REVIEW · MALTA
Private Boat Charter Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo
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Small-boat access changes everything. This private boat charter takes you along Malta’s coast and into spots bigger boats usually can’t reach, with time at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon plus a special Santa Maria Caves experience. I especially like the up-close cave access and the calm, unhurried feel of a day at sea designed around your group, not a crowd schedule.
I also love that you get a captain who can act like an on-the-water guide. In one of the experiences I’m basing this on, Captain Bufon brought real local perspective while still keeping the day relaxed and flexible.
The main drawback to plan for: a day on the water is weather-dependent, so if conditions aren’t right, your timing can shift or you’ll need to rebook.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- A Private Boat Charter Day from Sliema: The Pace That Makes It Worth It
- Santa Maria Caves: The Part Bigger Boats Miss
- Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave: Classic Views with a Real Stop
- Blue Lagoon: Best When You Anchor and Actually Swim
- Crystal Lagoon: Clear Water, Shallow-Friendly Snorkeling
- The Santa Maria Caves + Lagoons Combo: Why This Works as a Full Day
- Gozo & Comino Option: More Coast, More Swim Time at the Right Bays
- What the Captain Adds: Information, Flexibility, and a Small-Boat Feel
- Price and Value: $786.40 for a Group (and When It Makes Sense)
- Practical Considerations Before You Book
- Should You Book This Private Boat Charter?
- FAQ
- Where does the private boat charter start and end?
- How long is the boat charter?
- How many people are included in the private group?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- Do I get a mobile ticket?
- Which places are included on the route?
- How much time do you spend at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?
- Is there free cancellation?
Key Highlights at a Glance
- Santa Maria Caves access: a small boat lets you go inside where larger boats can’t
- Blue Lagoon swim and snorkel time: anchor time to actually enjoy the water, not rush past it
- Crystal Lagoon snorkeling: shallow, clear water with lots of small marine life to spot
- Smugglers Cave and Marks & Dukes Window: classic Comino sights from the water with an included stop
- Optional Gozo add-on: extra swimming and coast time around Ramla Bay, San Blas Bay, or Mgarr ix-Xini
A Private Boat Charter Day from Sliema: The Pace That Makes It Worth It
This is a private outing from Sliema that runs about 7 hours. Your group stays together (up to 7 people), and you’re not weaving around other boats or spending half your day waiting. For me, that’s the big value: less time stuck, more time actually in the right place.
You’ll meet at Ferries 2Malta and return there at the end. The tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. It also runs near public transportation, which matters if you’re planning your day around Malta’s buses or a ride into town.
The route is built around a few “name” stops, but the real point is how you experience them: less like a checklist, more like a sequence of swim breaks, photo windows, and cave access. If you prefer a day with room to breathe, this style fits.
Other Blue Lagoon and Comino tours we've reviewed in Malta
Santa Maria Caves: The Part Bigger Boats Miss
The star here is the Santa Maria Caves segment, and it’s not just because the caves look good in photos. The key detail is access. This private charter gives you the chance to go inside the Santa Maria Caves, specifically because your boat is small enough for narrow passages.
Once you’re in, you’ll move through the cave corridors for a close-up look at rock formations and diverse marine life. The water is described as clear and turquoise, which is exactly what you want inside a cave system: visibility that makes it feel magical without needing any hype.
Why it matters for your day: it turns Comino from a place you visit into a place you enter. If you’ve ever watched from a distance while other boats cruise past, this is the fix. The timing isn’t rushed either; you’re given time to take in the formations and enjoy the view as you pass through.
A practical consideration: cave entrances and navigation can be affected by conditions. You’ll want to keep your expectations flexible. This is still a boat day, not a museum.
Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave: Classic Views with a Real Stop
Before you get to the Comino highlights, you’ll pass the Marks & Dukes Window area and Smugglers Cave, with a stop at Smugglers Cave along the way.
I like stops like this because they’re “quick-hit” photo moments that still feel part of the story of the island. Seeing sea caves and sea-window formations from the water gives you a scale that you don’t get from shore viewpoints. From the deck, the rock features sit in their real environment—waterline to cliffs—so you understand how the geography shapes the coastline.
This part is also a helpful buffer for the day. You’re not immediately thrown into a long swim timeline. You get an early taste of the scenery, then you transition naturally into the water-focused stops at Comino’s famous lagoons.
Blue Lagoon: Best When You Anchor and Actually Swim
Blue Lagoon is one of those places where everyone has seen pictures. The difference here is that you get anchoring time and the option to swim and snorkel right where you want to be. The water is described as clear and inviting, and the lagoon is set up well for snorkeling.
Timing depends on which option you choose:
- Comino option: about 1.5 hours
- Gozo & Comino option: about 1 hour
To me, the 1 to 1.5-hour block is the sweet spot. It’s long enough to get your bearings in the water, do a swim, maybe try a snorkel pass, and still have time to relax. It’s not just a “jump in for five minutes” stop.
One small tip that keeps this stop enjoyable: wear what you can get wet and plan to keep a steady pace. A long day on the water gets better when you don’t burn energy early.
Also, expect a bit of wind and movement when you’re snorkeling. If you’re prone to getting seasick, go easy at first and stay close to the boat until you feel steady.
Crystal Lagoon: Clear Water, Shallow-Friendly Snorkeling
After Blue Lagoon, the charter continues to Crystal Lagoon for another anchored stop. It earns its name from crystal-clear turquoise water, and the lagoon is described as ideal for snorkeling and swimming.
