From Sliema: Private Comino and Gozo Boat Charter

The best part of this private boat charter is control. You can spend more time swimming at the Blue Lagoon, pause at Crystal Lagoon, visit Comino’s caves, or cross to Gozo for lunch instead of sticking to a fixed route. That freedom matters when your group has different ideas about the perfect day on the water.

I like the comfortable boat setup, especially the canopy, toilet, fridge, sunbathing area, and Bluetooth speaker. I also like the way the trip works for a large group: the $1,001 price covers up to 16 people, which comes to about $63 each if you fill every seat. The main drawback is simple: food and drinks are not included, and there is no bar on board, so you need to plan your supplies.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven hours on a private powerboat: You share the boat only with your own group, up to 16 people.
• A flexible route: Work with your skipper to choose between Comino, Gozo, lagoons, bays, caves, and a meal stop.
• Two famous swimming stops: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon offer the clearest reason to book, with snorkeling gear included.
• A practical boat for a full day: You get a fridge, toilet, shade canopy, sunbathing area, and Bluetooth music.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks cost extra, and there is no bar on board.
• Skippers praised by name: Tony and Marc have been singled out for being friendly, patient, and willing to adjust the day.

Why a private charter changes the Comino experience

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright water, but fame brings crowds. A private charter gives you something the standard sightseeing boat often cannot: time and choice. You can ask your skipper to linger at a swimming spot, move on when a bay feels too busy, or build the day around your own group.

This is especially useful for a mixed party. Strong swimmers can use the snorkeling gear while others stay on the boat under the canopy. Friends can play music through Bluetooth, sunbathe, or sit in the shade. Families and larger groups do not have to negotiate with strangers over where to stop.

The boat takes up to 16 people, making the price easier to justify for a full group. At $1,001 total, this is not a cheap solo outing, but it becomes a reasonable day on the water when divided among 12 to 16 people. A group of 10 pays about $100 per person, while a smaller party pays more for the same private boat and skipper.

You should also think about your group’s habits. If everyone wants a quiet, tightly planned tour with commentary at every stop, confirm the day plan with the skipper before leaving. The main value here is freedom, not a formal guided lecture.

Leaving from Sliema Ferries 4

You board at Sliema Ferries 4, a useful starting point for a day focused on the water. The charter lasts seven hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability when you book.

Once on board, you can speak with the English-speaking skipper about your priorities. It is worth doing this early. Decide if your group cares most about swimming, snorkeling, cave visits, Gozo time, music, or a meal stop. The itinerary is flexible, but the number of hours is not, so a little planning helps you avoid spending too long at the first stop.

One small point deserves attention. One person found that the skipper did not explain the boat and plan clearly before departure. I would ask a few basic questions right away: How long will we stay at each stop? When is the best time for food? Which caves can we enter by powerboat? Where can we snorkel safely? Clear expectations make the flexible format work better.

Crystal Lagoon and the first swim

Crystal Lagoon is one of the natural highlights around Comino. The name points to the clear water, and the lagoon is a strong choice for your first swim or snorkeling stop.

Snorkeling gear is included, and cave entry is also part of the charter. You can use the equipment to look below the surface, then climb back aboard for shade, music, or a rest. The boat’s sunbathing area gives you a place to dry off between swims.

The water is a major part of the appeal, but do not assume every member of your group will want the same amount of time in it. A private charter lets you divide the stop in a relaxed way. Some people can snorkel while others enjoy the view from the boat.

The boat’s power makes it useful around Comino’s rocky edges and caves. You are not simply anchored in one marked swimming area. You can ask to visit specific cave areas and spend time looking at the coastline from the water.

The Blue Lagoon, beautiful but busy

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for many people. Its clear blue water is exactly what most visitors hope to see around Comino, and it gives you an easy place to swim and enjoy the Mediterranean.

The catch is that the Blue Lagoon is popular. A private boat does not remove the crowds around the island, but it does give you more control over how long you stay and what you do next. If your group loves the famous view, you can make it a central stop. If the area feels too busy, ask the skipper to move on to a quieter bay or return at a better point in the day.

Bring a dry place for phones and cameras. The supplied information does not specify waterproof storage, so you should not count on the boat to protect personal electronics. The same practical rule applies to towels and sun protection: bring what your group needs for several hours outside.

The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon can form the swimming heart of the day. You do not need to treat both as quick photo stops. The private format lets you choose a slower pace, provided your group agrees on the schedule.

Comino’s caves and the rocky coast

Cave visits add variety to a day that could otherwise become a string of swims. The powerboat can approach cave areas around Comino, and cave entry is included in the price.

This part of the trip works well for people who want to see more than the famous lagoon. The caves give you a closer look at the island’s rocky shore, while the boat lets you view the formations without committing to a long walk on land.

The exact cave route is not fixed. That is a strength, but it also means you should ask your skipper what is possible on the day. The captain’s suggested plan may be useful if you do not know the area, while your group can request more time at particular places.

