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

Skip the crowded tour boat. This three-hour private cruise gives your group a clean speedboat, a qualified skipper, and the freedom to stop for swimming, snorkeling, caves, or quiet time on shore. I especially like the flexible route and the chance to play your own music through the Bluetooth system.

The strongest points are the access to Comino’s clear coves and the relaxed feel of having the boat to yourself. You can ask to linger at a favorite bay, jump from the side into the water, or let skipper Francis choose the best spots for the conditions. The main drawback is that the advertised $176 price is not the full cost: you must also pay €59 in cash for fuel.

This is a good fit for families and friends who value privacy over a fixed sightseeing script. It is less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour, easy wheelchair access, or a long day at sea. The skipper can share information about the stops, but the focus is swimming and scenery rather than formal guiding.

Key points to know before booking

• Private for up to seven people: The boat is reserved for your own family or group, so you are not sharing the day with a large crowd.
• Comino is the star: The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Snorkel masks, fins, noodles, an onboard ladder, and fresh water showers are included.
• Bring food and cash: Food and drinks are not included, and the €59 fuel charge must be paid in cash onboard.
• Blue Lagoon now needs a QR code: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area.
• Weather can change the plan: The skipper may alter the route or return point if wind, tides, shallow water, or other conditions make it necessary.

What the three-hour cruise is really like

The experience begins at Sea Life Cruises, at the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Look for the white and brown boat rather than waiting at the front of the café. This meeting point matters because Cirkewwa is Malta’s main ferry area, and the dock can feel busy and confusing if you arrive at the last minute.

The boat ride starts with a short speedboat journey of about ten minutes. You will want to arrive early, not only to find the dock but also because late arrival does not extend your private charter. Bring only what you need for the water. Large bags, oversize luggage, and non-folding strollers are not allowed.

Once underway, you can settle into the day in one of two ways. You can suggest the bays and caves you most want to see, or you can leave the choices to the skipper. This is the real advantage over a large group boat: you are not tied to someone else’s idea of a perfect stop.

The tour is advertised as three hours, which is enough time for a brisk circuit with several water stops. Some outings have lasted longer, but you should plan around the stated three-hour duration rather than count on extra time. If your group wants long swims, a shore walk, and several caves, you may find the schedule tight.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: beautiful, but busy

Comino is the main attraction. Its small bays, pale rock, and clear water make it easy to see why the island is included in nearly every Malta boat itinerary. From the water, you get a better sense of the coves and cliffs than you do from a crowded beach entrance.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop. The water can look remarkably clear and bright, making it a fine place for swimming and snorkeling. You may stop for photographs, swim from the boat, or go ashore for free time, depending on the route and conditions.

There is one important practical change. Since May 1, 2025, Malta requires a free QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area. Check your voucher for the link and arrange it before you arrive. The rule applies to going onto the lagoon area, so ask the crew what applies if you plan to remain on the boat for a swim.

The Blue Lagoon is also the least private part of the outing. Its popularity means you should not expect solitude, especially at busy times. The private boat helps because you can approach by water and move on when the area feels too crowded, but it cannot make the lagoon itself quiet.

Crystal Lagoon and the best swimming stops

Crystal Lagoon is a strong choice for a swim stop. The name points to the water, but the appeal is also the setting: rock walls, open sea views, and a more sheltered feel than the famous Blue Lagoon. The skipper can drop anchor so you can use the side ladder and enter the water without dealing with a beach crowd.

The boat carries snorkeling masks and fins, plus swimming noodles for anyone who prefers extra support. Life jackets are available for emergencies, and you can ask the crew to provide one if you want to wear it during the journey. Fresh water showers are useful after a salty swim, though you should still bring your own towel.

The ladder is practical, but one booking found it a little short and wished it had two more steps. If you have limited strength, back trouble, or difficulty climbing from the water, this is worth considering before you book. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

You should also bring sunscreen and beachwear that stays secure while boarding and swimming. High heels are not allowed, and sensible flat footwear is the obvious choice around a small boat.

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay

Santa Maria Bay offers another chance to combine a swim with time on land. The route allows for a visit, a walk, scenic views, and snorkeling, although the skipper may adjust the order or length of the stop. If you want to stretch your legs after sitting on the boat, this is one of the more useful places to disembark.

San Niklaw Bay adds another quieter-looking section of Comino to the route. The value here is variety. Instead of spending the whole cruise at one famous lagoon, you can see several sides of the island and compare different coves for swimming.

Do not treat every named stop as a guaranteed long visit. The route is affected by wind, tides, shallow water, and other sea conditions. Your skipper may pass a stop, shorten it, or use a different embarkation or disembarkation point for safety.

