Private Boat Charter – Comino/Parts of Gozo

The best part of this charter is control. You get the boat to yourself, then let the skipper shape the route around Comino and Gozo, with time for swimming in clear water rather than following a fixed group schedule. Comino’s Blue Lagoon and the island’s sea caves provide the big scenery, while quieter spots such as Mgarr ix-Xini can give you a more peaceful swim.

I like the private group of up to eight and the friendly, flexible skippers. Atef and Fendi are both named in especially strong feedback, and their job is not just to steer, but to show you caves, rock formations, and good places to snorkel. The main drawback is time: two hours passes quickly, and the exact route depends on weather, boat availability, and sea conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• Your own boat for up to eight people: The price is charged per group, so it can be good value when shared by family or friends.
• A flexible route around Comino and Gozo: You can discuss preferred stops with the English-speaking skipper, weather permitting.
• Blue Lagoon and Comino caves: These are the headline sights, with time for photographs, swimming, and snorkelling.
• Mgarr ix-Xini and Gebla Tal-Halfa: Ask about these Gozo and coastal stops if you want more than the busiest lagoon views.
• Snorkelling gear and a cooler are included: Bring your own drinks or snacks if useful, since fuel and ice are provided but food is not listed.
• Two hours is a short outing: Choose this for a concentrated taste of the coast, not a full-day boat trip.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Comino is small, but its best views are spread along the coast. On a private charter, you are not tied to a large boat’s timetable or a set list of stops. You can spend more time swimming, stay aboard for photographs, or ask to move on when a spot feels too busy.

That freedom matters most for a group with different ideas of a good day. One person can snorkel, another can sit on deck, and someone else can simply enjoy the ride. You are sharing the boat only with your own companions, up to eight people, so the trip feels more like a private outing than a standard excursion.

The skipper can discuss where you would like to go before or during the charter. The route is not guaranteed, since weather and sea conditions control what is practical, but that flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose this option.

The boat leaves from a meeting point near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Check your confirmed meeting point carefully, since these are different starting areas. Transport to the harbour is not included, so you need to arrange your own way there.

Leaving Cirkewwa for Comino

Cirkewwa is a sensible starting point for Comino, and the meeting point is described as being near the Cirkewwa cafe or kiosk. You can also meet at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour, which may suit you better if you are already on Gozo.

The boat charter lasts two hours, so the first part of the trip is important. Have your swimwear, towel, camera, and beachwear ready before boarding. You do not want to spend a large share of a short charter searching through bags.

Fuel and the skipper are included, along with snorkelling equipment and a cooler with ice. Swimwear, sunscreen, towels, and transport are not provided. Bring sunscreen even if you plan to spend most of the trip in the water, since time on the boat can mean more sun than expected.

The English-speaking captain is both your driver and your main source of information. An English audio guide is also included, though the most useful part of the experience is likely to be the direct conversation with your skipper about the coast and the day’s conditions.

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and sea caves

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon is one of the natural highlights on the route. The water and rock formations make it a fine place for a photo stop, but the main value of arriving by private boat is the chance to pair the view with a swim or snorkel if conditions allow.

The supplied timing lists a Crystal Lagoon photo stop of 45 hours, which is clearly inconsistent with the total two-hour charter. Treat this as a timing detail to confirm before departure rather than a promise of a long stop. A private skipper can tell you what is realistic on the day.

The Comino Caves add a different feel to the trip. Instead of looking only at open water and bright limestone, you get close to rock walls, openings, and coastal shapes that are best seen from the sea. One experienced skipper, Fendi, was praised for showing caves and rock formations around Comino and taking the group to good swimming and snorkelling locations.

This is where a private boat can be more useful than a simple point-to-point crossing. You can ask the captain to slow down for photographs or to show a particular formation, rather than watching the coast pass quickly from a crowded transfer boat.

The Blue Lagoon, with time to swim

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, and it is likely to be the part of the trip most people picture when they book. The water is clear, the surrounding limestone is dramatic, and it makes a natural place for photographs and a swim.

The planned schedule gives the Blue Lagoon a one-hour photo stop. That is a substantial portion of a two-hour outing, but it also shows why you need to set priorities. If you want a long swim at the lagoon, there may be less time for the Gozo coast. If you want to see several coastal features, your swim here may be shorter.

A private charter lets you discuss that balance. You can tell the skipper if the group cares most about swimming, snorkelling, photographs, caves, or seeing more coastline. The captain still has to work within safe conditions and the overall two-hour limit, but you have more say than you would on a fixed public tour.

Do not expect the Blue Lagoon to feel secluded simply because your boat is private. The charter gives you a private vessel, not a private lagoon. The benefit is being able to approach and leave on your own schedule, subject to the skipper’s judgment and the conditions at sea.

Gozo’s quieter coastal stops

The route can include parts of Gozo, which gives the charter more range than a basic Comino lagoon visit. The exact stops are flexible, so ask specifically about the places that interest you.

