Malta: The Three Islands Private Boat Tour

The best thing about this boat trip is control. You have the boat to yourself, up to 10 people, and Captain Carlos can shape the route around your group rather than shepherding you from one fixed stop to the next. You get swimming and snorkeling time at famous spots such as the Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, plus broad coastal views from the water.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want to choose when to stop. I also like the practical setup: a canopy for shade, a sound system, snorkeling equipment, water, light snacks, and a cooler with ice. The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. With Malta, Comino, and Gozo all in the plan, the time can pass quickly, and rough seas may require a change of departure or route.

Key points

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You share the boat only with your own family or friends, with a captain and fuel included.
• Captain Carlos sets a flexible pace: You can ask for extra swimming time, move on, or adjust the route to suit your group.
• Three-island views in four hours: The route links Malta, Comino, and Gozo, including lagoons, bays, and Mgarr Harbour.
• Useful onboard extras: A canopy, sound system, snorkeling equipment, water, light snacks, and an ice-filled cooler are provided.
• Weather affects the plan: Rough seas can lead to a changed departure time or a modified route.
• Best for confident swimmers and small groups: The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, babies under one year, or anyone over 95.

Why a private boat makes Malta easier

Malta’s best coastal views are often found from the water. A private charter gives you a simple advantage: you do not have to match the rhythm of a large group. If your family wants a quiet cruise, you can keep moving. If your friends want repeated swims, you can ask Captain Carlos to linger longer.

The boat carries up to 10 passengers, which makes the cost easier to assess as a group. You are not paying only for a seat on a short cruise. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, a captain, fuel, and the ability to shape the four-hour outing around your own interests. The value improves when the boat is full, particularly for a family reunion or a group of friends splitting the cost.

The route covers Malta, Comino, and Gozo, but four hours is still a compact window. You should think of this as a scenic coastal sampler with swimming stops, not a full tour of every island. The captain may adjust the order or duration of stops depending on sea conditions and your preferences.

Starting at Beachaven Lido

The meeting point is Beachaven Lido, and the trip ends there as well. That return to the starting point keeps the day straightforward. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup from another harbour after the cruise.

Some groups have been ready to leave before the scheduled time and found Captain Carlos prepared to depart early. Do not count on an early departure as a guarantee, but arriving a little ahead of time is sensible. It gives you space to meet the captain, settle onboard, and decide how much of the trip you want to give to swimming, cruising, and sightseeing.

The boat includes a canopy, which matters in Malta’s strong sun. You can sit in the shade between swims rather than spending four hours fully exposed. A sound system adds music to the ride, and you can bring your own drinks. Water and light snacks are included, but you should not expect a full meal.

St Paul’s Bay and Malta’s northern coast

The cruise begins with St Paul’s Bay and the northern coast of Malta. This opening stretch gives you time to settle into the boat before the route reaches Comino’s more famous water.

The coastal route can include Sharks Bay, Armier Bay, and Paradise Bay. The value here is the changing view from sea level. Instead of seeing Malta only from roads and viewpoints, you watch the shoreline open into small coves, bays, and rocky edges.

Because the boat is private, you can tell the captain what matters most to you. A group focused on swimming can limit long sightseeing pauses. A mixed-age group may prefer a gentler cruise with more time under the canopy. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a standard shared boat ride.

Crystal Lagoon: the main swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon is one of the key stops on the route. Its clear water makes it a natural place for swimming and snorkeling, and the boat allows you to reach the water without joining a large beach crowd.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you have the basic gear for a look below the surface. You should still ask about the available sizes and fit when you board, especially if several people in your group need equipment. The tour is built around water time, but you remain responsible for deciding how comfortable you are in the sea.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good test of how your group wants to spend the rest of the trip. If everyone is eager to swim, you can ask for more time in the water. If the sea feels rough or anyone is uncomfortable, the captain can keep the boat moving. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, so be honest with yourself before booking a private boat rather than assuming the open water will feel calm.

Paradise Bay and the northern Maltese coast

Paradise Bay brings another coastal stop into the route. It is part of the northern Malta section before the boat continues toward Comino.

A private charter gives this stop a different feel from a fixed sightseeing cruise. You can use it for a swim, a short pause, or a look at the shore from the boat. Since the whole outing lasts four hours, your captain will need to balance stops rather than offer unlimited time at each one.

I would treat Paradise Bay as part of the wider coastal experience, not as a separate beach day. The boat does not turn the trip into a land visit with a long stay ashore. Its main purpose is to show you the coast, let you enter the water, and move between the islands without packing and unpacking for each stop.

Blue Lagoon and Comino’s famous water

Blue Lagoon is the most recognizable name on the route. Its clear water is a major reason people book a boat around Comino, and seeing it from a private charter gives you a chance to approach by water and pause for a swim.

Do not assume that one famous stop will make the entire trip private and quiet. Blue Lagoon is a well-known part of Malta’s coastal circuit, and conditions can feel very different from one day to another. The private boat helps because your group has its own space onboard, but it does not remove the popularity of the location itself.

The captain’s flexibility is useful here. You can decide how long the stop suits your group, then continue toward Comino or Gozo. If your party includes strong swimmers and people who prefer staying dry, the boat’s canopy and open cruising time make it easier to keep everyone comfortable.

