Private 8 Hours Boat Charter Trip in Malta

Malta looks best from the water. This private eight-hour charter takes you to the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and quiet coves. I like the private format, which gives your group up to 12 people its own boat, and I like that fuel, a skipper, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, and a stand-up board are included.

The main consideration is price. At $842.88 per group, this is a serious expense for two people, but it becomes much more reasonable when split among a larger party. Food costs €30 per person and alcohol costs €40 per person, so you should settle the final budget before boarding.

What makes this charter especially appealing is the crew’s flexibility. Captains and crew members named in past outings include Kelo, Ibrahim, and Ryan, and the service has included tucked-away bays, cave stops, fishing on request, a barbecue, and route changes when sea conditions shifted. You get a private day, but not a rigid one.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Blue Lagoon gets two hours: Swim, snorkel, and enjoy Malta’s most famous clear-water stop, though it can be busy.
• Crystal Lagoon offers a quieter pause: Rocky cliffs and sheltered water make this a good place for a less crowded swim.
• Gozo adds variety: You get one hour around Malta’s greener neighboring island, with beaches and coastal views.
• The boat fits up to 12 people: This works best for families, birthday groups, and friends who can share the cost.
• Food and alcohol cost extra: Water and soft drinks are included, while food is €30 per person and alcohol is €40 per person.
• Weather can change the day: The crew may adjust the route, transfer you back by vehicle, offer another date, or provide a refund if conditions cancel the trip.

Leaving Ta’ Xbiex at 9:00 am

Your day begins at the Kanpai Charter office at Crown Marina Apartments on the Ta’ Xbiex seafront. The listed departure time is 9:00 am, and the charter returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

Ta’ Xbiex is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside the marina area. Give yourself enough time to find the office and reach the boat without rushing. The confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not assume the booking is final until you receive it.

The eight-hour duration includes travel time. That matters because the advertised stop times add up to five hours: two hours at Blue Lagoon, two at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour on Gozo. The remaining time covers the boat ride, possible route changes, and movement between stops.

A private boat changes the rhythm of the day. You do not have to wait for a large group to board, and you can ask the skipper about the route, swimming conditions, and possible stops. The exact order can shift with weather and sea conditions, which is useful in Malta, where a strong wind can change the comfort of a bay quickly.

Blue Lagoon: Malta’s Famous First Swim

Blue Lagoon is the star of the day. It sits off Comino and is known for clear turquoise water, a shallow entry, and views framed by pale rock. Two hours gives you enough time to swim, use the snorkeling equipment, try the stand-up board, and sit back on the boat.

The water is the main attraction here. With goggles, you can look for small marine life around the rocks, though the lagoon is not a private swimming pool. Its fame means it can feel busy, especially during the main summer season.

That is where a private charter earns its keep. The crew can take you to the water by boat rather than leaving you tied to the busiest part of the shoreline. You still cannot control how many boats are nearby, but your group has a more relaxed base and can ask to move if conditions or crowds make another spot more appealing.

Bring a dry bag or a waterproof phone case if you want photos. The boat provides snorkeling gear, but personal mask and fins may fit you better if you already own them. Unlimited water and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to stock the boat with basic drinks.

Crystal Lagoon: Two Hours in a More Sheltered Setting

Crystal Lagoon is also on Comino, but it has a different feel from the Blue Lagoon. Rocky cliffs and rougher coastal formations surround this more secluded stretch of water, creating a natural setting for swimming and looking beneath the surface.

I would treat this as the slower part of the charter. Two hours is generous enough for a swim, a paddle on the stand-up board, and time to enjoy the setting without constantly checking the clock.

Crystal Lagoon may appeal more if Blue Lagoon feels too exposed or crowded. It is still a popular stop, and the words quiet and secluded should not be taken as a promise of complete solitude. The skipper’s judgment matters here, since wind and wave direction can affect how comfortable the water feels.

Some outings have included stops near caves, with time to explore them from the boat. The supplied details do not promise a particular cave visit on every departure, so consider that a possible bonus rather than part of the guaranteed route.

Gozo: A Change of Pace After Comino

The charter gives Gozo one hour. That is not enough for a full island tour, but it does add a different side of Malta to a day otherwise focused on swimming.

Gozo is known for beaches such as Ramla Bay, with golden sand, and San Blas Bay, a smaller and more secluded coastal spot. The trip description allows for beach scenery, coves, and clear water, but it does not specify exactly where the boat will stop on Gozo.

That short time is best viewed as a scenic coastal visit rather than a land-based sightseeing tour. You might swim, look along the shore, or enjoy a short break before returning to the boat. If your main goal is to explore Gozo’s villages, churches, and inland roads, this charter will not replace a dedicated Gozo excursion.

The route can also differ according to the starting point and the sea. One group departed from Gozo and reached Blue Lagoon quickly, while another outing used a vehicle transfer back to the original starting point after conditions changed. These examples show why you should ask the crew about the return plan on the morning of your trip.

What You Actually Get on Board

The included equipment is practical rather than decorative. You receive snorkeling equipment, a stand-up board, fuel, a skipper, unlimited water and soft drinks, and use of a barbecue.

