Private Boat Charter: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crysral Lagoon

The best part of this private charter is simple: you can leave the crowded boats behind and reach coves and caves that larger vessels cannot approach. Your captain takes you to Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, and Hondoq Bay, with time for swimming, snorkeling, or sightseeing.

I like the small private group, which means up to six people can set the pace instead of following a fixed party-boat schedule. I also like the flexible captains, including Jolene and Alfred, who have adjusted routes for weather, calmer water, or guests who preferred cave tours to swimming.

The main consideration is time. Two hours goes quickly, and the trip does not include a guaranteed hotel pickup. You may also need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point, so check the exact departure details before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: Your group has the boat to itself, with no strangers filling every seat.
• Blue Lagoon away from the main crush: The boat anchors away from the busiest swimming area when conditions allow.
• Crystal Lagoon caves: A small boat can approach sea caves more closely than a large catamaran.
• A captain-led custom route: Jolene, Alfred, Fabio, and other skippers have adjusted stops for weather and personal preferences.
• Swimming gear and local wine: Snorkels, floats, swim noodles, water, and Maltese sparkling wine may be available, though inclusions should be confirmed.
• Two hours means a brisk outing: You get several short stops, but not a full-day cruise.

Why this private charter works better than a crowded cruise

Gozo and Comino are best seen from the water. Their rocky shore is cut with small bays, low cliffs, and sea caves that are hard to appreciate from land. A private boat lets you move between these places without spending the entire outing shoulder to shoulder with a large crowd.

The boat is designed for a small party, up to six people. That matters most at the swimming stops. You can decide if your group wants to jump in, float near the boat, snorkel, or stay aboard and look around. If no one wants to swim, the captain can spend more time on coastal sightseeing, depending on the weather and the agreed route.

That flexibility is the main reason to choose this over a cheaper shared catamaran. Shared boats can carry more people and may offer a longer ride, but you follow their schedule. Here, the skipper can avoid rougher water, make a shorter stop for a nervous swimmer, or position the boat near a cave instead of lingering at a packed lagoon.

The experience is not silent or formal. Music may be available, and the boat has a fridge for drinks you bring yourself. Some groups use it as a quiet sightseeing trip, while others turn it into a small celebration. The local wine adds a pleasant touch, though one account reported receiving only a couple of glasses rather than a full bottle. Confirm the drinks included when you book.

Blue Lagoon, with room to breathe

The first stop is Blue Lagoon, the famous stretch of clear water between Comino and Cominotto. Its color is the star, but its popularity is also the catch. At busy times, the shoreline and main swimming zone can be packed with excursion boats and people on shore.

This charter aims to anchor away from the thickest crowd. You get about 30 minutes here, enough for a swim, a few photos, or a quick float. The private boat does not make Blue Lagoon empty, but it gives you a better chance to enjoy the water without joining a large boatload of strangers.

You should treat the 30 minutes as a taste rather than a long beach session. If you spend several minutes getting in, snorkeling, and drying off, the stop is over quickly. Families and mixed groups may want to agree in advance on how to use the time.

The clear water makes this a good place for a first swim, especially if you want the classic Comino view. Bring a towel and sun protection. The boat provides the setting, but you are still exposed to the strong Mediterranean sun while aboard.

Crystal Lagoon and its sea caves

Crystal Lagoon is quieter in feel and more interesting for close-up exploring. The boat anchors for another 30 minutes, giving you time to swim and snorkel in the sheltered water. The name fits the appearance, but do not expect a full reef expedition. One account described good swimming but few fish or much coral.

The real prize is the access to the caves. A small boat can nose closer to rocky openings than a large vessel, and the captain may guide you through or alongside the caves when conditions are safe. The water inside can look especially clear, with the rock walls changing color as the light moves across them.

L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf is treated as a separate sightseeing stop, also around 30 minutes. This is less about getting in the water and more about seeing the cave formations from the boat. Your captain may explain what you are seeing, although the amount of commentary can vary. One experience was described as friendly and informative, while another wished for more explanation at the sights.

That is a fair expectation to set. This is a boat outing with local guiding, not a formal geology lesson. If you want stories about the coast, ask questions as you go. Captains such as Alfred and Jolene have been praised for explaining the places along the route and taking photographs for the group.

Hondoq Bay and the southern Gozo coast

The final listed stop is Hondoq Bay, where the boat offers a view of southern Gozo. This gives the outing a wider coastal sweep instead of keeping you only around Comino’s two famous lagoons.

Hondoq Bay is used mainly for sightseeing during this short charter. You may see the shore from the water, learn about the area from the skipper, and enjoy a change of scenery after the swimming stops. The route can be adjusted, so do not assume every trip will look identical. Wind and sea conditions have a direct effect on where the captain can safely take you.

The southern coast also helps explain why a private boat is useful. A large vessel may need to stay in open water or follow a standard route. A smaller craft can get closer to rugged sections of coast and make the journey feel more personal. That does not mean every cave or inlet is guaranteed. The captain has the final say based on safety.

What the captains add to the trip

The strongest part of this experience is the human side. Jolene handles communication before the outing and has been praised for clear directions, quick replies, and regular updates. She is also a Gozo local, which can make the route feel less generic.

Alfred, sometimes called Captain Fredo, has taken groups through caves and toward quieter swimming spots. He has also been singled out for calm boat handling and for giving groups options instead of forcing everyone into the same plan. Fabio and other captains have received similar praise for friendly service and good route decisions.

