Malta: Private Boat Cruise with Caves, Beaches & Swim Stops

Blue water, quiet coves, and your own boat. This four-hour cruise gives you a pleasant way to see Comino’s caves, rock formations, lagoons, and swim spots without joining a crowded large vessel. I especially like the private group setup for families and friends, plus the freedom to choose more swimming, sightseeing, or time ashore.

I also like the practical extras: snorkel masks, fins, noodles, a side ladder, fresh-water showers, an ice cooler, and a Bluetooth sound system. The main point to consider is the extra €89 fuel fee, payable in cash onboard. Four hours is enough for a good taste of the islands, but you may wish it lasted longer.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worthwhile

• Comino’s caves and Blue Lagoon: You get close views of the island’s rock formations, with time to swim and snorkel in clear water.
• Private boat for up to seven: Your group does not have to follow the pace of a large public cruise.
• Flexible route: You can request secluded spots, beaches, lagoons, and swim stops, or let the skipper plan the outing.
• Skippers who add to the day: Frances, also referred to as Francis in some feedback, is praised for being attentive, friendly, and helpful.
• Useful onboard gear: Masks, fins, noodles, a ladder, showers, ice, and music are included.
• Optional Maltese platter: Bigilla, ftira, local cheeselets, olives, dips, sun-dried tomatoes, biscuits, and pasta salad make a handy lunch at sea.

Leaving from Cirkewwa behind the café

The meeting point is at Sea Life Cruises in Cirkewwa. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the Cirkewwa Café. That detail matters because harbors can be confusing, and the boat is not described as being directly in front of the café.

Give yourself enough time to arrive. The charter does not get longer if you are late, so a delayed start cuts into your swimming and sightseeing. At the end, the boat returns to the same meeting point unless weather, tides, shallow water, or another legitimate safety concern requires a change.

You meet a qualified skipper who handles the boat and route. The trip is conducted in English, and the group remains private, with a maximum of seven people. Children and infants count toward that total, so a family of seven fills the boat.

What the private format changes

The biggest benefit is space and control. On a large boat, you usually accept a fixed route and a fixed timetable. Here, you can tell the skipper if your group would rather swim, snorkel, look at caves, sunbathe, or spend some time on land.

That flexibility is not unlimited. The skipper has the final say when wind, tides, shallow water, or safety conditions affect the route. Still, the private arrangement gives you far more room to adjust the day than a standard group cruise.

The boat also offers a more relaxed social setting. You can play music through the Bluetooth system, bring food and drinks, and settle into the outing with family or friends. The boat has an ice cooler, but extra drinks are not included and can be purchased separately.

You should think of this as an active sea outing rather than a formal sightseeing tour. The boat moves between stops, but much of the pleasure comes from sitting in the sun, looking at the cliffs, and jumping into the water when the skipper drops anchor.

Comino caves and the short ride between stops

The planned movement between the main locations includes short speedboat rides of about 10 minutes. These short stretches keep the day from feeling like a long transfer. You spend more of your four hours near places where you can actually swim, snorkel, or look around.

Comino’s caves are one of the visual highlights. The skipper can take you near rock openings and unusual formations, giving you a view that is difficult to get from land. The scenery is best appreciated from the water, where you can see the shapes of the cliffs and the way the sea meets the stone.

Your skipper also provides some explanation at the stops, including information about the caves and the places you are seeing. This is not presented as a long historical lecture. It is more useful, short commentary that helps you understand what is in front of you.

If you enjoy photography, bring a camera, but keep it secure on the moving boat. The combination of pale rock, bright sea, and open views gives you plenty to photograph. The boat’s movement and glare can make phone photography tricky, so a waterproof case is a sensible personal addition, though it is not listed as supplied.

Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and the bays

The Blue Lagoon is the best-known stop and the place most likely to define your day. The water is described as exceptionally clear and bright, making it a strong choice for swimming and snorkeling. You can use the side ladder to get back aboard, and swimming noodles are available for anyone who wants support in the water.

There is one practical rule you must handle before the trip. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to set foot on Comino’s Blue Lagoon area under Maltese law. Check your voucher for the required information. This is easy to overlook, especially if you assume that a boat booking alone covers access.

The Blue Lagoon is also the only stop specifically noted as having food and drinks available nearby. If you want to eat during the cruise, bring supplies or select the Maltese platter in advance. Do not count on buying a full meal at every stop.

Crystal Lagoon, St. Maria Bay, and St. Nikolaus Bay add variety. The skipper may use these places for swimming, snorkeling, quiet time, or views, depending on conditions and your group’s preference. Since the route can change, the exact order and length of each stop are not fixed.

That flexibility is useful, but it also means you should not treat every named place as a guaranteed long stop. The skipper may change the plan because of weather, tides, or water depth. In Malta, that is a sensible tradeoff for a safer and more comfortable outing.

Swimming and snorkeling without a packed deck

The cruise includes masks, fins, and swimming noodles, so you do not need to arrange basic snorkeling equipment separately. You also get a ladder for climbing out of the water and fresh-water showers for rinsing off salt.

The gear makes the experience easier, but you should still bring your own beachwear, sunscreen, and any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer. Bring food and drinks if you are not selecting the platter. Cash is especially important because the fuel fee must be paid onboard in cash.

