Malta: Private Boat Charter to Blue-Lagoon, Gozo & Comino

Blue water, fewer crowds. This private four-hour speedboat charter links Comino, the Blue Lagoon, and Gozo’s south coast, letting you swim, snorkel, and stop where the conditions and your group’s mood suggest. I especially like the personal skipper and the freedom to spend longer at a swimming spot instead of following a fixed big-boat schedule. The main consideration is cost: $423 covers up to six people, but fuel adds a €99 fee, and four hours is a tight window for such a long list of stops.

I also like the comfortable boat setup, with shade, seating, a cooler with ice, and masks and snorkels supplied. Skippers such as Justin, Casper, Joe, Jimmy, and Upie have been praised for friendly service and flexible routing. Still, this is not a quiet sightseeing cruise all day. You will spend plenty of time moving between locations, and choppy seas can make the ride bumpy.

Key things to know before you book

• Private control of the route: You can ask to spend more time swimming, snorkeling, exploring caves, or looking for a cliff-jumping spot.
• Blue Lagoon without a full boatload: The skipper can take you onto the water or toward the beach, depending on your preference and conditions.
• Gozo’s south coast adds real variety: Hondoq Bay, Santa Marija Bay, caves, small islands, and rock formations make this more than a single-lagoon trip.
• Useful onboard comforts: Shade, seating, a cooler with ice, and snorkeling equipment are included.
• The real price is higher than the headline fare: The group rate is $423 for up to six, plus a €99 fuel charge.
• Best for active private groups: Families, couples, and friends who want swimming stops and a flexible pace will get the most from it.

Why a private boat makes the Blue Lagoon easier

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s famous sights for good reason. The water is remarkably clear, with pale shallows around Comino that invite swimming and snorkeling. Its fame also means that the area can feel busy, especially in summer.

A private speedboat changes the rhythm. Instead of joining a large group with one fixed swimming stop, you can tell your skipper what matters most. You might ask for more time in the water, a quieter beach, cave visits, or a stop suited to children. The skipper can adjust the plan, though weather and sea conditions always have the final word.

That flexibility is the strongest reason to choose this trip. Several skippers have been praised for asking what each group wanted and changing the route accordingly. Justin, in particular, received praise for learning names quickly, helping a family with children, and arranging a restaurant contact in Gozo for a birthday celebration. That kind of personal service is useful when you are marking a special occasion, not just ticking off sights.

The boat also includes shade and comfortable seating. That matters in Malta’s strong sun, particularly if your group includes young children or anyone who does not want to sit exposed for four hours. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, towels, food, and drinks. You may bring your own refreshments onboard, and the ice cooler keeps them cold.

Four hours from Cirkewwa to Comino’s best water

The listed meeting points are at the Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal or near Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo Boat Trips. Your exact starting point depends on the option you choose, so check it carefully before setting off.

Once onboard, the boat heads toward Lantern Point and the Comino area. The opening ride is short, around 15 minutes, and gives you a quick introduction to the rocky coast and clear water. The route then works through a long series of coves, caves, arches, beaches, and viewpoints.

Because the tour covers so much ground, do not expect a long shore visit at every stop. Some places are brief photo passes. Others allow swimming or snorkeling. Your skipper’s judgment and your group’s requests help determine where the boat lingers.

That is both a benefit and a limitation. You see a broad slice of Comino and Gozo in one outing, but you will not have time to explore every beach on foot. If your priority is relaxed swimming rather than a wide sightseeing circuit, say so when you board.

Comino, Cominotto, and the caves

The Comino section brings together the clearest water and the most dramatic rock scenery.

At the Crystal Lagoon, you can snorkel in unusually clear water and look for fish close to the boat. This area is also used for cliff jumping. If you want to jump, tell the skipper clearly and follow the safety advice. Conditions, water depth, and your own comfort matter more than fitting in one extra thrill.

The Lover’s Cave is a smaller, more tucked-away spot with a white-sand beach beyond it. It is the sort of place best appreciated from the water, since access is limited and the boat gives you a view that ordinary road transport cannot.

