One day in Malta can feel crowded fast. A private boat charter around Comino and Gozo changes that—sudden quiet, bright water, and your own pace. I love how Captain Joseph finds the best spots for swimming and the grottos and coastlines you’d never line up on from shore, and I love that you’re not guessing about logistics thanks to the all-in boat setup and included gear.

The boat itself helps, too. MV INGE lll is a 43-foot motor cruiser with a rustic mahogany interior and teak decking, plus real onboard comforts like shaded seating, a sundeck, a bathing platform, two rest rooms, and a fresh water shower.

One consideration: lunch isn’t included. If you want to eat onboard, you’ll need to bring your own food or snacks and plan around the 2–4 hour cruise window.

Key things I’d plan around before you go

• Private time, not a crowded group: this is just your party on the boat.
• Free swim kit included: masks, snorkels, swimming aids, plus kayak and SUP/paddle board.
• Captain-led routing around Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and Comino caves plus named landmarks like Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.
• Gozo from the water: swimming and snorkeling stops in spots that are hard or impossible to reach by foot.
• Two cruise “modes”: morning/afternoon starts (usually 9am or 10am) or a sunset cruise running 5pm–9pm.

Private boat charter in Malta: the simple reason it feels different

Malta’s shoreline is beautiful, but a lot of the best views come with crowds when you go the usual way. On a private charter, you’re paying for control: when you leave, where you stop, how long you stay, and who you’re sharing space with.

You also get a boat-built-for-longer comfort feel, not a scratchy day trip. MV INGE lll is described as a classic 43-foot motor cruiser with a rustic mahogany interior and teak decking, so it looks “right” on the water and feels sturdy in motion. That matters when you’re doing repeated swim stops, taking photos, and spending real time on deck.

And because the charter is flexible, you’re not locked into one boring rinse-and-repeat loop. The route is built around Comino highlights and then (on many charters) Gozo swim time, with stops designed for water visibility and access.

MV INGE lll: mahogany charm with practical deck time

This boat isn’t just for transport. It’s set up for people to hang out.

You’ll notice the rustic mahogany interior and teak decking right away. It gives the whole experience that classic feel—especially as the water turns bright turquoise in the sun. On deck, you’ve got a shaded area for breaks, plus a sundeck and a bathing platform that makes getting in and out of the water easier than you’d expect on a day boat.

Facilities are real, not just “good luck.” There are two rest rooms onboard and a fresh water shower, so you can rinse off after saltwater time and not turn the rest of your day into a sticky mess.

Capacity is also something to confirm early with your group. The vessel is licensed and insured for up to 35 persons, but the charter experience notes a private maximum of 20/25. That’s a big difference in comfort and how you’ll move on deck.

Where you board and how timing works (Cirkewwa and Mgarr Harbour)

Your meeting point depends on what you’re doing first and how the day is structured. You depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Timing options make this charter easy to fit into your Malta plan. Morning/afternoon cruises typically start at 9am or 10am, and the sunset dinner cruise runs from 5pm until 9pm.

A practical note: the operating window shown is Monday–Sunday, with 10:00 AM–4:00 PM and 5:00 PM–9:00 PM. If you’re trying to build a tight itinerary around flights or ferries, pick your start time first, then build the rest of the day around it.

Because this is private, you’re not at the mercy of strangers boarding slower or faster. Still, it’s smart to arrive a bit early so you can get settled, review what you want to do (swim vs. photo stops), and be ready when you push off.

Comino cruise highlights: caves, Blue Lagoon stops, and the named landmarks

Comino is the “water first” part of this charter. The idea is simple: you’re going around the island and stopping at the spots that snorkelers and swimmers actually want.

A typical Comino route includes time in the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and some bays around Comino. The plan also includes observing Comino caves and sightseeing Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower.

What I like about doing this by private boat is how the stops feel. It’s not just you staring at the coastline from a distance. You get real swim time in water you can actually enjoy, and you can move with the captain as conditions change.

Also, Comino caves and these landmark points don’t mean much if you only see them from land. From the water, they become part of the story your photos capture—angles you just can’t get by walking around.

One drawback to keep in mind: Comino is popular. Even with a private charter, the water “hotspots” are still popular. That’s why captain-led timing matters. Your best results come from leaving when you can and stopping where there’s space to enjoy the water without feeling rushed.

Gozo by boat: swimming and snorkeling in spots you can’t reach easily

On the second part of the cruise, the focus shifts to Gozo. This segment is all about hidden coastal access—swimming and snorkeling places some only reach by boat.

The style here is “varied stops,” not one long swim and done. Expect opportunities to jump in where the coastline forms sheltered bays and where the water makes snorkeling worth the effort. The cruise description also emphasizes that it’s Gozo’s hidden beauty, with multiple spots rather than a single photo stop.

If you’re the type who likes to feel like you’re getting away from the main flow, this is where that happens. You’re not trapped in a single shoreline viewpoint. Instead, you rotate through different water areas around the island.

There’s one more practical benefit: if the wind or water conditions shift, the captain can adjust. The boat is licensed and set up for real cruising, so the plan isn’t fragile in the way some smaller boats can feel.

Included on board: gear, music, water, and the stuff that makes stops easier

This charter is strong on “small” inclusions that actually matter once you’re on the water.

