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

A private speedboat around Comino and Gozo is interesting because you trade crowded harbors and long lines for quiet anchor spots and quick jumps from the boat when the water looks right. I love how you get to hit the Blue Lagoon area without feeling trapped in the mass-boat routine.

I also like that this feels truly tailored once you are out there, with a personal skipper who can adjust where you spend time. One consideration: at $423 per group (up to 6) plus a fuel fee, it is a better value when you are booking with friends or family rather than traveling solo or as a couple.

Key things that make this charter worth your attention

• Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Cominotto on one half-day route, with time for swimming and snorkeling
• Private access to quiet bays and reef spots, so you can enjoy the clear water without the crowd
• Skipper-driven stops at caves and viewpoints, including Santa Maria Cave country and rock formations
• Shade and comfortable seating onboard, plus mask and snorkel gear included
• Family-friendly swim time, especially around calmer sandy bays like Santa Marija Bay
• Guide flexibility if your group wants more swim breaks or more photo stops

Why a private speedboat beats mass boats near Blue Lagoon

Malta’s Comino and Gozo are the kind of places where the scenery is famous for a reason. But the popular areas can feel packed, especially when you arrive on the usual schedules and end up fighting for a patch of shoreline. This private charter flips that script.

You move by speedboat, not ferry crowds. Then your skipper chooses the angles, the anchoring spots, and the timing, so you are not stuck waiting in a line to enjoy the water. It is also just less stressful. You can keep your day relaxed, and you can actually control your pace.

Another plus is that you are not doing this with strangers. You are in your own group of up to six, with a personal skipper, and the boat has room to spread out a bit. Shade helps too, because Malta sun can be intense even when the breeze feels nice.

Your 4-hour route: Comino first, then Gozo’s bays and cave country

This is built as a smooth loop through Comino and then over to Gozo for the sea caves and swim time. You start with a fast run toward Comino, then you stack stops that are a mix of photo moments, guided pass-bys, and actual water time.

On the Comino side, you get oriented with a photo stop near Lantern Point, then you move through a sequence of cave and reef areas. Along the way, you can expect a mix of:

• time on the water for swimming and snorkeling
• short stops for guided sightseeing
• calmer anchoring spots meant for marine life viewing and clear-water breaks

Then you continue toward Gozo. The Gozo leg often begins around the Mgarr Harbour area, with scenic cruising and cave viewpoints that feel more dramatic than the Comino coastline. After that, you get a chain of bays and sea features where you can slow down, take photos, and pick your swim spot.

By the time you reach the Santa Marija Bay area and the Santa Maria caves zone, the route becomes more about beach-and-bay time. The day ends with classic rock and window-type viewpoints like Għemieri Window and the Elephant Rock area, plus more cruising near Santa Marija’s surroundings.

Blue Lagoon, Cominotto Beach, and Cominotto Reef: where you should spend your swim time

If your goal is that famous clear water, you are in the right place. The route is structured so you can reach Blue Lagoon while still leaving room for other equally pretty spots. Blue Lagoon itself is where you can swim right from the boat, or step onto the beach area if you want more of a shoreline moment.

Cominotto is the secret sauce in this half-day plan. You get time near Cominotto Beach, which is described as a quiet spot you can reach by private boat. That matters, because Cominotto tends to feel calmer than the Blue Lagoon shoreline once you actually get there. If you want snorkeling in less crowded conditions, this is where you’ll feel it.

Then comes Cominotto Reef, which is ideal when you want visibility and fish life. The water there is typically clear, and it is set up for snorkeling and marine life viewing from the surface. Even if you are a casual swimmer, having mask and snorkel included means you can jump in without hunting gear or paying extra.

One practical tip: plan to wear sunscreen early, not just right before you hop in. You will be in and out of the water, and you do not want to burn during your first stop.

Santa Maria Caves, arch-shaped viewpoints, and the cave-hopping factor

This charter leans hard into Malta’s sea caves and weird rock shapes, and that is a major reason it feels special. You do not just pass by coastline. You get guided stops and photo moments tied to specific features.

Santa Marija Caves is a highlight on the Gozo side. This is described as one of the big sea-cave systems in the area. Even if you are not going fully into a cave, the cruising viewpoints help you understand why this section of coast is so photographed.

You also get rock and cave names that sound straight out of a movie set:

• Popeye Caves, with a natural arch similar to the famous Blue Grotto look
• Lover’s Cave, leading to a hidden beach with white sand
• other cave openings and windows along the route, including Għemieri Window

For photos, the timing matters. With a private skipper, you are not locked to a rigid sequence that dumps you at the same moments as every other boat. You can slow down at the moments you care about most, whether that is a cave opening for pictures or a pass-by with a perfect angle.

If your group loves structure and story, ask your skipper for quick context at each major cave feature. You will get better photos when you know what you are looking at.

Swims that fit the whole group, including kids, grandparents, and nervous swimmers

One reason this works for families is that it is not only about endurance. Your group can split into two types of fun:

• people who want quick swims and snorkeling breaks
• people who want to relax on the boat and step in only when it feels right

Santa Marija Bay stands out as a calmer option. It is described as a secluded white sandy beach with shallow waters, which makes it a smarter choice if you have kids with you or if someone in your group is less confident in open water.

