Mgarr/Cirkewwa: Comino, Gozo & Blue Lagoon Private Boat Trip

The best views come from the water. This private Comino and Gozo boat trip gives you access to sea caves, quiet shorelines, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay without being tied to a large group schedule. I like the freedom to choose how long you swim or stop, and I like the small details, including shaded seating, a sun deck, Bluetooth music, snorkeling gear, and an ice cooler.

The strongest part is the skipper service. Captains Joe and Mario have adjusted departure times in rough weather, taken photos for passengers, and helped families enjoy the trip at a comfortable pace. The main caution is cost: the advertised rate is $116 per boat for up to six people, but the professional skipper and fuel are listed separately at €99 each, so confirm the full price before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to six people: You get the vessel to yourselves, which makes this a good choice for couples, families, or friends who want a more personal outing.
• Crystal Lagoon and sea caves: The route focuses on swimming, snorkeling, photos, and access to shorelines that are difficult to reach by land.
• Two departure points: You can meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, or near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Malta.
• Skipper flexibility matters: Mario and Joe have adjusted times and routes when wind and sea conditions changed.
• Three to four hours on the water: That is enough time for several stops, but not enough to see every corner of Comino at a leisurely pace.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Snacks are allowed, but food, drinks, and barbecue equipment are not included.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is famous for the Blue Lagoon, but the famous name tells only part of the story. The water is the main attraction, yet the experience changes greatly depending on how you reach it. A private boat lets you view the coast from sea level, stop at caves, and spend more time in the water instead of simply arriving at a crowded swimming area.

I like this format because it gives you control without asking you to organize a full boat charter from scratch. The vessel comes with a skipper, safety gear, port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, snorkeling masks and snorkels, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker, shade, and an ice cooler.

The private format is especially useful for six people sharing the cost. For two people, the per-person price becomes much higher, as one couple from Canada openly noted. They still felt the four-hour outing was worth it because they had quiet swim stops, music, snorkeling, and photos without a crowd around them.

That is the real question: are you paying for transport, or are you paying for privacy and time? If you only want a quick look at the Blue Lagoon, a shared boat can cost less. If you want a relaxed half-day with your own group and a skipper who can adjust the pace, this option has a stronger case.

Starting at Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You choose between two meeting points. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal in Mgarr. From Malta, meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The choice is practical rather than scenic. Use the departure point that fits your accommodation and morning plans. Cirkewwa is useful if you are already on Malta and want to reach Comino without first crossing to Gozo. Mgarr works well if you are staying on Gozo or plan to spend time there before or after the boat trip.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters at both terminals, where traffic, parking, ferry movements, and general port confusion can eat into your schedule. If you arrive late, the charter does not run longer to make up the lost time.

The exact starting time depends on availability. Since the skipper may adjust the departure time to match sea and weather conditions, keep some flexibility in your day. One family had a reservation changed after a child became ill, and another captain called the night before to move the trip because the wind was expected to be strong.

Settling into the private boat

The boat is arranged for comfort rather than formal sightseeing. You have cozy seating, a shaded canopy, and a sun deck, so you can switch between shelter and open sun as the trip goes on.

That setup matters in Malta, where a few hours on bright water can feel much hotter than the temperature suggests. Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The supplied ice cooler is useful, but you need to bring the food and drinks yourself.

The Bluetooth speaker adds a pleasant personal touch. You can play your own music while cruising or relaxing between swim stops. Keep the volume sensible, especially when the skipper is explaining a stop or giving safety instructions.

The boat includes safety equipment, and the skipper remains responsible for the operation of the charter. The captain can change the route, stop locations, or boarding and disembarkation points if wind, tides, or other sea conditions make the planned route unsuitable.

Comino’s caves and coastal views

The first part of the outing focuses on Comino’s sea caves and shoreline. From the boat, you can see sections of the island that are hard to reach on foot. The caves provide the kind of short, memorable stops that work well for photos, especially when the boat can approach from the water rather than forcing you to view everything from a busy beach.

The route is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. Your skipper can shape the timing around conditions and your group’s wishes. You might spend more time taking photos, move on quickly from a rougher section, or pause longer at a calm swimming area.

That flexibility is one of the best reasons to book privately. On a shared boat, the group sets the pace. Here, you can tell the skipper if your priority is swimming, snorkeling, photos, or simply cruising along the coast.

You should still keep expectations realistic. Three to four hours passes quickly, and the captain may need to shorten or alter the route. A private trip does not guarantee every named site in perfect order. It gives you a better chance of enjoying the conditions safely.

Crystal Lagoon and the swimming stops

Crystal Lagoon is the main water stop. It is known for clear visibility and marine life, making it the natural place to use the included mask and snorkel. You can swim from the boat and look below the surface, or simply float in the warm water and enjoy the setting.

The snorkeling equipment is basic but useful. You do not need to pack a mask and snorkel unless you prefer your own gear. Bring a towel and secure your personal items, since the most enjoyable part of the stop is likely to be in the water.

The water may be calm and inviting, but conditions are never guaranteed. The skipper has the authority to change a stop or cancel the charter if the sea becomes unsafe. One August outing took place on a very windy day, yet the captain still brought the couple to the planned areas and let them choose how long to stay where conditions allowed.

That is an important point for families and less confident swimmers. The captain can help decide which stops are suitable, but you remain responsible for your own swimming ability. Ask for guidance before entering the water if the sea looks rough.

