Reviewed · GOZO ISLAND HOPPING

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter

5.0 · 1 reviews From $173 Operated by Ozzi Cruises · Bookable on Viator
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If you only have a short window in Malta, this charter packs the best bays and caves into one smooth loop. I like the small-group setup and the fact that you spend most of the time floating, swimming, and snorkeling, not commuting.

Two things I really like: you anchor at Blue Lagoon away from the main crowd lines, and you get a dedicated snorkeling stop at Crystal Lagoon with caves worth exploring. One thing to consider is that it is only about 2 hours, so if you want lots of time onshore, this is more about seeing and swimming than lingering.

Because it’s on an open boat for up to 6 people, comfort is excellent for the group size, but the sea can still be a little bouncy. If the weather turns, the experience can be rescheduled or refunded, so keep your day flexible.

Key highlights to plan around

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Key highlights to plan around

  • Ozzi One open boat for up to 6 with shaded seating at the back and a cushioned lounger at the bow
  • Blue Lagoon anchor swim in turquoise water, away from the busiest areas
  • Crystal Lagoon snorkeling plus cave scenery, with provided snorkeling gear
  • Comino stops including Cominotto, Santa Maria Bay and Caves, and San Niklaw Bay
  • Gozo viewpoints from the water like Ħalfa Rock and Sanap Cliffs
  • Included wine and bottled water (wine only for adults 18+)

Private Ozzi One boat: what it’s like on the water

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Private Ozzi One boat: what it’s like on the water
This charter is built for a small group, up to 6 travelers, which changes the whole vibe. You are not fighting for space or listening to a crowd shuffle along a deck. Instead, you get a compact, personal rhythm with your captain guiding where to anchor and when to move.

The boat itself, the Ozzi One, is an open boat designed for relaxing. At the bow, there is a cushioned sunbathing lounger, and at the back there’s shade to cool off when the sun gets sharp. There’s also a freshwater shower, dry luggage storage, and a Bluetooth speaker, which sounds like a small detail until you realize it makes the ride feel more like your own private outing.

If you’re the type who hates rushing, the setup helps. You swim and snorkel directly from the boat, then you cruise to the next area. No long “walk to the next stop” breaks, just water time.

Price and value: what you really get for $173.79 per group

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Price and value: what you really get for $173.79 per group
The price listed is $173.79 per group (up to 6), so the math works best when you spread it across friends or family. Since the charter is private, you are paying for flexibility and direct captain-led routing, not just transportation.

What’s included is also meaningful for a short trip:

  • snorkeling equipment
  • bottled water
  • a free bottle of local wine for adults 18+

Then there’s the one extra cost to plan for: a 50 Euro fee for fuel, paid to the captain in cash after the tour. So the most “all-in” way to think about it is the listed group price plus that cash amount.

For a 2-hour charter, value comes from concentration. You get Blue Lagoon swimming, Crystal Lagoon snorkeling, Comino highlights, and Gozo viewpoints without needing separate tours or extra logistics. If you’re trying to taste a lot of Malta in very little time, this is the kind of experience that can feel like it’s doing exactly what it promises.

Getting to Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal and why timing matters

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Getting to Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal and why timing matters
Your start point is the Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal in Mellieħa, and the charter ends back at the same place. Pickup is offered, which helps a lot if you’re juggling heat, luggage, or tight travel days.

The activity runs within stated opening hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Since the whole experience is about 2 hours, you’ll want to treat it like a focused block, not something you can comfortably stretch or delay without affecting the day.

Here’s the practical trick I’d use: show up with dry clothes and a towel ready in your bag. You’ll get wet at the swimming and snorkeling stops, and the freshwater shower helps, but it’s still nice to have a fast-change plan.

Blue Lagoon anchor swim: turquoise water, less crowd pressure

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Blue Lagoon anchor swim: turquoise water, less crowd pressure
Blue Lagoon is the name that pulls people in, and for good reason. During the charter, the captain anchors the boat at Blue Lagoon far away from the crowds, then gives you time to swim in the turquoise water.

What makes this stop especially enjoyable is the combination of setting and format. Instead of trying to squeeze into beach chaos, you’re in the water near the point of interest, with the boat as your base. If you like that “jump in, float, relax” feeling, this is where the experience starts to click.

A few planning notes that help:

  • Bring water shoes only if you normally like them for rocky entries, since the boat is your access point.
  • If you’re snorkeling later, rinse your face and gear if you can, then keep your mask handy for Crystal Lagoon.
  • If you’re not a strong swimmer, you’ll still likely enjoy the shallow, calm-feeling portions around these bays, but stay close to the boat.

Crystal Lagoon snorkeling and cave scenery: the best part for many people

After Blue Lagoon, you move to one of the charter’s core moments: a snorkeling spot at Crystal Lagoon, with marvellous caves in the mix.

This is where your included snorkeling equipment matters. You’re not scrambling to rent gear, and you can spend more time actually looking around. Snorkeling here is about the fish and the underwater scenery near the cave areas, so it’s worth taking an extra minute to adjust your fit before you hop in.

Caves can mean different experiences depending on water conditions, so don’t expect one universal entry style. What you can expect from the charter description is that the caves are a key feature of the snorkeling location, making this stop feel more like exploration than just a quick swim.

