Private Boat Charter – Comino/Parts of Gozo

Comino looks best from the water. This private charter lets you set the pace around Comino and parts of Gozo, stopping for swims at clear-water spots rather than following a crowded boat schedule. I especially like the private boat for up to eight people and the chance to ask the skipper for caves, rock formations, and swimming areas that match your mood.

I also like that snorkelling equipment, fuel, a skipper, and a cooler with ice are included. Skippers Atef and Fendi have earned praise for being friendly, helpful, and flexible. The main drawback is the short two-hour booking: the listed timing for the stops appears inconsistent, so you should confirm the exact route and stop lengths before setting off.

A private boat is a good choice when you value time on the water more than a fixed sightseeing circuit. You can swim, take photographs, sit in the sun, or ask to see more of Gozo. Just remember that the boat, weather, and sea conditions set the final limits.

Key points to know before you book

• Private space for up to eight people: You do not share the boat with a large excursion group, making the trip useful for families and close friends.
• Flexible route around Comino and Gozo: You can discuss preferred stops with the captain, subject to weather and boat availability.
• Snorkelling gear and a cooler included: Bring your own swimwear, towel, camera, and sun protection.
• Cirkewwa is the usual starting point: Meeting arrangements may also be made at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Popular stops include the Blue Lagoon and Comino Caves: You can also ask about Gebla Tal-Halfa and Mgarr ix-Xini.
• Two hours goes quickly: This works best as a focused coastal outing, not a full-day boat expedition.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is famous for bright, clear water, but its best-known areas can feel crowded from land. A private boat changes the experience. You can see the coast from the sea, stop for a swim, and avoid spending the whole outing walking between viewpoints and waterfront areas.

I like the control this gives you. If your group wants a quiet swim, you can ask for more time in the water. If you would rather see caves and rock formations, you can shape the route around those sights. The captain decides what is safe and practical, but you are not locked into a rigid group itinerary.

The boat is reserved for your group of up to eight. That makes the $259 group price easier to understand. For eight people, it works out to about $32 per person before any transport costs. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing per head, but you are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a skipper rather than simply buying eight individual seats.

The strongest reason to choose this charter is not the number of places you can tick off. It is the freedom to linger at a swimming spot or move on when you have had enough. That matters in a short outing.

Starting at Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour

The usual meeting point is near the kiosk at Cirkewwa. This is practical if you are already in the northwest of Malta, but transport to the harbour is not included. You may also arrange to meet at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, depending on the booking and boat arrangements.

Confirm the exact meeting point before the day of your trip. The information allows more than one departure location, so you should not assume that every reservation begins at Cirkewwa. Your captain will be the person to clarify the final details.

The meeting area is listed as Cirkewwa Cafe in the itinerary. Allow enough time to find the captain near the kiosk rather than arriving at the last second. You will also want to arrive dressed for the water, because swimwear and beachwear are not supplied.

Bring a towel, camera, and suntan lotion. Suntan lotion is listed among the items not included, so do not count on buying everything at the meeting point. A small personal bag is more useful than bulky luggage on a two-hour boat.

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon

The Comino stops are the heart of the trip. The Crystal Lagoon is described as roughly a ten-minute walk from a place identified in the information only as B. The Blue Lagoon is about a fifteen-minute boat ride across the water from Mgarr. The wording around the access points is not entirely clear, so ask the operator which lagoon is planned for your departure and how long you will spend there.

From the boat, the main pleasure is simple: clear water, limestone shoreline, and the chance to swim without treating the coast as something you can only view from land. The lagoons are good places to use the included snorkelling equipment, though the actual water conditions will depend on the day.

The Blue Lagoon is the more famous name, which also means you should expect it to be a major focus of the outing. A private boat does not guarantee solitude, but it gives you a better chance to enjoy the water on your own schedule. You can ask the skipper to move on if the area feels too busy for your group.

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different reason to stop. It is a scenic place for photographs and swimming, with the limestone coast close around you. If you want to spend time both in the water and on the boat taking photographs, tell the captain early. A two-hour charter can disappear quickly once you add travel time between stops.

The itinerary lists a photo stop at Comino for 45 hours, which cannot fit within a two-hour experience and is almost certainly a timing error. It also lists a one-hour photo stop at the Blue Lagoon. Confirm the intended schedule before you pay, especially if you have a specific swimming plan.

Caves, cliffs, and Gebla Tal-Halfa

Comino Caves are among the most popular water sights in the area. The boat gives you a useful viewpoint because you can approach the rock formations from the sea rather than seeing only the entrance or shoreline.

The cave stop will appeal to you if you enjoy coastal scenery more than sitting in one lagoon for the whole trip. Ask the skipper how close the boat can safely go and whether the conditions allow a proper look. The captain has the final say, and the route can change with weather.

Gebla Tal-Halfa is a deserted small islet and limestone rock on the southeast side of the area. It is less about a long stop and more about seeing a bare, striking piece of the coast from the boat. This is the kind of place that gives the charter its sense of discovery without requiring a long walk or formal attraction visit.

One of the most useful details from the trip feedback is that skipper Fendi showed a group caves and rock formations while taking them to good swimming and snorkelling spots. That suggests you should not treat the charter as only a transfer to the Blue Lagoon. Ask the skipper to point out the formations as you go.

