Malta: The Three Islands Private Boat Tour

Crystal water, quiet coves, and your own boat. This four-hour private charter takes you along Malta, Comino, and Gozo with a captain, fuel, shade, music, and snorkeling equipment. I especially like the private group of up to 10 and the freedom to adjust the route around your group’s wishes. You are not tied to a large boat schedule or a fixed crowd.

I also like the practical touches: water and light snacks, a cooler with ice, and a canopy are included. Captain Carlos receives repeated praise for being friendly, prompt, polite, and flexible, even adjusting the trip for mixed ages and different confidence levels in the water. The main consideration is time. Four hours passes quickly, and rough sea conditions may require a changed departure time or route.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You share the boat only with your family or friends, plus the captain.
• Flexible route: Stops can be adjusted around your group’s wishes, swimming plans, and sea conditions.
• Three-island views: The route takes in Malta, Comino, and Gozo, with bays, lagoons, harbors, and open-water cruising.
• Useful onboard extras: A canopy, sound system, snorkeling equipment, cooler with ice, water, and light snacks are provided.
• Captain Carlos is a major strength: He is repeatedly praised for his boat handling, organization, and warm manner.
• Four hours is a brisk outing: You get several scenic stops, but not an in-depth visit to every place.

Starting at Beachaven and settling into the boat

The trip begins at the Beachaven Lido and returns there at the end, which keeps the arrangement simple. You do not need to arrange a second meeting point in another bay or harbor.

A private boat changes the feel of the outing from the start. You can talk with your own group, choose your music from the sound system, and ask for more time at a swimming stop if the conditions allow. The boat includes a canopy, so you have some relief from the strong Mediterranean sun, though you should still bring sun protection.

The boat is suitable for groups of up to 10 passengers. That is a useful size: large enough for a family gathering or a group of friends, but small enough for the captain to respond to individual requests. If your party includes people of different ages or varying confidence in the water, tell the captain early. Carlos has adjusted the pace and stops for mixed groups, which can make the outing work better for everyone.

The boat also has a cooler with ice, water, and light snacks. You may bring your own drinks, and one group specifically appreciated being able to do so. Food service is not the point of this trip, so plan your own meal before or after the cruise if you need more than light refreshments.

St Paul’s Bay and the first coastal views

After leaving Beachaven, the boat cruises around St Paul’s Bay. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, see the coast from the water, and get a sense of the sea conditions before the swimming stops begin.

A boat view shows Malta differently from a road or town walk. You see the shoreline as a continuous sweep of coves and rocky edges, with fewer interruptions from buildings and traffic. The value here is not a long stop on land. It is the chance to get your bearings and enjoy the coastline without spending the morning moving between separate beaches.

The captain can also judge how comfortable the ride feels. If the sea is rough, the route may change. That is worth taking seriously if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness. The activity is specifically not suitable for people who regularly suffer from it.

Sharks Bay, Armier Bay, and Paradise Bay

The wider route can include Sharks Bay, Armier Bay, and Paradise Bay. These places help give the trip variety: one stop may suit a swim, another may be better for views from the boat, and another may offer a calmer pause depending on the weather.

Because this is a private charter, you are not simply carried past the coast while a guide follows a loudspeaker script. You can discuss how long you want to stay, ask to move on, or request another swimming break when the captain considers it safe. Several passengers particularly valued being able to choose when to stop and when to continue.

Paradise Bay is one of the scenic highlights named for the route. You should think of it as a coastal viewing and swimming stop rather than a full beach visit. The boat cruise format means you may spend much of the time looking from the water, with the option to swim when conditions suit.

The same applies to Armier Bay and Sharks Bay. The attraction is the combined coastline, not a promise of a long shore visit at each location. Trying to cover every named bay in four hours means the schedule has to stay flexible.

Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon on Comino

The Comino portion is likely to be the most eagerly anticipated part of the trip. Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are known for clear water and dramatic coastal views, and both are included among the planned stops.

The private boat matters most here. Comino’s popular water spots can feel very busy, especially when several boats arrive at once. Your captain cannot control the number of other boats in the area, but a private charter gives you more say over how you use your time. You can enjoy a swim, take photos from the boat, or leave sooner if the area feels crowded.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, which saves you from packing your own gear. Still, the water activity is optional. If one person in your group prefers to stay aboard, the canopy and seating give them a comfortable alternative while others swim.

Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are not interchangeable stops. The route includes both, giving you a chance to see different parts of Comino’s coast. The boat’s sound system adds a relaxed, social touch, though I would ask the captain to keep the music at a level that still lets your group talk and hear safety instructions.

You should not expect a quiet private lagoon. The charter is private, but the surrounding sea is shared with other boats. The benefit is having your own captain and schedule, not having the entire coast to yourself.

Comino by boat, with less rushing

Comino is also listed as a separate stop, after Blue Lagoon. This reflects the way the route is designed: the island is not just a single photo stop but part of a longer cruise around its coves and water.

The boat lets you see Comino without committing to a long walk or a land-based visit. That is useful in hot weather, for families, and for anyone who would rather spend the morning swimming than searching for a place to sit on shore.

At the same time, a four-hour cruise cannot offer a slow tour of every bay. If your main goal is to spend most of the day at one lagoon, a longer charter may suit you better. This outing is designed for variety, with several coastal stops packed into half a day.

