Lagoon water, cave access, zero crowds. This private boat charter from Sliema packs Santa Maria Caves access and serious swim time at Blue Lagoon into one smooth 7-hour day. It is also one of the few ways to see Comino’s rock and water close-up without spending your whole day in lines.

I like that the boat keeps you moving between the best stretches of Maltese scenery, with stops timed for real swimming, not just sightseeing. One consideration: the day is busiest when you choose the Gozo and Comino option, since your lagoon time is shorter there.

Key highlights you will actually care about

• Santa Maria Caves access for smaller boats that can go where bigger ones cannot
• Blue Lagoon anchoring with time set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing
• Crystal Lagoon snorkeling in shallower, calm-feeling water with lots of color to spot
• Gozo option includes coast stops plus around two hours at a Gozo bay area
• Captain commentary often helps you understand what you are seeing as you cruise

Why this private Comino and Gozo charter feels better than the big tours

If you are picturing Malta as cliffs, turquoise water, and dramatic limestone shapes, this day delivers. The big difference is that you are not trapped in a one-size schedule. This is a private charter, for your group only, so the pace can feel more human, especially when it comes to water time.

What I love most is that the itinerary focuses on the places that look great for a reason. Comino’s lagoons are famous for a reason, and the caves matter because you are not just viewing them from far away. You get to experience narrow cave passages and clearer water than you would get from shore.

The format also makes the day easier to plan around. You have set chunks of time at each stop, so you can decide in advance how you want to spend your “swim window,” whether that means snorkeling, floating, or just sunbathing like it is your job.

Setting off from Sliema Promenade, then cruising the coastline

Your day starts in Sliema, with departure from the Strand Sliema area, near Ferries 2Malta. Expect a scenic, relaxed start along the Maltese coastline. The ride itself is part of the experience, because you are seeing the coast from the water, with better angles than most shore viewpoints.

This is also where the mood gets set. You are on a small boat charter, so the movement feels steady and personal. If you like taking photos that include both coastline and sky, the cruise segments help you get shots you cannot get once you are anchored.

There is a short time block early in the day, so treat it like the “warm-up.” You want to be ready for the more active stops that come next.

Smugglers Cave and the coastline landmarks you pass without the hassle

Along the route, you will pass notable coastal features like Marks & Dukes Window and Smugglers Cave. Then you actually make a stop at Smugglers Cave for about 45 minutes.

That matters because passing a landmark is quick, but a real stop lets you look around with your own eyes and decide what you want to do. If you like snapping photos from different angles, this is a useful pause. You also get to get oriented to the geology of the area, since the caves and cliffs are part of the same story.

A practical tip here: treat your first cave stop as a chance to mentally plan your camera and swim gear. Once you head into the Santa Maria Caves later, you will want to move smoothly and not waste time figuring things out.

Going inside the Santa Maria Caves where bigger boats cannot go

This is the headline moment: access to Santa Maria Caves, specifically because this is the kind of private charter that lets you go inside where larger boats cannot.

The experience is built around the narrow cave passages and the close-up view of natural rock formations. As you travel through the passages, the water quality stands out, since you get views of clear turquoise tones rather than just dark shadows. You also tend to notice more detail in the water and surrounding rock shapes, which is what makes the caves feel like more than a photo stop.

Timing-wise, the cave portion is designed to feel like a guided encounter, not a rushed dash. You are not just looking at the outside. You are moving through and around the cave shapes, which makes the whole thing more memorable.

If your priority is unique scenery and not just another “pretty cove,” this is why the charter is worth it.

Blue Lagoon: the swim-and-snorkel anchor time that people book for

Once you arrive at Blue Lagoon, your boat anchors and you get time to swim, snorkel, and relax. This stop is one of the best parts of the day because you are not stuck on the boat the whole time. You actually get water time, and you can choose your level of effort.

Here is how the time works depending on your option:

• Comino option: about 1.5 hours
• Gozo and Comino option: about 1 hour

That difference is worth thinking about before you book. If you know you want longer swimming and snorkeling at Comino’s top lagoon, the Comino option is the smoother match.

Also, this is a good moment to set expectations with yourself. The water is clear and inviting, but your best snorkeling time is usually when you are comfortable moving with the water and not trying to sprint through everything. Slow down, float if you need to, and save your strongest effort for when you feel settled.

Crystal Lagoon snorkeling with calmer, shallow-feeling water

After Blue Lagoon, you head to Crystal Lagoon for another anchored swim-and-snorkel break. This lagoon gets its name from the clear turquoise tones, and the setting is part of the appeal, with rocky cliffs and vegetation surrounding the water.

You spend about 1.5 hours with the Comino option, or about 1 hour with the Gozo and Comino option. Either way, the stop is long enough for a few cycles of swim, pause, photos, and another swim.

What makes Crystal Lagoon especially practical is how it tends to support snorkeling. The water is described as shallow, with visible marine life like colorful fish and sea urchins. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy it, but you should still be mindful of footing when you get out.

If you like the combo of “pretty water” and “stuff to look at,” Crystal Lagoon is the stop that keeps giving after the first glance.

