REVIEW · PRIVATE BOAT CHARTERS
Sailing charter along the Maltese shoreline incl. Lunch and drinks
Comino by sail feels like a time-out. This private charter turns the Maltese shoreline into your own itinerary, with a swim at the Blue Lagoon area, plus a home-cooked lunch and drinks on board.
What I like most is that the captain and crew keep things relaxed but well run, and you get a whole boat experience for your group of up to six, not a crowded shared tour. The main thing to consider is that your route depends on wind direction, so you may not always sail straight to Comino if conditions point elsewhere.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Morning Departure From Senglea to the Comino Area
- How the Blue Lagoon Swim Stop Works in Real Life
- Lunch on Board: Home-Cooked Salads, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Cold Cuts
- Sailing Along the Shore With Captain Michael’s Local Insights
- The Route, Timing, and When You’ll Be Back
- Private Charter Value for a Group of Up to Six
- What You Get Onboard: Drinks, Coffee, and Water Time Gear
- Getting to the Meeting Point and Making the 9:00 am Start Easy
- Should You Book This Private Maltese Shoreline Sail?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the lunch on this sailing charter?
- Are drinks included?
- Do I get to use the standup paddle board (SUP)?
- How long is the sailing experience, and what time does it start?
- Is this a private tour?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Private sailing for your group (up to 6): You control the vibe and can choose the pace, with the captain tailoring the day.
- Blue Lagoon style swim time: Anchor in a cove, then swim, snorkel, or use the gear you have onboard.
- Lunch on board with local flavors: Salads, caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives and cheese, plus cold cuts and melon.
- Captain Michael adds real context: Expect maritime talk and Malta coastal insights while you sail.
- A classic ketch feel, well kept: The boat used, Nushen, is a monohull that guests consistently praise for its condition.
- Weather and wind steer the plan: Good conditions matter for sailing, and the destination can shift.
Morning Departure From Senglea to the Comino Area

This charter is built for a full half-day at sea without feeling rushed. You meet in Senglea at Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour, Triq il-31 ta’ Marzu, ISL 1040, with a 9:00 am start. From there, you’ll get a short briefing and then head out, aiming for Comino if wind and conditions cooperate.
The sailing time to the Comino area is about 2.5 hours. That’s long enough to settle in, watch the coastline slide by, and feel like you’re actually sailing, not just being transported to one photo spot. If the wind doesn’t cooperate, the captain chooses another destination, still aiming for out-of-the-way water where swimming is the main event.
One smart part of a private charter like this: you’re not stuck waiting on slow-moving groups. If your group is ready, the day flows. If you want extra time during the swim stop, you can usually talk through it with the crew.
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How the Blue Lagoon Swim Stop Works in Real Life

Your anchor time centers around the Blue Lagoon area. Once you arrive, you stop for the afternoon swim window, with time to swim, snorkel, or use the available water options onboard. Reviews also mention floats on hand, which is great if you want an easier time getting comfortable in the water.
Here’s what matters for your planning: the day is structured so the middle of the outing is the swim-and-snorkel highlight. If you love water time, this charter is paced for you. If you mostly want scenic sailing, you’ll still get a long stretch on the water plus a proper swim break, not just a quick dip.
One more practical note: a standup paddle board (SUP) is not included. If you were hoping to paddle around, plan to skip that unless the crew provides it separately (the data here only says SUP use is not included). You’ll still have plenty to do without it.
Lunch on Board: Home-Cooked Salads, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Cold Cuts

