Comino looks different from a private boat. I like the Crystal Lagoon swim stop with time for snorkel and marine life viewing, and I also love the simple fun of Bluetooth music on board while you’re floating at anchor. The tradeoff is price: $577 is a group rate, and for a long day they recommend keeping it to 15 passengers or fewer for comfort.

This is a solid pick if you want a day that feels flexible, not rushed. You also get pickup options from Gozo Mgarr Harbour or Malta Cirkewwa Jetty, and the whole experience runs smoothly when the skipper gives clear instructions like Fabio and the team member Jeanette are known for.

Key highlights at a glance

• Julie Pearl comfort basics: covered shade, open deck space, toilet, and an outdoor fresh water shower to rinse off salt
• Real swim time: planned stops for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, not just quick look-and-leave photos
• Snorkel gear included: masks are provided for free use throughout the trip
• Music without stress: connect your phone to the onboard stereo via Bluetooth and set the vibe
• Flexible route options: you may see places like Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, plus additional Comino and Gozo areas depending on conditions

Why Comino from a private boat feels calmer and easier

If you’ve ever done the Comino area by shared transport, you know the drill: crowded access points, limited time in the water, and lots of waiting. With a private charter on the Julie Pearl, the day is built around slowing down at specific water spots where you can actually swim and snorkel.

The biggest value here is control. Your skipper has fuel and an experienced local approach, and the boat is sized for comfort. Julie Pearl can carry up to 25, but for longer trips they recommend not more than 15. That matters because it changes the feel of the boat. You get room to move to the bathing ladder, set up on the deck, and share the space without everyone feeling packed in.

Time also works in your favor. This trip is designed for 4 to 6 hours, either a half day or a full day, so you get a meaningful chunk of sea time without burning your whole holiday on transit. And if you want the caves and scenic lookouts, the route includes those photo and pass-by moments as well.

The practical pickup plan: Gozo Mgarr Harbour and Cirkewwa Jetty

The pickup system is one of the reasons this works well for groups. You have two main start points, based on where you want to begin: Gozo, Mgarr Harbour, or Malta, Cirkewwa Jetty.

In Malta, the Cirkewwa Jetty meeting area is behind the food kiosk, next to the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. In Gozo, the Mgarr Harbour point is from the main jetty, at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal. Once you book, the operator sends the exact pinpoint location where the boat is waiting by WhatsApp, so you’re not playing guess-the-dock.

There’s also mention of an express security check. I take that as a time-saver around boarding, which is helpful when you’re trying to start your sea time on schedule.

If you’re traveling with a friend group, this pickup approach keeps the day simple. No complicated meeting points across town. Just show up near the jetty you chose, then get on the boat and get moving.

Julie Pearl comfort details that matter once you’re out at sea

A private boat sounds great in theory, but comfort is the real deal-maker. On the Julie Pearl, the setup is built for an easy swim day.

Here’s what you’ll use again and again:

• Covered deck for shade, plus open deck areas at the front and back
• A low, spacious bathing platform with a ladder at the back, so getting in and out is straightforward
• Toilet facility on board
• Outdoor fresh water shower to rinse off salt
• Seating areas with a table in the middle, which helps if your group wants to hang out between swim stops

You also get onboard entertainment that’s actually useful. The boat has a stereo with speakers, and you connect via Bluetooth. No extra apps needed, and it’s a nice way to keep the vibe going when the sea is calm and you’re just drifting.

Snorkel masks are provided for free use throughout the trip. And while standup paddle boards are optional, they’re available for a minimal charge if you book ahead. Life jackets are also available for adults and kids if needed, so you’re not stuck searching for rental gear on the spot.

Add in the cooler box with complimentary cooling ice, and you have a practical way to keep drinks chilled without carrying everything in your hands all day.

The swim and snorkel rhythm: Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon time

The heart of this charter is the water time. The route includes multiple anchor stops with enough time to swim, snorkel, and sunbathe.

