Mgarr/Cirkewwa: Comino, Gozo & Blue Lagoon Private Boat Trip

Leave the crowds behind. This private boat trip brings you to Comino’s sea caves, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and other coastal spots for three to four hours, with time to swim, snorkel, take photos, or simply sit in the shade. You depart from Mgarr in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta, and the private format lets your group shape the pace.

I like the access to quiet shorelines and the chance to play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker. I also like the flexible approach from skippers such as Joe and Mario, who have adjusted departure times and routes when wind or sea conditions changed.

The main catch is the advertised $116 price is per boat, but the professional skipper and fuel are listed separately at €99 each. For a full group of six, that can be good value. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive outing, so check the final total before booking.

Key points worth knowing

• Crystal Lagoon is the main swimming prize: Clear water, good visibility, and included mask-and-snorkel gear make this the natural place for a sea swim.
• The boat is private for up to six people: You are not sharing the vessel with a large excursion crowd, and the group can help set the pace.
• Joe and Mario earn special praise: They have helped with photos, music, route changes, and weather-related timing.
• Santa Maria Beach may be part of the route: The exact stops can change, but this quieter Comino shore was singled out as a favorite.
• Two departure points make planning easier: Choose Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Malta.
• The sea decides the day: Wind, tides, and safety conditions can change the route, timing, or disembarkation point.

What the private format really changes

A private boat is not just a smaller version of a group cruise. It changes how you use the short three to four hours.

On a large boat, you may have a fixed schedule and a set swimming stop. Here, your group can spend more time at a place you enjoy and less time at one that does not appeal. The skipper can also adjust the route when weather, waves, or local conditions require it.

That flexibility matters around Comino. The island’s famous water and narrow channels can feel very different depending on wind and boat traffic. A calm morning may be perfect for a longer swim at Crystal Lagoon. A windy afternoon may call for a more sheltered cove or a shorter stop.

You also avoid the feel of being processed through a big excursion. The boat still takes you to popular places, but you have your own seating, shade canopy, sun deck, cooler, and audio system. Bring snacks and drinks, then use the cooler rather than paying for food on the water.

The tradeoff is cost. A private charter gives you privacy and control, but two people do not spread the fixed cost very far. Six friends or family members can make the arithmetic much more attractive.

Starting at Mgarr or Cirkewwa

There are two meeting points. From Gozo, you meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, you meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. That is not wasted advice. Ports can be confusing, and you need time to find the meeting point without turning the start of your boat trip into a sprint. If you arrive late, the charter will not be extended.

The booking includes pickup at the stated departure location, but it does not describe a broad hotel transfer service. I would treat pickup as meeting at the marina or terminal unless the operator confirms something more specific.

Once aboard, expect a vessel set up for a relaxed half-day on the water. There are cozy seating areas, a shade canopy, a sun deck, safety equipment, and an ice cooler. Free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker are also included, which is unusual for a short boat outing and useful if your group wants its own soundtrack.

Food, drinks, and barbecue equipment are not included. Fishing gear and a cooler for fishing are also excluded, although the boat does include an ice cooler for general use.

Comino’s caves and narrow coastal passages

The first part of the outing focuses on Comino’s shoreline and sea caves. This is where a private boat has a clear advantage over a land-based visit. You can see inlets and rock formations that are difficult to reach on foot, and the skipper can bring you close enough for photographs when conditions allow.

The caves are not presented as a long walking visit. Think of them as a coastal viewing and boat-access experience, with the sea itself as the main setting. You might pass through or near openings in the rock, look into shaded water, and stop for photographs before moving on.

Comino’s coast is small, but it does not feel repetitive from the water. Each angle changes the view of the pale rock, openings, and water below. The quiet coves also give the trip a more personal feel than a packed sightseeing boat.

This is one area where you should keep expectations realistic. The skipper has the final say on the route, and rough water may make some caves unsuitable. The itinerary can change because of wind, tides, or other safety concerns. That is a sensible limitation, not a failure of the tour, but it means you should think of the stops as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed in a strict order.

Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling

Crystal Lagoon is the clearest reason to book this trip if you want time in the water. The lagoon is known for clear visibility and marine life, and snorkeling equipment, specifically a mask and snorkel, is included.

You can use the stop in different ways. If you enjoy snorkeling, look below the surface and take your time. If you are less interested in fish, the clear water still makes this a fine place for a refreshing swim and photos from the boat.

The private arrangement helps here. You are not tied to a large group getting in and out at once. You can ask for enough time to swim, provided sea and schedule conditions permit. One particularly positive detail from the trip’s feedback is that skippers allowed groups to choose how long they stayed at each place.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. The Mediterranean sun can feel strong even when the boat’s shade is comfortable. Cash is also listed among the recommended items, so carry some rather than assuming every expense can be paid by card.

Do not expect a full equipment rental center. The included gear is mask and snorkel. The information does not promise fins, flotation aids, wetsuits, or prescription masks, so bring anything special you need.

Blue Lagoon and the busier side of Comino

Blue Lagoon is Comino’s best-known stop, and it is likely to be the most popular part of the route. Its bright water and dramatic setting are exactly why people come here, but fame brings boats and people.

A private charter does not make Blue Lagoon empty. It does give you more control over when you arrive and how long you stay. If your timing is flexible, ask the skipper about visiting at a less crowded point in the day, though the final decision will depend on the sea and the charter schedule.

The contrast between Blue Lagoon and quieter coves is part of the appeal. You get the famous view, then a chance to move away from the busiest stretch. That balance makes the trip better than treating Blue Lagoon as the entire Comino experience.

