Comino looks better from a private boat. This 6-hour charter is built around unspoiled sea time and letting you choose where you pause for swimming, caves, and cove-hopping around Malta’s smaller islands. You’ll cruise past famous names like the Blue Lagoon and also get sent to less crowded water stops.

I love the combo of an exclusive route with the flexibility to tailor your day. I also really like that your snorkeling setup is handled for you: mask and snorkel are included, plus you’ll have time to stop in the Comino and southern Gozo areas.

One thing to consider: the shade setup may not feel like a full-on beach umbrella. One recent experience flagged limited canopy shade and the engine noise as noticeable on the ride.

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Private boat, not a crowded group: you’re booking the boat for a group up to 6, so you can spend more time in the water and less time waiting around.
• Blue Lagoon plus quieter water time: the plan includes the headline spots like the Blue Lagoon, plus calm lagoon-style swimming around Comino and southern Gozo.
• Snorkeling equipment included: bring swimwear and a towel, and you’re basically ready to go.
• Customizable itinerary within reason: weather, sea conditions, tides, and shallows can shift the route, and the skipper has final call.
• Bring your own food and drinks: food and drinks are not included, but you can use the onboard cooler for your stash.

Private charter rules your day on Comino, Cominotto, and Gozo

If you picture Malta as sea cliffs, limestone edges, caves, and pockets of quiet water, this is the way to experience it without fighting the crowds. The whole point of a private day escape is control: you’re on an exclusive boat excursion designed for sea lovers who want multiple chances to get in the water.

This is a 6-hour charter, priced per boat (not per person). That matters because it changes the math: you’re not “paying for a seat,” you’re paying for a day on a vessel with the gear and space that go with it. In a group of up to 6, it can feel like good value compared to piecing together separate tickets, especially when you factor in permits, safety gear, and snorkeling equipment that come with the boat.

You’ll also want to know that this is not a rigid sightseeing lecture. The description is built around moving between Comino, Cominotto, and southern Gozo and using the time for swimming and snorkeling wherever conditions are best. That means the day can feel more like a relaxed sea route than a checklist.

Meeting points and smooth start: Mgarr Harbour or Cirkewwa

Your day starts at one of two departure spots, depending on whether you’re starting from Gozo or Malta.

• Gozo start: Mgarr Harbour Terminal, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant (Mgarr departure area).
• Malta start: Cirkewwa, near the kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

I’d treat arriving early as part of the plan. They recommend you get there about 30 minutes before departure to avoid traffic or other delays. And if you’re late, they won’t extend the charter. That’s normal for private boats, but it’s worth taking seriously because your time in the water is the whole deal.

There’s also a small convenience perk: you skip the line with a separate entrance. It’s not the headline attraction, but it does reduce the “stand around and wait” part of the day, which is what you want to avoid when you’re chasing daylight and clear water.

The route: ix-Xatt l-Aħmar, Mġarr Harbour, Hondoq Bay, Qala Ħalfa Bay, and Newwiela Cape

The itinerary isn’t presented as one single locked order, but the route is clearly structured around a theme: coastlines with caves and coves, plus lagoon-style stops where you can swim and snorkel.

Here are the named places that can shape your day, and what they generally mean in practice:

ix-Xatt l-Aħmar

This is one of the coastal points built into the day’s navigation around the islands. You can expect this to be part of the “cruise and pause” rhythm—seeing coastline from the water and then having a chance to get in again when conditions are right.

Mġarr Harbour

Mġarr Harbour shows up both as a departure area on Gozo and as a listed locale within the excursion’s plan. Practically, this often means you’re not just meeting there—you’re also in the zone where the sea access and island routing makes sense for an efficient day.

Hondoq Bay

Hondoq Bay is included as a stop area, which usually signals more time in calmer water zones. For your day, that translates to a better chance for comfortable swimming—especially if you want a break from open-water movement.

Qala Ħalfa Bay

Qala Ħalfa Bay is another named coastal stop. In a charter like this, it typically functions as another “get out and enjoy” moment where you’re switching from cruising to water time.

Newwiela Cape

Newwiela Cape is included as part of the navigation through the southern regions of Gozo (and/or the route approach). Capes are often where you see the coastline from different angles, and on a boat charter that can be a real advantage: you’re not limited to a single viewpoint.

Comino and Cominotto route building blocks

Between these listed points, your day centers on Comino and Cominotto, then branches toward lagoon areas like Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. The overall promise is caves, hidden coves, pristine beaches, and limestone cliffs—plus the chance to snorkel and swim multiple times rather than once.

Because the skipper has the ability to adjust the itinerary for weather, tides, shallows, or sea conditions, the best mindset is: expect stops in these named zones, but don’t assume the exact pacing will be identical every day. That flexibility is often what makes a sea day feel better, not worse.

Blue Lagoon, Popeye Cave, Lovers Cave, and Crystal Lagoon time

The headline attraction is the Blue Lagoon, which also links to stops around Popeye Cave and Lovers Cave. In plain terms, this is where the day becomes more than scenic boating. You’re moving into the water-focused portion of the charter.

What’s valuable about adding Popeye Cave and Lovers Cave to the plan is that it gives you variety without turning your day into a nonstop sprint. These are included as named areas, so they’re not random add-ons. You’re essentially getting a themed route: lagoon water, cave areas, and then more coastline.

