Tour in Malta Boat Charter to Comino and Gozoand Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Malta boat trip is the freedom to reach Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon by private boat, then move on when the water, crowds, or weather tell you to. You can swim, snorkel, explore caves, and ask your skipper to slow down for children or spend more time at a favorite bay.

I like two things here: the route is tailored to your group, and the boat can get close to shallow reefs and into some coastal caves. Skippers such as Justin, Noel, Mario, Jo, and Pedro are repeatedly praised for friendly service, local stories, and good judgment on the water. The main catch is cost: the advertised group price covers up to eight people, but fuel and a Blue Lagoon charge are extra, and the boat may feel modest rather than luxurious.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to eight: You share the boat only with your own group, which makes this a strong choice for families or friends.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon swims: These are the main attractions, with clear water, reef areas, caves, and time for snorkeling.
• Flexible three-hour route: Your skipper can adjust the pace and stops, though you cannot thoroughly tour every place named in the itinerary.
• Caves and shallow coves: The smaller boat can reach spots that larger boats cannot, including some cave entrances near Cominotto and Crystal Lagoon.
• Fuel and Blue Lagoon fee extra: Budget for the listed EUR 79 fuel charge and EUR 79 Blue Lagoon booking fee, then confirm exactly how these are applied.
• Pickup at two useful ports: You can arrange pickup at Cirkewwa in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, with a possible drop-off at a different island if arranged ahead.

A private route through Malta’s clearest water

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit still while a guide follows a fixed script. It is a compact private charter built around swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and short explanations from the skipper.

The listed price is $349.51 per group of up to eight. That can be good value if you fill the boat, since the cost works out to roughly $44 per person before the extra charges. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive outing, though the privacy and flexibility may still justify it for a special occasion.

The boat trip lasts about three hours. That sounds generous until you consider the distance between Malta, Comino, Gozo, the caves, and the swimming stops. You will see many places from the water, but you should not expect a long beach visit at every stop. The route works best when you choose your priorities in advance: more swimming, more caves, a quieter bay, or a faster circuit of the coast.

The boats are described as stable powerboats rather than sailboats. That matters. A powerboat can cross to Comino quickly and reach shallow water and cave entrances, but the ride may feel less spacious than a larger cruise boat. One family found the boat smaller than expected, while another appreciated its size because it could get into narrow coastal spots.

Blue Lagoon: famous, photogenic, and busy

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto, with pale sand and intensely blue water. It is the picture most people have in mind when they think of a Malta boat trip, and the color really is the main event.

Your skipper anchors in the bluest part of the lagoon when conditions allow. You can swim and use the supplied mask and snorkel. From the water, the lagoon feels more special than it does from a crowded shore, since you avoid spending your limited time searching for a place on the beach.

The honest warning is that the Blue Lagoon is no secret. It is one of Malta’s most popular stops, and a private boat does not make the entire lagoon empty. It does give you a better way to reach the water, move away from the busiest patch, and enjoy a swim without treating the beach as your only base.

The listed Blue Lagoon fee is EUR 79 per booking and is not included. Since the tour also lists EUR 79 for fuel, check the final total before you pay. Those two charges can change the value calculation, especially for a small group.

Santa Marija Bay and the caves of Comino

Santa Marija Bay offers a quieter contrast to the Blue Lagoon. Its horseshoe-shaped beach has white sand, tamarisk trees, and a more relaxed family feel. Nearby Little Santa Marija is noted for sea life, including parrotfish, making it a useful snorkeling stop if the water is calm and visibility is good.

The beach area also gives you a glimpse of Comino away from the famous lagoon. The island’s small police station is near the bay, and the medieval chapel sits a short distance inland. You will not have much time for a full walk during a three-hour charter, but the skipper can point out these sights while the boat cruises nearby.

The tour allows about ten minutes here in the listed schedule, so think of Santa Marija mainly as a coastal stop and cave-viewing area. If beach time matters more to you than seeing several coves, say so at the start. A private charter is most useful when you make your priorities clear.

Cominotto, the reef, and movie scenery

Cominotto is a small island beside the Blue Lagoon. Its beach can only be reached by private boat, and the surrounding water is a good place to swim away from the main crowd.

A cave cuts through the island for roughly 50 meters, creating one of the more adventurous parts of the route. The skipper may take you toward the entrance or explain how the area was used in films such as Troy and Swept Away. Conditions and safety determine how close the boat can go, so treat this as an opportunity rather than a guaranteed cave swim.

The nearby Cominotto Reef is marked by a cardinal buoy and is known for groupers and octopus. A short cruise along the coast lets you see natural caves and rocky shoreline, with the possibility of a snorkel stop. The schedule gives only a few minutes to the reef, so this is a quick look rather than a full snorkeling session.

Crystal Lagoon is the strongest swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon is the part of the trip I would protect most carefully. Its turquoise water is surrounded by rock and caves, including small sandy pockets that are hard to reach from land. The boat is designed to enter some of the wider cave areas, giving you a closer look at the shoreline.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied at no extra charge. The lagoon is known for clear water and fish, but the exact quality of the swim depends on the season, wind, and sea conditions. The operator may schedule a short snorkeling stop, with the final timing shaped by weather and your group’s wishes.

