Malta Private Boat Charter: Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo Day

Summary

Swim in crystal lagoons and caves off Malta’s coast with your own boat

You’ll spend your day cruising Malta’s coast by private boat with your own captain—swimming through caves at Comino, snorkeling in Blue Lagoon’s clear water, relaxing on deck with drinks from the cooler. There’s space to laugh with friends or just watch sunlight dance over rocky cliffs. It’s not just about seeing places—it’s about feeling them linger after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cold beer before I even sit down—our captain, Mark, grins and says something about “starting the day right.” The engine hums low as we leave Sliema behind, that early-morning light bouncing off the water and making everyone squint. I can still smell sunscreen and sea air mixing together. There’s this little moment where we pass a fishing boat and the old guy on board gives us a nod; I’m not sure why but it feels like a good omen for the trip.

We weave along the Maltese coastline, Mark pointing out spots with names like Smugglers Cave—he laughs when I ask if pirates ever hid there (“maybe just teenagers now”). At Santa Maria Caves he edges the boat so close I could touch the rock. Inside it’s cool and echoey, water glowing turquoise under us. My friend tries to say “thank you” in Maltese and absolutely butchers it; Mark just shakes his head, still smiling. We jump in for a swim and honestly, I didn’t expect how clear everything would look underwater—fish everywhere, even a weird spiky thing that turned out to be a sea urchin.

At Blue Lagoon it gets quieter than I thought it would be—maybe because we’re anchored away from the big boats. The water really is that color you see in photos (but somehow less fake-looking). We float around for ages, then sunbathe on these soft sunpads while someone passes around sodas from the cooler. Later at Crystal Lagoon there’s more swimming and snorkeling—less people here, just our group and some seabirds making noise up on the cliffs. If you pick the Gozo option you get even more time to explore those little bays; we stuck with Comino but next time… who knows.

The ride back is slower, everyone kind of sunkissed and tired in that happy way. Mark lets us pick music for the last stretch—someone chooses something cheesy from the ’90s and nobody complains. It’s funny what sticks with you: salt drying on my skin, that first cold drink, or just watching sunlight flicker across stone caves as we drifted by.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private boat charter around Maltese islands

• Depart from Strand Sliema
• Pass Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave
• Stop at Smugglers Cave
• Enter Santa Maria Caves
• Anchor at Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling
• Stop at Crystal Lagoon for snorkeling
• Visit Gozo Island and swim at Ramla Bay or Mgarr ix-Xini
• Return to Sliema

Top questions

How long does the private Malta boat charter last?

The charter lasts approximately 7 hours from departure in Sliema until return.

Does this tour include swimming and snorkeling stops?

Yes, there are several stops for swimming and snorkeling at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Comino caves.

Is lunch included on this private boat tour?

No lunch is included but drinks like beer, soda, and water are provided onboard.

Are snorkel gear and sunpads provided?

Yes, use of snorkeling equipment and sunpad areas are included for all guests.

Can we visit Gozo during this private charter?

You can choose an option that includes stops along Gozo’s coastline such as Ramla Bay or Mgarr ix-Xini.

Where does the tour start and end?

The boat departs from The Strand in Sliema and returns there at the end of the day.

Is pickup included from hotels?

No hotel pickup is included; guests meet directly at Sliema marina.

Are drinks included on board?

Yes, beers, soda/pop, bottled water, plus use of a cooler are all included during your charter.

What’s included

Your day includes a licensed captain guiding your private group by boat from Sliema around Comino’s caves to Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon—with all fuel covered plus beers, sodas, bottled water chilled in a cooler. Snorkeling equipment is ready onboard along with sunpad space to stretch out between swims before returning to port in the evening.