Santa Maria Bay and quieter shorelines

Santa Maria Bay is another notable stop around Comino. It offers a change from the open water around the Blue Lagoon and gives you another place to swim, take photos, and enjoy the coast.

A private charter can make this stop feel more relaxed than a standard beach visit because you arrive from the sea and can avoid committing to one crowded patch of sand. The boat also gives you access to viewpoints and shorelines that do not feel as simple to reach by road or foot.

Do not expect a long beach day unless you request that pace and the skipper agrees conditions are suitable. The trip is designed around several locations, so time at Santa Maria Bay competes with cave visits, Crystal Lagoon, and other stops.

If your group includes children, ask the skipper how the sea looks that day and plan around the calmest water. One family found the boat comfortable and suitable for a family outing, while another couple praised the captain for putting safety first during strong wind.

How the skipper shapes the experience

The skipper is not just a driver. The captain controls the route, watches the sea, and helps turn a short charter into a sensible day on the water.

Captain Joe received special praise for taking photos and videos, which saved one couple from having to manage their own camera during every stop. Mario was praised for explaining the area, allowing music, taking photos, and handling a time change during poor weather. These small services can make the outing feel more personal, although you should not assume that every captain will provide the same amount of photography.

The language support is English and Maltese. If you want information about a particular cave, lagoon, or historical feature, ask as you go. The trip includes attention to Comino’s historical heritage, but the supplied details do not promise a long formal history talk at every location.

The captain can also adjust your selected time. That is helpful when weather conditions change, but it means your schedule should not be packed tightly around the boat trip. Keep the rest of the day open enough to handle a revised departure.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes the private boat, seating, a sun deck, shade, safety equipment, port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, free WiFi, and mask and snorkel equipment.

The major extra costs are listed as:

• Professional skipper: €99
• Fuel consumption: €99
• Food and drinks
• Barbecue equipment
• Fishing gear and cooler

The price wording needs careful attention. The advertised rate is $116 per group of up to six, while the skipper and fuel are shown separately in euros. I would ask the operator for the exact final amount in writing before paying, including the currency and whether the €99 charges are fixed or depend on the charter.

For six people, the shared cost could be reasonable for a private four-hour boat. For two people, the value depends on how much you care about privacy, flexible timing, and your own route. For a couple celebrating something special, it can be worth the premium. For budget-minded visitors who mainly want a swim, a shared excursion may be the better deal.

Food, music, and what to pack

You can bring snacks and drinks for the boat. This is worth doing because the trip lasts three to four hours and food is not included. The ice cooler helps keep drinks cold, but the listing specifically says a cooler for fishing is not included, so bring only what you need for a simple outing.

Pack lightly and protect anything sensitive to water. Your core list is:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

The boat has shade, but do not treat the canopy as full protection for the entire trip. You will probably move between the shaded seating and the sun deck, and the glare off the water can be strong.

A Bluetooth speaker lets you set the mood, while WiFi is included for staying connected. Still, the best use of the trip is to look up from your phone now and then. The caves, water, and changing coast are the reason you paid for the boat.

Weather rules and the practical tradeoff

The sea decides more than the brochure does. The skipper may cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather and sea conditions. Routes, stops, and boarding or disembarkation points can also change because of wind, tides, or other legitimate safety concerns.

This is not a flaw in the experience. It is a normal part of boating, and a captain who changes the plan rather than forcing a rough route is doing the right thing. Still, you need to accept that the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, or another stop may not look exactly as expected on your chosen day.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still moving around. Check the final booking terms carefully, especially the separate skipper and fuel charges.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for a group of friends, a family of up to six, or a couple that values privacy more than the lowest price. It is also a good fit if you want to combine swimming, snorkeling, caves, music, and photographs in one compact outing.

It suits people who prefer a flexible day over a fixed sightseeing timetable. You can tell the skipper what matters most, then adjust as the weather and sea conditions unfold.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, have a very tight schedule, or want a guaranteed route. I would also compare prices carefully if you are traveling as only two people. The advertised base rate looks attractive, but the additional skipper and fuel charges can change the final calculation.

Should you book the Comino private boat trip?

Book it if you want your own boat, flexible stops, and time in the water rather than a basic ride to the Blue Lagoon. The strongest features are the private group size, access to caves and shorelines, Crystal Lagoon snorkeling, and skippers such as Joe and Mario who have shown care with weather changes and personal service.

Before confirming, ask for the full price including the €99 skipper charge and €99 fuel charge. Then arrive 30 minutes early, bring your own snacks and drinks, and leave room in your schedule for a changed departure time.

For six people splitting the cost, this can be a very good way to see Comino. For two people, it is a special-occasion purchase rather than a bargain. If that tradeoff works for you, the private format offers a calmer and more personal way to enjoy Malta’s northern waters.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

The boat departs from Mgarr in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta. In Mgarr, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Cirkewwa, meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long does the trip last?

The boat trip lasts between three and four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The rate is for one private boat accommodating up to six people.

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

The professional skipper is listed separately at €99. Ask the operator to confirm the complete cost before booking.

Is fuel included?

Fuel consumption is listed separately at €99. Confirm whether this is a fixed charge for your charter.

What places can I visit?

The trip includes Comino’s sea caves, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and other coastal stops around Comino and Gozo. The skipper may change the route because of weather, tides, or sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring your own snacks and beverages. An ice cooler is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Can the tour be canceled because of bad weather?

Yes. The skipper may cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather and sea conditions. If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance, the activity offers a full refund.