Crystal Lagoon, the first real water stop

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about 30 minutes. This is the kind of stop where snorkel masks make a difference, because you’re not just looking from the deck. The plan includes swimming and snorkeling, plus marine life viewing. Even if you’re not a serious snorkeler, the masks let you try it without hauling anything yourself.

Practical tip: if your group splits into swimmers and loungers, take turns. One set gets in the water while the other enjoys shade on the covered section. It keeps everyone relaxed instead of everyone crowding around the ladder at once.

Blue Lagoon, the bigger scene and the longer feel

Blue Lagoon also gets around 30 minutes, and the day plan includes sightseeing time plus free time. It also lists cocktail and lunch in the schedule. At the same time, the tour notes say food and drinks are not included, and you may bring ready-to-eat items. So treat Blue Lagoon as a planned window for lunch or refreshments, and confirm what is actually provided versus what your group will bring or buy.

Either way, this is usually the stop where people want that postcard moment. You’ll be positioned for swimming and snorkeling again, and it’s a good place for groups to regroup, snack, and decide what to do next.

Other Comino areas you might cover

Depending on conditions and the skipper’s approach, you might also explore or pass by places like San Niklaw and Santa Marija Bay. The charter description also points toward areas such as Halfa Rock and Qala valley on the Gozo south coast, and farther spots like Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, and San Blas Bay.

I like having those possibilities because the best Comino days often depend on wind and water conditions. Flexibility keeps the trip from feeling like a rigid checklist.

Gozo shore breaks: Mgarr Harbour and Ħondoq Ir-Rummien beach

A private Comino trip can sometimes feel like a lot of water and no breaks. Here, you get a genuine shore stop on the Gozo side.

Mgarr Harbour, a leg-stretcher with lunch options

The plan includes a stop at Mgarr Harbour for about 30 minutes. That time is set aside for visiting, lunch, shopping, sightseeing, and walking. If your group includes non-swimmers, this is where they get to reset, grab a bite, and look around without feeling like they’re stuck on the boat the whole time.

It’s also where you’ll find food outlets, kiosks, and restaurants for dine in or take out. If you want to keep lunch simple, this is the easiest place to do it because you’re not trying to transport everything onboard for hours.

Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach, another swimming and snorkeling slot

Next you have a beach stop for about 30 minutes at Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach. Like the lagoon stops, it includes swimming and snorkeling plus marine life viewing. The sightseeing component also means you’re getting some coastal scenery, not only open-water anchoring.

This timing works well for an energy rhythm. After the harbour break, you still get a solid water segment before the caves and final return.

Saint Mary’s Tower and Santa Maria Caves, quick views with photo value

Not every stop is meant to be long. In a time-limited charter, you want a mix: real swim windows, plus short scenic moments that make the route feel special.

Saint Mary’s Tower, quick photo and pass-by views

The day includes a photo stop and sightseeing pass by at Saint Mary’s Tower, with about 10 minutes set aside. This is ideal for getting those coastline photos without turning the day into a series of short bus rides.

Because it’s short, it’s best for groups that know what they want. If half the group wants photos and the other half wants to be back at the deck, manage it quickly so everyone gets something.

Santa Maria Caves, a short stop that still adds variety

There’s also Santa Maria Caves with about 5 minutes for photo stop, visit, and pass-by. Five minutes sounds brief, but this is exactly the kind of stop that changes how the day feels. It adds a land-meets-sea element to an otherwise water-focused itinerary.

What you can do in that window depends on the conditions and how the skipper positions the boat, but plan for it to be a photo and look-around moment rather than a long excursion.

Full day or half day: how to choose the right length

The schedule gives you two main options. Full day trips usually run 10am to 4pm, and half day trips run 9am to 12noon. The operator notes that you may start earlier or later depending on availability, and you can sometimes extend or shorten the duration.

So how do you pick?

• Choose half day if your top priority is swimming and you want to keep the rest of the day flexible for dinner plans or other sights.
• Choose a full day if your group wants more total time in the water plus the harbour break and the added sightseeing moments.

If you’re traveling with kids or older relatives, I usually recommend the half day. Sea time is the main benefit, but too many stops can feel like waiting in between. A half day keeps the pace lighter.

