Malta: Private Boat Cruise with Caves, Beaches & Swim Stops

The best part of this Malta boat trip is control. You get your own boat, your own skipper, and room to choose between swimming, sightseeing, sunbathing, or simply cruising past Comino’s caves. Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the headline stops, but the quieter bays can be the real treat.

I like the small private setting and the useful onboard kit: snorkel masks, fins, noodles, a cooler with ice, showers, and a Bluetooth speaker. Skipper Francis gets special praise for friendly service and flexible stops. The catch is the extra €59 fuel charge in cash, and three hours can feel short if you want many swim breaks.

Quick points to know

• Private boat for up to seven: You avoid the packed feel of a large sightseeing vessel and can spend time with your own group.
• Comino’s best-known water stops: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and San Niklaw Bay.
• Caves and rock formations: Santa Maria Caves and other coastal formations add more than just swimming to the outing.
• Snorkel gear is supplied: Masks, fins, swimming noodles, an ice cooler, fresh-water showers, and a side ladder are included.
• Bring food and drinks: These are not included, and the fuel fee is paid separately in cash.
• Plans can change at sea: Wind, tides, shallow water, and other safety concerns can alter the route or landing points.

A private way to see Comino

This is a good choice if you want Malta’s famous water without joining a large boat party. The boat leaves from the Sea Life Cruises dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe, then makes a short speedboat run toward Comino.

The advertised trip lasts three hours. That is enough time for a brisk circuit with a few stops, but you should not expect a full beach day at every bay. Some outings described by customers lasted closer to four hours, yet the official duration is three, so plan around the stated time and treat any extra as a bonus.

The private format matters. You can tell the skipper if your group wants more swimming, more cruising, or a quieter stop. You are not waiting for dozens of people to get back aboard. That makes the trip especially appealing for families, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who finds the big Blue Lagoon boats too hectic.

Skipper Francis is frequently singled out for being helpful, friendly, and willing to adjust the route. Other captains may operate the boat, so do not book solely on the assumption that Francis will be at the helm. Still, the service pattern is clear: this is meant to be a flexible outing rather than a fixed commentary cruise.

From Cirkewwa to Comino

Arrive at the meeting point with time to spare. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Cirkewwa is at the northern end of Malta, and it is the main departure area for boat trips toward Comino and Gozo.

The initial speedboat ride takes about 10 minutes. It is short, but the water can still feel lively, especially on a windy day. If you suffer from motion sickness, this trip is specifically not recommended for you. People with back problems, mobility impairments, or wheelchair users should also choose another activity.

Life jackets are available for emergencies, and you can ask the crew to provide one if you want to wear it during the ride. Children and infants count toward the seven-person group limit. The boat has a side ladder for reboarding after a swim, although one customer found it a little short and wished it had two more steps.

Blue Lagoon, famous but busy

Blue Lagoon is the stop most people have in mind when they picture Comino. The water is famously clear and bright, and it is an excellent place for a swim or snorkel when conditions are good.

There is a practical rule to know before you go. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area under Maltese law. The link is provided with your booking voucher. This requirement concerns going ashore, so ask the operator how it applies to your planned stop if you intend to leave the boat.

Blue Lagoon is also the place where you are most likely to encounter crowds. The private boat helps because you can enjoy the water from your own vessel rather than being tied to a large group schedule. Still, do not expect the lagoon to feel secret in the middle of summer.

There is food and drink available at Blue Lagoon, but supplies are limited compared with what you may want for a half-day on the water. One useful tip is to bring your own picnic, snacks, and drinks from the start. The cooler is supplied with ice, which makes a difference on a hot Maltese day.

Crystal Lagoon and the quieter bays

Crystal Lagoon offers another clear-water swim stop, with rock walls and a more enclosed feel than the open coast. The boat can pause for swimming and snorkeling, or you can remain aboard and enjoy the view.

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay give the outing a different rhythm. Instead of rushing from one famous viewpoint to another, you can ask to spend time at a bay that suits your group. The exact order and length of each stop depend on the skipper, weather, tides, and water conditions.

This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to pay for a private boat. If your children want another swim, you can request one. If your group would rather stay dry and see more of the coast, you can keep cruising. Do not confuse flexible with unlimited, though. The boat still has a set charter period, and late arrival does not extend it.

The bays also provide a break from the intensity of Blue Lagoon. You might find a calmer place to float, snorkel, or sit in the sun. The operator cannot promise complete solitude, and the skipper may need to change the plan, but the smaller boat gives you more choices than a rigid group cruise.

Caves, cliffs, and the scenic return

Santa Maria Caves are included as a sightseeing stop, with about 10 minutes listed for the cave visit. The boat also passes rock formations and other coastal openings around Comino. These sights are best appreciated from the water, where you can see the pale stone, cut-in coves, and changing colors along the shore.