The phrase skip the lines needs a little context. This is a boat excursion with a separate entrance arrangement, not a promise that the lagoon itself will be free of other boats. You save time compared with waiting for a larger public service, but you still arrive at one of Malta’s most popular coastal sights.

Santa Maria Beach and calmer shorelines

Santa Maria Beach was praised as a beautiful stop, especially on a day when the sea was rough. It offers a useful counterpoint to Blue Lagoon, with a more relaxed shore setting and a chance to appreciate Comino beyond its most photographed water.

The exact time at Santa Maria Beach depends on the route and conditions. You may stop for a swim, look toward the shore, or simply enjoy the quieter setting from the boat. If this is important to you, tell the skipper early in the trip.

This is also a good example of why a private charter can suit families. One family had a reservation changed after a child became ill, and the boat was described as comfortable for a family outing. That does not mean every change is guaranteed, but it shows the value of speaking with the operator promptly when plans shift.

Gozo views and the historical side of Comino

The trip is sold as a Comino and Gozo outing, so the views around Gozo and the channel between the islands form part of the appeal. From the water, you get a different sense of the coast than you do from roads or inland viewpoints.

The experience also includes Comino’s historical heritage, but the supplied details do not identify a specific monument, museum, or formal walking tour. Expect the skipper to provide live commentary in English or Maltese and to point out places along the coast, rather than a long land-based history lesson.

That distinction matters if you are booking mainly for culture. I would choose this trip for sea caves, swimming, shore access, and coastal views first. The historical element is an added layer, not the central activity.

The skippers receive particularly warm praise for their personal service. Joe was described as taking photographs and videos, while Mario was praised for explaining the area, allowing music, and handling a windy day safely. These small touches can make a private trip feel much more personal, especially if you want pictures without handing your phone to strangers.

Weather, timing, and the skipper’s judgment

The sea can change the day. The skipper may cancel, postpone, or alter the charter because of weather and sea conditions. Routes, stops, and departure or arrival points may also change because of wind, tides, or other legitimate reasons.

Several details show why that rule matters. On one windy day, the captain contacted the group the night before and changed the tour time to fit safer conditions. Another trip went ahead in rough water, but the skipper managed the route carefully and kept the group informed.

You should welcome that flexibility. A boat operator who refuses to adjust a plan in poor conditions is not doing you a favor. Still, book with an open mind. You may not see every cave or stop listed in the promotional description, and your chosen time may be adjusted to find better conditions.

The provider can also adjust the selected time to suit the best operating conditions and group needs. Keep your schedule slightly open around the charter rather than planning a tight connection immediately afterward.

Is the price good value?

The listed rate is $116 per private boat for up to six people. That sounds low for a private outing, but the exclusions deserve close attention.

The professional skipper is listed at €99, and fuel consumption is another €99. If both charges apply, the practical starting total is about $116 plus €198, before food and drinks. Currency conversion will affect the final figure, so confirm exactly what you will pay at checkout.

For six people, the shared cost can be reasonable for three to four hours of private access, snorkeling equipment, shade, a sun deck, a cooler, and flexible stops. For two people, the same fixed charges make the trip harder to justify unless privacy is a major priority.

I would compare the price with what you value. If you want a cheap way to see Comino, a public boat may cost less. If you want your own boat, control over swimming time, music, photos, and a quieter family or couples outing, the added cost has a clear purpose.

The trip has a 4.9 rating from 18 reviews, with repeated praise for the skippers, comfort, flexibility, and ability to handle changing conditions. That is a strong signal, though the sample is small. I would give more weight to the consistent comments about Joe and Mario’s service than to the number alone.

Who should book this boat trip?

I think this works best for:

• Couples who want privacy and a more romantic day on the water
• Families who need a comfortable, flexible outing
• Small groups of friends who can split the boat cost six ways
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want more than a quick scheduled stop
• Visitors staying in Gozo or near Malta’s northern ferry terminal
• People who prefer a personal skipper over a large excursion boat

It is less suitable if you dislike open-water movement, need a fixed itinerary, or mainly want a formal historical tour. The boat has shade, but this remains a sunny sea outing, and rough conditions are possible.

For a couple, I would book it only after adding the skipper and fuel charges. For a group of four to six, the value improves quickly.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the things that make a boat day comfortable:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Cash
• Snacks and drinks
• A waterproof phone pouch if you have one

The boat provides an ice cooler, but food and drinks are your responsibility. Snorkeling mask and snorkel are included, along with safety gear. If you want fins or specialized equipment, ask before departure.

Arrive 30 minutes early at Mgarr or Cirkewwa. Keep the day flexible in case the operator moves your start time. Most important, listen to the skipper about swimming areas and boarding. The private format gives you more freedom, not permission to ignore sea-safety instructions.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want Comino from the water without sharing your boat with a large group. The best reasons are the private setting, flexible swimming time, access to caves and quieter shorelines, and the strong personal service associated with skippers Joe and Mario.

Before paying, ask for the complete price with the €99 skipper fee and €99 fuel charge included. If you are a full group, the cost may be fair for the privacy and control. If you are only two people, book for the special occasion rather than expecting a bargain.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

You can depart from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, meeting near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, meeting near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long is the boat trip?

The trip lasts between three and four hours, depending on the selected time and operating conditions.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is for one private boat accommodating up to six people.

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

The professional skipper is listed as not included and costs €99. Confirm the final price before booking.

Is fuel included?

Fuel consumption is listed separately at €99, so check whether this charge applies to your booking and confirm the total in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. The supplied information does not state that fins or other specialized equipment are provided.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the trip and can change the route, stops, or departure and arrival points because of weather, waves, tides, or other safety reasons.