BBQ Bay Cruises: Elephant Rock, Blue Lagoon, Gozo & Comino

The best Malta day can be spent afloat. This private three-hour cruise gives you a small boat, open water, and the freedom to shape the route around Comino, Gozo, and the Blue Lagoon. I like the private setting for families and friends, and I like the chance to stop at quieter coves instead of following a fixed group schedule. The main catch is simple: the advertised price does not include the skipper, fuel, food, drinks, or BBQ equipment.

You will have comfortable seating, a sun deck, shade, snorkeling gear, an ice cooler, Bluetooth music, WiFi, and lagoon permits. I also like that Captain Mario has been praised for being especially attentive and helpful. Still, three hours passes quickly, so you should arrive with a clear idea of whether swimming, sightseeing, or the BBQ matters most.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six people: The $223 rate applies to the boat, not each passenger, which can make this good value for a full group.
• Comino is the main event: The route can include the Blue Lagoon, sea caves, quiet coves, beaches, and Elephant Rock.
• You help shape the outing: Your skipper can suggest suitable stops based on weather, tides, and water conditions.
• Snorkeling gear is included: A mask and snorkel are provided, so you do not need to bring your own equipment.
• The BBQ is not included: You must pay extra for the skipper, fuel, food, drinks, and barbecue equipment.
• Meeting points are practical: You can board at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

What this private Comino boat trip is really like

This is not a long sightseeing cruise with a packed timetable. It is a short, private outing built around the sea. Your group gets the boat, and the skipper helps decide how to use the time.

The advertised price is $223 per group of up to six people. That works out well if six friends or relatives share the boat, but you need to add the €75 skipper fee and €75 fuel charge. Food, drinks, BBQ items, and the barbecue itself cost extra too. I would treat the $223 figure as the starting price, not the final bill.

The private format is the biggest advantage. You are not tied to strangers, and you can set the mood with your own music through the Bluetooth speaker. A family can keep the pace gentle, while a group of friends can give more time to swimming and music. The boat also has a canopy for shade, which matters during Malta’s strong summer sun.

The tradeoff is duration. Three hours is enough for a taste of the Comino coast and a swim, but it is not enough for an unhurried tour of every place listed. You may need to choose between a longer stop at the Blue Lagoon, several short swims, or time for a BBQ. Talk with the skipper at the start so your priorities are clear.

Boarding at Mgarr or Cirkewwa

There are two departure points. In Gozo, the boat leaves from the Mgarr Harbour departure area, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the harbour terminal. On Malta, the meeting area is near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

You should arrive 30 minutes early. This is useful advice, not red tape, since traffic and delays around the ferry terminals can eat into a short charter. The boat will not wait by extending your booking if you arrive late.

The activity includes pickup, but the supplied details identify the two designated meeting areas rather than a broad hotel transfer service. I would confirm exactly where to meet when booking, especially if you are coming from another part of Malta.

The boat has a separate entrance arrangement, so you can avoid a standard queue. The group remains private, and the skipper speaks English and Maltese.

Cruising toward Comino and Elephant Rock

Once underway, the trip is about Malta’s coast from the water. You will see rocky edges, small inlets, caves, and beaches that are easier to appreciate from a boat than from a road.

Elephant Rock is one of the more unusual sights in the area. Its appeal is visual rather than historical: it is a natural rock formation with a shape that gives the spot its name. Since the trip is private, you can ask to include it if conditions and timing allow.

The skipper has the final say on the exact route. Weather, tides, shallow water, and sea conditions can require a change. That flexibility is important around Comino, where a route that looks easy on a map may not suit the sea on the day.

I like this arrangement because it puts safety before a promise made on paper. The downside is that you should not treat every named stop as guaranteed. If Elephant Rock, a cave, or a beach is important to you, mention it early, then accept that the skipper may need to adjust the plan.

Blue Lagoon without a fixed group schedule

The Blue Lagoon is the best-known stop in this part of Malta, and its clear turquoise water is the main reason many people book a boat. From the deck, you can swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, or simply sit under the canopy and watch the water.

A private boat can make the lagoon feel less hurried than a large shared excursion. You are not waiting for a busload of people before moving on, and you can ask for a swimming stop that suits your group.

That said, private does not mean empty. The Blue Lagoon is famous, and the water can be busy. The skipper may guide you toward a calmer area or adjust the timing, but the tour cannot promise that the lagoon will be quiet.

I would not make the Blue Lagoon your only goal. The smaller coves and coastal caves around Comino are part of what gives this charter its value. If the lagoon is crowded, a short swim elsewhere may give you a better sense of the island’s quieter side.

Snorkeling, swimming, and hidden coves

Snorkeling equipment is included in the form of masks and snorkels. That saves you from packing another item and makes an unplanned swim easy.

The boat can stop at secluded snorkeling areas, coves, and beaches around Comino and Gozo. The details do not promise a particular marine site or guarantee visibility, so think of snorkeling as a flexible part of the outing rather than a formal lesson or guided wildlife tour.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Cash is also listed as something to bring. The ice cooler helps keep your drinks cold, but drinks themselves are not supplied.

