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

The best thing about this Malta boat trip is control. Instead of being packed onto a large vessel with one fixed route, you get a private boat for up to seven people and can ask skipper Francis or another Sea Life Cruises captain to shape the outing around swimming, caves, quiet bays, or sightseeing. The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, but the quieter coves around Comino are often the real treat.

I like the small private group and the useful onboard kit: masks, fins, noodles, a cooler with ice, a freshwater shower, and a side ladder. I also like the freedom to play your own music, bring your own food, and spend more time in the places that suit your group. The main consideration is the extra €59 fuel charge in cash, plus the fact that the three-hour trip can feel short if your group wants long swims and plenty of shore time.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to seven: You get the boat and skipper to yourselves, a good fit for families and friends.
• Comino is the main prize: Expect the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and sea caves.
• Flexible route: You can request stops, or let the skipper choose based on sea conditions and local knowledge.
• Swim gear is supplied: Masks, fins, noodles, a ladder, and freshwater showers are included.
• Bring supplies: Food and drinks are not included, and fuel costs €59 in cash onboard.
• Plan for the Blue Lagoon QR code: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is famous for clear water, bright rock, and small bays that look best from the sea. It is also one of Malta’s busiest summer stops. A large public boat can get you there, but it gives you less say over where you stop, how long you swim, or how much time you spend away from the crowds.

This private cruise solves that problem in a simple way. Your group can stay onboard to sunbathe, jump into the water, snorkel, or ask to go ashore. If one person wants photographs while another wants a swim, the skipper can adjust the pace more easily than a standard group excursion.

The boat holds up to seven people, so the $176 group price works out to about $25 per person before the fuel charge if you fill every place. Add the €59 fuel fee, and the total is still reasonable for a private half-day outing, especially for a family or group of friends. For only two people, the price is less of a bargain than a shared cruise, but the privacy and control may still be worth it.

The advertised duration is three hours. That is enough for a brisk circuit with several swim stops, but you should not expect a slow, full-day sailing trip. Some past outings were described as lasting closer to four hours, yet you should plan around the stated three-hour duration and treat any extra time as a bonus.

Meeting the boat behind the Ċirkewwa kiosk

The departure point is Sea Life Cruises at Ċirkewwa. The practical instruction is easy to miss: look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe.

Arrive on time. A late arrival does not extend the charter, so a few extra minutes for finding the dock is sensible. The boat is a speedboat, with roughly 10 minutes of faster travel at the beginning and end of the route. Bring only what you need, since large bags, oversize luggage, and non-folding strollers are not allowed.

The boat includes a Bluetooth sound system, so you can connect your own music. That small detail matters on a private outing. You can set a quiet pace for a family morning or add music for a livelier group day, as long as everyone onboard is comfortable.

Life jackets are available for emergencies. If you want to wear one during the journey, ask the crew to provide it. The boat also has a side ladder for getting in and out of the water, though one person found it would be easier with a couple of extra steps. Keep that in mind if anyone in your group has trouble climbing from the sea.

Comino and its changing shades of blue

The first major area is Comino, the small island between Malta and Gozo. From the boat, you can see pale limestone cliffs, rough rock formations, and openings in the coast that are difficult to appreciate from land.

The skipper can stop for photographs, sightseeing, a walk, or a swim. You do not have to make every stop an active one. If you would rather stay onboard in the sun, that is part of the point of having a private boat.

Comino’s appeal is the mix of short distances and different settings. One bay may offer a calm swim, while the next has a cave entrance or a sharper view of the rock. The route can change with wind, tides, shallow water, and local conditions, so do not treat the sequence as fixed.

Blue Lagoon: famous, clear, and busy

The Blue Lagoon is the star attraction, with clear turquoise water and pale rock around a narrow inlet. It is an excellent place for a swim and snorkel, but its fame brings crowds, especially in the warmer months.

A private boat gives you a better approach than arriving as part of a large group. You can see the lagoon from the water, stop for photographs, and choose how long to stay. You may also go ashore for a short walk, though access rules now matter. From May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required to step onto the Blue Lagoon area. Check the link in your booking voucher before you go.

Do not assume the Blue Lagoon is your only chance to swim. The Crystal Lagoon and the bays around Comino can offer a calmer setting, and your skipper may suggest a different stop if the main lagoon is too busy or conditions change.

Food and drinks are not included. There are places to buy supplies at beach stops, but you should bring your own water, snacks, and lunch if you want to keep the boat moving. Several groups enjoyed a Maltese platter during their outing, but that should not be treated as a standard inclusion. Ask ahead if you want to arrange food, and bring cash.

Crystal Lagoon and the best swim stops

The Crystal Lagoon is another strong point of the route. It is known for clear water and rocky edges, making it a natural place to swim and use the supplied masks and fins.

The snorkeling here is simple rather than a formal guided activity. You will have equipment available, but the skipper does not promise a marine-life tour or an extended underwater session. I would use this stop for a quick look below the surface, a jump into the water, and time to enjoy the setting without rushing.

The boat carries swimming noodles, which are useful for anyone who wants to float rather than swim hard. The freshwater shower is also welcome after saltwater stops. These are small comforts, but they make a short boat trip feel easier, particularly for children and anyone who does not want to spend the whole time in the sea.