Do not expect a long cave walk. This is a boat-based visit, and the captain controls how close the boat can safely get. The attraction is the view from the water, not a major land excursion.

The return cruise gives you time to settle in. You can sunbathe, play music through the Bluetooth system, rinse off with the fresh-water shower, or sit back while the islands pass by. Several groups particularly enjoyed bringing their own music, and the boat includes a sound system for that purpose.

Dolphins were spotted on one past outing, but that is an occasional bonus, not part of the promised program. The same applies to sunsets. If your schedule happens to line up with evening light, the return can be lovely, but the standard trip should be judged on the caves, bays, swimming, and scenery listed for the route.

What is included, and what is not

The boat comes with a qualified skipper, a side ladder, snorkel masks, swimming fins, swimming noodles, an ice cooler with ice, and fresh-water showers. That is a useful package for a short sea trip. You do not need to pack every piece of swimming equipment, though you should bring your own towel.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring them yourself or buy something at a beach stop. Based on the limited food options around the bays, I would bring enough water and simple food for everyone in your group.

The fuel charge is separate: €59, paid in cash onboard. This is the key cost detail many people miss when comparing prices. The advertised $176 price covers the private group, but your real outlay also includes the fuel fee and whatever you spend on food or drinks.

Is $176 good value for seven people?

For a full boat of seven, $176 works out to about $25 per person before fuel. Add the €59 fuel fee, and the group cost becomes $176 plus €59, with the currencies kept separate as charged. Split seven ways, that is still a reasonable price for a private boat, captain, swimming stops, and snorkeling equipment.

The value drops if only two or three people book. You are paying for privacy and control, not just a seat on a boat. For a small group that wants a cheap transfer, a shared cruise may cost less. For a family or group of friends that would otherwise buy several places on a large excursion, this private charter can make good sense.

I would compare it with the kind of day you want. If you want a quiet, custom outing with your own food and music, the price is attractive. If you want a long guided talk about Maltese culture and geography, this may not be the right product. One customer specifically wished for more information about the area, so treat the skipper mainly as a boat captain and route guide, not a formal history lecturer.

What to pack for a better day

Pack a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, a camera, food, drinks, and cash. Wear practical shoes, since high heels are not allowed and you will be moving around a boat and possibly stepping ashore.

Avoid oversize luggage, large bags, intoxication, and non-folding strollers. Space is limited, and bulky items get in the way on a small private boat. Keep your belongings compact and easy to secure.

If you want to use the Blue Lagoon QR code for a land stop, arrange it before you arrive. Also, arrive on time. The charter does not run longer because your party was late, and the boat needs to keep to its operating schedule.

Weather can change the best-laid route

The skipper may change the route, stops, or embarkation and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate safety concerns. That is not a flaw in the trip. It is part of booking a small boat in open water.

One outing could not return to the original harbor because the wind had picked up. The provider arranged a taxi back to the hotel, which was a considerate solution, but you should still keep your plans flexible after the cruise.

This is also why the advertised sights should be treated as planned possibilities rather than guarantees. Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Santa Maria Caves are central to the route, but sea conditions may require a change.

Who will enjoy this private cruise?

I would recommend it most for groups of friends and families who want an easy day on the water without sharing their space with a large crowd. Children enjoyed the swimming and music on past trips, though parents should be comfortable with a boat setting and changing sea conditions.

It also suits confident swimmers who want several chances to get into clear water. The ladder, noodles, masks, and fins make the swim stops more convenient, but this is not a pool. People who dislike motion, have serious mobility needs, are pregnant, or are over 70 are advised not to book.

Couples can enjoy it too, though the price is easier to justify with a larger group. If you are mainly interested in scenery and do not plan to swim, you can remain aboard and ask the skipper to focus on coastal views and caves.

Should you book the Malta private boat cruise?

Book it if you want privacy, swim time, and a flexible route around Comino. The clean boat, helpful captains, useful equipment, and strong record of high ratings make it a sound choice for a group of up to seven.

Think twice if you need a long cultural tour, dislike boats, or want guaranteed access to every named stop. Remember the €59 cash fuel fee, bring your own food and drinks, and arrive ready for the itinerary to change with the sea.

For a family or friend group, this is one of the more practical ways to enjoy Malta’s famous lagoons without spending the day packed onto a large vessel.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The stated duration is three hours. Some past outings were described as lasting closer to four hours, but you should plan around the official three-hour duration.

Where does the boat leave from?

Meet at the Sea Life Cruises dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Look for the white and brown boat.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €59 and must be paid in cash onboard.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling masks and swimming fins are provided. Swimming noodles are also available.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Bring your own food and drinks or buy them at a beach stop. The boat has an ice cooler with ice.

Can I play my own music?

Yes. The boat has a Bluetooth sound system, so you can connect your own device.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area. The booking voucher provides the relevant link.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper can change the route, stops, and boarding or landing points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate factors.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility issues?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with motion sickness, or people over 70.