Private Boat Charter Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo

The best part of this private Malta boat charter is access. A small boat can reach Santa Maria Caves and quieter coastal spots that larger vessels cannot. You get a full day around Comino, with time to swim and snorkel at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon rather than simply snapping a photo and moving on.

I like the privacy for a group of up to seven, and I like the choice between a Comino-only day and a longer Gozo and Comino route. Captain Bufon has earned praise as a friendly source of information. The main drawback is price: at $786.40 per group, it makes the most sense when the cost is shared among several people.

Key points to know before booking

• Small-boat access: Enter Santa Maria Caves, where larger boats cannot go.
• Two route choices: Spend more time around Comino, or add roughly two hours around Gozo.
• Long day on the water: Plan on about seven hours, including roughly 35 minutes out and 40 minutes back.
• Strong swimming stops: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each allow time for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on board.
• Private group setting: Only your party takes part, with space for up to seven people.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

A private way to see Malta’s northern coast

This charter is built around time on the water, not a quick transfer between busy beaches. You leave from the Strand at Sliema and follow Malta’s coast toward Comino, stopping at caves, lagoons, and swimming spots along the way.

That difference matters. On a shared boat, your schedule is usually fixed and the day can feel crowded. Here, your group has the boat to itself. The captain handles the route, while you can focus on swimming, snorkeling, taking photographs, or stretching out in the sun.

The boat charter lasts about seven hours. That is a generous amount of time for a sea outing, but it also means you should be comfortable spending most of the day outdoors. The route includes several stops, and the pace is relaxed rather than rushed.

The price is $786.40 for up to seven people. Split among seven, that is about $112 per person. For a couple, the same price is much harder to justify. This is a group purchase, and its value improves sharply when you fill most of the available places.

Leaving Sliema for the Maltese coast

You meet at Ferries 2Malta on the Sliema Promenade. The first stretch takes about 35 minutes, giving you time to settle into the boat and take in the Maltese coastline.

The outbound ride is part of the appeal. You are not simply being transported to Comino. You are seeing the coast from sea level, with views that change as the boat moves along the shore.

Because this is a private charter, the day is suited to people who want a more personal outing. It also works well for families or friends who prefer not to share their swimming time with a large crowd. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking.

Public transportation is nearby, which makes the Sliema meeting point practical. The return trip takes about 40 minutes from the final stop, so you are back where you started rather than arranging a separate ride from another island.

Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave

The boat passes Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave, with a stop at Smugglers Cave lasting about 45 minutes. These early coastal sights give the day some variety before the longer lagoon stops.

A cave stop is especially worthwhile from a small boat. You can get a closer view of the rock formations and the waterline than you would from a distant sightseeing vessel. The exact use of the 45 minutes depends on the conditions and the captain’s handling of the route, but this section is designed for looking, photographing, and taking in the coast.

I like that the caves come before the main swimming areas. You get scenic interest at the start of the day, then have plenty of time later for the water. If your group is eager to swim immediately, this stop may feel like a delay. For most people, though, it breaks up the ride and gives the outing a proper sense of place.

Inside Santa Maria Caves on Comino

One of the most distinctive parts of the charter is the chance to enter Santa Maria Caves. The boat is small enough to navigate narrow passages that larger vessels cannot reach.

Inside, you can expect close views of natural rock formations, clear turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and marine life beneath the surface. This is a strong stop for photography because the cave walls and water create a much more enclosed setting than the open coast.

The cave access is also a good reason to choose a private charter instead of a standard sightseeing cruise. It is not only about having fewer people around. The size of the boat changes what you can physically reach.

As with any cave visit, conditions matter. The tour description does not promise a fixed time inside the cave or guarantee that every passage will be accessible. Your captain will need to judge the water and weather. Still, this is the kind of detail that gives the day more character than a simple trip to Blue Lagoon.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

At Blue Lagoon, the boat anchors for about 1.5 hours on the Comino option. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The water is the star here. Blue Lagoon is known for clear water and good conditions for a swim, and the stop gives you enough time to do more than take a brief dip. You can get in, dry off, take photographs, and return to the water without feeling pressed for time.

That said, Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known water stops, so it may not feel secluded. The private boat gives you a more comfortable base, but it does not turn the lagoon into a private beach. If your main goal is peace and quiet, the smaller coastal stops may suit you better.

I would bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything you need for a few hours outside. The details provided do not list onboard facilities or included equipment, so you should not assume that snorkeling gear, food, or drinks are supplied unless the operator confirms it.

On the Gozo and Comino option, Blue Lagoon time is reduced to about one hour. That is still enough for a swim, but you will have less freedom to linger.

Crystal Lagoon and its shallow water

Crystal Lagoon receives about 1.5 hours on the Comino-only option, or about one hour on the Gozo and Comino route. The lagoon is surrounded by rocky cliffs and vegetation, giving it a calmer feel than the more famous Blue Lagoon.

