Mgarr/Cirkewwa: Comino, Gozo & Blue Lagoon Private Boat Trip

Comino’s best moments often happen away from the packed Blue Lagoon shore. This private trip takes you by boat to sea caves, clear lagoons, and quiet swimming spots, with a skipper who can shape the route around sea conditions and your group.

I like the freedom to choose how long you stay in each place, and I like the small private setting for families or couples. Skippers Joe and Mario are praised for taking photos, handling rougher water carefully, and adjusting times when conditions or illness affected a booking. The main drawback is price: the advertised rate covers the boat for up to six, but the skipper and fuel are listed separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Crystal Lagoon snorkeling: Clear water, supplied mask and snorkel, and a good chance to see fish close to the rocky shore.
• Private boat for up to six: You share the vessel only with your own group, not a large mixed crowd.
• Flexible route: The skipper can change stops, timing, and landing points when wind, tides, or sea conditions require it.
• Comino’s sea caves: The boat lets you see shorelines and cave openings that are awkward to reach from land.
• Two departure points: Meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Malta.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, though an ice cooler is provided.

A private way to see Comino’s coast

Comino is small, but its coast is full of folds, caves, shelves of pale rock, and bright blue water. On foot, you can reach several famous places, but a boat gives you a better view of the island’s edge and lets you stop directly beside the water.

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you simply sit and point your camera. You can swim, snorkel, listen to your own music, take photos, and spend longer at a favorite stop. For a three to four hour outing, that control matters. You are not tied to a fixed group schedule or waiting for dozens of people to climb aboard.

The boat has shaded seating, a sun deck, safety gear, an ice cooler, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. These are modest details, but they make a difference in the Mediterranean sun. You can get out of the heat, keep drinks cool, and play a soundtrack your group actually likes.

The boat is described as comfortable and well equipped, though the supplied information does not give its exact size or layout. If you need a particular type of vessel, ask before booking.

Choosing Mgarr or Cirkewwa as your starting point

You can board from either side of the Gozo Channel crossing.

At Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. This is the practical choice if you are already staying on Gozo or arriving there before the trip.

At Cirkewwa in Malta, meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. This works well if you are based on Malta and are already heading toward the ferry terminal. The boat charter does not remove the need to plan your journey to the meeting point, so allow extra time for traffic and ferry-area delays.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer is important because a late arrival will not extend the charter. Pickup is included from the stated marina meeting points, but the information does not promise hotel pickup across Malta or Gozo.

What the three to four hours feel like

The trip begins with a safety briefing and a welcome from the skipper. English and Maltese are available, and the private format means you can speak directly with the skipper about swimming, photos, music, or the pace of the outing.

As you leave the marina, the main pleasure is the changing view of Comino and the water around it. The coast looks different from sea level than it does from a walking path. Rock walls rise directly from the water, and small openings in the coast appear as you pass them.

The exact order of stops is not fixed. That is a strength, not a missing detail. Wind and sea conditions matter around Comino, and the skipper has the right to change the route or departure point for safety. You may also have a selected time adjusted to suit conditions.

That flexibility worked especially well for one couple who had a windy day. Their skipper, Mario, contacted them the night before and moved the departure time. Another group found that Joe still reached the advertised areas despite rough water, while keeping the route safe.

You should see the itinerary as a set of possible coastal experiences rather than a guaranteed checklist in a fixed order. Weather, tides, and water conditions can change what is practical on the day.

Crystal Lagoon: the best stop for snorkeling

Crystal Lagoon is one of the trip’s strongest reasons to book. The water is known for clear visibility, and the setting gives you the chance to watch fish and underwater rock formations while floating close to the boat.

Mask and snorkel equipment are included. That saves you from packing a full kit, though you should still bring your own equipment if you care about a particular fit. You will need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.

The lagoon is also a good place for less confident swimmers because you can choose whether to snorkel, swim, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the view. The skipper remains responsible for safety, but you should be comfortable making your own decisions in the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

Do not expect a pool-like setting. The natural shoreline is rocky, and the sea may be unsettled on a windy day. Crystal Lagoon can be a highlight, but the skipper may change the stop or limit time there when conditions are not suitable.

Sea caves and Comino’s rocky shoreline

The caves are best appreciated from the boat. Their entrances, shadows, and pale rock walls create a different kind of sightseeing from the open lagoon stops. You can take photographs from the deck and, when conditions allow, pause near the openings.

The advantage here is access. A private boat can reach coastal sections that are less convenient to approach on foot. You do not need to spend the limited tour time hiking between scattered viewpoints, and you can see several parts of the shore in one outing.

The drawback is that a cave visit is not always a shore visit. The information promises access to sea caves and secluded shorelines, but it does not promise that you will disembark at every location. Ask the skipper what is safe and practical on the day.

The boat is also a useful viewing platform for anyone who prefers not to snorkel. You can stay under the shade canopy, use the Bluetooth speaker, and watch the coast pass by while others swim.

Santa Maria Beach and quieter swimming stops

Santa Maria Beach is another named stop associated with the Comino route. It offers a change from the cave scenery, with time for a swim and a look at one of the island’s more open coastal areas.

A private charter gives you a better chance of enjoying a stop at your own pace than a large shared excursion. You can ask to stay longer in a place your group likes, provided the route and sea conditions allow it.

