Family Private Boat Trip, Blue Lagoon, Malta, Comino & Gozo

The best part of this private boat trip is control. Skipper Justin can shift away from a noisy party boat, find a calmer swimming spot, and give your family more time where the water and setting suit you. That flexibility matters in the packed waters around Blue Lagoon.

I like the family-friendly setup, with shaded areas and snorkeling gear included. I also like the mix of famous sights and quieter bays, including Cominotto Reef, Coral Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves. The main consideration is time: in four hours, you cannot expect a long visit at all 16 listed places.

Key points

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group has the vessel to itself, with no unrelated passengers setting the pace.
• Skipper Justin adapts the route: He can help smaller children, avoid crowded boats and choose calmer places to swim.
• Blue Lagoon with quieter alternatives: You see Malta’s famous water, but can also spend time at less hectic bays and reefs.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You can make use of the clear water and marine life without bringing your own mask and snorkel.
• Cirkewwa departure: The meeting point is at cafeX8QH+3W6 in Cirkewwa, Mellieħa, with the boat returning there after about four hours.
• Fuel costs extra: The advertised group price is $444.32, plus a €99 fuel fee per booking.

Why a private boat makes Blue Lagoon easier

Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and its beauty is not a secret. Bright water, rocky shorelines and small islands make it an obvious stop, but popularity can also mean noise and crowding.

A private charter gives you an important advantage: the captain can react. If one anchorage feels too busy, you can move to another place. If your child needs a calmer swim, the boat can stop somewhere more suitable. If everyone is happy in one cove, you can stay longer rather than following a fixed group schedule.

That is the difference between a boat ride that simply checks off sights and one that fits your family. Skipper Justin is specifically praised for listening to what the family needed, helping with a smaller child and finding a quieter place when a party boat came near.

The trip is not just sightseeing from the deck. You can swim, snorkel or sit in the shade. The boat’s shaded areas are useful in Malta’s strong sun, particularly for young children or anyone who wants a break from the water.

From Cirkewwa to Hondoq Bay

The meeting point is at Cirkewwa cafe in Mellieħa, at the northern end of Malta. This is a practical starting point for reaching Comino and Gozo, and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

The first listed stop is Hondoq Bay. Its position near Gozo gives the trip a pleasant opening, with a change from the busy main attractions to a more sheltered coastal setting. You may stop for a swim, take in the shoreline or simply settle into the boat before the more famous parts of the route.

Because the outing lasts about four hours, the captain has to balance distance, swimming time and sightseeing. The listed stops are best understood as possible anchorages and viewpoints, not as 16 full shore visits. You should not expect to get off at every place or spend equal time at each one.

That is not a flaw, but it is worth knowing before you book. The value comes from seeing a broad stretch of coast and having the freedom to pause, not from collecting long visits at every named location.

Blue Lagoon and Comino’s best-known water

The boat then reaches Blue Lagoon, Comino’s headline attraction. This is likely to be the visual high point for first-time visitors. The water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the pale rock and open sea create the classic Malta boat-trip setting.

The private format helps here. You still see the famous lagoon, but you are not locked into a crowded schedule. Justin can judge the conditions and the level of activity around the boat, then guide you toward a better place if needed.

Comino itself is more than one lagoon. The route includes Cominotto, the small islet opposite Comino, and Cominotto Reef. These places offer a different feel from the main Blue Lagoon area. Around the reef, the main attraction is the water itself, with room for a short snorkeling session and a look below the surface.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which is a useful saving and one less thing to pack. You still need to be comfortable in the water and keep a close eye on children, as the tour description does not promise flotation devices or specify water depth.

Crystal Lagoon, Coral Lagoon and the coastal caves

Crystal Lagoon is another major swimming stop. Like Blue Lagoon, it is known for clear water and rocky surroundings, but a boat trip lets you experience it from the sea rather than trying to claim a small patch of shoreline.

The route lists Crystal Lagoon twice, which likely reflects a swimming or viewing stop rather than two entirely separate attractions. In practice, the captain may give you time there, return to it as part of the route, or use the name to describe more than one nearby position. Confirm the exact plan on the day if a particular cove is important to you.

Coral Lagoon adds another coastal viewpoint. The name points to the rocky marine setting that makes this stretch of Comino appealing for swimming and mask-and-snorkel viewing. Do not expect a formal reef excursion with a marine guide. This is a relaxed family boat outing, with snorkeling as one activity alongside swimming and resting.

The route also includes Santa Maria Caves and L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf. These cave and rock formations are best appreciated from the water. The boat gives you a close view without requiring a long walk or a difficult shore approach, though the exact access and swimming conditions can change with the sea.

