Private Yacht Charters around Comino & Blue Lagoon

Clear water is only half the story. This private cruise lets you explore Comino at your own pace, with room to swim, snorkel, paddle, and pause at quieter bays. I especially like the private-boat format, which means your group is not tied to a large ferry schedule, and I like the useful equipment included, from masks and snorkels to a kayak and SUP. The main consideration is price: at $1,021 for up to 12 people, this makes the most sense when shared by a group.

The four-hour cruise covers the best-known waters around Comino, including the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. You also get a classic 43-foot yacht, shaded seating, a sundeck, two restrooms, and a crew to handle the boat. The route can change with conditions, so you should see this as a flexible sea outing rather than a fixed sightseeing checklist.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 43-foot yacht: The Pleasure yacht INGE III was built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders and has mahogany interiors with teak decking.

• Several swimming stops: The route normally includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay, with some Gozo bays possible.

• Useful water gear included: Free masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, and a fresh-water shower make this more than a ride past the coast.

• Two departure points: You can leave from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, depending on where you are staying.

• Good value for a group: The advertised price is $1,021 for up to 12 people, with fuel, skipper, and crew included.

• A flexible four-hour outing: Morning cruises usually start at 9 or 10 a.m., while sunset trips run from 5 to 9 p.m.

Why a private Comino cruise changes the day

Comino is small, but the water around it offers more variety than a quick visit to the Blue Lagoon suggests. A private yacht gives you a way to see the island from several angles and stop at more than one swimming area.

I like this setup for groups that want a shared day without splitting up. You can swim while others stay on deck, use the kayak or SUP, or simply sit in the shade with a drink. On a crowded public boat, the whole group usually moves according to someone else’s timetable. Here, the skipper can choose the best available places for the day.

That flexibility matters around Comino. The most famous water may be busy, while another nearby bay offers better conditions for swimming or snorkeling. The cruise normally visits several bays, but the crew may adjust the order or route. You should welcome that change rather than expect every stop to happen in a rigid sequence.

The experience has a perfect five-star rating from two reviews, which is a positive sign but still a very small sample. I would treat that score as encouraging, not as proof that every departure will be identical.

Meeting the INGE III at Cirkewwa or Mgarr

The boat is the Pleasure yacht INGE III, a 43-foot, or 13-meter, motor cruiser built in Venice. Its rustic mahogany interior and teak decking give it a traditional yacht feel, rather than the bare, open layout of a basic sightseeing boat.

That character is part of the appeal. You get a proper pleasure cruiser with a shaded area, sundeck, bathing platform, music through Bluetooth, AUX, and USB, plus two restrooms. After salt water and sun, the fresh-water shower is especially useful.

You can depart from Cirkewwa in Malta, near the Gozo ferry, or from the jetty at Mgarr Harbour for Gozo residents. Pickup is included, but you should confirm the correct meeting point before setting out. Cirkewwa is at Malta’s northern end, so allow enough time to reach it if you are staying elsewhere on the island.

Departure times are usually 9 or 10 a.m. for a morning or afternoon cruise. The sunset option runs from 5 to 9 p.m. Since the listed activity lasts four hours, check the available time when booking and make sure it fits your plans.

The Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and it earns its fame with clear, shallow-looking water in a striking channel between Comino and Cominotto. From the boat, you get a view that a land visit cannot provide, with the pale rock, open sea, and small island coastline arranged around you.

The catch is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, so it may not feel quiet, especially during the busiest part of the day. A private charter does not make the lagoon private. It does, however, give you a comfortable base away from the shore and lets you move on when you have had enough.

I would not plan the whole four hours around this single stop. Swim here, take in the view, and then use the boat’s route flexibility to see other parts of Comino. The value of this cruise comes from the combination of sites, not just from reaching the most famous one.

The bathing platform makes getting in and out of the water easier than climbing down from a small boat. After swimming, you can rinse off with fresh water and dry out on the deck. Masks and snorkels are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer using familiar gear.

