Private Day Sailing Boat Charter

The best part of this Malta charter is control. You leave Kalkara Marina on your own boat, then work with your skipper to choose between famous bays, quiet coves, sea caves, and time under sail. Crystal Lagoon and Comino give you the postcard water, while the private format lets you move away when Blue Lagoon gets too crowded.

I especially like the chance to use two paddleboards and included snorkeling gear without paying for a separate water-sports session. I also like the route back through Valletta Grand Harbour, one of the day’s most striking views. The main catch is time: eight and a half hours sounds generous, but sailing to and from Comino can leave only three or four hours for anchoring, swimming, and eating.

Key things to know before you book

• The route is flexible: Your skipper can adjust the day for weather, sea conditions, and your preferred balance of sailing, swimming, and sightseeing.
• Crystal Lagoon gets one hour: This famous Comino stop is ideal for a swim and a look at the pale rock walls around the water.
• Blue Lagoon gets up to two hours: You can stop here, but it is a heavily visited place, especially near the shore.
• Lunch costs extra: You can add a barbecue meal or bring your own food and drinks. Water flows freely on board.
• The boat includes useful gear: Fuel, skipper, snorkeling equipment, and two stand-up paddleboards are covered.
• The day begins and ends at Kalkara: There is no hotel pickup, so plan your trip to Pontoon F at Kalkara Marina.

Why this private Malta charter works so well

A private boat changes the feel of a day at sea. You are not following a fixed group schedule or waiting for a boatload of people to climb aboard. You can ask for more swimming, less sightseeing, a quieter bay, or extra sailing time. The skipper still makes the final call on safety and sea conditions, but you have a real say in the shape of the day.

That matters in Malta because the famous spots can be crowded. Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but the shoreline can feel packed. A private boat lets you see it, swim nearby if conditions suit, and then move on rather than spend the whole afternoon beside the busiest patch of water.

The advertised price is $707.44 per group of up to two people. That is a serious outlay for a couple, but it includes the boat, fuel, skipper, water, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards for roughly eight and a half hours. For a private experience, the value improves if you want quiet time, personal service, and the freedom to change the plan.

Food and drinks are not included. That gives you useful choice. You can pay for the barbecue option, or bring a cold meal and your own wine or prosecco. One practical point is easy to miss: a barbecue takes time. If your priority is swimming in several bays, a prepared lunch may give you more time in the water.

The displayed rate is for up to two people, while some families have used similar charters with larger groups. If you are traveling with three or more people, confirm the correct group price before booking rather than relying on the couple’s rate.

Leaving Kalkara Marina in Valletta Grand Harbour

The meeting point is Sailing Charters Malta, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390. You return to the same marina at the end of the day. Hotel pickup is not included, but the marina is near public transportation.

Kalkara places you inside Valletta Grand Harbour, so the trip begins with more than a simple departure from a dock. You see the fortifications and waterfront from the water, then pass the Sliema seafront while heading north. This gives you an excellent sense of Malta’s position and shape before the open-water part of the day begins.

The return is worth protecting. It is tempting to gather your bags or check your phone as the boat comes back in, but the entrance to Valletta Grand Harbour is one of the prettiest parts of the route. Save a few minutes to watch the shoreline and harbor walls slide past.

The sailing time also explains why punctuality matters. One couple started late after assuming a nine-hour day had plenty of spare time, then regretted losing even that first hour. Start on time, especially if you want both the main lagoons and quieter places.

Sailing past Sliema and St. Paul’s Islands

The northern route usually passes the Sliema waterfront and St. Paul’s Islands before reaching Comino. The exact course depends on the weather and your wishes, so think of the listed route as a sensible plan rather than a rigid timetable.

St. Paul’s Bay adds a historical note to the day. According to local tradition, this is where the apostle Paul was shipwrecked. You may stop for around 30 minutes, or simply see the area as part of the coastal run. It is a short visit, but it gives the journey more substance than a string of swimming stops.

Your skipper may also suggest a different order of stops. That can be smart. If wind or waves make one area less comfortable, a sheltered lagoon may provide a better swim. Captains such as David, Terry, Nick, Nik, James, Josh, Yuri, Steve, Niki, and Maurizio have been praised for adapting the day, explaining local sights, and helping people feel at ease on board. Your assigned skipper will vary, but the service model is personal rather than scripted.

The captain’s role is not only to entertain you. Safe handling comes first, especially when the sea is choppy. One less positive account wanted more commentary about Malta and its culture, so tell your skipper at the start if you want more explanation rather than a quiet sailing day.

Crystal Lagoon: the first major swim stop

Crystal Lagoon is a natural choice for the first long stop. The plan allows about an hour here, enough for a swim, snorkeling, and a look at the pale rock around the narrow inlet. The clear water is the main attraction, and the boat gives you access to a view that is very different from the land.

The snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange a separate rental. The two stand-up paddleboards also give you something to do beyond swimming. You can paddle around the boat at your own pace, provided the conditions and skipper allow it.

An hour can pass quickly. If you want photographs, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, set your priorities before jumping in. I would use this stop for active water time and save the longer Blue Lagoon period for a slower swim or sun break.

The boat may not take you directly onto shore. This is a water-based visit, not a beach excursion. That is a benefit if you want to avoid crowds, but it is less suitable if you need easy access to land or expect to stroll around the island.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shoreline

Blue Lagoon is Malta’s famous calling card. The water can be brilliantly clear, and the route allows about two hours here. For many people, this is the stop they most want to see.

It is also the stop where expectations need adjusting. The lagoon’s shore can be very busy, particularly when ferries and other boats arrive. From the water, the scene can still look superb, but this is not a guaranteed private cove. The skipper may anchor in a calmer or less crowded position, but the area itself remains popular.

