REVIEW · SAILING

Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino – Full Day

5.0 · 12 reviews 8 hours (approx.) Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best reason to book this charter is simple: you control the day. Captain Wayne and Sheldon can take your group to Comino’s famous lagoons, quieter coves, caves, and Gozo swimming spots, then let you stay where the water looks best.

I like the private format, especially for a group of family or friends, and I like the practical setup: water sports gear, shade, fridges, and cutlery are available. The catch is the price, $1,505.14 per group of up to eight, so it makes far better value for a full group than for two or three people.

Key points at a glance

Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino - Full Day - Key points at a glance

  • Three hours around Comino: The Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay may all feature, depending on sea and weather conditions.
  • A boat built for a full day: You get shaded areas, places to lounge in the sun, fridges, and cutlery for food and drinks.
  • Captain-led flexibility: Wayne and Sheldon can adjust the route, slow down for swimming, or seek calmer water if motion sickness is a concern.
  • Caves and quiet coves: The charter can reach places that are awkward to visit on a crowded group boat, including caves around Comino.
  • Lunch is your choice: Stop at a restaurant in Gozo, or bring your own food at your own expense.
  • Up to eight people privately: Only your group takes part, which makes the price easier to justify for a family or close-knit group.

Why a private yacht makes sense in Malta

Malta’s best coastal moments happen from the water. From shore, you can see the color of a lagoon, but you cannot always reach a cave, pause beside a quiet inlet, or move on when a popular bay fills with boats.

This charter gives you about eight hours to make the day your own. You are not tied to a fixed sightseeing pace. If your group wants to swim for an hour, you can. If the Blue Lagoon feels too crowded, you can ask to move elsewhere. If someone wants to paddleboard or explore a cave, the crew can shape the schedule around that.

That freedom is the main value here. A standard boat trip may cost less, but it normally carries a larger group and follows a set route. This option is closer to hiring your own floating base for the day. For eight people, the cost works out to roughly $188 per person, before any lunch or other personal spending. For a couple, it is a major splurge.

The crew is another important part of the experience. Wayne and Sheldon are brothers, and their role goes beyond steering the boat. They provide a guided view of the islands, explain bays and land formations, and help tailor the day. They have also been praised for finding calm water for a passenger prone to motion sickness and for helping with simple family needs, including making a sandwich for a hungry child.

Do not expect a formal lecture or a tightly scripted sightseeing cruise. The appeal is a relaxed day with local guidance, swimming, and time on the water.

A few more Malta trips to weigh up

Meeting at Mellieha Bay at 9 a.m.

Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino - Full Day - Meeting at Mellieha Bay at 9 a.m.

The tour begins at Island Life Charters near Mellieha Bay, at the listed location X984+RJF Mellieħa Bay, Mellieħa, Malta. The meeting point is described as easy to find and close to public transportation, which helps if you are not hiring a car.

You start at 9 a.m. and return to the same meeting point. An early start matters in summer. It gives you more time before the strongest afternoon heat and puts you on the water before the day reaches its busiest period.

You should plan for a full day outside. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring sun protection, and carry anything you need for a comfortable day in the sun. The supplied details specify a moderate physical fitness level, so you should be comfortable getting in and out of the water and taking part in basic water activities.

The exact route is not fixed. Sea conditions decide which bays are comfortable and safe, and you can help choose where to spend your time. That is a benefit, but it also means you should not treat every listed stop as a guaranteed, minute-by-minute schedule.

L-Aħrax and the Smugglers Cave photo stop

Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino - Full Day - L-Aħrax and the Smugglers Cave photo stop

The first listed stop is L-Aħrax, where you visit Smugglers Cave. This is a short stop of about 10 minutes, mainly for a photo with the cave behind you.

Do not expect a long exploration here. The value is a quick scenic pause that gets you into the rhythm of the trip. You can take photographs, look back at the shoreline from the boat, and continue without using up valuable swimming time.

For anyone who wants a long cave visit, this stop may feel brief. The more extensive cave time comes later, particularly around Comino, where the boat can reach small coves and cave entrances depending on conditions.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay

Comino is the heart of the day. The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay, with the final selection shaped by weather and sea conditions.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, known for clear water and striking color. It is also the place most likely to feel busy and crowded. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it gives you more control over how you experience it. You can swim, take photographs, and then leave for a quieter spot instead of staying because a large group schedule says you must.

