Private 8 Hours Boat Charter Trip in Malta

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the stars here, but the real advantage is having your own boat and skipper for the day. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, eat aboard, and move away from busy areas instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the generous setup: snorkeling gear, a stand-up board, fuel, skipper, soft drinks, and BBQ use are included. I also like the private format, which works well for families and groups up to 12, though food and alcohol cost extra and the advertised stops leave a fair amount of the eight hours to travel time.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon for two hours: Calm, shallow water and striking color make this the main swimming stop, though it can be busy.
• Crystal Lagoon for two hours: Rocky cliffs and a quieter setting give you a better chance to enjoy the water at your own pace.
• Private boat for up to 12 people: The price is per group, so the value improves sharply when you fill the boat.
• Flexible crew: Ryan, Kelo, and Ibrahim have adjusted routes for weather, sea conditions, children, and special requests.
• Water sports included: Snorkeling equipment and a stand-up board are supplied, with unlimited water and soft drinks.
• Extra costs matter: Food is listed at €30 per person and alcohol at €40 per person, so budget before you book.

Why a private boat makes Malta’s coast easier

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and follow a loud guide. It is a private charter built around swimming and time on the water. Your skipper takes the boat toward Comino and Gozo, then adjusts the day to the sea, weather, and your group’s wishes.

That flexibility has real value. A large family group can ask for a calmer bay. A group of adults can spend longer in the water. Parents with a toddler can favor comfort over squeezing in every possible stop. One group even requested fishing, and the crew was able to accommodate it.

The boat has a kitchen, plates, and cutlery according to the information provided by one party, and food can be brought aboard and stored in the fridge. The charter also includes use of a BBQ, but you should confirm the food arrangement when booking. The listed charge is €30 per person for food, while alcohol is €40 per person. Unlimited water and soft drinks are included.

The boat suits groups of different sizes. A party of 11 adults and one child had room for everyone, and another group of eight, including four children, found there was plenty of space. That does not mean a private boat feels spacious in exactly the same way for every group, so ask about the specific vessel if you are close to the 12-person limit.

Leaving Ta’ Xbiex at 9:00 am

The stated meeting point is Kanpai Charter Office 1, Crown Marina Apartments, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, Ta’ Xbiex, XBX 1027, Malta. The activity begins at 9:00 am and returns to the same meeting point.

The departure point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying outside Ta’ Xbiex. Allow enough time to find the marina and arrive ready for an all-day outing. The eight-hour duration includes travel time, so you should not expect eight full hours anchored beside the lagoons.

The exact order of the day can change. Sea conditions have led the crew to alter routes, use different bays, and arrange a vehicle transfer back to the starting point when needed. That is a useful sign of practical seamanship, but it also means you should treat the listed stops as a plan rather than a rigid promise.

The departure details deserve one small clarification. The official starting point is Ta’ Xbiex, although one party described leaving from Gozo and reaching the Blue Lagoon quickly. If your group is staying on Gozo or hopes to start there, confirm the pickup arrangement before paying. Do not assume that every booking begins in the same place.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water with a busy edge

The Blue Lagoon on Comino is the obvious headline stop. The water is bright turquoise, clear, and shallow near the shore. It is well suited to a long swim, a first try at snorkeling, or simply floating beside the boat with a view of the rocky coast.

You have two hours scheduled here, which is much better than a rushed photo stop. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures from the water, but keep your main goal simple: swim, look below the surface, and enjoy the color.

The catch is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, so it can feel crowded, especially during the main part of the day. A private charter gives you more control, but it cannot erase the lagoon’s fame. Ask the skipper if sea conditions allow a quieter nearby position or a change in timing.

Your included snorkeling equipment helps keep this stop easy. You do not need to arrange a separate rental before boarding, and the supplied gear lets you test the water without adding another charge. The stand-up board gives your group another way to use the lagoon, though its availability may depend on sea conditions and how many people want it.

For families, the shallow water is a plus, but the boat day still depends on everyone being comfortable around open water. The crew has handled groups with children and a young toddler, yet you should bring any personal flotation or child-care items your family needs unless the operator confirms they are available.

Crystal Lagoon: a calmer second swim

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. Rocky cliffs and rugged sides frame a more enclosed stretch of water, giving the stop a quieter feel than the Blue Lagoon. You get another two hours here, so this is the place to slow down rather than race from one photo point to the next.

The lagoon suits snorkeling and swimming. Clear water lets you watch the rocky bottom and small marine life, and the cliffs give the setting more character than a simple open-water stop. If your group prefers peaceful swimming to sightseeing, this may become the favorite part of the day.

Access can be less straightforward than at a sandy beach because the coast is rocky. Wear secure footwear when moving around the boat or approaching the shoreline, and follow the skipper’s instructions about where it is safe to enter the water. The supplied board can be fun here, but wind and swell will determine how useful it is.

The two lagoon stops take about four hours combined. That is the core of the charter, and it is a good fit if your priority is time in the sea. If you want a longer land visit or a packed sightseeing route, this is not the right kind of tour.