Still, do not confuse private with deserted. Comino is a popular destination, especially in summer, and the boat cannot control how many other people are in the area. The private part means your boat and schedule are reserved for your group. It does not guarantee an empty beach or lagoon.

The best strategy is to treat the boat as your quiet base. Swim when a cove feels inviting, return to the shaded seating when you want a break, and let the skipper adjust the route when one area is too crowded or exposed.

History and scenery without a long land walk

The trip includes Comino’s historical heritage, but the supplied information does not specify a detailed walking tour, named monuments, or a set commentary route. You should expect the skipper to provide local information in English or Maltese while showing you the island from the water.

That is useful if you want context without spending the entire outing on land. It is less suitable if your main goal is a formal history tour with extended visits to buildings or archaeological sites.

The boat format gives you a broad view of Comino’s coast in a short period. You see how caves, beaches, and rocky shelves fit together, rather than focusing on just one beach. For first-time visitors, that wider view helps you decide where you might want to return later.

Captain Joe, Mario, and the human side of the trip

The skipper can make or break a small boat outing. Here, Joe and Mario are the names to know. Joe is praised for showing couples beautiful spots, taking photos and videos, and allowing them to play music while they snorkeled and relaxed. Mario is praised for clear guidance, a friendly manner, photography, and adjusting the departure time in windy conditions.

Those details matter because a private boat puts you in close contact with the skipper. You want someone who notices weather changes, listens to your group, and keeps the day moving without turning it into a rigid race between stops.

The available comments also describe help with a family booking when one child became ill. That suggests some booking flexibility, but do not assume every change is automatic. Contact the provider as soon as a problem arises.

The published language options are English and Maltese. The named feedback includes comments in French and Ukrainian, but that does not establish that the skipper provides a full tour in those languages.

What is included, and what you still need to pay

The listed price is $116 per private group of up to six, not per person. That can be good value for six people, especially compared with six individual seats on a popular boat trip. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, though one couple still considered the private experience worthwhile.

You should read the price carefully. Professional skipper service is listed separately at €99, and fuel consumption is also listed separately at €99. Since the base price is shown in dollars while these additions are shown in euros, confirm the final amount and currency before paying.

Included features are:

• Private boat
• Shaded seating and a sun deck
• Safety equipment
• Marina and port fees
• Lagoon access permits
• Ice cooler
• Bluetooth speaker
• WiFi
• Mask and snorkel
• Taxes

Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are not included. Bring snacks and drinks if you want them. An ice cooler is provided, but the information does not say that it is stocked.

For the best value, fill the boat with your group. Six friends or a family sharing the charter will get a much better per-person rate than a couple. A couple may still choose it for privacy and control, but should compare the total cost with a shared cruise.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this outing if you want swimming time rather than a simple coastal ride. It suits couples looking for a quieter day, families wanting their own space, and small groups that want to choose their music and stops.

It is also a good fit if you want to combine several types of scenery in one short outing: caves, lagoons, beaches, and open water. The private format is especially useful when some people want to snorkel and others prefer to stay dry.

You may want another type of tour if you need a guaranteed fixed route, a long guided history program, or an all-inclusive meal and drink service. The skipper controls the final itinerary for safety, and food is your responsibility.

People who are sensitive to rough water should pay close attention to the forecast and stay in contact with the provider. One outing took place in very windy conditions, and the skipper adjusted the time and route. That is reassuring from a safety standpoint, but it also shows that the sea can affect the character of the trip.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

Plan on three to four hours, with departure times available according to the booking calendar. Arrive 30 minutes early at the correct marina. Late arrival will not add time to the charter.

Pack light, but bring the essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Cash
• Snacks and drinks
• A phone or camera in a waterproof case

Cash is specifically recommended, though the supplied information does not say what it is needed for. Having some is sensible for a day around the marina.

The skipper may cancel, postpone, or change the trip because of weather and sea conditions. Routes, stops, and disembarkation points can also change because of tides or other legitimate operating reasons. This is standard for a small boat trip, but it is worth understanding before you book: the safe version of the outing may not match the perfect-weather plan.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule is still moving.

Should you book the Comino private boat trip?

Book it if you value privacy, swimming time, and flexibility more than a low base price. The boat gives you access to caves and coastal spots without the feel of a large group excursion, and the shaded seating, music system, cooler, and snorkeling gear make the day easy to manage.

For six people, the price can work well. For two, it is a more deliberate splurge, made worthwhile by the private setting and the chance to linger at the places you like. Before confirming, ask for the full cost including the €99 skipper charge and €99 fuel charge, then check the weather and meeting point.

If Joe or Mario is assigned to your trip, you can expect a personal outing with help on timing, photos, and route choices. Just keep your plans flexible. Comino is at its best when the sea cooperates, and this charter wisely gives the skipper room to adapt.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

You can meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal, or at Cirkewwa in Malta, near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long is the boat trip?

The advertised duration is three to four hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The booking is for a private group, with rates charged per boat rather than per passenger.

How many people can join?

The listed price covers one group of up to six people.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. Professional skipper service is listed separately at €99, and fuel consumption is also listed separately at €99. Confirm the final price before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own snacks and beverages, and an ice cooler is provided.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The skipper can modify the route, stops, departure or disembarkation points, and timing because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons.

What languages are available?

The listed live tour languages are English and Maltese.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The skipper has the authority to cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather and sea conditions. Contact the provider if you need clarification about your specific departure.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Late arrival will not extend the charter.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.