Malta: Private Boat Cruise with Caves, Beaches & Swim Stops

The best part of this Malta boat trip is control. You get a private boat for up to seven people, then work with your skipper to choose swim stops, caves, beaches, and time on shore. Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon provide the clear water, while the smaller group keeps you away from the feel of a crowded excursion boat.

I like the freedom to spend more time swimming, sunbathing, or looking at caves instead of following a fixed group schedule. I also like the thoughtful equipment: masks, fins, noodles, a ladder, freshwater showers, an ice cooler, and a Bluetooth speaker. The main drawback is the extra €89 fuel fee, payable in cash onboard, and four hours can feel short if you want a full day at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Private group for up to seven: You share the boat only with your own family or friends.
• Comino is the star: Expect caves, rock formations, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Maria, and St. Nikolaus Bay, subject to conditions.
• You help shape the route: Choose your own stops or leave the plan to the skipper.
• Swimming equipment is supplied: Masks, fins, noodles, life jackets, and a side ladder are included.
• The Maltese platter is optional: It includes bigilla, ftira, cheeselets, dips, olives, pasta salad, and more.
• Budget for the fuel charge: Bring €89 in cash, separate from the advertised tour price.

Why a private boat makes sense in Malta

Malta’s best water experiences are often found just offshore, where caves, pale rock, and clear sea meet. A large cruise boat can show you the same coast, but it cannot offer the same say over where you stop or how long you stay.

This charter costs $397 for the whole group of up to seven people. At full capacity, that works out to about $57 per person before the fuel charge, which is a fair price for a private half-day on the water. For two or three people, the per-person cost is much higher, so the value improves sharply when you fill the boat.

You also avoid sharing the day with dozens of strangers. That matters at Blue Lagoon, where the famous water can be paired with heavy crowds on land and around the shore. Your boat still visits the popular spots, but the private format gives you a quieter base between stops.

The four-hour length suits a morning or afternoon plan. You can see several coastal sights, swim, and return without giving up an entire day. If you want a long lunch, repeated swims, and a relaxed trip around several islands, four hours may feel too tight.

Finding the boat behind Cirkewwa Cafe

The meeting point is Sea Life Cruises at Cirkewwa. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the Cirkewwa Cafe. This detail matters because Cirkewwa is a busy ferry area, and the correct dock may not be obvious if you simply arrive and start looking at boats.

Arrive early. The boat does not wait to extend the trip for late arrivals, so a delayed start comes directly out of your water time. You should have your beachwear on or close at hand, with sunscreen, a camera, and cash ready.

The trip returns to the same meeting point. The listed route includes short speedboat sections of about 10 minutes, followed by stops around the coast and a return to Sea Life Cruises. The exact order can change with wind, tides, shallow water, and other safety concerns.

Cruising toward Comino’s caves and lagoons

Once underway, the skipper can take you around Malta’s islands or guide you toward selected coves and swim areas. You can ask for a particular kind of outing, such as more swimming and snorkeling, or let the skipper decide based on conditions.

Comino is the main focus. Its caves and unusual rock formations are best seen from the water, where the pale cliffs and openings are easier to appreciate than from a crowded path. The boat gives you the chance to look closely, take photographs, and then stop for a swim when conditions allow.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop. Its clear turquoise water is the visual highlight of the trip, but it is also the place where the biggest crowds gather. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to set foot on Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. Check your voucher for the current procedure and make sure you have it before the trip.

The QR code requirement applies to stepping onto the Blue Lagoon area. It does not change the basic appeal of seeing the lagoon from the boat or swimming from an approved stop, but you should not assume you can simply walk ashore without arranging the code.

Crystal Lagoon offers another strong reason to bring a mask. The water is suited to a quick snorkel, and the cliffs and rock shapes give you something to look at between swims. St. Maria Bay and St. Nikolaus Bay are also named as possible stops, though your skipper may adjust the route according to the day.

Swim stops with the right equipment

When the skipper drops anchor, you can enter the water using the side ladder. Masks and fins are included, and swimming noodles are available if you prefer extra support while floating. Life jackets are provided, too, which is useful for anyone who wants to enjoy the water without swimming hard.

You should still bring your own beach towel if you need one, since towels are not listed among the inclusions. Pack food and drinks unless you select the platter, and remember that extra drinks are available for purchase but are not included.

A freshwater shower lets you rinse off saltwater before settling back on the boat. The ice cooler keeps drinks cold, and the Bluetooth sound system allows you to add music to the ride. Several people who took this trip especially enjoyed having music playing while cruising past the cliffs.

The boat is a good fit for people who want both activity and downtime. You can snorkel, swim, and explore, then climb back aboard to sunbathe in peace. You can also disembark to spend time on one of the islands if the route and conditions allow.

What your skipper adds to the day

The skipper is more than a driver here. You rely on that person to read the wind, tides, shallow areas, and boat traffic, then shape the route around safe conditions. The skipper also explains the caves and coastal sights during stops.

