REVIEW · MALTA
Private Full-Day Yacht Tour in Maltese Islands
Book on Viator →Operated by Malteseislandscharter · Bookable on Viator
Eight hours on Malta’s water feels like cheat code. This is a private yacht day built around the Maltese sea highlights you actually came for: Comino’s lagoons and St. Paul’s Islands, plus a skipper who shares the kind of Malta details you won’t get from a quick bus stop. I love that you’re not sharing your boat with strangers, so you can stretch out, swim on your schedule, and ask questions as you go. I also love the on-board comfort and confidence factor—clean yacht, clear guidance, and Captain Ray’s local stories that turn the coast into something personal.
The one drawback to plan around is weather. The route and stops run weather permitting, and this is a good-weather tour by design—so if conditions are rough, expect changes.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- A private yacht day that makes Malta feel bigger
- The schedule: what 8 hours on the water really feels like
- Where you start: Marsamxett Harbour and why it’s a smart launch point
- St. Paul’s Bay and the optional St. Paul’s Islands stop
- Comino’s Blue Lagoon: your main swim and snorkeling window
- Crystal Lagoon: shorter, calmer, and easier to enjoy
- Santa Maria Caves: pass-by moments without the full tour pressure
- The coast drive-by that you’ll actually remember: Sliema’s seafront
- On board details that matter (and a few pleasant surprises)
- Captain Ray: the kind of guide who improves the whole day
- Price and value: what $946.63 covers for a group of up to 6
- Practical tips so your day runs smoothly
- Who should book this private yacht tour
- Should you book this private yacht tour in Malta?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start and where does it end?
- How long is the private full-day yacht tour?
- How many people are in the private group?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need to bring food or drinks?
- Is snorkeling gear provided?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
Key things to know before you go

- Private group up to 6 means more flexibility and a calmer day at sea
- Comino lagoon time is the point: Blue Lagoon (about 2 hours) plus Crystal Lagoon (about 1 hour)
- Snorkeling equipment and free-flow soft drinks are included, so you spend less and swim more
- Captain Ray adds context with Maltese history and even how the Maltese language has shifted
- St. Paul’s Islands is optional (about 30 minutes) if conditions allow a stop
- You start and end at Marsamxett area marinas with a full round-trip day
A private yacht day that makes Malta feel bigger

Malta is small on a map, but the sea around it makes it feel huge. This tour uses that truth. You head out from Marsamxett Harbour, cruise along the coast, and spend most of your day around Comino—where the water looks like it’s been airbrushed.
The private setup matters more than it sounds. With a small group (up to 6), you get a smoother flow. You can linger at a swim spot. You can ask the skipper to adjust the order if the day is behaving differently than expected. And if you’re the kind of traveler who likes asking questions, this day gives you a live expert on board.
The schedule: what 8 hours on the water really feels like
You depart at 9:30am and the total duration is about 8 hours including travel time. You’ll return to the same meeting point.
In practice, that timing is long enough to do two lagoon stops without feeling like you’re sprinting, but short enough that you’ll still feel like you did something special instead of just surviving transit. The day is structured, yet it has room for real sea time—especially for swimming and snorkeling.
If you get seasick, it helps to know the tour is calm-focused. One review described the skipper as patient and capable for a group that included people prone to motion sickness. Still, I’d be smart and bring your own plan if you’re sensitive—this is a boat day, even when conditions are good.
Where you start: Marsamxett Harbour and why it’s a smart launch point

You’ll meet at Creek Marina Pontoon N Malta (and you’ll go back there at the end). Marsamxett Harbour is in the middle of the island action, so you’re not wasting the morning in “getting there” mode.
From there, the usual northbound run includes passing notable coastline areas. You’ll glide by Sliema’s seafront on the way out and again on your return. That makes the day feel like a loop around Malta’s busy edge—then it turns into open-water calm as you move toward Comino.
St. Paul’s Bay and the optional St. Paul’s Islands stop
One of the best surprises in this itinerary is the chance to stop at St. Paul’s Islands near St. Paul’s Bay. The tour frames it as the place where St. Paul was shipwrecked, which is a real anchor point for the story of the islands.
The stop is typically about 30 minutes and is designed to be quick: you’re not signing up for a full shore excursion here. Think of it as a brief reset in clear water, a chance to look around, and then back on the boat for the main Comino section.
Good to know: since the island stop is “possibility,” it depends on how conditions are running that day.
Comino’s Blue Lagoon: your main swim and snorkeling window
If you’re coming for one thing, it’s usually this. The tour heads to Comino and spends about 2 hours at Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason: the water is famously clear and bright, and it’s exactly where snorkeling equipment feels worth the effort. You’ll be shown spots and encouraged to spend real time in the water—not just a 10-minute dip for the photos.
Two practical notes:
- You’ll want to be ready for swimming. The operator asks if you can swim, and it’s for your comfort and safety.
- Bring a plan for sun. You’ll have time to soak up the calm, but it’s still Malta sun.
Also, with a private group, you’re not stuck doing the same slow line of “wait, swim, wait again” behavior that happens in crowded areas. You can choose when to go in and out.
Crystal Lagoon: shorter, calmer, and easier to enjoy
After Blue Lagoon, you’ll shift to Crystal Lagoon with about 1 hour of time.
This stop works well for travelers who want to balance swimming with relaxing. You can hop in, soak up the sun, and then get back to cruising while there’s still energy left in the day.
It’s also a nice contrast. Blue Lagoon is the headline, but Crystal Lagoon often feels like the place where you can breathe a little more—enough time for a proper swim session without turning it into an all-day grind.
Santa Maria Caves: pass-by moments without the full tour pressure