A useful strategy is to visit Blue Lagoon separately by ferry if seeing the famous spot is your main goal, then use this private charter for what public boats cannot offer: access to quieter bays and small sea caves. That way, you do not spend valuable private-boat time waiting around in the busiest part of Comino.

If you do stay at Blue Lagoon, enjoy the water rather than focusing only on the shore. The crowds tend to gather on land, while swimming away from the edge can still feel wonderfully open. Ask the skipper where conditions are safest and where you can get the best swim without blocking the boat route.

Finding quieter coves and sea caves

This is where the charter earns its price. The famous lagoons are easy to name, but the best part of a private day may be the smaller places your skipper selects along the way. These can include sheltered coves, rocky inlets, and sea caves that are difficult or impossible to reach by ordinary sightseeing boat.

The exact locations cannot be promised because wind, waves, boat traffic, and safety decide the route. That uncertainty is a feature, not a flaw, if you are happy to let the skipper make practical choices. On a calm day, you may spend more time in turquoise water away from the main crowd. On a choppier day, a protected lagoon may be the highlight.

Tell the captain what you want at the start. You might say that swimming matters more than sightseeing, that you want a quiet lunch stop, or that you would like to sail rather than motor. Several captains have offered informal sailing lessons, and one allowed a passenger to take the helm briefly when conditions were suitable. Do not assume this is guaranteed, but it is worth asking.

The boat’s foredeck can be a peaceful place to sunbathe, though sitting far from the cockpit may make conversation with the skipper harder. If you want local stories and historical details, stay close enough to talk during the sailing sections.

Lunch, drinks, and the real cost of the day

The basic charter includes free-flowing water, but not food or other drinks. You can choose a fresh barbecue meal, and the food served on board has included items such as swordfish and Maltese platters. The barbecue is part of the experience, not just fuel for the afternoon, but it adds cost.

I would decide based on your schedule. A barbecue can be a memorable meal in a beautiful setting, especially for a birthday, honeymoon, or family celebration. It also takes time while you have a limited number of hours at anchor. If swimming is your priority, bring a cold meal and drinks if the operator permits, as the supplied information indicates you can do.

The operator’s communication has been praised for helping guests select lunch in advance and arranging practical details. Still, ask exactly what the meal includes and what it costs before you commit. One couple felt the lunch was expensive compared with a later restaurant meal, even though they enjoyed the day itself.

The value here is personal choice. You are not forced into a fixed meal package, and you can match the food plan to your budget. Bring sun protection and a towel as well, since those are not listed among the included items.

What the boat day feels like for couples and families

This charter suits couples particularly well. A honeymoon or birthday feels more personal on a private boat, and the long day gives you room for both quiet sailing and time in the water. Captains have also helped with photos, shared stories, and created a relaxed atmosphere that feels closer to being welcomed aboard a friend’s boat than joining a large excursion.

Families can enjoy it too, especially if children like swimming, paddleboarding, and being on the water. One family with an 11-year-old and a two-and-a-half-year-old found the day kept both children occupied. Another child was shown how to sail and fish after the family requested it in advance.

There is no stated minimum age, and most people can participate. Still, a boat day requires sensible judgment around water, sun, and movement on deck. A guest with mobility issues received help getting on and off, but you should discuss your needs with the operator ahead of time rather than treat that assistance as guaranteed.

People who get seasick should also think carefully. The sea may be calm inside a lagoon and choppy on the open stretches. A captain helped one queasy child and made the situation easier, but conditions cannot be controlled.

Timing, weather, and cancellation rules

The trip lasts about eight hours and 30 minutes. That sounds like a full day because it is one, but part of it is spent sailing between Kalkara, Comino, and the return route. You will not receive eight and a half hours of swimming.

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel for another reason or request a change, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be amended. That is a strict rule, so avoid booking until your Malta plans are firm.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is private, with only your group on board, and it is offered in English. Since the skipper can adjust the plan, the day is best viewed as a guided sailing charter rather than a guaranteed checklist of every named stop.

Is this Malta sailing charter worth booking?

I would book it if you value privacy, want to swim from the boat, and are willing to let the skipper shape the route. It is especially good for a couple, a small family, or a special occasion when a crowded ferry or group cruise would feel like a compromise.

I would skip it if your main goal is to spend the entire day on Blue Lagoon’s shore, if you want a low-cost boat ride, or if you dislike a flexible plan. The price is high, food is extra, hotel pickup is not included, and the most famous lagoon may still be crowded.

For the best day, arrive on time, decide whether swimming or sightseeing matters most, ask about the lunch price, and request quieter coves rather than simply repeating the busiest stops. Keep the final approach to Valletta Grand Harbour as part of the experience. With the right expectations, this is one of Malta’s strongest ways to reach Comino in comfort and see more than the standard ferry route.

FAQ

Where does the private sailing charter begin and end?

It begins and ends at Sailing Charters Malta, Pontoon F, Triq ir-Regatta 1969, Kalkara KKR 1390, Malta. The activity does not include hotel pickup.

How long does the boat charter last?

The charter lasts approximately eight hours and 30 minutes. Some of that time is spent sailing between Kalkara, Comino, and the other coastal sights.

What is included in the price?

The price includes taxes, fuel, free-flowing water, a skipper and guide, snorkeling equipment, and two stand-up paddleboards. Food and other drinks are not included.

Are Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon included stops?

The usual route includes Crystal Lagoon for about one hour and Blue Lagoon for about two hours, subject to weather, sea conditions, and the skipper’s judgment.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

The operator allows you to bring your own food and drinks. You can also choose an optional barbecue meal, which costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Customer cancellations and requested changes are non-refundable.