Tour in Malta Boat Charter to Comino and Gozoand Blue Lagoon

Three hours, and the water steals the show. This private boat charter strings together the best of Comino and Gozo in one smooth run, with time to swim in the famous Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus cave-hopping along the way. I like the way it feels exclusive, since you anchor where the colors are strongest, not in some crowded lineup. I also love that snorkeling gear is ready, and your skipper can tailor stops to what your group wants. One thing to plan for: extra costs are listed for Blue Lagoon entry and fuel, so the final total can climb beyond the base price.

On the guide side, the experience comes with the kind of relaxed, hands-on energy you want on open water. I especially like hearing how skippers such as Zlatko, Justin, Noel, Ginger, and Mario keep things comfortable for kids and teens, while still hitting the best coves and explaining the sights. If you care about getting the history and movie locations without turning the day into a lecture, this style works.

The biggest practical consideration is timing. With only about 3 hours, some stops are brief, so you will want to be ready to hop in and out of the water quickly, especially at the Blue Lagoon and cave areas. Also, boat size can vary, and if you are sensitive to space, it is worth keeping expectations flexible for a private charter.

Key highlights you should care about

• Private anchoring in the bluest pockets around Comino, which is the difference between seeing the lagoon and actually using it.
• Crystal Lagoon snorkeling with free mask and snorkel, plus a skipper who can time cave access.
• Caves, coves, and coastline cruising, including views of Saint Mary’s Tower during the run.
• Gozo add-ons beyond Comino, like Hondoq Bay area (with Bemberin gorge) and Mġarr Harbour.
• Good group value for up to 8 people, especially compared with paying for individual boat tickets.

Where the day really happens: Comino and its water colors

If you have Malta on your list, you have seen the photos of Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The real trick is not reaching it, it is being able to enjoy it in real time. On this charter, you go by boat, anchor in the most colorful parts, and get a swim and snorkel stop rather than just a quick look.

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto, with sandy shallows on both sides. From the water, it is that clear, pool-like effect that makes you want to keep your head above water just to watch the light move. And because it is private, you are not stuck waiting for your turn.

You will also want to understand the one cost reality here. The Blue Lagoon ticket fee is listed as EUR 79 per booking and not included, so it is worth factoring that into your budget before you book.

Stop at Blue Lagoon: the big swim-and-snorkel payoff

This is the centerpiece stop, the one your day is built around. You get about 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. Because your boat can anchor in the bluest stretches, you are not just standing on the edge and wondering what it looks like underwater.

What makes this stop special is the combination of:

• Time to get in the water, not just take photos.
• Visibility, so snorkeling feels worth it.
• Breathing room, since you are not sharing your anchoring spot with a pile of other boats.

Practical tip: bring swim shoes if you have them, especially if you find rocky bits annoying. Also, plan sunscreen early, not mid-bath. Malta sun shows up fast.

Cost note: again, Blue Lagoon entry is not included and is listed separately as EUR 79. That fee is per booking, which matters if you are splitting costs across your group.

Santa Marija Bay and the calmer side of Comino

After the main lagoon stop, you shift to a quieter, more secluded feel at Santa Marija Bay in the north of Comino. The beach is horseshoe shaped, with white sand and tamarisk trees behind it.

This is a stop that rewards people who like a little shoreline variety, not just open-water swimming. You also have a smaller nearby bay, Santa Marija little, which is described as having a healthy sea bed and marine life, making it a strong snorkeling spot, especially with parrotfish in the area.

What I like about this part of the route is the balance it gives you. Blue Lagoon can feel like the headline, Santa Marija can feel like the rest of the story, a more private pocket where the beach scene supports families and slower beach time. If you like sandcastle breaks between swims, this fits.

The charter also mentions Santa Marija caves nearby, and you will explore caves and coves while cruising. That keeps the day feeling like a guided adventure, not just a series of swims.

Cominotto Beach: movie-location scenery plus real swimming access

Cominotto Beach is one of those places that sounds like a secret until you realize it shows up in movies. It is still best experienced by boat, because it is only reachable that way.

Your boat anchors in the blue waters of Cominotto, and you get roughly 10 minutes here. That is not long, but it is enough time to do the key thing: swim. The payoff is the underwater feel of the lagoon and the dramatic setting.