Food is one of the reasons I’d choose a boat charter in Malta, because it lets you eat without packing up and commuting again. On this sail, lunch is prepared on the water, and it’s very much a Mediterranean-style meal built around easy, shareable plates.
What you can expect centers on:
- Salads as the main part of lunch, including caprese with buffalo mozzarella, olives, and cheese
- Cold cuts like salami and prosciutto, served with baguette or olive bread
- Dessert of melon, served chilled
Soft drinks and water are included, and coffee and/or tea are part of the meal set too. Reviews consistently call out the lunch as a highlight, with guests describing it as delicious and well timed for the swim break.
If you’re vegetarian, you’ll want to be proactive at booking. The meal may include things like octopus or shrimp in the salads, so the important move is to tell the operator during booking that you need a vegetarian version. That’s the difference between having a great lunch on the water and having to settle for only part of it.
Sailing Along the Shore With Captain Michael’s Local Insights
Sailing here is not only about the water. It’s also about the people who can explain what you’re seeing. Many guests single out Captain Michael for the way he makes the day feel personal and easy to talk to.
The style that comes through is simple: you get local guidance without lectures. Expect conversation that covers sailing, sailing technique, and helpful context about the coast and where the captain chooses to anchor. One group describes talking sailing for most of the day, which tells you the crew pitch is friendly, not stiff.
What I find valuable as a traveler is that this is not a “sit quietly and watch” experience. It’s a working boat, and you can choose how much you want to participate. If your group wants to learn how anchoring works or why a cove is better than another, the captain can usually answer. If your group wants quiet time, that works too.
And since the boat is private for your party, the conversation stays at your level. You’re not trying to compete with a dozen different languages and attention spans.
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The Route, Timing, and When You’ll Be Back
The schedule is straightforward, and it helps you plan the rest of your day in Malta.
- 9:00 am departure from the Senglea meeting point
- Sail to the Comino area takes about 2.5 hours
- Arrive, anchor, then you get swim and water time
- Around 3:00 pm, the group heads back
- Back in Senglea around 5:00 pm, with the experience ending at the same meeting point
That roughly 8-hour duration gives you a full charter day without killing your evening plans. You can still get dinner afterward, and you won’t feel like you lost the whole day to transport.
Also, because it’s private, the day doesn’t feel like it’s being squeezed between other fixed departure groups. You’re more likely to get a smoother experience because the boat and crew are focused on your party only.
Private Charter Value for a Group of Up to Six
The price is $768.98 per group (up to 6) for about 8 hours. On paper, that can look expensive until you do the math. If you fill all six spots, you’re paying about $128 per person. If you have fewer people, the per-person cost rises, so this is best when you can split the charter within a small family or a couple of friends.
Where the value really shows is in the “no crowd” part. Private sailing means:
- you’re not sharing the swim stop with a long line of other groups,
- you’re not playing musical chairs for space on the water,
- and the captain can choose quieter coves because your group isn’t tied to strict shared timing.
Reviews back this up with mentions of being the only swimming group in a cove for much of the afternoon. That matters in Malta because so many spots get busy fast. If you care about the water feeling calm and not chaotic, private is worth paying for.
The other value lever is the food. You’re not buying lunch at a waterfront cafe or switching to a restaurant meal after a swim. Lunch is ready on the boat, with drinks included. That reduces the “where do we eat now” stress that can turn a great day into a rushed one.
What You Get Onboard: Drinks, Coffee, and Water Time Gear
This charter includes several items that make the day easier once you’re out on the water:
- Home-made lunch (salads, cheese, ham, fruits, and more)
- Soda or pop
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or tea
For water time, you should expect the usual on a charter of this type, and reviews specifically note floats on hand. The key item not included is the SUP.
If you’re the type who likes to be prepared, I’d treat this as a swim day that depends on you bringing the basics: swimwear, sunscreen, and something simple to protect you from sun and wind. The data here doesn’t list what the boat provides beyond food and drinks, so it’s safest to pack for a normal sea swim and sun exposure.
Also, the experience notes that it’s not suitable for children below 5 years. That’s important because a boat outing plus open-water time isn’t always the best fit for very young kids.
Getting to the Meeting Point and Making the 9:00 am Start Easy

The meeting point is in Senglea, and it’s described as near public transportation, which helps a lot if you’re staying on the islands and don’t want to mess with parking. The start time is 9:00 am, so give yourself enough buffer to arrive calm, not sprinting.
A practical approach: plan to arrive a bit early and take a moment to get oriented at the harbor area. When you’re on a boat, small delays can ripple. The quicker you get settled after the briefing, the sooner your day becomes sailing time.
Should You Book This Private Maltese Shoreline Sail?
Book this if you want a small, private day on the water with a clear highlight: anchor, swim, snorkel, and eat lunch on board. This is especially strong for couples and small groups who care about the feel of the day, not just checking off a location name.
I’d also book it if you like the idea of learning while you sail. With Captain Michael, the experience tends to be conversational, and the sailing talk is part of the charm, not a background detail.
Skip it or think twice if your group must have Comino every time. The route depends on wind direction, so the destination can shift. Also, if your group includes kids under 5, this specific outing isn’t for them. And if SUP is a must-have for you, it’s not included here.
If you’re deciding between a shared tour and a private charter, this one makes a strong case for private. For the cost, you’re buying quiet water time, your own boat space, and a meal that’s simple but genuinely satisfying after a swim.
FAQ
What’s included in the lunch on this sailing charter?
Lunch includes homemade salads, cheese, ham, and fruits, with melon for dessert. Coffee and/or tea are included too.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Soft drinks such as soda or pop, bottled water, and coffee and/or tea are included.
Do I get to use the standup paddle board (SUP)?
No. SUP use is not included.
How long is the sailing experience, and what time does it start?
It lasts about 8 hours. The start time is 9:00 am, and the return to the meeting point is around 5:00 pm.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates, with a group size of up to 6.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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