Private boat Charters around Malta, Gozo & Comino

The best part of this private charter is control. You are not following a fixed crowd from one bay to the next. Captain Joseph can steer you toward Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, or quieter Gozo swimming spots, depending on your timing and the sea. The 43-foot MV INGE III also gives the day a proper boat feel, with teak decking and a rustic mahogany cabin.

I like the useful extras: masks, snorkels, a kayak, SUPs, and paddle boards are included, along with water, ice, a fresh-water shower, and two restrooms. I also like the flexible departure points at Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The main drawback is price: at $1,137.10 per group of up to 15, it makes most sense when you can share the cost with family or friends.

Key points to know before booking

• Your own private boat: Only your group takes part, with no strangers added to the charter.
• Captain Joseph at the helm: He is praised for adjusting timing and finding appealing swimming spots around Comino and Gozo.
• Comino’s famous water and caves: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.
• Water gear included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, and paddle board are supplied.
• Comfort beyond a basic speedboat: You get shaded seating, a sundeck, bathing platform, two restrooms, a cabin, and a fresh-water shower.
• Bring your own picnic: Lunch is not included, but you may bring food, snacks, and drinks onboard.

A classic cruiser for a private day at sea

MV INGE III is not a small open launch. It is a 43-foot, 13-meter motor cruiser built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders. Its teak deck and rustic mahogany interior give it a more traditional feel than the bare-bones boats often used for short coastal trips.

That matters when you are spending several hours on the water. You can move between the shaded area, sundeck, and bathing platform instead of staying in one exposed seat. The boat also has a cabin, two restrooms, and a fresh-water shower, useful comforts when your outing includes swimming and a meal break.

The vessel is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, but the stated private charter capacity is usually 20 to 25 people, while the advertised group price covers up to 15. Because those numbers differ, ask Seabreeze Cruises to confirm the maximum for your chosen date and group size before paying.

The boat includes Bluetooth, AUX, and USB music connections. You can supply the soundtrack, but keep the volume sensible. A quiet run past the cliffs and caves is part of the pleasure, too.

What your private charter can cover

The normal route centers on Comino and nearby Gozo, but this is not a rigid sightseeing circuit. A morning or afternoon cruise usually starts at 9 or 10 a.m., while the sunset option runs from 5 to 9 p.m. The total experience is listed at roughly two to four hours, so the amount you see depends on your chosen duration and how much time you spend swimming.

You can depart from Cirkewwa in northern Malta or Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. These are practical starting points because both are close to the channel between Malta, Gozo, and Comino. You should choose the departure point that best fits your day rather than assuming the boat will collect you elsewhere.

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end. That simple arrangement makes planning easier, but you still need to allow time to reach Cirkewwa or Mgarr on your own.

Comino: Blue Lagoon, caves, and swimming stops

Comino is the natural focus of the trip. The island is small, dry, and largely known from the water, where its pale rock shelves, sea caves, and clear swimming areas are easier to appreciate than from a single beach.

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its bright water and sheltered setting make it a popular place to swim, but its fame also means it can feel busy. From a private boat, you can at least approach by water and decide how long you want to stay rather than spending your whole visit tied to a public boat schedule.

Crystal Lagoon offers another swimming and snorkeling stop. The appeal here is the setting as much as the water. The cliffs and rock openings give you a chance to look along the coast from the sea, and the boat can bring you close to places that are not reached by ordinary road or footpath.

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay add variety. If you want a break from the better-known Blue Lagoon, ask Captain Joseph about the conditions and the best place to stop on your day. The captain is praised for finding attractive turquoise-water spots and for responding to changing schedules, which is especially useful when your group has a limited window.

The route can also pass Comino landmarks such as Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower. These are sightseeing pauses rather than formal guided visits. You will be looking from the boat, taking photographs, and learning about the coast through the captain’s running commentary if he provides it.

The caves are another reason to choose a private boat. The plan includes viewing Comino’s caves and coastal corners, though the exact route depends on the sea and available time. If cave viewing matters most to you, say so at the start instead of assuming every formation will be visited.

Gozo’s coast by boat

The Gozo portion has a different character. Here the aim is not simply to stop at one famous lagoon. The cruise focuses on coves and swimming places that can only be reached, or are best reached, from the water.

You may spend time snorkeling, swimming, and looking back at Gozo’s shoreline from offshore. The boat gives you a useful sense of how broken and varied the coast is, with small bays appearing between larger stretches of rock.

This part is especially valuable if you have already seen Gozo from the road. A coastal cruise shows you a side of the island that a bus, taxi, or rental car cannot provide. You also avoid turning the day into a race between inland sights.