Crystal Lagoon for snorkeling and swimming

Crystal Lagoon is another major stop and may suit you better if snorkeling is your main aim. The cruise is built around exploring Comino’s coastline, and this area gives you a chance to look below the surface rather than simply admire the water from the deck.

The supplied masks and snorkels remove one common nuisance. You do not need to rent equipment separately or pack a full kit. Swimming aids are also available, which can be helpful if different people in your group have different levels of confidence in the water.

You also have access to a kayak, SUP, and paddle board. These are valuable additions because they let you experience the water at a slower pace. From a kayak or paddle board, you can look back at the yacht and the rocky coast instead of spending the entire stop swimming.

The equipment is shared onboard, so availability may depend on how your group uses it. I would discuss a simple rotation before everyone jumps in. That keeps the stop pleasant for children, cautious swimmers, and the strongest members of the group.

St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and quieter water

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay are part of the normal route, giving you a broader look at Comino than the Blue Lagoon alone. These stops help balance the famous location with bays that may feel more relaxed, depending on the day.

You may find one bay better for a calm swim and another better for sitting on deck or taking photographs. The skipper decides where conditions are best, so the exact experience can vary. This is useful if wind or sea conditions make one stop less comfortable.

The cruise also may include bays around Gozo. That possibility adds variety, but it means you should not think of the activity as a guaranteed list of fixed stops. If you have one particular bay in mind, ask the crew at the start what the conditions and plan look like.

I appreciate this kind of route planning. The sea is not a museum with fixed opening hours. A good boat day depends on wind, water conditions, and how crowded a popular cove becomes. A flexible itinerary can produce a better outing than a strict route followed at all costs.

Elephant Rock and Comino’s landmarks from the water

Not every part of the cruise is about swimming. From the yacht, you can see Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower. These landmarks give the trip some visual and historical character between water stops.

Elephant Rock is a distinctive natural formation along Comino’s coast. It is best appreciated from the water, where the shape and surrounding cliffs make sense as part of the island’s rocky edge.

St Mary Battery and St Mary Tower add reminders of Comino’s defensive past. You are not promised a land tour or an extended guided visit at these sites, so think of them as sightseeing points viewed from the yacht. That arrangement suits you if you want a relaxed day with some context, but it may disappoint you if you are hoping for a detailed history lesson.

Bring a phone or camera that you can safely use near salt water. The boat gives you better angles than a crowded beach, especially when the yacht passes along the coast. Just remember that sun glare can be strong, and the most memorable moments may be as much about the changing water and rock formations as about a single photograph.

What is included, and why it matters

The package covers fuel, skipper, and crew. That is important when judging the price, since fuel and professional boat operation can add significant cost to a private charter.

Onboard, you get:

• Shaded seating and a sundeck
• A bathing platform
• Two restrooms
• Fresh-water shower
• Music through Bluetooth, AUX, and USB
• Masks and snorkels
• Swimming aids
• Kayak
• SUP and paddle board
• Large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes

You can bring your own food, snacks, and drinks. The cooler gives you a practical way to keep everything cold, and you do not need to organize a separate catering order for a four-hour trip.

If your group has eight people or fewer, unlimited wine and water are offered. That is a useful extra for a smaller party, though you should still plan food separately unless you choose to bring it yourself.

The boat is licensed and fully insured for up to 20 or 25 people, but the listed price is for a private group of up to 12. That difference is worth clarifying when you book. The advertised rate clearly works best for a group sharing the cost, while a couple or small family will pay much more per person.

Is $1,021 good value?

At first glance, $1,021 is a serious price for four hours. Per person, it works out to about $85 if 12 people share the charter, before considering any personal food or transport costs. For eight people, it is about $128 each, and for four people, about $255 each.

The number makes more sense when you compare what is included. You are paying for the whole boat, skipper, crew, fuel, equipment, deck space, shade, restrooms, shower, and route flexibility. A regular boat trip may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same control or privacy.

