Tour in Malta Boat Charter to Comino and Gozoand Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Malta boat charter is simple: you can reach Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon by private boat, then move on when the water gets crowded. You will also cruise past caves, reefs, beaches, and Gozo’s southern coast, with time for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the freedom to shape the trip around your group, and I like the relaxed skippers. Justin, Noel, Mario, Jo, and others are praised for looking after families, sharing local stories, and adjusting the ride to the sea. The main drawback is value: the advertised group price is not the final cost, since fuel costs an extra €79, and some passengers find the boat smaller or less comfortable than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: You get the boat to yourselves, with no strangers choosing the stops or swimming time.
• Blue Lagoon without staying on shore: The boat anchors in the clearest parts of the lagoon, away from the busiest beach access.
• Crystal Lagoon is the snorkeling stop: Masks and snorkels are supplied, and the skipper can guide you toward caves, reefs, and clear water.
• The route covers Comino and Gozo: Expect Santa Marija Bay, Cominotto, Hondoq Bay, Qala, Mġarr Harbour, and Gozo’s south coast.
• Bring your own picnic: An ice box with ice or a refrigerator is available on board.
• Budget for the true price: The listed rate is $349.51 per group of up to eight, plus €79 for fuel and a stated €79 Blue Lagoon booking fee.

A private way to see Malta’s bluest water

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason. The water between Comino and Cominotto can look like a swimming pool, with pale sand and bright blue water beneath the boat. It is also one of the busiest sights in the islands, so a private charter changes the experience more than the destination.

You cannot make the Blue Lagoon private. You can, however, arrive by boat, anchor in the clearest section, and leave when the shore becomes too busy. That is the main advantage here. You are not tied to a beach chair, a public boat schedule, or a large group.

The charter lasts about three hours, so this is a fast-moving outing rather than a full-day cruise. The listed stops add up to a short pause at many locations, with longer time reserved for the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and swimming. Your skipper may adjust the order depending on sea conditions and what your group wants to do.

The boat is a powerboat, not a sailboat. That matters because the route includes shallow water and caves that a sailing boat cannot reach easily. The trade-off is comfort. One passenger found the boat smaller than expected, while another preferred the slower, easygoing pace of the vessel. Ask for a current boat photo before booking if space and seating matter to you.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and best seen from the water

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto, surrounded by white sand and clear water. From the boat, you get the best view of the color and can swim directly from the deck.

This is the main swimming and snorkeling stop. You can jump in, use the supplied mask and snorkel, and enjoy the water without hauling your things across a beach. The skipper chooses an anchorage in the bluest area available, although conditions and boat traffic will affect the exact spot.

I would not call this a secret corner of Malta. The Blue Lagoon is a headline attraction, and you should expect other boats nearby. The private charter is valuable because it gives you control over your time and lets you combine the lagoon with quieter coves.

The supplied information lists a €79 Blue Lagoon admission fee per booking, marked as not included. It also lists €79 fuel separately. Since these charges affect the final price, confirm exactly how both are applied before paying.

Santa Marija Bay and Comino’s quieter side

Santa Marija Bay is a calmer-looking contrast to the Blue Lagoon. Its horseshoe-shaped beach has white sand and tamarisk trees behind it. The nearby smaller bay, Little Santa Marija, is noted for fish and snorkeling, including parrotfish.

The boat visits the bay and nearby Santa Marija caves. You may see the small Comino police station and a medieval chapel farther inland. The stated stop is about 10 minutes, so think of it as a scenic cruise and short look rather than a long beach visit.

Families may appreciate the quieter setting and broad sand, especially compared with the Blue Lagoon. Still, three hours does not allow time to explore every beach on foot. If your priority is building sandcastles or spending an hour ashore, tell the skipper at the start and accept that another stop may be shortened.

Cominotto Beach and the swim-through cave

Cominotto Beach is reached by private boat and sits beside the Blue Lagoon area. The boat anchors in the clear water, giving you another place to swim without joining the main beach crowd.

The cove has appeared in films including Troy and Swept Away. Film connections are a small extra, but they give the skipper a good story to add while you look at the cliffs and water.

A more useful feature is the roughly 50-meter swim-through cave to the other side of the island. This is where the charter feels more adventurous than a standard sightseeing cruise. You should be comfortable in open water before attempting it, and you should follow the skipper’s advice about currents and conditions.

Cominotto Reef and the caves of Crystal Lagoon

The boat cruises close to Cominotto Reef, marked by a cardinal navigation mark. The area is associated with groupers and octopus, so it can be an appealing snorkeling section for anyone who wants more than a quick swim.

Crystal Lagoon is the strongest stop for people who want caves. The boat is designed to enter some of the openings, and the coast includes small coves and sandy pockets inside the rock. The skipper shares information about Malta, Gozo, Comino, and the film locations connected with the area.

The lagoon has featured in Popeye, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Troy. The film stories are enjoyable, but the clear water and cave access are the real reason to come here.

Snorkeling equipment is included at no extra charge. The stop is listed at about 15 minutes, though the actual timing can be adjusted. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and your own drinks. The boat has an ice box with ice or a refrigerator, making a simple picnic practical.

Gozo’s southern coast, Hondoq Bay, and Qala

After Comino, the route may continue toward Gozo. Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay has turquoise water and access by boat to a smaller inlet known as Bemberin Gorge. The gorge has caves, air pockets, and places where confident swimmers can jump from low points, depending on conditions.