Do not expect a heavily scripted narration at every point. This is best understood as a boat day with local route guidance rather than a formal sightseeing tour packed with historical explanation.

Crossing to Gozo and stopping at Hondoq ir-Rummien

Gozo gives the day a change of scene. The charter can include St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port, so you are not limited to Comino’s lagoons.

Hondoq ir-Rummien offers another coastal stop for swimming or a pause away from the main Blue Lagoon focus. St. Nicholas Bay adds another option if your group wants a different setting. Since the skipper can adjust the route, you can decide how much of the day belongs to Gozo.

Mgarr Port is the practical Gozo stop. You can eat there, making it a useful break from the boat and a chance to have a proper meal. You may also bring your own food and drinks aboard, but there is no bar, so do not arrive expecting to buy refreshments on the boat.

One group’s preferred pattern was lagoons first, Gozo for food second, and caves last. That is a sensible outline, though you can reverse it or follow the skipper’s suggestion. The important point is to allow enough time for the return to Sliema.

What life on the boat is like for seven hours

Seven hours is long enough for comfort features to matter. The fridge is useful for your packed food and drinks, while the toilet means you do not have to treat every stop as a race to shore.

The canopy gives you shade, which is essential on a full day in the sun. You also have a sunbathing area if you want to dry off or relax between stops. The Bluetooth connection lets your group choose its own soundtrack, a small detail that can make the private setting feel more personal.

You should bring food and drinks because none are included. The boat has no bar. A cooler-style setup is part of the appeal, but you remain responsible for stocking it with what your group wants.

Think in terms of a simple boat-day kit:

• Water and drinks for the whole group
• Food for the boat or money for a meal at Mgarr Port
• Swimwear, towels, and sun protection
• A secure way to protect phones and cameras from spray
• Any music you want to play through Bluetooth

These are practical suggestions, not supplied items promised by the charter. The confirmed onboard features are the fridge, toilet, shade canopy, sunbathing area, and Bluetooth connection.

The skippers and the value of flexibility

The people operating the boat can shape the experience. Tony has been described as friendly and accommodating, while Marc has been praised for patience with a group of 14 friends. Those details matter because a private charter depends on easy conversation.

You are not just buying transport between islands. You are paying for someone to help shape a day around your group. A good skipper can suggest a sensible order, explain what is realistic within seven hours, and adjust the route when your priorities change.

Still, flexibility works best when you communicate clearly. Tell the skipper if your group wants more swimming, fewer stops, a Gozo meal, extra cave time, or a slower day. If you want more explanation about the boat or route, ask for it before setting off.

The occasional dolphin sighting was an unexpected bonus for one group, but you should treat wildlife as luck, not part of the guarantee. The same goes for a jump-rock stop. These may be possible depending on the skipper’s route and conditions, but they are not listed as fixed parts of the trip.

Who gets the best value from this trip

I would recommend this charter most strongly to groups of friends, families, and celebrations that want a private day rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise. A full group of 16 gets the clearest financial value, but a smaller group may still prefer privacy and control.

It also suits people who care more about swimming, snorkeling, music, and scenery than long talks onshore. The provided snorkeling gear and cave access give the day some activity, while the shade and sunbathing area let you slow down.

This may be less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the lowest possible price. A shared boat would usually spread the cost across more people, while this charter asks you to pay for the whole vessel.

It is also not the best match if your group wants included meals, a staffed bar, or a tightly scripted schedule. Bring your own supplies, and agree on the day’s priorities before departure.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

The charter costs $1,001 for a private group of up to 16 people and lasts seven hours. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling gear, and cave entry are included, while food and drinks are not.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still moving around. Check the available starting times before booking.

The listed language is English, and the group is private. Meet at Sliema Ferries 4. Because the itinerary can change with your wishes, it is sensible to arrive ready with a rough plan rather than expecting a fixed sequence of stops.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a personal day on the water. The combination of Comino lagoons, cave visits, Gozo stops, included snorkeling gear, onboard shade, and a flexible route gives you more control than a standard cruise.

I would be especially keen to book for 10 to 16 friends who want to bring their own food, play music, and decide how long to swim. Ask the skipper to explain the plan before departure, and remember that the Blue Lagoon may be busy.

Skip it if you want the cheapest way to see Malta’s sister islands or need meals and drinks included. For the right group, though, the private format is the real attraction, and the high rating of 4.9 from 10 ratings fits the experience described by the available feedback.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

You board at Sliema Ferries 4.

How long does the private charter last?

The charter lasts seven hours.

How many people can join the private group?

The price covers a private group of up to 16 people.

What islands does the charter visit?

The trip explores Comino and Gozo, Malta’s sister islands.

Can I visit the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

Yes. The suggested route includes both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.

Can I choose the itinerary?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible, and you can work with the skipper to spend more time at places your group wants to explore or follow the skipper’s suggested plan.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the charter.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no bar on board. You can bring your own supplies or stop for dinner at Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

What facilities are on the boat?

The boat has a fridge, toilet facilities, a canopy for shade, a sunbathing area, and Bluetooth so you can connect your own music.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.