Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

Three hours in Malta, and the water does the talking. This private charter from Mellieha puts you in charge of where you swim and snorkel, with a captain steering you to the brightest bays and Comino caves on your schedule.

I like that the price is for the whole boat (up to 6), not per person, so it can feel fair fast, especially if you’re a small group. I also like the practical approach: you get snorkeling gear on board and a skipper who can adjust the route so your time at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon is actually useful, not rushed.

One thing to plan around is the extra 79 euro fuel cost you pay to the skipper after the tour, plus the fact that this experience depends on good weather, meaning choppy seas can happen.

Key things I’d plan around

• All-boat pricing up to 6 means you’re buying privacy, not just a stop list
• Masks and snorkels included so you can get in the water without extra shopping
• Anchor time in Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon for swims right where the water is clearest
• Caves are part of the experience, especially around Crystal Lagoon and Comino coves
• Route is flexible: you can do a round trip or ask for a drop-off on Malta or Gozo

Mellieha to Cirkewwa: your half-day starts at the kiosk

Your tour begins in Mellieha, at Cirkewwa Port by the small café/kiosk area. That matters because it keeps things simple. You meet in one clear spot, then you’re quickly off the dock and onto the water where Malta feels like itself.

You can also choose how you want to end the day. The boat can return you to your starting point, or drop you at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina. That flexibility is handy if you’re combining the charter with sightseeing or ferry plans.

The boat trip is scheduled for about 3 hours. In that time, the best strategy is to think less like a “checklist tourist” and more like a “get wet and take photos” traveler. This is the kind of trip where timing your swims to your energy level is half the fun.

Blue Lagoon: the best kind of popular, from your own anchoring spot

Yes, Blue Lagoon is famous. But you’re not fighting the crowd from a crowded beach. With a private boat, you can anchor in the bluest parts and enjoy the water with a quieter, more controlled setup.

Here’s what I’d expect from the experience at this stop:

• You’ll get a swim and snorkel opportunity, with snorkeling gear available on board
• You’re anchored out in the lagoon, so the view tends to be “pool-like” clear water, not shore traffic
• You spend about 30 minutes here

It helps that the lagoon is a natural pocket between Comino and Cominotto, with white sand on both sides. That means even when you’re only seeing one direction, the whole place still looks like postcard water.

A consideration: because Blue Lagoon is a hot spot, you might want to treat your 30 minutes as the main swim slot of the day. If you also want to snorkel later, save some energy and keep your mask ready so you’re not scrambling.

Santa Marija Bay and Little Santa Marija: quieter Comino, better snorkeling

Santa Marija Bay sits in the north of Comino and has a horseshoe shape, backed by tamarisk trees and lined with a white-sand main beach. This is where the trip starts to feel more about atmosphere than fame.

What makes Santa Marija a smart stop is that it’s set up for variety:

• You’re looking at a more secluded feel compared to the busiest beach areas
• There’s a main beach plus a nearby smaller bay, often called Little Santa Marija
• The seabed here is described as healthy, with marine life that makes snorkeling more rewarding

You also get a little extra “Comino flavor” beyond the water. The area includes Santa Marija caves nearby, a Comino medieval chapel with a film-set look, and even a small police station by the beach. You might not need all that on a boat day, but it’s nice because it gives your captain something real to point out while you cruise and anchor.

Timing is short here, around 10 minutes, but the stop is designed as a focused swim and cave-or-cove look. If you’re the type who wants to be in the water, not stuck on a beach chair, this works well.

Cominotto Beach: movie-history water with a real swim plan

Cominotto Beach is famous for one simple reason: you can only reach it by private boat. That fact alone changes the feel instantly. You’re not doing a land commute, and you’re not dealing with a beach full of foot traffic.

This stop is also built around the idea of adventure. The beach sits in a secluded bay inside the broader Comino water zone, and it has a swim-through cave described as about 50 meters long. The idea is that the day isn’t just pretty, it’s active.

There’s also a movie connection, with mentions of films like Troy (Brad Pitt) and Swept Away (Madonna), plus others. I’d treat those as fun facts your captain can share while you’re staring at rock and water instead of a reason to rush. The main draw is the water access and that cave swim-through feature.

This is a 10-minute type of stop, so it’s best for travelers who know their own rhythm. If you’re the sort who wants long snorkel sessions, you’ll likely want to prioritize the longer swimming areas earlier in the day.

Crystal Lagoon: caves, secret sands, and a snorkel-friendly setup

Crystal Lagoon is where the trip earns its “snorkel paradise” reputation, mainly because of how the water and caves are arranged. The coast is described as dotted with caves, some with sandy pockets inside, and the boat is built to get into certain caves so you can see more than just the outside view.

Here’s the practical part you’ll care about:

• You’ll anchor or position for snorkeling, with equipment included
• The skipper schedules a small snorkel stop depending on season and what your group prefers
• You get about 20 minutes here
• You may also get extra cave-and-cove cruising as part of the stop

The boat-and-cave access is the key detail. Most sightseeing boats can’t get into many caves safely, so this is one of the reasons a smaller private charter can feel like more than a shortcut. You’re not only visiting a place, you’re exploring the edges of it.

Crystal Lagoon is also linked to movies like Troy, Count of Monte Cristo, and others. I’d file that under entertainment value, but it can also make the cruising moments more engaging when the captain points out landmarks from the water.

Saint Mary’s Tower: quick viewpoints with a purpose

While cruising near the high cliffs, you’ll pass It-Torri ta’ Santa Marija, a 17th-century defensive tower. It’s described as part of a chain of towers used for warning in case of invasion or pirate and smuggling activity.

