Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

The best part of this Malta boat charter is control. Your group gets the whole boat, and the captain can adjust the route for swimming, snorkeling, caves, photographs, or a closer look at Gozo’s coast. At the Blue Lagoon, you can anchor away from the packed shore and swim straight from the boat.

I like the private price for up to six people, which makes the cost reasonable for a family or small group. I also like the captains’ practical touch, from coolers and floats to Bluetooth music and help for less confident swimmers. The catch is simple: three hours goes quickly, and the advertised €79 fuel charge is extra.

Key points before you book

• Private boat for up to six: You are not sharing the ride with a large sightseeing crowd.
• Blue Lagoon from the water: Swim from the boat instead of trying to find space on the busy beach.
• Caves and quiet coves: The small boat can reach places larger vessels cannot safely enter.
• Flexible route: You can favor swimming, snorkeling, Gozo’s coast, or a one-way drop-off.
• Snorkel gear included: Masks and snorkels are supplied, though you should bring towels, drinks, and snacks.
• Extra fuel cost: Add €79 to the published group price when working out the real cost.

A private boat is the smart way to see the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s most famous patch of water, and it is famous for good reason. Between Comino and Cominotto, the sea turns a startling blue, with pale sand and rock on either side. From land, the experience can feel crowded and exposed. From a private boat, you can anchor in the clearest part of the lagoon, swim off the side, and return to your own seats when you are ready.

That private setting changes the day. You do not need to wait for a group to finish swimming or follow a fixed schedule set by strangers. If your children want more time in the water, or you would rather photograph the cliffs than snorkel, you can ask the skipper to adjust the pace.

Still, do not expect the Blue Lagoon to be secret. It is one of Malta’s busiest sights, especially in good summer weather. The private boat gives you a better position and more freedom, but it does not remove the other boats from the view.

The tour is listed at $337.55 per group of up to six, not per person. With six people, that is roughly $56 per person before the fuel charge. Add the €79 fuel cost and the value remains fair for a private half-day boat, especially compared with buying six separate seats on a shared excursion. For two people, the same price is much harder to justify.

Starting at Cirkewwa and choosing your finish

The usual meeting point is beside the only kiosk and café at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. This is the practical northern gateway toward Comino and Gozo. You can also arrange pickup at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

The flexible ending is useful. You can make the trip a round trip back to Cirkewwa, or ask to be dropped at Gozo or Malta Island instead. That option may help if you are building the boat ride into a wider day of sightseeing, but confirm the exact plan before departure so everyone understands where the ride ends.

The activity lasts about three hours. That sounds generous until you count the time spent leaving the port, moving between islands, slowing for caves, and stopping to swim. The long list of places described for the route is best understood as a menu of possible sights, not a promise of extended time at every single one.

If you want a leisurely swim, do not expect a full tour of every cove on both islands. Tell the skipper what matters most at the start. The captains have been praised for adapting the route, and that flexibility is one of the main reasons to choose a private charter.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija, and Cominotto

After leaving Cirkewwa, the boat heads toward Comino. The first major stop is usually the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim and use the supplied mask and snorkel. The water is remarkably clear, and the view from the boat gives you the best sense of how the pale seabed changes color around the lagoon.

Santa Marija Bay offers a calmer contrast. It has a curved sandy beach, tamarisk trees, and a less hectic feel than the Blue Lagoon. Nearby Little Santa Marija is noted for marine life, including parrotfish, making it a useful snorkeling stop when conditions and timing cooperate.

From the boat, you can also see Santa Marija Caves and the small chapel near the bay. The chapel and the island’s only police station give this otherwise spare stretch of Comino a little human scale. The beach itself is more useful for families who want sand and room to play, though this charter is primarily a boat experience rather than a shore excursion.

Cominotto Beach is another strong point. It is reached by boat and has clear water, rock scenery, and a swim-through cave that runs toward the other side of the small island. The cave adds a little adventure without requiring a long walk or a complicated excursion.

The sensible expectation is that you will see several of these places from the boat, with one or more chosen for swimming. The exact order depends on sea conditions, crowd levels, and your group’s wishes.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves of Comino

Crystal Lagoon is one of the most rewarding stops for people who want to snorkel. Turquoise water meets a rough coast cut by caves, small inlets, and occasional sandy pockets. The boat is small enough to enter some of the caves, giving you a close view of the rock rather than a distant pass along the shoreline.

A skipper such as Ginger, Mahmoud, Jimmy, Chris, Noel, Pedro, or Upie may also point out film locations and local stories. The lagoon has been used for scenes connected with Popeye, Troy, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Saint Mary’s Tower, seen above the cliffs, also appeared as Château d’If in the 2002 Count of Monte Cristo.

I like this part of the trip because it combines scenery with useful local context. You are not just parked in blue water. You can ask about the caves, the tower, the coast, and the filming locations while the skipper handles the boat.

The snorkeling equipment is included, and several captains have supplied floats or noodles as well. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, food, and drinks. A cooler is available on the boat, and some captains provide ice, but water is not guaranteed. One practical criticism of the experience is that you should not assume bottled water will be waiting for you.

Gozo’s southern coast, from Halfa Rock to Hondoq Bay

The Gozo portion gives the charter a broader feel. Along the southern coast, you may pass Halfa Rock, a small rocky island with steep sides and a sheltered inlet facing Gozo. Salt pans nearby are still worked in the traditional way, and the coastline has secluded swimming places that are accessible only from the sea.

Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay offers bright water and access to the Bemberin Gorge, a narrow inlet with caves and clear water. The route may also include small cliff areas and spots used for jumping into the sea. You should treat any cliff-jumping suggestion as optional and follow the skipper’s safety advice. The tour is not a dedicated jumping excursion.

At Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port, the view changes again. Fishing boats, yachts, and working waterfront activity sit below Fort Chambray. A small Gothic chapel near the fort adds another point of interest. The harbor is a good place for photographs, though the three-hour schedule may allow only a short pass rather than a long stop.

Qala, at Gozo’s southeastern end, brings more caves, pebbly beaches, and coastal fortifications. These sights are best appreciated from the water, since the boat lets you see the shape of the shore without spending time on roads.

What the captain adds to the experience

The captain matters more here than on a basic ferry ride. You are close to the skipper, and the quality of the day depends on how well that person reads the sea and listens to your group.

The captains named in the feedback include Pedro, Ginger, Upie, Mahmoud, Jimmy, Chris, Dani, Casper, Adin, Owen, Noel, Isaac, Justin, and Men. I would not choose the tour based on securing one particular person, since availability can change. But the repeated pattern is useful: captains are expected to steer confidently, explain landmarks, adjust the route, and help guests feel comfortable in the water.

Some practical touches have made a real difference. Jimmy connected passengers’ phones to the boat’s Bluetooth system, supplied a portable charger, and helped with photographs. Justin encouraged a non-swimmer to enjoy the water while staying close by. Other captains have used floats and noodles, taken photos, or slowed down so the boat could enter smaller caves.

That does not mean every departure will include every extra. Ask about music, photos, floats, and coolers at the start. The core promise is the private boat, captain, route flexibility, snorkeling equipment, and access to the reserve areas.

Three hours, rough water, and the right pace

Three hours is enough for a satisfying taste of Comino and part of Gozo. It is not enough for a relaxed landing on several beaches, a full island tour, long snorkeling sessions, and a detailed historical tour all at once.

I would use the time this way:

• Give the captain your top two priorities before leaving.
• Choose swimming and snorkeling if the water is your main reason for booking.
• Choose caves and coastal views if you prefer sightseeing.
• Ask for Gozo’s southern coast if you have already seen the Blue Lagoon on another trip.
• Keep the route flexible if the sea is choppy.

Several accounts describe comfortable trips even in rougher water, but conditions still affect the ride. A small private boat can reach narrow places, yet it may also feel more active in a swell than a larger vessel. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, sit where the captain recommends and keep the plan realistic.

The boat has been described as clean, spacious for its size, and well maintained. That matters because you will spend most of the trip aboard rather than on a beach. You can also bring drinks and snacks, using the cooler provided.

Who gets the best value from this charter

This is a strong choice for a family, group of friends, or cruise passengers who want a private outing and have only a few hours. The up-to-six pricing works especially well when the boat is full. Families may appreciate the ability to set the pace, avoid crowded beach areas, and ask the skipper to help children with swimming or snorkeling.

It also suits couples who care more about privacy than low cost. For two people, the price is a splurge, but it buys space, flexibility, and a better chance of finding a quiet swimming spot.

The charter is less suitable if you want a long beach day, a formal historical tour, or a guaranteed visit to every location named in the route. It is also not the best match for someone who dislikes open-water movement or wants refreshments included without planning ahead.

The private format can help guests with differing interests. Non-swimmers can stay aboard for the views, while stronger swimmers snorkel. A group that does not want to swim can spend more time seeing Gozo and Comino from the boat.

The real cost and what to bring

The published price is $337.55 for the whole boat, with marina charges and anchoring fees at the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon included. The additional fuel charge is €79, paid to the skipper after the tour. Include that amount when comparing the charter with shared boat trips.

For six people, the total is reasonable for a private outing. For three or four, it can still make sense if privacy and flexible stops matter. For one or two, compare carefully with other options.

Pack:

• Towels
• Drinks and snacks
• Sunglasses and sun protection
• A swimsuit
• A phone or camera with a secure grip
• Any personal medication needed on the water

Snorkel masks and snorkels are provided. A cooler is available, and some departures include ice, but bring the food and drinks you want. Water is not guaranteed, so I would buy it before boarding.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund. Last-minute changes are not accepted inside the 24-hour window.

Should you book this Malta private charter?

I would book it if you have a group of up to six, want to swim in the Blue Lagoon without sitting on its crowded shore, and value a captain who can alter the route. The best moments are likely to be the short cave entries, the clear water at Crystal Lagoon, and the freedom to choose between Comino and Gozo.

I would skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, or if you want hours on land. Before paying, confirm the fuel charge, pickup point, drop-off plan, and your top priorities for the three hours.

For the right group, this is one of Malta’s better ways to spend a half-day on the water. Bring your own refreshments, accept that the schedule is compact, and let the captain shape the route around the sea and your interests.

FAQ

How much does the private boat charter cost?

The listed price is $337.55 per group of up to six people. A separate €79 fuel charge is paid to the skipper after the tour.

How long does the boat trip last?

The charter lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the tour start?

The usual meeting point is beside the café and kiosk at Cirkewwa Port in Mellieha. Pickup can also be arranged at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

Can the boat return to the starting point?

Yes. You can make the trip round trip to the original pickup point.

Can I be dropped off somewhere else?

Yes. The boat can drop you at Gozo or Malta Island instead, depending on the arrangement.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The route includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon, with time for swimming and snorkeling from the private boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are included.

Are marina and anchoring fees included?

Yes. Marina costs and anchoring fees for the Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve are included.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. You should bring your own snacks and drinks. A cooler is available on the boat, and ice may be available depending on the departure.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.