From Sliema: Private Comino and Gozo Boat Charter

The best part of this charter is control. You are not locked into a rigid timetable, so you can spend longer at the Blue Lagoon, swim at Crystal Lagoon, or ask your skipper to adjust the route. I like the private setup and the chance to bring my own food, drinks, and music. A second plus is the boat itself, with shade, a toilet, a fridge, and a sunbathing area.

The main drawback is the price. At $965 for up to 16 people, it can be good value for a full group, but expensive for a small party. You should also know that there is no bar on board, so pack what you want to drink before leaving Sliema.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 16: Your group gets the boat and skipper to itself, with no unrelated passengers sharing the day.
• Seven hours around two islands: The route can include Comino and Gozo, with time for swimming, snorkeling, caves, and a harbor stop.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: These are the headline swimming spots, known for clear water and striking coastal views.
• Flexible route: You can work with the skipper to spend more time at places that suit your group.
• Useful onboard features: Expect a fridge, toilet, canopy for shade, sunbathing space, Bluetooth music, and snorkeling equipment.
• Food is your responsibility: Bring supplies from Sliema or plan to stop for dinner at Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

Why a private charter changes the day

This is not a sightseeing cruise where everyone follows the same schedule. It is a private seven-hour boat charter from Sliema, which gives your group more say over the pace and route.

That matters most if your party has mixed interests. One person may want to snorkel, another may prefer the shade, and someone else may simply want to sit back with music and watch Malta’s coast pass by. A private boat lets you discuss those choices with the skipper instead of waiting for the whole boat to move on.

The capacity is up to 16 people. That makes this especially attractive for a family group, a reunion, or a group of friends. The $965 price works out to about $60 per person if you fill every place, before food and drinks. For four people, the same charter costs about $241 per person, so the value depends heavily on your group size.

I would not book this simply because you want the cheapest way to reach Comino. I would book it because you want a private day on the water, with flexibility and space for your own group.

Starting at Sliema Ferries 4

The meeting point is Sliema Ferries 4. You board there and return to the same place at the end of the seven-hour outing.

Sliema is a practical departure point for this type of cruise, but the key thing for you is to confirm the exact starting time when you check availability. The duration is fixed at seven hours, while the departure time can vary.

The skipper speaks English, and the group is private. Fuel and the skipper are included, so you do not need to arrange separate transport between Comino and Gozo or calculate an added fuel charge.

Before boarding, sort out food and drinks. The boat has a fridge, but there is no bar. You can bring your own supplies, which is useful for keeping costs under control and choosing food your group actually likes.

Cruising toward Comino’s famous water

Comino is the main attraction for many people booking this charter. The island is known for clear water and small coves, and the route can include both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is the name most people recognize. It is a natural place for a swim and a major reason Comino appears on so many Malta itineraries. With a private boat, you can discuss how long you want to stay instead of treating the lagoon as a quick photo stop.

Crystal Lagoon offers another setting for swimming and snorkeling. The included gear means you can explore below the surface without arranging equipment separately. Since the charter includes cave entry as well, your time around Comino can combine water activity with a look at the island’s rocky shoreline.

The water and caves are the stars here, not a formal guided talk. The skipper’s role is to get you to suitable places and help shape the route. If you want detailed historical commentary at every stop, this may feel light on interpretation. If you mainly want time in the water and the freedom to set the pace, that arrangement makes sense.

Bring a secure bag for phones and cameras. The boat is designed for swimming and cruising, but anything you carry onto a powerboat should be protected from spray.

Caves, snorkeling, and time in the water

The charter includes snorkeling gear and cave entry. Those inclusions make a difference because they reduce the number of extras you must arrange before departure.

You can use the snorkeling equipment around Comino and spend time looking at the water and rocky coast. The exact length of each stop depends on the plan you make with the skipper. I would tell the skipper early in the day whether snorkeling is a main goal or just something you want to fit in.

The caves are visited from the powerboat. That gives you a view of the coast from the water and avoids treating the caves as a separate shore excursion. Keep your expectations practical: the information supplied does not promise a long guided cave walk or a detailed geology talk. Think of cave entry as part of a coastal boat route.

A canopy provides shade, while the sunbathing area gives you the option to stretch out between swims. That combination is useful in Malta’s strong sun. I would still bring sun protection and make a point of taking shade breaks, especially during a seven-hour day.

Gozo stops from St. Nicholas Bay to Mgarr

The route can continue to Gozo, Malta’s sister island. Suggested places include St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port.

St. Nicholas Bay gives the day another coastal setting after Comino. You can ask the skipper how much time makes sense there, particularly if your group wants more swimming rather than a long list of stops.

