Private Boat Charter to Comino Blue Lagoon

The real appeal here is control. You meet skipper Paul or Justin at 9:00 am, discuss what your group wants, then spend the day swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and cruising instead of following a fixed boat-tour schedule. I like the private setting for families and groups of friends, and I like that the route can change when wind or crowds make another bay a better choice.

I also like the practical extras: snacks, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, snorkels, and paddleboards are included. The main drawback is the travel time. Blue Lagoon can take roughly two hours by boat from the marina, and the famous spot may be packed when you arrive. If you want a quiet day, let the skipper steer you toward less crowded bays.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 10 people: You get the boat and skipper for your own group, not a shared excursion.
• A flexible route: Paul or Justin helps you choose between Comino, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and quieter bays around Malta.
• Water gear included: Snorkels and paddleboards make it easy to swim and explore without renting extra equipment.
• A self-serve BBQ option: You can cook on the included BBQ, but lunch itself is not included.
• Blue Lagoon takes time to reach: Plan for a long cruise from Ta’ Xbiex, with the reward of several swimming stops.
• Weather matters: Strong wind can change the route, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

A private day from Ta’ Xbiex to Comino

This charter begins at Creek Marina Pontoon in Ta’ Xbiex at 9:00 am. The meeting point is described as easy to locate and close to public transportation, which helps when you are carrying towels, swimwear, and a day bag.

Once aboard, the skipper gives you a safety briefing and shows you around the boat. This is a useful start, not a rushed formality. You can ask questions, settle in, and explain what kind of day you want. Some groups may care most about Blue Lagoon. Others may prefer quiet water, swimming, or a slower cruise along the coast.

The boat returns to the same marina by about 5:30 pm, making the day roughly eight hours from start to finish. That is enough time for a full outing, but it is not an endless day on the water. You will want to use your time well, especially if Comino is part of your plan.

The private format changes the mood. You do not need to wait for strangers to finish lunch, move on from a swim stop, or agree on the next bay. If someone in your group wants to paddleboard while others stay aboard, the skipper can work around that.

What the route can include

The most popular target is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, known for bright, clear swimming water and a dramatic setting between Malta and Gozo. It is the place many people have in mind when they book this trip.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop that needs the most realistic expectations. It can be very crowded, especially at the busiest times of day. The water may still be beautiful, but the feeling is less like having a private Mediterranean cove and more like arriving at Malta’s best-known swimming stop.

That is where the flexible route helps. Crystal Lagoon is another popular choice on Comino, and the skipper can suggest other bays if conditions or crowds make them a better fit. Several groups have enjoyed quieter swimming spots around southern Malta, where the coastline and open water become the main event.

You should not treat the route as a fixed promise of every named stop. The day is planned with the skipper, and wind can affect what is practical. On one outing, the wind made Blue Lagoon a poor choice, so a different lagoon offered better conditions. That kind of adjustment is a strength, provided you are happy to trade a famous name for a better day on the water.

The long run to Blue Lagoon

The trip from the marina to Blue Lagoon can take about two hours by boat. That travel time matters when you are comparing this charter with a quicker transfer or a standard sightseeing cruise.

I see the journey as part of the experience if you enjoy being on a boat. You can watch the coastline, talk with your group, have a drink, and settle into the day. A group that wants the maximum possible swimming time may find the ride long, especially on a calm day with little sailing wind.

The boat may sail when conditions allow, but there is no guarantee of wind. One outing had no wind, so sailing was not possible. The charter still continued as a boat trip, but you should book it for the coastline, swimming, and flexibility rather than for a guaranteed sailing experience.

The route can also include a short stop on the way back. That gives you a chance to break up the return journey and fit in one more swim or look at another part of the coast.

Snorkeling, paddleboards, and swimming time

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not have to arrange a separate rental before setting out. The same is true of paddleboards. These extras make a real difference because they give your group choices once the boat anchors.

You can swim straight from the boat, use a snorkel to look beneath the surface, or take a paddleboard for a calmer view of the bay. Conditions will determine how much you see and how easy the water activities are, but the equipment lets you make use of a good stop without extra planning.

This works especially well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone who prefers to stay aboard can relax with a drink or snack. Families should still take the safety briefing seriously and keep a close eye on children around the water.

The skipper may also help with water activities. Paul has even helped a guest who was learning to swim. That is a useful sign of the personal attention possible on a private charter, though you should not expect formal swimming instruction as part of the outing.

Food, drinks, and the onboard BBQ

Soft drinks and snacks are served during the trip. Bottled water, coffee, and tea are included as well. These simple supplies are easy to overlook when you book, but they matter on a hot day when you are swimming and sitting in the sun.

