Private Yacht Charters around Comino & Blue Lagoon

Comino is best seen from the water, and this private yacht charter gives you the freedom to move beyond one famous swimming spot. You can snorkel at the Blue Lagoon, pause at Crystal Lagoon, and reach quieter corners such as St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay, with the skipper adjusting the route to suit sea conditions.

I like the private-boat format, since your group is not tied to a large public cruise schedule. I also like the generous equipment package: masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, fresh-water shower, shaded area, and two restrooms are all included.

The main consideration is price. At $1,021 per group of up to 12, this makes better sense for a family or group sharing the cost than for one or two people. The boat can carry more, but confirm the exact group limit and price for your party before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• A private 43-foot yacht: Inge III is a 13-meter motor cruiser built in Venice, with mahogany trim and teak decking.
• Flexible Comino route: The skipper normally visits the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay, but chooses the best stops on the day.
• Useful water gear included: You get free masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, and a bathing platform.
• Departures from both islands: Pick up is available at Cirkewwa near the Gozo ferry in Malta, or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Good for shared group value: The listed price covers a private group of up to 12, while the boat is licensed for 20 to 25 people.
• Morning, afternoon, or sunset options: Four-hour cruises normally begin at 9am or 10am, while the sunset option runs from 5pm to 9pm.

Why a private Comino boat works so well

Comino is a small island, but its best features are spread around the coast. A boat lets you see the island as a series of coves, rock formations, old defenses, and swimming areas rather than as one stop at the Blue Lagoon.

That difference matters. On a standard boat trip, you generally follow a fixed timetable. Here, you have a private group, a skipper, and room to shape the outing around swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, or simply sitting in the shade with a drink.

The route is not presented as a rigid list of stops. The crew normally goes around Comino and visits the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and selected bays around Gozo. The stated approach is to go where conditions are best on the day, which is useful on a small island where wind and sea conditions can affect the quality of a swimming stop.

You should still think of this as a sea outing rather than a formal historical tour. You will see sights from the water, including Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower, but the main focus is swimming and time aboard the yacht.

Setting out from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

The boat operates from two practical points. In Malta, departure is from Cirkewwa jetty near the Gozo ferry. If you are already on Gozo, you can board at Mgarr Harbour jetty.

That choice can save you a separate trip across the channel. It also makes the cruise useful at different points in a Malta itinerary. You can stay on Malta and use Cirkewwa, or arrange the outing from Gozo without returning to the main island first.

Morning and afternoon cruises generally begin at 9am or 10am. The four-hour length gives you enough time for several water stops without committing your entire day to a boat. A sunset cruise runs from 5pm until 9pm, offering a different rhythm with the same private-boat setting.

When planning, allow time to reach the departure jetty and confirm your exact starting point. The activity includes pickup information for the operating harbor, but the supplied details do not describe hotel transfers. You should treat Cirkewwa or Mgarr as the boarding point rather than assume transport from your accommodation.

The yacht Inge III

The boat is the 43-foot, or 13-meter, motor cruiser Inge III. It was built in Venice by C. Rio boat builders and has a rustic mahogany interior with teak decking.

That gives the outing a more classic feel than a basic open excursion boat. The teak deck provides a practical place to sit in the sun, while the shaded area matters when you want a break from direct exposure. The yacht also has a bathing platform, so getting in and out of the water is easier than from a high-sided vessel.

The boat is licensed and fully insured for 20 to 25 people. The advertised price, however, is $1,021 per group of up to 12. That distinction is important. A larger party may be possible, but you should confirm how the price changes and what the final passenger limit will be.

The listed onboard facilities include two restrooms, accommodation, a fresh-water shower, music through Bluetooth, AUX, and USB, plus a large cooler supplied with ice flakes and ice cubes. You can bring your own food, snacks, or drinks. For groups of eight people or fewer, unlimited wine and water are offered.

The cooler is a small but useful detail. You do not need to carry a separate ice chest onto the yacht, and you can keep your own provisions cold. The food arrangement is informal, not a catered meal, so plan accordingly if you want lunch during a longer cruise.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and it is easy to see why. The water is intended for swimming and snorkeling, and a private charter lets you include it without making the entire trip only about that one location.

Your time there may suit a quick swim, a longer snorkeling session, or a chance to use the boat’s swimming aids. Free masks and snorkels are included, so you do not have to rent basic equipment separately. If you prefer a different pace, the yacht’s shaded area and sundeck let you stay aboard while others enter the water.

Crystal Lagoon adds a second swimming setting. The supplied details identify both lagoons as places to visit, but do not promise a fixed amount of time at either one. That is sensible for a private cruise, since the crew can adapt the route to conditions and your group’s interests.

Bring a towel and sun protection, though those items are not listed among the inclusions. The fresh-water shower is handy after snorkeling, especially if you plan to remain aboard between stops.

St Mary Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and Gozo

St Mary Bay and St Nicholas Bay are part of the normal Comino route. These stops give the cruise more variety than a single lagoon visit, with additional places for swimming and time on the water.

You should not expect every listed bay to receive an identical stop on every departure. The operator says the boat goes where conditions are best on the day. That flexibility is one of the strengths of a private charter, but it also means the exact route is not guaranteed in advance.