The charter also calls out a swim-through cave of about 50 meters to the other side. If your group likes exploring on the water, this is a natural moment to slow down and take in the shapes around you.

Movie trivia is part of the vibe here, with references including Troy and Swept Away by Madonna. Even if you do not care about film lore, it usually helps your skipper point out the exact geometry and coastline features you would miss from shore.

Cominotto Reef and the cave cruise vibe

From Cominotto, the route shifts toward the nearby north coast, cruising close enough to see naturally formed features along the shoreline. The charter mentions a marked reef area, plus marine life like groupers and octopus.

This segment is shorter, around 5 minutes, but it adds variety. You are not only moving between swim stops. You are also reading the coast the way a local would.

If you are traveling with kids or teens, these quick windows can be a win, too. They keep everyone engaged without exhausting the group with nonstop water time.

Paradise Bay and the sea-wind reality check

There is also a mention of a small sandy beach in the north of Malta near a starting point, described as good with south winds and known for nice crystal waters. Another stop mentioned is Saint Mary’s Tower as you cruise.

This matters because it signals how the skipper thinks. The route is not one-size-fits-all. If conditions shift, the day adapts to where the wind is kinder and the water looks best.

So if you are the type who gets picky about “best light” and “best visibility,” this kind of flexible routing can make a difference.

Saint Mary’s Tower: seeing a defense structure from the water

While you cruise, you pass views of Saint Mary’s Tower perched over the high cliffs. The charter notes it dates back to the 17th century and served as part of a chain of defensive towers for warnings against invasion or pirates.

It even has a movie connection, being used as the Mediterranean prison Château d’If in the 2002 Count of Monte Cristo film.

Why this is worth your attention: when you see fortifications from the water, you understand how exposed the coast is, and why these towers were placed where they were. It is easier to grasp the setting when your boat is actually close to the coastline.

Crystal Lagoon: caves, turquoise water, and planned snorkeling

If Blue Lagoon is the famous one, Crystal Lagoon is the “okay wow” follow-up. The charter describes turquoise waters dotted with caves, including some with secret sandy beaches inside.

Here, your boat is built to enter some caves. That is a big deal because it changes what you can see. Without cave access, you are mostly looking at the coastline. With it, you get that inside-the-place feeling, plus the chance to explore bluer water close up.

Timing-wise, this stop includes a small snorkel stop, and snorkel equipment is provided for free. The stop is described as around 15 minutes for Crystal Lagoon itself, and the snorkel is scheduled depending on season and what clients prefer.

Also worth noting: the charter mentions Crystal Lagoon has been used for movies including Popeye and Count of Monte Cristo, and your skipper should share historical and fun facts as you go.

Practical tip: keep your phone protected. Water splashes happen fast when you are snorkeling in clear, shallow zones.

Hondoq Bay and the Bemberin gorge for cliff-jump lovers

When the route reaches Gozo, Hondoq Bay is mentioned in the south of Gozo. The water there is described as blue and turquoise, but the real wow factor is nearby, a hidden inlet called Bemberin gorge.

The charter notes:

• The inlet can only be accessed by boat.
• It has magnificent caves and air pockets you can do.
• The water is crystal clear.
• There are vantage points for cliff jumps.

Now, if you do not want to do cliff jumps, do not worry. The gorge still reads as a cave-and-water playground, and you can focus on swimming and views. But if your group likes that adrenaline option, this is your moment.

Qala coastline: quick cave scenery and a fort point

Qala, in the southeast of Gozo, is listed as a short cruise-by with numerous caves along the way. You may also see pebbly beaches and a fortification at the eastern point of Gozo.

This segment is brief, around 5 minutes, which means it works best as a visual break. You keep moving, but you still collect those “how is that coastline even real” moments.

Mġarr Harbour: the calm, colorful arrival feeling in Gozo

One of my favorite travel feelings is watching a place function, not just pose. Mġarr Harbour fits that. It is described as serene and simple, with fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen mending nets.

The charter also calls out Fort Chambray dominating the harbor, and that the Knights of St John built the fort. Adjacent is a small Gothic chapel connected to Lourdes, plus a statue below it.

