Malta Private Charter from Mellieha: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon

Three islands, one bright boat day.

This private charter from Mellieha is built around swimming in the most famous Comino waters, plus cave cruising and time on Gozo, all with a captain steering the day for your group. You’ll get snorkel gear onboard, and you can choose a round trip or a one-way drop-off to Gozo or back on Malta depending on your plans. I like that it’s priced for the whole boat, so your money goes toward time on the water instead of ticket math.

What I like most is the pacing, you get real swim stops at places like Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, without the stress of crowd schedules. I also love that the skipper actively steers you toward the best-looking anchor points and calmer water, with captains such as Owen, Noel, Pedro, Ginger, Jimmy, Mahmoud, and Upie described as fun, friendly, and focused on your comfort. One thing to consider: it’s weather-dependent, and you’ll also need to plan for a one-time fuel cost of 79 euro paid to the skipper after the tour.

Key things that make this charter worth it

• Private-by-default experience, not a speed-tour where you just look from the boat
• Snorkeling gear included plus multiple stops where the water is clear enough to see fish
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon anchoring where the captain can target the bluest water
• Comino cave cruising and short swims at secluded bays like Santa Marija
• Gozo add-on from the water, including Hondoq ir-Rumien and Mgarr Harbour
• Flexible drop-off options, so you can shape the day to your itinerary

Your 3-hour Malta water plan, and how it feels in real time

This charter is short on paper, about 3 hours from Mellieha, but it doesn’t feel rushed because the captain builds the day around a few high-impact places. Instead of dozens of quick pull-ins, you get a swim window, a look at the caves, then another swim window. It’s a format that works especially well if you want the iconic Comino color and also want time to actually enjoy being in the water.

You’ll start in Mellieha at Cirkewwa Port, right by the kiosk/café (it’s the only one in that small area). Pickup is straightforward, and you can also request pickup/drop-off options at Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina. That flexibility matters because it can save you travel time later, especially if you’re pairing this boat trip with a day on Gozo.

One more practical detail: the itinerary reads like a highlight reel, but the “why” matters. The captain’s choices help you spend time where the water turns glassy, where the caves are easiest to enjoy, and where you can snorkel without feeling like you’re sprinting between crowded beaches.

Stop by stop: Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija, Cominotto, and Crystal Lagoon

Comino is the star of the show, and your route is basically the best-of list, but delivered with a private boat advantage.

Blue Lagoon: the photogenic water, anchored your way

The Blue Lagoon stop is about 30 minutes and it’s exactly what you hope for. This is the bright patch of water between Comino and Cominotto, with white sandy beaches on both sides. The big idea is simple: you can only reach the lagoon by boat, and the captain can anchor in the clearest parts, which changes the whole feel. The water can look like a pool, and that clarity is the reason this stop is so famous.

If your group likes photos, this is where you’ll get them. If your group likes swimming, you’ll love it even more, because the lagoon’s color makes even a quick swim feel special. It’s also the stop that sets expectations for the rest of the day, so arrive ready to get in the water.

Santa Marija Bay: more private snorkeling and calm, curved sand

Next comes Santa Marija Bay, about 10 minutes. This is a secluded horseshoe-shaped beach on Comino’s north side, with white sand and tamarisk trees behind it. There’s also Little Santa Marija, a small nearby bay known for a healthy sea bed and marine life, including parrotfish.

The payoff here is lower crowds and better snorkeling odds. This bay is also described as family-friendly, with a stretch of sand where you can relax and play, not just rush in and out. The tour also pairs Santa Marija with nearby cave exploring, so you’re not stuck with only shoreline time. If you want a gentler, more peaceful stop after the Blue Lagoon, this is it.

Cominotto Beach: the movie-set island feel, plus a 50-meter swim cave

Cominotto Beach is another short stop, about 10 minutes, and it’s famous because it’s reachable only by boat. This secluded bay sits inside the broader Blue Lagoon area and is associated with famous films, including Troy (Brad Pitt) and Swept Away by Madonna.

The practical highlight is the swim-through cave, around 50 meters, which gives the stop a real adventure vibe. Even if you don’t swim through, you’ll still get the dramatic rock-and-water scenery that made Comino popular in the first place.

