Blue water, private pace, and no crowded chaos. This full-day private yacht tour in Malta is built around Comino’s lagoons and St Paul’s area, with time to swim and snorkel and a skipper who shares island stories as you sail.

I especially like the swim-focused timing: about 30 minutes for St Paul’s Islands, two hours at Blue Lagoon, and one hour at Crystal Lagoon.

You also get the practical stuff handled: snorkeling equipment is included, plus soft drinks and water on tap, so you’re not scrambling once you’re out there. The only real catch is that the route and exact pace are weather dependent, so calm seas are not guaranteed and wind can affect what you’re able to do.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat for up to 6 means you control the vibe, not the itinerary herd.
• Blue Lagoon gets two hours and Crystal Lagoon gets one, so you have time to actually enjoy the water.
• Snorkeling gear and outdoor shower included, plus soft drinks and water.
• St Paul’s Islands (near St Paul’s Bay) is a quick stop with real historical meaning.
• No hotel pickup, so you’ll plan your own trip to the marina.
• Good weather matters, since the day runs only as conditions allow.

Marsamxett Harbour to Comino: the route that keeps the day moving

This tour starts and ends at Marsamxett Harbour, where the yacht is berthed in the middle of Malta’s action. The departure point matters because you’re not spending your morning stuck in traffic or making extra transfers. You roll right into coastal sailing, then head up toward the north side of the island when weather permits.

A big part of the appeal is how efficiently the day is paced. You’re not just cruising past places you’ll later Google. You’re going to the water at the places you came for, with built-in swim and snorkel windows. And because it’s private, you’re more likely to get the relaxed rhythm that makes the lagoons feel like a highlight instead of a chore.

The day also includes a pass by the Sliema seafront on the way up north and on the way back. It’s one of those “quietly useful” details: you get a better sense of the coastline as you go, instead of only seeing Comino.

Price and what you’re really buying (up to 6 people for about $947)

The price is $946.63 per group (up to 6). If you fill the boat, you can think of it as roughly $160 per person. If it’s just two of you, it’s obviously pricier per head—but the trade-off is what you’re paying for: a private yacht with a dedicated skipper, not a shared boat day.

What makes it feel more balanced is that the essentials are included:

• skipper/guide
• fuel and all taxes
• snorkeling equipment
• free-flow water and soft drinks
• use of a Bluetooth sound system
• an outdoor shower
• all the running costs that add up fast on many charters

Not included is food, drinks beyond the soft drinks/water, and alcohol. That means if you want a full lunch experience, you’ll need to plan it yourself. The good news is that a couple of people mention lunch on board and fridge space for packed food, so bringing your own setup can work nicely.

Getting onboard: meeting point, start time, and no hotel pickup

Start time is 9:30 am, and the tour runs about 8 hours total, including travel time. You’ll meet at Creek Marina Pontoon N Malta, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Two practical notes:

• There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to be confident about getting to the marina on your own.
• You should advise if you can swim (and you can participate if you’re within the weight limit of 120kg / 264lbs).

This is the kind of tour where being early helps. Even a 10–15 minute buffer makes the morning easier, especially if you’re coordinating with a group.

Sailing north toward St Paul’s Bay: the calm part before the swim stops

Once you leave Marsamxett Harbour, the plan is to sail toward the north of the island weather permitting. Along the way, you’ll pass by points of interest, including St Paul’s Islands and cave areas around Comino.

You also get the Sliema seafront pass on the route up and back. If you like your sea day to include both big scenery and little “checkpoints,” this is a good rhythm: you’re not stuck staring at the same view for hours.

What I like here is that the day doesn’t feel random. You’re clearly moving from “sightseeing sailing” into “swim-and-snorkel mode,” rather than doing the opposite.

St Paul’s Islands stop: about 30 minutes with historical weight

St Paul’s Bay is the first real stop, and there’s a possibility to stop at St Paul’s Islands. This is the area associated with St Paul’s shipwreck.

The time window is short—about 30 minutes. That’s not a long hang, but it’s enough for a quick refresh in the water if conditions are right. Admission is free for the stop as described, and it’s the kind of place where even a brief stop feels meaningful because the story is built into the spot.

The practical drawback: because the stop is described as possible, not guaranteed, you should keep your expectations flexible. If the day’s conditions don’t support it, the skipper can still steer the day toward the best water time.

Blue Lagoon (2 hours): how to make the most of Comino’s top stop

Blue Lagoon is the big one. The plan is to go to Comino and spend about two hours here, and the skipper will do their best to find a good spot to spend time.

