Private boat Charters around Malta, Gozo & Comino

The best part of this charter is the freedom to shape your day around the water. Instead of sharing a rigid route with a large crowd, you have the MV INGE III to yourselves, with Joseph or another crew member steering you toward swimming coves, sea caves, and the clearest conditions around Comino and Gozo.

I like the classic 43-foot motor cruiser, built in Venice with a mahogany interior and teak decks. I also like the useful extras: free masks and snorkels, kayaks, a SUP, paddle board, swimming aids, bottled water, and a large cooler with ice. The main consideration is timing. A short booking is listed as two to four hours, while the full route and two-hour island sections suggest you should confirm exactly how much time you are reserving.

This is a private charter from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. You can bring your own food and drinks, choose a morning or afternoon start, or book a sunset outing from 5 to 9pm. The price is $1,137.10 per group of up to 15, so it makes the most sense when split among family or friends.

Key points about the MV INGE III cruise

• A private boat for your group: You do not share the charter with unrelated passengers.
• Comino’s best-known water stops: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay.
• A traditional Venetian-built cruiser: The MV INGE III has teak decking, a mahogany interior, shaded seating, a sundeck, and a bathing platform.
• Water equipment included: Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, kayak, SUP, and paddle board are provided at no extra charge.
• Flexible food arrangements: Lunch is not included, but you are welcome to bring your own meal, snacks, and drinks.
• A useful choice for changing schedules: The crew has worked with cruise ship passengers when docking times changed, but you should still allow plenty of margin.

A private boat rather than a packed excursion

The biggest practical difference here is privacy. You book the boat for your own party, rather than buying individual seats on a shared sightseeing cruise. That gives you more room, a calmer atmosphere, and a better chance to decide how long you want to swim at each stop.

The vessel is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, but the advertised booking price covers up to 15, and the operating information also refers to groups of 20 or 25. These figures do not line up perfectly, so ask Seabreeze Cruises for the correct capacity and price if your group is larger than 15.

The MV INGE III is not a small open speedboat. At 43 feet, or 13 meters, it has indoor accommodation, two restrooms, a fresh-water shower, a shaded area, sun deck, and bathing platform. That makes a real difference if you are out in strong sun or if several people want to move around at once.

The boat’s old-style wood finish gives it more character than a basic transfer vessel. You get teak underfoot and rustic mahogany inside, along with Bluetooth, AUX, and USB music connections. I would still keep the music at a reasonable level. The caves, cliffs, and open water are part of the point.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and sea caves

Comino is the heart of the usual route. The island is especially suited to a boat charter because much of the best access is from the water. The cruise can circle the island and stop at several bays, giving you more than one chance to swim and snorkel.

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop. Its clear water and dramatic setting are the reason many people put Comino high on a Malta itinerary. It can also be the busiest part of the day, so a private boat gives you a useful advantage: you can ask to spend less time there if conditions or crowds do not suit you, then move toward another cove.

Crystal Lagoon offers a different feel. It is known for clear water and a more enclosed setting, with cliffs and rock formations around the swimming area. This is a good place to use the masks and snorkels, though visibility and swimming conditions always depend on the day.

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay add variety. They are good choices when you want a quieter swim or a change from the main lagoon areas. The captain can also point out Comino’s caves and landmarks, including Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.

The route is not just a series of swimming stops. You get views of the island from the water, where the rock formations make more sense than they do from a road. The boat can show you corners that are difficult or impossible to reach on foot.

There is one thing to keep in mind: the most famous water spots can be busy during the main summer season. A private charter does not make Blue Lagoon empty. Its value is flexibility, space on your own boat, and the ability to discuss the next stop with the skipper.

Gozo’s coves and boat-only access

A Gozo cruise focuses on the island’s coastal side rather than a land tour of villages and monuments. The boat heads toward swimming and snorkeling areas, including places that can only be reached by sea.

That matters because a normal road itinerary shows you Gozo’s inland sights, while this outing gives you a look at the island’s edges. You can spend time in a cove, swim from the bathing platform, or use the kayak and paddle boards when conditions allow.

The captain’s local suggestions can help here. Joseph is praised for choosing attractive swimming areas and for giving a useful restaurant recommendation on Gozo. If you plan to eat ashore, ask about the timing and location before you leave the boat, since lunch itself is not included.

A Gozo cruise works best for people who care more about coastal scenery and water time than checking off a long list of land attractions. You will not have hours to visit every major sight on Gozo during a short boat charter. If your priority is swimming, caves, coves, and photographs from the sea, the route is a strong fit.

What the boat provides during the day

The included equipment makes this more than a ride with a view. You can borrow masks and snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, a SUP, and a paddle board. That saves you from renting gear separately and lets different people choose different activities.

Some in your group may want to snorkel, while others prefer to sit in the shade or stretch out on the sun deck. The layout supports both. A bathing platform makes getting into the water simpler, and the fresh-water shower is useful after a swim.