I would treat the jumping opportunity as optional, not as a promise of a formal activity. Sea conditions, safety, and your own comfort should decide. Families with children can simply enjoy the boat ride and water.

Qala lies on Gozo’s southeast side. The coast includes caves, small pebble beaches, and a fortification farther east. The listed stop is about five minutes, so this portion is mainly about seeing the coast from the water.

The trip also includes a view of Paradise Bay, a sandy beach in northern Malta near one possible starting area. It is used by divers and can have clear water, especially with southerly winds. Since the route is customized, ask whether this area fits your group’s plan.

Mġarr Harbour and Gozo by boat

Mġarr Harbour is Gozo’s main arrival point, and the charter can begin or end there. From the water, you see fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen working along the jetties. Fort Chambray overlooks the harbor, with a small Gothic chapel and a Lourdes statue nearby.

The harbor is not a long stop. Its value is visual: it gives you a compact look at Gozo’s seafaring life before the boat follows the island’s southern coast.

The route can include Ħalfa Rock, a small island with steep cliffs and a sheltered bay on the Gozo side. Salt pans are also visible along the coast, where harvesting has continued in the traditional way. The secluded beach near the rock is associated with octopus and sargo bream.

This section helps justify the private charter. A standard transfer from Malta to Gozo gets you across the channel. This trip lets you see the shoreline between the major ports, including places that are difficult to reach by land.

Saint Mary’s Tower and Malta’s film locations

Saint Mary’s Tower rises above Comino’s cliffs and dates from the 17th century. It formed part of a defensive chain used to warn of invasion and watch for pirates or smugglers.

From the boat, you see the tower from below, which gives you a strong sense of its position above the water. It also appeared as the Château d’If in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo.

The skipper may point out other filming locations around the islands. This is a nice bonus if you enjoy cinema, but the tour works just as well if you care more about swimming and caves.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The captain can make or break a short boat trip. Here, the strongest pattern is personal service. Justin is praised for entertaining teenagers and making a family celebration special. Noel is described as gentle with children and willing to arrange an ice cream boat stop. Mario is associated with a slower, relaxed cruise to good swimming places.

Other named skippers include Jo, Pedro, Josef, Upie, Buffon, Casper, and Ginger. The important point is not which name you receive. It is that the company appears to use several skippers, so the exact personality and boat may vary.

You should expect the skipper to explain local history, point out movie sites, answer questions, and ask what you want to see. Several trips included families with young children, teenagers, and even a four-month-old baby. One family appreciated a slow approach through rougher water, while another praised the captain’s handling of currents and cave entrances.

That said, the skipper controls the route with the sea in mind. If the water is rough, a cave or swim stop may be shortened. A private charter gives you flexibility, not complete control over nature.

Is the $349.51 group price good value?

For eight people, $349.51 works out to about $44 per person before the extra fuel charge and any Blue Lagoon fee. That can be a fair price for a private boat, especially if your group would otherwise book several public seats and pay separately for transport.

For two or three people, the cost is harder to justify. You are paying for privacy, a custom route, and direct access to swimming spots rather than simply buying a ferry ticket. I think the value is strongest for families or groups of six to eight.

The extra €79 fuel charge needs to be part of your budget from the beginning. The information also lists a €79 Blue Lagoon booking fee, so confirm the complete total and currency. A low advertised group rate can feel less attractive once compulsory additions are included.

Meeting points, timing, and practical details

Pickup is available at Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Mġarr Harbour on Gozo. The trip ends back at the meeting point unless you arrange a different drop-off in advance. The operator can also drop you on Malta or Gozo, which is useful if you are changing islands.

The activity is offered in English and Italian. Confirmation is provided when you book, and public transportation is nearby. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

Bring sunscreen, towels, swimsuits, and drinks. The cooler makes it easy to carry a simple lunch, and the boat has snorkeling masks and equipment. I would also bring a dry bag for phones and cameras, though one is not listed as supplied.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not refunded.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this trip if you want swimming, snorkeling, caves, and coastal views in one compact outing. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and groups that value privacy more than a polished luxury yacht.

It is also a good fit if your time in Malta is limited. In three hours, you can see Comino’s best-known water, parts of Gozo, film locations, reefs, and several coves.

I would think twice if you want a spacious luxury boat, a long beach stay, or a slow full-day cruise. The boat may be smaller than expected, and the schedule moves quickly. Ask about the exact vessel, seating, fuel, and Blue Lagoon charge before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if your group can share the cost and your ideal Malta outing involves clear water, short swims, caves, and a friendly skipper who can adjust the plan. The private format is the real advantage, especially at the Blue Lagoon.

Skip it if you dislike extra charges, want a large stable vessel, or prefer to spend most of the day ashore. For everyone else, this is a practical way to reach Comino’s best water and see Gozo from the sea without surrendering the whole day.

FAQ

How long is the boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Where can I meet the boat?

Pickup is available at Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Mġarr Harbour on Gozo.

Can the boat drop me somewhere different from the starting point?

Yes. You can arrange a drop-off on Malta or Gozo in advance instead of returning to the original meeting point.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is listed as an additional €79 charge.

Is the Blue Lagoon admission fee included?

The information lists a €79 Blue Lagoon fee per booking and marks it as not included. Confirm the final total when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment supplied?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks, and the boat has an ice box with ice or a refrigerator.

Which languages are offered?

The activity is offered in English and Italian.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.