Full Day Private Boat Charters Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo

The best part of this Malta boat charter is access. A private boat can reach smaller coves and swimming spots that larger vessels may have to skip, giving you more freedom to stop for a swim, paddleboard, snorkel, or simply enjoy the sea. The route covers Comino and Gozo in about seven hours.

I like the generous range of stops, from the bright waters of Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon to Gozo’s red-sand beaches. I also like that fuel, port fees, safety gear, a toilet, shower, ice box, SUP, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main consideration is the price: at $744.95 per group of up to 15, it makes much more sense for a full group than for just two or three people.

Key points to know before booking

• A private route around two islands: Visit Comino and Gozo without sharing the boat with other groups.
• Smaller swimming spots are the main advantage: Crystal Lagoon, San Niklaw Bay, and the Santa Maria Caves offer more than the standard Blue Lagoon stop.
• Blue Lagoon gets one full hour: You have time for swimming and relaxing, though it is one of Malta’s best-known spots.
• Gozo adds beaches and local scenery: Hondoq Bay, San Blas Bay, and Ramla Bay give the day more variety.
• Useful equipment is included: Life jackets, snorkeling gear, a stand up paddle board, an ice box with ice, USB charging, and a sound system are all provided.
• The trip can change with the weather: The local guide may adapt the route for safety and comfort, and a poor-weather cancellation offers a new date or full refund.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Malta’s most famous swimming areas can feel very different depending on the boat you choose. A large shared vessel follows a fixed schedule and carries many people. This private charter gives your group a boat of its own, with room to adjust the route if you would rather spend longer at a favorite bay or visit another attraction along the way.

The listed price is $744.95 per group, with up to 15 people included. That works out to about $50 per person for a group of 15, before any extra food or drinks you bring aboard. For a smaller party, the cost per person rises quickly, so I would treat this as a good-value choice for families, friend groups, and celebrations rather than a bargain for a couple.

The boat capacity is 22 people, although the stated group price covers up to 15. If your party has between 16 and 22 people, ask the provider to confirm the price and arrangements before booking.

The day lasts about seven hours, including time to move between the harbours, coves, beaches, and caves. You will not spend every minute swimming. Some stretches are for coastal views and boat travel, which helps the itinerary feel varied rather than like one long stop at a single lagoon.

Leaving Cirkewwa for the first coves

The route begins at Cirkewwa, the northern point of Malta and the usual jumping-off area for Comino and Gozo. The first section takes about 20 minutes, giving you time to settle in as the harbour recedes and the islands come into view.

The boat includes life jackets and other safety equipment, so you can ask for what you need before the swimming stops begin. There is also a shaded area and a bow sun deck, letting you choose between shelter and open sun.

Because the boat has an ice box with ice, you can bring your preferred food and drinks. That is useful on a seven-hour outing, especially since no meal is listed as included. Pack items that are easy to eat on a boat, along with enough water for the day.

Crystal Lagoon: 50 minutes for swimming and cliff views

Crystal Lagoon is the first major stop, with about 50 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and exploring the surrounding caves. The water is known for its clear turquoise color, and the rocky setting gives the stop a more enclosed feel than an open beach.

This is one of the places where a private boat earns its keep. The charter can bring your group close to a cove where you can get into the water without treating the entire stop as a large organized beach visit. If you enjoy taking photos, the caves and rock walls provide more visual variety than a simple swim in open water.

The boat supplies snorkeling equipment and a stand up paddle board. That means you can try more than one activity without bringing bulky gear from Malta. Bring your own towel and sun cream, since those are not supplied, and wear swimwear from the start if you want to make the most of the shorter stops.

Cliff jumping is part of the planned appeal here, but you should only do it where the guide confirms conditions are safe. The water may look clear while rocks, depth, current, or other boats still create hazards.

Comino’s coast and the famous Blue Lagoon

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat spends about 30 minutes around Comino. This portion is about coastal views, rock formations, caves, and the intense blue color of the sea rather than one specific activity.

Comino is small, but its shoreline gives the trip much of its character. From the boat, you get a changing view of pale rock, openings in the cliffs, and water that shifts from light turquoise near the coves to darker blue farther out.

The next major stop is the Blue Lagoon, with one hour available for swimming and rest. Located between Comino and Cominotto, it is Malta’s most recognizable swimming area. The water is exceptionally clear, and snorkeling can reveal fish and rocky seabed below the surface.

The Blue Lagoon is also the part of the day most likely to feel popular and busy. A private charter gives you a comfortable base on the water, but it does not make the lagoon itself private. If your ideal outing is total solitude, this may not be the perfect stop. The quieter coves later in the route help balance it.

One hour is a useful amount of time here. You can swim, use the snorkel gear, sit on the boat, and enjoy the view without giving the Blue Lagoon the entire day.

Hondoq Bay and Halfa Rock on Gozo

The boat then crosses to Gozo for a 45-minute stop at Hondoq Bay, near the village of Qala. Halfa Rock is close by, adding a notable rock formation and a different setting from Comino’s lagoons.

Hondoq Bay gives the itinerary a change of pace. Instead of only moving between famous blue-water sites, you get a Gozo stop with a village connection, rocky shoreline, and time to look around from the boat or swim.

The 45-minute allocation is long enough for a focused stop, but not for a relaxed land visit and a full beach afternoon. Keep your expectations centered on the bay, the rock, and the water rather than a long walk through Qala.

