Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

The best reason to book this Malta boat charter is simple: you get the whole boat for your group, not six seats mixed with strangers. Your captain can steer into sea caves, anchor near the clearest water, and adjust the outing around swimming, snorkeling, photos, or a bit of Gozo sightseeing. I especially like the freedom to avoid the busiest beach areas and the easy access to spots that larger boats cannot reach.

I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear is included, a cooler is available for your drinks, and captains such as Ginger, Jimmy, Upie, Mahmoud, Pedro, and Casper have been praised for friendly, careful handling. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge, paid to the skipper after the trip, and three hours can feel short if you want every cave, bay, and island coast.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: The quoted $337.55 price covers the group, making it more appealing for families or friends than for one or two people.
• Blue Lagoon without a beach crowd: You can anchor from the boat in the lagoon and swim from the deck rather than fight for space on shore.
• Small boat access: The charter can enter certain caves and reach coves that are not practical for larger excursion boats.
• Flexible route: You can focus on swimming and snorkeling, see more of Comino and Gozo, or arrange a drop-off at Malta or Gozo.
• Bring your own supplies: Snorkel equipment is provided, but you should bring towels, drinks, snacks, sunglasses, and sun protection.
• Budget for fuel: Marina fees and anchoring fees are included, but the €79 fuel supplement is extra.

Why a private boat makes the Blue Lagoon more enjoyable

The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s famous postcard stop, a bright pool of water between Comino and Cominotto. It is beautiful, but it is no secret. In high season, the shore can feel packed, and the experience from land is less peaceful than the photographs suggest.

This charter gives you a better angle. Your boat anchors in the clearest part of the lagoon, letting you swim and snorkel straight from the vessel. You still share the general waters with other boats, but you are not tied to a crowded beach or a fixed group schedule.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes, which is enough for a proper swim but not an all-afternoon stay. If swimming here is your top priority, tell the captain early. The boat is private, so your group can ask for more time at the Blue Lagoon and less time elsewhere, subject to the day’s conditions and route.

The water can look almost pool-like in clear weather. Bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs from the water, and remember that the bright reflections make sunglasses useful even when the sky seems mild.

Caves, coves, and the short stops around Comino

Comino is where the charter feels most different from a standard sightseeing cruise. The captain can take you along the coast toward Santa Marija Bay, the Santa Marija caves, Cominotto Beach, and the Crystal Lagoon. These stops are close together, but each has a different character.

Santa Marija Bay is a quieter beach on Comino’s north side, with a curved strip of sand and tamarisk trees behind it. Near the main beach is Little Santa Marija, a smaller bay noted for marine life and snorkeling. The boat visit lasts about 10 minutes in the advertised schedule, so think of it as a scenic pass and possible short stop rather than a long beach break.

The coast around Santa Marija also includes a small police station and a medieval chapel. From the water, you get the better view of the shoreline and caves without needing to spend your limited boat time walking inland.

Cominotto Beach is reached by private boat and is known for pale sand, clear water, and a swim-through cave. The cave is described as roughly 50 meters long to the other side of the island. You should ask the captain about conditions before entering, since sea state and water movement matter more than a printed route.

The Crystal Lagoon is the other major swimming stop. Its coast is marked by caves, small sandy inlets, and turquoise water. The boat is designed to enter some of the caves, giving you views that are hard to get from a large vessel. Snorkeling gear is included, and a short snorkel stop is normally fitted into the schedule if the season and your preferences allow it.

The Crystal Lagoon has also appeared in films, including Popeye, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Troy. That film connection is a fun extra, but the real appeal is practical: you can see the rock formations close up and swim from the boat rather than from a busy shore.

Saint Mary’s Tower and Comino’s film-set scenery

As the boat moves around Comino, you will see Saint Mary’s Tower above the cliffs. Built in the 17th century, it formed part of a defensive chain used to warn of invasion, pirates, and smugglers.

The tower also represented the Château d’If prison in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. You will not spend long here, around five minutes in the published route, but it gives the coast a useful sense of place. The captain may point out the tower while explaining local landmarks and film locations.

The sightseeing is strongest from the water. Comino’s cliffs, openings, and sea caves are not best understood from a single beach. A captain who knows the shoreline can show you how the bays connect and can slow down for photographs.

Seeing Gozo from the south coast

The Gozo portion adds variety, but it also raises an important expectation. This is not a full land tour of Gozo. You will see the island from the sea, with a focus on its southern coast, harbors, cliffs, salt pans, coves, and small islands.

The route may include Halfa Rock, a small island with steep sides and a sheltered bay accessible only by boat. You may also see salt pans worked in traditional ways along the Gozo coast. The planned time here is about 25 minutes, so the value is in the views and the boat access, not in exploring inland villages.

Hondoq Bay is another possible stop. It has clear blue water, and nearby Bemberin Gorge can only be reached by boat. The inlet includes caves and sheltered air pockets, with cliff-jumping viewpoints around it. Do not assume cliff jumping is part of the tour. It is mentioned as a feature of the area, but you should follow the captain’s safety advice and your own comfort level.

Mġarr Harbour gives you a quick look at Gozo’s main sea gateway. Fishing boats, yachts, and working harbor scenes make it more interesting than a simple transport stop. Fort Chambray overlooks the port, and a small Gothic chapel dedicated to Lourdes sits nearby. The route allows about eight minutes, enough for photographs from the boat.

Qala, on Gozo’s southeast side, adds more coastline, caves, small pebble beaches, and a fortification near the eastern point. Like the other Gozo stops, it is a passing view rather than a walking visit.