I would call this good value for a family reunion, group of friends, birthday, or special occasion. It also suits a group that plans to spend most of the day in the water and will make real use of the kayak, SUP, and snorkel gear.

For two people or a very small group, the price is harder to justify unless privacy is your top priority. In that case, compare the cost with other private options and check if a shared boat better fits your budget.

Choosing a morning, afternoon, or sunset cruise

A morning start at 9 or 10 a.m. gives you the best chance to use the full four hours for swimming, snorkeling, and sightseeing. If you want to make several stops, I would choose the morning option.

An afternoon departure may suit you if you are combining the cruise with other plans. It can also make sense if reaching Cirkewwa or Mgarr in the morning is inconvenient. Check the exact start time, since availability controls the schedule.

The sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9 p.m. It shifts the focus toward music, views, and a relaxed meal or drinks onboard. You will have less daylight for snorkeling, so choose it for the atmosphere rather than for a full water-sports session.

You can use the boat for more than a Comino route, including a round-Gozo cruise, fishing trip, boat party, special occasion, wedding photo shoot, or filming. Those options show the yacht’s flexibility, but the exact service and timing should be confirmed before booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Groups of friends who want privacy and flexibility
• Families who need shade, restrooms, and easy water access
• Snorkelers who want several swimming locations
• Visitors celebrating a special occasion
• Small groups willing to split a large fixed cost
• Anyone who prefers a yacht day to a packed public boat

You should think twice if you dislike being on the water, want a long guided history tour, or are booking alone and watching every euro. The boat has accommodation listed, but this is presented as a four-hour cruise, not an overnight stay.

The private format is also not the same as complete solitude. Comino’s most famous waters remain popular, and other boats may be nearby. Your yacht gives you your own group space, not an empty island.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring food and snacks if you want a proper meal. The cooler and ice are supplied, but the description does not promise onboard catering.

Wear a swimsuit and bring sun protection. You will have a shaded area, but a sundeck and open water still mean plenty of exposure. A towel and a secure bag for phones are sensible additions.

If you want to use the kayak, SUP, or paddle board, tell the crew early. That makes it easier to fit water activities into a four-hour schedule alongside swimming and sightseeing.

Before departure, confirm whether you are leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour, the exact start time, and the final route. The cruise normally visits the main Comino bays, but the crew chooses where conditions are best on the day.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host team speaks Maltese, English, and Italian, so communication should be straightforward for most visitors.

Should you book the INGE III charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the fixed price and you want more than a quick look at the Blue Lagoon. The combination of a classic yacht, several swimming bays, free water gear, shade, restrooms, and a flexible route gives you a full sea outing rather than a simple transfer.

I would be more cautious with a very small group. At that point, the private experience becomes a luxury purchase, and a shared boat may deliver better value.

For a group of friends or family, though, this is an appealing way to see Comino. Choose the morning if snorkeling is the priority, sunset if the mood matters most, and confirm the departure point before you go.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht cruise?

The listed cruise lasts four hours. Morning and afternoon departures normally start at 9 or 10 a.m., while the sunset cruise runs from 5 to 9 p.m.

How much does the charter cost?

The advertised price is $1,021 per private group of up to 12 people. The cost per person becomes lower when more people share the charter.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Cirkewwa jetty near the Gozo ferry in Malta, or from Mgarr Harbour jetty for clients departing from Gozo.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group charter, so the boat is reserved for your group rather than shared with unrelated passengers.

What swimming spots are normally visited?

The normal route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. Some bays around Gozo may also be included, depending on conditions and the plan for the day.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and swimming aids are included at no extra cost.

Are food and drinks included?

You may bring your own food, snacks, and drinks onboard. A large cooler with ice is provided. Groups of eight people or fewer are offered unlimited wine and water.

What languages does the host team speak?

The host team speaks Maltese, English, and Italian.