From Sliema: Private Comino and Gozo Boat Charter

The best part of this private Comino and Gozo charter is control. You are not tied to a fixed route or a large group schedule. Your skipper can take you to the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino’s caves, and Gozo’s coves, then adjust the day around your group’s interests.

I like the seven-hour length, which gives you time for swimming and cruising rather than a quick look from the water. I also like the practical setup: snorkeling gear, fuel, cave entry, a toilet, a fridge, shade, and a sunbathing area are included. The main consideration is price. At $965 for up to 16 people, it can work well for a full group, but it is a serious spend for only two or three passengers. Bring your own drinks, since there is no bar onboard.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 16 people: You get the whole group together, with no strangers shaping the day.
• Flexible route around Comino and Gozo: Ask to spend more time at the places that suit your group.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Both are central water stops, with swimming and snorkeling gear provided.
• Powerboat access to Comino’s caves: Cave entry is included, not treated as an extra.
• Bring your own food and drinks: The boat has a fridge, but no bar or catering.
• Skippers Marc and Tony: Marc was praised for patience with a group of 14, while Tony was described as friendly and accommodating by a group of 11.

Why a private charter changes the day

A private boat gives you something a standard cruise often cannot: room to make decisions as you go. You can ask the skipper to stay longer at a favorite swimming stop, move on when the group has had enough sun, or follow the suggested route if you prefer not to plan every hour.

That flexibility matters in a group. One person may want to snorkel, another may want music and sun, and someone else may prefer a quick visit to a harbor. A private charter lets you work around those different moods instead of following a single timetable.

The boat takes up to 16 people. That is large enough for an extended family, a group of friends, or a celebration, but still small enough to keep the day personal. A group of 14 had room to bring its own food and drinks and enjoyed choosing what to do. For a smaller party, I would compare the cost with other private options before booking, since the full $965 price is not reduced by the number of people in your group.

The skipper is not just the person at the controls. You work with that person to create the route, so it helps to arrive with a rough idea of what matters most. Tell the skipper if swimming, caves, Gozo, snorkeling, or a relaxed sun day is your priority.

Leaving from Sliema Ferries 4

The meeting point is Sliema Ferries 4. You board there and return to the same place after the seven-hour outing, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in or around Sliema.

The experience is listed with an English-speaking driver, and the charter is private. That means you are not joining a mixed boat party or relying on a large tour group to make decisions. You can use the ride between stops for music, conversation, or simply watching Malta’s coastline from the water.

The powerboat format is useful here. It is designed to move between Comino and Gozo and to reach cave areas that may not be part of a standard shore visit. The tradeoff is that a powerboat is about getting around efficiently, not providing a quiet sailing experience. If you want wind, sails, and a slow ride, this is not that kind of outing.

Blue Lagoon: Malta’s famous water stop

The Blue Lagoon is the name most people associate with Comino, and it is a natural centerpiece for this charter. You can expect clear blue water and a strong reason to bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel.

The private format gives you more choice about how to use your time there. You might swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, relax on the boat, or move on after seeing enough. The boat’s canopy gives you a place to get out of direct sun, while the sunbathing area suits anyone who wants to stay outside.

The Blue Lagoon is also the stop most likely to shape your expectations. It is visually striking, but this is not a quiet wilderness cruise with every stop guaranteed to feel secluded. The attraction is popular, and the value of a private boat is that you can discuss timing and length of stay with your skipper rather than being fixed to a shore excursion schedule.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s cave country

Crystal Lagoon offers another chance to enjoy Comino’s clear water, with swimming and snorkeling at the heart of the stop. Since snorkeling gear is included, you do not need to rent equipment separately for this activity.

The boat can also take you to caves around Comino. Cave entry is included in the price, and the powerboat can approach these areas directly. This is one of the more distinctive parts of the outing because you are not limited to looking at Comino from a distant viewpoint.

I would plan your day around a mix of water time and cruising. Spending seven hours only in one lagoon may suit a committed swimmer, but many groups will get more from combining a lagoon, caves, a Gozo stop, and a little time simply riding along the coast.

Bring secure storage for small personal items if you have it, and keep anything sensitive to water protected. The provided information confirms a fridge and toilet onboard, but it does not describe dedicated luggage storage or dry bags.

Gozo stops: St. Nicholas Bay and Hondoq ir-Rummien

The charter can continue to Gozo, Malta’s sister island, with possible stops at St. Nicholas Bay and Hondoq ir-Rummien. These places give the day a different rhythm from the main Comino lagoons.

A stop at St. Nicholas Bay can work well if your group wants another coastal swimming point after Comino. Hondoq ir-Rummien adds another Gozo location to the route, so you get more than a single look at the island from the water.

