Private Boat Charter – Comino/Parts of Gozo

Comino is best seen from the water, and this private boat charter gives you something the crowded ferry trips cannot: room to change the plan. You can circle Comino, pause at clear swimming spots, and continue along Gozo’s coast instead of following a fixed route. Skippers Atef and Fendi have been praised for being friendly, flexible, and good at finding interesting caves and swimming areas.

I like the small private group and the fact that the boat is yours for up to eight people. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling equipment, fuel, a skipper, and a cooler with ice are included. The main caution is timing. The published stop durations do not fit neatly into a two-hour charter, so confirm the exact route and schedule before setting off.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: You share the boat only with your own group, making it a good choice for families and friends.
• Comino from the sea: See the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, caves, and rock formations without relying on a large group boat.
• Gozo can be added: Weather permitting, your skipper can take you along parts of Gozo, including Mgarr ix-Xini.
• Swimming gear included: Snorkeling equipment, fuel, a cooler, and ice come with the charter.
• Flexible route: You can discuss preferred stops with the captain before or during the trip.
• Short two-hour format: This works well as a focused coastal outing, but you should not expect every listed site in detail.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is small, but its most famous bays can feel crowded. A private boat changes the experience because you are not tied to a public ferry schedule or a large group’s preferences. You can spend more time swimming, ask to see a particular cave, or move on when the water gets busy.

The charter begins at the Cirkewwa area, with meeting options also given at Marfa Jetty or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The exact departure point matters, so confirm it when you book. Cirkewwa is especially practical if you are already near Malta’s northern ferry terminal, while Mgarr Harbour suits you if you are staying on Gozo.

For a group of eight, the $259 price works out to about $32 per person before any transport to the harbour. That is a fair price for an exclusive boat, skipper, fuel, and equipment, especially if your group would otherwise buy several seats on a shared cruise. For only two or three people, the price feels less economical, but you are paying for privacy rather than the lowest possible fare.

Starting from Cirkewwa, Marfa, or Mgarr Harbour

Your captain meets you near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The information gives several possible meeting places, so do not assume that every departure starts at the same dock. Get the precise meeting instructions before the day of your trip.

You need to arrange your own transport to the harbour. Bring swimwear, a towel, a camera, and beachwear. Suntan lotion is not included, and it is an easy item to forget when you are rushing toward the water.

The boat comes with an English-speaking driver and an English audio guide is listed as included. The real value, though, is the skipper’s local route knowledge and ability to adjust the trip. Atef has been praised for being helpful, informative, and fun, while Fendi has been noted for showing caves, rock formations, and good places to swim and snorkel. Skipper assignment is not guaranteed, but both names give you an idea of the personal service associated with this charter.

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon

The Crystal Lagoon is one of the main reasons to book this trip. It is known for clear water and a more enclosed setting than the open coast. From the boat, you can enjoy the color and rock walls without having to make a long stop on land. If conditions allow, this is a natural place for a swim or a session with the supplied snorkeling equipment.

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s famous calling card. Its bright water and dramatic setting make it excellent for photographs, but it is also the spot most likely to feel busy. A private boat lets you see it from the water and decide how long you want to stay. If your group wants a swim, tell the skipper early so the available time is used well.

The published plan includes a photo stop at Comino and another at the Blue Lagoon. One itinerary entry lists a 45-hour Comino stop, which cannot fit within a two-hour charter and is clearly inconsistent with the stated duration. Another lists one hour at the Blue Lagoon. Treat these as rough planning notes, not a guaranteed schedule, and ask the operator to explain the actual timing.

Caves, rock formations, and small offshore islets

Comino’s caves are a strong part of the experience because they give the trip more variety than a simple ride to one swimming bay. The caves are also a popular underwater site, although this charter is not presented as a specialist scuba outing. You can use the snorkeling equipment, look into the water, and ask the skipper to point out notable formations.

A private boat is particularly useful around rock formations. You can ask the captain to slow down for photographs instead of trying to capture everything from a crowded vessel. The boat’s cooler with ice also means you can keep drinks cold during the ride, although the supplied information does not say that food or drinks are provided.

Gebla Tal-Halfa is another possible stop. It is a small, deserted islet and limestone rock southeast of Comino. It is not the kind of place you visit for shops or facilities. Its appeal is the stark rock, open water, and quiet pause away from the busiest bays. Since the charter lasts only two hours, seeing it may require choosing it over another stop.

