Boat charters and boat tours in Malta

Malta looks best from the water. This private charter gives you seven hours aboard a 24-foot open boat, with time for Comino’s coves, caves, and three proper swim stops rather than a quick coastal glance. I especially like the roomy private format and the useful gear included: snorkels, floating noodles, a cooler with ice, and a stand-up paddleboard.

I also like the choice of music, since you can connect your phone to the boat’s sound system. The main consideration is comfort: an open boat with a powerful 250-horsepower motor offers fun and speed, but shade and weather protection are limited. For a full seven-hour day, bring sun protection and be ready for a lively ride.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 14 people: The whole boat is reserved for your group, so you are not sharing the schedule with strangers.
• Three swim stops: The plan includes Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon, giving you several chances to get in the water.
• Comino sightseeing: The route includes Mellieha Cave, Comino caves, Elephant Rock, and Saint Paul Island.
• Practical equipment included: Snorkel gear, floating noodles, a cooler with ice flakes, and a stand-up paddleboard come at no extra charge.
• Seven hours on the water: A half-day option lasts four hours, while the full-day charter lasts seven hours.
• Good value for a group: At $648 for up to 14 people, the cost works out much better when shared among family or friends.

Why a private boat changes the day

A private charter is less about ticking off sights and more about controlling your time. With a shared boat, you usually follow a fixed route and fixed stop lengths. Here, your group has the boat to itself, along with an English-speaking skipper and fuel included in the price.

The seating capacity is 14 people. That makes this particularly useful for a large family, a group of friends, or a holiday gathering that wants to stay together. You are not paying $648 per person. The price covers the group, so the value improves sharply as your party gets larger.

At full capacity, the cost is about $46 per person. For seven people, it is about $93 each, before any other personal expenses. That is not a cheap solo activity, but it can be a sensible group splurge for a full day around Comino.

The boat is an open 24-foot model with a Yamaha 250-horsepower motor. That setup should appeal to you if you want a brisk ride between bays and coastal sights. It is less suitable if you need a quiet, enclosed boat or dislike sun, wind, and spray. Seating is available for 14, but larger groups should expect a social, close-together atmosphere rather than personal space.

Starting in St Julians and heading toward Comino

The activity begins at Aqua Bliss Charters Malta, with pickup and drop-off in St Julians. The supplied details do not give a precise departure time, so you need to check the available start times for your chosen date.

Once aboard, the skipper handles navigation and fuel. That matters in Malta, where a private boat lets you see several parts of the coast in one day without arranging separate transport between swimming areas. You can keep your bags in storage beneath the seats, a small but useful detail when everyone brings towels, phones, water, and sun cream.

The onboard cooler comes with ice flakes. You can use it for the drinks and food you bring, although the information provided does not state that meals or drinks are supplied. Plan your provisions accordingly.

The stereo adds a relaxed touch. You can connect your mobile phone and play your own music, which works well for a private group that wants a day with its own mood. Keep your phone protected from spray and make sure someone in the group remains responsible for it around the water.

Saint Paul Island and the first coastal sights

Saint Paul Island is included among the early sights. The boat also visits Mellieha Cave, Comino caves, and Elephant Rock. These stops give you more than a simple trip to the Blue Lagoon, since the route includes rock formations and coastal views along the way.

Mellieha Cave provides a change from the open sea, while the Comino caves show off the pale rock and clear water that make this part of Malta so popular by boat. Elephant Rock is a memorable natural formation and an easy landmark to appreciate from the water.

The exact amount of time spent at each sight is not specified. That is worth keeping in mind. The three swim stops are clearly part of the plan, but the caves and rock formations may be viewed from the boat rather than treated as long shore visits.

Santa Maria Bay gives you the first swim

The first planned swim stop is at Santa Maria Bay. Starting here gives you an early chance to cool off and test the water before the busiest part of the Comino route.

Snorkel gear is included, and the floating noodles can help you relax in the water without having to swim constantly. The boat also carries a stand-up paddleboard for free use. If your group has mixed swimming abilities, those extras make the stop more flexible.

You should still bring your own swimwear, towels, and sun cream. The charter supplies equipment, but the supplied information does not mention changing rooms, showers, or a shaded cabin. Wear what you need before boarding and keep valuables to a minimum.

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, with a practical warning

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, and it is easy to see why. Its bright water and pale rock make it one of Malta’s most recognisable places for a swim. Arriving by private boat gives you a better view of the lagoon’s setting and avoids the need to arrange a separate trip to Comino.

The catch is that the Blue Lagoon is also one of Malta’s most sought-after swimming spots. Conditions can feel busy, especially during the popular part of the day. A private charter does not make the lagoon private, but it does give you control over how long you stay and lets you enjoy the view from the boat before or after swimming.

The details say that the group spends around five hours in Comino, including swimming and snorkeling. That does not mean five hours in the Blue Lagoon alone. The time is shared among the caves, coastal sights, Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon.

If you prefer a quieter swim, ask the skipper how the timing can work on your date. The private format is most useful here because your group can discuss the pace rather than simply following a large boat’s timetable.

Crystal Lagoon brings a different kind of water stop

Crystal Lagoon is the third swim stop and gives the day a second major water highlight after the Blue Lagoon. It is included as part of the full Comino visit, so you can compare two of the island’s best-known swimming areas in one outing.

The route does not promise a long beach visit. This is a boat-based day, so the appeal comes from stepping directly into the water, snorkeling, floating, and using the paddleboard. If you want a traditional sandy beach day with long periods onshore, this is not the right format.

For many people, the Crystal Lagoon stop will be the most useful part of the charter. You have already seen some of the famous sights, and now you can settle into the water with the included equipment. Floating noodles are especially handy for taking a break between swims.

What the included gear means in practice

The extras are simple, but they improve the day. You do not need to arrange separate snorkel rental, and you can use the cooler rather than carrying every drink in a warm bag.

The included items are:

• Snorkel equipment
• Floating noodles
• Cooler with ice flakes
• Stand-up paddleboard
• Boat stereo connection for your mobile phone
• Skipper
• Fuel

The description uses the term snorkelers, which I understand as snorkel gear. If you need a particular size or have concerns about equipment fit, ask the operator before departure.

The paddleboard is available for free use, but the information does not give instructions about how long each person may use it or how many boards are carried. In a group of 14, you may need to share it. The same applies to snorkel equipment, so do not assume there will be a full set for every person unless the operator confirms that.

Dorian’s skipper service and the human side of the trip

The skipper can make or break a private boat day. You are spending many hours in a small space, so a friendly and attentive person at the helm matters as much as the scenery.

Dorian received particularly warm praise after a September 24, 2024 outing. He was described as pleasant, attentive, and kind to everyone in the group. The same account specifically noted the broad cooler, storage beneath the seats, free snorkel gear, and floating noodles. Those details suggest that the service is not only about getting from one bay to another. Small acts of care make a long day on an open boat much easier.

The stated driver language is English. If your group needs another language, you should contact Aqua Bliss Charters Malta before booking, since English is the language given for this activity.

Seven hours or four hours?

The full-day charter lasts seven hours. That is the better choice if you want all the listed sights plus three swim stops without rushing. Comino alone is planned for about five hours of swimming and snorkeling, leaving time for the coastal sights and the return trip.

The four-hour half-day option may suit you if you have limited time or only want the main water stops. The supplied details do not give a separate half-day route, so confirm which sights and swim stops fit into those four hours.

I would choose the full day for a group that wants a proper sea outing. The half-day makes more sense if you are combining this with another Malta activity or if some people in your group are unlikely to enjoy seven hours in the sun.

What to bring for an open-boat day

You should pack lightly, but bring the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun cream and a hat
• Drinking water and food for the cooler
• A waterproof case or bag for your phone
• Dry clothing for the ride back
• Sunglasses with a secure strap

The open design is part of the fun, but it also means direct exposure to sun and wind. The details do not mention a canopy, cabin, shower, or changing area. I would not plan this as a polished luxury cruise. Think of it as an active private day on the sea, with room for swimming and simple onboard comforts.

You should also consider your group’s swimming confidence. Snorkels, noodles, and a paddleboard are provided, but the activity remains water-focused. If anyone is uncomfortable in open water, tell the skipper early and use the floating equipment sensibly.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are arranging a group and still confirming everyone’s plans.

The activity is valid for one day, and availability depends on the date and starting time you select. Since the charter runs on the water, check the conditions and the operator’s instructions before setting out, particularly if your group includes young children or anyone prone to seasickness.

Who should book this Malta charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families or friends who can share the group price
• People who want a private day rather than a scheduled shared cruise
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want several water stops
• Groups that enjoy music, casual seating, and an informal boat atmosphere
• Anyone who wants to combine Comino’s famous lagoons with caves and coastal rock formations

I would hesitate if you want a shaded, quiet, enclosed boat, a long beach stay, or a highly structured guided sightseeing tour. The boat is open, the day is built around swimming, and exact stop lengths are not specified.

Should you book the Aqua Bliss Malta boat charter?

Book it if you have a group of up to 14 and want Malta’s best-known Comino stops handled in one private day. The included skipper, fuel, cooler, snorkel gear, noodles, and paddleboard add real value, especially when the $648 price is divided among several people.

The best reason to choose it is control. You get seven hours to see Saint Paul Island, Mellieha Cave, Comino’s caves, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon, with your own group setting the tone. Just remember that the open boat offers limited protection from the elements, and the Blue Lagoon itself is not private.

For a sociable group that values swimming more than luxury, this is a strong Malta choice. Dorian’s warm, attentive service is another encouraging detail, but I would still confirm the meeting point, start time, equipment arrangements, and expected weather before paying.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The full-day private charter costs $648 for a group of up to 14 people.

How long does the full-day charter last?

The full-day charter lasts seven hours.

Is there a half-day option?

Yes. A half-day charter is available for four hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Saint Paul Island, Mellieha Cave, Comino caves, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Bay, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Swimming and snorkeling are part of the Comino portion of the trip, with three planned swim stops.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and floating noodles are provided free of charge.

Is a paddleboard available?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard is available for free use during the charter.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. The skipper and fuel are included.