Private Yacht Charter in Malta, Gozo & Comino – Full Day

The best Malta views come from the water. This private yacht charter gives your group eight hours to shape a day around Comino’s clear coves, Gozo’s quieter bays, and Malta’s rugged shoreline. I like the freedom to choose your stops and the chance to reach cave spots that larger boats cannot easily visit. I also like that the crew, Captain Wayne and Sheldon, can adjust the pace rather than run you through a fixed schedule.

The boat provides water-sports gear, with paddleboards available on request, and there is room for swimming, snorkeling, cave exploring, and lounging. The main thing to consider is the price: $1,505.14 for up to eight people is a serious outlay for a day on the water, though the cost becomes more reasonable when shared by a full group. Weather also controls the route, and the Comino stops can become crowded at popular times.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to eight people: Your group does not share the yacht with strangers, so you can set the pace and choose how long to stay in each bay.
• Captain Wayne and Sheldon guide the day: Their approach includes short explanations of the bays and land features, plus practical help with swimming, snorkeling, and finding calmer water.
• Comino gets the longest swim time: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay may fill much of the day, depending on weather and your choices.
• Lunch is flexible: You can stop at a restaurant on Gozo or bring your own food and wine. The boat has fridges and cutlery.
• Water gear is included: Snorkeling equipment is provided, and paddleboards can be requested in advance.
• The route changes with conditions: A calm day may bring cave visits and several swim stops, while wind or rough water can alter the plan.

What this private Malta yacht day is really like

This is not a sightseeing cruise where you sit in one place and watch the coast pass by. It is a private day built around swimming, stopping, eating, and choosing what sounds good next. You meet at Island Life Charters in Mellieħa Bay at 9:00 a.m., then return to the same meeting point after roughly eight hours.

The private format matters most when your group has mixed interests. One person can swim while another stays aboard in the shade. Children can enjoy a cove without being hurried onto the next stop. A couple dealing with motion sickness can ask the captain to look for calmer water. That kind of flexibility is hard to get on a large shared boat.

Captain Wayne and Sheldon are repeatedly praised for being kind, accommodating, and attentive. They also provide brief background about the bays and rocky headlands. This is not a formal history tour, so you should book it for time on the sea first, with local explanation as a useful extra.

The yacht has comfortable places to sit in the sun and shaded areas for a break. It is described as clean and well kept, with a smooth ride. Those details matter on an eight-hour outing. A boat that looks fine for one hour can feel cramped by lunchtime, so shade, seating, and a fridge make a real difference.

L-Aħrax and the Smugglers Cave photo stop

The first listed stop is L-Aħrax, home to a Smugglers Cave photo spot. The stop is brief, about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick opening look rather than a full cave visit.

The value here is simple: you get a striking photograph with the cave behind you and a first taste of Malta’s rocky coast. It also gives the crew a chance to judge the day’s water and wind before spending longer at the Comino bays.

Do not expect a long walk or a major shore excursion at this stop. If your priority is swimming or snorkeling, the short pause keeps the day moving. If you want more time at the cave, ask the crew early, though the final choice depends on conditions and the rest of your group.

Three hours around Comino’s Blue Lagoon

Comino receives the largest share of the day. The route may include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay, with the exact choice shaped by wind, sea conditions, and your wishes.

Blue Lagoon is the famous name, and its clear water is the reason many people book a Malta boat trip in the first place. A private yacht gives you a better chance of enjoying it on your own terms. You can swim, use the supplied gear, or stay aboard and watch the scene from the water.

The important practical point is timing. Blue Lagoon is popular, so it can feel busy, especially during the middle of the day. The crew can take you to another part of Comino or help you find a less crowded place when conditions allow. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose this charter instead of a fixed group cruise.

The listed timing allows up to three hours for the Comino swimming stops, but that does not mean three full hours at every named lagoon. Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay are alternatives within the Comino portion of the route, and the captain decides what works best on the day.

Bring a towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The tour provides the water equipment, but personal comfort items are still your responsibility. If you want a paddleboard, request one ahead of time rather than assuming it will be waiting onboard.

Crystal Lagoon and the appeal of a private cave stop

Crystal Lagoon is known for clear water and rocky surroundings that make it a good place for swimming and snorkeling. The appeal is not only the color of the sea. It is the chance to spend real time in the water instead of making a five-minute photo stop from a crowded vessel.

The private boat also opens up small caves and quieter corners that larger boats may skip. Several outings included swimming inside caves and exploring them by paddleboard or snorkel. That is a memorable part of the day, especially for families with older children who want more than a quick swim.

The crew has also helped groups see marine life, including fish, jellyfish described as non-poisonous, and octopuses that were caught briefly and released. Treat this as a possible bonus, not a promised part of the trip. Sea life changes from day to day, and the crew’s care in releasing animals is the right approach.

For snorkeling, the water conditions make a big difference. If the sea is calm, you may see more clearly and spend longer in the water. If wind picks up, the captain may move the boat to a sheltered bay. That is useful for comfort, but it can mean your exact preferred lagoon is not available.

Santa Maria Bay and the quieter side of Comino

Santa Maria Bay offers another option when Blue Lagoon feels too busy or exposed. The route does not promise all three Comino bays on every departure. Instead, you and the captain work out the best combination for the weather and your group.

