Private Day Sailing Boat Charter

The best part of this Malta charter is control. You have a private boat, a skipper who can adjust the route, and access to coves and sea caves that larger boats cannot reach. I especially like the chance to escape the packed Blue Lagoon shoreline and the included paddleboards and snorkeling gear, which make swimming stops more active.

I also like the warm, personal service reported from skippers such as David, Terry, Nick, Maurice, Josh, and James. They have tailored routes for honeymooners, families, and birthday groups. The main caution is time: an eight-and-a-half-hour day sounds generous, but only about three and a half hours are assigned to the main swimming stops. Late starts or a long lunch can reduce your water time.

Key points

• Private route from Kalkara Marina: Your group sails from Valletta Grand Harbour, not from a crowded public ferry.
• Comino’s two famous lagoons: Crystal Lagoon gets about one hour, while Blue Lagoon gets about two, subject to weather and the skipper’s judgment.
• A quieter way to swim: Your skipper can move away from the busiest areas and find calmer water in less crowded bays.
• Active time on the water: Snorkeling equipment, free-flowing water, and two stand-up paddleboards are included.
• Optional food, not included: A barbecue and drinks can be arranged, but the meal costs extra and may use up valuable swimming time.
• Strong private-tour value: The listed price is $707.44 for a group of up to two, so the value depends heavily on your group size and priorities.

A private sailing day with room to change plans

This is not a fixed sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same clock. You leave from Kalkara Marina with your own group and skipper, then shape the day around swimming, sightseeing, sailing, or a mix of all three.

The usual route heads north through Malta’s coastal waters, past St. Paul’s Islands and the Sliema waterfront, toward Comino. From there, the skipper can work around wind, sea conditions, and your wishes. You might spend more time in a quiet bay, make a short pass by the Blue Lagoon, or stop at a place that larger craft cannot comfortably reach.

That flexibility is the real product here. The famous lagoons are part of the plan, but the private boat makes it possible to treat them as reference points rather than the entire day. If Blue Lagoon is crowded, or if jellyfish make swimming unpleasant, your skipper can look for another place.

The experience lasts about eight and a half hours and ends back at Kalkara Marina. You should expect a full day on the water, not eight and a half hours anchored in swimming spots. Sailing between locations takes a substantial part of the day, which is pleasant if you enjoy the movement and scenery, but important to understand if your main goal is swimming.

Leaving Kalkara Marina through Valletta Grand Harbour

Kalkara Marina is in Valletta Grand Harbour, one of the most memorable settings on the route. The marina is both the start and end point, so you can settle into the boat without arranging a second pickup at another harbor.

The opening and closing harbor sections are more than simple transfers. You pass historic waterfront views and see Valletta’s great natural harbor from the water. The return is especially worth staying alert for. It is easy to start packing bags and checking phones, but the final approach into the Grand Harbour is one of the prettiest parts of the day.

The marina is near public transportation, though hotel pickup is not included. Plan your way to Pontoon F at Sailing Charters Malta, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390. Your boat returns there at the end.

Crystal Lagoon: dramatic water and a short first stop

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about one hour. It is one of Comino’s most striking swimming locations, with clear water, steep rock, and a sense of being surrounded by open sea rather than a resort beach.

The stop works well early in the day because you can get in the water before settling into a longer lunch or a slower afternoon. Bring swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel within reach. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, so you can explore below the surface without packing your own mask and fins.

One hour passes quickly. If your group wants to snorkel, paddleboard, and take photographs, you will need to make choices. I would use this stop for a brisk swim and a look around, then save a longer, more relaxed water session for a quieter bay if the skipper recommends one.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and often crowded

Blue Lagoon is allotted about two hours, the longest named stop. The water is famously bright and inviting, but its popularity is also the chief drawback. The shore can be busy, especially during the main daytime period, and the setting may feel less private than you hoped.

A private boat helps, but it does not make the lagoon empty. Your skipper can find a calmer position away from the thickest activity, and several itineraries have used Blue Lagoon as a brief visit before moving to a quieter place. One useful strategy is to treat the lagoon as a scenic stop and let the skipper choose another bay for your main swim.

The water itself is still the reason to come. From the boat, you can swim without dealing with a crowded beach, use the paddleboards, or snorkel near the boat. If you want a long, quiet session with few people around, tell your skipper at the start. The private charter is most useful when you allow the captain to adjust the day instead of insisting on every famous stop.

St. Paul’s Bay and the northern coast

St. Paul’s Bay is listed as a 30-minute stop. It is associated with the shipwreck of St. Paul and adds a small piece of Malta’s religious and historical story to a day otherwise focused on water and scenery.

The stop is shorter than the lagoons, so think of it as a look and perhaps a swim rather than a major shore visit. You may hear more about Malta and the coastline from your skipper, though the amount of commentary can vary. Some captains, including Nick and Terry, have been praised for explaining landmarks and local history, while one outing left the group wanting more cultural information.

That variation is worth noting. The skipper’s first job is safe boat handling, and conversation may depend on where you sit, the sea conditions, and what you ask. If local stories matter to you, say so early. A private charter gives you a better chance of getting the kind of commentary you want.

Sailing past Sliema and the Grand Harbour

The route passes the Sliema waterfront on the way north. From the boat, Malta’s built-up shore looks different from street level. You see the relationship between the harbor, the fortified city, and the open coast in a single view.

The return through Valletta Grand Harbour brings another angle on the island’s maritime character. This is a good day for anyone who wants both scenery and a clearer sense of how Malta’s main ports fit together. You are not simply being ferried to Comino. You are watching the island unfold from the sea.