You may also pass the Popeye Caves, marked by a natural arch that makes a strong photo subject. Alex’s Cave receives a short photo stop as well. These visits are quick, but they add variety to the trip and give you a sense of how much of Comino is shaped by the sea.

Cominotto Island and Cominotto Beach are especially appealing if you want a quieter swim. The beach is accessible by private boat, and the nearby reef offers snorkeling. This is where a private charter can feel more useful than a standard group outing, since the skipper can judge the crowding and look for a better place to enter the water.

The Blue Lagoon receives about 40 minutes in the stated route. You can swim directly from the boat or go toward Blue Lagoon Beach. The boat option is often the calmer choice if you want clear water without committing to the busiest part of the shore.

Still, do not read away from the crowds as a guarantee of solitude. The Blue Lagoon is a major Malta attraction, and conditions change by season and time of day. The private boat gives you more options, but it cannot make a famous place empty.

Gozo’s south coast and the small bays

After Comino, the boat continues toward Gozo. You pass Mgarr Harbour, Gozo’s main arrival port, with its attractive approach and busy ferry setting. The harbour is more of a scenic pass than a long stop, but it helps you see how Gozo connects with the other islands.

The route then reaches Iz-Zewwieqa Bay and Hondoq Bay. Hondoq is a useful swimming and snorkeling area, with clear water and rocky shore scenery. The itinerary allows roughly five minutes for a visit or pass at Hondoq, followed by more time around Ras il-Qala, where swimming and snorkeling can take around 15 minutes.

Do not expect a traditional beach day here. You are seeing the coast from a boat, with short water stops rather than a long period under an umbrella. That suits you if you want to move around and collect several views. If you prefer to spend two hours on one beach, this is not the right format.

The route also includes Minka Cave and Tac-Cawl Island, along with gorges and rock formations. The exact experience depends on sea conditions and the skipper’s access to each area. From the boat, these places offer close views of Gozo’s rough coastline and give you more chances for photos.

Zriezaq Beach and Halfa Island are described as clear-water stops suitable for snorkeling, swimming, and mud exfoliation. The mud detail adds something different to the usual Malta boat day, though you should bring a towel and avoid expecting a full beach facility setup.

Santa Marija Bay, sea caves, and Elephant Rock

The Comino section continues with several of its most recognizable coastal features.

Santa Marija Bay is a secluded white-sand beach with shallow water. It can work well for families, especially if children prefer a gentler entry than a jump from the boat. The route allows about 10 minutes here, so families should ask the skipper if they want to prioritize this beach over some of the shorter photo passes.

The Għemieri Window offers another natural rock opening and a quick sightseeing stop. Then the boat heads to the Santa Maria Caves, among the larger sea caves in Malta. You will see them from the water, with the skipper guiding the boat through or near the formations when conditions permit.

The final major sight is Elephant Rock, a natural formation shaped by erosion. It is a short photo stop rather than a place to get out and walk around. The nearby Santa Marija Battery adds a historical feature to the coastal view before the boat returns toward the drop-off point.

Taken together, these stops make the trip feel like a moving tour of Comino’s shoreline. You get beaches, caves, arches, small islands, water access, and a few unusual rock shapes. The price of that range is a fast pace.

What the four-hour schedule really feels like

The itinerary lists more than 30 segments, including short speedboat rides and brief stops. That sounds extensive because it is. The boat may pause for only a few minutes at some caves, windows, islands, and viewpoints before moving on.

I would think of the experience as a private coastal sampler with swimming, not as a slow charter. The stated swimming periods include roughly 40 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, 15 minutes around Ras il-Qala, 10 minutes at Santa Marija Bay, and additional time at Comino and cave areas. That gives you several chances to get in the water, but the total time must also cover the distance between Comino and Gozo.

The skipper is central to making the schedule work. Upie was praised for finding good snorkeling and cliff-jumping spots. Casper was praised for handling choppy seas calmly and showing fish that could be fed by hand. Joe was appreciated for explaining the sites, while Jimmy was singled out for making the day feel special.

