Private Boat Charter Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo

The best part of this private Malta boat charter is access. A small boat can reach the narrow Santa Maria Caves, quiet swimming spots, and rocky corners that larger boats cannot enter. You also get a full day along the coast, not just a quick stop at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon.

I like the private group setup, which keeps the day calmer and lets you spend serious time in the water. I also like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, caves, and scenery. Captain Bufon has earned praise for making the trip both relaxing and interesting.

The main drawback is the price: $786.40 for up to seven people is good value with a full group, but expensive for one or two. The day also depends on good weather, and the boat’s fixed stops leave limited time for a land visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Maria Caves by small boat: You can enter the caves and see their rock formations and clear water from close range.
• Blue Lagoon time: You get about 90 minutes with the Comino option, or about one hour when Gozo is added.
• Crystal Lagoon swimming: This quieter stop has clear water, rocky cliffs, and fish-filled shallows suited to snorkeling.
• Gozo adds two hours: The Gozo and Comino version visits Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini.
• Private for up to seven people: Your group does not share the boat with other passengers.
• Sliema round trip: The day begins and ends at Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema.

Why this private Malta charter works so well

Malta is best appreciated from the water. From a boat, the coast opens into pale cliffs, sea caves, small bays, and clear channels between the islands. This charter gives you roughly seven hours to enjoy that coastline at a slower pace than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I especially like the balance between well-known places and smaller coastal stops. Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, but the Santa Maria Caves and Crystal Lagoon give the day more variety. You are not simply anchored in one crowded swimming area for hours.

Because the boat is private, the pace feels more personal. You can spend your time swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or watching the cliffs without having to follow a large group ashore. The captain is also an important part of the day. Bufon is one guide associated with this charter, and his role includes giving information as you travel along the coast.

The trip suits people who want a relaxed day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. You will see several places, but the focus remains the sea. If you want museums, village streets, or a long visit to Gozo’s inland sights, this is not the right format. If you want warm water, open views, and time to stop whenever the itinerary calls for it, the plan makes sense.

Leaving Sliema for the Maltese coast

You meet at Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema. The first section takes about 35 minutes as the boat leaves Sliema and follows the Maltese coastline toward Comino.

This opening ride matters because it gives you time to settle into the boat before the swimming stops begin. You can enjoy views of the shoreline from the water and get a sense of how different Malta looks away from its roads and waterfront promenades.

The return journey takes about 40 minutes from the final stop back to Sliema. That is a useful detail when planning the day. You are not responsible for arranging transport between several harbors, and the activity finishes where it starts.

Public transport is available near the meeting point, and confirmation is provided when you book. The ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone.

Smugglers Cave and Marks & Dukes Window

The boat passes Marks & Dukes Window and stops at Smugglers Cave. This section lasts about 45 minutes, including the time around the cave.

The appeal here is close-up coastal scenery. From the water, natural openings and rock formations look very different from the view you get on land. A small private boat also gives you a better chance to pause near the cave instead of simply passing it at cruising speed.

This is one of the stops where your captain’s local knowledge adds value. The route is not only about reaching Blue Lagoon. You are also seeing the rocky details that make Malta’s northern coast special.

Bring a phone or camera if you want photographs, but protect it carefully around the water. The trip description specifically highlights the caves and rock formations as photo-friendly parts of the day. It does not promise dry storage or special camera equipment, so use your own waterproof protection.

Inside Santa Maria Caves by boat

The visit to Santa Maria Caves is a real advantage of using a smaller charter boat. Larger boats cannot enter the same narrow passages, while this boat can take you inside for a closer view.

You will see clear turquoise water, rocky walls, unusual formations, and marine life in the cave area. The boat moves through narrow sections, giving you a more intimate look at Comino’s coast than a wide offshore cruise would provide.

I would treat this as a sightseeing and photo stop rather than a long cave excursion. The available timing is folded into the coastal route, and the day has several other stops ahead. Still, this may be the most distinctive part of the charter because it uses the boat’s size to reach a place that is not open to larger vessels.

The cave visit also provides a welcome change from open-water swimming. You move from bright sun and broad sea views into shaded rock passages, then back out toward the lagoons. That contrast helps keep a full day on the water from feeling repetitive.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy in spirit

At Blue Lagoon, the boat anchors and you have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and relax on board. With the Comino option, the stop lasts about one and a half hours. With the Gozo and Comino option, it is reduced to about one hour.

The water is the main draw. Blue Lagoon is known for its clear conditions and is an ideal place to get in for a swim or look below the surface with a snorkel. Staying on the boat also gives you a comfortable place to rest and enjoy the views without having to leave the water area.

The time difference between the two options is important. If Blue Lagoon is your priority, the Comino-only version gives you an extra 30 minutes here and another 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon. If you want Gozo as part of the day, you trade that time for a longer stop at another island.

I would not choose the Gozo option simply because it sounds like more. Choose it because you genuinely want two islands in one day. You will have less time at each Comino lagoon, though one hour is still enough for a swim and a short snorkel.

Crystal Lagoon for a quieter swim

Crystal Lagoon is another major stop, with roughly 90 minutes on the Comino-only route or about one hour on the Gozo and Comino route.

The lagoon gets its name from its clear turquoise water. Rocky cliffs and vegetation surround the swimming area, giving it a more enclosed feel than Blue Lagoon. The shallow water supports marine life, including colorful fish and sea urchins, so this is a useful place to bring a mask and snorkel.

I like the way this stop complements Blue Lagoon. Instead of repeating the same type of visit, you get another setting with its own shape and mood. The cliffs create a sheltered-looking scene, and the water is the main event.

Use care around the rocks and sea urchins. The information provided specifically notes their presence, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as included. No snorkeling gear is listed either, so confirm what you need or bring your own equipment.

Choosing the Gozo and Comino option

The Gozo and Comino version adds a two-hour stop on Gozo after the Comino visits. The captain takes you along Gozo’s coast to Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or to Mgarr ix-Xini.

This is a coastal visit rather than a full island tour. You will have time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and explore the shoreline, but the schedule does not include a long inland visit or a tour of Gozo’s towns. That distinction matters when you compare this trip with a land-based Gozo excursion.

Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, and Mgarr ix-Xini offer different coastal settings, but the exact stop is not presented as fixed in the details available. Ask the provider about the planned bay when you book if one location matters to you.

The Gozo stop makes the most sense for a first visit when you want a broad view of the islands from the water. You will see Comino’s lagoons and part of Gozo’s coast in one day. The tradeoff is shorter swimming time at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.

For a group that mainly wants to snorkel, the Comino option may be better. You gain more time at the two lagoons and avoid spending part of the day traveling farther west. For a group that wants variety and does not mind shorter lagoon stops, Gozo adds useful range.

What the private group format is worth

The charter costs $786.40 per group of up to seven people. That price needs to be judged by group size, not by the cost of a single seat.

At seven people, the price works out to about $112 per person. At four people, it is about $197 per person. For two people, it is roughly $393 each. The larger your group, the stronger the value becomes.

You are paying for a private boat, a full day of coastal stops, and the freedom to spend time swimming and snorkeling without sharing the vessel with strangers. That can be worth it for families, close friends, or a group celebrating a special occasion.

I would compare this with the cost of several separate activities before deciding. The price is not a bargain for a couple, but it can be sensible for a full group that wants a private day on the water.

The private format also protects the mood of the day. You can sit quietly, talk with your group, or ask the captain questions without the noise and crowding found on larger boats. The small size is especially useful at Santa Maria Caves, where access depends on the boat’s ability to enter narrow areas.

Practical details for a seven-hour day

The activity lasts about seven hours and is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

You should plan for a day centered on the water. Wear swim-friendly clothing, bring sun protection, and pack anything you need for snorkeling unless the operator confirms equipment is supplied. A towel, drinking water, and waterproof phone protection are sensible choices, though the supplied details do not list these as included items.

The schedule includes several stops, but weather can change the plan. This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

The activity is often reserved well ahead, with bookings averaging about 63 days in advance. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful signal. If your Malta dates are fixed, I would not leave this until the last minute.

Who should book this boat charter

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can fill much of the seven-person capacity. You get the best price per person and can shape the day around swimming, photos, and time together.

It is also a good fit if you dislike large organized boat trips. The captain can take your private group to the listed stops, and the small boat gives access to the Santa Maria Caves.

Snorkelers should look closely at the Comino-only option. The extra time at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon gives you more room to enjoy the water. People who want to see two islands in one day may prefer Gozo and Comino, even with shorter lagoon stops.

I would be more cautious if you want a deep cultural tour of Malta or Gozo. There is information from the captain and plenty of coastal scenery, but almost all of the day is spent on or beside the sea. This is a boat day first, not a town-and-monument tour.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if you want Malta from the water, can share the cost with a group, and value time for swimming over a packed sightseeing route. The Santa Maria Caves, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo coast create a varied day, while the private boat keeps the pace calm.

Choose the Comino option for longer lagoon time and a stronger focus on snorkeling. Choose Gozo and Comino if seeing more of the islands matters more than extra minutes in the water.

I would skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the full group price feels too high. For a group of up to seven, though, this is one of the more practical ways to combine Malta’s best-known water stops with quieter coastal views and small-boat access.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter start?

The activity starts at Ferries 2Malta on the Strand Sliema.

Where does the boat trip finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point in Sliema.

How long does the experience last?

The charter lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for a group of up to seven people.

Is Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The boat stops at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and time to relax on board.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

You spend about one and a half hours there with the Comino option, or about one hour with the Gozo and Comino option.

Is Gozo included in every version?

No. Gozo is included only with the Gozo and Comino option.

Can the boat enter Santa Maria Caves?

Yes. The small boat can enter Santa Maria Caves, where larger boats cannot go.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.