Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

The best thing about this private Malta boat charter is control. With your own captain and a boat for up to six people, you can swim at the Blue Lagoon, slip into sea caves, cruise Gozo’s coast, or spend more time away from the busiest water.

I like two things in particular: the boat can reach small coves that larger craft cannot, and the captain adjusts the outing to your group. Skippers including Jimmy, Ginger, Mahmoud, Upie, Pedro, and Casper have been praised for friendly service, good boat handling, and helpful local stories.

The main catch is the clock. Three hours goes quickly, and the advertised price of $337.55 per group does not include the one-time €79 fuel charge. You should also bring drinks, snacks, towels, sunglasses, and cash for that extra cost.

Key points to know before you book

• A private boat for up to six: The price covers the whole boat, so the value improves sharply when you fill the six available places.
• Blue Lagoon without beach crowds: You can anchor in the clearer, bluer parts of the lagoon instead of fighting for space on shore.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Masks and snorkels are provided, with swimming stops at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and other coves.
• A flexible route: You can request more swimming, more caves, more Gozo scenery, or a drop-off at Gozo instead of returning to Malta.
• A captain-led experience: The skipper handles the boat and can explain sea caves, movie locations, towers, reefs, and coastal landmarks.
• Budget for fuel: A €79 fuel payment is due to the skipper after the tour, in addition to the advertised booking price.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Comino is famous for water that looks almost too bright to be real. It is also famous for crowds. The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto, with pale sand and clear water, but the shore can feel packed during busy periods.

A private boat gives you a better way to use the place. You can anchor in the blue water, swim straight from the boat, and avoid making the Blue Lagoon beach your base. I like this arrangement because it turns a famous stop into a water experience rather than a contest for a patch of sand.

The small boat is also useful around the caves. It can move close to rock openings and sheltered inlets where bigger boats may not fit comfortably. You should still follow the skipper’s advice about conditions and safe swimming areas. The sea is beautiful here, but it is not a swimming pool when wind and waves pick up.

This is not a quiet, secret corner of Malta. The Blue Lagoon is one of the islands’ best-known sights, and you will share the wider area with other boats. The private element gives you space and flexibility, not exclusive ownership of the lagoon.

Cirkewwa is the practical starting point

The meeting point is at the Cirkewwa cafe in Mellieha, beside the only kiosk and cafe in the immediate port area. You can also arrange pickup at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

Clear instructions matter here. Cirkewwa is Malta’s northern gateway toward Comino and Gozo, and the departure area can feel less obvious than a city-center meeting point. Plan to meet beside the kiosk, not somewhere vaguely near the port.

The trip can finish where it starts, making it a round trip from Cirkewwa. You can also arrange a drop-off on Gozo or Malta Island, depending on your plan. That flexibility is valuable if you are combining the boat trip with a stay on Gozo, though you should settle the exact pickup and drop-off point before departure.

The company can help arrange transport, and the experience includes marina costs. If you are coming from a cruise port or hotel, confirm the transport details in advance rather than assuming the boat operator is providing a full island transfer.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and best seen from the water

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its water is shallow-looking, intensely clear, and framed by white sand on both sides. The color changes with depth and sunlight, so this is the place to keep your phone ready, though protect it carefully around the water.

You usually get time to swim and snorkel here. The captain can anchor in a particularly blue section, giving you the classic Malta swim without the need to climb ashore.

The benefit is simple: you can step off the boat into clean, open water. For families, that can be easier than dealing with a crowded beach. Parents can also decide how long the group wants to stay in the water instead of following a fixed shore schedule.

The limitation is that the Blue Lagoon may be the busiest part of the route. If you want peace and quiet, ask the skipper to balance this stop with Santa Marija Bay, the Crystal Lagoon, or less crowded coves. A good captain will help you choose based on your interests and the sea conditions.

Santa Marija Bay and the caves of Comino

Santa Marija Bay lies on the quieter northern side of Comino. Its horseshoe-shaped beach has pale sand, tamarisk trees, and a more relaxed feel than the Blue Lagoon area.

The nearby Little Santa Marija is especially useful for snorkeling. The seabed supports marine life, including parrotfish, so this is a good place to ask for a slow, unhurried swim. The main beach also suits families who want sand, shallow play, or room for beach games.