Some bays in Gozo may also be included. This is especially useful if you depart from Mgarr Harbour, though the route remains dependent on the day’s conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

The kayak, SUP, and paddle board add another option beyond swimming. You can use the yacht as a base, then explore the water at a slower pace. These are shared onboard facilities, so the time each person gets will depend on the size of your group and how many people want to use them.

Comino sights from the water

The cruise includes views of Elephant Rock, St Mary Battery, and St Mary Tower. These are not presented as walking visits, so expect to see them from the yacht or while passing along the coast.

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation that makes a memorable sight from the sea. St Mary Battery and St Mary Tower add a human-made layer to the route, giving you something to look at between swims.

If you want detailed historical explanations or time ashore, ask about that before departure. The available information describes a sightseeing route rather than a guided land tour. The host languages are Maltese, English, and Italian, which should make practical communication straightforward for many groups.

What the four-hour schedule feels like

Four hours is a sensible middle ground. You get enough time to cruise around Comino and make several stops, but you are not locked into a full day at sea.

A morning start at 9am or 10am leaves the rest of the day open. That can work well if you want to combine the cruise with another Malta or Gozo activity. An afternoon start gives you a slower beginning to the day, while the 5pm to 9pm sunset option changes the emphasis from a full swimming session to an evening cruise with time aboard.

The exact order of stops is not fixed. You might begin with a lagoon, continue around the island, and finish at another bay, or follow a different route based on sea conditions. The important point is to allow the skipper some freedom rather than treating the advertised locations as a strict checklist.

Music is available through Bluetooth, AUX, and USB. That can help your group create its own mood, although you should be considerate of the shared sound level if the boat carries a larger party.

Price and group value at $1,021

The listed price is $1,021 per group of up to 12. Divided evenly, that works out to about $85 per person for 12 people. With eight people, it is about $128 per person. For a couple, the same total becomes expensive.

The value comes from having a private yacht rather than paying individual fares for a standard shared cruise. Fuel, skipper, crew, music, shaded seating, the sundeck, restrooms, swimming platform, snorkeling equipment, kayak, SUP, paddle board, shower, and cooler with ice are included.

For a group that wants privacy and plans to use the water equipment, this is a stronger deal than the headline number first suggests. You also avoid arranging separate rentals for masks, snorkels, or a kayak.

For smaller parties, compare the total against shared boat options before committing. The private format is the main premium. You are paying for control over the boat, not simply for transport between Comino’s swimming areas.

Ask about the final passenger capacity if your party has more than 12 people. The vessel is licensed for 20 to 25, but the listed group price is specifically described for up to 12.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to families, groups of friends, and couples traveling with another couple who can share the cost. It works especially well when everyone wants a private setting and a flexible day on the water.

It also suits mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, paddle, or use the SUP, while others can stay on the yacht, use the shaded seating, or watch the coast from the sundeck. The two restrooms are useful for a group spending several hours aboard.

This is less suitable if you want a tightly scripted sightseeing tour, a formal meal, or guaranteed time at every named location. It is also not the obvious choice for one or two people unless privacy matters more than price.

The boat is fully insured and has a skipper and crew included, so you are not expected to operate the vessel yourself. The host can communicate in Maltese, English, or Italian.

Booking advice and practical details

The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while your Malta or Gozo plans are still taking shape.

The four-hour cruise has starting times that need to be checked for your date. Morning departures normally begin at 9am or 10am. Sunset departures run from 5pm to 9pm.

Bring food or snacks if you want them, since the operator allows your own provisions. Drinks can also be brought aboard, and the cooler with ice is provided. Groups of eight or fewer receive unlimited wine and water, according to the supplied details.

I would confirm four things before final payment: the boarding harbor, the precise starting time, the passenger limit for your group, and the expected route for that day. None of these questions is difficult, but clear answers will prevent a mismatch between your plans and the boat’s schedule.

Should you book the Inge III charter?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,021 cost and you want a private, flexible way to explore Comino. The strongest reasons are the classic 43-foot yacht, the choice of departure points, the included water equipment, and the skipper’s ability to adjust the route.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple, or if your main goal is a low-cost visit to the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a shared cruise may cost less.

For families and groups, this is a practical half-day at sea with more room, more equipment, and more control than a standard boat outing. Just remember that the named bays and lagoons form a flexible route, not a guaranteed minute-by-minute itinerary.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Morning and afternoon starting times vary by availability.

Where does the boat depart from?

The boat departs from Cirkewwa jetty near the Gozo ferry in Malta, or from Mgarr Harbour jetty for departures from Gozo.

What places can the cruise visit?

The normal route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St Mary Bay, and St Nicholas Bay. Some bays around Gozo may also be included, and the skipper chooses the best route for the day.

What equipment is included?

Masks, snorkels, swimming aids, a kayak, SUP, paddle board, a fresh-water shower, and a bathing platform are included. The boat also has a shaded area, sundeck, two restrooms, and a cooler with ice.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

Yes. You may bring your own food, snacks, or drinks. The boat provides a large cooler with ice flakes and ice cubes. Groups of eight people or fewer receive unlimited wine and water.

How many people can join the boat?

The listed price is $1,021 per private group of up to 12 people. The yacht is licensed and fully insured for 20 to 25 people, so confirm the exact capacity and price if your group is larger than 12.