Taht Il-Mazz is another coastal stop on the route. It adds to the sense that this is a coastal tour rather than a single-destination transfer. You will see different rock shapes, small inlets and open stretches of water as the boat moves around Comino.

Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay and the islets

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay show a quieter side of Comino. These bays can offer a welcome pause after the more famous lagoon stops, especially if your family prefers a slower swim or time on deck.

The route also includes an islet in the Comino area and St. Paul’s Islands. These small offshore landmarks are viewed from the boat, with the captain providing the setting for photographs and coastal sightseeing. Since the trip is only four hours, these may be passing views or brief anchorages rather than shore excursions.

This is where a private charter earns its keep. You can tell the skipper what matters most: more swimming, more sightseeing, less time around crowds, or a stop that works well for a young child. A fixed group tour may need to keep moving, while this trip is designed around your own group.

You should still keep expectations realistic. Private does not mean unlimited time. Fuel, sea conditions, distance and the four-hour window all shape the final route. The captain may not be able to offer a long swim at every bay and still reach all the listed areas.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

Four hours is long enough for a proper taste of Comino and nearby waters. You can expect a compact half-day on the sea, with several chances to swim and snorkel and enough time to see a range of bays, reefs, caves and islets.

It is not long enough for an unhurried visit to every named stop. Families with children may actually prefer this length. Young swimmers can enjoy the water without a full-day commitment, and adults get a scenic outing without having to organize food, transport between beaches or a long day in the sun.

The private setting also removes some of the friction of group travel. You do not need to match another group’s pace, and you can return to the boat when your family is ready. Justin is described as being on hand throughout the trip, which is useful when children need help getting in and out of the water or settling back under the shade.

No meal is listed as included, so plan accordingly. The supplied details mention snorkeling equipment, shaded areas and kid-friendly features, but do not specify food, drinks, towels or onboard toilets. Ask about any item your family needs before departure rather than assuming it comes with the charter.

The cost and what you get for it

The price is $444.32 per group of up to eight, not per person. For a full group, that works out to roughly $55 per person before the fuel charge, though the exact figure changes with your group size.

A €99 fuel fee is listed separately per booking. Since the base price is shown in dollars and the fuel charge in euros, check the final total and currency conversion at booking. If eight people share the boat, the extra fee is easier to absorb. For two or three people, the same charge has a much bigger effect on the value.

You are paying for privacy, a skipper, route flexibility and the ability to make the outing fit your family. That can be better value than a cheaper shared boat if you care about quieter stops or have children who need a flexible pace.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is simply a short ride past the lagoons. It becomes more worthwhile when you plan to swim, use the snorkeling gear and make full use of the captain’s ability to adjust the route.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this outing for a family that wants a relaxed sea day without committing to a full-day cruise. It suits groups of up to eight who want their own space, especially if children have different swimming confidence levels or need breaks from the sun.

It also fits anyone who dislikes crowded party boats. Justin’s willingness to move away from a noisy boat is a strong practical detail. The ability to seek a calmer spot can change the whole mood of the trip.

The charter may be less suitable if you want a structured historical tour, a long walk on Comino or a detailed marine-life lesson. Some history and local stories may come from the skipper, but the core of the outing is swimming, snorkeling, scenery and time on the water.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transport, though the provided details do not explain the easiest route to Cirkewwa or whether transfers are offered. You will need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Booking, weather and small practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking. For a last-minute reservation, you are asked to send a WhatsApp message or make a call, which may be useful when availability is changing quickly.

The tour runs only when weather permits. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.

Bring swimwear, sun protection and anything your children need for a comfortable half-day outside. Since shaded areas are available, you can alternate between swimming and resting, but the boat still exposes you to sun and wind.

The meeting point is Cirkewwa cafe, listed as cafeX8QH+3W6, Mellieħa, Malta. The activity ends back there, so allow time to return to your onward plans after the boat arrives.

Should you book the Family Private Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a private, family-paced outing with several swimming spots rather than a rigid boat schedule. The strongest reasons are the group-only setting, included snorkeling equipment, shaded areas and Justin’s practical approach to moving away from crowds and helping with younger children.

Think twice if you want to spend a long time at one beach, visit every stop on foot or avoid extra fuel charges. Four hours passes quickly, and the 16 named locations are a broad route rather than 16 full visits.

For a family of six to eight, the price can make good sense. You get a personal skipper, a flexible route through Comino and Gozo waters, and a much better chance of finding a peaceful place to swim. For a smaller group, compare the total after the €99 fuel fee with shared cruises before making the final call.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the boat trip start?

The meeting point is Cirkewwa cafe, listed as cafeX8QH+3W6, Mellieħa, Malta.

Where does the activity finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Cirkewwa.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the experience.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.