The water is shallow in places and supports marine life such as colorful fish and sea urchins. That makes it a useful snorkeling stop, especially for anyone who likes to look below the surface rather than simply swim laps.

You can also use the time to sunbathe on the boat. This is an important benefit of a private charter. Not everyone in a group needs to do the same thing at the same time. One person can snorkel, another can swim, and someone else can remain on board.

The trade-off is simple: choosing Gozo means less time at both Comino lagoons. If your group cares most about long swims and snorkeling sessions, the Comino-only route is probably the better pick. If seeing another island matters more, the shorter lagoon stops may be a fair exchange.

Choosing between Comino and Gozo

The tour offers two basic ways to shape the day. The Comino option gives you about 1.5 hours at both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. The Gozo and Comino option reduces each lagoon stop to about one hour, then adds around two hours on Gozo.

Gozo time is spent around the coast, with the captain taking you to Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or to Mgarr ix-Xini. The focus remains on the water. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and view the coast from the boat.

This is not a land tour of Gozo. You should not expect a town visit, museum stop, or inland sightseeing. The value is coastal variety and more time at sea.

I would choose Gozo and Comino for a first-time visitor who wants to see more of Malta’s islands in one day. It offers a wider range of scenery and gives you a second island without arranging another excursion.

I would choose Comino only for anyone who wants a slower swimming day. With more time at each lagoon, you can settle into one place instead of moving on when the water is just getting good.

The Gozo route also adds another decision at booking. The exact Gozo stop may be Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini. Since the description does not guarantee one fixed location, ask the operator about the planned route if a particular bay is important to you.

Captain Bufon and the feel of a private day

Captain Bufon has been specifically praised as a fabulous guide who combines information with a relaxed day on the water. That is useful context because a captain can shape the mood of a private charter.

You are not signing up for a formal lecture. The appeal is having someone who can point out coastal sights, explain what you are seeing, and help the group make the most of the stops. The supplied details do not list every captain or promise that Bufon will operate every departure, so confirm the captain’s name if that matters to you.

The small boat is another strength. It provides access to peaceful areas and lets your group avoid the feel of a large excursion vessel. You have room to choose your own rhythm, within the limits of the route and sea conditions.

Still, private does not mean luxury. No specific boat size, onboard amenities, meals, drinks, or snorkeling equipment are listed. I would treat this as a private boat day with scenic and swimming stops, not as an all-inclusive yacht charter.

Who gets the best value from this charter

I think this tour suits a group of friends or family members who can share the $786.40 cost. Seven people bring the approximate price down to $112 each, which is more reasonable for a full seven-hour private outing.

It also suits people who care about access. Santa Maria Caves and smaller coastal areas are more meaningful advantages than simply having a private seat. If you want a boat that can get closer to the rock formations and let you move at your group’s pace, this is where the charter earns its price.

Swimmers and snorkelers will get the most from the day. The schedule gives you long periods at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon on the Comino route, plus a chance to explore Gozo’s coast on the longer option.

You should think twice if you dislike long periods in the sun, want extensive time on land, or are traveling as only one or two people. You should also allow for the possibility that wind or poor weather could affect the route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.

The ride back to Sliema

After the final stop, the boat returns to the Sliema Promenade in about 40 minutes. This gives you one last stretch of open-water views before the day ends at the same meeting point.

The return is useful from a planning standpoint. You do not need to arrange transport from Gozo or Comino, and the round-trip structure keeps the day simple.

By this point, seven hours on the water may feel tiring, especially after swimming and time in the sun. That is another reason to plan your route carefully. The Comino-only version is less ambitious and gives you longer at the main stops. The Gozo and Comino version covers more ground but asks you to accept shorter lagoon visits.

Should you book this Malta boat charter?

Book it if you are a group of up to seven, want a private day on the water, and care about reaching Santa Maria Caves and quieter coastal areas. Captain Bufon’s friendly guidance, the small-boat access, and the long swimming stops give the charter real appeal.

Choose the Comino option if your priority is swimming and snorkeling. Choose Gozo and Comino if you want broader island views and are willing to trade some lagoon time for two hours along Gozo’s coast.

I would not book it for a short sightseeing fix or a low-cost day trip. At $786.40, the price needs to be shared among several people. For the right group, though, this is a flexible and memorable way to experience Malta from the water.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter start and end?

The charter starts at Ferries 2Malta on the Strand at Sliema and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours, including the boat rides between Sliema, Comino, Gozo when selected, and the return to Sliema.

How many people can join the private charter?

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

What is included in the Comino-only option?

The Comino option includes stops at Santa Maria Caves, Blue Lagoon, and Crystal Lagoon, along with the coastal sights and boat travel from Sliema.

How much time is spent at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

On the Comino option, you spend about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon and about 1.5 hours at Crystal Lagoon. On the Gozo and Comino option, each lagoon stop is about one hour.

What does the Gozo and Comino option include?

This option includes time around Gozo’s coast, with a stop at Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini. You have around two hours to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and view the coast.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.