Mgarr/Cirkewwa: Comino, Gozo & Blue Lagoon Private Boat Trip

Comino is best seen from the water, where pale cliffs, sea caves, and small swimming coves come into view without the crush of a large tour boat. This private 3 to 4 hour charter lets you shape the pace, from a quick look at a cave to a long swim at Crystal Lagoon.

I like two things right away: the boat gives you shade, a sun deck, and snorkeling gear, and the skipper can adjust the route when wind or sea conditions change. Captains Joe and Mario have also helped make the trip personal, taking photos, changing times in poor weather, and allowing families to choose how long to stay at each stop. The catch is important: the advertised group price does not include the €99 skipper fee or €99 fuel charge, so check the full cost before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Crystal Lagoon swimming: Clear water and marine life make this the main stop for snorkeling and a cool swim.
• Comino by private boat: Sea caves, quiet shorelines, lagoons, and Santa Maria Beach can be reached without joining a large group.
• Flexible route: The skipper may change the timing, stops, and departure points for wind, tides, or sea conditions.
• Comfort aboard: You get shaded seating, a sun deck, safety equipment, an ice cooler, WiFi, Bluetooth audio, and masks and snorkels.
• Best value for a group: The rate covers up to six people, making the cost more sensible when shared by family or friends.
• Meet in Gozo or Malta: Depart from Mgarr Harbour near Sicilia Bella Restaurant or Cirkewwa near the Gozo Channel kiosk.

Seeing Comino from a private boat

Comino is small, but its shoreline packs in a surprising amount: pale rock, narrow inlets, sea caves, clear swimming water, and small beaches. From a private boat, you get a better sense of the island’s shape than you do from a single beach visit.

The route is not a rigid sightseeing parade. Your skipper can slow down for photos, stop for swimming, and spend more time at the places your group enjoys. That flexibility matters on a short outing. Three or four hours can pass quickly if you try to do everything, so I would decide before departure whether your priority is swimming, snorkeling, caves, or a little of each.

The boat has cozy seating under a shade canopy, plus a sun deck for those who want full Mediterranean sun. Safety equipment is supplied, and a Bluetooth speaker lets you bring your own soundtrack. WiFi is also included, though I would treat it as a useful extra rather than the reason to book a sea trip.

The route from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat at either end of the Gozo Channel crossing. In Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. On Malta, it is near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That is not wasted advice. The boat leaves on schedule, and arriving late does not add time to your charter. The two departure points are useful if your plans already put you on Gozo or northern Malta, but you should choose the one that fits your day rather than assuming the boat will collect you elsewhere.

Once aboard, the skipper will explain the plan and the day’s sea conditions. The captain has the final say on the route. Wind, waves, tides, or other safety concerns can lead to a changed departure time, altered stops, or a different point for getting on or off the boat. That flexibility is a benefit, not a flaw, but you should avoid booking this as the one fixed event around which an unchangeable schedule depends.

Sea caves and Comino’s quieter shoreline

The first major pleasure is simply cruising beside Comino. The coast reveals small cuts in the rock and sheltered corners that are easy to miss from land. Your skipper can bring the boat close enough for good views, subject to conditions, and give you time for photos.

The caves are a visual part of the outing rather than a formal archaeological visit. You will see how waves have shaped the pale coastal rock, and you can enjoy the contrast between shadowed cave openings and the bright water outside. If you have children or anyone uneasy on boats, the captain’s control of the route and pace is especially useful.

The phrase secluded shoreline needs a little context. Comino is a well-known day-trip destination, particularly in warm months, so the busiest areas can still be busy. A private boat helps you move away from the thickest crowds and reach less accessible stretches of coast, but it cannot guarantee an empty island or private beach.

Crystal Lagoon is the swimming centerpiece

Crystal Lagoon is the natural high point for anyone who likes to swim or snorkel. The water is prized for clear visibility, and the outing gives you time to look below the surface for fish and other marine life.

Masks and snorkels are included, which saves you from packing or renting basic gear. Still, bring your own mask if you already have one that fits well. A poor seal can distract you from an otherwise fine swim, and the supplied equipment is best viewed as a helpful inclusion rather than a guarantee of a perfect personal fit.

The lagoon also works for first-time snorkelers. You do not need to make the entire stop an underwater activity. You can float, swim, sit in the sun, or take photos from the boat. Tell the skipper how you want to use the time, since the private format makes that conversation possible.

Water conditions can change. A calm sea may make snorkeling easy, while wind can turn a planned stop into a shorter visit or prompt a safer alternative. The captain’s decision takes priority, even if a particular lagoon was your main reason for booking.

Santa Maria Beach and the Gozo side of the trip

The trip is centered on Comino, but it can also include Gozo’s coastal scenery and Santa Maria Beach, depending on the route and conditions. Santa Maria gives the outing a different feel from the more famous lagoon stops, with a beach setting that suits a longer pause or a family swim.

