Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

Comino by private boat feels personal. This private charter on the Lucky Lady lets you follow a flexible route around Comino and Gozo, with time to swim, snorkel, and hang out on sun decks instead of fighting crowds. You can even bring the vibe with onboard Bluetooth music.

Two things I really like about this setup are the long, swim-first stops (Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon get serious time) and the practical comfort onboard. There is shade at the back, an open deck up front, a rooftop sun deck, a bathing platform with a ladder, plus a toilet and an outdoor fresh water shower to rinse off after salt water.

One drawback to plan for: food and drinks are not included. You either bring ready-to-eat snacks and drinks, or you may stop for lunch in Gozo at Mgarr Harbour where you can choose from places to eat.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Private charter for up to 25 people, so your group controls the pace
• Multiple swimming and snorkeling stops, including Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon
• Lucky Lady comfort, shade deck, rooftop sunbathing area, and an outdoor fresh water shower
• Snorkel masks included and available to use freely during the trip
• Onboard music via Bluetooth, plus a cooler box with ice for your drinks
• Skipper-led flexibility, with routes able to adapt to weather conditions

Why Comino and Gozo look different from a boat

Comino is famous for water that basically begs you to get in. But the real win is how fast you move from one swim spot to the next without dealing with limited beach space. From the water, you also get angles for photos you simply cannot get standing on land.

This trip also gives you a smart mix: Comino time for swimming and snorkel, plus Gozo stops that add variety beyond the biggest-name beaches. If your group has different energy levels, that matters. Some people want extra swim time, others want shade, and everyone can rotate without losing the whole day.

The Lucky Lady boat setup: shade, sun decks, and easy sea access

The Lucky Lady is built for comfort at anchor, not just transit. The back has a covered section for shade, while the front open deck and the rooftop deck make it easy to spread out for sunbathing. You also get seating around the boat, so you are not stuck in one spot.

Getting in the water is straightforward. There is a low bathing platform at the back with a comfortable ladder, plus a climbing ladder setup that makes reboarding easier after you swim or snorkel. That sounds minor until you are with kids or anyone who does not want a big scramble.

Onboard basics are taken care of, too:

• Toilet facility
• Outdoor fresh water shower for rinsing salt water
• Inside cabin with a sofa for breaks from sun
• Stereo with speakers you can control via Bluetooth, so you can bring your own playlist

One more detail that makes the day feel smoother: snorkel masks are provided and you can use them freely, so you are not hunting around for gear at the last minute.

Getting to your pickup points at Cirkewwa and Mgarr Harbour

This is one of those tours where the pickup details really matter. You can start from either:

• Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta, located behind the food kiosk next to the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes area
• Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal

After you confirm your booking, you get the exact pinpoint location where the boat is waiting, sent via WhatsApp. That reduces the usual stress of arriving at a big harbor area and guessing.

If you are driving, I suggest arriving with buffer time. Even with a smooth pickup, you want time to find the right dock and get everyone settled before departure. One reason this matters: you are coming to the sea for a time-limited experience, and you want your swim window to start on schedule.

The 4 to 6 hour rhythm: how the day typically flows

Trips run as either a half-day or full-day option. Full-day trips are normally from 10am to 4pm, while half-day trips are normally from 9am to 12noon. You may also start earlier or later depending on availability, and you can even extend or shorten the duration if it fits.

What I like about this format is that the pacing feels built around water time, not constant cruising. You get short sightseeing passes between swim stops, then longer blocks where the boat is essentially your floating base.

Weather plays a role. The trip is subject to permitting conditions, and if weather does not allow the planned run, your booking can be postponed or cancelled with the deposit refunded back in full.

Malta’s first photo stop: Saint Mary’s Tower

Your day starts with a quick sightseeing cruise segment, then a short photo stop at Saint Mary’s Tower. Even though it is brief, it sets the tone. You get a classic coastal view early on, which helps the rest of the day feel like a progression instead of just jumping straight into water time.

If your group likes photos, this is a nice moment to get everyone ready for the sea portion. Even if you are not the selfie type, it is an easy way to capture the coastline before you spend the rest of the trip focused on swimming and snorkel.

Crystal Lagoon: the long swim and snorkel block

Crystal Lagoon is one of the big time blocks on this route, with about 80 minutes available. This is where you get a chance to slow down. You can float, swim, and snorkel without feeling like the boat is rushing you to the next spot every few minutes.

Marine life viewing is part of the plan, and the water clarity is the whole reason this stop is so popular. Bring your snorkel basics mindset here: pick a comfortable rhythm, start shallow to orient yourself, then move where it feels good for you. If you are traveling with non-swimmers, they can still enjoy the water from the edge and stay close to the bathing platform.

Practical tip: since you have shade and seating onboard, you do not have to choose between sun and rest. Swim first, then come back up for a drink break.

Blue Lagoon (Malta): lots of time plus free time for lunch vibes

Next comes the Blue Lagoon area, with about 2.5 hours on the water. This is a substantial chunk, long enough to do a full swim loop and still have time to dry off, reapply sunscreen, and relax.

The experience at this stop is described as a mix of sightseeing, swimming, snorkelling, plus free time. You may also get a cocktail and lunch option included as part of the stop structure. If you prefer a DIY approach, you can also keep it simple and use the time for water time and snacks you brought.

Drawback to consider here: the Blue Lagoon is popular, so even with a private boat, it can be busy in the wider area. The advantage is that you are not stuck on a beach line or searching for space. Your skipper can guide the best moment for your group.

Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach: a calmer swim stop on the way to caves

There is another shorter swim window after Gozo’s harbor stop. Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach is about 30 minutes, with visiting, sightseeing, and time for swimming and snorkelling.

This kind of stop is great when you want variety without turning the whole day into a long schedule. It is enough time to get a quick swim, see what the water looks like, and then get back to onboard comfort when the sun shifts.

If you are with mixed ages, short beach-and-water intervals help keep everyone engaged. Adults get their swim. Kids get a change of scenery. And nobody feels like the trip is dragging.

Santa Maria Caves: photo stop now, longer cave time when conditions allow

Santa Maria Caves are built into the day with a short stop for photo time and sightseeing, plus a brief visit. That gives you views and a sense of place without rushing.

Here is the key value: in real-world conditions, skippers may adapt what happens around cave areas when the weather cooperates. In one experience, the schedule was adjusted due to strong winds, and cave time was added when conditions allowed it. In another case, the skipper joined the group for lunch in Gozo and helped shape the day around what worked best in the water.

So if cave exploration is a must for your group, keep an open mind. Your skipper’s job is to read the conditions and make the best call in real time, not just follow a rigid plan.

Behind the scenes value: the skipper and the personal touches

For private boats, the skipper is half the experience. With this operator, the route flexibility is a big reason people return. Names that come up include Angelo, Marvic, Fabio, and Frankie, with Jeanette also stepping in to reshape plans when weather forced changes.

What this means for you: you are not just buying transport. You are buying a day at sea where the skipper tries to match swimming stops to what your group wants and what the conditions allow.

One example: after another speedboat tour was cancelled due to strong winds, the plan was quickly tailored and swimming and cave time were arranged when conditions improved. That is exactly the kind of problem-solving you want on a sea day, where weather can change quickly.

Snorkel gear, music, and snacks: how to make this feel like your day

This charter is set up so you can bring your own style. Snorkel masks are provided, and they are available for free use during the trip. That removes a common travel hassle.

You can also bring the group vibe with the onboard Bluetooth stereo and speakers. There is something about being on a boat, music playing, and the water turning on in the sun that makes the day feel like a celebration, not a schedule.

Drinks and cooling are handled in a practical way: there is a cooler box with complimentary ice to help keep your drinks cool. That matters in Malta’s heat, and it is far more useful than it sounds.

Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard, and you can also use the cooler box and ice to store drinks. If you want a proper meal, your skipper may recommend a stop for lunch, such as in Gozo at Mgarr Harbour where you can find food outlets to choose from.

Optional upgrade: stand-up paddle boards are available for a minimal charge, and they need to be booked before the trip. If SUP is important to your group, coordinate it early.

Safety note: life jackets are available, for adults and kids if needed, though the data also suggests they are included as part of the equipment.

Price and value: $648 per group up to 25 people

The price is listed as $648 per group, up to 25 passengers, for a 4 to 6 hour experience. That pricing model changes the math a lot based on group size.

If you fill a large portion of the boat, the per-person cost can drop dramatically. Even if your group is smaller, you still get value from what is included: private boat hire, a local experienced skipper, fuel, snorkel masks, cooler box with ice, onboard music, and the boat’s comfort features like shade decks, toilet facility, and fresh water shower.

What can affect perceived value is what you bring or add:

• Food and drinks are not included
• SUP boards are optional and cost extra
• Your experience depends on weather, since the route is subject to conditions

Still, for groups who want a private day at sea around Comino and Gozo, this price structure is often the sweet spot. You are not paying like a per-person speed tour. You are paying to control the day.

Who this private Comino and Gozo boat trip suits best

This experience is a strong fit if you want:

• A private group outing with swimming time built in
• A balance of Comino highlights and Gozo variety
• A day led by a skipper who can adapt to conditions
• A comfortable boat setup for lounging, not just getting from A to B

It also works well for milestone trips. One group booked it for a 40th birthday, and the day felt celebratory in part because the boat had room to relax, easy music via Bluetooth, chilled drinks via the cooler box, and real water time.

Should you book this Lucky Lady Comino and Gozo private boat trip?

Book it if your group’s priority is time on clear water, snorkelling access, and a private pace that keeps everyone happy, from swimmers to people who prefer shade. The mix of Comino stops plus Gozo scenery makes it more than a one-cove day.

Skip it, or at least go in with eyes open, if you are expecting food to be included automatically or if you need a strict, never-changing schedule regardless of wind and sea conditions. Since the day is weather dependent and designed for flexibility, your best results come when you treat it as a sea day first, itinerary second.

If you are ready to show up, bring your snacks or plan lunch, and let the skipper handle the water conditions, this is an excellent way to see Comino and Gozo without the crowds taking over your day.

FAQ

How many passengers can the Lucky Lady boat carry?

The Lucky Lady boat has a maximum capacity of 25 passengers.

Where are the pickup locations?

You can be picked up at Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta or at Gozo Mgarr Harbour. The exact waiting pinpoint location is sent to you via WhatsApp after booking.

What snorkeling gear is included?

Snorkel masks are included and can be used freely throughout the trip.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard, and the cooler box with ice can be used to keep drinks cool. A lunch stop at Gozo Mgarr Harbour may also be arranged.

Is there music onboard?

Yes. The boat has a stereo and speakers, and you can play music by connecting via Bluetooth.

Do I need to pay extra for stand-up paddle boards?

Stand-up paddle boards are optional and available for a minimal charge, and they need to be booked before the trip.