Blue water is the plan, and your captain runs the schedule. This private charter from Mellieha lets you visit Blue Lagoon and Comino’s cavey spots on your own terms, with a guide steering you between swim stops and viewpoints.

I love two things right away: the whole-boat pricing (not per person), and the way the trip is built around short, timed swims where you get to anchor in the brightest areas. The captain’s setup also makes it easy to hop in even if you are not a lifelong snorkeler.

One thing to keep in mind is the fuel surcharge: there’s a one-time 79 euro fuel cost paid to the skipper after the tour, in addition to the tour price. Also, 3 hours goes fast once you add cave passages and multiple lagoon stops.

Key things you’ll notice on this charter

• Whole-boat cost for up to 6: split it and the value gets real.
• Anchoring in the bluest parts: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon aren’t just seen, they’re used.
• Snorkeling gear on board: mask and snorkel are included, so you do not need to bring your own.
• Movie and defense trivia from the water: Santa Marija Tower and other spots come with stories.
• Flexible drop-off options: you can do round trip to Mellieha or end on Malta or Gozo.

Getting to Cirkewwa: the one place you need to find

Your experience starts at Cirkewwa, on Malta’s north shore. The meeting point is by the Cirkewwa kiosk/café, basically the only obvious landmark in the area, so you will want to arrive with a little buffer time.

You can also be picked up or dropped off at either Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina, depending on what you choose for your route. That flexibility matters because you can shape the day around how you want to finish your time on the islands, not just around a fixed loop.

Practical tip: if you have a taxi or private transfer, ask the driver to leave you at the kiosk/café area right at the port entrance. It keeps everything calm when you are matching up with the boat.

Price and logistics: what you are really paying for

At 337.55 USD per group (up to 6 people) for about 3 hours, this is the kind of tour that only makes sense when you treat it like a private experience. The big win is that pricing is for the whole boat, not per passenger. With 4 to 6 people, the math often feels more like a shared day on the water than a pricey splurge.

Your money also goes toward the stuff that usually eats tour budgets: marina costs and anchoring fees at major sites like Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve. You also get mask and snorkel included on board, which saves you time and hassle.

The one extra cost you should plan for is fuel: 79 euro paid to the skipper after the tour. I treat that as part of the real cost of the day, so I do not get surprised at the end.

Mellieha to Comino: why the ride matters as much as the swims

Once you’re aboard, you immediately shift into island-people mode. This is not a big bus tour with a photo stop. You cruise up the coast, approach Comino by boat (the only real way to access the Blue Lagoon area), then build the day around anchor time.

Because the charter is private, the captain can pace things for your group: swim when you are ready, snorkel when you want a break from lounging, and change the order a bit if the conditions are choppy or if you want more time in one area.

In real-world terms, that pacing is the difference between seeing a lagoon and actually enjoying it.

Blue Lagoon: the classic swim, done like a local

The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason. It is a patch of crystal-clear water between Comino and Cominotto, with white sand beaches on both sides—and yes, it’s very photogenic from the boat.

What you get here is the private-boat advantage: the captain anchors in the bluest parts so you can swim and snorkel right where the color looks unreal. You are not stuck fighting for space on the shoreline. You also have a true boat-to-water experience, where you hop in and float instead of walking and searching.

You typically get around 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. That window is short on paper, but on a private charter it feels just right because you spend less time traveling and more time on the water itself.

If you care about photos: come up when the light is strong, then swim and snorkel when you see fewer boats moving. The water color changes fast through the day.

Santa Marija Bay and Little Santa Marija: the calm version of Comino

Santa Marija on Comino has a horseshoe shape, with white sand and tamarisk trees lining the back. It is known for being more private than the busiest areas, which is exactly why it works well for families and for groups that want a softer beach feel.

Little Santa Marija is the nearby smaller bay. The seabed and marine life are a big part of the reason snorkelers love it, including sightings tied to parrotfish. The result is snorkeling that feels like a living reef rather than just a swim.

You also get a cave-and-cove element near this stop. Even though the scheduled time in the area is short (about 10 minutes), it’s enough for a quick swim, then a look at the nearby caves from the boat.

Bonus that feels real: Santa Marija is one of those places where you can play beach games, relax, and still be back in the water quickly when your captain says go.

Cominotto Beach and the 50-meter swim-through cave

Cominotto is accessed only by boat, which means you are already getting a different experience than the land crowd. This secluded bay sits inside the broader Blue Lagoon area, and it’s famous for film history too.

You can see why it shows up in major movies. The area has the kind of dramatic cliffs and waterline angles that cinematographers love. One specific detail that stands out is a swim-through cave of about 50 meters to the other side of the island.

This is the kind of stop that feels like an adventure right away: brief anchoring, quick swim options, and a chance to see the coastline from the water. Timing here is usually around 10 minutes, so come prepared to make quick decisions. If you want a longer swim, you can ask the skipper if conditions allow extra time.

Crystal Lagoon: caves, secret sand, and snorkel time you can use

Crystal Lagoon is another top Comino stop, and it’s set up for exploring rather than just sightseeing. The water is turquoise, the coastline has caves, and some caves even hide sandy areas inside.

The boat itself is built to go into some caves, which means you get that rare experience of moving through the rock formations rather than just staring at them from outside.

This stop also comes with the most practical snorkeling time. You get snorkel gear provided, and the captain schedules a small snorkel stop based on season and group preference. Think of it as: swim first, then snorkel when the water and timing line up.

Crystal Lagoon also shows up in film history, including references like Popeye and Count of Monte Cristo (and even Troy). Even if you are not a movie buff, that story layer helps you understand what you are seeing—like why certain rock features look the way they do.

