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

Comino is best seen from the water, where its pale cliffs, sea caves, and clear lagoons come together in one compact outing. This private trip lets you stop for swims, linger at scenic spots, and change the pace instead of following a fixed group schedule. Crystal Lagoon is the star for clear water and snorkeling, while Santa Maria and Comino’s caves add variety.

I like the privacy and the flexible route. A boat for up to six people gives you room to share music, snacks, and swim time with your own group. I also like the practical touches: shaded seating, a sun deck, an ice cooler, WiFi, and mask-and-snorkel equipment. Skippers Joe and Mario have been praised for taking photos, explaining the area, and adjusting departure times when the sea turns rough.

The main thing to check is the real cost. The advertised rate is $116 per boat, but the skipper and fuel are listed separately at €99 each. That can make this a good deal for six people, but a costly outing for two unless the final amount is confirmed before you pay.

Key points at a glance

• Crystal Lagoon gives you the clearest swim and snorkel stop, with calm-looking water and fish visible below the surface.
• The route can change with sea conditions, and the skipper may alter stops, timing, or departure points for safety.
• You get a private boat for up to six people, so the rate makes more sense for a small group than for a couple.
• Joe and Mario are named skippers, with special praise for photos, friendly service, and sensible handling of windy days.
• You can bring your own soundtrack, using the boat’s Bluetooth speaker while cruising between stops.
• Santa Maria, Comino’s caves, and quiet shorelines add more to the trip than a simple stop at the Blue Lagoon.

Why seeing Comino by private boat matters

Comino is a small island, but the water around it offers several different moods. From the deck, you can see pale rock walls, narrow openings in the cliffs, sheltered coves, and bright patches of shallow sea. A private boat gives you a useful advantage: you are not tied to one crowded swimming area.

I like this format because the sea is the main attraction. You are not spending hours on a coach or walking between unrelated sights. You cruise, stop, swim, snorkel, take photos, and move on when your group is ready.

The private setup also changes the social feel. You can play your own music, bring snacks and drinks, and use the shaded seating when the sun gets too strong. For a family or group of friends, that freedom is often worth more than a tightly scheduled shared cruise.

There is a catch. The boat trip is only three to four hours, so you cannot expect a full tour of every corner of Gozo and Comino. The skipper has to work around wind, tides, traffic on the water, and the time needed to reach each stop. Think of this as a focused sea outing, not a complete island sightseeing day.

Starting at Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat at either of two locations. From Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, it is near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

This choice matters when you plan your day. If you are staying on Gozo, Mgarr is the natural starting point. If you are based on Malta, Cirkewwa avoids adding a separate trip across Gozo before the boat ride. The operator includes pickup at the listed meeting locations, but you still need to reach the correct terminal area.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That extra time is useful for finding the meeting point, handling traffic, and getting everyone aboard without cutting into your charter. If you arrive late, the trip does not get longer to make up the lost time.

The boat has cozy seating under a shade canopy, plus a sun deck for those who want open views. Safety gear is included, and port and marina fees, taxes, lagoon access permits, and the cooler are covered in the listed inclusions.

Cruising Comino’s caves and quiet shorelines

The first part of the trip is about seeing Comino from the water. The caves are the sort of places that make a private boat useful. You can pass close to the rock walls, look into sea-carved openings, and stop for photographs without having to find a place on a busy beach.

I would bring a phone or camera with a secure strap. The boat’s movement, spray, and quick changes between bright sun and shadow make the caves especially photogenic, but you do not want to handle loose equipment near the side of the boat.

The route may include several secluded shorelines and small coves. These spots are valuable because they give you a break from the main swimming areas. You might have a quieter swim, take a few minutes on deck, or simply enjoy the view while the boat is stopped.

Do not treat the exact route as fixed. The skipper can change the itinerary, route, or boarding and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, or other practical conditions. That flexibility is a safety feature, not a missing promise. On a windy day, the best trip may look different from the one you pictured.

Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling

Crystal Lagoon is the most important water stop in the advertised experience. It is known for clear visibility and marine life, making it the natural place to use the supplied mask and snorkel.

You do not need to be an experienced snorkeler to enjoy this part. The appeal is simply being able to look beneath the surface in clear water and see fish moving around the rocks. If you are new to snorkeling, take your time getting comfortable and stay close to the boat or your group.

The lagoon also works well for people who do not want to snorkel. You can swim, float, or sit on the boat and enjoy the color of the water. The crew remains available to help with safety, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability and follow the skipper’s instructions.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, especially because the shade canopy only covers part of the boat. Cash is also listed among the recommended items, which is useful for any personal purchases before or after the outing.

Santa Maria and the Blue Lagoon question

The trip is marketed around Comino and the Blue Lagoon, while the route description focuses on Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s caves. A review of the actual stops also mentions Santa Maria Beach. These places are close enough to fit within a short charter, but the skipper decides the final route.

That means you should ask one direct question before booking: which lagoons and beaches are likely to be included on your chosen departure? The answer may depend on sea conditions, time of day, and crowd levels.