One particularly practical touch is the captain’s help with a restaurant recommendation on Gozo. Lunch is not included, so you need to bring food or plan around a meal stop. The boat permits your own food, snacks, and drinks, and a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes is supplied.

Do not assume a restaurant visit is built into every two-hour booking. The published schedule and route are flexible, and the Gozo restaurant suggestion was useful to one group, but your food plan should be confirmed when you arrange the charter.

Swimming gear and onboard comfort

The included equipment makes this more than a ride along the coast. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with swimming aids, a kayak, a stand-up paddle board, and a paddle board. The wording lists both SUP and paddle board, so ask the operator exactly what will be available for your group on the day if water toys are important.

The bathing platform is a practical feature. You can get in and out of the water without climbing over the side of the boat, and the fresh-water shower lets you rinse off salt afterward. Bottled water and chilled storage are also included, so you do not need to fill the cooler before departure.

Still, bring the personal items that make a swim day easier: swimwear, sun protection, towels, and any food you want. Lunch is the clear extra cost because it is not part of the charter.

The shaded area matters in Malta’s strong sun. You can move to the sundeck for a better view, then retreat to shade when the heat builds. The boat’s size and seating make it a better match for a mixed-age group than a simple craft with no cabin or restroom, though you should still confirm the exact seating arrangement for your party.

Timing, flexibility, and Captain Joseph

Captain Joseph receives especially strong praise for both boat handling and practical judgment. He has been credited with finding good places to swim, explaining the surrounding islands, and adjusting arrangements when a cruise ship repeatedly changed its docking time and shortened the available day.

That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private charter. A fixed group cruise has to protect its timetable. Here, the operator can discuss a different starting time when possible, and the captain can suggest stops that fit the sea conditions and your interests.

The standard morning and afternoon departures begin around 9 or 10 a.m. The sunset trip runs from 5 to 9 p.m. A sunset cruise changes the focus. You have less daylight for a long route, but the later departure suits a special occasion, private gathering, or dinner plan.

The available opening hours are listed as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. from Monday through Sunday during the operating period shown, May 28, 2024 through September 1, 2026. Since the morning start is also described as 9 a.m., confirm the exact departure time when booking.

Is the group price good value?

The $1,137.10 price is for a private group of up to 15. At the full advertised group size, that works out to about $76 per person. The calculation changes quickly with a smaller party: for six people, it is roughly $190 per person, before any food or other personal expenses.

That is not a bargain for a couple or a small family. It can be reasonable for a larger group that wants privacy, a proper cruiser, included water equipment, and control over the route.

You are also paying for fuel, skipper, and crew, all of which are included. There is no need to split the boat with strangers, and the cooler, water, shower, restrooms, and swimming gear reduce the number of extras you need to arrange.

The value improves if you use the boat for the full permitted time and make good use of the equipment. If you only want a short ride and one swim, a shared excursion may cost less. If your group wants a private celebration, a flexible Comino and Gozo route, and room to bring its own food, the charter becomes easier to justify.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 33 published ratings, with 91 percent recommending it. That is a strong result, though not a promise that every departure will suit every group. Weather, sea conditions, group expectations, and the final route all affect the day.

Who should book this boat?

I would choose this charter for a family group, a group of friends, or a private celebration where the freedom to set the pace matters. It also suits people who want swimming and snorkeling without giving up shade, restrooms, and a proper deck.

It is a good fit for a group arriving by cruise ship only if you confirm the port timing early. The operator has shown flexibility when docking times changed, but a shortened day may mean fewer stops.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with only three or four people. The group price is hard to spread across a small party. I would also avoid booking it around a tight, non-movable schedule without a weather and timing backup.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not state that transportation to Cirkewwa or Mgarr is included.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Should you book MV INGE III?

Book it if you want a private day on the water rather than a standard ride from point A to point B. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, Captain Joseph’s practical approach, the comfortable 43-foot cruiser, and the useful collection of water gear.

Before you commit, confirm four things: the exact departure point, the number of people allowed on your date, the intended duration, and how much time will be given to Comino versus Gozo. If those details fit your group, this is a strong choice for swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and a relaxed private outing.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The exact meeting point should be confirmed when you book.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately two to four hours. Morning and afternoon cruises generally start at 9 or 10 a.m., while the sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9 p.m.

Can we visit both Comino and Gozo?

The charter is designed around Comino and Gozo, but the exact route depends on your chosen duration, timing, and conditions. Discuss your preferred balance with the operator before departure.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you may bring your own food, snacks, and drinks onboard. A large cooler with ice is provided.

What equipment is included?

Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, bottled water, and fuel are included. The boat also has a shaded area, sundeck, bathing platform, two restrooms, and a fresh-water shower.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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