Gozo Harbour and Mgarr Harbour

The route continues toward Gozo Harbour, also identified as Mgarr Harbour. This is the Gozo section of the trip and gives you a view of the island from the sea.

A harbor stop adds a useful change of pace after the swimming areas of Comino. Instead of only seeing open water and coves, you get a working coastal setting with boats, harbor activity, and a different view of Gozo’s shoreline. The listed plan describes this as a boat cruise, so do not assume you will have time to go ashore and explore the harbor town.

This part also shows why the private format is valuable. You can ask the captain questions, take in the views at your own speed, and avoid the feeling of being one person in a large group. Captain Carlos is repeatedly praised for explaining Malta and adding a personal touch to the ride without taking over the day.

Returning to St Paul’s Island and Beachaven

After Gozo Harbour, the boat heads back toward St Paul’s Island before returning to Beachaven. The return journey completes the three-island circuit in a compact way.

The schedule is full, but not frantic if you treat the trip as a scenic cruise with swimming opportunities rather than a checklist. The captain can help decide which stops deserve more time. One important practical point is that the tour operator may suggest moving the departure when the sea is rough. That is a sensible safety measure, not an inconvenience to dismiss.

Keep your phone, camera, towel, and other belongings secure around the swimming stops. The supplied information confirms shade, snacks, water, and snorkeling equipment, but it does not promise waterproof storage or changing facilities, so pack with a boat day in mind.

What the captain adds to the day

Captain Carlos is the person most closely associated with the positive experience. He is praised for being organized, prompt, polite, and accommodating. Those qualities matter more on a private boat than they might on a standard sightseeing cruise because the captain directly shapes the pace of your day.

He has adjusted outings for mixed-age groups and people with different levels of comfort in the water. That is helpful if your party includes confident swimmers alongside people who simply want to sit in the shade and enjoy the coast.

His boat handling is also singled out. A skilled captain can make the movement between bays feel smooth and can respond when sea conditions change. The boat is described as fast, which helps cover Malta, Comino, and Gozo within four hours, though speed may also mean a breezier ride between stops.

Communication before the trip is another strength. The operator contacted one group about moving the departure because of rough seas. You should make sure the booking contact information is accurate and keep an eye out for updates.

Value for a private group of up to 10

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. The right comparison is not with a basic public ferry. Compare it with the combined cost of several individual boat seats, the privacy of having your own group, the captain and fuel, and the ability to shape the route.

For a group of eight to 10, a private charter can make good sense because the total cost is shared. You receive four hours on the water, a captain, fuel, canopy, cooler with ice, water, light snacks, and snorkeling equipment. The private setting also removes the need to match your day to a large group’s schedule.

For a small party of two or three, the value calculation is different. You pay for privacy and flexibility, not simply transport. If those are your priorities, it may still be worthwhile. If you only want the cheapest way to see Blue Lagoon, a shared cruise could cost less.

An all-inclusive option is also available, but the exact extras and price are not specified. Ask what that option includes before paying. This is especially important because transport, lunch, and other add-ons may not be automatically arranged unless they are clearly confirmed.

Who will enjoy this Malta boat tour most

I would choose this trip for families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that want control over the day. It is especially useful when people in the group have different ideas about swimming, music, sightseeing, and time in the sun.

You will likely enjoy it if you want:

• Several coastal stops in one four-hour outing
• A private boat rather than a shared group cruise
• Swimming and snorkeling opportunities
• A captain who can adjust the route
• Views of Malta, Comino, and Gozo from the water
• A relaxed afternoon with your own friends or family

I would think twice if you dislike boat movement, suffer from seasickness, or want a long visit on land. Babies under one year and people over 95 are not considered suitable for the activity. The trip is also less useful if your only goal is one lagoon, since the route is built around seeing several places.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, especially when weather affects boat plans.

Should you book the Three Islands private charter?

Book it if your group values privacy, swimming stops, and a flexible route more than a rigid sightseeing schedule. The combination of Malta, Comino, Gozo, a private boat, and a responsive captain gives you a lot in four hours.

I would book for a group of friends or family members who can share the cost and agree on a general plan. Ask in advance about any all-inclusive extras, confirm whether you may bring your own drinks, and keep your schedule flexible in case the sea requires a later departure.

Skip it if seasickness is a concern or if you need a full-day visit to Gozo on land. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see a large amount of Maltese coastline without spending the day in a crowded boat.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

The tour starts at the Beachaven Lido in Malta.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to Beachaven, the same place where the activity begins.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private charter is designed for groups of up to 10 passengers.

Is a captain included?

Yes. A captain and fuel are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the activity.

Are food and drinks included?

Water and light snacks are included. The boat also has a cooler with ice, and you may bring your own drinks. An all-inclusive option is available, but its exact contents are not specified.

Does the boat have shade?

Yes. The boat has a canopy for shade.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route can include St Paul’s Bay, Sharks Bay, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Comino, Gozo Harbour, Mgarr Harbour, and St Paul’s Island. The route is customizable.

Is the tour suitable for people with seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve without paying immediately?

Yes. The reserve now and pay later option lets you book without paying anything at the time of reservation.