Private Boat Charter – Comino/Parts of Gozo

Skip the crowds and take the water your way. This private boat charter gives your group up to eight people a personal skipper, swim stops, snorkeling gear, and a cooler while you explore Comino and parts of Gozo. I especially like the freedom to ask for favorite sights and swimming spots, plus the relaxed pace that comes with having the whole boat to yourself.

The strongest points are the personal service and the chance to visit places such as the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Comino Caves, Gebla Tal-Halfa, and Mgarr Ix-Xini in a single outing. The main drawback is the short two-hour duration. Since the listed stop times are not fully clear, you should confirm how long the boat will spend at each location before setting off.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to eight people: You pay $259 per group, not per person, so the value improves sharply with a full group.
• Flexible route around Comino and Gozo: You can tell the captain which places matter most, with the final route depending on weather and boat availability.
• Cirkewwa is the usual starting point: Meet the captain near the kiosk in Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Swim gear and a cooler are included: Snorkeling equipment, ice, fuel, and the skipper are covered.
• Two hours goes quickly: You can see several coastal sights, but you will need to prioritize if you want meaningful swim time.
• The captains receive excellent praise: Atef and Fendi are specifically singled out for being helpful, friendly, informative, and good at finding attractive caves and swimming spots.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is famous for clear water and dramatic rock formations, but its most popular areas can feel crowded. A private charter changes the rhythm. Instead of following a large group on a fixed route, you can tell the captain what you want to see and spend more time swimming if the conditions allow.

That flexibility is the central reason to book this experience. If your group cares most about the Blue Lagoon, you can focus there. If you prefer quiet water, caves, snorkeling, and Gozo’s coast, you can ask the skipper to give those more attention.

I also like the simple group setup. The boat is reserved for you and your loved ones, with room for up to eight people. That makes it suitable for a family group, a few friends, or a couple who wants privacy. You will not be sharing the boat with strangers or waiting for a large party to finish boarding.

The tradeoff is that a private charter requires a little planning. Two hours sounds reasonable on paper, but Comino and Gozo offer more sights than you can properly enjoy in such a short time. Before departure, tell the captain your top two or three priorities rather than asking to see everything.

Starting at Cirkewwa, Marfa, or Mgarr Harbour

The main meeting point is near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta. You may also meet the captain at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, depending on the arrangement and boat availability.

You are responsible for getting to the harbour, so allow time for that part of the day. Transport to and from the meeting point is not included. The instructions identify the kiosk near Cirkewwa as the meeting point, so it is wise to confirm the exact boarding location with the operator before you leave.

The captain speaks English, and an English audio guide is included. The experience is less about a formal, scripted tour and more about moving around the coast with a skipper who can respond to your wishes. That distinction matters. If you want a detailed spoken history at every stop, this may feel light. If you want the freedom to swim, take photos, and ask questions as you go, it is a better fit.

The Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s clear water

The Crystal Lagoon is one of the main highlights around Comino. The area is about a 10-minute walk from a nearby point on the island, but from your private boat you can approach it by water rather than making it a separate land excursion.

The appeal is straightforward: clear water, pale rock, and a good setting for a swim or photo stop. With snorkeling equipment provided, you can look below the surface instead of simply taking a quick dip. The boat gives you a useful view of the inlet and surrounding rock formations, particularly if the captain positions the boat for photographs.

The Crystal Lagoon is not necessarily the best place to spend the entire charter if your goal is to see several parts of Comino and Gozo. I would treat it as a priority stop for swimming and pictures, then move on once you have had enough time in the water.

Bring your own towel and swimwear. Suntan lotion is not provided, and beachwear is listed among the recommended items. The sun can make a short boat ride feel much longer, so prepare for time both in the water and on deck.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and worth discussing

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s best-known stop. It is roughly a 15-minute boat ride across the water from Mgarr, and it is often the sight people have in mind when they book a Comino boat trip.