You also get options around Hondoq Bay, Ras il-Qala, and other Gozo swim stops where the water color is a major part of the appeal. If summer conditions are right, those stops can turn into a lot of time in the water with short boat hops between areas.

And yes, there can be more adventurous moments too. People in their groups often pick cliff-jump style fun if conditions allow, and the skipper can guide you toward safer places for that kind of break. If your crew is not into jumping at all, you will still have plenty to do: snorkeling, floating, and just enjoying the anchored views.

What the boat comfort and included gear really mean day-to-day

This charter is set up as a real private boat experience, not a bare-minimum rental. You get:

• mask and snorkel included
• an ice cooler with ice flakes to keep drinks cold
• shade available onboard
• comfortable seating for relaxing between stops

The shade point sounds small until you are out on the water for hours. Malta sun can be relentless, and being able to sit out of direct heat makes your day feel longer in a good way.

You are also allowed to bring your own food and drinks onboard. That helps if you want a simple picnic style meal rather than buying snacks in ports. Just keep it practical: bring enough water for everyone, and pack towels so you can dry off quickly between swim sessions.

What to bring from your side is simple and important: sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, and your own food and drinks if that is your style. Sunscreen is the biggest one. You will be under the sun while cruising, and you will also be wet enough for it to sneak up on you if you do not reapply.

Meeting points and drop-offs: how to avoid the end-of-day scramble

Meeting point can vary based on your booked starting option, and drop-off options can differ too. In practice, you’ll see locations around the Comino and Gozo boat-charter areas and the Cirkewwa ferry terminal zone.

This matters because a 4-hour tour ends fast, and you want your transport lined up so you are not racing to catch a taxi or ferry. If you can, plan your post-tour plans with a buffer. Even with a smooth private run, you will likely want a little time to shower, change, and cool down before your next stop.

Also note that the experience is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users. If mobility is a factor for anyone in your group, it is worth confirming accessibility details before you book.

Price and value: is $423 per group worth it?

At $423 per group up to six, this is not the cheapest way to see Comino and Gozo. But half-day private boat charters are rarely about saving money. They are about buying time, comfort, and control.

Here is the value math that tends to make sense. If you have a group of four to six, your per-person cost drops sharply compared to booking separately on standard boat tours. Then add in what you are getting:

• private speedboat cruising
• a personal skipper
• mask and snorkel gear
• an ice cooler with ice flakes
• marina permits
• a route that mixes swimming, snorkeling, and cave viewing

The fuel fee is separate at €99, and fuel is the one cost you should plan for. Even with that, it can still be good value because you are not paying for a packed boat experience. You are paying for the ability to choose where you anchor and how long you stay.

If you are traveling as a couple and there is no room to split the group cost, you might feel the price more. In that case, it becomes a choice between comfort and cost. If you really care about avoiding crowds at Blue Lagoon and Cominotto, the private format is what gets you there.

Guides who shape the day, from Jimmy to Justin

A private tour is only as good as the person at the helm, and this one puts real attention on the skipper experience. Skippers such as Jimmy, Justin, Upie, Joe, Casper, and Angul show up as the kinds of captains who keep things friendly and adjust to what your group wants.

The biggest practical win is how they handle flexibility. If your group wants more swim time, they can shift the stops. If your group wants more cave sightseeing and photos, they can pace it that way. You also get help with safely getting in and out of the water at the stops, which makes a difference for families.

When a skipper learns names quickly and remembers who wants what, the day feels smoother. It also makes the guided parts more useful, because you are asking questions and getting answers on the spot rather than waiting for a slow group briefing.

Who should book this charter, and who might want another plan

You should book this if you want:

• quiet Blue Lagoon time without mass-boat crowd energy
• snorkeling and swimming with included gear
• a private half-day route that hits both Comino and Gozo
• a skipper who adjusts to your group, not the other way around

It is also a strong family choice, especially if you want younger kids to have beach and shallow-water time. Santa Marija Bay and the more sheltered swim stops make that easier.

You might want a different option if:

• you are traveling solo or only as two and price is the main concern
• your group needs wheelchair access, since it is not suitable for wheelchair users
• you want a full day, packed with nonstop walking. This one is a boat-first experience, with sightseeing stops and water time, not a long on-land hiking itinerary.

Should you book this private charter? My quick call

If your Malta trip includes Comino and you care about enjoying the water without fighting crowds, I think this is a smart booking. The private format makes Blue Lagoon and Cominotto feel like your own playground, and the included mask and snorkel plus shade onboard keep the day easy.

If you are cost-sensitive and traveling as a tiny group, double-check the value. The fuel fee is extra, and $423 per group adds up if there is no one to split it with. But for families, friend groups, and anyone who wants a calm, water-focused half-day, this is exactly the kind of outing that pays you back in real comfort.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The tour duration is 4 hours.

What does it cost for a group?

The price is listed as $423 per group up to 6 people.

What is included in the price?

Included items are a private speedboat cruise, a personal skipper, marina permits, mask and snorkel, and an ice cooler with ice flakes.

What is not included?

Fuel is not included, and there is a €99 fuel fee.

Can I bring my own food and drinks onboard?

Yes. You are allowed to bring your own drinks and food onboard.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.