Crystal Lagoon offers another good setting for swimming and snorkeling. The surrounding rock and clear water make it a natural place to spend time in the sea rather than simply admire it from the deck. Depending on the conditions, you may be able to swim near caves or enter them from the water.

Santa Maria Bay gives the crew another option when the better-known lagoons are too crowded or the water is less comfortable. This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private charter. You are not paying only to see one famous location. You are paying for the ability to change plans.

The day may include several hours around these Comino spots. The listed schedule gives three hours for the Blue Lagoon and three hours for Crystal Lagoon, but the route is weather dependent and flexible. Think of those times as an indication of how much of the day can be devoted to Comino, not a promise that you will spend exactly three hours at each place.

The boat has shade and comfortable areas for sitting in the sun. That matters because not everyone in a group wants to swim all day. One person can snorkel while another rests under cover, and children can move between the water and the boat without the entire group needing to follow one plan.

Water sports equipment is provided. Paddleboards are available on request, so ask about them when arranging the trip rather than assuming they will automatically be on deck. The setup also makes it possible to bring your own lunch and drinks, with fridges and cutlery available aboard.

Same islands, a completely different day out:

Finding caves and quieter water around Comino

A private boat can get closer to the smaller coastal features than a large sightseeing vessel. Around Comino, the crew can show you caves that are difficult to reach on a crowded boat tour, and you may have the chance to swim into some of them.

This is where Wayne and Sheldon’s flexibility matters most. They can point out places of interest, give brief background on the bays and land formations, and adjust the route when you want more time in the water.

Snorkeling is a major part of the appeal. The water is clear, and the marine life can include different fish and harmless jellyfish. On one outing, the crew even found two octopuses, allowed the group to see them, and released them. That kind of encounter is never guaranteed, but it shows the sort of unscripted moment that can make a private day memorable.

You should still treat the sea with care. Caves and rocky edges are attractive but can be slippery, and conditions can change. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially when entering or leaving the water.

Lunch in Gozo, from a restaurant or your own cooler

The charter can stop at a restaurant, or you can bring your own lunch. Food is not included, so this is a cost to plan for.

A restaurant stop gives the day a proper break. Past outings have included lunch in Gozo at places such as One80 and Tortuga, but you should confirm the plan when booking rather than assume a specific restaurant is included. The crew can help arrange a lunch stop, but restaurant costs remain your responsibility.

Bringing food aboard gives you more control over timing. The boat has fridges and cutlery, making a picnic with drinks and prepared food practical. This may suit families with children or anyone who would rather spend the full day swimming than sit down for a long meal.

There is no single best choice. A Gozo restaurant adds comfort and a change of scene. Your own lunch can save time and may make the charter feel more relaxed. If you bring wine or other drinks, confirm what you plan to carry and use the boat’s storage sensibly.

Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo’s quiet swimming stop

Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino - Full Day - Mgarr ix-Xini, Gozo’s quiet swimming stop

Mgarr ix-Xini is described as a quiet spot in Gozo with clean, clear water. The listed stop lasts about an hour, giving you time for a swim without the pressure of a quick photo pause.

Compared with the Blue Lagoon, this stop is about calm rather than fame. You may find it a better place to settle into the water, snorkel, or rest aboard the boat. The contrast also helps the day feel varied. You get the famous Comino sights, then a more peaceful Gozo setting.

The route can change with conditions, so the crew may spend more or less time here. That is worth remembering if Mgarr ix-Xini is the place you are most excited to see. On a private charter, you can ask for more time, but the captain still has to work with the sea and the day’s overall route.

Paradise Bay as the final swim

Paradise Bay is usually the last swimming stop before returning to Mellieha Bay. It is known for clear water and snorkeling, and the listed visit lasts about an hour.

Ending with a swim is a smart rhythm for the day. You can have one final look below the surface, dry off on the boat, and then make the return journey without rushing to another sightseeing stop.

