Private Yacht Charters around Comino & Blue Lagoon

Comino is at its best from the water, where a private yacht lets you reach swimming spots and rocky sights at your own pace. This four-hour cruise aboard the classic INGE III combines snorkeling, swimming, and sightseeing without putting you on a crowded group boat.

I like the choice of stopping points, since the skipper can decide which bay looks best on the day. I also like the generous equipment package: masks, snorkels, a kayak, and a SUP are included, along with fuel, crew, shade, and a freshwater shower. The main consideration is price. At $1,021 per group of up to 12, this makes the most sense when you fill the boat with family or friends.

Key points at a glance

• A private 43-foot yacht: INGE III is a 13-meter motor cruiser built in Venice, with mahogany inside and teak decking outside.
• Flexible Comino route: You may visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and selected bays around Gozo.
• Real time on the water: The four-hour format gives you room to swim, snorkel, use the water toys, and see Comino’s coastal sights.
• Useful gear included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, music, shade, toilets, and a freshwater shower come with the charter.
• Two departure points: You can leave from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Best value for a group: The listed price covers up to 12 people, while the boat itself is licensed for larger groups of 20 to 25.

Why a private boat changes the Comino day

A private charter gives you something a standard boat trip cannot: control over the pace. You are not simply carried around Comino while someone else decides when to stop. You can spend more time swimming at a favorite bay, move on when the water toys have had their turn, or use the yacht as a comfortable base between short visits ashore or in the water.

The route normally includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. The exact order can change, since the crew goes where conditions and the day’s best options point them. That flexibility matters around a small island with several coves close together.

This is also a practical choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or paddle, while anyone who wants a slower afternoon can stay on the shaded part of the yacht, sit on the sundeck, or use the bathing platform. Two restrooms and a freshwater shower make the boat more comfortable than a basic open excursion boat.

The boat can carry more people than the price description covers. INGE III is licensed and fully insured for 20 to 25 people, while the advertised group price is for up to 12. If your party is larger, confirm the final capacity and price before booking. For a group of 12, the starting price works out to about $85 per person. With fewer people, the individual cost rises, but you also get more room and privacy.

Boarding at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can depart from Cirkewwa, near the Gozo ferry in northern Malta, or from Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. That choice can save you a long cross-island transfer, especially if your group is already staying on Gozo.

The morning or afternoon format usually begins at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on availability. The listed activity lasts four hours, so treat it as a half-day outing rather than a full island cruise. The same yacht is also used for longer private trips, but a longer charter should be arranged separately.

A sunset option runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This gives you a different rhythm, with less emphasis on packing in several swimming stops and more time for an evening boat ride. The information provided does not specify exactly which bays the sunset route visits, so ask about the intended plan when arranging that departure.

Allow a little time to find the correct jetty and be ready at the agreed meeting point. Since pickup is included from the stated departure locations, you should confirm whether your booking begins at Cirkewwa or Mgarr rather than assuming the boat leaves from the side of Malta where you are staying.

A closer look at INGE III

The yacht is a 43-foot, or 13-meter, motor cruiser built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders. Its rustic mahogany interior and teak decking give it a more traditional feel than a simple fiberglass day boat.

That design matters most when you are spending several hours onboard. You have an interior area, a shaded section, a sundeck, and a bathing platform. The yacht also has two restrooms, a freshwater shower, and onboard accommodation, although the supplied details do not explain the sleeping arrangements or offer overnight use as part of this four-hour charter.

Music is available through Bluetooth, AUX, and USB connections. That lets your group control the mood, though you should be prepared to handle your own device and playlist. The large cooler comes with ice flakes and ice cubes, so you can bring food, snacks, or drinks without needing to carry a separate cooler.

If your group has eight people or fewer, unlimited wine and water are offered. The details do not state the wine selection, so anyone with particular preferences should bring suitable drinks or ask ahead. Food is not listed as included, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is one of the main reasons people book a Comino boat trip. Here, your yacht gives you a base for swimming and snorkeling, with a bathing platform for getting into and out of the water.

I like that the boat is equipped for more than a quick swim. You can use the included masks and snorkels to look below the surface, then switch to the kayak or SUP for a different view of the coast. Swimming aids are also available, which is useful for anyone who enjoys the water but does not want to spend the whole stop actively swimming.

Crystal Lagoon offers another planned swimming stop. The name suggests the appeal, but the practical point is that the route includes more than one place to get in the water. If conditions, timing, or the skipper’s judgment favor another bay, the crew may adjust the plan. This is one of the strengths of a private charter, though it also means you should not treat every listed stop as a guaranteed timed visit.

The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are swimming locations, not formal guided tours with a set script. Your skipper and crew operate the boat and help with the outing, but the supplied information does not promise a naturalist commentary or a structured snorkeling lesson.

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay are also part of the normal Comino circuit. Including several bays gives you a better chance of finding a stop that suits your group on the day.

One bay may appeal to swimmers, another to people who want to use the kayak or paddle board, and another may simply make a pleasant place to sit on deck. The route is not presented as a fixed checklist. The crew normally goes around Comino and chooses the best places available that day, with some bays around Gozo also possible.

