Review · BOAT TRIPS IN COMINO
Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino – Full Day
The best Malta views come from the water. This eight-hour private yacht charter gives your group the freedom to set the pace while visiting Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo’s quiet coves, and several cave spots. Captain Wayne, Sheldon, and their crew guide the boat, share brief background about the bays and islands, and adjust the route to the weather.
I like the private setting, especially for a family or group of friends that wants room to swim, lounge, eat, and use the water gear without a boatload of strangers. I also like the flexible schedule. You can linger at a favorite cove, look for calmer water if someone feels seasick, or spend more time exploring caves.
The main drawback is price. At $1,505.14 for up to eight people, this is a major expense for two or three people. Split eight ways, it works out to about $188 per person before lunch, which is much easier to justify. The trip also depends on good weather, so you need some flexibility.
In This Review
- Key Points to Know Before You Book
- Why a Private Yacht Makes Sense Around Malta
- L-Aħrax and the Smugglers Cave Photo Stop
- Three Hours Around Comino’s Blue Lagoon
- Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay
- Gozo’s Mgarr ix-Xini for a Quieter Hour
- Paradise Bay as the Last Swim
- The Crew and the Feel of the Day
- Price, Group Size, and Overall Value
- Who Will Enjoy This Most
- Booking and Cancellation Details
- Should You Book This Malta Yacht Charter?
- FAQ
- Where does the private yacht charter start?
- What time does the charter begin?
- How many people can join the private charter?
- Are swimming and water-sports supplies included?
- Can I bring my own lunch?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Key Points to Know Before You Book

- A full private boat for up to eight people: Your group has the yacht and crew to itself, with no fixed public-tour crowd.
- Comino gets the longest stretch of the day: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay can fill several hours, depending on weather and your choices.
- Caves are part of the fun: The crew can take you to places that are hard to reach from a crowded sightseeing boat, including swimming spots inside caves.
- Lunch is flexible but costs extra: You can stop at a restaurant in Gozo or bring your own food and drinks.
- The boat has useful comforts: Reviews specifically note shade, sun-lounging space, fridges, cutlery, and a smooth ride.
- Water equipment is supplied: Snorkeling and other water-sports gear are provided, while paddleboards are available on request.
Why a Private Yacht Makes Sense Around Malta

Malta, Gozo, and Comino are close together on a map, but the best swimming places are scattered along rocky coastlines. A standard boat trip can show you the main sights, but it usually comes with a fixed route and fixed stops. This charter gives you more control over the day.
You meet at Island Life Charters near Mellieħa Bay at 9:00 a.m. The meeting point is described as easy to find and close to public transportation. From there, the boat heads toward the northern islands and coastal coves. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.
I would choose this trip for a group that values time and space more than the lowest possible price. Eight people can share the cost, and the private format lets you avoid spending the whole day trying to find a seat, protect your belongings, or hear a guide over a crowd.
The boat itself receives strong praise for its condition and comfort. It has shaded areas as well as places to sit in the sun, so you can switch spots during the day. A fridge and cutlery make it practical to bring sandwiches, fruit, wine, or other drinks. One crew member even prepared a sandwich for a hungry child, though you should treat that as a kind gesture rather than a promised service.
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L-Aħrax and the Smugglers Cave Photo Stop
The first listed stop is L-Aħrax, where you make a short visit to Smugglers Cave. The planned time is about 10 minutes, and there is no admission fee.
This is mainly a quick photo stop rather than a major swimming session. You get a cave opening behind you and a chance to settle into the feel of the coast before the longer stops begin. If your group enjoys taking pictures, this short pause adds variety to a day that otherwise centers on swimming and relaxing.
Do not expect a long guided visit here. Ten minutes passes quickly, especially if everyone wants a turn with the camera. The value is in the setting and the easy stop, not in a detailed cave tour.
Three Hours Around Comino’s Blue Lagoon