This is also where the private format pays off. If everyone wants to swim, you can spend the available time in the water. If one person would rather remain aboard, the rest of the group does not have to follow a large boat’s fixed schedule.

The coast has been used for films including Popeye, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Troy. These details add interest, but the natural setting matters more than the movie connection. The caves, shallow blue water, and changing views are the real reason to come.

Gozo’s south coast, Hondoq Bay, and Qala

After Comino, the route may cross toward Gozo. At Hondoq Bay, you will see turquoise water and the entrance to Bemberin Gorge, a narrow inlet reached by boat. The gorge has caves, air pockets, and places where experienced participants may be able to jump from rocks into the water.

Treat any cliff-jump opportunity with care. It is an optional adventure, not a reason to pressure children or inexperienced swimmers. Ask the skipper where it is safe, check the water below, and use your own judgment.

Qala lies on Gozo’s southeastern side. The coast here includes caves, pebble beaches, and a fortification farther east. The scheduled visit is brief, so you will mainly see the coastline from the boat rather than explore Qala on foot.

Mġarr Harbour gives the trip a pleasant closing view if you are dropped there or cruise past it. Fishing boats, yachts, working jetties, Fort Chambray, and the small Lourdes chapel help you see Gozo as a lived-in island, not only as a swimming destination.

A wider look at Gozo from the water

The route along Gozo’s southern coast can include Ħalfa Rock, a small offshore island with steep sides and a sheltered bay on the Gozo-facing side. Salt pans nearby are still worked using traditional methods, and the water around the secluded beach is associated with octopus and sargo bream.

This section is best understood as a scenic coastal cruise. The itinerary allows about 20 minutes, which is enough for views and a possible short stop, but not a full Gozo visit. If you want churches, villages, or inland scenery, book a separate land tour or allow a different day.

Paradise Bay may also appear in the route, especially in suitable south winds. It is near one of the Malta departure points, has clear water, and is used by divers. The exact sequence depends on your starting port, weather, and the route you agree on with the skipper.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper makes or breaks a small boat charter. Here, the strongest pattern is a personal, practical style rather than a formal lecture. Justin is praised for keeping families engaged, Noel for adjusting the ride to children and arranging an ice cream boat visit, and Mario for creating a slower, relaxed cruise.

Other named skippers include Jo, Pedro, Josef, Upie, Buffon, Ginger, and Casper. The names matter less than the approach: you can expect a captain who answers questions, points out film locations and historic sites, and asks what you want to see.

One useful detail is the care shown to families. Skippers have slowed down in rough water so children remained comfortable, and a four-month-old baby was taken aboard without reported trouble. That does not replace your own judgment about sun, wind, and boat safety, but it suggests the charter can work well for mixed-age groups.

You should still tell the company about your group before the day. Mention children, older adults, anyone nervous about fast boats, and whether swimming or sightseeing matters most.

Price, pickup, and what to bring

Pickup is available at Cirkewwa port in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The charter can return you to the starting point, or possibly drop you on the other island if you arrange it in advance. This can be handy if you are building the boat trip into a Malta to Gozo travel day.

The tour provides masks and snorkels, plus an ice box with ice or a refrigerator. Bring your own food and drinks if you want a picnic aboard, as the boat has cooling space. Pack a towel and sunscreen as well. The Maltese sun can be strong even during a short outing.

The price is easiest to justify for a full group of six to eight. You receive a private boat, a skipper, equipment, and the ability to change the balance between swimming and cruising. For a couple or a very small party, compare the total cost with a shared excursion, but remember that a shared boat will not give you the same control.

The booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this three-hour charter

I would choose this tour for a family, a group of friends, or anyone marking a birthday or special trip. It suits people who want to swim in several spots rather than spend the day walking around Gozo. It is also a good match for photographers, snorkelers, and fans of Malta’s film locations.

You may want something else if you expect a large luxury yacht, a long beach stay, or a full land tour of Gozo. The boat is practical and maneuverable, not necessarily spacious or plush. Three hours also passes quickly, especially if you stop often.

The best strategy is to message ahead and set a simple plan: Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon, more caves, a family-friendly pace, or a Gozo drop-off. That small bit of preparation helps the skipper use the short time well.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if clear water, caves, and a flexible route matter more to you than a polished luxury boat. The Blue Lagoon is famous, but Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Santa Marija, and the smaller Gozo coves give the trip more range than a simple lagoon transfer.

I would be especially inclined to book for a group of six to eight, since the cost spreads well and the private format lets everyone stay together. Before confirming, ask for the exact boat, total price with fuel and the Blue Lagoon fee, pickup details, and the planned balance of swimming and cruising. If those details suit you, this is a lively and practical way to see Malta’s northern islands from the water.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

Where can the boat pick us up?

Pickup is available at Cirkewwa port in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, and the boat also has an ice box with ice or a refrigerator.

Are fuel and the Blue Lagoon fee included?

No. Fuel is listed as an additional EUR 79 charge, and the Blue Lagoon stop lists a EUR 79 booking fee that is not included. Confirm the final application of both charges before booking.

Can the boat drop us at a different place?

Yes, the charter can return you to the starting point or may drop you on Gozo or Malta instead. You must request a different drop-off in advance.