A look toward Gozo and Mgarr ix-Xini

The charter can include parts of Gozo, depending on the route you agree on and the weather. That flexibility is valuable if you have already seen Comino or want to combine the famous lagoon with a less familiar coastal stop.

Mgarr ix-Xini is described as a beautiful place for swimming and snorkelling. It was once secluded, and its appeal comes from a more sheltered, natural setting rather than the name recognition of the Blue Lagoon. If your priority is time in the water, ask whether Mgarr ix-Xini can fit into your route.

You should keep expectations practical. Two hours is not enough for a detailed tour of Comino and a broad exploration of Gozo. The boat can show you selected coastal areas, but it cannot give every stop a long swim and a full sightseeing visit.

This is where the skipper’s judgement matters. One group toured all around Comino and then continued along the Gozo coast. That sort of route is possible in the right circumstances, but it depends on the boat, weather, and the time spent at each stop.

Swim stops and snorkelling time

The included snorkelling equipment is a useful saving and means you do not need to arrange your own mask and snorkel for a simple outing. The charter is built around swim stops, so pack as if getting wet is the main event rather than a minor extra.

You can also choose not to swim. Sitting on deck, taking photographs, and watching the coast pass by are all part of the appeal of a private boat. This makes the experience workable for mixed groups, provided everyone is comfortable spending time on the water.

The cooler with ice is another small but welcome inclusion. It gives your group a place to keep drinks or other suitable refreshments cool, though the supplied information does not specify whether food or drinks are provided. Plan your own supplies accordingly.

Sun protection matters. There is little point paying for a private boat and then spending the next day uncomfortable from too much sun. Wear swimwear and beachwear, bring a towel, and pack suntan lotion. The operator specifically lists those personal items as your responsibility.

The skipper can make or break the outing

The most consistently praised part of this charter is the skipper. Atef is described as helpful, informative, and fun to spend time with. Fendi is praised for showing caves and rock formations and finding good spots for swimming and snorkelling. Another booking singled out a friendly and accommodating skipper who allowed the group to move at its own pace.

That matters because a private boat without a good captain is simply a small boat. The skipper needs to balance your requests with sea conditions, safe access, and the time available. You can ask for a preferred route, but you should expect sensible adjustments when conditions require them.

The driver speaks English, and an English audio guide is included. On a short boat trip, the live conversation with the skipper is likely to be more useful than a formal commentary. Ask questions as you go, particularly if you want to know the names of formations or why a particular cove is being chosen.

I would tell the captain your priorities at the beginning. Say if you want more swimming, more caves, more Gozo, or more time at the Blue Lagoon. A clear request helps the skipper plan instead of guessing what your group wants.

Is $259 good value for two hours?

The price is $259 for the whole boat, with up to eight people. That is good value for a full group that wants privacy. At maximum capacity, the per-person cost is modest for a private outing with fuel, skipper, snorkelling equipment, and a cooler included.

For a couple or a small family, the calculation is different. You are paying for exclusivity rather than a low-cost seat. If the important thing is simply reaching the Blue Lagoon, a shared boat may cost less. If you want to choose your stops and avoid sharing your swim time with strangers, the private rate becomes easier to justify.

The short duration is the main value question. Two hours is enough for a quick coastal circuit with swim stops, but not enough for a leisurely day at sea. You should book it when you want a compact highlight, perhaps alongside other Malta or Gozo plans.

Fuel is included, so you do not face a surprise fuel charge. Transport to and from the harbour is not included, and that cost should be part of your planning. The boat is also subject to availability, so your preferred date or departure point may not always be possible.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this experience for a group of friends, a family, or a couple who values privacy more than the lowest price. It is especially suitable if you want a flexible route and would rather decide between swimming, photographs, caves, and Gozo on the day.

It also suits people who dislike large organized boat trips. You can keep the atmosphere relaxed and ask the captain to adjust the outing within safe limits. The positive feedback about friendly skippers is important here, because a warm captain can make a short trip feel personal.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The activity is specifically not suitable for people who struggle with it. I would also avoid booking if you need a long, unhurried swim at several locations, because the two-hour limit will feel tight.

Before booking, confirm three things: the departure harbour, the exact stop schedule, and how much time is realistically available for swimming. The listed timing has an obvious error, so getting clarity will prevent disappointment.

Final call: a strong short outing for private groups

Book this charter if you want your own boat, a flexible route, and easy access to Comino’s swimming areas. The included gear and cooler add practical value, while the skipper’s friendly approach is the feature most likely to shape your day.

Skip it if you want a full-day cruise, guaranteed solitude at the Blue Lagoon, or the cheapest possible way to reach Comino. For the right group, though, $259 buys more than transport. It buys control over a short but memorable stretch of Malta’s coast.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The advertised duration is two hours. The exact amount of time spent at each stop should be confirmed with the operator because the listed stop timings contain an apparent error.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to eight people.

Where does the charter start?

The usual meeting point is near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, identified in the itinerary as Cirkewwa Cafe. Arrangements may also be made at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Can the route be changed?

You can discuss the places you would like to visit with the captain. The final route depends on weather conditions and boat availability.

Which places can the boat visit?

Possible sights include the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Comino Caves, Gebla Tal-Halfa, and parts of the Gozo coast such as Mgarr ix-Xini.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is included with the boat charter.

Is fuel included in the price?

Yes. Fuel and the skipper are included.

Is transport to the harbour included?

No. Transport to and from the harbour is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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