It also shows up in pop culture. The tower was chosen to represent Château d’If in the 2002 movie The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is a short stop, around 5 minutes, so don’t come expecting a full history lesson. Think of it as a moving viewpoint: a chance to look at the cliffs, understand why this coastline mattered, and then get back to swimming.

Gozo by sea: south coast coves and camera-friendly harbor time

The Gozo portion of the charter focuses on the south coast and the coast-hugging feeling you only get from a boat. The route described includes stops and cruising that mix rocks, sea caves, and small bays.

A highlight is Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay, where the water is turquoise, and nearby is Bemberin Gorge, an inlet only accessible by boat. This is where cliffside views and cave-like features become part of the fun. The water inside the gorge is described as crystal clear, with vantage points for cliff diving.

Another key moment is Mġarr Harbour on Gozo. This is a simple, scenic harbor full of working-water details: fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen mending nets. There’s also a fort association with the Knight of St John, plus a small Gothic chapel with Lourdes-related details.

If you like photography, this is where you’ll usually feel the urge to stop taking water photos and start taking harbor photos. The contrast is real: dramatic caves on one side, calm harbor life on the other.

Timing for these sections varies by point, but you’re looking at short, purposeful segments that keep the day moving without turning it into a sprint.

The captain’s role: names matter, but the pacing is the real perk

The single biggest reason these charters get such high ratings is how the captain manages the day.

I’ve seen a pattern in the skipper names associated with great trips, and those names come with a consistent theme: people describe captains who adapt to the group, then put you in the right water for swimming and snorkeling.

For example:

• Owen is mentioned with a friendly, well-paced approach
• Noel is credited with making the day wonderful, especially around caves and clear water
• Pedro gets called out for fun, helpful, and knowledgeable guidance
• Ginger is praised for being accommodating and informative
• Upie shows up with an approach that balances popular spots with quieter swimming options
• Mahmoud and Joe are also mentioned for handling the day smoothly and safely

So what does that mean for you? You don’t need to be a local skipper brain. You just need to tell your captain what you want: more snorkeling, more caves, less time in the water, or extra time wherever the water looks best when you arrive.

One more practical note from the same overall theme: when seas get rough, good captains focus on comfort and safe maneuvering into caves and lagoons. That’s not a detail you should ignore. If you’re even slightly prone to motion sickness, ask your captain how they plan to handle cave entrances and choppy conditions.

Price and value: why this can be fair for up to 6

The charter price is $337.55 per group, up to 6 people, for about 3 hours. On paper, that can look high until you do the math the way it actually works on the water.

If you’re 2 people, it’s still private, but your per-person cost rises. If you’re 4 to 6 people, the pricing starts to feel more like a reasonable splurge that replaces multiple tickets, taxis, and the hassle of getting to the good water by yourself.

Two value drivers that matter:

1. You’re paying for access to places boats are allowed to anchor or position, including Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon national reserve areas. That’s part of what makes the stops so “water-first.”
2. You’re getting snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) included, so you’re not renting gear at each place or scrambling for basic supplies.

The one cost you should plan for is the 79 euro fuel surcharge, paid to the skipper after the tour. Some people call it out as the only surprise element. If you budget for it ahead of time, it becomes a small line item rather than a moment of stress.

My take: if your group wants privacy, real swim time, and cave access in a short window, this is strong value. If you’re traveling solo and mainly want a scenic cruise with minimal swimming, you might decide to shop other options with lower per-person pricing.

What to bring, and how to make the 3 hours feel longer

This is a short charter, so you’ll enjoy it more if you prep like a water day, not a museum day.

Bring:

• Your own swimwear and a towel (you’ll want to dry off after snorkeling)
• Sunscreen, because time in the sun adds up fast
• Water shoes if you’re the type who likes secure footing around rocky edges
• Snacks and drinks, since the day is built around anchor stops and swimming windows
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch, so you can take photos without stress

From the way the experience is described and how skippers run these outings, the boat day is flexible enough that you’ll likely switch between swimming and cruising multiple times. That means you’ll want to have at least a little “snack fuel” ready so you don’t burn out before the best lagoon moments.

Also consider motion and comfort. If you’re sensitive to choppy water, pick a time when seas tend to be calmer, and ask your captain about the plan as you board.

Should you book this Mellieha charter?

Book it if you want a private boat day that focuses on the water: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino coves, and Gozo from the sea. The all-boat pricing up to 6 is the strongest reason to choose this, and the snorkeling gear plus cave-friendly route makes it feel like more than a quick sightseeing cruise.

Skip or rethink if you’re traveling as a single person or a couple who only wants a relaxed look and no real swimming. In that case, the fuel surcharge and private-boat cost might feel harder to justify. Also, because the experience depends on weather, if you’re visiting during a time when you expect rough conditions, consider having a backup plan.

If your group includes water lovers, photo seekers, and people who enjoy short, focused stops, this charter is the kind of Malta experience that feels like time well spent.

FAQ

How long is the Malta private charter from Mellieha?

It’s approximately 3 hours.

How many people can be on the charter?

The pricing is per group for up to 6 people.

Where do we meet for pickup?

The meeting point is in Cirkewwa Port, next to the kiosk/café. The listed starting area is Cirkewwa cafe (plus code: X8QH+3W6).

Can we choose where the boat drops us off?

Yes. It can be a round trip returning to your starting point, or you can be dropped off on either Gozo or Malta Island, with options including Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Mask and snorkel are included.

What’s included in the price?

Marina costs are included, snorkeling equipment is included, and fees for anchoring in Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon national reserve are included.

What extra cost should we expect?

There is a one-time fuel cost of 79 euro, paid to the skipper after the tour.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

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