Gozo by water: bays like Ramla, San Blas, or Mgarr ix-Xini

If you choose the Gozo and Comino option, you trade a bit of lagoon time for a second island experience. After Comino, the captain takes you toward Gozo, with time at one of these bay areas: Ramla Bay & San Blas Bay, Gozo or Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo.

You get around two hours at the Gozo bay stop, and that is the key: it gives you enough time to swim and snorkel, sunbathe, and explore the coastline from the water. It also changes the “feel” of the day. Comino is all about small island drama and tight lagoon beauty. Gozo adds a wider island rhythm.

One practical note: because the itinerary compresses your Comino lagoon time on this option, you should only pick Gozo if you genuinely want both islands. If Comino is your top priority, the Comino option keeps the water breaks longer.

The captain’s role, and why it makes the day smoother

A private charter works best when the captain helps you see more than the surface. One standout from guest feedback is the captain named BuFon, praised for being an amazing source of information.

That matters because caves and lagoons can look similar in a quick glance. When you get context while you cruise, you notice details you might otherwise miss, like how the rock shapes guide the water and why certain cave passages feel different.

Also, a small boat changes the vibe. One review highlight described that the smaller size gives access to quieter, more peaceful areas. You feel it when the day is not crowded and you can take your time. It is a simple advantage, but it makes a big difference to how the hours feel.

Value and price: what $786.40 per group buys you

The price is $786.40 per group, up to 7 people, for about 7 hours on the water. That is not cheap if you are comparing it to public boat tickets. But private charters are more like buying convenience plus access.

You are paying for three things that add up fast:

1. Private boat time for your group only
2. Access to cave areas like the Santa Maria Caves that larger boats cannot enter
3. Time-on-water at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon with real swimming and snorkeling blocks

If you are traveling as a couple or small group, the cost can feel like a splurge. But with up to seven people, it can start to look like a fair day out, especially compared to paying for multiple day tours and still getting limited water time.

Also, the stops list “admission ticket free” for the named areas. That reduces the mental load. You are not constantly calculating extra fees once you are out there.

Finally, this charter tends to sell out faster than you might expect, with an average booking window around 63 days in advance. If you are traveling in peak months, plan earlier rather than later.

What to bring so your day feels easy

You are on the water for a full day, so pack for comfort and quick transitions between swimming and the boat. Since the itinerary includes multiple anchor stops, you will likely rinse off, dry a bit, then go again.

I suggest you bring:

• Swimsuit plus something to cover up when you want shade
• Snorkeling basics if you have them, or plan to rent only if the provider tells you that is available (the details on equipment are not specified here)
• Reef-safe sunscreen if you use it, plus sunglasses
• A small dry bag for your phone and keys
• A towel and a change of clothes, because you will be wet unless you are fully skipping the swim

Also, plan your energy. People can burn out chasing snorkeling spots back-to-back. Instead, do one longer snorkel session, then a swim break, then save your photos for moments when you can pause comfortably.

Schedules, options, and who should pick which version

This charter comes in two main flavors based on whether you keep it Comino-focused or add Gozo.

Choose the Comino option if:

• You want more total time at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon (about 1.5 hours at each)
• You care most about Comino’s famous swim spots and cave access
• You want the day to feel more centered on one island’s highlights

Choose Gozo and Comino if:

• You want to add an extra island experience with around two hours at a Gozo bay
• You are happy with shorter lagoon time on Comino (about 1 hour at each lagoon)
• You like variety, even if you do not spend as long in each exact lagoon

If you hate rushing and want the most water time, Comino-only is usually the calmer choice.

Should you book this private boat charter?

I would book it if your idea of a great Malta day is simple: caves you can actually enter, plus lagoon time where swimming and snorkeling are the point, not a side activity. The Santa Maria Caves access and the two lagoon stops are the combination that makes this charter feel like a real highlight.

I would hesitate only if you are the type who wants lots of extra sightseeing on land. This day is mostly about water and rock. You will spend your energy on swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying anchored stops, not walking around markets.

Also, if you want the best odds of a smooth day, schedule with weather in mind. The experience depends on good weather, and water tours are the first thing to change when conditions are rough.

If you can line up a calm day, gather a group of friends or family, and pick the option that matches your preferred island time, this charter is an excellent use of a Malta day.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter from Sliema?

The duration is approximately 7 hours.

How many people can go on this private charter?

It is priced per group, up to 7 people, and it is private, meaning only your group participates.

Where do we meet for the tour?

The meeting point is Ferries 2Malta in Sliema, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Do you visit Comino only, or also Gozo?

You can choose a Comino option or a Gozo and Comino option. The Gozo option adds time on Gozo and takes you to bay areas such as Ramla Bay and San Blas Bay or Mgarr ix-Xini.

How much time do we get at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

With the Comino option, you get about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon and about 1.5 hours at Crystal Lagoon. With the Gozo and Comino option, it is about 1 hour at each.

Is the tour offered in English, and do we get a ticket?

The tour is offered in English. You receive a mobile ticket.

Is the charter suitable for most travelers?

Most travelers can participate.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.