Gebla Tal-Halfa is described as a deserted small islet and limestone rock on the southeastern side of the area. It is the sort of stop that appeals to anyone who enjoys open sea views, stark rock, and a quieter setting away from the main lagoon scene.

Mgarr ix-Xini is a particularly useful option for a group that wants to swim or snorkel in a less central spot. Its appeal is the sheltered, scenic character of the location, though the skipper must decide what can be reached comfortably during your charter.

One strong account of the trip describes a complete circuit of Comino followed by time along the Gozo coast. That gives you a good idea of what an efficient two-hour route can achieve when the captain knows the area and the sea is cooperative. Still, you should not assume every charter will follow that exact pattern. The route depends on the weather, boat availability, and what you request.

If you are keen to include Gozo, mention it at the start. Otherwise, the famous Comino stops could take up the whole outing.

What the skippers add to the trip

The skipper is the difference between a simple boat ride and a useful coastal tour. You are not only paying to move across the water. You are paying for local route choices, safe handling, and help finding places suitable for swimming or snorkelling.

Atef is named in two especially positive accounts. He is described as helpful, informative, and good company, and one group appreciated that he took them to the places they wanted to see. Fendi is also singled out for showing caves and rock formations and finding good spots for swimming and snorkelling.

Those details matter because the route is flexible. A friendly skipper who listens can make the day feel personal. A rigid captain would reduce much of the value of booking a private boat, so it is worth explaining your priorities clearly.

You should also keep expectations sensible. A two-hour charter cannot cover every point around Comino and Gozo. The skipper can help you choose, but no captain can provide a full island tour, long swims, several cave visits, and a leisurely stop at every lagoon within that time.

Is the $259 group price good value?

The listed price is $259 for a group of up to eight people. That works out to about $32 per person if all eight places are filled, before any transport to the harbour or personal purchases. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, while a full family or friend group gets a better deal.

The value comes from privacy and choice. You are not paying for a seat on a boat with strangers and a fixed program. You get an exclusive charter, a skipper, fuel, snorkelling equipment, and a cooler with ice. For a group that plans to swim and wants a relaxed pace, those inclusions make the price easier to justify.

The price is less attractive if you are alone or travelling as a pair and mainly want a quick ride to the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a shared boat may cost less, though it will not provide the same control over the route.

The short duration should also shape your decision. This is a compact coastal experience, not an all-day cruise with a meal or extended time at sea. I would book it when privacy matters and your group can share the cost. I would compare other options if your main goal is simply reaching one swimming spot as cheaply as possible.

The practical limits of a two-hour charter

Two hours sounds generous until you count boarding, moving between locations, stopping for photographs, and getting back to Cirkewwa or the agreed harbour. Every extra request takes time from something else.

The most important step is to choose your priorities before boarding. For example, you might ask for the Blue Lagoon and one swim stop, or for a circuit of Comino with caves and a short Gozo section. Trying to include every listed highlight could leave you rushing from place to place.

Weather has a direct effect on the experience. The captain can accommodate requests only when conditions permit, and boats are subject to availability. People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking, since the activity takes place on a small private boat and includes movement across open water.

A cooler with ice is included, but meals and drinks are not listed. Bring what your group needs, provided it is suitable for the boat. Keep bags compact, and protect cameras and phones around the water.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying at once. Those terms are useful if you are still arranging your Malta schedule.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

This charter is best for a family, couple, or group of friends that wants privacy and can agree on a short list of priorities. It suits people who would rather swim and talk on their own boat than follow a large group around the coast.

It is also a good fit for snorkellers who want equipment supplied and the chance to ask for suitable stops. You do not need to spend the whole trip in the water. The boat also works for people who simply want photographs, sun, and a calm ride along Comino and Gozo.

I would be cautious about booking it if you are prone to seasickness, dislike changing plans, or need a fully fixed timetable. I would also reconsider if you want a full-day trip, a meal included, or guaranteed time at every named location. The charter’s strength is flexibility, but flexibility means the final route is not fully promised in advance.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo charter?

Book it if you have up to eight people, want your own boat, and care more about freedom than a low per-person fare. The strongest parts are the private setting, helpful skippers such as Atef and Fendi, and the ability to combine the Blue Lagoon with caves, swimming, and selected Gozo stops.

Before you pay, confirm the meeting point, explain your preferred route, and ask how the two-hour schedule will be divided. If you do that, this can be a sharp, personal way to see Comino and a slice of Gozo without committing to a longer cruise.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts two hours. You can check available starting times when booking.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Where do I meet the captain?

You meet the captain near the kiosk in Cirkewwa, at Marfa Jetty, or at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Confirm the exact meeting point for your booking.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private boat charter, skipper, fuel, snorkelling equipment, and a cooler with ice. An English audio guide is also listed as included.

Can I choose where the boat goes?

You can discuss your preferred places with the captain, and the route may be adjusted when weather and sea conditions allow. Boats are subject to availability.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, a camera, beachwear, and sunscreen. Transport to and from the harbour is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.