REVIEW · COMINO
From Sliema: Private Comino and Gozo Boat Charter
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Blue water, two islands, one private boat. From Sliema, this private charter lets you shape your 7-hour day around Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and Gozo’s bays with your skipper calling the shots.
I love that you get real time at the main Comino highlights—Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon—plus snorkeling gear and cave entry for exploring from powerboats. I also like the on-board setup: toilet, canopy shade, a fridge, and Bluetooth music so your group can keep the day relaxed.
One catch: there’s no bar on board, so bring your own food and drinks if you want them.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning around
- Why this private Comino and Gozo charter feels different than a group boat
- Setting sail from Sliema Ferries 4: what the 7 hours really means
- Comino Island: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and caves from a powerboat
- Crystal Lagoon: where the water earns its name
- Blue Lagoon: the classic stop with real “sit and watch” potential
- Comino caves: powerboat visits and included cave entry
- A likely moment for a jump-rock pause
- Gozo bay time: St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port
- St. Nicholas Bay: a scenic break from nonstop swimming
- Hondoq ir-Rummien: built for scenery and boat moments
- Mgarr Port in Gozo: where dinner plans can happen
- How snorkeling gear and cave entry shape your day
- Boat comfort on a private charter: fridge, toilet, shade, and Bluetooth
- Price and value: $965 per group up to 16 people
- Who this private charter suits best
- What to bring (so you enjoy the day, not manage it)
- Should you book this private Comino and Gozo charter?
- FAQ
- Where do we meet for the private charter?
- How long is the charter?
- Is food and drinks included?
- What’s included for snorkeling and caves?
- Is the tour private, and what language is spoken?
- Can we change the route or timing during the day?
Key highlights worth planning around

- Crystal Lagoon + Blue Lagoon stops, built for that clear-water feeling
- Comino caves by powerboat, with cave entry included
- Skipper-led flexible itinerary, so you can linger where you like
- Comfort extras: toilet, fridge, canopy shade, and a sunbathing area
- Snorkeling gear included, so you don’t have to pack it
- Skipper personality matters, with examples of patience and accommodation from past captains like Marc and Tony
Why this private Comino and Gozo charter feels different than a group boat

If you’ve ever joined a big catamaran tour, you know the rhythm: everyone follows a script, and you spend more time waiting for the group than enjoying the water. This charter is the opposite. You’re in a private group setup, and you’re not locked into one rigid plan.
That matters on Comino and Gozo, where the best moments often come in short windows—when the light hits the water, when wind drops, or when a cove feels perfectly calm for a swim. With a skipper who works with your preferences, you’re more likely to get the version of the day that matches your group.
It also helps that you’re starting from Sliema, a convenient launch point for anyone staying in the Malta waterfront area. You’re not building a complicated day around long transfers.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Comino
Setting sail from Sliema Ferries 4: what the 7 hours really means

This trip runs for about 7 hours. The exact start times vary by availability, but the structure stays the same: you board at Sliema Ferries 4 and you return back to the same meeting point.
In practice, this timing is long enough to cover two islands without feeling rushed, but not so long that you spend the whole day just “waiting for the next stop.” You’ll be moving between Comino (for the standout sea color and cave area) and Gozo (for bays and harbor time). The captain also has room to adjust the order and pacing based on what you want most.
The best part is the flexibility. Instead of you forcing your interests into a fixed schedule, you can work with your skipper to:
- spend more time at the spots you care about
- keep the day moving if you want more stops
- follow the captain’s suggested day flow if you’d rather not overthink it
Comino Island: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and caves from a powerboat