Skippers who shape the day

The operator assigns the skipper, so you cannot assume a particular captain. Names connected with this charter include David, Terry or Terrance, Nick, Maurice or Maurizio, Josh, James, Steve, Niki, and Yuri.

The strongest pattern is personal attention. Captains have adjusted routes for honeymoon couples, children, birthday groups, and people who wanted to avoid busy bays. One skipper gave a child a chance to learn basic sailing, while another offered a short sailing lesson when conditions allowed. A captain also helped a queasy teenager and kept the day comfortable.

You should still be clear about your priorities. Tell the skipper if you want more sailing, more swimming, local history, quiet coves, paddleboarding, or time for photographs. You can also explain if someone in your group has mobility concerns or is nervous on boats. One family received useful help getting a passenger on and off the boat.

Do not expect every captain to deliver a full guided history tour. Some are especially talkative and share stories about Malta and their sailing careers. Others focus more on navigation and care of the group. Ask questions and sit where conversation is easy if you want more background.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboards

The included equipment makes the charter more than a sightseeing ride. You get snorkeling equipment and two stand-up paddleboards, along with free-flowing water. You can swim from the boat, look below the surface, paddle across a calm inlet, or simply lie back and enjoy the water.

The paddleboards are especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can paddle farther while less active members stay near the boat. Families with children can also vary the day instead of asking everyone to follow the same activity.

Sea conditions control what is practical. Choppy water may make an exposed stop less pleasant, while a sheltered lagoon can remain calm. The skipper will choose safer locations when needed, but you should not expect every planned stop to operate exactly as written.

Pack sun protection, a hat that will stay put, a towel, and a dry bag for phones and cameras. These are practical additions for any long day at sea. The supplied information confirms water, fuel, equipment, and a skipper, but not personal sun gear or valuables storage.

Barbecue lunch, drinks, and the cost of eating onboard

Food and drinks are not included in the base price. An optional fresh barbecue can be arranged, and the meal has received strong praise, including well-cooked swordfish and fresh food served onboard. A Maltese platter is another option mentioned in connection with the charter.

The catch is time and price. A barbecue sounds ideal on a sailing boat, but preparing and eating lunch can take time away from the short window available for swimming. One practical approach is to bring a cold meal and your own wine or prosecco if the operator confirms those arrangements for your booking. The operator has allowed guests to bring food and drinks, but confirm the current policy before you rely on it.

The listed rate is $707.44 per group of up to two. That is a serious price for a couple, though it includes fuel, taxes, skipper services, water, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards. The value improves when the boat cost is shared by a larger permitted group, but the published rate specifically says up to two, while some experiences described parties of three to eight. Ask Sailing Charters Malta Ltd for the correct rate and capacity before booking a larger group.

For a honeymoon or milestone birthday, the private setting may justify the cost. For two people who only want a quick swim at Blue Lagoon, a public boat or ferry will likely cost less. The charter earns its price through privacy, route flexibility, and the chance to spend the day away from the busiest boating traffic.

How to use the eight and a half hours well

Start on time. One couple began later because the full day seemed long and regretted losing even an hour. Since much of the trip is spent sailing, a late departure reduces the time you can anchor in bays.

At the beginning, give the skipper a clear wish list. A good plan might include one famous lagoon, one quiet swimming location, a short sightseeing pass, lunch, and time to paddleboard. Trying to fit every named location into a relaxed day can leave you rushing.

Keep the last harbor approach free. Have bags ready before the boat reaches Kalkara, but do not miss the return through Valletta Grand Harbour. It is a fitting final view and one of the moments that makes the full-day route worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for couples celebrating something special, families who want control over the pace, and small groups that dislike crowded public boats. It also suits people who care more about quiet coves and time in the water than ticking off every shore attraction.

Children can participate, and there is no minimum age requirement. Still, every group should be comfortable with a full day around the sea. If someone gets seasick, tell the skipper early and follow advice about where to sit and when to remain in calmer water.

This is less suitable if you want a fixed cultural tour with constant narration, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed empty Blue Lagoon. It is also a poor match if you dislike sailing time and want to spend nearly the entire day anchored.

Booking confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so check your dates carefully. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Malta private sailing charter?

Book it if you want a private day built around your group, not a standard boat route. The best use of the charter is to see Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon while letting the skipper take you to quieter water when the famous spots become too busy.

I would confirm three things before paying: the exact boat capacity and price for your group, the cost and timing of the barbecue, and whether bringing your own food and drinks is allowed. Then arrive early, start on time, and tell the skipper that hidden coves, swimming, or local stories matter most to you.

For the right group, this can be one of Malta’s strongest full-day outings. Its value is not simply the view. It is the privacy, the ability to change course, and the freedom to enjoy Comino at your own pace.

FAQ

Where does the private sailing charter start and finish?

The charter starts and ends at Sailing Charters Malta, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390, Malta. The marina is in Valletta Grand Harbour.

How long does the experience last?

The sailing day lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes.

What locations are included on the usual route?

The route can include Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, St. Paul’s Bay, Valletta Grand Harbour, and the Sliema waterfront. The skipper may adjust the route based on your preferences and sea conditions.

How much time is planned at Crystal Lagoon?

The listed stop at Crystal Lagoon lasts about one hour.

How much time is planned at Blue Lagoon?

The listed stop at Blue Lagoon lasts about two hours. The skipper can choose a quieter position or another bay if conditions or crowds make that preferable.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the base price. An optional barbecue meal may be arranged, and you should confirm its cost and details before the trip.

What equipment is included?

The charter includes snorkeling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, free-flowing water, fuel, all taxes, and a skipper or guide.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.