Gozo: one hour for a taste of island scenery

The Gozo portion is listed as one hour with no admission charge. Gozo is known for beaches such as golden-sand Ramla Bay and quieter San Blas Bay, as well as small coves and clear water.

Because only an hour is allocated, keep expectations modest. You are getting a short taste of Gozo rather than a full island tour. The boat may take you toward a beach or cove for swimming and views, but the supplied plan does not promise a particular beach landing.

That limited time can still add welcome variety. After two long lagoon stops, Gozo gives the day another setting and a chance to see a broader stretch of Malta’s northern waters. Some routes have included Paradise Bay and cave areas, depending on conditions and the group’s requests.

If Gozo is your main reason for booking, confirm the intended route in advance. The charter is strongest as a sea-and-swimming day, not as a land-based Gozo sightseeing tour.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

The inclusions cover the basics for a relaxed day on the water:

• Skipper and fuel
• Unlimited water and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Stand-up board
• Use of a BBQ
• Admission to the listed lagoon stops

Food is not included in the base price. The stated cost is €30 per person, and alcohol is €40 per person. You may also be able to bring your own food and drinks, since one group stored its supplies in the boat fridge and used the kitchen, plates, and cutlery. Confirm that arrangement before the trip, especially if you want to bring a full lunch.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. A hat can help during the long open-water stretches. Keep valuables limited, and use a waterproof case for anything you take near the water.

Alcohol is restricted to people aged 18 and over. Since this is a full day in the sun, water and soft drinks are especially useful, and their inclusion saves you from buying every drink separately.

The crew and the value of personal service

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this charter. Ryan has acted as captain, host, and cook on some outings. Kelo and Ibrahim have also led trips, taking groups toward quieter bays and helping adapt the day to requests.

You can expect a professional approach rather than a formal lecture-heavy tour. The crew explains the sites and locations, keeps an eye on conditions, and works with the group on the route. That matters on a private charter because the boat should feel like your day, not a standard schedule imposed from shore.

Several outings have included larger groups, children, a toddler, and special requests such as fishing. The crew has also changed plans when the sea became uncomfortable and arranged transport back to the original departure point in one case. Those details suggest a useful balance: you receive freedom, but the skipper still makes the final call when conditions change.

Do remember that flexibility is not the same as a guarantee. Poor weather can cancel the trip or require a new date, and rough water can change the route. A private boat gives you more choice than a shared cruise, but safety and comfort still come first.

Is $842.88 good value for your group?

The listed price is $842.88 for up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $70 per person before food and alcohol. For six people, it is about $140 each, and for four people, about $211 each.

That calculation tells you who gets the best deal. A full group of 10 to 12 people can receive strong value from a private boat, especially with fuel, skipper, equipment, and soft drinks included. A small group of two or four people pays much more per person, but gains privacy and control that a shared cruise cannot provide.

Compare the price with what you would spend on separate boat transport, snorkeling rental, drinks, and a private guide. The included equipment and the ability to bring food help narrow the gap. The extra €30 food charge and €40 alcohol charge per person can change the final total, so add them before making your decision.

I would consider this a better value for a family reunion, birthday, or group holiday than for a solo couple. A birthday party of eight had enough room for adults and children, and another group of 12 used the boat comfortably. The private format also lets you celebrate without sharing the boat with strangers.

Who should book this Malta charter?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day based around swimming, snorkeling, and quiet time aboard a private boat. It fits groups that value personal space and can agree on a flexible plan.

It is also a good match for families. The crew has worked with children and toddlers, the boat has room for large groups, and the shallow Blue Lagoon offers an approachable place to swim. Parents should still bring the child-safety gear they need and confirm the vessel’s facilities before booking.

This is less suitable if you want a detailed land tour of Gozo, a long historical commentary, or a tightly timed sightseeing schedule. The main reward is the coast itself: water, cliffs, coves, caves, and time to swim.

The tour requires good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted, so watch the forecast and keep your plans flexible.

Should you book it?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and your ideal Malta day includes turquoise water, snorkeling, a paddleboard, and a skipper who can adjust the route. The private format, included gear, and responsive crew make it more personal than a standard boat outing.

Think twice if your group is small and price per person matters, or if Gozo sightseeing is your main goal. Before booking, confirm the departure point, food plan, vessel size, and likely route. If those details suit you, this is a strong way to spend eight hours around Comino and Gozo.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start and finish?

It starts at Kanpai Charter Office 1, Crown Marina Apartments, Ta’ Xbiex Seafront, Ta’ Xbiex, XBX 1027, Malta, at 9:00 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the charter last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours. The duration includes travel time between locations.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a stand-up board, unlimited water, and soft drinks are included.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food is listed at €30 per person. The boat has BBQ use included, and arrangements for bringing food aboard should be confirmed when booking.

Is alcohol included, and who can drink it?

Alcohol is not included. It is listed at €40 per person, and the minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.