From Sliema: Private Comino and Gozo Boat Charter

The best part of this charter is control. Instead of following a fixed boat schedule, you can work with your captain to choose how long to spend at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the caves, or Gozo’s quieter bays. Your group gets the whole boat, not a seat on a crowded shared excursion.

I especially like the freedom to bring your own food and drinks, plus the practical setup: a fridge, toilet, canopy, sunbathing area, snorkeling gear, and Bluetooth music. I also like that the boat can serve very different groups, from a large family gathering to 14 friends celebrating together. The main drawback is simple: food and drinks are not included, and the price makes the most sense when you fill much of the 16-person capacity.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 16 people: The $965 group price becomes much better value when shared among a large party.
• Flexible seven-hour route: Choose more swimming, more cave visits, more time in Gozo, or follow the captain’s suggested plan.
• Comino’s famous water: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon provide the main swimming and snorkeling stops.
• Gozo options beyond the usual swim stop: Visit St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, or Mgarr Port.
• Bring your own supplies: There is a fridge but no bar, so pack drinks and food before boarding.
• A proven group-friendly setup: Marc was praised for his patience, while Tony was described as friendly and accommodating.

A private day from Sliema to two smaller islands

You begin at Sliema Ferries 4, a useful departure point for a day on the water. The charter lasts seven hours and returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from Gozo.

From the start, the day feels less like transport and more like having a boat at your disposal. Your skipper handles the route and navigation, while you help decide the rhythm. That distinction matters. A fixed cruise might give you a neat list of stops, but a private charter lets you stay longer at the places your group actually enjoys.

The islands are close enough to combine in one outing, but they offer different moods. Comino is the main attraction for clear water, swimming, snorkeling, and caves. Gozo gives you more bays and the option of stopping around Mgarr Harbor. You will not see every corner of both islands in seven hours, so the captain’s advice will help you choose wisely.

The boat carries up to 16 people. That makes this especially appealing for a family group, birthday outing, wedding party, or a circle of friends who would rather split one private cost than buy individual tickets. For two or four people, the price is a much harder sell.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: the day’s main water stops

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the obvious headline stop. The water is the reason people book this kind of trip, and the boat gives you the chance to enjoy it from the sea rather than simply looking at it from shore.

The private format helps here. You can ask to spend time swimming, sunbathing, or using the supplied snorkeling equipment. You can also listen to your own music through the boat’s Bluetooth connection, which gives a large group an easy way to set its own mood.

Crystal Lagoon offers another striking stretch of clear water and is often the place where the day feels most scenic. The exact order of the stops is flexible, so your captain may adjust the route to fit conditions and your group’s wishes. Ask early if Crystal Lagoon is a priority, especially if your party wants time for both swimming and cave visits.

Keep your expectations sensible. These are popular sea stops, not private beaches reserved only for your group. The private charter gives you a private boat, not exclusive ownership of the lagoons. Your benefit is the freedom to arrive, leave, and organize your time with your own party.

Comino’s caves by powerboat

Cave entry is included, and the boat is designed to visit caves around Comino. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing because you see the island from water level, with the powerboat able to approach places that are best appreciated from close by.

For many groups, the caves break up the swimming stops. You can move from open water to narrow rock formations, then return to the boat’s sunbathing area or shaded canopy. Snorkeling gear is also provided, so you do not have to bring a full kit of your own.

The supplied information does not promise a particular cave route or a fixed number of caves. That is another reason to speak plainly with the skipper. If your group is keen on cave entry, make it one of your priorities rather than assuming it will happen at a specific time.

The captain’s judgment matters on a boat day. Wind, sea conditions, and the pace of your group can affect the route. A flexible plan is useful, but it also means the day is not a tightly scripted sightseeing circuit.

Gozo’s bays and Mgarr Port

The charter can continue to Gozo, Malta’s larger sister island, with stops including St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port. These places give the day a welcome change from Comino’s best-known lagoon.

St. Nicholas Bay and Hondoq ir-Rummien are good choices if your group wants another swim or a quieter pause. The attraction here is not a long land tour. It is the chance to enjoy Gozo from the water, with your captain helping you choose a bay that fits the mood of the day.

Mgarr Port is the practical food option. You may bring your own lunch and drinks onto the boat, or you can stop for dinner in the harbor. The information does not specify a restaurant reservation or meal arrangement, so treat the harbor stop as an option rather than a promised dining experience.

If your group wants to stay in the water as long as possible, bring provisions and use the fridge. If a meal on land sounds better after several hours at sea, tell the skipper early so the timing can allow for Mgarr Harbor.

What the boat setup means in practice

The boat includes a fridge, toilet, canopy for shade, sunbathing space, snorkeling gear, and Bluetooth music. Those details may sound ordinary, but they make a noticeable difference during seven hours on the water.

The canopy gives you a place to get out of direct sun. That matters for children, older family members, and anyone who enjoys the sea but does not want to lie in the sun all day. The toilet also saves you from needing to end a swim stop simply because someone needs basic facilities.

