Private Boat Charter Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo

Clear water, quiet coves, and your own boat. This private Malta charter takes you from Sliema to Comino and Gozo, with time for swimming, snorkeling, cave views, and a slow cruise along the coast. I like the small-group setup, which gives your party more room to enjoy the water at its own pace. I also like the chance to enter Santa Maria Caves, where larger boats cannot go.

The main point to consider is the price: $786.40 per group of up to seven is strong value for a full group, but costly for only two or three people. You also need good weather, and the day includes a lot of time in the sun, so this is best for people who want a full day on the water rather than a quick sightseeing cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Santa Maria Caves access: The private boat can enter narrow cave passages that larger vessels cannot reach.
• Two versions are available: Choose a Comino-focused outing or add Gozo for a longer coastal stop.
• Blue Lagoon time varies: You get about 1.5 hours with the Comino option, or about 1 hour when Gozo is added.
• Crystal Lagoon is made for swimming: Clear water, shallow areas, fish, and rocky cliffs make it a good snorkeling stop.
• The group stays private: Only your own party takes part, with a maximum of seven people.
• Captain BuFon receives special praise: His friendly guidance adds useful information to an already scenic day.

Starting from Sliema’s Strand

Your day begins at Ferries 2Malta on the Sliema Promenade, also called the Strand. The boat heads out along Malta’s coast, and the first 35 minutes offer a pleasant change from the busy streets and packed sightseeing routes on land.

This opening stretch is not a formal attraction with a ticket or a guided walk. It is a chance to settle in, enjoy the coastal views, and get comfortable on the boat before the swimming stops begin. If you want photos, keep your camera ready early. The coastline is part of the experience, not just a route between stops.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes Sliema a practical starting place. You should allow enough time to find Ferries 2Malta without rushing. The experience ends at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The total outing lasts about seven hours. That is a substantial part of your day, but the time feels useful if you want several swim stops rather than one short visit to Comino.

Marks and Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave

The boat continues toward Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave. The scheduled time for this part is about 45 minutes, including a stop at Smugglers Cave.

This section works well for anyone who enjoys Malta’s rock formations and coastal photography. The boat gives you a water-level view of the cliffs, which is quite different from looking down at the shore from a road or viewing platform. Smugglers Cave also gives the outing a more intimate feel than a simple cruise past famous sights.

The exact pace depends on the captain and sea conditions. This is not presented as a long shore visit, so you should think of it as a scenic boat stop, not a cave hike. That is a benefit if you want to stay on the water, but a limitation if you hoped to walk through the caves.

Entering Santa Maria Caves by small boat

One of the strongest reasons to choose this private charter is access to Santa Maria Caves. The boat can go inside the caves through narrow passages where larger boats cannot enter.

Inside, you can expect close views of rock formations, clear turquoise water, and marine life below the surface. The surrounding cliffs make this a particularly good section for photographs. The light, stone, and water create the kind of scene that is hard to appreciate from a larger vessel moving past the entrance.

This is also where a private boat earns its keep. A large excursion boat must stay outside or keep moving with a crowd. Here, your group can get a closer look and take in the setting at a slower pace. The cave passage is still dependent on sea conditions, so you should treat access as part of the planned experience rather than a guarantee in rough weather.

If you have children or anyone uneasy around narrow spaces, keep that in mind. The supplied information does not list special restrictions, but entering a cave is a different experience from swimming in open water.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy in reputation

Blue Lagoon is the best-known stop on Comino, and the boat anchors so you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or simply relax on board. The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and the bright color is the main attraction.

With the Comino option, you spend around 1.5 hours here. That gives you time to swim without feeling hurried, then dry off or rest before moving on. With the Gozo and Comino option, the stop is shortened to about one hour to make room for Gozo.

That difference matters. If Blue Lagoon is the main reason you are booking, choose the Comino option. You will have more time in the water and less time watching the clock. If you want to see more of the islands in one day, the Gozo version gives you a wider route, but each Comino stop becomes shorter.

You can swim from the anchored boat and return to it when you are ready. The information provided does not promise a beach landing, so do not book this expecting a long stretch of sand or a land-based beach day. The appeal is being on the water, with the boat serving as your base.

I would bring the basics for a long day in the sun: swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and something to protect your phone or camera from splashes. These are practical suggestions rather than listed inclusions, so check with A1 Boat Charters Malta if you need confirmation about equipment or onboard facilities.

Crystal Lagoon and the best snorkeling pause

Crystal Lagoon gets its name from its very clear turquoise water. It is surrounded by rocky cliffs and vegetation, and the shallow areas support colorful fish and sea urchins.

The stop lasts around 1.5 hours on the Comino option, or about one hour on the Gozo and Comino option. Like Blue Lagoon, it gives you time to swim and snorkel rather than just take a quick photograph from the rail.

Crystal Lagoon may suit you better than Blue Lagoon if you care most about seeing marine life. The shallow water makes it easier to look below the surface, although you should take care around sea urchins and avoid touching marine life. The information does not specify that snorkeling equipment is provided, so ask before departure if you do not have your own gear.