From the boat, you can explore the Santa Marija caves and nearby coves. These are not grand museum-style sights. Their appeal is the combination of rock, changing light, and clear water. Your skipper’s boat handling makes a real difference here, since the best view may be from a narrow approach rather than from far offshore.

You may also see Comino’s small police station and the medieval chapel farther inland. The chapel has an unusual, almost film-set look against the dry island scenery. This stop works well for a group that wants more than swimming but does not want to spend the whole outing on land.

Cominotto Beach has a real sense of adventure

Cominotto Beach sits near the Blue Lagoon and can be reached by private boat. The bay is known for bright water, rock formations, and a swim-through cave said to run roughly 50 meters to the other side of the island.

This is one of the more memorable parts of the route for active groups. You can anchor nearby, swim, and look for the cave entrance. The skipper can advise you on the conditions and the safest way to approach it.

The area has also appeared in films, including Troy and Swept Away. That is a fun detail, but the movie connection should be a bonus rather than the main reason to come. The real attraction is being on the water beside the rock and seeing how the coast has been shaped by the sea.

At the nearby reef, keep an eye out for marine life such as groupers and octopus. Sightings are never guaranteed, and visibility depends on weather, season, and water conditions.

Crystal Lagoon is the strongest snorkeling stop

Crystal Lagoon is a fine counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon. It has turquoise water, caves along the coast, and small sandy pockets tucked inside some rock openings.

The boat is designed to enter certain caves, allowing you to see the coast from close range. This is where the private format earns its keep. You can ask for a snorkeling stop, explore the water from the boat, or spend a little longer looking into the caves.

Masks and snorkels are included, which saves you from packing or renting basic equipment. You should still bring your own towel and any preferred swim gear. One useful onboard detail is the cooler, which you can use for drinks and snacks. Water is not included, so buy bottled water before boarding.

Crystal Lagoon has also appeared in several films, including The Count of Monte Cristo and Popeye. The skipper may share movie facts along with stories about Malta, Gozo, Comino, and the defensive structures around the islands.

If snorkeling is your priority, tell the captain at the start. The three-hour schedule is flexible, but it is not long enough to linger at every location.

Saint Mary’s Tower adds a dose of Malta’s past

As the boat passes the cliffs, Saint Mary’s Tower is easy to spot above the lagoon. Built in the 17th century, it formed part of a defensive chain used to watch for invaders, pirates, and smugglers.

From the water, the tower is mainly a scenic landmark. You are not booking a land visit or an interior tour, so keep your expectations in the right place. Its value lies in the setting and the explanation from your skipper.

Film fans may recognize the tower from The Count of Monte Cristo, where it represented the Mediterranean prison Château d’If. This is a small but enjoyable link between Malta’s military past and its long career as a film location.

Gozo’s south coast brings a different view

The Gozo portion of the cruise shifts the mood. Instead of focusing only on famous swimming spots, the boat follows the island’s southern coast and passes Halfa Rock, a small rocky island with steep sides and a secluded bay reachable only by boat.

You can also see salt pans, where salt has been gathered in traditional ways for generations. From the sea, the coast feels more open and less built up than the lagoon areas.

The secluded bay near Halfa Rock is associated with octopus and sargo bream. Again, marine life depends on conditions, but the location is worth seeing even without a sighting. The skipper can point out places that make little sense from a road but become clear from the water.

The route may also pass Cominotto Reef, marked by a cardinal navigation buoy. Along the way, you see natural sea caves and the rough edge of the coast. This portion is especially good for you if sightseeing matters as much as swimming.

Hondoq Bay and the Bemberin Gorge

Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay lies in southern Gozo. Its water is clear and blue, but the more unusual feature is nearby Bemberin Gorge, a narrow inlet accessible by boat.

The gorge contains caves and air pockets, with clear water inside and several places used for cliff jumping. Do not treat the cliff-jumping mention as a promise of an activity. Ask the skipper about current conditions, depth, and safety before considering any jump.

For most people, the better plan is to view the gorge from the boat or swim only where the captain recommends. This is a short stop on the stated route, so it works as a scenic addition rather than a full beach visit.

Mġarr Harbour and Qala complete the Gozo loop

Mġarr Harbour is Gozo’s main sea entrance, and it is pleasant to see from the water. Fishing boats, yachts, and working jetties give the harbor a lived-in character.

Fort Chambray overlooks the harbor, while a small Gothic chapel dedicated to Lourdes sits nearby. A statue is set into the cliff below it. These sights are easy to appreciate from a boat because the harbor gives you a broad view in a short time.

The route can continue past Qala on Gozo’s southeastern side. This coast includes caves, pebbly beaches, and a fortification near the island’s eastern point. You will not get a full visit to Qala in five minutes, but the boat view gives you a useful sense of the coast before returning toward Malta.

Three hours requires smart choices

The listed route includes many points around Comino and Gozo, but the whole experience lasts about three hours. That means the stop times are short and the route is a framework, not a promise that you will spend equal time everywhere.

You cannot properly swim, snorkel, inspect every cave, and study every Gozo landmark in three hours. The good news is that the private format lets you choose. A family may want Blue Lagoon, one calm snorkeling area, and a few caves. A couple may prefer scenic cruising and photographs. A group that does not swim can ask for more coastal sightseeing, as one skipper did by spending extra time around Comino and Gozo.

Tell the captain your priorities before the boat leaves. Skippers such as Jimmy, Ginger, Mahmoud, Upie, Pedro, Chris, Noel, Casper, and Men have been praised for adjusting the pace and route. The strongest reports also point to captains helping nervous swimmers, taking photos, explaining landmarks, and handling choppy water carefully.

If you love the water, I would consider booking a longer outing if that option is available. Several hours can disappear quickly once you add changing clothes, swimming, photographs, and movement between coves.

What to bring, and what you pay

The advertised cost is $337.55 per group of up to six. At full capacity, that works out to about $56 per person before the fuel charge. For two people, the same boat becomes much more expensive per person, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than a seat on a shared cruise.

There is also a one-time €79 fuel cost paid to the skipper after the tour. This is the most important pricing detail, so include it in your budget. Marina costs, anchoring fees for the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve, and mask-and-snorkel equipment are included.

Bring:

• Water and other drinks
• Snacks or a packed lunch
• Towels
• Sunglasses
• Sun protection
• A waterproof phone case
• Cash for the fuel payment

The boat has a cooler, and some boats have had floats, noodles, Bluetooth music, towels on the seats, and a portable phone charger. These extras may vary by boat and captain, so do not book on the assumption that every item is guaranteed.

Who will get the most from this charter

I think this trip suits families, couples, and small groups who value privacy more than a fixed sightseeing script. Families can avoid crowded beaches, choose calm swimming spots, and keep the day at their own pace.

It also works well for confident swimmers and snorkelers who want several water stops. The included equipment helps, but you should be comfortable following instructions in open water.

Groups with a non-swimmer can still enjoy the outing. One captain helped a hesitant passenger get into the water safely, but you should tell the operator about any concerns before departure. The boat is private, so your group does not need to match the pace or interests of strangers.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed land tour of Gozo, a long beach stay, or a guaranteed quiet Blue Lagoon. It is also not ideal if you dislike boats, choppy conditions, or paying an extra fuel charge after booking.

Confirmation arrives at booking, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Should you book the Malta private charter?

I would book this tour if your main goal is to swim, snorkel, see caves, and enjoy Comino and Gozo from the water without joining a crowded boat. The private setup is the real value, especially for a group of four to six people.

I would think twice if your budget is tight, you are traveling as only one or two people, or you want enough time to explore every listed stop. In that case, the fuel charge and short duration may make the price harder to justify.

For the best experience, arrive with drinks and snacks, tell the skipper exactly what you want, and accept that the captain may change the route for wind and waves. If you do that, this is a flexible way to see Malta’s most famous water without being locked into someone else’s schedule.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

The usual meeting point is beside the cafe and kiosk at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. It is the only kiosk or cafe in that immediate area.

Can I be picked up somewhere other than Cirkewwa?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina, depending on your preference and the agreed plan.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts approximately three hours. Because the route includes many coastal sights, the captain may adjust the timing and stops to suit your group.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one private boat for up to six people. Only your own group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included, and snorkeling stops may take place at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija, or another suitable location.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

No. There is a one-time extra fuel charge of €79, paid to the skipper after the tour. Marina fees and anchoring fees in the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve are included.

Can the trip end on Gozo instead of returning to Malta?

Yes. The boat can return to the starting point, or you can arrange a drop-off on Gozo or Malta Island.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.