Weather also matters. The trip depends on permitting weather conditions. If weather prevents the trip, you can postpone to another date or cancel and get the deposit refunded in full. In practical terms, that means you should avoid locking in a too-tight schedule for the day around your charter.

Food and drinks: what you can bring, and what to confirm

Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring ready-to-eat items onboard. The cooler box plus cooling ice is a helpful touch, because it lets you keep drinks cold without extra packing stress.

If your group prefers buying food on the day, the skipper may recommend a lunch stop, such as Mgarr Harbour, where there are food outlets. That aligns with the planned harbour time.

One wrinkle to watch: the schedule lists cocktail and lunch around Blue Lagoon. Since the general rule says food and drinks are not included, I’d treat that as a chance to stop and eat or buy, not a guarantee that someone else is covering it. If alcohol or a specific lunch arrangement is important to your group, message the operator before you go and confirm what is included versus what you’ll handle yourselves.

Practical packing idea: bring snacks that don’t crumble easily and drinks you can keep chilled. Then let the day run on your schedule, not on your appetite.

Price and value: $577 for a group up to 15

Let’s talk value like you’re doing the math for your group.

At $577 per group up to 15 people, the per-person cost drops fast when you fill the boat. If you reach the 15-person comfort sweet spot, you’re roughly at $38 per person for a private charter with skipper and fuel, plus snorkel masks, music, and several swim and sightseeing stops. Even if you don’t fill every seat, you still get a lot of what shared tours struggle to offer, especially privacy and control over time in the water.

What you’re paying for is not just transportation. You’re paying for:

• A private boat hire with a local skipper
• Fuel included
• Time-efficient swim stops with gear provided
• Onboard comfort features like toilet and shower
• Music setup with Bluetooth
• Cooling help with a cooler box and ice

The best way to think about it is this: if your group wants Comino and Gozo highlights without crowding, and you’re comfortable organizing your own snacks and drinks, this can feel like excellent value rather than an expensive luxury.

Who this private Comino charter fits best

This is a strong match for:

• Friend groups who want a shared day at sea with music and swim breaks
• Families who want predictable swim windows and provided snorkel masks
• Swimmers and snorkelers who care about spending time in the water, not only looking at it
• People who like a flexible plan based on weather and skipper judgment

It may not be the best fit if:

• You want lots of long shore excursions, because some stops are intentionally short
• Your group expects a strict all-inclusive meal plan, because food and drinks are not included
• You’re going with a very small party and price sensitivity is high, since the cost is a group rate

Should you book the Comino private boat trip?

I’d book this if your ideal Malta day includes real swim time, a private boat feel, and the convenience of pickup from Mgarr Harbour or Cirkewwa Jetty. It’s especially appealing when you can keep the group to 15 or fewer for comfort, and when your crew is happy to bring snacks or handle drinks and lunch with the harbour stop.

Before you go, I’d do two quick things: confirm whether you’ll be buying food or arranging any lunch elements for Blue Lagoon, and make sure your group is aligned on the pace (short scenic moments plus longer water stops). If that sounds like your kind of day, this private charter is a practical, fun way to see Comino and Gozo without fighting crowds.

FAQ

How many passengers can the Julie Pearl boat hold?

Julie Pearl has a maximum capacity of 25 passengers. For long trip comfort, they recommend not more than 15 passengers.

What are the trip durations and typical start times?

The trip duration is 4 to 6 hours. Full day trips are normally 10am to 4pm, and half day trips are normally 9am to 12noon, with flexibility based on availability.

Where do we get picked up?

Pickup is offered from Gozo Ferry Terminal and Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, with convenient pickup points at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo and Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta.

Are snorkel masks included?

Yes. Snorkel masks are included and you can use them freely throughout the trip.

Can we bring food and drinks onboard?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks. You can also use the cooler box and ice to keep drinks cool.

Is there a toilet and shower on board?

Yes. There is a toilet facility on board and an outdoor fresh water shower to rinse off salt water.