This flexibility has worked well for groups who want control of the day. You can ask for more swimming or more sightseeing, and the skipper can respond to the conditions. It is less ideal if you want a strict, hour-by-hour program with every stop guaranteed.

Santa Maria Caves and the return cruise

Santa Maria Caves are visited mainly from the boat, with about ten minutes set aside for the cave area. These rock formations are best appreciated from the sea, where you can see the openings and shapes without trying to reach them on foot.

Have your camera ready before the boat approaches. The stop is short, and the route may not allow a long pause inside every cave. You can take photographs, admire the rock, and then settle in for the return run.

The final speedboat ride takes about ten minutes before you arrive back at Sea Life Cruises. This is a good time to enjoy the views of Malta and Comino, use the music system, and let the skipper handle the return. One past outing even included dolphins and a sunset, but those sightings are occasional treats rather than part of the promised program.

The boat has an ice cooler with ice, so you can keep drinks cold. You may also connect your own music through Bluetooth. That small detail makes a difference for a private group, especially if you want a relaxed soundtrack rather than a guide speaking throughout the trip.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The private charter includes the skipper, snorkel masks, swimming fins, noodles, a side ladder, fresh water showers, an ice cooler with ice, and the boat’s Bluetooth sound system. Swim and snorkel stops are part of the plan.

Food and drinks are not included. Bring enough for the full three hours, since the route does not promise a meal stop. Blue Lagoon is the main place where you may be able to buy food and drinks, but relying on that can cost you swim time and limits your choices.

Some outings have included a Maltese platter, and several groups particularly enjoyed it. Because meals are not listed as included, ask Sea Life Cruises directly if you want to arrange a platter rather than assuming one will be waiting onboard.

Pack a towel, camera, sunscreen, cash, food, drinks, and beachwear. Keep bags small. The boat is designed for a day on the water, not for carrying luggage between hotels.

Is $176 good value for seven people?

At $176 per group of up to seven, the base price can be very good value. Split evenly, that is about $25 per person before fuel, assuming all seven places are filled. Even with the required €59 fuel payment, the group cost remains reasonable for a private boat rather than a seat on a large shared cruise.

The value drops for a small party. Two people pay much more per head, though you are still buying privacy, flexibility, and direct access to swimming spots. For a family or group of friends, those advantages can outweigh the per-person cost.

Budget for the fuel charge clearly. The €59 must be paid in cash onboard, and it is not part of the headline price. Bring extra cash for food or drinks as well. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option can help if your Malta plans are still shifting, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

The skipper can make or break the day

Francis receives especially warm praise for being friendly, flexible, and attentive. He has taken groups around Comino, stopped at requested bays, pointed out caves, and adjusted plans when conditions or personal needs required it. Other outings have also been described as clean, safe, and well maintained.

Do not expect a full lecture about Maltese geography, culture, and history. One group wanted more explanation about the area, while another appreciated the simple focus on swimming and scenery. You can ask questions, but this is primarily a boat-and-water experience, not a formal sightseeing lesson.

The crew’s practical service is a strong point. On one windy day, the boat could not return to the original harbor, and the provider arranged a taxi to help the group get back to its hotel. Another group arrived very late because of a personal emergency and received a compassionate welcome, though you should not expect late arrival to extend your charter.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would choose this cruise for a family with older children, a group of friends, or anyone who finds large boat tours tiring. The private setting lets you control the music, swimming time, and stop choices. Children and infants count toward the seven-person maximum, so include them when calculating your group size.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people prone to motion sickness, or anyone over 70. The boat can be affected by wind and waves, and climbing the ladder requires a reasonable level of mobility.

You should also skip it if your main goal is a long beach day with plenty of facilities. The cruise is better for moving between coves, swimming from the boat, viewing caves, and enjoying the sea. Bring your own supplies and accept that the skipper may change the route.

My verdict: a strong private option around Comino

I would book this if I had a group of four to seven people and wanted a more personal alternative to Malta’s larger Blue Lagoon boats. The best parts are the skipper’s flexibility, the clean boat, the supplied snorkeling equipment, and the chance to stop at several bays instead of sitting in one crowded place.

Before paying, make three checks: confirm the meeting point behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe, set aside €59 in cash for fuel, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to go ashore. If your group is comfortable in the water and values freedom over a narrated tour, this is a very good use of three hours.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The advertised duration is three hours. Starting times depend on availability, and late arrivals do not extend the charter.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total.

What is the meeting point?

Meet at Sea Life Cruises, at the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Look for the white and brown boat.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €59 and must be paid in cash onboard.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies or purchase them at beach stops where available.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, swimming fins, and swimming noodles are provided. The boat also has a side ladder and fresh water showers.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can change the route, stops, or embarkation and disembarkation points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate safety factors.