If your group wants a land-based Gozo experience, choose the drop-off option at Gozo Marina and continue by car or taxi. If your priority is water, caves, and swimming, stay aboard and let the captain use the time along the coast.

What the three-hour schedule really means

The itinerary lists many stops, but several are short scenic passes of five to 10 minutes. That is sensible. The islands are close together, and the main pleasure comes from moving along the coast, stopping for a swim, and entering suitable caves.

Still, you cannot have a long swim at every bay, explore every cave, and see both islands in depth during three hours. I would treat this as a fast private sampler with room to adjust, not a complete tour of Comino and Gozo.

The strongest use of the time is usually two or three good water stops, plus coastal sightseeing. If your group includes children, non-swimmers, or anyone who wants a relaxed pace, say so before departure. Several captains have been praised for adjusting the route around comfort and interests, including spending more time on Comino when a group did not want to swim.

A longer booking would make sense if available, especially for a group that wants both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, cave exploration, and a meaningful Gozo coastal circuit. The three-hour option works well for a half-day gap, a cruise-port visit, or a family that wants one focused activity without giving up the whole day.

Captains, comfort, and the feel of the boat

The captain matters greatly on a private charter. The most useful feedback points to skippers who are friendly, careful, flexible, and willing to explain landmarks. Ginger, Jimmy, Upie, Mahmoud, Pedro, Casper, Chris, Dani, Men, Justin, Noel, and Addin are among the captains named in the supplied comments.

You cannot necessarily request a particular skipper, so book for the format and company rather than a specific person. The descriptions of the boats are positive, with several mentions of clean, well-kept, comfortable vessels. One boat was described as a 25-foot runabout deck boat, and another was noted as new and immaculate.

Useful extras have included floats, pool noodles, towels on seats, a cooler with ice, Bluetooth music, and a portable phone charger. These are not presented as guaranteed inclusions, so ask when booking if a particular item matters to you. One clear gap is drinking water, which is not routinely supplied. Bring your own.

A small boat can move more easily near caves and narrow coastal spaces, but it also responds more directly to waves. Some outings have had choppy water. A good skipper will adjust speed and route, but anyone prone to seasickness should plan ahead and avoid a heavy meal before departure.

Price, fuel, and whether the charter is good value

The advertised price is $337.55 for up to six people. That is the whole boat price, not a per-person fare. For six people, the base cost works out to roughly $56 per person before currency conversion and fuel. For four people, it is about $84 each before the fuel charge. For two people, the value is much weaker unless privacy and flexibility are especially important to you.

The extra €79 fuel cost changes the calculation. It is paid once to the skipper after the tour, so a full group can share it. Make sure everyone in your party knows about it before booking, since one of the main complaints about the experience was the surprise of paying fuel in cash on the boat.

Marina costs, snorkeling masks and snorkels, and anchoring fees at the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon national reserve are included. You are paying for privacy, a captain, access to the water, and route flexibility rather than just transport.

I think the charter is fairly priced for a group of five or six, especially if you value avoiding a large excursion boat. It is less compelling for a couple unless you strongly prefer a private setting or have only a short window in Malta.

Meeting at Cirkewwa and planning your supplies

The standard meeting point is the café or kiosk at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. It is described as the only kiosk in the area, which makes it easier to find, but you should still allow time to reach the port and confirm the exact pickup instructions.

Pickup can also be arranged at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina. The trip can return to its starting point, or the skipper can drop you on Malta or Gozo. That one-way option is useful if you are building a larger island plan, but confirm the details before departure.

Buy drinks and snacks before boarding. A cooler is available, and several people found it useful, but food and beverages are not included. Pack a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phones and valuables.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Service animals are allowed, the meeting area is near public transportation, and most people can participate. This is a private activity, so only your own group is aboard.

Weather, cancellation, and the right kind of visitor

The trip needs good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

I would book this for a family, a group of friends, or anyone who wants swimming time without being tied to a large boat’s timetable. It is also a strong choice for teenagers, since the combination of caves, snorkeling, clear water, and a private deck gives them more to do than a simple harbor cruise.

It is less suitable if you want a full walking tour of Gozo, a long beach day, or a guaranteed calm sea. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the scenery, and one captain helped a non-swimmer feel comfortable near the water, but the heart of the outing is being on and in the sea.

Should you book this Malta private charter?

Book it if you have at least four people, want the Blue Lagoon without spending your whole visit on a crowded beach, and like the idea of choosing your own balance of swimming, caves, photos, and Gozo scenery. The private format is the real advantage.

Before paying, add the €79 fuel charge to your budget, ask about the boat’s cooler and float equipment, and tell the operator whether you prefer swimming or sightseeing. If you have only three hours, set priorities. A focused route with two excellent swim stops will be more enjoyable than trying to linger everywhere.

For a small group willing to share costs, this is one of the more flexible ways to see Comino and the nearby Gozo coast from the water. For one or two people, compare the total cost with a shared cruise before deciding.

FAQ

How long is the Malta private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one group of up to six people, and only your group participates.

Where does the tour start?

The usual meeting point is the café or kiosk at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. Pickup can also be arranged at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

Can the boat drop me off somewhere different?

Yes. The charter can return you to the starting point, or you can arrange a drop-off on Gozo or Malta Island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided at no extra charge.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. There is a one-time €79 fuel charge paid to the skipper after the tour. Marina costs and anchoring fees at the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon national reserve are included.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You should bring your own drinks and snacks. A cooler is available, but drinking water is not routinely supplied.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.