Malta: Private Boat Charter around Comino

Three bays, one private boat, no fixed crowd. This Comino charter gives your group a three-hour outing with time to swim at the Blue Lagoon, explore the Crystal Lagoon, and slow down at Santa Marija Bay. I like the private format for families and friends, and I like that the boat carries up to 12 people without putting you into a large shared excursion.

The strongest part is the simple route: one hour at each stop, with towels and bottled water supplied. I also appreciate the flexible feel suggested by a family that has hired the same day charter for more than 20 years, making it an annual tradition. The main drawback is the extra €100 fuel surcharge, plus the need to bring your own lunch and drinks.

Key points to know before booking

• Three one-hour stops: The schedule gives you meaningful time at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay.
• Private boat for up to 12: Your party travels alone rather than joining a larger public group.
• Swimming is the main event: Each stop offers clear water, and the Crystal Lagoon also has sea caves to explore.
• Bring food and drinks: Bottled water is included, but lunch and other beverages are not.
• Check the total price: The listed group price is $350.85, with a €100 fuel surcharge per booking.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A private way to see Comino’s best water

Comino is small, but its coastline packs in some of Malta’s most famous swimming spots. A private boat makes sense here because the appeal is not a long guided walk or a list of monuments. It is the freedom to spend a full hour in the water, move on when the mood changes, and enjoy the coast with only your own group aboard.

The boat takes up to 12 people, so the price works best when shared among family or friends. At $350.85 per group, the base cost comes to about $29 per person for 12 people, before the €100 fuel surcharge. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, so calculate the full amount before booking.

You receive bottled water, towels, and fuel as listed inclusions. At the same time, the booking information also adds a €100 fuel surcharge per booking. Treat that surcharge as part of the real cost, not as a minor footnote. The total can still offer good value for a private boat, but only if your group values privacy and swimming time over the lower price of a shared cruise.

The trip begins at an agreed pickup point where the dinghy can collect you. Exact pickup details are important, so confirm where you need to wait before the day begins. The excursion ends back at the meeting point, keeping the outing tidy and easy to fit into a day on Malta.

The Blue Lagoon for one full hour

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the schedule gives it the time it deserves. You get about an hour to swim, snorkel, float, or sit in the sun beside the famously clear turquoise water.

The color is the draw, but the practical value is the chance to get into the water rather than simply view it from a boat. If you want photographs, take them early in your stop, then put the phone away and enjoy the swim. Towels are supplied, which saves you from packing one for every person in your group.

The lagoon is also the stop most likely to feel busy, even on a private charter. Your boat may be private, but the water and shoreline are not. Keep that in mind if you are expecting a completely secluded beach experience. The private format gives you personal space aboard the boat, not exclusive use of Comino’s most famous swimming area.

I would use this first hour for the activities your group cares about most. Strong swimmers can snorkel and look for marine life. Families may prefer a shorter swim followed by time on the boat. If someone in your party is not comfortable in open water, the private setting makes it easier to set a pace that suits the group.

There is no admission ticket for the stop. That does not mean there are no costs connected with the charter, so remember to include the fuel surcharge and your own food and drinks when you budget.

Crystal Lagoon and its sea caves

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood from its famous neighbor. The focus here is calm, clear water and sea caves that you can approach from the boat or explore while swimming.

This is the most visually interesting part of the route for many people. The caves give you something to investigate beyond a standard swim, and the clear water works well for photographs and snorkeling. If the Blue Lagoon feels like the big scenic stop, the Crystal Lagoon gives the day a more exploratory character.

You have about an hour here, which is enough to swim and spend time near the caves without turning the stop into a rushed photo break. Use care around rocky areas and follow the boat operator’s instructions. The supplied information does not promise snorkel equipment, so bring your own if you want to snorkel. The same applies to masks and other personal swimming gear.

The lagoon is described as calm and secluded, but conditions can change. This is a boat trip dependent on good weather, and the operator may need to adjust the outing if conditions are poor. That flexibility is useful. One family that has returned for more than 20 years describes the charter as being adjusted to make the most of the day in changing weather, which suggests that the operator’s local familiarity is part of the appeal.

A slower hour at Santa Marija Bay

Santa Marija Bay is the quietest stop on the route. It is presented as a less crowded place to swim or sunbathe, surrounded by unspoiled nature and clear water.

I like the way this stop rounds out the day. The Blue Lagoon gives you the famous view, the Crystal Lagoon adds caves and exploration, and Santa Marija Bay gives you time to relax without chasing another sight. If your group has children, older family members, or anyone who simply wants a peaceful swim, this may become the favorite hour.

The schedule allows roughly 60 minutes here. That is long enough to make the bay feel like a real stop rather than a quick pass-by. You can swim, sunbathe on the boat, or enjoy the water at a slower pace.

