Blue water, minus the usual crowd pressure. This SunReel Malta private boat trip pairs crystal-clear Comino swimming with the comfort of a charter built for your group size. I like that it stays personal (you and the captain only) and that the onboard setup makes it easy to get in the water without hunting for gear.

One consideration: the experience isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments, since it’s a boat day with bathing-ladder access and time out on deck.

Key things that make this charter work

• Private time on the water with only you and your captain onboard
• Snorkelling and float support included (gear, floaties, noodles, paddle boards)
• Comino highlights plus Gozo add-ons depending on your route and timing
• Music, charging, and comfort with Bluetooth audio, USB charging, a freshwater shower, and shaded deck space
• Flexible starting point from Ċirkewwa (Malta) or Mġarr Harbour (Gozo)
• Pet friendly so your dog can join the day at sea

Private boat day: what it feels like in real life

This is the kind of tour that matters most when you want less hassle. A private charter means you’re not waiting for other groups to finish boarding, and you’re not stuck watching time slip away while someone else debates where to swim. With a captain steering the plan around weather and sea conditions, you can keep the day relaxed and still hit the big scenic stops.

The practical win is how much is already onboard. You get snorkelling equipment, floaties and swimming noodles, paddle boards, an easy-access bathing ladder, and a shaded area plus bow sundeck for sun. There’s also a freshwater shower and an ice box with ice to cool your food and drinks. That combo turns a “see the water” outing into an actual swim day.

The onboard entertainment and charging are also genuinely useful: Bluetooth stereo and USB charging mean you can play your own music while you cruise between bays. It’s a small thing, but it’s exactly the difference between a tour that feels like logistics and one that feels like a day you’d plan yourself.

Picking your launch point: Ċirkewwa or Mġarr Harbour

You get two starting options, and which one you choose affects how natural the trip feels as part of your Malta/Gozo day.

• If you’re based in Malta, Ċirkewwa (Malta) is the pickup point.
• If you’re staying on Gozo, Mġarr Harbour (Gozo) keeps travel simpler.

Your trip also ends with drop-offs tied to those areas. The listed drop-off stops include Cirkewwa cafe and Fisheries Office. Plan around the idea that you’ll finish back on the Malta side if you began in Ċirkewwa, or closer to Gozo if you started at Mġarr Harbour.

How long is it, and how much do you actually see?

The duration is listed as 3 to 7 hours, and the structure of the stops is built around blocks of about one hour each. In practice, that means you might not hit every named location in every outing. The captain can design the route based on conditions and your preferences, so your day can run shorter if you want more swim time in fewer places, or longer if you want a fuller tour of lagoons and cave/bay scenery.

You’ll see a sequence of classic stops, but think of it as a menu you choose from rather than a rigid checklist. This flexibility is one of the biggest reasons people enjoy these private charters: you’re not forced into a one-size-fits-all plan.

Crystal Lagoon: start with the calm turquoise water

The itinerary begins with Crystal Lagoon (about 1 hour) with time for a photo stop, a visit, sightseeing by boat cruise, and swimming/snorkelling.

Why this first stop is smart: it’s an easy way to get into the trip rhythm. You can ease in, test the water, and enjoy the bright, shallow-looking quality of the lagoon before you move on to more famous (and sometimes busier-feeling) spots later.

If you want less rushing, this is where you can set your pace. Want a quick swim and photos? You can do that. Want longer in the water and a slower cruise? The private format gives you room to stretch that hour.

Blue Lagoon from Malta side: the iconic swim stop

Next is Blue Lagoon, Malta for about 1 hour, again with photo stop, visit, boat cruise, sightseeing, and swimming/snorkelling.

This is the stop most people plan the whole day around. The practical advantage of doing it by private boat is timing and attention. Even when a place is famous for clear water, you’ll typically spend more time enjoying the water and viewpoints rather than feeling rushed through check-in, waiting, and regrouping.

A small but important detail: snorkelling gear is included. That means you can go straight from deck to water with floaties/noodles and equipment already there, instead of spending your morning hunting down rentals or borrowing gear.

San Niklaw Bay: when you want a quieter-feeling break

After the lagoon highlights, you’ll reach San Niklaw Bay for about 1 hour, with photo stop, visit, sightseeing by boat cruise, plus swimming and snorkelling time.

This stop often hits the sweet spot for people who want less “big-picture only” and more “hang out and swim.” The tour keeps moving, but it’s not only about famous landmarks; you also get time for a simpler bay experience—quiet water, relaxed deck time, and another chance to enjoy the underwater view with the included kit.

Santa Maria Caves: scenery with a watery edge

Then comes Santa Maria Caves (about 1 hour) for photo stops, visits, boat cruising and sightseeing, plus swimming and snorkelling time.

Caves change the way the day looks. Instead of only open water and beaches, you get rock formations that frame the light and the water movement. The value here is variety: you’re not repeating the same type of scenery every hour.

One practical note: caves are also a great reason a captain-driven route matters. Sea conditions can affect what feels comfortable for swimming and how close you’ll want to be to the cave area. With a private charter, you’re not forced to push through discomfort just to match someone else’s schedule.

Ħalfa Rock: panoramic views and another photo window

The route then includes Ħalfa Rock for about 1 hour, with photo stop, visit, sightseeing by boat cruise, plus swimming and snorkelling time.

This is your viewpoint-and-photos block. Even if you spend only part of the hour in the water, you’ll get good deck time to take in Malta’s coastline angles from the water. On a private boat, you can also pause longer for the “right” photo moment without worrying about a big-group countdown.

Daħlet Qorrot Beach: ending with a swimable shoreline

Finally, you’ll reach Daħlet Qorrot Beach for about 1 hour, with photo stop, visit, boat cruise and sightseeing, plus swimming and snorkelling.

Ending on a beach stop is a nice way to wrap up the day. You get another chance to swim near shore and shift back into “I’m just relaxing” mode before the drop-off.

Onboard comfort and what’s actually included

This trip stands out because it’s not only about where you go. It’s also about how prepared you are once you’re there.

Included on board:

• Exclusive private boat: only you and the captain
• All safety equipment provided
• Shaded area + bow sundeck
• Freshwater shower
• Snorkelling gear
• Floaties and swimming noodles
• Paddle boards
• Easy-access bathing ladder
• Ice box for your food and drinks (ice included)
• Bluetooth audio plus USB charging
• All port fees included

Not included:

• Swimwear, towels, and sun cream
• Fuel consumption to be paid to the captain

That fuel item is worth keeping in mind when you compare value. The base price is clear, but at the end of the day there’s an additional fuel payment to factor into your total cost.

What to bring (and what you don’t need to guess about)

The essentials are straightforward:

• Towel
• Camera
• Beachwear/swimwear
• Sunscreen
• Food and drinks (if you want them)

Because an ice box is included, bringing your own drinks/snacks works well. You don’t have to rely on finding something on the island side of the trip.

Also: pets are warmly welcome, and the trip is fully pet friendly, so you can bring a furry companion along for the ride.

The captain makes the difference: route flexibility and real rapport

One of the most praised parts of this experience is the captain approach—friendly, attentive, and comfortable to be around. On these charters, you may sail with captains such as Adin or Mario, and some trips also note captains like Sam and Owen. Across these experiences, the common thread is that they treat the day like a shared plan, not a script.

You can also tailor the visit pattern—choosing swim spots and, in many cases, deciding how long you spend at each location. That’s why the tour can feel both structured (you know the highlights) and flexible (you don’t feel trapped in a fixed timeline).

Music is part of the vibe too. With Bluetooth on board, you’re not stuck with whatever playlist the captain starts with. Being able to play your own soundtrack makes cruising between bays feel more like time together than a guided lecture.

Who this private charter suits best

This charter fits best if you:

• Want a private setup and don’t want to share the schedule with a larger group
• Care about swimming and snorkelling and want the gear included
• Like the idea of a captain shaping the route around conditions
• Have a group up to 8 people where splitting a private boat can feel fair

It’s less ideal if you have mobility constraints, since the format is boat-based and it’s explicitly listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Price and value: what $239 per group really buys you

The price is listed as $239 per group up to 8. On paper, it can look like “more than a basic tour,” but the value comes from what you’re buying: a private charter plus a lot of included gear and comfort.

When you add up what’s included—snorkelling equipment, float support, paddle boards, shower, ice box, deck comfort, Bluetooth audio—the trip is set up so you’re not paying extra at each stop. Also, port fees are included, which removes one common mystery charge that can pop up later.

The one extra item to plan for is fuel consumption paid to the captain. Still, if your group is 4 to 8 people, private-day costs often become easier to justify because you’re not paying per person for a shared boat experience.

Tips for a smoother day

A few practical things keep the day running smoothly:

• Bring what you’re told to bring: towel, sunscreen, camera, swimwear, and any food/drinks you want.
• Use the onboard setup: the shaded area and bow sundeck are there so you can switch between sun and rest without leaving the boat.
• Wear gear that works for repeated water time, since you’ll have multiple swimming/snorkelling windows across the route.
• If you’re traveling with a pet, confirm expectations for bringing your companion, since this trip is explicitly pet friendly.

Should you book this private Comino and Gozo boat trip?

Book it if you want a relaxed, private way to hit Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and a lineup of bays/caves like San Niklaw Bay and Santa Maria Caves, with swimming time built in. The included snorkel gear, floaties, shower, and onboard music/charging make it feel like a complete day—not just transportation.

Skip (or think twice) if mobility is a factor for anyone in your group, since it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Also budget for the extra fuel consumption payment to the captain.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes control—choosing swim spots, pacing your time, and not being herded—this charter format is the right match.

FAQ

Where are the pickup points for this private boat trip?

You can choose your pickup point as Ċirkewwa (Malta) or Mġarr Harbour (Gozo).

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 3 to 7 hours, depending on the starting times and how the captain structures the route.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s described as an exclusive private boat where it’s just you and the captain onboard, for a private group (up to 8 people per group).

What snorkelling and water gear is included?

Snorkelling gear is included, along with floaties and swimming noodles, and paddle boards. There’s also an easy-access bathing ladder.

Does the boat have facilities for comfort after swimming?

Yes. There’s a freshwater shower and a shaded area plus a bow sundeck.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You can bring your preferred food and drinks, and there’s an ice box with ice onboard. (Note: fuel is not included.)

What should I bring for the day?

Bring towel, camera, food and drinks, sunscreen, and beachwear/swimwear.

Are pets allowed?

Yes. The trip is fully pet friendly, and pets are warmly welcome.

Is it accessible for people with mobility impairments?

No. It’s listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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