If you want the most out of it, I’d do this:

  • Start slow once you’re in, get your breathing steady, and then explore outward.
  • Keep an eye on where the boat is so you can re-board quickly and safely.
  • If visibility is great, spend your best time looking around before the sun shifts too far.

Comino Island loop: Cominotto, Santa Maria Bay, and the caves

Comino and Parts of Gozo Full Day Private Boat Charter - Comino Island loop: Cominotto, Santa Maria Bay, and the caves
Comino is where the scenery stacks up fast, and your route includes multiple named points. The charter goes from the island’s broader highlights into specific areas around the coast, so you see a lot without needing to change locations on foot.

Here are the Comino stops you can look for from the boat:

  • Cominotto: often a standout point for views and that classic small-island feeling.
  • Saint Mary’s Battery: an interesting coastal feature as you glide past, good for photos and quick sightseeing.
  • Elephant Head Rock: a distinctive rock formation, the kind of landmark you’ll remember later when you tell people where you went.
  • Santa Maria Bay and the Caves: another big scenery moment, and a reason many people choose this specific charter route.
  • San Niklaw Bay and caves: included as part of the island viewing stretch, adding variety beyond just the headlines.

What I like about this portion is the pacing. You’re not trying to cram every viewpoint onto land in the heat. From the water, you get a continuous view of how Comino’s coast changes, and the captain’s routing helps you see several “signature spots” in one short outing.

A drawback to keep in mind, though, is that this is mostly an on-the-water viewing experience. The stops are described as bays and caves to see and swim around, not as long shore excursions.

Gozo from the water: Ħalfa Rock, Hondoq Bay, Sanap Cliffs

After Comino, the charter shows you parts of Gozo, mainly from the water. This is a great way to get the big shapes and famous cliff-and-bay outlines without spending your limited time walking hills or moving between viewpoints.

Your Gozo route includes:

  • Ħalfa Rock
  • Hondoq Bay
  • Mgarr Harbour
  • Xatt l-Ahmar Bay
  • Mġarr ix-Xini Bay
  • Sanap Cliffs

From a travel-experience standpoint, this section is valuable because it changes the mood from “island postcard swim” to “coastline and cliffs” viewing. You get the contrast of Comino’s small-scale bay feel and Gozo’s more rugged, dramatic shoreline shapes.

How to enjoy this part best: stay on the lookout for the named formations as you pass them, because some are easiest to spot when you can see the full angle from open water. If you like photos, this is when they tend to be easiest, since you’re not waiting for a bus or squeezing into a viewpoint line.

Comfort, drinks, and the small extras that make it feel private

This is not just about the stops, it’s about how the charter treats the “in between” time.

You get:

  • a free bottle of local wine (only for adults 18+)
  • bottled water
  • a freshwater shower
  • dry luggage storage
  • a Bluetooth speaker

The wine detail matters for adults because it turns the ride into a true celebration, not just a sightseeing service. If you’re traveling with mixed ages, remember the wine is adult-only. For everyone else, bottled water keeps you covered without fuss.

The freshwater shower is one of those practical upgrades people don’t always notice until they need it. After swimming and snorkeling, rinsing off helps your day feel cleaner and more comfortable, especially if you’re continuing to other plans in Gozo or Malta right after.

Dry luggage storage is also a plus because wet bags are the fastest way to ruin a good day. Put electronics and key items in a protected area and you’ll move through the rest of your itinerary with less stress.

Who this charter is for, and who might want a different day plan

This charter fits best if you want a high-impact Malta water day without a big time commitment. It’s ideal for:

  • couples or small groups who want privacy
  • people who plan to swim and snorkel, since equipment and two standout water moments are built in
  • travelers who like boat-based sightseeing, where you get multiple named bays and viewpoints in a short window

It may not be your best choice if you want long beach time onshore at each stop or a schedule packed with extended land activities. Since it’s about 2 hours, the tradeoff is breadth over length.

If your group is between ages and comfort levels, the “up to 6” size makes it easier to manage. Service animals are allowed, and the format says most travelers can participate, so it’s generally approachable for many visitors.

Should you book this Comino and Gozo private boat charter?

If you’re aiming for a smart Malta hit list in a limited time window, I’d seriously consider booking. The combination of Blue Lagoon swimming, Crystal Lagoon snorkeling with caves, and then the Gozo coastline viewing gives you a lot of wow per hour.

Book it if you value:

  • a small private-group feel
  • included snorkeling gear and water-based comfort
  • captains who handle the driving and anchoring while you focus on enjoying the sea

Skip it if your priority is long shore visits at multiple stops. For a quick, scenic, water-first day out of Cirkewwa, this one makes a strong case.

FAQ

Where does the private boat charter start and end?

It starts at Cirkewwa Passenger Terminal in Mellieħa, Malta, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can be on the boat?

The experience is limited to a maximum of 6 travelers.

Is pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What’s included for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment is included, and you’ll have time at a Crystal Lagoon snorkeling spot.

Is alcohol included?

A free bottle of local wine is included, but it is only for adults 18 years of age and up. Bottled water is also included.

What should I expect for extra costs or bad weather?

There is a 50 Euro fee for fuel that you pay to the captain in cash after the tour. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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