Swim stops can be the heart of the cruise. You can drop anchor in turquoise water, cool off, and then return to the boat for sunbathing. The boat offers a calmer setting than a large excursion vessel, and that difference is especially valuable if you are traveling with children or simply dislike crowded decks.

At the same time, this is not the best choice for everyone. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, or people over 70 years old. These restrictions are worth taking seriously because a small boat can move noticeably with the sea.

The Maltese platter is more than a snack

If you select the food option, you receive an authentic Maltese platter with a drink. It includes bigilla dip, white beans, stuffed olives, sun-dried tomatoes, water biscuits, traditional ftira, local dips, Maltese cheeselets, and pasta salad.

That makes the platter a useful addition for a four-hour trip, especially when you want to stay onboard instead of finding food at the Blue Lagoon. It also gives you a simple introduction to Maltese flavors without requiring a restaurant stop.

The platter is optional, not part of the basic cruise. Extra drinks are also not included. If your group has particular dietary needs, the supplied information does not promise substitutions, so you should ask before booking rather than assume the menu can be changed.

Frances and the value of a smaller boat

The skipper can make a big difference on a private trip. Frances is repeatedly praised for being friendly, attentive, and willing to shape the outing around the group. He is described as explaining the sights, helping with requests, and creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Music is part of the appeal for some groups. The boat has a large JBL-style speaker, according to the experience details shared after the trip, so you can add your own soundtrack while cruising. Keep the volume considerate if other boats or people are nearby, but it is a fun touch for a private charter.

Safety and comfort also seem to receive proper attention. On one outing, windy conditions made it unsafe to return to the original harbor, and the provider arranged a taxi back to the hotel. That does not mean such a change is likely on your trip, but it shows why you should accept route changes when the skipper says conditions require them.

Is $397 good value for seven people?

The listed price is $397 for a private group of up to seven, before the €89 fuel charge. If seven people share the base price, that works out to about $57 per person, plus the shared fuel cost. A smaller group pays more per person, so the value improves as you fill the boat.

The price makes most sense when you compare it with what you are buying: a private boat, a qualified skipper, flexible stops, snorkeling equipment, water access, music, and four hours around Malta and Comino. You are not paying simply for transport to the Blue Lagoon. You are paying for privacy and the chance to shape the day.

The fuel fee changes the calculation. Add €89 in cash to your budget before you arrive. The optional platter and extra drinks cost more if selected or purchased, so the final amount will be higher than the headline price.

For a couple, this may feel expensive unless privacy matters greatly. For a family or group of friends, it can be a strong value, particularly if you would otherwise book several separate activities or dislike crowded public boats.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack light. You need beachwear, sunscreen, a camera, food and drinks if desired, and cash. A towel is not specifically listed, so bring one if you expect to swim and sunbathe afterward.

High-heeled shoes, oversize luggage, large bags, intoxication, and non-folding strollers are not allowed. These limits are practical on a small boat. Use a compact soft bag rather than bringing suitcases or rigid luggage.

You should also arrive prepared for sun and wind. The supplied information does not promise shade, so plan your sun protection carefully. The boat has fresh-water showers, which help after swimming, but they do not replace the need for your own sunscreen and dry clothing.

Who should book this Malta cruise?

I would choose this trip for a family or friend group that wants a private day on the water, especially if the Blue Lagoon and Comino caves are high on the list. It also suits people who prefer a quieter boat over a large public excursion and who want the freedom to spend more time swimming.

It is less suitable if you want a fully fixed schedule, extensive land sightseeing, or a long guided explanation at every stop. The route is partly shaped by weather and sea conditions, and the main focus is water, scenery, and relaxation.

Four hours is enough to see several important places and enjoy swim stops. A few people may wish for a longer charter, but the shorter format works well if you have other plans in Malta. You get a clear taste of the islands without committing your whole day.

The activity has a 4.9 rating from 107 reviews, with especially strong praise for the skippers, the clear water, the private setting, and the contrast with crowded large boats. That matches the central strength of the experience: it gives you a personal boat day without requiring you to organize a private captain and equipment yourself.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you can fill most of the seven seats, want time in the water, and value privacy more than a rigid itinerary. Add the €89 cash fuel fee, remember the Blue Lagoon QR code, and arrive early at the dock behind Cirkewwa Café.

I would skip it if you are prone to motion sickness, need wheelchair access, have serious back concerns, or prefer to stay completely on land. For everyone else who wants caves, swim stops, music, and a flexible route around Comino, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to spend four hours in Malta.

FAQ

Where does the private boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Sea Life Cruises in Cirkewwa. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the Cirkewwa Café.

How long does the boat trip last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total.

Is the fuel fee included in the listed price?

No. Fuel consumption costs €89 and must be paid in cash onboard.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, swimming fins, and swimming noodles are included. The boat also has a side ladder for getting back onboard.

Is the Maltese food platter included?

The Maltese platter is included only if you select the option with the platter and drink. It includes bigilla, white beans, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, biscuits, ftira, local dips, Maltese cheeselets, and pasta salad.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. Check your voucher for details.

Can the skipper change the route?

Yes. The skipper may change the itinerary, route, or embarkation and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate factors.