Comino by boat, then Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour

Comino is included as a dedicated part of the route, with the boat continuing around its coast after the lagoon stops. You get the island from the water, where the small coves and rocky shoreline are the main attraction.

The trip then reaches Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. This is a change of pace from the swimming stops. Instead of focusing only on clear water, you get a harbour view and a sense of Gozo’s connection to the sea.

The route description also includes Gozo Harbour, while the listed stops identify Mgarr Harbour. In practical terms, you should confirm the exact sequence with Captain Carlos at the start, especially if your group has a particular Gozo stop in mind. The itinerary is described as customizable, and the final route can depend on weather, sea conditions, and how long you spend swimming.

Returning toward St Paul’s Island

After the Gozo section, the boat heads back toward St Paul’s Island before returning to Beachaven. This final stretch gives you another chance to enjoy the coastline without rushing between land attractions.

A four-hour trip can feel short once you add several stops, so I would use the return ride as part of the experience rather than seeing it as lost time. You can stay under the canopy, listen to music, take in the coast, and talk with the captain about what you have seen.

The route is not designed to cover every corner of the Maltese Islands. Its strength is the combination of a private boat, several well-known water stops, and the ability to adjust the pace. That is a better fit for you if the sea itself is the main attraction.

Captain Carlos and the feel onboard

Captain Carlos receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. He is described as prompt, organized, polite, and accommodating, with the ability to adjust the trip around different levels of water confidence. That matters more than it may sound. A mixed-age group can have very different ideas about how long to swim, how fast to travel, and when to return to shade.

You can also expect a relaxed social atmosphere rather than a formal lecture. Music is available through the sound system, and the captain can share stories about Malta while he handles the boat. The combination of views, music, and swimming gives the trip an easygoing afternoon feel.

The company owner, Nigel, has also been involved in communication about weather. When rough seas affected a departure, he contacted the group to discuss moving the start time. That kind of notice is important for a boat trip, since weather can change the safest and most enjoyable plan.

What is included, and what you should bring

The included setup is practical:

• Captain and fuel
• Water and light snacks
• Cooler with ice
• Canopy for shade
• Snorkeling equipment
• Sound system

You may bring your own drinks, and the cooler gives you a place to keep them cold. The included snacks are light, so bring extra food if your group expects a full lunch. Also bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and any personal medication you need for the sea.

The description includes an all-inclusive option, but the basic inclusions listed here are captain, fuel, water, light snacks, cooler, canopy, and snorkeling equipment. Check exactly what the all-inclusive choice adds before paying more. This is especially important if you are expecting transport, lunch, or other extras. Arrange those items clearly in advance rather than assuming they are automatically coordinated.

Who will get the most from this trip

This boat charter suits a group that values privacy and flexibility more than a fixed sightseeing script. It works particularly well for:

• Families who need freedom to change the pace
• Friends splitting the cost of a private boat
• Groups with mixed swimming confidence
• People who want several swimming stops in one outing
• Visitors who prefer a captain-led route instead of managing a rented boat

It is less suitable for anyone prone to seasickness. It is also not suitable for babies under one year or people over 95 years old. If you are unsure about your comfort on open water, a private charter does not remove the movement of the sea. The advantage is that you can adjust the route, not that the ride becomes completely still.

The English-speaking captain is another practical point. Communication should be straightforward for English speakers, and your group can discuss timing and preferences directly with the captain.

Timing, flexibility, and value

The tour lasts four hours, with starting times based on availability. That length is enough to connect Malta, Comino, and Gozo, but it does require choices. You will not have unlimited time at Crystal Lagoon, Paradise Bay, Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Mgarr Harbour in one outing.

I see the best value when you fill the boat with people who know each other and want the same kind of day. Ten people sharing a private boat can make the arrangement more economical than booking separate seats, while a smaller group pays more per person for privacy. The real value comes from the captain’s ability to respond to your wishes, not from the number of named stops alone.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting. Still, check availability and the final conditions when you book, particularly if your schedule depends on a specific departure time.

Should you book the Three Islands Private Boat Tour?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water, several chances to swim, and a captain who can adapt the route to your group. Captain Carlos appears to be the key part of the experience, especially for mixed-age groups and anyone who wants a friendly, flexible pace.

Skip it if seasickness is a serious concern, if you need a full meal and land sightseeing included, or if you expect to spend a long time at every stop. Four hours goes quickly, and rough water may change the plan.

For a family or group of friends, this is a strong way to see Malta, Comino, and Gozo from the sea without surrendering the day to a fixed schedule. Arrive ready to swim, bring extra food if needed, confirm any paid extras, and tell the captain what kind of outing you want before leaving Beachaven.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

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

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at the Beachaven Lido, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat is available for groups of up to 10 passengers.

Which islands does the route visit?

The route explores Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Stops and cruising areas include St Paul’s Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Paradise Bay, Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Mgarr Harbour.

Is a captain included?

Yes. A captain and fuel are included, and the driver speaks English.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the experience.

What food and drinks are included?

Water and light snacks are included. The boat also has a cooler with ice, and you may bring your own drinks.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.