The sun deck is useful between swims. You can stretch out, dry off, or listen to your own music while moving along the coast. The canopy gives you shade, but I would still use sunscreen and avoid treating the covered area as a substitute for sun protection.

The BBQ plan, and the extra costs

The BBQ concept sounds appealing: choose a scenic place to settle, put on your own music, and eat on the water. The boat allows your group to select a preferred BBQ spot, while the skipper can advise based on tides and weather.

But the inclusions need careful reading. The barbecue, BBQ food, BBQ drinks, party food, party beverages, and fishing equipment are all excluded. The basic rate also excludes the professional skipper and fuel.

That means you should ask for the full expected cost before paying. At a minimum, the listed $223 boat charge is joined by €75 for the skipper and €75 for fuel. The food and cooking supplies then add another layer. Because the rates use both dollars and euros in the supplied details, confirm how the final charge will be calculated.

There is also a practical time issue. A three-hour charter can include a BBQ, but cooking and eating take time away from cruising and swimming. If lunch is the main reason you are booking, say so in advance and ask how the operator handles the timing. If the coast and swimming matter more, you may prefer a lighter meal and more time in the water.

Boat comforts that matter during three hours

The boat includes comfortable seating areas and a sun deck. Those are basic features, but they make a difference when your group includes people who do not want to swim the whole time.

The canopy provides shade, while the ice cooler supports your own drinks. Free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are included, so you can keep connected and play selected music. Bring your own playlist if music is important, since the boat does not promise a particular onboard entertainment program.

Safety equipment is included, along with port and marina fees, taxes, and lagoon permits. Those items reduce the number of small charges you need to sort out, though they do not remove the separate skipper, fuel, food, and BBQ costs.

The boat is designed for a private group of up to six. That limit is a benefit if you want a more personal outing, but it also means larger families or groups would need to split up or find another arrangement. The supplied information does not give the boat’s exact size, toilet facilities, or accessibility details, so ask before booking if those points matter to you.

How the guide can shape the day

The skipper is more than a person steering the boat. The operator gives the skipper authority to change the route, departure point, or stops when sea conditions, tides, shallows, or weather require it.

That makes the skipper’s judgment central to the experience. Captain Mario received especially strong praise for being attentive and helpful, which is encouraging for anyone who wants assistance planning the short route.

You should still speak up. Tell the skipper if your group prefers snorkeling, the Blue Lagoon, caves, photography, a beach stop, or a BBQ. With only three hours, a little planning at the dock can prevent the day from feeling scattered.

The skipper can also adjust the chosen start time when needed to find better conditions and fit the group’s needs. This gives the operator some flexibility, but it also means your preferred time may not be final. Keep your schedule loose enough to handle a change.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I think this works best for a group of friends, a family, or a couple traveling with another couple. Six people sharing the boat can bring the starting rate down to about $37 per person before the separate euro charges and food costs.

The private format also suits people who dislike large boat tours. You can choose the music, control the pace, and spend more time in the water if that is what your group wants.

It is less suitable if you want a fully catered experience. Food and drinks are not included, and neither is the BBQ itself. It may also disappoint anyone expecting a long, all-day tour, since the booking lasts only three hours.

Strong swimmers and casual swimmers can both enjoy the boat, since there are seating and shaded areas as well as water stops. Still, the exact swimming conditions can change with the sea, and the activity details do not promise a specific level of instruction or supervision in the water.

Booking advice and cancellation flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

The skipper may cancel, postpone, or modify the trip because of weather and sea conditions. If that happens, the route or departure location can change too. I would avoid booking this on the only day you have available for a major onward connection.

Bring cash, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Confirm the final price, the BBQ arrangements, and your exact meeting point before the day of departure.

Should you book this private Malta cruise?

I would book it if you have up to six people and want a flexible outing around Comino rather than a standard group excursion. The private boat, snorkeling gear, shaded seating, music system, and freedom to request coves or beaches create good value when the cost is shared.

I would pause if you are counting on the $223 price to cover everything. Once you add the €75 skipper fee, €75 fuel, food, drinks, and BBQ equipment, the final cost can be much higher. I would also choose another option if you need more than three hours or want a guaranteed full meal.

For the right group, this is a relaxed way to enjoy the Blue Lagoon, Gozo, Elephant Rock, and Comino from the water. Just set your priorities early, arrive 30 minutes ahead, and let sea conditions guide the final plan.

FAQ

How long is the BBQ Bay cruise?

The private boat charter lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price applies to one private group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart?

In Gozo, the meeting area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, it is near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is a professional skipper included in the price?

No. The professional skipper is listed separately at €75.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €75.

Is food included?

No. BBQ food, party food, drinks, party beverages, and BBQ beverages are not included.

Is the barbecue included?

No. The barbecue itself is listed as an extra item.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also plan your own food and drinks if you want them onboard.