The exact order is not fixed. One group may spend more time at caves, another may prefer water time, and a windy day may require a changed plan. That is worth understanding before you board: you are buying a private coastal outing with a captain-led route, not a guaranteed checklist of every named site.

The Gozo element is useful if you are staying on the island and want to see its coast without arranging a separate excursion. It is less useful if you expect an extended land visit. This is a boat trip, so the experience is about the shore from the water, swimming stops, and the freedom to move between coves.

What the boat provides, and what you should pack

The setup is practical rather than luxurious. You have seating under shade, a sun deck, safety gear, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment with mask and snorkel. Port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, and taxes are included.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Cash
• Snacks and drinks
• A waterproof way to protect your phone

Food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment is also not included, despite the possibility of bringing a meal aboard, and fishing gear is not supplied. Do not assume the ice cooler is stocked with refreshments. Pack what you want to eat and drink, and confirm any special equipment before departure.

A shaded seat is valuable in Malta’s strong sun, particularly if you plan to stay out for several hours. The sun deck is pleasant, but you will probably want to move between sun and shade rather than sit in full exposure the entire time.

A skipper can make or break the day

The strongest part of this experience is the human element. Captain Joe has been praised for showing visitors beautiful areas around Gozo and Comino, allowing plenty of time to swim, and taking photos and videos. Captain Mario has been described as friendly, willing to explain the route, happy to play music, and attentive to safety.

Those details matter because a private boat can otherwise feel like little more than transport. A good skipper reads the sea, notices what your group enjoys, and helps you use the short charter well. One captain even contacted a couple the night before a windy outing and changed the time to fit safer conditions.

The crew may also take photos for you, but I would not treat that as a guaranteed professional photography service. Bring your own phone or camera, and protect it from spray. The skipper’s job is first to operate the boat safely and manage the route.

Language support is available in English and Maltese. The private format also makes it easier to ask questions or request a slower pace without trying to speak over a busload of people.

Is the private price good value?

The base price is $116 per group of up to six, not per person. That can be attractive for a family or group of friends. Split six ways, the starting rate looks far better than a private charter for two.

But read the cost details carefully. The professional skipper is listed separately at €99, and fuel consumption is another €99. Food and drinks are extra as well. Those charges can change the calculation substantially, especially for one or two people. Ask for the complete payable amount, including the skipper and fuel, before you decide.

For two people, this is a special-occasion purchase rather than a budget outing. The value comes from privacy, control over the stops, time in the water, and the ability to avoid a crowded group boat. For four to six people, the same boat can make much more financial sense.

The listed rating is 4.9 from 18 reviews, with especially strong praise for Joe and Mario, the comfortable boat, good handling in windy conditions, flexible scheduling, and the ability to spend time away from crowds. I would give those points real weight, but I would still focus on the extra charges and weather policy before paying.

Who should book this Comino charter?

You are a good match if you want:

• A private outing for up to six people
• Swimming and snorkeling more than a long land tour
• A flexible route around Comino and Gozo
• Shade and seating between water stops
• Music, photos, and a relaxed group atmosphere
• A quieter alternative to a large shared boat

Families can benefit from choosing their own pace, especially when one child needs a break from the sun or water. Couples may like the privacy, though the full cost is harder to justify for only two people. Friends who split the boat fee get the strongest value.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed route, fixed departure time, included meals, or a full day of sightseeing. It is also not the right choice if sea conditions make you uncomfortable and you want a completely predictable plan. The captain can change the trip for safety, and the sea gets the final vote.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times depend on availability.

The charter departs from Mgarr or Cirkewwa, and pickup is included at those listed meeting points. Arrive half an hour early, carry cash, and do not expect lateness to extend your time on the water.

The skipper may adjust the selected time to find better conditions or meet operational needs. That can be useful when wind changes, but keep your wider Malta or Gozo schedule flexible on the day.

Should you book it?

I would book this boat if your group values time in clear water, private space, and a captain-led route more than a low headline price. The caves, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Beach, and Comino’s rocky coast make a strong half-day, and the shaded seating plus included snorkel gear remove several small hassles.

Before paying, confirm the total after the €99 skipper charge and €99 fuel charge. If you are traveling with four to six people, the cost is easier to defend. For two people, book it for a memorable coastal outing, not because it is the cheapest way to see Comino.

FAQ

How long is the Comino and Gozo boat trip?

The trip lasts 3 to 4 hours. Check availability for the specific starting times.

Where does the boat depart from?

You can depart from Mgarr in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal, or from Cirkewwa in Malta, near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The charter is for a private group, with space for up to six people.

Is a skipper included in the advertised price?

The professional skipper is listed as an additional €99 charge. Fuel consumption is also listed separately at €99.

What is included on the boat?

The boat includes seating, a sun deck, a shade canopy, safety gear, port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, free WiFi, and snorkeling gear with a mask and snorkel.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for fishing are also not included.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter and can adjust the route, stops, and departure or disembarkation points because of weather, tides, or other valid reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also bring any snacks and drinks you want during the trip.