San Blas Bay: Gozo’s quieter red-sand stop

San Blas Bay receives about an hour. Its golden-red sand and clear water make it one of the more peaceful beach stops on the route, and the surrounding views give you a calmer break after the well-known Blue Lagoon.

This is a strong choice for anyone who prefers a quieter swim. You can use the hour for the beach, snorkeling, or simply resting aboard the boat. The red-toned sand also gives your photos a different look from the pale limestone and bright water around Comino.

The access conditions at a beach can vary, and the itinerary does not promise a specific shore landing method. Ask the guide how the boat will position itself and how much time is practical on land when you board.

Ramla Bay and Gozo’s red sand

Ramla Bay is the next Gozo stop, lasting about 35 minutes. It is the island’s best-known red-sand beach and is noted for its sand dunes and distinctive natural setting.

The stop is short, so I would use it for a quick swim, photos, or a look at the beach rather than trying to fit in a long walk. Ramla adds an important contrast to the day. You are not only seeing lagoons and caves, but also one of Gozo’s signature beaches.

If you want extensive time at Ramla Bay, ask whether the route can be adjusted. The charter is customizable, and you may prefer to exchange one stop for longer at another.

San Niklaw Bay and the slower middle of the day

San Niklaw Bay on Comino gets about an hour. It is described as a secluded coastal spot, and this is the kind of stop that makes the private format appealing. You have space to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or sit in the shade without treating every minute as a race to the next attraction.

The SUP is especially useful here if the water is calm. It gives you an easy way to see the cove from a different angle without needing a separate rental. The snorkeling gear also lets you spend the hour at your own pace.

The boat’s Bluetooth sound system and USB charging point are practical extras rather than headline attractions. Still, they matter on a long day at sea. You can charge a phone for photos and play your own music, provided you remain considerate of the group and the surrounding area.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head Rock

The final major stop is the Santa Maria Caves, with about 45 minutes for exploring the sea caves and taking photographs. These openings beneath Comino’s rugged cliffs create the most dramatic scenery of the day.

The route also passes Elephant Head Rock, a distinctive formation recognized for its resemblance to an elephant’s head. It is a good detail to watch for as the boat moves along the coast, particularly if you enjoy photographing unusual rock shapes.

Cave visits depend on sea conditions and the boat’s position. You may be able to look into the caves from the water, enter suitable areas, or swim nearby, but the exact experience can change with weather and safety requirements. Listen closely to the guide before leaving the boat or approaching the rocks.

What is included, and what you still need to pack

The inclusions are well matched to a full day on the water:

• Life jackets and safety equipment
• Toilet and shower facilities onboard
• Ice box with ice for food and drinks
• Bluetooth sound system
• USB charging point
• Shaded area and/or bow sun deck
• Stand up paddle board
• Snorkeling equipment
• Port fees
• Fuel

You need to bring swimwear, towels, and sun cream. Food is not included, but you can bring your own preferred meals and drinks. This arrangement gives you control over what you eat, though you should pack carefully and keep containers secure on the boat.

The onboard toilet is valuable during a seven-hour outing, particularly for families. A shower is also handy after swimming in several bays, although the available facilities are onboard rather than at each beach.

Weather, flexibility, and who should book

The tour requires good weather. If conditions are unsuitable, the provider can adapt the route to protect your comfort and safety. If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

The route can also be customized. You may ask to spend more time at a preferred bay or visit another attraction along the planned route. Customization is a real benefit here, but do not assume every change is possible on the day. Raise your priorities with the local guide before departure.

This charter suits you best if you want:

• A private day with family or friends
• Several swimming locations rather than one beach
• Access to snorkeling and paddleboarding without separate rentals
• A flexible route around Comino and Gozo
• A boat with shade, a toilet, charging, and space for your own food
• A full-day outing shared only with your own group

It may not suit you if you want a low-cost trip for one or two people, a guaranteed meal service, or a quiet beach with no other boats nearby. The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, but fame brings crowds.

The experience is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is confirmed at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

Should you book the Malta private boat charter?

I would book this charter if your group can share the cost and you care more about time in the water than a formal sightseeing tour. The best feature is not one individual bay. It is the combination of a private boat, several different swimming areas, Gozo’s red-sand beaches, Comino’s caves, and the freedom to adjust the day.

For a group of 10 to 15, the price is easier to justify. You get fuel, port fees, equipment, shade, an onboard toilet, and a full seven hours without sharing the boat with strangers. For a small party, compare the per-person cost with other Malta boat options before committing.

Bring towels, sun cream, food, and plenty to drink. Tell the guide which stops matter most to you, and treat the route as weather-dependent. If that sounds like your kind of Malta day, this is a strong way to reach the islands without being tied to a large boat’s schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the tour?

The stated price is for a private group of up to 15 people. The boat has a capacity of 22 passengers, so you should confirm pricing and arrangements for groups larger than 15.

What locations are included?

The route includes Cirkewwa, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Hondoq Bay, San Blas Bay, Ramla Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and a view of Elephant Head Rock.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a stand up paddle board are included.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your preferred food. An ice box with ice is available onboard, but meals and drinks are not listed as included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, towels, and sun cream. These items are not provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The itinerary may be adapted for safety and comfort. If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.