Bottled water, a large cooler, and ice are included. You are allowed to bring your own drinks, snacks, or a full meal. Since lunch is not part of the charter, plan this before departure. A private boat is more pleasant when you are not trying to solve everyone’s food needs halfway through the trip.

The two restrooms are another practical advantage, especially for a larger party or a sunset cruise lasting several hours. The boat also has indoor space, which gives you somewhere to sit when the sun becomes too strong.

You should treat the water equipment as weather dependent. The supplied information confirms that the gear is available, but it does not promise that every activity will operate in every sea condition. The crew will have the final say on safe use.

Morning, afternoon, or sunset timing

Morning and afternoon departures normally begin at 9 or 10am, according to the operating information. A morning departure gives you the full middle of the day for swimming and makes sense if Comino is your main goal.

An afternoon departure can work well if you want a slower start or are combining the charter with another Malta plan. Just confirm the exact end time, especially if you are catching a ferry, returning to a cruise ship, or arranging transport.

The sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9pm. This is a different experience from the daytime route. You may have less time for swimming, but the changing light gives the coast a softer appearance, and the boat’s shaded seating, music system, and cooler suit an evening outing.

Timing deserves special attention if you arrive on Malta by cruise ship. The operator has adjusted departure plans when ship docking times changed and the available day became shorter. That flexibility is useful, but it is not a reason to cut things close. Tell the company your ship schedule before booking and allow time for disembarkation, transport, and return to the ship.

The stated duration is approximately two to four hours, while the Comino and Gozo descriptions each refer to two-hour sections. Those details may describe different charter options. Ask these three questions before paying:

• How many hours does the quoted price cover?
• Is the cruise focused on Comino, Gozo, or both?
• Can the departure and return time be adjusted for your schedule?

Is $1,137.10 good value?

The price is high if you are one or two people. At the advertised rate, a group of 15 pays roughly $76 per person before any extra personal costs. A smaller group pays more per person, but you are also paying for exclusive use of a 43-foot boat, skipper, crew, fuel, equipment, water, and ice.

That is a different calculation from comparing this with a cheap shared boat trip. A shared excursion may cost less, but it will not give your group the same control over swimming stops or onboard space. If you are marking a birthday, family occasion, boat party, or private dinner, the charter’s price may be reasonable when divided across the group.

Fuel and the skipper are included, which helps avoid the unpleasant surprise of adding those costs later. Lunch is the main extra to plan for. Bring it with you, or ask for a restaurant suggestion on Gozo if the schedule allows time ashore.

I would not book this for a solo visitor or a couple unless privacy is the main goal and the budget is comfortable. For a family, group of friends, or special occasion, the numbers look better. The more people you bring, the more the private format earns its keep.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend the boat to you if swimming is a central part of your Malta holiday. The route gives you repeated access to the water, and the included equipment means you can try snorkeling, kayaking, or paddle boarding without arranging separate rentals.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups. People who want to swim can use the platform, while others can stay shaded or indoors. The restrooms, shower, cooler, and roomy layout make a long outing easier than it would be on a very small vessel.

The charter is a good match for anyone who wants photographs. The polished wood, teak decks, bays, cliffs, caves, and landmark views give you plenty to capture. The boat itself is more distinctive than a standard ferry or transport boat.

You may want a different plan if your main goal is visiting Gozo’s inland towns, museums, churches, or archaeological sites. This is a coastal outing, not a land sightseeing tour. It also may not suit you if you need a fixed, tightly timed route, since the weather and sea conditions can affect the plan.

Service animals are allowed, the meeting points are near public transportation, and most people can participate. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, though bookings made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible and depend on availability.

Should you book the Seabreeze Cruises charter?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat and want a private day built around swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views. Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, bays, caves, and landmarks give the trip plenty of variety, while the Gozo option adds coves that are only reachable by boat.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the experienced skipper, flexible stop planning, useful water gear, and the comfort of the MV INGE III. The most important step is confirming the exact duration, route, group capacity, and departure point before booking, since the advertised details cover several different charter formats.

For a group holiday, special occasion, or cruise ship day with limited time, this can be a very good use of your Malta budget. For a small party seeking the cheapest possible way to see the islands, a shared cruise will likely cost less.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter depart?

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience is listed as approximately two to four hours. Morning and afternoon cruises normally start at 9am or 10am, while the sunset cruise runs from 5pm to 9pm. Confirm the exact duration when booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people can join?

The advertised price is for a group of up to 15 people. The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 people, while the operating information also refers to groups of 20 or 25. Ask Seabreeze Cruises about the correct capacity and price for groups larger than 15.

Is food included?

Lunch is not included. You may bring your own food, snacks, and drinks onboard. Bottled water, a large cooler, and ice are complimentary.

What equipment is included?

Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, and paddle board are included. The boat also provides fuel, skipper and crew, music connections, shaded seating, a sundeck, bathing platform, two restrooms, indoor accommodation, and a fresh-water shower.