What I find especially valuable is the sense of peace. Crystal Lagoon is framed by rocky cliffs and vegetation, and the shallow water is said to host colorful fish and sea urchins. That combination is what makes snorkel time feel rewarding: you’re not only looking at scenery, you’re likely looking at marine life.
Timing again depends on your option:
- Comino option: about 1.5 hours
- Gozo & Comino option: about 1 hour
Here’s how I’d think about choosing between the two lagoon times. If you love snorkeling and want more water time, the longer Comino option gives you extra minutes at both lagoons. If you want the Gozo scenery too, the shortened lagoon windows still give you meaningful swimming and snorkeling time, just with less room to linger.
Other Gozo Island tours we've reviewed in Malta
The Santa Maria Caves + Lagoons Combo: Why This Works as a Full Day
If you’re wondering why these stops fit together so well, it’s because they cover three different kinds of “sea time” in one day:
- Inside caves for a close-up geological and marine experience
- Blue Lagoon for classic open-water swimming and snorkeling
- Crystal Lagoon for shallow snorkeling with colorful life
That sequence keeps the day feeling varied. You start with coastal views, then you go into the caves (a change of scenery), then you transition into surface swimming and snorkeling.
It also helps you avoid the most common boat-day frustration: doing only one type of activity. If your idea of a perfect day includes photos, time in the water, and calm pacing, this plan checks those boxes.
Gozo & Comino Option: More Coast, More Swim Time at the Right Bays
If you choose the Gozo & Comino boat charter option, you don’t stop at Comino-only highlights. After Comino, the captain takes you to Gozo, with time built around swimming and coast scenery.
You’ll have around 2 hours at the Gozo stop area, focused on bays and shoreline time. The route can include:
- Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay, or
- Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo
From a value perspective, this is the difference between a great Comino day and a fuller “islands” day. You get more variety in coastline style and more chances to swim and snorkel. The Gozo stop is described as giving you time to explore by swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and taking in the coastline.
I also like that the schedule still keeps the day from turning into a full-day grind. The Gozo add-on works because it replaces some Comino-only time with a second distinct setting, not because it adds random extra stops.
If you’re the type who wants both famous water colors and a second island flavor, this option tends to hit the mark.
What the Captain Adds: Information, Flexibility, and a Small-Boat Feel
The “private” part matters most in how the day is handled. With room for only your group (up to 7), you’re not fighting for attention or elbow space. The boat size is also why Santa Maria Caves are possible, so it’s not just comfort—it’s access.
The human element counts too. In one of the experiences I’m drawing from, Captain Bufon was described as a fabulous guide and an amazing source of information. That kind of on-the-water commentary helps you understand what you’re seeing: cave formations, cave navigation basics, and why certain spots are worth your time.
You’ll also notice that the stops are built for actual doing, not just looking. You’ll have opportunities to swim and snorkel at the lagoon anchor points and at the Gozo bay time. In practical terms, that means you can spend your energy on the parts you care about most.
Price and Value: $786.40 for a Group (and When It Makes Sense)
The price is listed as $786.40 per group, up to 7 people. So the value depends on how you’re splitting it.
If you’re a couple, it’s still a premium day, but you’re paying for two things that tours with crowds often can’t deliver: private routing and small-boat access to the Santa Maria Caves. If you’re a family or a group of friends, the cost spreads quickly and becomes much easier to justify—especially because the day includes multiple major water stops plus the cave segment.
Think of it this way: you’re buying time with fewer constraints. That can mean fewer waiting moments, more flexibility in how long you linger at a spot, and a calmer experience overall. If your ideal vacation day is “good views plus real time in the water,” this charter style is often one of the better ways to buy that feeling.
Practical Considerations Before You Book
This is a boat day, and the biggest practical factor is weather. The experience notes that it requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.
You should also know that confirmation is received at booking time, and the tour is operated in English. Most travelers can participate, but this is still an active, water-based experience—so if you’re not comfortable with boats and swimming/snorkeling time, it might feel like work instead of fun.
On clothing and gear, keep it simple: you’ll want swim-friendly basics because the itinerary is explicitly built around swimming and snorkeling time at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and the Gozo bay option.
Should You Book This Private Boat Charter?
I’d book this if you want a Comino day that goes past the postcards. The Santa Maria Caves access is the headline for a reason: it’s an experience you can’t fake with shore views. Add Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus an optional Gozo coast stop, and you’ve got a full day with real variety.
I’d think twice if you’re trying to avoid any weather risk. Since it requires good conditions, you’ll want a bit of flexibility in your Malta schedule. And if you hate boats or don’t plan to get in the water at all, you might not feel you’re getting your money’s worth.
FAQ
Where does the private boat charter start and end?
It starts at Ferries 2Malta and ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the boat charter?
It lasts about 7 hours (approx.).
How many people are included in the private group?
The tour is private and is listed for up to 7 people per group.
What language is the tour offered in?
The experience is offered in English.
Do I get a mobile ticket?
Yes, the tour includes a mobile ticket.
Which places are included on the route?
The charter includes stops such as Sliema Promenade, Marks & Dukes Window (passed by), a stop at Smugglers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and (on the Gozo option) Gozo with time at bays like Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay or Mgarr ix-Xini.
How much time do you spend at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?
For the Comino option, each lagoon stop is about 1.5 hours. For the Gozo & Comino option, each is about 1 hour.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and the experience requires good weather, with either a different date or a full refund if canceled due to poor weather.