Sun protection matters. There is plenty of open exposure on a boat, so bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, a towel, and beachwear. Keep phones and cameras secure around the swim ladder.

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay

Santa Maria Bay offers another chance to stop, swim, snorkel, or step ashore. It is a useful change of pace after the Blue Lagoon, particularly if your group wants a less famous setting.

San Niklaw Bay is also part of the route. The exact amount of time at each bay depends on your requests and the skipper’s judgment. You might spend more time in the water, or simply cruise past for photographs if the sea is choppy.

This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book privately. A family with young children may prefer fewer swim stops and more time sitting onboard. A group of confident swimmers may want the opposite. Tell the skipper what you want early in the trip rather than waiting until the final stretch.

One past group appreciated being dropped at a different dock when weather made a return to the original harbor unsafe. That is a good reminder that the route is not guaranteed. The captain can change the itinerary, embarkation point, or disembarkation point because of wind, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate safety concerns. That may be inconvenient, but it is the right call on the water.

Santa Maria Caves from the water

The Santa Maria Caves are included as a sightseeing stop, with about 10 minutes listed for the cave portion of the cruise. You will see the openings and rock shapes from the boat, with time for photographs.

This is not a long land exploration. The caves are best understood as a scenic part of the cruise, not a separate walking tour. The boat lets you approach angles that are hard to see from shore, and the return trip gives you more views of Comino’s cliffs and coves.

The skipper may share brief information about the caves and surrounding sites. If you want detailed history, geography, or cultural background, ask directly. The emphasis here is on a relaxed boat day rather than a lecture-based sightseeing tour.

What the skipper adds to the day

Francis is the skipper most often named in the supplied feedback, and the comments about him are consistently warm. He is described as friendly, accommodating, attentive, and good at finding attractive swim spots. Other captains may operate the boat, so do not assume Francis is guaranteed unless the provider confirms it.

The skipper’s role is more than steering. He handles the route, watches conditions, helps with timing, points out caves and bays, and responds to requests. You can ask for a particular stop or trust him to pick suitable places.

The guiding style may be fairly light. One group wanted more explanation about the area’s history, geography, and practical matters such as bathrooms and food. If those details matter to you, ask at the start. This is mainly a private cruise with a skipper, not a formal educational tour.

What to pack, and what to leave behind

Bring a towel, camera, sunscreen, beachwear, food, drinks, and cash. The cooler has ice, which helps keep your own drinks cold, but you still need to supply them.

Snorkeling masks, fins, and swimming noodles are included. A side ladder helps with water access, and freshwater showers let you rinse off afterward. You may also use the Bluetooth sound system for your own music.

Do not bring high heels, large bags, oversize luggage, or a non-folding stroller. Intoxication is not allowed. Children and infants count toward the seven-person limit, so include everyone when calculating your group size.

This experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people prone to motion sickness, or people over 70. The speedboat format and water access can be demanding, so take those restrictions seriously rather than treating them as minor fine print.

Is the €176 price good value?

For a full group, yes, the price is attractive. You are paying for a private boat, a qualified skipper, equipment, a cooler, a shower, and control over the route. A group of seven can share the base price, then split the €59 fuel charge.

The value drops for a small party, since the boat price does not shrink much with fewer passengers. Still, the comparison is not simply private boat versus cheap public ferry. You are also buying time away from the biggest crowds, the ability to play your own music, and the chance to stop when your group wants.

Remember the fuel fee. It is €59, payable in cash onboard, and it is not folded into the advertised price. Bring enough cash so this does not become an awkward end-of-trip surprise.

The cancellation policy is useful if weather or plans are uncertain: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, according to the booking terms.

Who should book this Malta cruise?

I would choose this for a family or friend group that values privacy, swimming, and a relaxed schedule. It is also a smart alternative to a large Blue Lagoon boat if you have already seen the main tourist route and want more say in the day.

The trip suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy being on a speedboat. It is less suitable for anyone with motion sickness, limited mobility, serious back trouble, or a strong need for a fixed, accessible setup.

If your group wants detailed history, a long shore walk, or a full meal included, this is not the right match. If you want clear water, caves, music, a few swim stops, and a captain who can adjust the plan, it makes good sense.

Should you book it?

Book this private Malta boat cruise if you can fill most of the seven seats and want Comino on your own terms. The best parts are the small group, the flexibility, the clean boat, the supplied swim gear, and the chance to avoid spending the whole outing on a crowded vessel.

Before booking, confirm the meeting point, bring €59 in cash for fuel, arrange your own food and drinks, and get the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step ashore. Keep your schedule flexible because wind and tides can change the route.

For a private swim-and-sightseeing outing around Comino, this is a strong-value choice. For a short, fixed tour with extensive guiding or included meals, choose something else.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The advertised duration is three hours. Check the available departure times when booking, and plan around the stated three-hour schedule.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for a group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total number of participants.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Comino, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Santa Maria Caves. Stops can change because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate factors.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own supplies or purchase them at beach stops. Bring cash for the €59 fuel fee, which must be paid onboard.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

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

What equipment is provided?

The boat provides life jackets for emergencies, a side ladder, snorkeling masks, swimming fins, swimming noodles, a freshwater shower, an ice cooler with ice, and a Bluetooth sound system.