Expect around 20 minutes total at this area, plus additional cruising and short explorations nearby. It’s enough time to enjoy the water color and still move on to the next set of viewpoints.

Santa Marija Tower: defensive history and movie magic

From the boat, you’ll see Saint Mary’s Tower on the cliffs. It dates back to the 17th century and was part of a chain of defensive towers used as a warning system during invasions, including pirate and smuggling threats.

What makes this stop fun is the extra layer: the tower was also used to represent the Mediterranean prison Château d’If in the Count of Monte Cristo movie from 2002.

You do not spend long here—more like a visual stop while cruising (around 5 minutes)—but it gives context. When you are in the water all day, it’s nice to also see how the coastline was protected.

Gozo by boat: Halfa Rock, salt pans, and bays you only reach from sea

Once you swing over to Gozo, the vibe changes from lagoon sightseeing to coastline cruising. You typically head along the south coast and see Halfa Rock, a small island with history and sheer cliffs.

You may also spot salt pans, which have been harvested the same way for generations. That matters because it’s not just scenery—it’s a working tradition you see from the water.

There are also secluded bays on the Gozo side that are only accessible by boat. That access detail is why private charters feel worth it: you are not bouncing between crowded shore access points. You are moving along the coast and choosing where to anchor.

Hondoq Bay and Bemberin Gorge: caves with air pockets and cliff-diving views

Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay is in Gozo’s south, with turquoise water that looks great from above and even better once you’re in it. Nearby is Bemberin Gorge, a hidden inlet that is accessible only by boat.

This part is about caves and rock texture. The water inside the gorge is crystal clear, and there are caves and air pockets. If you like cliff-diving views, you’ll see vantage points that look made for jumpers, even if you personally prefer to just float and watch.

You get a short stop here (about 10 minutes), so think of it as a snapshot with real swim potential. Conditions can affect the experience, so if you want the safest water to splash around, ask the skipper what they recommend in that moment.

Mgarr Harbour: Gozo’s simple harbor life, up close

Mgarr Harbour is a calmer moment after all the lagoon color. It’s a serene, simple harbor that photographers and artists love—partly because you see working boats and daily routines.

There’s activity: colorful fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen mending their nets on the jetties. Fort Chambre dominates the harbor, and it comes with the Knights of St John connection. Next to it sits a small Gothic chapel with details dedicated to Lourdes, plus a statue positioned under the cliff nearby.

This stop is brief (around 8 minutes), and it is more about atmosphere than sightseeing time. But it’s one of the best reminders that Gozo isn’t only about beaches and caves. It’s also about the island rhythm.

Qala’s caves and pebbly coastline before you head back

On the Gozo southeast side is Qala, a coast with caves along the way and pebbly beaches. You may also see a fortification at the further east point of the island.

The timing here is short (about 5 minutes), so you’ll catch it as a moving-view stop rather than a landing-and-walking moment. Still, it helps you understand why this whole area of Gozo is such a magnet for boat days: the coastline keeps offering new angles.

Onboard comfort tips that keep the day smooth

This charter works best when you show up prepared. From the experiences shared by riders, I’d plan around these basics:

• Bring snacks and drinks. People often pack their own and keep things chilled in a cooler that’s available onboard in some form (at minimum, it’s smart to plan as if you bring your own beverages).
• Bring a towel and sunscreen. You’ll get wet if you swim, and you’ll still be in the sun while cruising between stops.
• If you love snorkeling, you already have mask and snorkel included. If you are unsure about comfort, tell the captain early. Many skippers will help you find the easiest water and the right pace.

If waves pick up, a good skipper matters. Some captains have handled choppy water by adjusting the route and helping everyone feel comfortable. Still, it is the Mediterranean, so don’t treat the day like a calm lake.

Who this charter is for

This is a strong match for:

• Groups of up to 6 who want private access to Comino’s main water stops
• People who care more about swimming than walking
• Families who want a calmer bay like Santa Marija
• Couples and small groups who like a mix of swimming plus photo-worthy viewpoints

It may feel less perfect if:

• You expect a slow, long beach day with lots of shore time
• You hate paying an extra cash fee at the end (the 79 euro fuel surcharge)

Should you book this Malta, Gozo, Comino private charter?

If you want the Blue Lagoon experience without the shoreline chaos, this is one of the best ways to do it in a short window. The whole-boat setup, the fact that snorkeling equipment is included, and the way the captain anchors in the brightest areas are the main reasons it works.

I’d book it if your group is 4–6 people and you plan to swim at least once or twice. The itinerary hits multiple classic Comino and Gozo water spots in a tight 3 hours, which is great when you are short on time.

I would think twice if you only want one swim and prefer long beach hours. In that case, you might feel the stops come and go quickly, and the fuel surcharge could feel extra.

FAQ

How long is the private charter?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What is the price and group size?

The price is 337.55 USD per group, up to 6 people.

Where does the tour start and how do I find it?

You meet at Cirkewwa port next to the kiosk/café area.

Can you arrange pickup or drop-off at different ports?

Yes. You can be picked up or dropped off at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina, depending on your preference.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Mask and snorkel are provided on board.

Which places do you swim and snorkel?

The tour includes swimming and snorkeling stops at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and nearby Comino areas like Santa Marija, plus other cave and inlet spots around the routes to Gozo.

Are marina costs and anchoring fees included?

Yes. Marina costs are included, and anchoring fees for Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve are included.

Is there any extra cost during the tour?

There is a one-time 79 euro fuel cost that you pay to the skipper after the tour.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can you cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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