If your group is made up of people who like “one cool thing” more than “ten normal things,” Cominotto is a great match.

Crystal Lagoon: caves you can enter, plus a snorkeling stop that adapts to the day

Crystal Lagoon is where the water turns turquoise and the coastline turns into a cave map. Your time here is about 20 minutes, and the boat is described as built to enter some caves, so you don’t just stop in front of them, you get to experience them from inside.

The tour schedules a small snorkeling stop here, but it’s always adjusted based on the time of year and what you prefer. The snorkeling equipment is included, and this is a big part of why the stop works: you can actually use the clear water instead of just looking at it.

Crystal Lagoon is also tied to movie shoots, including Count of Monte Cristo (and other well-known productions). The skipper typically ties those references to real geography, so it feels like story time, not trivia time.

It-Torri ta’ Santa Marija: a quick historical sighting that adds meaning

On the cruise through the lagoon area, you’ll also spot Saint Mary’s Tower, a 17th-century defensive tower. It used to be part of a chain of warnings against invasion and piracy, and it also appeared as the Mediterranean prison Château d’If in the 2002 film Count of Monte Cristo.

This stop is short, about 5 minutes, but it’s the kind of quick, “now I get why this place mattered” moment that you miss when you only see Malta from land.

Gozo from the water: Hondoq ir-Rumien, Mgarr Harbour, and Qala

After Comino, the day shifts into Gozo mode. The boat cruises the south coast, and you get a different Malta feel, less about bright lagoon color and more about cliffs, inlets, and harbor life.

South Gozo cruise: Halfa rock, cliffs, salt pans, and a boat-only bay

You’ll spend about 25 minutes cruising the south coast of Gozo, including Halfa rock, plus views of salt pans harvested the same way for generations. There’s also mention of a secluded bay only accessed by boat, known for octopus and sargo bream, which hints at why locals and fishermen care about these waters so much.

Hondoq ir-Rumien Bay: the turquoise water plus bemberin gorge caves

At Hondoq ir-Rumien, you get about 10 minutes, and the highlight is what’s close to it. Near the bay is bemberin gorge, an inlet only accessed by boat. It’s described as having caves and air pockets, with cliff-diving vantage points, and the water inside can be crystal clear.

Even if cliff diving isn’t your thing, this is still the kind of stop where being on a boat changes the view. You see shape and depth in a way land photos can’t explain.

Mgarr Harbour: simple, scenic, and very “Gozo”

You’ll also pass through Mġarr Harbour for about 8 minutes. This harbor is loved for its simple, real-life look: colorful fishing boats, yachts, and fishermen mending nets on the jetties. It’s the kind of place where photographers and artists drift toward because it feels genuine.

At the harbor, Fort Chambres dominates the scene, built by the Knights of St John, and nearby is a small Gothic chapel dedicated to Lourdes with a statue under the cliff.

This is a “slow look” stop, even though it’s brief. It’s a useful change after Comino’s swimming focus.

Qala: caves along the coast and a fortification viewpoint

Finally, there’s Qala for about 5 minutes. You’ll see a coast with caves and pebbly beaches along the route, plus a fortification at the far-eastern point of Gozo. It’s not a long stop, but it rounds out the day with a sense of where Gozo’s rugged coast leads.

Price and the 79 euro fuel surcharge: what you’re really paying for

The published price is $337.55 per group, up to 6 people, and the fee covers the whole boat, not per person. That pricing can feel high if you compare it to a group tour ticket. But here’s the trade: you’re paying to make the boat experience private and flexible, with the captain selecting swimming areas based on water conditions and what your group wants.

Also included: marina costs, snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel), and fees for anchoring in Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve. Those anchoring and reserve fees are the exact kind of line item that can quietly inflate “cheap” boat deals.

What’s not included is a one-time 79 euro fuel cost paid in cash to the skipper after the tour. One reviewer summed up the feeling in plain terms, the fuel surcharge makes it pricier, but the overall experience is still worth it if you truly want private access to the best water.

If you’re traveling as a couple, this charter can still be a good value because you avoid the crowds and you get a captain who can fine-tune the route. If you’re a family of four or a group of friends close to six, the price becomes much easier to justify, especially when you’re focused on swimming and snorkeling.

