swimming access and a shaded place to rest.
• Groups of friends splitting the cost of a private boat.
• Couples or small groups celebrating a special occasion, if the budget is comfortable.
• Snorkelers who want to carry on without renting every item separately.
• People staying near Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour.
• Anyone who prefers a flexible coastal day over a fixed sightseeing schedule.

It is less suitable if you want an inexpensive, short transfer or if you dislike being on the water for several hours. It may also disappoint if your main goal is a full meal included in the fare, since lunch is not part of the package.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the MV INGE III?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want more than a quick look at Blue Lagoon. The combination of Comino, possible Gozo stops, onboard water gear, a cooler, shaded seating, and a private skipper gives you a full day on your own terms.

Before booking, confirm three things: the number of passengers the boat will accept, the exact departure point, and whether your chosen time includes both Comino and Gozo. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for a relaxed private outing with room to swim, snack, take photographs, and change course when a bay looks inviting.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The listed price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15 people. The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, but the operating information also gives a 20 to 25 person maximum, so confirm the exact limit for your booking.

Where does the boat depart?

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The exact meeting point should be confirmed when you book.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience is listed as approximately two to four hours. A Comino visit and a Gozo visit are each described as roughly two hours, so confirm the route and duration you want.

What places can I see around Comino?

The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, Comino’s caves, Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You are welcome to bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. Lunch is not included, and the boat provides a large cooler with ice and bottled water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, and paddle board are included.

Is the boat suitable for a sunset cruise?

Yes. Sunset cruises normally run from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. The boat has music connections, a shaded area, a sundeck, and space for private functions or special occasions.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.