You get free masks and snorkels, plus swimming aids. You also have kayak and SUP/paddle board options, which is great if your group includes both “swim a lot” people and “float and explore slowly” people.

You’ll also be served bottled water. There’s a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes, and it’s complimentary. That means you’re not scrambling to find drinks after boarding.

For atmosphere, there’s music with Bluetooth, AUX, and USB. It’s a small thing, but having your own playlist while you’re moving between swim spots makes the day feel more like a true private outing.

On deck comfort: you’ve got a shaded area, sundeck, bathing platform, and fresh water shower. There are also two rest rooms, which is a big quality-of-life win on a 2–4 hour charter (and even more if you plan a longer sunset cruise).

Price and value: $1,137.10 per group up to 15

The price listed is $1,137.10 per group (up to 15). That can feel steep if you’re thinking per person. But with a private boat, the math changes—what you’re buying is boat time plus captain/crew, plus gear, plus the ability to do your own stops.

This package includes fuel, skipper, and crew. That matters because fuel can quietly become the real cost in many day-boat rentals. Here, it’s part of the total.

You’re also getting multiple swim options and included gear: masks, snorkels, swimming aids, plus kayak and SUP/paddle board. If you were to price those separately, you’d quickly eat into the “private” value.

So the best value usually comes when you fill your group and use the time. If your party is smaller than the max, you still get privacy and a tailored feel—but the per-person cost climbs.

I’d also consider your group’s interest level in water time. If you want beaches by foot, this might be overkill. If you want Comino and Gozo as an all-water experience with plenty of stop-and-swim time, it’s a strong fit.

Packing tips so the cruise feels effortless

Because lunch isn’t included, I treat this like a “bring your own day on the water” plan. Seabreeze makes it easy: you’re welcome to bring your own food/snacks and drinks onboard.

Bring practical things:

• A small bag with snacks and whatever you want to drink (since you can’t assume lunch is covered)
• Towel and a change of clothes for after your rinse
• Sun protection, since you’ll spend real time on deck
• Water shoes if you prefer them when getting in and out

The boat setup helps you keep moving. With the fresh water shower onboard and a bathing platform, you can rinse off and reset without running to town first.

If you’re the photo person, plan on deck time. The boat is set up for lounging and taking pictures between swim stops, and Comino’s landmarks are easier to shoot from the water than from shore.

Morning vs. sunset: which timing gives you the vibe you want?

You have two main “feel” options.

Morning/afternoon cruises start around 9am or 10am. That’s a great choice if your group wants maximum daylight for swimming and snorkeling, and if you want the rest of the day free afterward.

Then there’s the sunset cruise, running 5pm until 9pm, described as a sunset dinner cruise. This is for groups who want the light change, softer temperatures, and a longer “stay out on the water” atmosphere.

Also, the sunset plan is useful if your schedule is tight. A late cruise can let you skip the pressure of cramming a long day into just one location.

One more thing: the experience requires good weather. If weather is poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s worth keeping in mind when you plan around fixed travel days.

How to choose this charter for your group

This works best if you want privacy plus real water time. It’s ideal for:

• Couples who want a calm, romantic pace
• Families that want the freedom to stop and swim without worrying about a schedule full of strangers
• Groups of friends who want to split time between snorkeling, paddle board, and lounging

It’s also well suited to people who care about comfort details: rest rooms onboard, fresh water shower, shaded breaks, and a deck that feels comfortable rather than cramped.

If you’re traveling solo or with a very small group, check that the boat max and your comfort expectations match up. The charter is private, so you’ll have the boat to yourselves, but the experience still has a practical maximum (noted as 20/25 for this charter experience).

Should you book this private Comino and Gozo charter?

I’d book it if your “Malta highlight” is actually the water: Comino caves, Blue Lagoon-area stops, and Gozo swim time where the coastline looks different from a boat. The value makes sense when you fill your group, because fuel, captain/crew, and water gear are built into the total cost.

I wouldn’t book it if your plan is mostly land sightseeing and walking tours. This is built for time on the water, with swimming and snorkeling as the main event.

If you do book, do it with one mindset: plan to eat what you bring, spend time on deck, and let Captain Joseph set the pace. You’ll get the classic boat feel of MV INGE lll, the practical comforts onboard, and a route designed for those “how is this water even real?” stops around Comino and Gozo.

FAQ

How many people can the boat charter accommodate?

The boat is licensed and insured for up to 35 persons, but this private charter notes a maximum of 20/25 persons.

Where do the charters depart from?

You depart from Cirkewwa in Malta or from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

How long is the cruise?

The experience runs about 2 to 4 hours, depending on the cruise type and what you choose.

What times are available?

Morning/afternoon cruises are usually at 9am or 10am. The sunset cruise runs from 5pm until 9pm.

What swim and water gear is included?

Masks and snorkels, swimming aids, kayak, and SUP/paddle board are included.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included, and there is also a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you’re welcome to bring your own food, snacks, and drinks onboard.

Are there rest rooms on the boat?

Yes. The boat has two rest rooms and also a fresh water shower.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity for your group only.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

You Might Also Enjoy

GOZO All Inclusive Self Drive 4×4 Jeep Day or Sunset tourPrivate Couples Photoshoot in MaltaValletta: Vintage Bus to Valletta, Sliema, Rabat & MdinaThe Grand Tour of Valletta