Captains, snorkeling kit, and why smaller boats work better

The biggest consistent theme in the experience is the human side: friendly captains who adjust the route to match your pace. Names that come up include Owen, Noel, Pedro, Ginger, Jimmy, Mahmoud, Addin, Chris, Dani, Casper, Men, Upie, Isaac, and Joe. It’s a sign the operation leans on a team that keeps the day relaxed and fun.

From a practical standpoint, a private boat also means you spend less time waiting and more time in the water. Some people specifically noted that the smaller boat size can reach spots that larger, more touristy boats can’t approach as safely. That matters in Comino, where a “close enough” anchor is sometimes the difference between clear swimming and annoying chop.

What you should expect onboard:

• Snorkeling equipment included (mask and snorkel)
• The itinerary includes planned swim and snorkel time at the lagoon stops
• The captain provides guidance during the day, including what to look for in caves and around the coastline

A few extras have appeared in past trips, like floats/noodles for water play, and practical onboard comfort touches like coolers and towels. Don’t count on any single extra, but do count on the core kit to be there since it’s listed as included.

Practical tips for a smooth 3 hours on Malta water

Here’s how to make this charter feel easy instead of stressful.

1) Plan to bring your own snacks and drinks.

The stops are short, so you’ll enjoy the day more if you start with a plan for food and hydration. The trip is designed for swimming and moving between lagoons, so you don’t want to land hungry.

2) Decide your drop-off strategy early.

Because you can do a round trip back to Cirkewwa or get dropped at Gozo or Malta, you can save time later. If you want to keep the rest of your day simple, choose the round trip. If you already planned a Gozo afternoon, ask for the drop-off that helps you connect faster.

3) Use the 3-hour window wisely.

The itinerary is structured around a few anchor times: Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija, Cominotto, Crystal Lagoon, then Gozo coastline highlights. If your group’s top priority is snorkeling, focus your energy there. If your group prefers scenery and photos, spend a little extra attention on the cave passages and the tower/harbor moments.

4) Expect some wave and cave maneuvering.

This is open water. One captain-adjusted style means sometimes it can feel choppy, but the better captains keep it controlled. If you’re sensitive to motion, you’ll probably want to prepare like you would for any boat ride in the Mediterranean.

5) Bring sun protection that works for swimming.

You’ll be in direct sun during lagoon swims. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat you can handle in water are a good match. Also, consider bringing a bag for wet gear.

6) Know where to meet.

Meet at Cirkewwa Port next to the kiosk/café, the only one in that immediate area, at the place listed as Cirkewwa cafe (X8QH+3W6). If you want pickup from Cirkewwa Marina or Gozo Marina, that’s part of the customization.

Should you book this Mellieha charter or look at something else?

Book it if you want a private Malta experience that focuses on what Comino does best: clear water, lagoon swimming, cave views, and a real chance to snorkel without fighting a crowd. It’s especially good for families, groups of friends, and couples who like the idea of a captain tailoring the day, not just following a fixed route.

Skip it if your group wants a long, slow sightseeing cruise with lots of time on land. This is a water-forward outing, and most of the “land time” is just scenic passing, not walking around for hours. Also, if you’re trying to keep your budget ultra-tight, the fuel surcharge means you should plan for the full amount, not just the base price.

If your goal is to see the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon in a way that feels truly yours, this charter is one of the cleanest options from Mellieha.

FAQ

How many people can this private charter accommodate?

The price is for the whole boat for up to 6 people.

Where do we meet for pickup?

You meet at Cirkewwa Port next to the kiosk/café. The listing also notes Cirkewwa Marina and Gozo Marina as alternative pickup or drop-off options.

How long is the tour?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What’s included in the price?

Included are marina costs, snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel), and anchoring fees for Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Crystal Lagoon National Reserve.

What extra cost should I budget for?

There is a one-time 79 euro fuel cost paid to the skipper after the tour.

Do we get snorkeling time?

Yes. The itinerary includes swim stops at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and snorkeling is scheduled at Crystal Lagoon. The snorkeling stop is described as flexible depending on time of year and what you prefer.

Can the route be a round trip or one way?

Yes. The tour can be a round trip returning to your starting point, or you can be dropped off on either Gozo or Malta Island based on preference.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.