Private Boat Charter: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crysral Lagoon

The best thing about this private boat charter is simple: you get the famous waters around Comino without being packed onto a large party boat. Your captain can bring you close to sea caves, find a calmer swimming spot, and adjust the plan to suit your group. I especially like the chance to see the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon from the water, then stop for a swim or snorkel.

I also like the personal service. Jolene is quick with meeting instructions and messages, while captains such as Alfred, Fabio, Roderic, Ricardo, and Captain Fredo have been praised for safe handling and flexible routes. The main catch is the short two-hour schedule. Add the lack of included pickup and the trip can require careful planning, especially if you are staying far from the launch point.

Key points to know before booking

• Your group gets the boat to itself, with space for up to six people.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each receive about 30 minutes, usually for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing.
• The boat can enter caves and narrow coastal areas that larger vessels may not reach.
• The route can change with weather and your wishes, including more sightseeing if you prefer not to swim.
• A bottle of local Maltese wine is included, though one report described receiving only a couple of glasses.
• The two-hour trip is best for a focused outing, not a full-day cruise around Malta and Gozo.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous sights, and that fame comes with a price: crowds. Large boats, catamarans, ferries, and small craft gather around the same clear water. From shore, the scene can feel busy. From a private boat, you have a better chance to move away from the thickest cluster and enjoy the water with only your own group around you.

That privacy is the main reason to choose this trip over a cheaper shared cruise. You are not following a fixed entertainment program or waiting for dozens of people to board after a swim. You can ask for more time in the water, more cave sightseeing, or a gentler route if the sea is rough.

The boat holds up to six people, so the $240.66 group price works out to about $40 per person if you fill every place. For two hours, that is not the cheapest way to see Comino. It can be good value for a family or group of friends that would otherwise buy several shared-cruise tickets and lose the personal service. For two people, the cost per person is much higher, so the private format needs to matter to you.

The strongest part of the experience is the freedom. Captains have adjusted routes for weather, skipped swimming when groups preferred sightseeing, and found quieter spots away from party boats. That flexibility gives this outing a more relaxed feel than a standard boat circuit.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy edges

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat anchors for about 30 minutes. The water is the star here, with bright turquoise tones that look especially striking from the deck. You can swim, use the provided floats, or stay aboard and take photographs.

The phrase far away from the crowds should be treated as a goal rather than a guarantee. The Blue Lagoon is popular, and other boats may still be nearby, particularly during the busiest part of the day. A private charter gives your captain more options, but it cannot make a famous bay empty.

If you are comfortable in open water, this is a good place to get in quickly and make the most of the stop. Snorkels and swim noodles have been available on the boats, and some groups have used floats for less confident swimmers or anyone who tires easily. You should still tell the captain about your swimming ability before getting in.

The water may be cold outside the warmest summer period. One family that visited in April found the sea chilly, even though the weather was sunny, and needed to get out after about 30 minutes. The lesson is practical: bring a towel, use the boat’s water and floats sensibly, and do not assume sunny weather means warm water.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves below the cliffs

Crystal Lagoon is a more interesting stop if you want a mix of swimming and scenery. The boat anchors for about 30 minutes in a bay known for clear water and access to caves. You can snorkel near the boat or swim toward the cave entrances, depending on sea conditions and your captain’s advice.

Several captains have taken their boats into places that larger craft cannot reach. That is where the private format earns its keep. You are not simply looking at the coast from a distance. You may be able to get close to rock walls, enter a cave, or see the water change color beneath the cliffs.

The cave section is also the part of the trip that works well for non-swimmers. You can remain on board while the captain takes you through the cave areas and explains what you are seeing. One group that did not want to swim received a route with extra sightseeing instead, including views inside the sea caves.

Snorkeling here is pleasant, but set your expectations correctly. The clear water is the main attraction. One account described seeing fish but not much coral, so this is not a major reef excursion. Bring your mask if you have a favorite one, but basic equipment has been available on board.

L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf: a close look at the coast

The sightseeing stop at L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf focuses on the caves around Crystal Lagoon. This is less about getting out of the boat and more about seeing the rock formations from a close angle.

The captain matters here. A skipper who knows the coast can position the boat carefully and explain the places you pass. Alfred, Captain Fredo, Fabio, Roderic, Ricardo, and Jolene have each been singled out for friendly service, local knowledge, or confident boat handling. The exact captain is not guaranteed, so book this experience for the private format and company standards rather than one specific person.

You may want to ask for more explanation as you go. One person found the trip pleasant but wished for more description of the places visited. The captains are often informative, but the amount of commentary can vary. If you like local stories, ask direct questions about the caves, Gozo, Comino, and the coast.

This stop can also help break up the swimming. Two hours is a short time on the water, and a route made entirely of swim stops may feel rushed. A cave tour lets you stay comfortable while still seeing something that is difficult to experience from land.

Hondoq Bay and the southern coast of Gozo

The final listed stop is Hondoq Bay, with sightseeing along the southern part of Gozo. The focus here is the coast itself rather than one fixed activity. You stay on the boat, look toward the island, and let the captain show you the shoreline.