The name may set high expectations, but the real appeal is practical: clear water, a chance to snorkel, and a final pause before heading back. If your group is tired after a long day, you can also use this time to relax rather than force another activity.

What the $1,505 group price really buys you

The price is $1,505.14 for up to eight people. That is expensive for two people, but it becomes more reasonable when shared by a full group. At eight people, the cost is about $188 per person for eight hours of private use.

You are paying for more than transport between bays. The price includes a private boat, a captain and crew, water sports gear, flexible routing, and the ability to choose your pace. You also get shade, sun loungers, fridges, and cutlery, which reduce the need to plan every detail yourself.

Lunch, drinks, and personal expenses are extra. Paddleboards are available on request, so clarify that detail before the day. If your group values privacy, swimming time, and control over the route, the charter can be good value. If you mainly want to see the Blue Lagoon from the water and take a few photos, a cheaper shared cruise may serve you just as well.

The price also makes group composition important. Eight friends or family members who want the same kind of day can make excellent use of the boat. A mixed group where some people dislike swimming may find the private format helpful, since those who want to relax can stay aboard while others use the water gear.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would choose this experience for a group that wants a full day at sea rather than a short sightseeing ride. It suits families, groups of friends, and anyone who values privacy and flexible timing.

It is particularly useful if someone in your party has motion sickness. The crew has adjusted routes toward calmer water for a passenger who was prone to feeling unwell. That cannot remove all risk, but a private boat gives the captain more room to respond than a fixed group excursion.

You should be comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity. Swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and getting on and off the boat are part of the appeal. If you prefer land sightseeing, or if you want a short cruise with no water activities, this is probably too long and too costly.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and the experience is normally booked about 62 days ahead. If your dates are fixed, booking early makes sense.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

This experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows Malta’s local time.

That policy makes travel insurance and a little date flexibility sensible, especially if your Malta stay is short. Sea conditions can affect the route even when the charter goes ahead, so keep an open mind about which lagoon or bay receives the most time.

Should you book the Malta private yacht charter?

Book it if you are splitting the cost among a group of up to eight and want the freedom to swim, snorkel, visit caves, and pause in quieter water. The combination of Comino’s famous lagoons, Gozo stops, supplied gear, a comfortable boat, and a crew willing to adjust the route gives you a fuller day than a standard cruise.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. The private rate is hard to justify unless you value personal service and a flexible schedule.

For the right group, this is one of Malta’s strongest ways to experience the sea. Ask about paddleboards, restaurant arrangements, and the likely route before you go. Then bring swimwear, sun protection, and a willingness to let the weather choose part of your day.

FAQ

Where does the private yacht charter start?

It starts at Island Life Charters near Mellieha Bay, Mellieħa, Malta. The listed location is X984+RJF Mellieħa Bay.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9 a.m.

Where does the experience end?

It ends back at the same meeting point near Mellieha Bay.

How long is the charter?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is lunch included?

No. You can stop at a restaurant or bring your own lunch, but food and restaurant costs are your own expense.

Which places in Comino may be visited?

The route may include the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay. The exact plan depends on weather conditions and your group’s preferences.

Is snorkeling or water sports equipment provided?

Water sports gear is provided. Paddleboards are available on request.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the charter to be canceled.

More like this

Sailing, compared.

The full Sailing list →
Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 5,496 reviews· from $62

Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon, Beaches and Bays Catamaran Sailing Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 1,269 reviews· from $66

Blue Lagoon, Beaches and Bays Catamaran Sailing Tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 934 reviews· from $105

Blue Lagoon Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Open Bar

Read our review →
Private Day Sailing Boat Charter
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 662 reviews

Private Day Sailing Boat Charter

Read our review →
Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 580 reviews· from $156

Full-Day Catamaran Cruise with Lunch in Island of Malta

Read our review →
Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming
★★★★★★★★★★3.7· 155 reviews· from $79

Sailboat Party with an Open Bar, Food, and Swimming

Read our review →
From Valetta: Catamaran Tour with Hop-On, Hop-Off Gozo Tour
★★★★★★★★★★3.7· 132 reviews· from $35

From Valetta: Catamaran Tour with Hop-On, Hop-Off Gozo Tour

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Malta

Pick a harbour, a walled city or a boat.