The barbecue is useful if you plan ahead. Food is not included, but the charge is listed as €30 per person. Alcohol is €40 per person, and the minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18. Ask what those charges cover when you book, especially if your group wants a particular meal or drinks package.

One group used the boat’s kitchen, plates, and cutlery to bring and prepare lunch. Another group stored its own food and drinks in the refrigerator. These details make the charter more flexible than a simple sightseeing cruise, but you should confirm the current food arrangements before assuming you can bring everything you want.

The boat has accommodated a group of 11 adults and one child, and another outing had four adults and four children with plenty of room. The maximum group size is 12, so the boat can handle a full party, though personal space will naturally feel better with fewer people aboard.

A young toddler was also accommodated on one trip. That does not mean the boat is designed as a childcare facility, and you should ask directly about child equipment or specific safety needs. Still, the crew’s willingness to adjust the day is a positive sign for families.

The Crew Makes the Difference

A skipper can make or break a boat day. Here, the strongest pattern is friendly service, careful handling, and a willingness to adjust the plan.

Kelo and Ibrahim are named as a strong team on one birthday trip, taking a group to bays away from the crowds. Ryan is praised as a captain who also hosted, cooked, and paid close attention to comfort. One outing even included a request to fish, which the crew accepted without fuss.

Those details matter because private charters are not only about scenery. You are spending eight hours with the crew, and a relaxed captain can turn a simple transfer between lagoons into a genuinely pleasant day. The crew has also adjusted routes for weather, helped a large group with a toddler, and arranged a vehicle transfer when sea conditions affected the return.

You should still communicate clearly. Tell the crew at the start if swimming, food, fishing, cave stops, or quiet bays matter most to your group. A private charter gives you room to shape the day, but the skipper remains responsible for safety and may change plans when the sea demands it.

Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not promised. One outing happened to see dolphins, which is a pleasant reminder to keep your eyes on the water during the longer crossings.

Is $842.88 Good Value for Your Group?

The listed rate is $842.88 for the entire group, up to 12 people. At 12 people, that is about $70 per person before food and alcohol. At eight people, it is roughly $105 each, and for four people, about $211 each.

That calculation explains who should book this experience. A large family or group of friends gets much better value than a couple. For a full group, you are paying for a private boat, fuel, skipper, soft drinks, equipment, and eight hours on the water. Comparable public boat trips may cost less per person, but they generally give you less control and less room to set the pace.

The extra charges can change the total. Food at €30 per person and alcohol at €40 per person may be reasonable if they include preparation and service, but they should be added before you compare this charter with other options. If you are happy to bring food and stick with included soft drinks, you can keep the final cost more manageable.

I would call this good value for a group that cares about privacy and flexibility. I would not call it an economical choice for two people unless a private boat is the main reason you are booking.

What to Pack and How to Plan the Day

Wear a swimsuit under comfortable clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. A light cover-up helps during the boat ride, especially if the wind picks up after swimming.

Use a waterproof pouch for phones, passports, and other small valuables. You will spend much of the day around water, and the most useful items are the ones you can protect without keeping them buried in a bag.

If you want lunch, decide in advance whether you will pay for the prepared food option or bring your own. The boat has a kitchen and barbecue, and some groups have used the refrigerator for their supplies, but confirm the current arrangement when booking.

Plan for a full day rather than a quick cruise. The three stops are the headline attractions, but the boat time between them is part of the experience and is included in the eight-hour duration.

The charter requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start for a full refund. Late cancellations and changes are not accepted.

Who Will Enjoy This Charter Most?

I would recommend it for a group of friends, a birthday party, a family reunion, or a family that wants a private day instead of a packed excursion. The boat has handled children, a toddler, and a group of 12, and the included board and snorkeling equipment give active swimmers something to do between stops.

It also suits people who want choices. You can focus on swimming, ask about fishing, request quieter bays, or spend more time enjoying lunch on board. The crew’s ability to adjust the route is particularly useful when wind or waves make one bay less comfortable.

It is less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. It is also not the right choice if your priority is a detailed tour of Gozo’s inland sights, since the Gozo stop lasts only one hour and the day is built around the sea.

Should You Book the Malta Boat Charter?

Book it if you can fill the boat and want a private, flexible day around Comino and Gozo. The best reasons are the two-hour stops at both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, the swimming equipment, the space for a large group, and a crew that has shown it can adjust the plan when conditions change.

Think twice if you only want a cheap way to reach the Blue Lagoon. You will pay more than you would for a basic group boat, and the food and alcohol charges can add up. For a full party that values privacy, good hosting, and time in the water, this is a strong use of a Malta day.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours, including travel time. It begins at 9:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the charter start?

It starts at the Kanpai Charter office at Crown Marina Apartments, Office 1, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, Ta’ Xbiex, Malta.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is included in the price?

The charter includes fuel, a skipper, unlimited water and soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, a stand-up board, and use of a barbecue.

How much do food and alcohol cost?

Food costs €30 per person, and alcohol costs €40 per person. Alcohol consumption requires a minimum age of 18.

Are Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. The planned time is two hours at Blue Lagoon and two hours at Crystal Lagoon, with admission included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts.