Small boat, big Maltese water magic. This private Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo charter from Sliema is built for easy swimming stops and up-close cave time in clear water. I love how the route reaches Santa Maria Caves that bigger boats can’t enter, and I also love the pace: you anchor, then you choose when to snorkel and when to just float.

One thing to consider: the day depends on weather. If conditions are rough enough, your scheduled stops (or the whole experience) may be swapped to another date or refunded.

Key things to know before you book

• Private group up to 7 people: you’re not sharing this with random crowds, so the pace feels calmer.
• Santa Maria Caves access: this is the highlight if you want tight cave passages and close-up rock views.
• Two lagoon options: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are both built into the route, with time that changes by tour type.
• Comino vs Gozo & Comino: you trade some lagoon time for extra Gozo coastline swimming.
• English-speaking experience: the tour is offered in English, with a captain who chats and shares context.
• 7 hours approx.: it’s a long, mostly on-water day, so plan for a full day’s worth of sun and swim breaks.

Private charter from Sliema: what 7 hours really feels like

This is a true private boat charter out of Sliema, ending back at the same meeting point (Ferries 2Malta). The promise here is simple: you spend a full day on the water, with multiple chances to cool off in top Maltese swimming spots, and you don’t have to coordinate with other groups.

Because it’s for up to 7 people, the boat stays “small day” instead of “marathon itinerary.” That matters. When you’re not stuck in a floating line of strangers, you can actually enjoy the stops—linger a bit longer at the waterline, pull back when the sun gets intense, or spend more time looking at the rock textures and not just chasing photos.

Your day also has a clear rhythm: leave Sliema, pass a few famous coastal sights, do cave time, then hit the two signature lagoons, with an optional Gozo add-on, and finally return along the coast. It’s a great format if you like your Malta days to be active but not rushed.

One practical note: it’s offered in English and you’ll receive confirmation at booking. Since this is scheduled around the water, good conditions make everything smoother—more time spent enjoying, less time spent waiting.

Coastal sights en route: Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave

The boat starts with a scenic run along the Maltese coastline, with a stop near the Sliema Promenade area. From there, you’ll pass famous landmarks like Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave. You’re not just gliding past them either—you get a dedicated stop at Smugglers Cave.

That stop is valuable for two reasons. First, it’s a chance to get off the main “swim-and-go” mindset. Cave coasts have their own look—layers of rock, shadowed openings, and the way waves press into the stone. Second, it helps set up the rest of the day. Once you see how water interacts with the rock here, you understand why Santa Maria Caves later is such a big deal: it’s not just pretty scenery; it’s a whole system of water routes and narrow passages.

Time-wise, Smugglers Cave gives you about 45 minutes. That’s long enough to take in the viewpoint from the water and still keep momentum toward the caves ahead.

Entering Santa Maria Caves: why smaller boats matter

The centerpiece for many people is the Santa Maria Caves section. This charter is designed specifically so you can go inside the caves—something larger boats can’t do. The result is a more “close-up” kind of sightseeing, with narrow passages where the rock feels right beside you.

What you’ll notice most is the water clarity and the rock forms. Clear turquoise water inside cave systems isn’t just a look—it’s the lighting. In a tight space, the water catches light differently than it does in open bays, and you get that glassy feel where you can spot the natural shapes under the surface.

You also get an experience that’s photo-friendly, but in a more grounded way than you’d expect. You’re not just shooting from above or from a distant viewpoint. You’re moving through the cave environment at water level, so you can capture the stone textures, the contours of the opening, and the way daylight changes as you go deeper.

The exact feel depends on the day’s conditions, but the structure of the experience is clear: this is built for up-close cave views and the kind of natural beauty you can’t replicate from shore.

Blue Lagoon swim time: Comino option vs Gozo & Comino option

Then comes Blue Lagoon. The boat anchors here, and you get time to swim and snorkel, plus the simple pleasure of sunbathing on the water. It’s the kind of stop where you can do exactly what you feel like doing, in whatever order you want.

Here’s where tour choice matters: you spend about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon on the Comino option, or about 1 hour on the Gozo & Comino option. That difference is not trivial. Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason, and an extra 30 minutes gives you more flexibility—more time to find a comfortable swim spot, more time to relax after you get in, and less pressure to rush through the water.

If you’re the type who likes to ease into the day—dip in, float, take a few photos, then swim again—choose the Comino-focused version. If you’re set on adding Gozo, the shorter Blue Lagoon window still works, but you’ll want to be more intentional with your time.

Either way, this stop is about the water and the light on it. Anchor time also tends to feel relaxed because you’re not constantly moving. You’re in one of the most famous areas in Malta, but with the privacy of your own boat.

Crystal Lagoon: the calmer partner to Blue Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon follows, with another anchor stop. Like Blue Lagoon, it’s named for the clarity and turquoise tone of the water, and it’s another strong snorkeling and swimming spot.