Adding part of Gozo to the route

The charter can include parts of Gozo, which gives you a useful alternative if Comino’s busiest areas are too crowded or if your group wants more coastal variety. One notable option is Mgarr ix-Xini, a sheltered spot known for swimming and snorkeling.

Mgarr ix-Xini once had a more secluded feel, and it offers a different mood from the Blue Lagoon. Instead of focusing only on bright water and famous photographs, you get a quieter coastal setting for a swim. The trip cannot promise every Gozo stop, so discuss your priorities with the skipper.

Previous outings have included a complete circuit of Comino followed by time along Gozo’s coast. That is possible evidence of how flexible the route can be, but it should not be read as a fixed promise. Weather, boat availability, and the two-hour limit all affect what fits.

What two hours really gives you

Two hours sounds generous until you count the time spent leaving the harbour, moving between bays, stopping for photographs, and returning. You can expect a compact coastal outing rather than a full-day cruise.

If swimming is your main goal, tell the skipper that at the start. You may prefer two well-chosen swim stops instead of trying to see every named site. If photography matters most, ask for a route with time near the Blue Lagoon, caves, and rock formations.

The private format helps you make that choice. A public tour may keep moving according to a preset plan, while this charter allows a conversation with the captain. The route is still subject to weather and boat availability, so flexibility works both ways: you can request a plan, but the captain has the final say on what is safe and practical.

Swimming, snorkeling, and time on deck

You can swim or snorkel during the stops, or simply stay on deck and enjoy the coast. Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from bringing your own mask and fins. The information does not specify the types or sizes available, so if you need specialist equipment, ask ahead.

Bring your own swimwear and towel. Beachwear is also recommended, and a camera is worth packing if you want photographs of the caves and rock formations. Use sun protection even on a short trip, since open water offers little shade.

The charter suits people who want an active break without committing to a full day. You can swim for a while, dry off on the boat, and continue sightseeing. If anyone in your group is prone to seasickness, think carefully before booking. A private boat does not remove the movement of the sea, and two hours can feel long if the water is rough.

Who gets the best value from this charter

This is a strong fit for a group of friends or a family of up to eight people. The larger your group, the better the per-person value becomes. It also suits couples who care more about privacy and control than getting the cheapest seat on a shared boat.

You will appreciate it most if you want to choose between swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and coastal sightseeing. The skipper can respond to your interests instead of treating everyone as if they want the same trip.

It is less suitable if you need a detailed, fixed itinerary with guaranteed time at every location. The route depends on weather and the boat available, and two hours is a short window. It is also not the right choice for anyone who regularly feels seasick.

The charter is not presented as a formal historical tour. Its strengths are the sea views, personal route, caves, rock formations, and swim stops. If your priority is museums, village streets, or extended time on land, choose another activity.

Booking details worth checking before you go

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

The activity is listed for two hours, with starting times dependent on availability. Boats are also subject to availability, so do not leave the booking until the last minute if you have only one possible day.

Ask these questions before departure:

• Which harbour is confirmed for your group?
• How much time will be spent swimming?
• Can you include Gozo, or will the trip focus on Comino?
• Which caves or rock formations are likely to be visited?
• Are the listed photo stops part of the two-hour schedule?

Those answers will help you set realistic expectations and avoid trying to fit too much into a short charter.

Should you book the Comino private charter?

Book it if you want privacy, flexible swim stops, and a small-group view of Comino. The $259 group price makes the most sense for six to eight people, and the included skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, cooler, and ice keep the extra costs modest.

The best approach is to choose two or three priorities before you board. Ask for the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon if swimming and photographs come first. Ask about caves, Gebla Tal-Halfa, or Mgarr ix-Xini if you want a more varied route.

I would book this as a focused two-hour outing, not as a complete tour of Comino and Gozo. Confirm the exact timing because the published stop information is inconsistent. If the weather is calm and your group values doing things at its own pace, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to spend a short stretch of time on Malta’s northern coast.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The listed duration is two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The charter is private for a group of up to eight people.

Where do we meet the captain?

The meeting point may be near the kiosk at Cirkewwa, Marfa Jetty, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Confirm the exact location before the trip.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the private boat charter around Comino and parts of Gozo, an English-speaking skipper, fuel, snorkeling equipment, and a cooler with ice.

Can we choose where the boat goes?

You can discuss preferred places with the captain. The skipper may accommodate your requests when weather conditions permit.

Can the charter include Gozo?

Yes. The route can include parts of Gozo, including places such as Mgarr ix-Xini, subject to time, weather, and the agreed route.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, a camera, and beachwear. Suntan lotion and transport to or from the harbour are not included.

Is cancellation available?

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