This section is useful if you want a taste of Gozo without spending time on a road tour. You will not visit inland villages, churches, or archaeological sites on this charter. Instead, you get a coastal view and a chance to see the island from a quieter angle.

The route can be adjusted. If swimming conditions are not good, the captain may spend more time showing caves and shoreline. If your group wants to swim, the schedule may give more weight to Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. This is one reason the trip does not feel like a rigid checklist, though the short duration limits how much can fit.

The captains and the level of service

Communication is one of Ozzi Cruises’ strongest features. Jolene has contacted people soon after booking, sent clear meeting instructions, used WhatsApp to confirm details, and kept groups updated about weather. That matters in Malta, where wind and sea conditions can change the feel of a boat trip quickly.

The captains have also received strong praise for safety and judgment. Alfred has been described as calm and skilled around rugged shores and caves. Captain Fredo was praised for making passengers feel safe while maneuvering close to Gozo’s rocky coast. Roderic was appreciated for explaining the route and finding quieter snorkeling spots.

You should still give the captain useful information at the start. Tell them if anyone is nervous in the water, if children need extra attention, or if your group prefers sightseeing to swimming. A private boat is most useful when you speak up about what you want.

The service can include water, floats, snorkels, and a small fridge for drinks you bring yourself. The supplied description specifically includes a bottle of local Maltese wine. One report said only a couple of glasses were served rather than a full bottle, so if the wine matters to you, confirm how it will be provided. Do not plan on it as a substitute for drinking water.

Music may be available, and the boat can work as a quiet family outing or a small celebration. The experience is not built around a loud party atmosphere, but your group can bring drinks for the fridge and set its own mood.

Timing, meeting points, and the hidden cost of transport

The advertised trip lasts about two hours. That is enough time for the four planned sections at roughly 30 minutes each, but it leaves little room for delays. If your group wants long swims, extended cave exploration, and a slow scenic route, ask in advance about a longer option. A three-hour version has also been booked by some groups.

Pickup is not included. The meeting point and launch arrangements need attention, especially if you are not already near Gozo or the northern tip of Malta. One family of six had trouble finding a large enough Bolt from St. Julian’s and paid about $70 to reach the departure area. That transport cost changed the overall value of the trip.

Parking can also take time, and parking areas may fill up. Leave a buffer before departure rather than arriving at the last minute. The company has given clear directions to many groups, but you remain responsible for reaching the meeting point.

If you are staying near Valletta or St. Julian’s, compare the transport cost with the price of a shared cruise leaving from a closer harbor. Some boats depart from Siren Quay or other points nearer central Malta, while this experience may require going farther north. The private boat can still be the better day, but include the transfer in your budget.

Weather, swimming, and who will enjoy it most

This is a weather-dependent trip. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The boat is a good match for a family of up to six, a couple wanting privacy, or friends who want to set their own pace. Children have received extra attention from captains, and the available floats can help less confident swimmers. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

It is less suitable if you want a full-day sightseeing program, a serious snorkeling expedition, or guaranteed warm water. The two-hour version gives you highlights, not every corner of Gozo and Comino. You also remain on the boat except when swimming or snorkeling, so this is not a walking tour of the islands.

The best time for swimming depends on the sea and the season. Sunny weather does not guarantee warm water, and wind can make one side of an island much more comfortable than another. That is where the captain’s ability to adjust the plan becomes important.

Should you book this private charter?

Book it if you value privacy, close views of caves, and control over the route. The trip is especially appealing for six people, since the group price becomes much more reasonable, and for anyone who dislikes crowded catamarans or fixed schedules.

I would also choose it for a special occasion. The Maltese wine, private deck, swimming stops, and chance to see the caves from close range give the outing a personal feel. Jolene’s communication and the captains’ safety-minded service add confidence.

Think twice if you are booking for only one or two people and have a tight budget. Add transport, possible parking costs, and the short two-hour duration before comparing it with a shared cruise. If you make the trip, arrive early, pack a towel, ask about water and snorkeling gear, and tell the captain whether your group wants swimming, caves, or sightseeing.

For the right group, this is one of the more pleasant ways to see the coast around Gozo and Comino: small, flexible, and far less cramped than the big boats.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The advertised experience lasts approximately two hours. A three-hour option has also been booked by some groups, so check the available departure choices when reserving.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

What places does the route visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the caves around L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, and sightseeing along the southern part of Gozo near Hondoq Bay.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The boat stops at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon for opportunities to swim and snorkel. The boat has had snorkels, floats, and swim noodles available, though you should confirm current equipment details.

Is food or drink included?

A bottle of local Maltese wine is included in the tour description. One account reported receiving a couple of glasses rather than the full bottle. Water has been available on some trips, but it is wise to confirm what is included and bring any extra drinks you need.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Pickup is not included. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, and parking or a longer taxi ride may add to the cost.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If Ozzi Cruises cancels because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.