A fridge is useful, but it is not a bar. Drinks and food are your responsibility. Pack enough water for the full outing, along with whatever meals and snacks your group needs. Since there is no bar on board, do not expect to buy refreshments during the cruise.

The Bluetooth connection is a pleasant extra for a private group. You can use your own playlist rather than listening to a generic soundtrack. Keep the volume sensible, especially when the captain is giving instructions or when other boats are nearby.

The captain shapes the experience

Your skipper is more than a driver. You will work with that person to set the day’s pace, decide which stops matter most, and adjust the route as you go.

Two skipper names connected with especially strong feedback are Marc and Tony. Marc was praised for patience while handling a group of 14 friends, a useful detail if your party is large and lively. Tony was described as friendly and accommodating by a group of 11, whose day included a jump rock and a dolphin sighting.

Those moments are not guaranteed features of every departure. Dolphins, for example, are wild animals, and the supplied details do not promise sightings. Still, the examples show why a flexible charter can be more rewarding than a rigid route. If sea conditions and timing allow, your captain may be able to respond to what your group wants to see.

The captain speaks English. Before leaving Sliema, explain your priorities clearly. You might say that your group cares most about swimming, caves, Gozo, lunch at Mgarr, or a relaxed cruise with music. The more specific you are, the easier it is to shape a day that suits everyone.

How to judge the $965 group price

The price is $965 for the private boat, with up to 16 people included. That is not a cheap individual excursion, but it is a different product from a standard shared cruise.

At full capacity, the cost works out to about $60 per person. With 14 people, it is about $69 per person. With 11, it is about $88 per person. For a group of four, the same boat costs roughly $241 per person, which makes the charter poor value unless privacy and control are your main priorities.

Fuel and the skipper are included, as are snorkeling equipment and cave entry. You do not need to add a separate fuel charge, and you can avoid the expense of buying food and drinks on board by bringing your own.

I see the strongest value for groups of 10 to 16 who want a full day together. You are paying for space, privacy, flexibility, and a route shaped around your party. If your group is small and mainly wants a quick visit to Blue Lagoon, a shared boat may cost less.

Who will enjoy this charter most

This is a good match for people who want a social day on the water without surrendering control to a large public schedule. Groups of friends can bring food, drinks, music, and snorkeling plans, then change direction when the mood changes.

Families may appreciate the canopy, toilet, fridge, and private setting. You can give children a break from the sun and avoid the awkwardness of keeping a young group together on a crowded boat. The flexible route also lets you balance swimming with rest.

It suits active groups too. The included snorkeling gear and cave entry provide more to do than simply sunbathe. A jump rock was part of one successful day, but it is not listed as a guaranteed stop, so ask the captain what is possible on your departure.

This is less suitable for someone who wants a detailed guided tour of Gozo’s towns, churches, or inland sights. The focus is the sea, bays, caves, and boat time. You will see Gozo mainly from the water unless you choose to stop at Mgarr Port.

Practical planning before you leave Sliema

Bring your own food and drinks, since none are included and there is no bar. Use the fridge for cold supplies, and pack enough water for seven hours rather than relying on a harbor stop.

Decide what matters most before boarding. A group that wants every lagoon, cave, and Gozo bay may spend the whole day feeling rushed. A better plan is to choose two or three priorities, then let the captain build a sensible route around them.

Ask about music, swimming time, cave entry, and the possibility of stopping at Mgarr Harbor. The route is flexible, but flexibility works best when you communicate early.

You should also remember that this is a boat day, not a land-based sightseeing tour. You return to Sliema Ferries 4 at the end, and the seven-hour duration includes the cruising between stops. Check the available starting time when you book, since the departure time is not fixed in the supplied details.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still moving around, though you should still check the exact conditions at booking.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you have a large group and want Comino’s water, Gozo’s bays, and a day that can change with your interests. The strongest reasons are the private boat, flexible route, included skipper and fuel, onboard shade and toilet, and the ability to bring your own supplies.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple or small group and mainly want the cheapest way to reach Blue Lagoon. The $965 price rewards numbers. With 11 to 16 people, it becomes a practical way to share a private day. With only a few passengers, the cost rises quickly.

For a full group, I would book it with one clear plan: pack lunch and drinks, choose your top stops, and tell the captain whether Comino, Gozo, caves, or swimming comes first. That preparation lets you make the most of the freedom you are paying for.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Sliema Ferries 4 and returns to the same meeting point at the end of the activity.

How long does the charter last?

The private charter lasts seven hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure options on your chosen date.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 16 people.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no bar on board. You can bring your own supplies, and the boat has a fridge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the charter price.

Which places can the boat visit?

Possible stops include Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, and St. Nicholas Bay, along with Hondoq ir-Rummien and Mgarr Port in Gozo. The route is flexible and should be planned with the captain.

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.