The exact amount of time at each place is flexible. That is a benefit, but it also means you need to communicate clearly. If your group has a long list of stops, you may see each one briefly. If you prefer a slower day, ask the skipper to reduce the number of stops and give you longer in the places you like best.

The itinerary also includes Mgarr Port, Gozo’s main harbor area. You can use it as a sightseeing stop or as a place to have dinner. Food is not included, so a harbor meal gives you one option for dining, while bringing supplies onboard gives you more control over timing and cost.

A boat set up for a full day on the water

The included equipment is well chosen for a seven-hour charter. You have a canopy for shade, a sunbathing area, a toilet, a fridge, and Bluetooth so you can connect your own music.

These details sound ordinary until you spend most of a day on a boat. Shade becomes important after several hours in the sun. A toilet means you are not forced to end a swim or wait for a harbor stop. A fridge lets you keep drinks and food cold, although you must provide both yourself.

There is no bar onboard. Plan ahead and bring enough water and drinks for the full group. You should also bring your own food unless you intend to stop for dinner in Mgarr Harbor. For a large group, buying supplies before boarding is likely the simplest approach, but you will need to organize the quantities yourself.

Bluetooth is a nice touch for a private group. You can create the mood you want, from a relaxed afternoon soundtrack to something livelier for a celebration. Keep the volume reasonable so everyone onboard remains comfortable, especially if some people want a quiet ride.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper is central to the quality of this day because the route is not fixed. You are not simply being transported to a set of points. You are deciding how the hours are used with help from someone who knows the boat and the area.

Marc handled a group of 14 and was praised for being patient while the friends chose what they wanted to do. That is exactly the quality you want from a private charter, especially when a group has several opinions. Tony guided a group of 11 and was described as friendly and accommodating, with the group enjoying a comfortable boat and a day that included a jump rock.

A jump rock is not listed as a guaranteed stop, so you should not book this expecting that exact activity. The same applies to dolphins. One group saw dolphins during its outing, but wildlife sightings are never part of the promised program.

The practical lesson is simple: tell your skipper what your group wants early, then stay open to suggestions. The captain can offer a sensible order for the stops, while you decide where to spend more time.

What the $965 price really means

The price is $965 per group of up to 16 people. That works out to about $60 per person if you fill every place, before food and drinks. At 10 people, it is about $97 per person, and at five people it is about $193 per person.

For a full group, the price covers a private seven-hour boat, skipper, fuel, snorkeling gear, and cave entry. It also gives you control over the route, which is the main reason to choose this experience instead of a standard shared cruise.

The value is weaker for a very small party. If you are traveling as a couple or a small family, compare the total cost with shared boat trips or shorter private rides. If you are organizing a birthday, reunion, or friends’ outing, filling most of the 16 places makes the calculation much more attractive.

You also need to budget for food, drinks, and anything you purchase in Gozo. There is no onboard bar and no stated meal service. The upside is that you choose what to bring, so you are not paying for a fixed catering package.

Who will enjoy this charter most

I would recommend this boat for groups that value privacy and choice more than a strict sightseeing schedule. It suits friends who want music, swimming, and their own food, as well as families who need a toilet and shade during a long day on the water.

It is also a good match for people who want both Comino and Gozo in one outing. You can see the main lagoon areas, visit caves, and add Gozo bays and Mgarr Port without arranging separate transport.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed guided history tour, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or a quiet sailing trip. The focus is water, scenery, caves, swimming, and group freedom. The English-speaking skipper helps shape the route, but the experience is not described as a formal sightseeing lecture.

The seven-hour duration demands some stamina. You will be outside for much of the day, so sun protection and sensible planning matter. Use the canopy, drink plenty of water, and do not build the day around nonstop activity.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you can fill a good portion of the boat and want the freedom to set your own pace between Comino and Gozo. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, snorkeling gear, Gozo bays, shade, a toilet, and Bluetooth makes it a practical full-day boat outing.

Think twice if your group is small or if you want every meal, drink, and activity arranged for you. The strongest value comes from sharing the $965 cost across a larger party and bringing your own supplies.

For a group of friends or an extended family, I see the appeal. You get a full day on the water, your own music, flexible stops, and a skipper who can adjust the plan. Just remember the key rule: bring your drinks, decide your priorities before boarding, and make the most of the private format.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

You board at Sliema Ferries 4.

Where does the boat trip end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Sliema Ferries 4.

How long is the charter?

The private charter lasts seven hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 16 people.

Is the boat charter private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group rather than a shared boat group.

Which islands does the charter visit?

The charter explores Comino and Gozo from Sliema.

Can I visit the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

Yes. Both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are included as possible stops on the flexible route.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and there is no bar onboard. You can bring your own supplies or stop for dinner in Mgarr Harbor in Gozo.

Is there shade and a toilet on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a canopy for shade and toilet facilities.