Francis is the skipper most often identified with this experience. He is described as attentive, helpful, and flexible about the balance between swimming and sightseeing. That flexibility is useful if your group includes mixed ages or different energy levels.

Do not expect a scripted sightseeing cruise with a fixed commentary at every minute. The appeal is the informal, personal format. You can tell the skipper what you want, ask questions as you go, and change the emphasis between swimming, caves, scenery, and shore time.

Weather can change the plan. The skipper may alter the route, move the embarkation or disembarkation point, or cancel a particular stop because of wind, tides, shallow water, or another legitimate safety concern. That is not a flaw in the trip. It is part of boating around exposed islands.

One useful example from the trip’s operating policy is that a windy day can make it unsafe to return to the original harbor. In that situation, the provider may arrange transport back to your accommodation. You should still plan your day with some flexibility rather than scheduling an immediate connection after the boat.

The Maltese platter is worth considering

The optional platter turns the boat into a more complete half-day outing. It includes bigilla dip, white beans, stuffed olives, sun-dried tomatoes, water biscuits, and traditional Maltese ftira. You also get local dips, Maltese cheeselets, and pasta salad, along with a drink.

This is a better choice than treating the boat as a sightseeing ride with no food plan. The trip includes swimming and sun exposure, so having something substantial to eat matters. The platter also gives you a small taste of local food instead of relying only on packaged snacks.

You can bring your own food and drinks, too. The instructions specifically tell you to bring them if needed. Extra drinks may be purchased, but they are not part of the standard price.

If you choose the platter, confirm that it is included in your selected option when booking. The fuel fee remains separate and must be paid in cash onboard.

Comfort, limits, and who should skip it

The private format works well for families, couples, and groups of friends who want their own space. Children and infants count toward the seven-person total, so do not assume a baby can be added outside the group limit.

This is not a suitable activity for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to motion sickness. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 70. The boat has a ladder and onboard equipment, but it is still a moving vessel with water access rather than an accessible sightseeing platform.

High-heeled shoes, large bags, oversize luggage, intoxication, and non-folding strollers are not allowed. Pack lightly and use a small beach bag for the items you need. Bring sunscreen and reapply it, especially when you are on the water for several hours.

The boat has a sunbathing area, but shade is not specifically promised. If you need regular shade, ask about the setup before you book. You should also keep your camera secure around swim stops and spray.

The real value of four hours

Four hours is enough to create a satisfying half-day: cruise out, visit coastal sights, stop for one or more swims, eat if you have chosen the platter, and return to Cirkewwa. It is not enough for an unhurried tour of every bay around Malta and Comino.

The strongest value comes from the private setting. You are paying for your own boat, your own small group, and the ability to adjust the day. The price is harder to justify for a small party of two, especially after adding the €89 fuel charge, but it becomes attractive for six or seven people.

You also get more than transport. The masks, fins, noodles, ladder, shower, cooler, and speaker reduce the amount of equipment you need to bring. The skipper’s local route choices can save you from trying to plan every cave and bay yourself.

The tradeoff is that the most famous locations are not private. Blue Lagoon can still be busy, and the weather can change your route. This is a private boat experience, not a promise of an empty lagoon.

Practical booking advice for a smoother trip

Book with the group size in mind. The $397 price covers up to seven people, so a full group gets the best value. Count infants and children before booking.

Bring cash for the €89 fuel consumption fee. It is payable onboard and cash only. This is the most important cost detail to add to your budget.

Select the Maltese platter if you want food arranged in advance. Otherwise, bring your own food and drinks, since the standard outing does not include them. Keep your belongings compact because large bags and luggage are not permitted.

Check the Blue Lagoon QR code instructions before departure if you plan to step ashore. Also check the starting time when you book, since departure times vary by availability.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Malta plans are still changing.

Should you book this private Malta boat trip?

I would book it if you have a group of four to seven, want swimming and snorkeling more than formal sightseeing, and value privacy over the lowest possible price. It is especially good for a family or group of friends that wants music, a flexible route, and a comfortable way to see Comino’s caves and lagoons.

I would look elsewhere if you dislike boats, get motion sick, need step-free access, or want a full-day outing. I would also think twice if you are traveling as only two people and are focused strictly on budget.

For the right group, this is a practical way to see Malta from the water without joining a crowded large-boat cruise. Just bring cash, arrive on time, keep your bags small, and accept that the skipper may change the route when the sea demands it.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Sea Life Cruises at Cirkewwa. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind Cirkewwa Cafe.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel consumption costs €89, payable in cash onboard.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. Check your voucher for the details.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, swimming fins, and swimming noodles are included. Life jackets and a side ladder are also provided.

What food is included?

Food is included only if you select the option with the Maltese platter. It includes bigilla, white beans, stuffed olives, sun-dried tomatoes, water biscuits, ftira, local dips, Maltese cheeselets, pasta salad, and a drink.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper can change the itinerary, route, or embarkation and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate factors.