These personal touches matter more on a short private charter than on a long cruise. A good skipper can cut an unproductive stop, find a better swimming area, or give your children something useful to do. One family even collected plastic bottles from a cave with the onboard net, turning an unpleasant sight into a small lesson about protecting the sea.

Comfort, safety, and what to pack

This is a speedboat, not a luxury yacht. You get seating, shade, and a cooler with ice, but the ride may still be bumpy when the sea is choppy. If you are prone to motion sickness, think carefully about the boat type and bring whatever remedy you normally use.

The personal skipper handles the boat and provides the tour. Weather is checked before the trip, and the route may change for safety. That flexibility is sensible around exposed coasts and cave entrances.

Pack lightly. The practical list is simple:

• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Food and drinks
• Swimwear
• Personal motion-sickness medication, if needed

Masks and snorkels are included. You can bring your own food and drinks, and the cooler has ice flakes. There is shade onboard, but you should still protect yourself. Four hours on bright water can feel longer than four hours on land.

The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone who needs help boarding should discuss that before booking. One skipper was praised for helping an older family member in and out of the boat, but that does not replace checking your own access needs in advance.

Is $423 plus fuel good value?

The advertised rate is $423 for a private group of up to six, with a separate €99 fuel charge. At the maximum group size, the base cost works out to $70.50 per person before fuel. The final per-person amount depends on the exchange rate and how the fuel fee is handled, but sharing the boat with five other people makes the charter far more attractive.

For a couple, the same price is harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are your main priorities. A private boat can be worth paying for if you want to avoid a mass excursion, are celebrating something, or need a route shaped around children and different swimming abilities.

The package includes the skipper, marina permits, masks and snorkels, and an ice cooler. You are not paying only for transport. You are also paying for private use of the boat and the ability to adjust the day.

Ask about the fuel fee before you confirm your budget. It is not included in the headline price, and that is the one cost most likely to surprise you. Larger groups may be possible with a bigger boat, but you need to request that arrangement ahead of time.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples celebrating a special day, and groups of friends who want a private water outing rather than a fixed group cruise.

Families benefit from the flexible pace and the option to choose shallow water, beach time, or shorter cave visits. The shade, cooler, and onboard snorkeling gear also remove a few practical hassles. Children who enjoy swimming, spotting fish, or cliff jumping will have plenty to do, though parents should set the limits.

Friend groups can make good use of the custom route. You can request more snorkeling, more cave views, or more time around the Blue Lagoon. If your group has mixed interests, the skipper can help balance them.

Couples may like the privacy, especially if the trip is tied to a birthday or another celebration. But if you want a peaceful, slow cruise with little movement, the speedboat format and large number of stops may feel too active.

The tour is less suitable if you need step-free access, dislike fast boat rides, or want a long land visit on Gozo. Despite the Gozo name in the title, this is a coastal boat tour, not a day of exploring Gozo’s villages and inland sights.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo charter?

Book it if you want a private, active half-day on the water and your group can share the cost. The best parts are the personal route, the chance to swim from the boat, the caves and rock formations, and the skipper’s ability to adapt the day. The consistently high rating, 4.9 out of 5 from 80 ratings, supports the idea that the service is usually strong.

Before booking, confirm the meeting point, the €99 fuel fee, the group size, and your preferred priorities. Tell the operator if your group wants more beach time, snorkeling, caves, or cliff jumping. That conversation can make the difference between a rushed sightseeing circuit and a well-shaped private outing.

I would choose the four-hour option over a shorter trip if you want both Comino and Gozo. The shorter format may suit a group with young children or limited time, but the longer charter gives the route room to include the Blue Lagoon, caves, swimming spots, and Gozo’s coast without feeling quite so compressed.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The advertised tour lasts four hours. Check available starting times when booking.

Where does the boat tour start?

There are two possible starting locations: Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal or the Blue Lagoon Comino and Gozo Boat Trips area. The meeting point depends on the option booked.

Is the boat charter private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group, with a personal skipper.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a private speedboat cruise, a personal skipper, marina permits, a mask and snorkel, and an ice cooler with ice flakes.

Is fuel included?

No. A €99 fuel fee is listed separately from the tour price.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own food and drinks onboard. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel are also recommended.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.