I would treat this part of the trip as a choice between famous scenery and a calmer setting. Blue Lagoon is the classic photograph. Crystal Lagoon is attractive for swimming and cave access. Santa Maria Bay may appeal more if you want a slower hour with less fuss.

Because the trip is private, you can ask to stay longer at the place your group likes best. That is a real benefit for people who dislike being pushed along by a timetable. It also means your group needs to make decisions together. A full day can pass quickly when everyone wants a different cove.

Gozo’s Mgarr ix-Xini for a quieter swim

The boat then reaches Mgarr ix-Xini, a quiet Gozo inlet known for clean, clear water. The planned time is about one hour, which gives you a useful change of pace after Comino’s more famous bays.

This is a good place to slow down. You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the yacht and take in the sheltered setting. The stop is less about ticking off a famous sight and more about enjoying the water without rushing.

Lunch can fit into the Gozo portion of the day. You may stop at a restaurant, with places such as One80 and Tortuga praised for meals, or bring your own food and wine. The boat has fridges and cutlery, which makes a self-catered lunch practical rather than awkward.

Lunch is not included in the price, so plan for that extra cost. If you want a restaurant meal, ask the crew about arranging it before the day. One group had a lunch booked by Captain Wayne, while another enjoyed a meal at Tortuga. Restaurant availability and the final choice are not guaranteed, so confirm your preference early.

Paradise Bay closes the route with one last swim

Paradise Bay is usually the final swimming stop before returning to Mellieħa Bay. The planned time is about one hour, enough for a last snorkel, swim, or rest in the sun.

The bay is described as having clear water and good snorkeling. Ending here makes sense because it gives you a final chance to get in the sea without needing to rush straight back to the meeting point.

At this stage, you may be ready for a quiet ride home. An eight-hour day on the water is pleasant but tiring, especially if you spend much of it swimming. Keep your expectations realistic: the schedule includes several stops, but the pace depends on your group, weather, and how long you linger at Comino.

Price, group size, and value

The price is $1,505.14 per group of up to eight people. For two people, that is expensive. For eight, it works out to about $188 per person before lunch and any other personal spending.

That price buys privacy, a full eight hours, a boat with shaded and sunny seating, water gear, and control over the route. It also avoids the main weakness of a standard group cruise: a fixed schedule with little room to escape crowds or adapt to the sea.

I think the value is strongest for families, groups of friends, and anyone celebrating a special day. A group of eight can share the cost and make full use of the private space. A couple may prefer a cheaper shared boat unless avoiding crowds and having a custom route is especially important.

The price does not include lunch. You can keep costs down by bringing your own food, and the fridge and cutlery make that easy. If you choose a restaurant, budget separately and ask about arrangements before departure.

Who will enjoy this most

This charter suits you if you want a full day outdoors and prefer swimming to a formal shore tour. It is a strong fit for people who want to snorkel, use a paddleboard, look into caves, and spend time in the water without following a rigid group schedule.

Families can benefit from the private setup, since children can swim and explore at a pace that suits them. The crew even made a sandwich for one hungry child during a previous outing, though you should not rely on that as a planned service.

It also suits people who worry about motion sickness. One group reported that the captain sought calmer water so a passenger could remain comfortable. That is encouraging, but sea conditions cannot be controlled, so anyone with serious motion concerns should still plan carefully.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, want extensive time walking around Gozo, or expect a guided archaeological tour. Most of the day takes place on or beside the water, and the route is built around bays and swimming rather than museums or inland sights.

Practical details that make the day easier

The meeting point is Island Life Charters at Mellieħa Bay, listed at X984+RJF Mellieħa, Malta. The activity ends at the same place. It is near public transportation, and the mobile ticket makes arrival straightforward.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English, and you should have a moderate level of physical fitness. Swimming, climbing into and out of the water, and moving around a yacht all require some effort.

The tour needs good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made later are not accepted for a refund.

Since weather can change the route, avoid booking this as your only possible Malta activity if your schedule is very tight. If you have several days on the island, placing the charter near the middle of your stay gives you more room to move it if needed.

Should you book this Malta yacht charter?

I would book it if your group values time in the water, privacy, and freedom more than a low price. The strongest parts are the flexible route, the chance to visit Comino’s coves and caves at your own pace, and the warm, helpful approach of Captain Wayne and Sheldon.

For a full group of eight, the cost is easier to justify. For two people, compare it with shared cruises before committing. Either way, bring lunch or arrange a restaurant stop, request paddleboards in advance, and keep your route flexible. The sea decides some of the day, but that is part of the reason a private boat works so well here.

FAQ

How long does the private yacht charter last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Island Life Charters in Mellieħa Bay, Malta, listed at X984+RJF Mellieħa.

Where does the activity end?

The yacht returns to the original meeting point at the end of the day.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Which places may the boat visit?

The route may include L-Aħrax and Smugglers Cave, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo, and Paradise Bay. The exact route depends on weather and your group’s preferences.

Is lunch included?

No. You can stop at a restaurant at your own expense or bring your own lunch. The boat has fridges and cutlery.

Is water-sports equipment provided?

Yes. Water-sports equipment is provided, and paddleboards are available on request.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the activity is canceled because of poor weather.