Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

The best Malta views are from the water. This private charter gives you a captain, a small boat, and room to shape the outing around your group, rather than follow a fixed crowd-filled route. I especially like the whole-boat pricing for up to six people and the chance to reach narrow caves and quieter swimming spots. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge, paid to the skipper after the trip.

This is a strong choice if you want swimming, snorkeling, and coastline views in one outing. I also like the flexible drop-off options, since you can return to Cirkewwa or finish on Gozo or Malta. Three hours is enough for a lively taste of the islands, but it can feel short if your group wants long swims, a full circuit, and plenty of time on shore.

Key details before you book

• Private boat for up to six: The price covers the boat, not individual seats, making it far more attractive for a family or small group.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops: You can swim and snorkel in two of Malta’s best-known patches of clear water.
• Small boat access: The boat can approach caves, coves, and coastal corners that are less practical for larger vessels.
• Skipper-led and customizable: Captains such as Ginger, Mahmoud, Jimmy, Casper, Pedro, Upie, and Chris have adjusted routes to suit swimming, sightseeing, or less active groups.
• Snorkel gear included: Masks and snorkels are supplied, and some boats have floats or noodles.
• Bring your own refreshments: A cooler and ice may be available, but water, food, and drinks are not included.

Why a private charter makes sense in Malta

Malta’s most famous water sites are beautiful, but they are not quiet secrets. The Blue Lagoon can be packed, especially when large boats and beachgoers gather in the same small area. A private boat does not magically empty the lagoon, but it lets your skipper anchor in a particularly clear section and move on when the setting becomes too busy.

That freedom is the real product here. You can ask for more swimming, more caves, more Gozo scenery, or fewer stops and a slower pace. If nobody in your group wants to snorkel, the skipper can put more time into the coast and viewpoints instead.

The boat also changes what you see. From the water, Comino’s cliffs, pale rock, sea caves, and small beaches make sense as one continuous stretch of coast. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and left to find your own way.

The most praised part of the experience is the crew. Captains including Ginger, Mahmoud, Jimmy, Upie, Casper, Chris, Pedro, Adin, and others are described as friendly, careful, and good at adjusting the outing. Jimmy connected the group’s phones to the boat’s Bluetooth, while another skipper helped take photos and maneuvered into small caves.

That personal touch matters on a private boat. You are not sharing the captain’s attention with dozens of other people. You can ask about the islands, request a different swimming spot, or slow down for photos.

Meeting at Cirkewwa and choosing your finish

The usual meeting point is beside the kiosk or café at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. It is described as the only kiosk in the area, which makes it a useful landmark. You can also arrange pickup at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

The route can finish where it starts, but the operator can also drop you at Gozo or Malta Island. That is useful if your day already includes time on Gozo or if you are trying to avoid retracing your route.

Read the pickup directions carefully and allow time to find the port area. Some parties arranged transportation to and from the marina, and detailed directions were especially helpful for cruise-port pickups.

Before boarding, buy drinks and snacks at the port. The boat may have a cooler and ice, but bottled water is not listed as included. Bring a towel, sunglasses, and sun protection. The boat can be comfortable and clean, but you are still spending several hours under the Maltese sun.

Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto. Its pale sand and unusually clear water give it a swimming-pool look, especially in calm conditions. This is the signature stop, and the boat normally anchors in the clearest sections for swimming and snorkeling.

The lagoon is extremely photogenic. You will want your phone ready, but protect it carefully around the water. The intense color is best seen from the boat as well as from the water, so do not feel pressured to spend the whole stop swimming.

The drawback is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet corner, and the beach areas can be crowded. A private charter helps because you can enjoy the water from your own boat and avoid depending on a narrow strip of sand.

The listed time here is about 30 minutes, so keep expectations realistic. That is enough for a swim and a short snorkel, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon.

Santa Marija Bay and Comino’s quieter side

Santa Marija Bay, on northern Comino, has a horseshoe-shaped beach backed by tamarisk trees. It feels more sheltered and relaxed than the Blue Lagoon, with a broad sandy area suitable for families and beach games.

Nearby Little Santa Marija is especially appealing for snorkeling. The seabed supports marine life, including parrotfish, and the bay offers a calmer setting for people who find the Blue Lagoon too busy.

The boat also passes Santa Marija caves and nearby coves. This is where the private format earns its keep. Instead of only stopping at the best-known beach, your skipper can point out rock formations and enter suitable coastal openings.

The stop is listed at roughly ten minutes, so much of the enjoyment comes from seeing the bay and caves from the water. If Santa Marija is your priority, ask the skipper early if you can give it more time.

Cominotto Beach and the movie locations

Cominotto Beach can only be reached by private boat, which gives it a more secluded feel. The boat anchors in the clear water near the beach, and the area is linked with films including Troy, Swept Away, and The Count of Monte Cristo.

A swim-through cave is part of the appeal. The passage is described as about 50 meters to the other side of the island, but conditions and access can vary, so follow the skipper’s instructions rather than treating it as a guaranteed self-guided swim.

The nearby reef is marked by a cardinal buoy and is known for groupers and octopus. Snorkel equipment is included, so this is one of the easiest places to get in the water without arranging extra gear.

The planned visit is short, around ten minutes. Think of Cominotto as a quick scenic and swimming stop, not a long beach stay.