Hondoq ir-Rummien is another possible point on the Gozo route. The value of including places such as this is variety. Instead of spending the whole charter at one famous lagoon, you can see more of the coast and choose stops that suit the mood of the group.

Mgarr Port is useful for a different reason. It offers the possibility of stopping for dinner in Gozo, although food and drinks are not included. If eating ashore matters to you, discuss the timing with the skipper early. A meal stop uses some of your seven hours, but it may be worthwhile for a group that wants a break from the boat.

The itinerary is not a promise that every location receives equal time. You and the skipper create the day together. If you want both islands, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, snorkeling, and dinner, you may need to accept shorter visits at some stops.

Music, shade, and the practical side of the boat

The boat includes Bluetooth connection, so you can play your own music. That small feature is useful for a private group because you are not stuck with a crew-selected soundtrack or silence.

Bring a phone with your chosen music ready before boarding, and keep the volume reasonable so you can still communicate with the skipper. Music works best here as part of the day, not as a substitute for looking around.

The fridge is handy for keeping drinks cold, while the toilet is a welcome feature on a seven-hour outing. The canopy gives you a place to escape the sun, and the sunbathing area suits anyone who wants to stay outside between stops.

Food is not included. You can bring your own food and drinks, or plan to eat at Mgarr Harbor. Since the boat has no bar, do not assume you can buy drinks on board. This is one of the easiest details to miss when planning, and it can affect both comfort and cost.

What the skipper adds to the day

Your skipper is more than a driver. The route is flexible, so you need someone who can help balance travel time, swimming, snorkeling, cave visits, and a possible Gozo stop.

Two skippers named in past outings are Marc and Tony. Marc was described as patient while handling a large group, and Tony was noted for being friendly and accommodating. Those details point to the kind of service that matters on a private charter: listening to the group and adjusting the day without fuss.

The listed driver language is English. You should be comfortable discussing your preferences and asking questions in English. I would explain your priorities near the start: perhaps you want the longest possible swim, a relaxed cruise with music, or a route that includes both Comino and Gozo.

A good private charter depends on clear communication. The skipper can suggest a day plan, but you should speak up if a particular stop matters to you. This format rewards groups that make decisions together.

Who will get the most from this charter

This is a strong match for groups of friends who want a social day with their own music, food, and swimming schedule. It also suits families or larger parties who value having the boat to themselves.

A full group of 12 to 16 gets the clearest price advantage. At that size, the cost per person is close to the price of a higher-end day out, while giving you private space and a route that is not fixed.

Couples or small groups should think harder about the price. You are paying for the whole boat, not for individual seats, so a small party may find the cost difficult to justify unless privacy is the main goal.

This charter is also best for people who like active coastal days. You can snorkel, visit caves, swim, cruise, and sit in the sun. It is less suitable if you want a land-based tour with long guided visits, extensive cultural commentary, or a detailed historical programme.

Value, timing, and the small print

The listed price is $965 per group of up to 16, and the outing lasts seven hours. Fuel, the skipper, snorkeling gear, and cave entry are included. Food and drinks are extra.

The value comes from combining several services in one private booking. You get transport on the water, access to Comino and Gozo, equipment for snorkeling, and a skipper who can adjust the route. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers.

The cost rises quickly for a small group, so I would divide $965 by the number of people in your party before booking. If your group is large, the price is easier to defend. If you are only two or three people, compare it with a shared cruise before making the call.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Check the available departure times before you commit, since the seven-hour duration does not by itself tell you when the boat leaves.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino and Gozo charter?

Book it if your group wants privacy, swimming, and control over the route. A nearly full group can get good value from the $965 price, especially with fuel, snorkeling gear, cave entry, and a skipper included.

Think twice if you are traveling in a very small party or want a formal sightseeing tour with extensive commentary. You will need to bring your own drinks, plan your food, and communicate clearly about how you want to use the seven hours.

For a group that wants to cruise from Sliema, swim at Comino, see caves, add Gozo, play its own music, and avoid a fixed timetable, this is a practical choice. I would reserve it with a clear plan for food and a short list of must-see stops, then leave enough room for the skipper’s advice.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

You board at Sliema Ferries 4, and the activity returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 16 people.

Which islands does the charter visit?

The charter explores Comino and Gozo, the sister islands of Malta.

Can the route be changed?

Yes. The itinerary is flexible, and you can work with the captain to create a route or follow the captain’s suggested day plan.

Which places can the boat visit?

Possible stops include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port in Gozo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the charter.

Is food or drink provided?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no bar on board. You can bring your own supplies or stop for dinner at Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private seven-hour boat charter, skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, and cave entry.