From the water, you can take photographs of the bright shallows and surrounding rocky shore. The private boat also lets you enjoy the setting without committing to a full beach stop. That is useful because the Blue Lagoon can be the busiest part of a Comino outing.

Your captain can help decide how long to stay, but weather and conditions affect the plan. The charter information specifically says that the captain will accommodate your preferred destinations when possible. Think of this as a conversation, not a guarantee. You can request the Blue Lagoon, but the final route remains subject to weather and boat availability.

The listed itinerary includes a photo stop at the Blue Lagoon for one hour. The separate Comino entry contains an unclear time reference of 45 hours, which cannot fit within a two-hour charter. Ask the operator to confirm the intended timing, likely a shorter stop, before booking. This is the most important practical point in the schedule.

Comino Caves and the island’s rock formations

The Comino Caves are among the area’s popular underwater sites and a natural choice for snorkeling. The boat allows you to see the caves from the sea and, conditions permitting, stop nearby for a swim.

The caves add variety to the trip. The lagoons provide open, bright water, while the caves and rock walls give you a closer look at Comino’s rugged coastline. A skipper who knows the coast can point out formations that are easy to miss when you are only looking for the most famous lagoon.

One especially useful detail comes from the experience with skipper Fendi. He took a group around all of Comino, continued along the Gozo coast, and showed them caves and rock formations before bringing them to good places for swimming and snorkeling. That suggests the charter can be much more than a quick trip to the Blue Lagoon when the timing and conditions cooperate.

Do not assume every cave will be visited on every departure. The route is flexible, and the captain decides what is practical on the day. If caves are important to you, say so at the beginning.

Gebla Tal-Halfa and quieter coastal scenery

Gebla Tal-Halfa is a small, deserted islet and limestone rock on the southeastern side of the area. It offers a different kind of stop from the major lagoons. Instead of a famous swimming location, it is a chance to see a stark piece of coastal geology and enjoy a quieter photo opportunity.

This is where a private charter earns its keep. A large fixed-route boat may need to concentrate on the most recognizable sights. A private skipper can include smaller formations if they fit the route and sea conditions.

You should not expect a long visit here during a two-hour charter. Think of Gebla Tal-Halfa as a scenic pass or brief photo stop unless you have specifically asked to linger. If your group wants a calm ride with fewer major stops, it may be worth giving this kind of coastal feature more time.

Mgarr Ix-Xini and the Gozo coast

Mgarr Ix-Xini is described as a beautiful place for swimming and snorkeling, once known for its secluded feel. It gives the trip a Gozo component rather than keeping you entirely around Comino.

For many people, this is the most appealing reason to choose the Comino and parts of Gozo option instead of a Comino-only outing. You get a change of scenery and a chance to see a coastal area that feels less tied to the main Blue Lagoon circuit.

The route from Comino toward Gozo also depends on the available time. A two-hour charter can include part of the Gozo coast, but it cannot offer an unhurried tour of every listed location. If Mgarr Ix-Xini is your main goal, tell the captain before leaving Cirkewwa. If the Blue Lagoon is your main goal, you may need to accept a shorter Gozo section.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper is not just there to operate the boat. A good captain makes decisions about route, weather, swimming conditions, and timing. The strongest feedback centers on this personal service.

Atef is specifically praised for being helpful, informative, funny, and willing to visit the places the group wanted to see. Another outing describes Atef as someone who made the activity a highlight of a Malta trip. Fendi is also singled out for showing caves and rock formations and taking the group to strong swimming and snorkeling spots.

That kind of service is valuable because the charter is private. You can ask questions without worrying about holding up a busload of people. You can also explain your group’s priorities clearly: photos, swimming, snorkeling, caves, or a mix.

Still, your captain cannot control the sea. The operator states that requests are accommodated when weather permits. A flexible attitude will make the trip better, especially if the captain recommends changing the order of stops.

What is included, and what you need to bring

The $259 price includes the private boat charter for up to eight people, fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, and a cooler with ice. That is a useful package because the main extras for a short sea outing are already covered.

