Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

The best part of this Comino trip is control. You get your own boat, your own skipper, and the freedom to spend more time in the water or move on when a stop is not working for your group. On a busy coast, that flexibility matters.

I like the comfortable Julie Pearl, with shade, a toilet, freshwater shower, Bluetooth music, and a low bathing platform. I also like the range of stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, Gozo’s southern bays, and quieter places such as Ħondoq Ir-Rummien.

The main consideration is price. At $577 per group of up to 15 people, this makes better financial sense for a family or group than for one or two passengers. The boat can carry 25, but the operator recommends no more than 15 for a long trip, which is sensible.

Key points to know before booking

• Private Julie Pearl boat: You have the boat to yourself, with a local skipper, fuel, snorkel masks, cooler, and ice included.
• Flexible route around Comino and Gozo: Stops can include Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw, Qala Valley, Ramla Bay, and several Gozo coves.
• Swimming-focused day: You get repeated chances to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and look for marine life rather than simply passing the coast.
• Useful onboard facilities: Shade, open decks, a toilet, freshwater shower, bathing platform, ladder, seating, and Bluetooth speakers make several hours at sea easier.
• Pickups from Malta or Gozo: Meet at Cirkewwa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour, with the exact boat location sent by WhatsApp after booking.
• Bring your own food and drinks: A cooler and ice are provided, but meals are not included. You can also stop at Mgarr Harbour for food.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Comino is famous for clear water and dramatic rock formations, but its best-known spots can feel crowded. A private charter gives you a better chance to shape the day around your group instead of following a fixed schedule with strangers.

You can ask for more swimming time, skip a stop, play your own music, or continue toward Gozo if the sea and time allow. This is especially useful for families with children, groups of friends, or anyone who would rather swim than spend the day listening to a guide speak over an engine.

The boat is called Julie Pearl. Its maximum capacity is 25 passengers, though 15 or fewer is recommended for a long outing. I would take that advice seriously. A boat may legally carry more people, but comfort is about deck space, seating, access to the bathing platform, and room to move without bumping into everyone else.

The operator provides a local skipper, and Fabio is specifically named as one skipper who may handle the trip. Jeanette is also part of the communication before the outing. Clear instructions matter here because the pickup points are busy ferry areas, and the exact waiting place is sent by WhatsApp after confirmation.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can start at the Gozo Ferry Terminal in Mgarr Harbour or at Malta’s Cirkewwa Jetty. At Cirkewwa, the meeting point is behind the food kiosk, beside the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. At Mgarr, go to the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal.

These are practical pickup choices if you are already moving between Malta and Gozo. You do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a distant marina. Still, allow time to find the boat, especially at Cirkewwa, where ferry traffic and car lanes can make the area confusing.

The usual full-day timing is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The usual half-day option runs from 9 a.m. to noon. Earlier or later starts may be possible, and you can ask about shortening or extending the outing, depending on availability.

The listed duration is four to six hours. Your actual route may be adjusted for weather, timing, and your group’s requests. That flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private trip, but it also means you should confirm the start time and expected length before setting other plans.

Crystal Lagoon and Saint Mary’s Tower

The first sightseeing cruise is short, about 10 minutes, before the boat reaches Saint Mary’s Tower. The tower is mainly a photo and sightseeing stop, with the boat passing by rather than offering a land visit.

From there, Crystal Lagoon is the first major swimming stop. You can expect about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and looking for marine life. The water is the main attraction, while the surrounding rock gives the stop its character.

Thirty minutes goes quickly once you climb into the water, so have your mask ready. Snorkel masks are supplied and can be used throughout the trip. If you want a longer swim here, tell the skipper early. A private boat makes that request possible, though it may mean less time somewhere else.

The boat has a rear bathing platform with a comfortable ladder. That is a small but important detail. Getting in and out of the water is much easier from a proper platform than from a high side rail, especially after repeated swims.

Blue Lagoon, with time for a drink or lunch

Blue Lagoon is the famous Comino stop, and the itinerary allows about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, free time, sightseeing, and a cocktail or lunch stop. It is the place most people expect to see, so it makes sense to include it.

The tradeoff is that the Blue Lagoon is also the most recognized part of Comino. Your private boat does not guarantee solitude here. The value is that you can arrive by private charter, enjoy the water, and then move on to other coves instead of spending the whole outing in one heavily visited spot.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring ready-to-eat items onboard and use the cooler box with complimentary ice. That is the simplest approach for a swimming day, since you can eat when convenient rather than waiting for a restaurant stop.

You can also ask to stop at Mgarr Harbour for food. This gives you access to food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants, with the option to eat in or take food back to the boat. If you want to keep the day centered on swimming, bring your own lunch. If you prefer a proper meal, plan time for Mgarr.

Mgarr Harbour and the Gozo coast

Mgarr Harbour is more than a pickup point. It can be a 30-minute stop for lunch, shopping, sightseeing, and a walk. This is a useful break from the water, particularly on a full-day trip.

It also gives you a taste of Gozo without committing to a separate land tour. You can stretch your legs, find food, and look around the harbor before returning to the boat.

From here, the route may head along Gozo’s south coast. Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach is listed as another 30-minute stop for swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing. It offers a different setting from Comino’s famous lagoons and gives the trip a stronger Gozo connection.