Do not book this expecting a guaranteed named captain unless the company confirms one in writing. Several skippers operate the boats, and the captain may change. What you can reasonably expect is a skipper who responds to the conditions and your group, rather than simply reading out a fixed timetable.

That flexibility was especially useful for groups who did not want to swim. One itinerary was changed to include more sightseeing and sea caves. Another group used floats and noodles for less confident swimmers. If you have an injury, a child who needs extra attention, or someone uneasy in open water, say so before departure and again when you meet the captain.

Swimming, snorkeling, and comfort on board

Swimming is optional, but the charter is built around it. You can jump from the boat into Blue Lagoon or Crystal Lagoon, snorkel near the rocky coast, or remain aboard for the views. The boat may carry snorkels, floats, and swim noodles, as well as water.

Equipment details are not perfectly consistent across the supplied information. Water and gear were available on some outings, while one account specifically reported that no water was included. For peace of mind, bring your own bottle and ask what equipment is supplied on your date.

The water can be cold outside the height of summer. A late-April outing took place in sunny weather after windy days, but the sea still felt cold even to local standards. Thirty minutes in the water may be plenty, especially for children or anyone who chills easily. A towel and a dry layer are sensible additions.

Snorkeling here is mainly about clear water, rock formations, and the pleasure of swimming along the coast. Do not book it as a coral-reef trip. The main appeal is the combination of swimming, caves, and a private boat, not a large underwater wildlife count.

Is two hours long enough?

Two hours is enough for a fast sample of the area. The planned schedule gives roughly 30 minutes to each of four sections: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the Crystal Lagoon caves, and Hondoq Bay. In practice, travel between stops, anchoring, boarding, and changing activities all use part of that time.

You will get more from the trip if you choose your priorities before departure. A group focused on swimming should say so. A group that wants caves and photos should ask the captain to protect time for those stops. Trying to do a long swim, extended snorkeling, cliff jumping, cave sightseeing, and a full coastal tour in two hours will feel rushed.

Some bookings are for three hours rather than two. If you want a slower day, ask about the longer option. A three-hour outing allows more breathing room at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon and gives the captain more freedom to pause at coastal sights.

The short version suits visitors with limited time, families who do not want an all-day boat trip, and anyone fitting Comino into a wider Gozo plan. It is less suitable if your main aim is to spend several hours swimming from one bay.

Price and the value of going private

The listed price is $240.66 per group of up to six people. Split six ways, that is about $40 per person before any transport costs. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, but the value comes from having the entire boat and a route shaped around your group.

Compared with a shared cruise, the private charter costs more. You are paying for space, control, closer access to caves, and the ability to change the plan. For a family or group of friends, that premium can be reasonable, especially if you would otherwise spend the day packed into a large vessel.

Transport can change the calculation. One account described a $70 ride from St. Julian’s for six people after difficulty finding a large enough car. Another account mentioned a driver helping with pickup and directions. Since arrangements appear to vary, confirm the exact meeting point, pickup policy, and transport cost before you commit.

The price includes the private activity and a bottle of local Maltese wine according to the tour information. Because drink service has not been identical on every outing, ask if you will receive a full bottle, glasses only, or a different local sparkling drink. Bring extra refreshments if your group wants more than that.

Who should book this outing?

I would choose this for a group of friends, a family of up to six, or a couple who places privacy above the lowest possible price. It is also a good fit for a birthday, a short shore excursion, or a first look at Gozo and Comino when you want to avoid a large party boat.

Families should like the control over timing. The captain can offer floats, adjust the route, and respond to children who need a break. That said, parents should supervise all swimming and cliff-jumping activities. The charter may allow adventurous stops, but you decide what your group actually does.

This is less ideal for someone who wants a long guided history tour, a guaranteed full bottle of wine, or a serious snorkeling destination with abundant coral and fish. It is also not the best pick if you dislike sea travel in changeable weather. The outing requires good conditions, and rough water can alter the route or lead to cancellation.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed and access near public transport. Exact boarding access and meeting details should still be checked if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

Booking, weather, and practical details

You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Weather matters more here than it does for a museum or walking tour. Strong wind and choppy water can make cave access unpleasant or unsafe. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

I would book as soon as your dates are settled, since this experience averages about 19 days of advance booking. Then keep the day before flexible enough to respond to weather updates. Use the contact details provided by Ozzi Cruises to confirm the meeting place, pickup, captain, drink service, and whether the trip is two or three hours.

Should you book the Ozzi Cruises charter?

Book it if you want the freedom of a private boat and care more about caves, swimming choices, and personal space than the lowest price. The small boat, flexible route, and captains such as Jolene and Alfred make this a strong way to see Gozo and Comino from the water.

Skip it if you want a long beach day, a formal commentary-heavy tour, or guaranteed snorkeling with lots of marine life. For most groups of four to six, though, the cost becomes reasonable, and two hours can provide a memorable slice of Malta without the crowded-boat routine.

FAQ

How many people can join the private boat charter?

The boat is for your private group, with space for up to six people.

How long does the experience last?

The listed experience lasts approximately two hours. A three-hour option has also been available for some bookings, so confirm the duration you select.

Which places does the route visit?

The planned route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, and Hondoq Bay. The captain may adjust the route for weather and your group’s interests.

Is swimming required?

No. Swimming and snorkeling are optional. The captain can spend more time on sightseeing and caves if your group prefers not to enter the water.

Is wine included?

The tour includes a bottle of local Maltese wine according to the supplied details. Since drink service has varied, confirm whether your booking includes a full bottle or glasses only. Some outings have also had water and swimming equipment available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.