Do not expect a full beach day with lunch service or a stocked bar. Lunch is not included, and you must bring your own food and drinks. Pack items that are easy to eat on a boat, along with enough water for everyone. Bottled water is supplied, but it is still wise to confirm how much is provided for your group before departure.

What the three-hour schedule really means

Three hours sounds short until you look at the route. With approximately one hour at each bay, most of your time is spent at the places you came to see rather than on a long open-water cruise.

The schedule is also easy to understand. You are not trying to fit in a dozen stops or remember a complicated sequence. The day has three clear chapters:

• Blue Lagoon for the famous water and swimming
• Crystal Lagoon for sea caves, photographs, and snorkeling
• Santa Marija Bay for a quieter final swim

There is one tradeoff. A three-hour charter does not leave much room for major changes to the plan. If your group wants to linger at one bay, the one-hour structure may feel restrictive. On the other hand, moving on after an hour gives you a good sample of Comino’s coastline.

The private setup may offer some flexibility, but do not assume the boat can extend the trip or ignore the planned duration. Ask about timing before you board if you have a particular priority, such as spending most of the outing at the Blue Lagoon.

The family-friendly value of a private charter

A private boat is especially useful when your group has mixed interests. One person can swim while another rests with a towel. Children can take breaks without forcing an entire public group to wait. Friends can bring their own rhythm to the day.

The long-running family tradition connected with this charter is worth noting. A family has used a day charter for more than 20 years and continues to bring children who enjoyed it when they were younger. That points to a service built around repeat use and adaptable outings, rather than a one-time sightseeing product only.

The information also says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat pickup is by dinghy, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the operator for specific boarding details before booking. The general participation statement is helpful, but it does not provide a full accessibility description.

The tour is offered in English. Since it is private, your group does not have to share the guide’s attention with strangers. No guide name is provided, but the operator is Barbarossa Excursions.

What to pack for the boat

The included supplies keep your packing list fairly short, but you still need to prepare for a self-contained outing.

Bring:

• Lunch and any drinks beyond the supplied bottled water
• Swimwear and sun protection
• Snorkeling equipment if you want to use it
• A phone or camera in a waterproof case
• Any personal medication or items you need during three hours away from shore

Towels are supplied, so you can save space there. Food is not provided, and there is no indication of onboard meal service. Pack before pickup rather than assuming you can buy lunch during the route.

A private charter can feel wonderfully simple once you are onboard, but a little preparation makes a real difference. Keep food secure, use a bag that can handle splashes, and avoid bringing more than you can manage around a small boat.

Price, fuel surcharge, and overall value

The listed price is $350.85 per group of up to 12 people. The strongest value appears when the boat is nearly full. At the maximum group size, you are paying for a private three-hour boat outing with three major swimming stops, towels, bottled water, and fuel listed among the inclusions.

The €100 fuel surcharge changes the calculation. Add it to your group budget before comparing this charter with other boat trips. For a full group, the added cost is easier to absorb. For two or three people, a shared excursion may be cheaper, though it will not give you the same private setting.

You are also responsible for lunch and drinks. That cost is modest compared with the boat, but it matters if you are comparing the full day price with an all-inclusive cruise. The charter is best value for people who care about privacy, a simple route, and substantial swimming time.

The three-hour duration also affects the price judgment. This is not an all-day boat hire. It is a focused half-day-style outing, useful when you want time on Comino without giving up the rest of your Malta plans.

Weather, cancellations, and practical booking details

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from paying for an unpleasant or unsafe day, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes within that same period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Malta.

Confirmation is normally provided at booking. If you book within seven days of travel, confirmation may arrive within 48 hours and remains subject to availability. Since pickup is at a point where the dinghy can collect you, make sure you have clear meeting instructions before the day.

The activity returns to its starting meeting point. It is near public transportation, and pickup is offered, but the exact pickup points vary according to where the dinghy can reach you. Confirm the meeting place rather than relying on a general Malta map pin.

Should you book this Comino boat charter?

I would book it if you have a group of family or friends who want a private swimming day and can share the full cost. The route is well judged, with the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay each serving a different purpose. You get clear water, sea caves, quiet time, and no need to follow a large public group.

I would pause if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you want a full day on the water. The €100 fuel surcharge, your own food and drinks, and the three-hour limit all matter. Also, the Blue Lagoon will not be private simply because your boat is.

For a full group, the price can make good sense. For a family that values easy pacing and repeatable memories, the charter has a strong case. Just confirm the pickup point, ask about the fuel surcharge, pack lunch, and choose a date with some weather flexibility.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat charter?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate one private group of up to 12 people.

Which places does the charter visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay, with approximately one hour at each stop.

Is food included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you need to bring your own food and drinks. Bottled water is provided.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €100 fuel surcharge applies per booking, even though fuel is also listed among the inclusions.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.