Malta: The Three Islands Private Boat Tour

The best part of this boat trip is control. You get a private boat for up to 10 people, then work with Captain Carlos to decide when to cruise, when to stop, and when to stay longer in the water. The route covers Malta, Comino, and Gozo, with famous lagoons and quieter bays along the way.

I like the small private group, which makes this far more personal than a packed sightseeing boat. I also like the useful onboard basics, including a canopy, sound system, snorkeling equipment, water, light snacks, and a cooler with ice. The main thing to consider is time: four hours passes quickly when the route includes so many coastlines and swimming spots.

Carlos is often praised for being calm, polite, flexible, and good with mixed-age groups and different levels of water confidence. Sea conditions can affect the plan, so keep some flexibility in your day, and confirm exactly what any all-inclusive option or extra service includes before paying for it.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You share the boat only with your own family or friends, along with the captain.
• A flexible four-hour route: Stops can be shaped around your group, the weather, and how long you want to swim.
• Three-island views: The cruise links Malta, Comino, and Gozo in one outing.
• Swimming and snorkeling equipment: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Paradise Bay, and other coves provide the main water stops.
• Shade and simple refreshments: A canopy, cooler with ice, water, and light snacks make the boat comfortable between swims.
• Beachaven Lido is both start and finish: You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point unless a separate transport service is confirmed.

A private way to see three Maltese islands

Malta’s best coastal views are often easiest to reach from the water. From a boat, you see limestone cliffs, small inlets, open sea, and the changing color of the water without spending the day moving between crowded roads and parking areas.

This charter gives you four hours on that water. The boat carries up to 10 passengers, so it works especially well for a family group, a few couples, or friends who want their own space. You are not fitting into a fixed group with a stranger’s timetable. Your captain can adjust the pace and respond to what your group actually wants.

That matters most when people have different ideas about a good boat day. One person may want a long swim. Someone else may prefer a quick look at a bay before moving on. Carlos has been praised for adjusting the trip for mixed ages and different levels of confidence in the water, which is a real benefit for groups that do not all swim at the same speed.

The boat also has shade, a sound system, and snorkeling equipment. Those details sound modest, but they shape the day. A canopy gives you a break from the strong Mediterranean sun, while the sound system lets your group set the mood. The snorkeling gear means you do not need to pack equipment for every member of your party, though you may still want to confirm what sizes are available if that matters to you.

Leaving Beachaven Lido for the coast

The meeting point is Beachaven Lido, and the tour returns there at the end. That simple out-and-back plan is useful because you do not need to arrange a second pickup at another harbor.

Some groups arrived early and were able to leave ahead of schedule, but you should not count on that. Your departure depends on the captain, the boat, and sea conditions. Arrive ready to board, with your swimwear and anything you want close at hand.

The listed route includes St. Paul’s Bay, Sharks Bay, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo Harbour, and a return past St. Paul’s Island. The exact order can change, and not every stop will necessarily receive the same amount of time. That is part of the value of a private charter, but it also means you should tell Carlos early what matters most to you.

If swimming is your priority, say so. If you want more time for coastal views and photographs, say that instead. A four-hour boat trip is not long enough for every stop to become a full visit.

St. Paul’s Bay and St. Paul’s Island

The cruise takes in St. Paul’s Bay and finishes with a return toward St. Paul’s Island. These sections give you a broader sense of Malta’s northern coast before and after the more famous Comino stops.

From the boat, you can focus on the shape of the shoreline rather than trying to find a viewpoint on land. The pace also gives you a chance to settle into the outing before the main swim stops.

St. Paul’s Bay is listed as a boat-cruise stop rather than a long shore visit. Think of it as part of the coastal route, not a separate walking tour. If your group wants plenty of time in the water, this is one of the places where the captain may keep the visit moving.

Paradise Bay and the northern Malta coast

Paradise Bay is one of the route’s more attractive names, and the boat lets you enjoy it without treating the whole day as a beach outing. You can view the bay from the water and ask for a swimming stop if conditions and timing allow.

Nearby Armier Bay is also included in the wider route description. These northern Malta stops help break up the run toward Comino and Gozo. They are useful for groups that want variety rather than four hours in one lagoon.

The practical point is to keep expectations clear. A private charter offers access and flexibility, not unlimited time. If one bay immediately feels right for your group, ask Carlos about staying longer. If it is busy or the sea is uncomfortable, moving on may be the better choice.

Crystal Lagoon, where swimming becomes the main event

Crystal Lagoon is one of the key reasons to choose a boat tour. Its clear water and sheltered coastal setting make it a natural place to stop, swim, and use the supplied snorkeling gear.

You are likely to get more from this stop if you treat the boat as your base. You can swim for a while, return to the boat for shade or a snack, then continue when your group is ready. That is much less rigid than a large group excursion where everyone has to climb aboard at one announced time.

Still, your captain makes the final call on safety and timing. Sea conditions can change, and the operator has already shown a willingness to move a departure when the water is rough. That kind of caution is welcome, even if it means your plan changes.

Bring a secure way to protect phones and cameras from spray. The supplied cooler, water, and light snacks cover basic needs, but do not assume a full meal is part of the standard four-hour trip.

Blue Lagoon and Comino

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for many people visiting Comino. Its bright water and famous setting are best appreciated from a boat, especially when you can pause offshore instead of treating the visit as a rushed walk from a landing point.

At the same time, Blue Lagoon is a well-known place. You should expect it to be popular, particularly in good weather. The private boat does not make the lagoon private, but it does give you a more comfortable way to reach it and a quieter base away from the shore.