Comino is the centerpiece of the trip. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear water and bright color, but it is also the place most likely to feel crowded, especially during the main part of the day.
A private boat helps because the crew can look for a better position and can move you to another cove when conditions or crowds make one spot less appealing. The schedule allows roughly three hours around the Blue Lagoon area, but the exact use of that time is flexible. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard if arranged, explore a cave, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view.
The strongest advantage is not just reaching the Blue Lagoon. It is having enough time to use it properly. A quick photo and a short swim would feel rushed here. With several hours available, you can spread out your activities and take breaks.
The crew also gives a brief explanation of the bays and land areas as you move along. This is useful context without turning the outing into a formal lecture. You get enough information to understand what you are seeing, then the day returns to swimming and free time.
Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay
Crystal Lagoon offers another major swimming stop, with clear water and rocky surroundings. The route can also include Santa Maria Bay. These stops are grouped around Comino, and the exact order depends on weather and sea conditions.
You should think of the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay as a flexible Comino section rather than three rigid appointments. The captain can decide which spot makes the most sense on the day, and your group can request more time in a place you prefer.
This is especially helpful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers may want to snorkel and explore caves, while others may prefer a quiet swim or time under the shade. The private format means the day does not have to move at the same speed for everyone.
The water activities are a major part of the value. Equipment is supplied, and the crew can help you make use of the coves and caves. Paddleboards are available on request, so ask about them before the trip rather than assuming they will automatically be on board.
Snorkeling can bring small rewards. One outing included sightings of fish, harmless jellyfish, and two octopuses that the crew caught briefly for the group to see and release. That sort of moment cannot be guaranteed, but it shows how the day can become more than a sequence of famous swimming stops.
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Gozo’s Mgarr ix-Xini for a Quieter Hour
After Comino, the boat can continue to Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo. This cove is described as a quiet spot with clean, clear water, and the planned time is about one hour.
Mgarr ix-Xini provides a useful change of mood. The Blue Lagoon area is the famous stop, but a quieter cove often makes it easier to swim without feeling hurried. If you have spent the morning moving between water activities, this is a good place to slow down.
Gozo is also the natural point for lunch. You can stop at a restaurant at your own expense or bring food and drinks with you. Several outings included lunch at places such as One80 and Tortuga, and the crew helped groups find a suitable place to eat. A group can also enjoy its own food on the boat, with the fridge and cutlery making that option practical.
I would decide on lunch before departure. A restaurant stop gives you a proper break and lets someone else handle the meal. Bringing your own lunch is likely better if you want to keep swimming, avoid a longer restaurant visit, or control the cost.
Paradise Bay as the Last Swim
Paradise Bay is usually the final swimming stop before the boat returns to Mellieħa Bay. The planned time is about one hour, and the cove is known for clear water and snorkeling.
Ending here makes sense. After the busy Comino stops and the quieter Gozo visit, you get one last chance to swim before returning. If you have saved energy, this is another place to use the snorkeling equipment. If you are tired, you can simply relax aboard and enjoy the final views.
The route is not a promise that every stop will happen exactly as listed. Weather and sea conditions affect the plan, and the crew may adjust the order or substitute a different swimming spot. That flexibility is a strength, but it also means you should not treat the schedule as a set of guaranteed shore visits.
The Crew and the Feel of the Day
Captain Wayne and his brother Sheldon receive repeated praise for being friendly, accommodating, and attentive to individual needs. They provide background about the islands, help groups find quiet places, and adjust the boat’s movement for comfort.
That last point matters if someone in your group gets seasick. One group specifically appreciated the effort to find calmer water and keep the ride comfortable. You should still be realistic: this is a day at sea, and no captain can remove all motion. But the private format gives the crew more room to respond than a large scheduled boat would.
The tone seems informal and personal. You can ask to linger, request a quieter cove, spend time in caves, or change the balance between swimming and sitting aboard. For a group with children, older relatives, or mixed interests, that freedom may be more valuable than a lower fare.
The boat is also part of the experience, not just transportation. It is described as clean, beautiful, and in good condition, with enough shade and comfortable spots for sunbathing. A smooth ride was another repeated positive point.
Price, Group Size, and Overall Value

The listed price is $1,505.14 per group of up to eight people. That means the mathematics change sharply depending on your party size:
- Two people: about $753 per person
- Four people: about $376 per person
- Six people: about $251 per person
- Eight people: about $188 per person
These figures do not include lunch, restaurant meals, or any other personal spending. The water-sports equipment is provided, which helps keep the day from collecting extra gear fees.
For a couple, I would compare this carefully with a smaller shared boat trip. The private yacht is unlikely to be the best bargain for two people unless privacy and a custom route matter more than cost.
For eight friends or family members, the value is easier to see. You receive eight hours on a private boat, a flexible route across three islands, several swimming locations, cave access, onboard storage for food and drinks, and direct attention from the crew. The day also avoids the usual pressure of keeping up with a large group.
I would book it for a special occasion, a family day, or the main water experience of a Malta holiday. I would not book it simply because the price looks low. It is a premium outing, and the value depends on filling the boat and making full use of the time.
Who Will Enjoy This Most
This charter suits:
- Groups of friends who want a private day together
- Families with children and mixed swimming abilities
- Strong swimmers who want caves, snorkeling, and several coves
- People who prefer a flexible schedule
- Anyone who wants shade, sun space, and room to bring food aboard
- Visitors who find large boat trips tiring or impersonal
It may be less suitable if you want a cheap introduction to Malta’s coast, a short sightseeing cruise, or a guaranteed hour-by-hour schedule. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness, since the day includes getting in and out of the water and taking part in swimming or other water activities.
Bring the attitude of a day at sea. The itinerary may change with the weather, and conditions determine which Comino spots are most comfortable. Since the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions results in either another date or a full refund.
Booking and Cancellation Details
Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Because cut-off times use Malta’s local time, check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from another country.
The trip has a perfect five-star rating from 12 submitted ratings, with all recommending it. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every outing will be identical. Still, the praise is unusually consistent around the same points: the boat, the crew, the flexibility, the swimming stops, and the chance to enjoy quieter coves.
Should You Book This Malta Yacht Charter?
I would book it if you can fill most of the eight places and want your Malta water day to feel personal rather than routine. Captain Wayne, Sheldon, and the crew appear to make the most of the private setup, from seeking calmer water to finding secluded swimming spots and helping with lunch plans.
The strongest reason to choose this charter is control. You can spend longer at Crystal Lagoon, ask for a quieter cove, explore caves, or simply sit under the shade with your group. The best practical tip is to agree in advance on your priorities: swimming, snorkeling, caves, lunch, or sightseeing.
If your group is small and price is the main concern, compare other options first. But for a full party of family or friends, this is a polished, flexible way to see Malta, Gozo, and Comino from the water, with enough time to make the day your own.
FAQ
Where does the private yacht charter start?
The tour starts at Island Life Charters near Mellieħa Bay, Mellieħa, Malta. The meeting point is easy to locate and close to public transportation.
What time does the charter begin?
The start time is 9:00 a.m., and the experience lasts about eight hours.
How many people can join the private charter?
The price covers one private group of up to eight people. Only your group participates in the activity.
Are swimming and water-sports supplies included?
Water-sports gear is provided. Paddleboards are available on request, so you should ask about them when arranging the trip.
Can I bring my own lunch?
Yes. You can bring your own food and drinks, or stop at a restaurant at your own expense. The boat has fridges and cutlery.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
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