The setting is also quieter in character. Rocky cliffs frame the water, and the boat can stay in a sheltered-looking cove instead of taking you straight back into open sea. Still, the word peaceful should not be taken as a promise of complete solitude. Comino is a popular destination, and conditions can change with the day and season.

Choosing between Comino only and Gozo and Comino

The choice between the two options shapes the whole day.

The Comino option gives you longer stops at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, about 1.5 hours at each. This version is best if you want maximum swim and snorkeling time, a slower day, and fewer transitions.

The Gozo and Comino option gives you about one hour at each Comino lagoon, then adds around two hours around Gozo. The captain may take you to Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or to Mgarr ix-Xini. The focus is Gozo’s coastline, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and enjoy the water.

You should choose Gozo if seeing more of Malta’s islands matters more than lingering at the two Comino lagoons. You will cover more coastline, but the day may feel more active because of the longer route and shorter lagoon stops.

The Gozo portion is described as a coastal visit by boat, not a town tour or island sightseeing excursion by car. You should not expect time to explore Gozo’s inland villages, churches, or museums. This is a water-based look at Gozo, with Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini as the possible focus.

That distinction helps prevent disappointment. If you want a relaxed day of swimming and views, both options work. If your idea of Gozo includes walking through its towns, choose a different tour format.

The return to Sliema

After the final stop, the boat returns to Sliema in about 40 minutes. This gives you one last view of the Maltese coast and a chance to rest after the swimming stops.

A return cruise is especially welcome after a full day in the sun. The trip ends at the original meeting point, which keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to coordinate a taxi from a different harbor or arrange a separate boat home.

The seven-hour length also means you should plan the rest of your day lightly. After repeated time in the water, sun exposure, and a long ride, most people will probably appreciate an easy evening rather than another major sightseeing plan.

What the private format is worth

The price is $786.40 for a group of up to seven. At full capacity, that works out to about $112 per person for roughly seven hours. For four people, it is about $196.60 each. For two people, the cost becomes much harder to justify unless privacy and flexibility are especially important to you.

The value comes from access and control. You are not sharing the entire day with a large boatload of strangers, and the small boat can enter Santa Maria Caves. The format also gives your group a more relaxed way to swim, snorkel, and rest.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a short ride to Blue Lagoon. In that case, a larger group cruise may cost less. This charter makes the most sense when your group can fill most of the seven places and wants a full coastal day with several stops.

Captain BuFon receives particular praise for making the day both relaxing and interesting. That suggests the captain is an important part of the experience, not simply the person steering the boat. A good captain can add context about the coast and help the day feel personal without turning it into a formal lecture.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples traveling together, and groups of friends who want a private day on the sea. It is also a good match for people who prefer swimming and snorkeling to museums or long walks.

You will get the most from it if:

• You enjoy spending several hours outdoors.
• You want access to smaller coastal spaces.
• You prefer a private boat to a large shared excursion.
• You can fill most of the seven available places.
• You are happy to choose between longer Comino stops and a broader Gozo route.

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, need a land-based itinerary, or want detailed time in Gozo’s towns. It also requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund, but a weather-sensitive activity always needs some flexibility.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, and confirmation is provided at booking. It is offered in English. Since the tour involves swimming and time on a boat, you should still contact the provider directly about any personal mobility or medical concerns that are not covered by the general participation information.

Booking and cancellation advice

A1 Boat Charters Malta requires good weather for this experience. If conditions are poor and the charter is canceled, you can take another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Maltese time, so keep that in mind if you are booking from another country.

This charter is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking time of about 63 days. That is useful planning information if you are visiting Malta during a popular season. The private capacity is limited to seven, so waiting until the last minute may leave you with fewer date choices.

Should you book this Malta boat charter?

Book it if you want a full, private day built around Malta’s water. The strongest features are the small-group setting, entry into Santa Maria Caves, long swimming stops, and the choice between a Comino-focused route and a wider Gozo itinerary.

Choose the Comino option if Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are your priority. Choose Gozo and Comino if you want to see more coastline and are willing to trade some lagoon time for a two-hour Gozo stop.

I would be cautious about booking for a small party if the price feels uncomfortable. With seven people, the cost is reasonable for a private boat and a seven-hour route. With two people, it is a premium outing. For the right group, though, this is a practical and memorable way to see Comino, swim in clear water, and reach coastal places that large boats miss.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

It starts at Ferries 2Malta on the Sliema Promenade, also known as the Strand Sliema.

Where does the experience end?

The boat returns to the original meeting point at Sliema Promenade.

How long does the charter last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private charter is for one group of up to seven people.

Is Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. Blue Lagoon is included, with about 1.5 hours there on the Comino option or about one hour on the Gozo and Comino option.

How long do you spend at Crystal Lagoon?

You spend around 1.5 hours at Crystal Lagoon with the Comino option, or around one hour with the Gozo and Comino option.

Is Gozo included in every version?

No. Gozo is included only with the Gozo and Comino boat charter option.

Which places in Gozo may the boat visit?

The Gozo option may include Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini.

Can the boat enter Santa Maria Caves?

Yes. The private boat can enter Santa Maria Caves through narrow passages that larger boats cannot reach.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the charter to be canceled.