Comino itself is included in the cruise, along with several coves and coastal views. The main advantage is variety. You can see more than one side of the island in a single outing, then ask to swim at the spot that suits your group best.

I would not plan this tour around a promise of solitude. Choose it for freedom to move, the chance to combine several coastal stops, and the comfort of having your own captain and boat.

Gozo Harbour and Mgarr Harbour

The route continues to Gozo Harbour, also identified as Mgarr Harbour. This gives you a look at Gozo from the water and adds a third island to the day without requiring a separate ferry trip.

The harbor section is primarily a boat cruise, not a land excursion. You should not expect time to walk around Gozo, visit a café, or tour inland unless that has been specifically arranged. Its value is the coastal perspective and the feeling of seeing Malta’s island group as one connected place.

For many groups, this is an efficient way to add Gozo to a short water-based experience. For others, it may feel like too much ground to cover in four hours. If your main goal is swimming, ask how much time the boat will spend near Gozo before departure. If you want island scenery, keep the harbor in the plan.

Captain Carlos and the feel onboard

The captain can make or break a private boat day. Here, Carlos is repeatedly described as organized, prompt, polite, accommodating, and skilled at handling the boat. He has also been praised for matching the outing to the group rather than forcing everyone into one pattern.

That flexibility appears in small decisions: stopping to swim, moving on, responding to requests, and adjusting the pace for people with different water confidence. A captain who listens is especially useful when a group includes children, older adults, strong swimmers, and people who prefer to stay close to the boat.

Music is another small but memorable touch. The boat has a sound system, and Carlos has been praised for creating a pleasant atmosphere with music while still keeping the focus on the coast and water.

The operator, Vanta Boat Charters, has also communicated directly when rough sea required a change to departure timing. Pay attention to those messages. A shifted start is inconvenient, but rough water is a poor setting for a relaxed swim trip.

What is included, and what you may still need

The standard package includes the captain, fuel, water, light snacks, a cooler with ice, and a canopy. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, and the boat has a sound system.

That is a sensible set of inclusions for four hours. You are not paying separately for the captain or fuel, and the cooler gives you a practical place for drinks. You can also bring your own drinks, according to the onboard arrangements described for this experience.

The phrase all inclusive is available as an option, but the exact contents are not specified here. Ask for a written list before booking that upgrade. Lunch, transfers, and other extras should not be treated as included unless they are clearly confirmed.

This is especially important because some booking add-ons may not be fully coordinated. Arrange your own transport to Beachaven Lido, and bring any food or drinks you consider essential unless the operator confirms otherwise.

Is the private price good value?

No price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. The value depends on how many people share the charter and how much you care about privacy and control.

For a full group of 8 to 10, a private boat can make good financial sense compared with buying separate places on multiple excursions. You are also paying for the ability to adjust the route, use the boat as your base during swims, and avoid a large group schedule.

For one or two people, the same charter may be harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal. In that case, compare the total private rate with a shared cruise before booking.

I would measure the price against three things: the size of your group, the flexibility you want, and the value of seeing Malta, Comino, and Gozo in one four-hour outing. Fuel and captain fees are included, which makes the final cost easier to understand. The all-inclusive option needs closer checking.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

This is a strong choice for families and friends who want a private setting and can agree on a rough plan. It is also well suited to groups with different swimming abilities because the route can be adjusted and the boat provides shade between stops.

You should be comfortable on the sea. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, babies under one year, or people over 95 years old. Those restrictions are worth taking seriously because the outing involves several hours on a moving boat, with swimming stops rather than a land-based schedule.

The tour is less suitable if you want a full day in Gozo, a guided history tour, or guaranteed solitude at Blue Lagoon. It is a compact coastal cruise with swimming, scenery, and personal control.

The four-hour length works well as part of a larger Malta holiday. You still have much of the day for another plan, but you need to resist trying to turn every stop into a major visit.

What to bring and how to make the most of it

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sun protection. The canopy helps, but it does not replace sensible protection during the open-water sections.

Pack a towel, a dry change of clothes, and a waterproof case for valuables. Water and light snacks are included, but bring extra food or drinks if your group needs more than a light refreshment.

Tell the captain your priorities at the start. A useful plan might be two main swimming stops, several scenic passes, and a shorter look at Gozo Harbour. If you want to visit every named location, understand that each stop may be brief.

Keep your schedule flexible around the weather. The captain may suggest a later departure or adjust the route if the sea is rough. That is part of responsible boat handling, not a flaw in the experience.

Should you book the Three Islands Private Boat Tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to 10, value privacy, and want swimming and coastal scenery more than a formal guided tour. Captain Carlos appears to be the right kind of host for this format: attentive, flexible, and comfortable adapting the trip to the people onboard.

I would especially recommend it for families with mixed ages, groups celebrating together, and friends who want music, shade, snacks, and control over the pace. The strongest reason to choose it is not one single lagoon. It is the chance to shape a Malta, Comino, and Gozo cruise around your own group.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, need a full meal or hotel transfer included, or want a long visit on land in Gozo. Before paying for extras, confirm exactly what they cover. If the private rate fits your group size, this is a practical and enjoyable way to turn four hours into a focused coastal day.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Beachaven Lido, and the boat returns to the same meeting point at the end.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 10 passengers, along with the captain.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route covers Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Stops and cruise areas include St. Paul’s Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Paradise Bay, Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Mgarr Harbour.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for use during the water stops.

Are food and drinks included?

Water and light snacks are included, along with a cooler containing ice. You can bring your own drinks. An all-inclusive option is available, but you should confirm its exact contents before booking.

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.