Crystal Lagoon is also part of the plan, and it’s listed as a place to discover snorkeling spots. That tells you what you should prioritize once you’re there: your time in the water. This excursion is built to give you multiple opportunities to snorkel and swim, and lagoon areas are where that experience usually feels easiest—more time spent actually enjoying the water, less time waiting for the “one big stop.”

A small but important note for your expectations: the charter includes lagoon permits. That’s not just paperwork trivia. It’s part of what makes it possible to operate in protected or regulated lagoon areas and helps keep your day focused on the zones that matter most for swimming and snorkeling.

Snorkeling kit, sea time, and what you should pack

The excursion includes snorkeling equipment: mask and snorkel. That means you don’t need to hunt down gear in Malta or Gozo on short notice. But you still need to show up ready to use it.

Here’s what they specifically ask you to bring:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

Cash is explicitly mentioned, so I’d follow that. Also, sunscreen is not optional on a sun-forward boat day in the Mediterranean—especially since you may not always have full shade available.

What’s not included is also useful to know. Food and drinks are not part of the package. That doesn’t mean you’re stuck hungry. The boat includes an ice cooler, so you can bring your own snacks and beverages and keep them chilled enough for a long day at sea.

A Bluetooth speaker is included, and free WiFi is part of the package. WiFi won’t always matter out on open water, but having the option is nice if you want to stay connected for logistics or just for music planning.

And yes, you’ll want to think in terms of “snorkel windows.” This is a 6-hour outing with multiple sea stops, so you’re not committing to a whole day of being in the ocean at once. You can pace yourself between water time and relaxing on the sun deck.

Boat comfort check: seating, sun deck, canopy shade, and engine noise

On paper, the boat setup sounds straightforward and practical:

• Comfortable seating areas
• Sun deck area
• Canopy for shadow
• Safety equipment
• Ice cooler
• Bluetooth speaker

For most people, that’s exactly what you need: somewhere to sit, somewhere to lie out, and at least some shaded cover.

Still, one recent experience flagged a drawback that’s worth taking seriously before you book: limited shade cover and noisy engine. If you’re the type who likes to relax out of direct sun for long stretches, plan around that. Sunscreen and a towel stay important even if you have a canopy.

Also, because this is a private charter, you don’t have to adapt to other people’s pace. If you want more water time, you can likely push for it. If you want more “viewing and relaxing,” you can do that too. But your comfort will still depend on wind and sun, and the canopy might not be enough for everyone.

Price and value: $323 per group, plus skipper and fuel

The headline price is $323 per group up to 6, for the boat charter. But two big items are listed as not included:

• Professional skipper: €124
• Fuel consumption: €124

So to judge value, you should treat this as a package that includes the boat and core services (permits, taxes, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, and onboard features), while the skipper and fuel are added costs.

In other words, you’re paying for:

• The exclusive private boat
• Lagoon permits and port/marina fees
• Taxes
• Comfort features (seating, sun deck, canopy)
• Convenience (ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, free WiFi)
• Snorkeling gear (mask and snorkel)

Then you add:

• The skipper
• Fuel
• Your own food and drinks

If you’re splitting the overall cost across a full group, private value tends to improve. If you’re going as fewer than 6, you’ll feel the extra fixed costs more strongly. That’s the main reason I’d match this to group size: it’s best when you can fill the boat sensibly.

Who should book this Aquatic Day Escape?

This experience fits best if you:

• Want sea time with stops for swimming and snorkeling rather than a land-based tour
• Prefer a private boat route where you’re not stuck behind a large group schedule
• Like the idea of seeing both the famous lagoon zones and other coastal areas in the Comino and southern Gozo orbit
• Enjoy planning around the sea (wind, sun, and timing) and are comfortable with a day that can shift when conditions change

It might feel less ideal if you:

• Need lots of shade for long periods on the water
• Are sensitive to engine noise
• Expect food and drinks to be included (they’re not)

Language-wise, you can expect a live tour guide in English and Maltese, which can make the day feel more local. In at least some outings, skippers named Mario and Harry have been credited with making the route feel informative and comfortable, with stories that connect the stops to the places you’re seeing.

Should you book this tour

Yes, if your dream is a 6-hour sea day with multiple water stops, a private boat setup, and snorkeling gear handled for you. The biggest reason to book is the structure: you’re not just going to one spot—you’re moving through Comino and nearby areas where swimming and snorkeling are the focus.

But book with eyes open. Plan to bring what you need (towel, sunscreen, swimwear), and assume shade may not be enough for everyone. Also budget realistically for the added skipper and fuel costs so you don’t get surprised at the end.

If you want a day that feels flexible, sea-first, and built around the water—not the bus—it’s a strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the private boat excursion?

It lasts 6 hours. You can check availability to see the starting times.

Is this a private group?

Yes. It’s described as a private group.

What is the price, and is it per person?

The price shown is $323 per group up to 6, and the rates apply per boat, not per passenger.

Do I need to pay for a skipper separately?

Yes. A professional skipper fee of €124 is not included.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

The included snorkeling equipment is a mask and snorkel.

Is food and drink included?

No. Food and drink are not included, and BBQ items are also listed as not included.

Where do we meet if we start from Gozo?

You meet at Mgarr Harbour Terminal, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr departure area.

Where do we meet if we start from Malta?

You meet at Cirkewwa near the kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal at the departure area.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

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