Other possible Gozo stops include Halfa Rock and Qala Valley. If you have already seen the main Comino sights, ask about these areas. The route is not simply a repeat of the same swimming stop, and the private format lets you tell the skipper what kind of day you want.

Santa Maria Caves and the quieter bays

Santa Maria Caves are a short photo and sightseeing stop, listed at about five minutes. You will pass by and take in the rock formations from the boat rather than treating this as a long shore visit.

That short timing is worth understanding. The caves are part of the scenic cruise, not a full exploration on foot. If caves are a top priority, ask the skipper how close the boat can safely get and how much time can be devoted to them.

The full-day route may also reach Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, or San Blas Bay. These options extend the experience beyond the standard Comino circuit and can make the longer charter feel worthwhile.

Do not assume every named bay will be visited in one outing. The route depends on weather, timing, and your chosen duration. A half-day trip will naturally cover fewer places, while a full day gives you more room for Gozo’s coast, lunch, and repeated swims.

What the Julie Pearl provides at sea

The boat is arranged for a day rather than a quick transfer. There is a covered area for shade, open deck space at the front and rear, seating, and a table in the middle.

A shaded area is important in Malta’s strong sun, especially if you are onboard for six hours. You can move between sun and shade instead of treating the boat as one large exposed platform. Bring sun protection anyway, since the open deck is part of the appeal.

The outdoor freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt water after swimming. The onboard toilet is another practical advantage, particularly for families and groups who do not want to cut a stop short to find facilities ashore.

The stereo and speakers connect through Bluetooth. You can play your own music, which suits a private group, but remember that your playlist becomes part of the shared atmosphere. Keep the volume considerate if other boats are nearby and follow the skipper’s instructions.

Standup paddle boards are available for an additional charge and must be booked before the trip. They are not included automatically, so request them in advance if paddling is important to your plans.

Life jackets for adults and children are carried onboard if needed. Snorkel masks are included and available throughout the trip. Food, drinks, and paddle boards are the main extras to budget for.

Is $577 good value for your group?

The price is $577 for a private group of up to 15. That sounds high beside a standard ferry ride or shared boat excursion, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for the whole boat, skipper, fuel, flexible stops, equipment, and private use of the space.

At 15 people, the cost works out to about $38 per person before food and optional paddle boards. At 10 people, it is about $58 each. For a couple, the same total price becomes much harder to justify.

The strongest value comes when you fill the recommended group size with people who already want the same kind of day. A family reunion, group of friends, or small celebration can get plenty from the private setup. You are not paying for a luxury yacht, but you are buying control and comfort.

The boat’s 25-passenger capacity may tempt a larger group, but the operator recommends no more than 15 for longer trips. I would treat 15 as the practical limit, not 25, if you care about room to sit, move, and use the bathing platform comfortably.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this trip if swimming and snorkeling are your main goals. The schedule offers several water stops, and you can use the masks freely rather than treating snorkeling as a one-time add-on.

It also suits groups that value privacy. You can bring your own food, choose music, ask for a preferred route, and discuss changes with the skipper. Families may appreciate the shade, toilet, freshwater shower, ladder, and children’s life jackets.

It is less suitable if you want a structured historical tour or a full land visit to Gozo. Saint Mary’s Tower and the caves are sightseeing stops from the water, and Mgarr Harbour offers only a short chance to walk and eat.

The trip remains subject to weather. If conditions are not suitable, the booking can be postponed to another available date or canceled with the deposit refunded in full. That is worth keeping in mind when planning this as the centerpiece of a Malta holiday.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book the full-day option for a group of up to 15 that wants both Comino and Gozo. Six hours gives you time for several swims, a food stop, caves, scenic cruising, and the chance to slow down instead of racing between locations.

Choose the half-day version if your schedule is tight or your group mainly wants one or two swims. It will be more focused, but you will have less room for quieter Gozo bays and a relaxed lunch stop.

Before departure, bring food and drinks, confirm the meeting pin on WhatsApp, reserve paddle boards if wanted, and agree on your preferred balance of swimming, sightseeing, and lunch. Ask about the exact route since weather and timing affect the day.

For a private group, this is a strong choice. The standout benefits are not fancy extras. They are the private boat, helpful communication from Jeanette, the skipper’s ability to adjust the outing, and the simple comforts that make a long day on the water easier. If your group can share the cost, I would book it. If you are traveling alone or as a couple, a shared excursion may offer better value.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The price is $577 per private group of up to 15 people.

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts between four and six hours. Full-day trips usually run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while half-day trips usually run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Mgarr Harbour at Gozo’s main jetty or from Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta. The exact boat location is sent by WhatsApp after booking.

What places can the boat visit?

Possible stops include Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Tower, Santa Maria Caves, San Niklaw, Santa Maria Bay, Ħondoq Ir-Rummien, Halfa Rock, Qala Valley, Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard and use the cooler box with complimentary ice. You can also stop at Mgarr Harbour, where food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants are available.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkel masks are provided and can be used freely throughout the trip.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If weather makes the trip unsafe, it can be postponed subject to availability or canceled with the deposit refunded in full.