The cost works best when shared. At eight people, it comes to about $32 per person. At four people, it is about $65 per person. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive private experience, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than just a seat on a boat.

You need to bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• A camera
• Beachwear
• Suntan lotion

Swimwear is not included, which sounds obvious but matters if you are arriving from another activity. The cooler includes ice, but the supplied information does not say that drinks or food are included, so plan accordingly.

The boat, fuel, skipper, and snorkeling equipment are the main value here. If you would rather have a longer trip with a set route at the lowest possible per-person price, a shared boat may suit you better. If you have a full group and care about privacy, this charter is easier to justify.

The two-hour timing needs careful planning

The charter lasts two hours, starting from Cirkewwa or another agreed harbour. That is enough for a focused coastal outing with a few stops, but it is not enough for a relaxed visit to every named location.

You will need to choose priorities. A sensible conversation with the captain might cover:

• Your preferred main lagoon
• Whether swimming or sightseeing matters more
• Whether you want Comino caves
• Whether you hope to reach the Gozo coast
• How much time you want in the water

The itinerary lists Comino and the Blue Lagoon as photo stops, with the Blue Lagoon given one hour. It also includes a time entry for Comino that is written unclearly and conflicts with the two-hour total. Confirm the exact schedule before departure, especially if you are booking around another ferry, meal, or transfer.

I would not book this charter expecting to linger at every stop. I would book it for a compact, private ride where the captain helps you make the most of a limited window.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a strong match for people who value privacy and flexibility. You will probably enjoy it most if your group has a clear idea of what it wants from the coast and is happy to adjust plans according to the weather.

It suits:

• Families who want their own boat
• Friends sharing the cost
• Couples seeking a private outing
• Swimmers and snorkelers
• Visitors who want both Comino and part of Gozo
• People who dislike fixed large-group schedules

It is less suitable for people prone to seasickness. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a long, slow cruise or a fully narrated sightseeing program. The English audio guide is included, but the experience seems to rely heavily on the captain’s personal guidance and the group’s own requests.

The perfect customer is not someone trying to tick every sight off a list. It is someone who wants to say, let’s stop here for a swim, then change course if a better option appears.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Malta plans are still moving around.

Boats are subject to availability, so do not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed. You also need to arrange your own transport to the harbour.

The captain speaks English, and the group is private. Before you finalize the booking, confirm the exact meeting point, the intended stop times, and which route is most realistic for your chosen date.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo private charter?

Book it if you can gather a group of four to eight people, want your own boat, and care more about a personal route than a long list of guaranteed stops. The combination of snorkeling equipment, cooler, fuel, skipper, and private use gives the $259 group price good value for a full party.

I would be especially inclined to book if Atef or Fendi is available, since both are praised for friendly service, useful information, and finding caves and swimming areas. You should still remember that captain assignments are not guaranteed in the supplied details.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, need a long tour, or want every stop planned down to the minute. The two-hour duration is tight, and the unclear Comino timing deserves confirmation.

For a private taste of Comino’s lagoons, caves, and rock formations with a possible Gozo extension, this is an appealing choice. Go in with a short priority list, bring sun protection and a towel, and let the captain shape the route around the sea.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The charter lasts two hours. Longer charter durations may be available, but the supplied activity information confirms two hours as the listed duration.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for a group of up to eight people.

How much does the charter cost?

The listed price is $259 per group of up to eight people. The per-person cost depends on how many people share the booking.

Where does the boat depart?

The usual meeting point is near the kiosk at Cirkewwa. The captain may also meet you at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Is transport to the harbour included?

No. Transport to and from the harbour is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the charter.

Is a cooler available on the boat?

Yes. A cooler with ice is included.

Can you choose where the boat goes?

You can tell the captain which places you would like to visit. The captain will accommodate those requests when weather conditions permit.

What happens if you need to cancel?

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