Crystal Lagoon and the Comino caves

Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest parts of the route. Turquoise water surrounds a coast dotted with caves, rock openings, and small sandy pockets. Some caves are suitable for the boat to enter, giving you close views without needing to swim into every opening.

This is a favorite snorkeling area. The operator may schedule a short snorkel stop here, depending on the season and what your group wants. That wording is important: the exact timing is flexible, and the skipper may adjust it for weather, water conditions, or your preferences.

The lagoon also appeared in films including Popeye, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Troy. Those connections add a bit of fun, but the real reason to stop is the combination of clear water, caves, and dramatic rock.

The itinerary includes Crystal Lagoon twice, with different time allocations. In practice, this signals that the route may return to the area or use it as both a sightseeing passage and a swimming stop. Ask your skipper how the day will be paced once you board.

Santa Marija Tower and Comino’s defensive past

From the water, you will see Saint Mary’s Tower above the cliffs. Built in the 17th century, it formed part of a defensive chain used to warn of invasions, pirates, and smugglers.

The tower also represented Château d’If in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. It is a quick viewing stop, listed at about five minutes, but it gives the coastal ride some historical context.

You will not be taking a full land tour of the tower on this charter. It is best treated as a landmark viewed from the boat, with the skipper providing background as you pass.

Gozo’s south coast, Qala, and Hondoq Bay

The Gozo section adds variety after the lagoons. The boat cruises along the southern coast, with views of Ħalfa Rock, salt pans, cliffs, and a secluded bay accessible from the water. The area is associated with octopus and sargo bream, making it another possible snorkeling location.

Mġarr Harbour is a pleasant change of mood. Colorful fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen working around the jetties give the harbor a more everyday feel than the swimming lagoons. Fort Chambray overlooks the harbor, and a small Gothic chapel dedicated to Lourdes sits nearby.

Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay offers turquoise water and access to the Bemberin Gorge. This inlet has caves and air pockets, with clear water and several points used for cliff jumping. Do not assume cliff jumping is part of the tour, though. The itinerary identifies the locations, while the skipper controls what is safe and practical on the day.

Qala, on Gozo’s southeast side, rounds out the coastal sightseeing with more caves, pebbly beaches, and a fortification near the island’s eastern point. The listed time is only about five minutes, so expect a moving tour rather than a series of long shore visits.

What three hours really gives you

This is a fast-moving half-day outing. The listed stops include the Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Cominotto, Crystal Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Tower, Gozo’s coast, Hondoq Bay, Mġarr Harbour, and Qala. You will see a lot, but you will not have extended time at every location.

The schedule works best for a group that wants highlights and variety. You can swim, snorkel, look into caves, take photos, and hear short explanations without committing a full day.

If swimming is your top goal, tell the skipper at the start. Several outings were adjusted to provide more time in the water, while groups less interested in swimming received more sightseeing around Comino and Gozo.

Choppy waves can occur. Captains have been praised for looking after comfort and changing the plan when needed, but a small private boat will still feel the sea more than a large ferry. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the skipper recommends and keep your plans flexible.

Price, fuel, and overall value

The advertised price is $337.55 for the whole group, up to six people. At six passengers, that is roughly $56 per person before the fuel charge. A one-time €79 fuel payment is extra and is paid to the skipper after the trip.

For a couple, the price is much harder to justify. For four to six people, it becomes a sensible way to split the cost of a private boat, captain, snorkeling equipment, and marina fees.

The value also comes from access. You are paying for the ability to visit small caves, anchor away from the busiest beach areas, and change the pace for your own party. If you only want transport to the Blue Lagoon, a cheaper shared boat may be enough.

Marina costs, anchoring fees for the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve, and masks and snorkels are included. Food, drinks, and water are not included, so budget for those separately.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this charter to families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups who want control over their time. It also suits mixed groups, since swimmers can get water time while others focus on scenery, photos, and the coast.

Teenagers should enjoy the mix of swimming, snorkeling, caves, and possible cliff-jumping viewpoints. Families with different comfort levels in the water can also benefit from having a skipper nearby. One outing worked particularly well for a family with a son who had special needs, thanks to the patient approach of the pickup staff and skipper.

This is less suitable if you want a slow beach day, a long historical tour, or guaranteed time at every listed stop. It is also not the best fit for someone who dislikes small boats or wants refreshments supplied.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book it if your group has four to six people, values privacy, and wants to swim in the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon while also seeing Comino’s caves and Gozo’s coast. The skipper-led flexibility is the chief advantage, and the crew’s friendly service has been a consistent strength.

I would book a longer outing if you have the option and want generous swimming time. For the standard three-hour version, arrive prepared with snacks, drinks, towels, and a clear idea of your priorities. Tell the skipper whether you want caves, snorkeling, quiet bays, or Gozo scenery.

For a small group willing to split the cost, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to see Malta from the water. Just include the €79 fuel charge in your budget before deciding.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one private boat for up to six people.

Is the price per person?

No. The listed price is for the whole group, up to six people.

Is fuel included?

No. There is a one-time extra fuel charge of €79, paid to the skipper after the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included.

Are marina and anchoring fees included?

Yes. Marina costs and anchoring fees for the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve are included.

Where does the charter start?

The usual meeting point is beside the kiosk or café at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha.

Can the boat pick up at Gozo Marina?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

Can I finish the trip on Gozo instead of returning to Malta?

Yes. The boat can return to the starting point or drop you off on Gozo or Malta Island, depending on your arrangement.

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.