The big difference is the mood. Crystal Lagoon tends to feel quieter and more still in the shallow areas. The lagoon is surrounded by rocky cliffs and vegetation, and you’ll see marine life in the shallows—colorful fish and sea urchins are specifically part of what you can encounter here.

Time again varies by your chosen option: about 1.5 hours for the Comino option or about 1 hour for the Gozo & Comino option. If your main goal is water time and you like snorkeling, the Comino option gives you more room to slow down and repeat the pattern: swim a bit, look around, then relax.

One smart approach: treat Blue Lagoon as your “big view and big swim” stop, and Crystal Lagoon as your “snorkel and observe” stop. It helps you get more out of both places without feeling like you’re running from one photo moment to the next.

Adding Gozo: swim and coastline time at Ramla/San Blas or Mgarr ix-Xini

If you choose the Gozo & Comino version, you’ll also visit Gozo Island. After Comino, your captain takes you to one of the Gozo swim areas, which may include Ramla Bay & San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo. You’ll have around 2 hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and exploring the coastline by boat.

That 2-hour Gozo block is where this itinerary feels like more than just a Comino highlight. Comino is tight and water-focused. Gozo adds variety—different shoreline shapes and a stronger sense of island life. You’re still on water, but the coastline has a different character.

If you want the most classic set of lagoon stops, choose the Comino-only option. If you want a fuller day with an extra island vibe, Gozo is the way to go. The only trade-off is time on the lagoons: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are each shorter on the Gozo & Comino route.

Captain Bufon and the value of small-boat guidance

This kind of day lives or dies on the captain. In the feedback I’ve seen, Captain Bufon stands out as a fantastic guide and an information source. That’s more than nice to hear. In caves and on lagoon coasts, local guidance can make the water time feel smoother, because it helps you understand what you’re looking at and where to spend your time.

A small boat also changes how the day feels at anchor. With fewer people, the stop feels calmer. You’re not constantly stepping over someone climbing back in, and you can find a quieter pocket of water more easily. That matters for snorkeling, too, because the best underwater spotting often comes when you’re not rushing.

Price and value for up to 7 people

The price is $786.40 per group (up to 7 people), for about 7 hours on the water. Put differently: you’re paying for privacy and access, not for per-person entry to a crowded boat circuit.

Do the math: if you fill the boat with 7 people, it’s about $112.34 per person. Even if you don’t fill it, you’re still buying the key benefits: a private group, stop control for your timing at each anchor, and access to Santa Maria Caves in narrow passages.

If you’re traveling as a couple or small group, this can compete surprisingly well with buying separate tickets plus dealing with shared schedules on larger boats. You’re also getting multiple high-demand locations in one day—Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, cave access, and an optional Gozo swim block—so the “value” comes from bundling time and access into one charter.

The best way to think about it: this is a convenience and access purchase. You’re not just sightseeing; you’re buying the flow of a day where you get to choose your water rhythm.

Weather and sea conditions: the one variable you can’t ignore

This experience depends on good weather. That’s not a fine-print scare tactic; it’s just reality for open-water cruising and cave passages.

Here’s what it means for you: when conditions are right, the schedule feels smooth and you get the full mix—coastal passing, cave entry, then lagoon anchoring. When conditions are poor, the operator may offer a different date or a full refund. That flexibility is important for planning.

If you’re choosing travel dates, try to build in a little patience. Malta’s coastal areas can shift quickly, and a day on the water is always weather-dependent. If you’re flexible, you’ll get more out of the itinerary.

Should you book this private boat charter of Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo?

Book it if you want a calmer, more personal Malta day on the water—especially if Santa Maria Caves are high on your list. The cave access in narrow passages is the standout feature, and the combination of Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon gives you two very different water moods in one charter day.

Choose the Comino option if your top priority is maximum lagoon time and a slower swim/snorkel rhythm. Choose Gozo & Comino if you want to add island variety and coastal exploration, even if it shortens each lagoon stop.

The main reason not to book is also the main nature of the product: it’s weather-dependent. If your schedule is rigid and you can’t handle a reschedule, you’ll want to think carefully. Otherwise, for groups up to 7 people, this is one of the most sensible ways to experience the Comino water highlights without feeling stuck in a crowd.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

It’s about 7 hours (approx.).

What places does the boat visit in this charter?

You’ll pass the Sliema coastline, then go by Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave, stop at Smugglers Cave, visit Santa Maria Caves, and stop at both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. If you choose the Gozo & Comino option, you also visit Gozo.

Is Santa Maria Caves included?

Yes. This private charter includes entering Santa Maria Caves, where larger boats cannot go.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

You’ll spend around 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon on the Comino option, or around 1 hour on the Gozo & Comino option.

How much time do I get at Crystal Lagoon?

You’ll spend around 1.5 hours at Crystal Lagoon on the Comino option, or around 1 hour on the Gozo & Comino option.

Which part of Gozo do you visit on the Gozo & Comino option?

After Comino, the captain takes you to Ramla Bay & San Blas Bay in Gozo, or Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo, with about 2 hours there.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Ferries 2Malta and ends back at the meeting point.

Is this tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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