Two hours is an underrated amount of time for a lagoon day. Too many tours give you just enough time to get in the water and then rush you out for the next stop. Here, you have space to:

• swim without feeling like you’re sprinting between activities
• snorkel at an unhurried pace
• take a break and regroup when the sun and wind shift

One more detail that matters: snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t have to rent anything at the last minute. And with free-flow water and soft drinks, you can stay comfortable while you float, dry off, and get ready for another swim round.

If the water is calm, this is where the day usually clicks. If it’s windy or choppy, you’ll still have time—but the best approach is to be ready to adapt your snorkeling plans to the conditions.

Crystal Lagoon (1 hour) and Santa Maria Caves: shorter, but great for photos and one more swim

Crystal Lagoon is another famous Comino lagoon stop, with about one hour planned. You can have a swim or soak up the sun.

This stop is shorter than Blue Lagoon, so go in thinking of it as:

• one more swim window
• a chance to compare the water feel and visibility
• time for photos without turning the day into a checklist

As you head through Comino, you’ll also pass by Santa Maria Caves. You’re not told it’s a long, on-foot visit, so think of it as “sea-view scenery” rather than a stop-and-explore experience. Still, passing caves from a yacht can be a very different perspective than seeing them from shore.

The practical downside of shorter lagoon time is that you can’t fully “settle in” the way you can at Blue Lagoon. But if you want variety, that’s also the point.

What’s included onboard: snorkeling gear, sound system, and a real rinse-off

This is where the tour feels more thoughtful than a basic boat ride.

Included onboard extras that I’d actually factor into value:

• Snorkeling equipment, so you can start right away at the lagoon stops
• Free-flow of water/soft drinks, which makes it easier to stay hydrated while you’re in and out of the water
• A Bluetooth sound system, so your group can set the mood without hauling speakers
• An outdoor shower, which is the simple luxury that makes the end of the day much easier

A couple of people also note that the yacht is kept immaculate and that there’s space to stash packed lunch (including fridge space in at least one case). That matters because food isn’t included. If you bring your own, you’ll want somewhere to store it safely and cool it.

Also, one detail worth knowing from the experience: wind can be low at times. When that happens, sailing with sails up may not be possible, and the day becomes more of an engine-and-swim outing. That’s not bad, just a reality check.

Captain Ray/Raymond: local guidance that makes the day feel personal

The standout element, based on what you can expect from this operator, is the skipper. Captain Ray (also referred to as Captain Raymond) comes across as professional, safety-minded, and genuinely warm.

What you get from a skipper like this is not just route know-how. You also get local context—stories about Malta, and even details like how the Maltese language has evolved over time. That kind of background turns travel time into part of the experience, instead of dead time.

And because it’s private, your questions don’t feel like interruptions. If you want to ask about what you’re seeing, or where to swim next, the day is designed for that kind of back-and-forth.

Who should book this Maltese Islands yacht tour, and who might skip it

This tour fits best if you want:

• Comino’s lagoons with actual swim time
• a private yacht day for up to 6, not a crowded speed-boat scramble
• included snorkeling gear and basic refreshments
• a skipper who blends practical sailing with local storytelling

You might skip it if:

• you’re hoping for lots of long, shore-based walking stops (the day is mostly sea time and swim windows)
• you need guaranteed timing at every specific waypoint (some stops are “possibility” items weather permitting)
• you rely on hotel pickup (there’s no pickup here)

If you’re planning around sea conditions, pick dates with decent weather and go in with flexibility. The tour explicitly requires good weather, and the operator can shift or reschedule based on conditions.

Should you book this private full-day yacht tour

I’d book this if you’re the kind of person who wants the best water stops without the hassle of transfers, rentals, or sharing space with strangers. The value is strongest when you fill the group, but even for smaller groups, you’re paying for the private format, the included snorkeling gear, and the onboard comfort details like the shower and soft drinks.

It’s also a great fit for anniversaries, birthdays, and “we want one perfect day in Malta” planning. When the captain runs a tight, safe, flexible day, the lagoons stop feeling like tourist sites and start feeling like a vacation inside a vacation.

If you want a simple decision rule: book it if Comino is your priority and you can handle a weather-dependent route. Skip it if your schedule is too rigid to adapt to sea conditions or if you’d rather have lots of shore visits instead of swim time.

FAQ

What time does the private yacht tour start?

The tour starts at 9:30 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 8 hours, and it includes travel time.

Where do we meet, and does the tour end there too?

You meet at Creek Marina Pontoon N Malta, and the experience ends back at the meeting point.

How many people are on the private tour?

It’s a private tour/activity, with up to 6 people per group.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup or pickup is not included.

What’s included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment is included, along with free-flow water/soft drinks and use of an outdoor shower.

Do I need to know how to swim?

You should advise the operator if you can swim or not. The tour notes that most travelers can participate, and it also includes a weight limit of 120kg / 264lbs.

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