Comino is small, but the coast can feel like an entire ocean postcard. The reason this charter is popular is simple: you’re going after the islands people come to Malta for—Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon—and you’re not just doing a fast photo stop.
Crystal Lagoon: where the water earns its name
The charter specifically calls out the Crystal Lagoon area, known for those bright, clear-blue tones. You’ll spend time there with the chance to cool off and snorkel using the gear provided.
What I like about Crystal Lagoon in this format: you get time on the water without having to coordinate your own gear or equipment. If your group wants a few swims, this is the place for it.
Blue Lagoon: the classic stop with real “sit and watch” potential
Then it’s on to the Blue Lagoon, the best-known Comino location. Think less about racing from spot to spot and more about enjoying that you’re on a boat with you-time. When the day is private, your group can choose how active you want to be—swim, float, take photos, or just ride the swell while the captain cruises.
One practical thing: bring or have sunscreen ready, because this kind of sea time can sneak up on you if you keep thinking it’s “just another swim.”
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Comino
Comino caves: powerboat visits and included cave entry
Comino caves are a highlight here. You’ll visit the caves from powerboats, and cave entry is included. That’s important because a lot of “cave” experiences are really just pass-by viewing. Here, you get the sense you’re actually doing something beyond looking.
The powerboat approach also tends to work better for groups. You don’t need a long hike, and you’re close to the action while still getting the thrill of movement through the sea-adjacent terrain.
A likely moment for a jump-rock pause
One of the more fun details that shows up in captain-led days is the chance to do a jump-rock moment. Not every day is the same, but if your skipper finds a suitable spot, you may get a quick burst of adrenaline between calmer swims.
If your group is into that kind of “only on vacation” time, it’s worth bringing a playful attitude and solid footwear on the boat (wet surfaces happen).
Gozo bay time: St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port
Once you shift from Comino to Gozo, the vibe changes a bit. Comino often feels like the swim-and-photo island. Gozo adds more bays, viewpoints, and harbor atmosphere—especially when you reach Mgarr Port.
St. Nicholas Bay: a scenic break from nonstop swimming
St. Nicholas Bay is listed as a stop, and it gives you another shot at that open-sea feeling with a different coastline character than Comino. This is a good place to take a breath between swims—watch the water, enjoy the cruise, and regroup as a group.
Hondoq ir-Rummien: built for scenery and boat moments
Hondoq ir-Rummien is another named highlight. Expect the coastline to look more dramatic here than the smooth-water postcard you might picture. Even without getting off the boat much, these kinds of bays are where you notice how the island’s shape changes the water’s mood.
This stop tends to work well if your group likes both action and downtime. You can enjoy the sea color and still keep the day social.
Mgarr Port in Gozo: where dinner plans can happen
Mgarr Port is specifically included. It’s also where the option comes up to stop for dinner in Mgarr Harbor.
That matters if you don’t want to pack a full meal plan the entire day. You can bring snacks on board, then decide if you want a proper dinner stop depending on what your captain suggests and how your group feels at that point.
If you do plan to eat ashore, remember that the charter doesn’t list dinner as included. Budget for it separately.
How snorkeling gear and cave entry shape your day
This charter includes snorkeling gear and cave entry. That combo changes the way you can enjoy the islands.
Without those inclusions, you’d be juggling rentals and timing—especially around Comino caves, where everything is tied to boat and local access. With the basics already handled, you can focus on timing your own energy: swim once, rest, then snorkel again if conditions look good.
A practical tip: keep your snorkeling routine simple. Don’t over-plan. Pick one or two “swim windows” and make the rest of the time about cruising and hanging out. On a private boat, that slow rhythm is the whole point.
Also, caves tend to be visually dramatic even when you’re not planning a long snorkel session. If your group has mixed swimmers, this still works because the experience isn’t purely underwater. You can participate in the caves and still enjoy the day even if you don’t stay in the water for long.
Boat comfort on a private charter: fridge, toilet, shade, and Bluetooth
A day like this succeeds or fails based on comfort. This one is built for hanging out.
You’ll get:
- a fridge on board (huge for keeping drinks and snacks pleasant)
- toilet facilities (so you’re not stuck managing timing)
- a canopy for shade and a sunbathing area (so everyone can choose their spot)
- Bluetooth music connection (bring your own playlist and keep it personal)
This is one reason the experience works so well for friend groups. You can keep the day fun without relying on a speaker speaker that someone borrowed, or the randomness of public tours where the sound system is either too loud or shared.
It also helps that the crew includes an English-speaking skipper, so you’re not working through language gaps while you’re trying to adjust the itinerary to your preferences.
And yes, the lack of a bar is a meaningful detail—but the trade is obvious: you’re expected to bring what you want. With a fridge onboard, that becomes easy instead of stressful.
Price and value: $965 per group up to 16 people
The price is $965 per group, for up to 16 people. Here’s the real value math: if you fill the group, that works out to about $60 per person. If you have fewer people, the per-person cost rises quickly—so value depends on how you split it.
Where this becomes good value is when:
- you’re traveling as a group of friends and can hit a higher headcount
- you want control over where you spend time
- you care about the comfort upgrades (toilet, shade, fridge) and not just the sightseeing
It’s also value-heavy if you’re someone who hates being rushed. On a private charter, “time at the water” is part of what you’re buying. You’re paying for control and a smooth day rather than simply transportation.
If you’re solo or a couple, it can still be worth it, but only if you’re comparing it to alternative private options and you really want this specific Comino + Gozo combo in one go.
Who this private charter suits best
This charter makes the most sense if you fall into one of these groups:
- Friend groups who want a shared, low-stress day and can split the charter cost
- Couples or small groups who want to linger at Crystal Lagoon or Blue Lagoon without negotiating with a bigger crowd
- Anyone who wants both Comino caves and Gozo bays in the same day without planning separate tours
It’s less ideal if you want a strictly scheduled, stop-by-stop tour with zero flexibility. Here, the itinerary is intentionally adaptable, and that’s a feature, not a flaw.
What to bring (so you enjoy the day, not manage it)
The tour doesn’t include food and drinks, and there’s no bar on board, so packing is simple but important:
- Food and drinks for the boat day
- Sunscreen and a hat (shade is available, but not everywhere)
- Swimwear and a dry layer for after swims
- Anything you’d like to play through Bluetooth (music device/phone)
- A towel and a bag for wet items
If you’re snorkeling, the gear is provided, but you still benefit from your own comfort choices—like how long you plan to stay in the water and whether you prefer to snorkel in short bursts.
Should you book this private Comino and Gozo charter?
Book it if you want a private, comfort-focused boat day that hits the must-do spots: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Comino caves, plus Gozo stops like St. Nicholas Bay, Hondoq ir-Rummien, and Mgarr Port.
Skip it or think twice if your group expects a fully catered day with onboard food and drinks. This is a bring-your-own setup, and while the fridge and toilet make it easy, the day still depends on what you pack and plan.
One more good sign: captain support seems to be a big part of the experience, with examples of patience and friendliness from skippers like Marc and Tony. If you like the idea of working with a skipper to shape your day, this charter is built for that.
If your ideal Malta day is clear water, cave time, and zero crowds, you’ll probably be happy you booked.
FAQ
Where do we meet for the private charter?
You board the boat at Sliema Ferries 4. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the charter?
The duration is 7 hours. Starting times depend on availability.
Is food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included, and there’s no bar on board, so you’ll need to bring your own.
What’s included for snorkeling and caves?
You’ll get snorkeling gear and cave entry as part of the included experience.
Is the tour private, and what language is spoken?
Yes, it’s a private group. The skipper is listed as having English.
Can we change the route or timing during the day?
Yes. The itinerary is described as flexible, and you can work with your captain to spend more time where you want or follow the captain’s suggested day plan.



