That flexibility is useful, but it requires realistic expectations. If your group has one must-see stop, tell the crew early. If you want a relaxed outing with room to change plans, this format is a better fit than a rigid sightseeing circuit.

Four hours can pass quickly once you allow for cruising between bays, getting equipment ready, swimming, and moving on. I would choose two or three activities rather than trying to use every piece of equipment at every stop. A short snorkel, a paddle, and time to sit on the sundeck will feel less rushed than a race through the entire gear locker.

Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower

The cruise is not only about swimming. From the water, you can see Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower among the sights around Comino.

Elephant Rock is a natural coastal landmark and makes a good reason to keep your phone or camera ready while cruising. St Mary Battery and St Mary Tower add a human-made layer to the route, giving you something to look at between swimming stops.

The supplied details do not promise a shore landing at each sight. Think of these as coastal views seen from the yacht unless the crew tells you that a particular stop includes time ashore. That distinction is important if someone in your party expects a walking tour or interior visit.

I like this balance of water time and sightseeing. You do not have to choose between a pure swim trip and a purely scenic cruise. You get both, though the four-hour length means neither part will be exhaustive.

What is included, and what you should bring

Fuel, skipper, and crew are included, so you are not paying a surprise fuel supplement after booking. The yacht also supplies the main recreation gear and comfort features:

• Masks and snorkels
• Swimming aids
• Kayak
• SUP and paddle board
• Music connections
• Shaded area and sundeck
• Bathing platform
• Two restrooms
• Freshwater shower
• Large cooler with ice
• Wine and water for groups of eight or fewer

You may bring food, snacks, and drinks onboard. Use the cooler rather than bringing bulky loose bags whenever possible. The supplied details do not mention towels, so bring your own unless the operator confirms otherwise. Sunscreen, a hat, a swimsuit, and a dry change of clothes are sensible additions for any four-hour boat outing.

Because the boat has both shade and open deck space, you can move out of direct sun when needed. Still, shade is not the same as full sun protection. I would bring a cover-up and apply sunscreen before boarding, especially if you plan to spend most of the time in the water.

Who gets the best value

This charter suits families, friend groups, and couples who want the boat to themselves. It is especially appealing if your group has different ideas about the perfect afternoon. Some people can swim, snorkel, or paddle while others stay dry and enjoy the ride.

The price is easier to justify with a full group. At $1,021 for up to 12 people, the per-person cost is reasonable for a private yacht with fuel, skipper, crew, equipment, restrooms, and shade. For two or three people, the same total becomes a much more expensive way to see Comino.

The boat can carry 20 to 25 people, so it may also suit a larger private celebration or function. Confirm the exact arrangement, since the stated price is specifically for a group of up to 12. The yacht is also used for special occasions, wedding photo shoots, filming, fishing trips, and boat parties.

I would not choose this if you want a low-cost shared excursion, a long guided tour on land, or a tightly scripted list of stops. I would choose it if privacy, flexible swimming time, and access to water equipment matter more than the lowest possible price.

Timing, cancellation, and practical booking notes

The activity lasts four hours, with morning and afternoon departures commonly starting at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. A sunset cruise runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date before planning connecting transport.

The host or crew can communicate in Maltese, English, and Italian. Fuel, the skipper, and crew are included. Pickup is available from the Cirkewwa jetty near the Gozo ferry in Malta, or from the Mgarr Harbour jetty for departures on Gozo.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately. The experience is offered as a private group, so you will not be sharing the yacht with unrelated parties.

Should you book the Comino private yacht charter?

Book it if you have enough people to spread the cost and want a flexible half-day on the water. The combination of a classic yacht, several Comino bays, snorkeling gear, kayaks, a SUP, shade, and onboard facilities gives you more freedom than a basic boat transfer.

The best booking strategy is to fill the group as close to 12 people as possible, confirm your departure point, and tell the crew which stops matter most to you. Keep in mind that the route can change and that the four-hour format will not allow unlimited time at every bay.

For a small group on a strict budget, the price may be hard to defend. For a family reunion, birthday, private swim day, or group of friends who want Comino on their own terms, this is a strong choice. The perfect 5 rating comes from only two reviews, so I would not treat that score as a large sample. Still, the boat’s included equipment, private format, and flexible route make the offer easy to understand and potentially good value for a well-filled group.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht cruise?

The listed activity lasts four hours. Morning and afternoon departures commonly start at 9 a.m. or 10 a.m., depending on availability.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat operates from Cirkewwa jetty near the Gozo ferry in Malta, or from Mgarr Harbour jetty in Gozo.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The booking is for a private group, so your party has the yacht for itself rather than sharing it with unrelated groups.

How many people can join?

The listed price covers a group of up to 12 people. The yacht is licensed and fully insured for 20 to 25 people, so confirm the arrangement if your group is larger than 12.

Which places can the cruise visit?

The normal route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. The cruise may also pass bays around Gozo and sights such as Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.

Are snorkeling equipment and water toys included?

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

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. A large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes is provided. For groups of eight people or fewer, unlimited wine and water are offered.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.