Santa Maria adds a different feel from the more famous lagoon areas. It gives the outing another possible swimming stop and a chance to see more of Comino’s shoreline. If your priority is a particular beach, do not assume it is guaranteed. The skipper has the right to alter the plan when conditions require it.

The same applies to the Blue Lagoon. You may see it as part of the route, but the supplied details do not promise a fixed amount of time there. A private trip is most useful when you value a mix of caves, water stops, and quiet shorelines rather than one exact beach.

What the boat provides between stops

The boat is set up for both active and lazy time. You get shaded seating, a sun deck, safety equipment, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, WiFi, and mask-and-snorkel gear. Those details matter because a three to four-hour trip can feel long if you have nowhere comfortable to sit between swims.

The Bluetooth speaker lets you choose the mood. You can bring a playlist for the cruise, though I would keep the volume reasonable so you can still hear the skipper’s safety directions and enjoy the sound of the sea.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own supplies if you want something beyond the water and the boat’s cooler. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a separate cooler are also not included, so do not plan a barbecue or fishing session unless you have confirmed an extra arrangement with the provider.

The skipper is also not included in the listed base rate, and fuel is listed separately. This is the detail most likely to affect your decision. Ask for the full price in writing, including any skipper, fuel, and other charges, before treating the $116 figure as your final total.

How the skippers shape the experience

The named skippers are Joe and Mario. Joe has been praised for taking photos and videos, giving the group plenty of time to swim, and showing the caves and scenery around Gozo and Comino. Mario has been praised for explaining the area, allowing music, taking photos, and handling changes when the sea became windy.

That personal service is important on a private charter. You are not just buying transport from one point to another. You are relying on the skipper to judge sea conditions, position the boat safely, and decide how much time is sensible at each stop.

The strongest practical example is a windy day. One group was contacted the night before and offered a changed departure time to suit the conditions. Another group still enjoyed the outing in rougher water because the skipper explained the situation and adjusted the plan.

You should still expect the sea to affect the ride. A private boat does not make wind disappear. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking appropriate precautions and choosing a day when the forecast looks calm, while remembering that the skipper has the final say on safety.

Is the $116 boat rate good value?

The listed price is $116 per group of up to six, not $116 per person. That is an important distinction. At the base rate, six people would pay about $19 each before the separate charges. Two people would carry the same boat cost between them.

But the listed extras change the calculation. The professional skipper is shown at €99, and fuel consumption is another €99. If both charges apply in full, the outing costs substantially more than the advertised starting figure. Currency conversion also makes a simple dollar-to-euro comparison less exact.

For six people, the total can still be attractive because you are paying for a private boat rather than six seats on a shared cruise. For two people, the price may feel high unless you place a strong value on privacy, flexible swimming time, and a personal route.

I would compare the final all-in price with a shared cruise only after confirming what is included. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not give you the same control over music, stop length, or who is on board. This charter makes the most financial sense for a group of four to six people.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples wanting privacy, and small groups of friends who want to swim without following a large crowd. It also suits people who enjoy taking photos, listening to music, and making a relaxed day of the sea rather than rushing from sight to sight.

It is a good choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel at Crystal Lagoon, while others can remain on the shaded boat or enjoy a gentle swim. The crew supplies masks and snorkels, which saves you from packing your own equipment.

This may not be the right outing if you need a guaranteed route, a guaranteed Blue Lagoon stop, or a very low total price for one or two people. It is also not ideal if rough water makes you uncomfortable, since the skipper may need to change the plan and the boat ride can still feel lively in windy conditions.

The boat is private, but the activity is still dependent on the sea. Keep your schedule flexible and avoid planning an important mainland connection immediately after the charter.

Booking details worth checking first

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your date.

English and Maltese are offered. The activity is private, with a maximum group size of six per boat.

Before confirming, I would ask these three questions:

• Is the €99 skipper fee included in my quoted total?
• Is the €99 fuel charge included, estimated, or fixed?
• Which stops are planned for my date, and how much flexibility is available?

Those answers will tell you far more than the headline price.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a private, water-focused visit to Comino and can fill most of the boat. You get caves, lagoons, snorkeling, shaded seating, your own music, and the freedom to spend more time where your group is happiest.

I would be especially comfortable booking it for four to six people, after confirming the full cost and likely route. Joe and Mario add a useful human touch, particularly when weather forces a change.

For two people, I would book only if privacy and flexibility matter more than price. The experience can be romantic and memorable, but the separate skipper and fuel charges may make a shared cruise better value. Either way, arrive early, bring your own food and drinks, and let the skipper adjust the day to the sea.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long does the boat trip last?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

The rate applies to one private boat for a group of up to six people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

They are listed separately from the base rate. The skipper is shown at €99 and fuel consumption at €99, so confirm the complete price before booking.

Can the route change after booking?

Yes. The skipper may change the route, stops, timing, or departure and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons.