Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

The best part of this private Comino trip is control. Instead of following a fixed crowd from one swimming stop to the next, you have a boat, skipper, and several hours to shape the day around your group. You can swim at Crystal Lagoon, pause near Santa Maria Caves, stop for lunch at Mgarr Harbour, or spend longer in the water when conditions allow.

I like the private-boat format, especially for families and groups who want shade, a toilet, a cooler, and room to spread out. I also like the practical extras: snorkel masks are included, the stern has a low bathing platform and ladder, and the outdoor shower lets you rinse off salt water before sitting down again.

The main point to consider is price. At $577 per group of up to 15, this makes the most sense when several people share the cost. The boat can carry 25, but the operator recommends no more than 15 for a comfortable long trip. Food, drinks, and stand-up paddleboards cost extra or need to be arranged separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are the main swimming stops, with time for snorkeling and marine-life viewing.
• The Julie Pearl has shade, open deck space, a toilet, shower, cooler, and Bluetooth stereo, useful on a half-day or full-day outing.
• Pick up is available at Gozo Ferry Terminal or Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, with the exact meeting point sent by WhatsApp after booking.
• The route can include quieter Gozo locations, such as Qala Valley, Hondoq ir-Rummien, Ramla Bay, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay.
• Full-day trips usually run from 10am to 4pm, while half-day trips generally run from 9am to noon.
• Skipper Fabio and contact Jeanette have been praised for clear communication and personal service, though your assigned crew may differ.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its most famous water spots can feel crowded. A private boat gives you a calmer way to see the island, with the freedom to swim, sunbathe, or move on without waiting for a large group.

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you simply sit and look at the coast. The main activity is being on the water. You will spend much of the time swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, and moving between bays and caves. The boat provides the useful base that public beach visits often lack.

The price is $577 for the group, not per person. If 10 people join, that works out to about $58 each. With 15 people, it is about $38 each. For a small group of four, the cost is much higher per person, so the value depends heavily on your headcount and how much you value privacy.

The boat itself is the Julie Pearl. It can carry up to 25 people, but the recommended limit of 15 for a longer trip is sensible. You will have more room to sit, store your things, use the bathing platform, and move between the covered and open areas.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Gozo Ferry Terminal

You can begin at Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta or at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. At Cirkewwa, the meeting point is behind the food kiosk near the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. At Mgarr, the boat waits from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal.

The exact waiting point is sent through WhatsApp after booking. That matters because ferry terminals can be confusing, especially if you arrive with luggage, children, or a group trying to stay together. Give yourself enough time to reach the dock without rushing.

The boat then sets out on a short sightseeing cruise. The trip is designed to adjust to your group, the weather, and the time you select. A full-day outing normally runs from 10am to 4pm. A half-day version generally runs from 9am to noon, though earlier or later starts may be possible if the operator has room.

Saint Mary’s Tower and the Comino coastline

Saint Mary’s Tower is first treated as a photo stop and passing sight. It is a good early moment to get familiar with the coast before the swimming begins.

From the water, you can enjoy the tower without spending part of your limited boat time walking to it. The stop is brief, so think of it as a scenic introduction rather than a full historical visit. If your priority is swimming, this short pause keeps the day moving.

The coast around Comino is the reason this trip works best from a boat. You see small inlets and rock formations that are difficult to reach from land, and the skipper can guide the boat toward locations suited to swimming conditions.

Crystal Lagoon for snorkeling and clear water

Crystal Lagoon is one of the key stops, with about 30 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The water is the attraction here, so bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and any personal snorkel gear you prefer.

Snorkel masks are supplied and can be used throughout the trip. That is a helpful inclusion, especially for a mixed group where some people may want to try snorkeling without buying equipment.

Thirty minutes can pass quickly if everyone wants a swim. A private boat gives you a better chance of asking for extra time at a favorite stop, but the final plan depends on the day’s weather and the captain’s judgment. If Crystal Lagoon is your top priority, tell the operator before departure.

The water can be bright and clear, but this is still a natural sea setting. Conditions can change, and the boat will not necessarily spend equal time at every stop. The included life jackets are available for adults and children if needed, which is useful for families and less confident swimmers.

Blue Lagoon, the famous stop with a practical catch

Blue Lagoon is scheduled for swimming, snorkeling, free time, and possibly a cocktail or lunch stop. It is one of the best-known places around Comino, so it can be the most crowded part of the route.

That does not make it a bad stop. The water and pale rocky shore are attractive, and a private boat lets you enjoy the lagoon from the sea rather than trying to claim a small patch of beach. Still, you should not expect solitude here, particularly at popular times.

The listed stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and quick photos, but not a long shore visit. If your group wants a relaxed meal, it may be better to bring food or use the later stop at Mgarr Harbour.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring ready-to-eat food and beverages aboard and use the cooler box with complimentary ice. This is a good plan for a full-day trip, since keeping everyone fed on the water is simpler than waiting until you reach a restaurant.

Mgarr Harbour for lunch and a break on land

Mgarr Harbour gives you a change of pace after several water stops. The visit includes free time, shopping, sightseeing, and a walk, with food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants available for dine-in or takeaway meals.

I like this option because it prevents a full-day cruise from becoming six straight hours of salt, sun, and swimming. You can get a proper meal, stretch your legs, and restock drinks before returning to the boat.

The scheduled time is around 30 minutes, so do not assume you have time for a slow restaurant meal. A quick takeaway is likely easier within the stated stop. If lunch is important to your group, ask the skipper about timing at the start of the day.

Mgarr is also a useful choice for groups with different interests. Swimmers can stay focused on the water, while someone who wants a short walk or meal can take a break without giving up the entire outing.

Hondoq ir-Rummien and Gozo’s southern coast

Hondoq ir-Rummien Beach is another swimming and snorkeling stop, with marine-life viewing included in the plan. It gives the day a different setting from Comino’s better-known lagoons and can be a good place to slow down.

The wider route may also include Qala Valley and Halfa Rock, or more distant Gozo locations such as Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay. You should not assume every location will be visited on every trip. The route is shaped by your chosen duration, weather, sea conditions, and what your group requests.

This flexibility is a real advantage. If your group prefers quiet coves to famous stops, tell the operator early. If everyone wants the classic Comino sights, make those priorities clear instead.

Santa Maria Caves and the final cruise

Santa Maria Caves is a short photo and sightseeing stop, listed at about five minutes. The boat may pass by the caves rather than offer a long shore visit, so think of this as a quick look at the rock formations from the water.

The final cruise leads back toward your selected drop-off point at Gozo Ferry Terminal or Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal. Because the boat has open decks at the front and back, you can choose a sunny seat for views or move under the cover when the sun becomes too strong.

The covered deck matters more than it might sound. A full day on bright water can be tiring, particularly for children or anyone who does not want to sit in direct sun. The mix of shade and open seating lets you change position during the trip.

What the Julie Pearl provides on board

The Julie Pearl is set up for a day outdoors rather than a formal sightseeing ride. You get seating, a table in the middle, a stereo with speakers, and Bluetooth connection for your own music.

The bathing platform at the back is low and spacious, with a climbing ladder. That makes getting in and out of the sea easier than scrambling over the side of a small boat. An outdoor freshwater shower is included for rinsing off salt water, and a toilet is available on board.

The cooler box and ice are another practical touch. Bring sealed drinks and ready-to-eat food, then keep them cold during the trip. Since meals are not included, planning your food is part of the experience.

Stand-up paddleboards are optional and available for a small extra charge, but they must be booked before the trip. Do not wait until you reach the dock if using a paddleboard is important to your group.

Crew, communication, and the small-group feel

The booking includes an experienced local skipper, fuel, and the private boat. Jeanette is associated with the booking communication, and Fabio has been singled out as a skipper who gave clear directions, stayed friendly, and made an effort to keep the group happy.

That kind of communication matters for a private charter. You are not simply buying a seat. You are arranging a day with a route, meeting point, swimming preferences, food plans, and possibly extra equipment. Clear instructions before departure can save a lot of stress at the ferry terminal.

English is the listed language for the host or greeter. The group remains private, so you are spending the day with your own family or friends rather than strangers.

The trip is still subject to suitable weather. If conditions prevent departure, the booking can be moved to another date if available, or canceled with the deposit refunded in full. That is a necessary condition for any sea outing, but you should keep some flexibility in your Malta plans.

Who should book this boat trip

I would choose this for a group that wants a relaxed day on the water and can share the cost. Families benefit from the shade, toilet, shower, life jackets, cooler, and easy ladder. Friends can use the stereo, swim together, and choose between a half-day and full-day plan.

It also suits people who dislike rigid group schedules. You can ask for more time at a favorite swimming stop, request Gozo bays, or include a lunch break at Mgarr Harbour.

I would think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and want the lowest possible price. The group rate becomes good value with a larger party, but it is less attractive when divided among only two or three people.

You should also avoid treating this as a land-based history tour. The focus is swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, coastal views, and time at sea. Saint Mary’s Tower and Santa Maria Caves are brief sightseeing moments, not extended visits.

Should you book the Comino private charter?

Book it if you have a group, want privacy, and care more about time in the water than a tightly scripted sightseeing program. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Gozo bays, snorkel masks, shade, a shower, toilet, cooler, and flexible timing gives the day real practical value.

The best booking strategy is to bring enough people to divide the $577 price comfortably, decide in advance between half-day and full-day, and tell Jeanette or the operator which stops matter most. Bring food and drinks, reserve paddleboards ahead of time if wanted, and keep your schedule flexible for weather.

If you want a cheap transfer or a quick look at Comino, this is too much boat for the purpose. If you want a private swimming day with family or friends, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The price is $577 per private group of up to 15 people. The boat can carry up to 25 passengers, but no more than 15 is recommended for comfort on longer trips.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts 4 to 6 hours. Full-day trips normally run from 10am to 4pm, while half-day trips generally run from 9am to noon. Earlier or later starts may be possible depending on availability.

Where can I board the boat?

Pick up is available at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or Gozo Ferry Terminal at Mgarr Harbour. After booking, the exact waiting point is sent through WhatsApp.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks on board and use the cooler box with complimentary ice. You may also stop at Mgarr Harbour for food from local outlets, kiosks, or restaurants.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkel masks are included and can be used throughout the trip. Stand-up paddleboards are optional, cost extra, and must be booked before departure.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is subject to suitable weather conditions. If the weather prevents departure, you can postpone the booking to another available date or cancel and receive the deposit back in full.