Lunch is not included. A cold pasta lunch can be provided if requested, but you should confirm that arrangement before the day. Otherwise, the included BBQ gives you the option to cook your own meal aboard.

The BBQ is a fun choice for a group that enjoys making lunch part of the day. It also adds work. Someone needs to bring or arrange the food, manage the cooking, and clean up the meal. If you want the easiest possible outing, request the cold pasta lunch rather than assuming food is included.

The charter includes fuel for a normal trip. That gives you a clearer sense of the base price, though an unusual route or special fuel needs are not explained in the supplied details. Ask the provider if you plan something outside the usual Comino or Malta route.

How much value do you get for $826.61?

The listed price is $826.61 for a private group of up to 10 people. If you fill the boat, that works out to about $82.66 per person for a day of roughly eight hours. That is a reasonable group price when you value privacy, flexible stops, and included water equipment.

For two people, the same price becomes more than $400 each. That makes the charter much harder to justify unless privacy is your top priority or you want a special day on the water. A couple may prefer a shared cruise or another smaller boat option.

For families and groups of friends, the calculation looks better. You are paying for control of the day, not just a seat on a boat. You can decide how much time to spend swimming, ask for quieter bays, and change the balance between cruising and stopping.

Remember to budget for lunch unless you arrange the cold pasta option. The snacks and drinks are helpful, but they are not a full meal. If you plan to use the BBQ, sort out food before departure so you do not lose swimming time trying to organize lunch.

The skipper makes the difference

The strongest part of this experience is the skipper’s role. Paul is described as friendly, relaxed, responsive, and willing to tailor the day. Justin also receives praise for adjusting the route to match a group’s wishes.

That personal approach matters because the best route depends on the day. You may arrive wanting Blue Lagoon, then discover that wind or crowds point you elsewhere. A skipper who explains the options gives you a better chance of having a good day rather than simply completing a checklist.

Paul has helped guests with practical needs too, including dropping children at the port in Gozo during one outing. That is not a standard promise of the charter, so do not book expecting a Gozo transfer. Still, it shows how a private boat day can be more responsive than a large scheduled cruise.

Before leaving the marina, be clear about your priorities. Say if you want more swimming, fewer stops, a BBQ lunch, a look at Malta’s coast, or time at Blue Lagoon. The skipper can suggest the route, but the more clearly you explain your wishes, the more useful the private format becomes.

Timing, weather, and crowd levels

The start time is 9:00 am, and the boat returns around 5:30 pm. Blue Lagoon can be about two hours away, so an early start helps you reach Comino with a useful part of the day still ahead.

The weather is an important factor. The charter requires good conditions, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund. Wind can also change the route during an otherwise suitable day. That is good seamanship, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your expectations.

The cancellation terms are friendly if your plans change. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The boat is private, but the water is not. Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and the charter cannot control how many other boats or swimmers are there. If quiet surroundings matter more to you than visiting the famous lagoon, say so before the boat leaves.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would choose this for a family, birthday group, or group of friends that wants a shared day with room to make its own decisions. A group of eight to ten gets the strongest value from the fixed price.

It is also a good fit for people who want to mix activities. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can sit with a coffee while the boat rests in a bay. You are not locked into one pace.

This is less suitable if you want a short trip, guaranteed sailing, or a quiet and uncrowded Blue Lagoon at the busiest time. It is also not the best value for just two people unless a private boat is central to your holiday plans.

The experience suits visitors who see the sea as the main attraction. You get coastal views, swimming, snacks, and time with your own group. You do not get a formal historical tour, a guaranteed itinerary, or a full lunch included in the base rate.

Should you book the Comino private boat charter?

Book it if you have a full group, want a flexible day, and care more about good swimming stops than checking off one famous location. The included snorkels and paddleboards, onboard snacks, and BBQ option add practical value, while Paul and Justin can adjust the plan to fit the weather and your group.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple, need a low-cost outing, or expect Blue Lagoon to be peaceful. The long ride from Ta’ Xbiex and the chance of crowds are real considerations.

For the right group, this is a relaxed way to spend a Malta day on the water. Go in with a plan, but leave room for the skipper’s local judgment. The best part may be Blue Lagoon, or it may be the quieter bay you choose instead.

FAQ

Where does the boat charter start?

The charter starts at Creek Marina Pontoon in Ta’ Xbiex, Malta. The start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the charter last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, from the 9:00 am departure until the return around 5:30 pm.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to 10 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are snorkels and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and paddleboards are included, along with bottled water, coffee, tea, soft drinks, and snacks.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the standard price. A cold pasta lunch may be available on request, and you can choose to use the included BBQ yourself.

Can the tour be canceled because of bad weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.