This stop is short at around 5 minutes, but it is the kind of pause that resets your brain. After caves and lagoons, it is nice to see Gozo as a working island, not just a set of photo stops.

Cruising the south coast of Gozo and Halfa rock

The itinerary includes a cruise along Gozo’s south coast, including Halfa rock, described as a small island with a lot of history. It has sheer cliffs on most sides, but on the Gozo side there is a secluded bay accessible by boat.

You can also see salt pans harvested the same way for generations. And the hidden beach area is mentioned as known for octopus and sargo bream.

Why this portion is valuable: it gives you a deeper sense of Gozo’s geography and how people have used the land and water for a long time. Even without a long stop on shore, you get the layout and the scale.

Price, value, and the extra fees you should plan for

At $349.51 per group (up to 8) for roughly 3 hours, this is priced for private time. That is the key value logic: instead of paying per person for public boat hop-on options, you split one charter cost across your group.

Then there are add-ons listed:

• Blue Lagoon ticket: EUR 79 per booking, not included.
• Fuel: EUR 79 not included.

Depending on your group size, the base price can still feel fair because your charter is doing a lot in a short window. But you should think in total, not just headline cost.

If you are traveling as a couple, the group cap matters less and the extra fees hit harder. If you are a family of 4 to 8, the math often feels better because everyone shares the boat time.

Also consider what you get for the charter style:

• Private anchoring and cave access possibilities.
• Snorkeling gear included.
• An ice box with ice or a refrigerator.
• Pickup offered from Cirkewwa port in Malta or Mġarr Harbour in Gozo.

What to bring so the 3 hours feel effortless

This is a swim-first trip, and even if you do not plan to snorkel constantly, you will get wet.

Bring:

• A towel and quick-dry clothes.
• Sunscreen.
• Your own food and drinks if you want to graze on the boat. The experience includes an ice box, and people often take advantage of it.
• A swim mask is included as part of the charter, but a backup personal mask is optional if you are picky.

If you get seasick easily, note that this charter uses fast powerboats to reach caves and shallow snorkeling areas. That often helps with time on rough water, but your comfort will still depend on conditions.

Who this boat charter is best for

This charter is a strong match if you want:

• Private boat time with a group up to 8.
• A fast, focused way to see Comino plus Gozo.
• Snorkeling plus cave scenery, not just lounging.
• A skipper who talks about what you are seeing, with enough flexibility for families.

It is also a good fit for multi-age groups, since the route works for adults who want swimming and for kids who want short, fun bursts of exploration.

The one reason you might choose a different day or different tour

If you want long beach time, this route may feel tight. Many stops are short, and the day is built around water activities and cruising.

Also, if you dislike surprise fees, make sure you budget for Blue Lagoon entry and fuel since both are listed separately.

Should you book this Malta to Comino and Gozo boat charter?

I would book it if you want your Malta trip to have a clear “we did that” water highlight, and you are traveling with at least a small group that can share costs. The private-anchoring style plus snorkel time at Crystal Lagoon is the sweet spot, and the Gozo additions mean you get more than just one famous photo stop.

I would think twice if you are traveling solo or as a couple on a tight budget, since the extra EUR 79 fees for Blue Lagoon entry and fuel can add up. And if you hate the idea of short stops and quick water transitions, choose a longer private charter instead.

If the weather is decent and your group is ready to swim, this is one of the simplest ways to experience Comino’s famous blues without turning your day into a waiting game.

FAQ

How many people is this private charter for?

It is listed as up to 8 people per group, so it is designed for private time with a small group.

How long is the boat trip?

The duration is about 3 hours.

Where do pickup and drop-off happen?

Pickup is offered at Cirkewwa port in Malta or at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and you can request a drop-off on a different island location in advance.

What languages is the tour offered in?

It is offered in English and Italian.

What’s included in the price?

Mask and snorkel equipment are included, and there is an ice box with ice or a refrigerator.

Are snorkeling stops included?

A snorkel stop at Crystal Lagoon is scheduled, and snorkeling equipment is provided for free.

What extra costs should I expect?

Fuel for the boat is listed as EUR 79 and is not included. Blue Lagoon entry is listed as EUR 79 per booking and is not included.