You’ll also pass Santa Maria Caves while you’re around Comino. This is listed as a spot you go by rather than a structured visit.
So here’s the practical way to think about it: you’ll get the water-and-coast experience from the boat, with less time-management stress than a stop that requires everyone to disembark and organize themselves.
If you love photo moments, this is the part of the day where your camera will get an extra workout.
The coast drive-by that you’ll actually remember: Sliema’s seafront
On the way out and back, the yacht passes Sliema’s seafront. That sounds like a simple transit piece, but it helps you feel oriented on day one of your sea adventure.
You start with a view of the island’s everyday energy, then gradually move into the quieter water world. It’s a good rhythm and makes the lagoons feel like a reward instead of just another stop.
On board details that matter (and a few pleasant surprises)
This tour isn’t just about getting you to pretty water. The boat setup helps the day run smoothly.
What’s included on board:
- Snorkeling equipment
- Free-flow water and soft drinks
- Bluetooth sound system (so you can enjoy music if that’s your thing)
- Outdoor shower (helpful after lagoon swims)
- Use of a Bluetooth sound system plus an overall comfort-focused layout
- Skipper/guide, and all taxes and fuel are included in the price
What’s not included:
- Food and drinks beyond the soft drinks
- Alcohol
- Swimwear
A small detail from the experience style: one review specifically mentioned fridge space for a packed lunch. If you like eating on your schedule (and you should, on a day like this), bring your own meal plan and keep it simple.
Captain Ray: the kind of guide who improves the whole day
Most “boat tours” focus on where you go. This one also focuses on who’s driving.
Captain Ray (also referred to as Captain Raymond) is described as professional, safety-conscious, and very at ease with the sea around Malta. The biggest difference is how he talks about the island. You’ll get stories that go beyond trivia. One review highlighted his insight into cultural shifts and even the evolution of the Maltese language over time.
That kind of context turns the coastline from scenery into a living place. It also makes the day feel more personal—like you’re getting a curated view from a real local, not just a ferry-style route.
Price and value: what $946.63 covers for a group of up to 6
The listed price is $946.63 per group (up to 6) for about 8 hours. That’s not a “cheap day,” but it’s also not an impossible luxury number when you look at what you get.
Value comes from three things:
- You’re paying for access and convenience, not just views. Private boat time costs money because it’s one yacht dedicated to your group.
- Snorkeling gear and soft drinks are included, which adds up fast if you’re buying on the go.
- Fuel, taxes, and the skipper are part of the package, so you don’t get hit with lots of add-ons once you’re on the water.
If you travel as a pair, it’s obviously more per person. But if you’re a small family or a couple traveling with another duo, the math gets better quickly. This is the type of activity where splitting the group cost turns it into a smart splurge.
Practical tips so your day runs smoothly
Here’s how to plan like you’ll actually enjoy the water, not just “get through it.”
- Tell them if you can swim. The tour asks, and it’s for safety and comfort at the lagoons.
- Bring swimwear anyway. It’s not included, and you don’t want to scramble.
- Pack simple lunch plans if you like eating on board. There’s been mention of fridge space in past experiences, so you can keep food more manageable.
- Plan for sun. You’ll spend time sitting and swimming in open daylight at Blue and Crystal Lagoons.
- Motion-sickness reality check: if you’re prone, bring what usually works for you. This kind of private day can still be breezy, and lagoons are best enjoyed when you feel good.
Who should book this private yacht tour
You’ll like this tour if:
- You want a calm, small-group day on the water
- You care about Comino lagoons and want real time to swim
- You like talking with a skipper who shares local context, not just route facts
- You’re okay spending money for convenience and boat access, instead of trying to piece it together on your own
You might want a different plan if:
- Weather can be a problem for your travel days. The tour needs good conditions.
- You don’t swim at all and would rather stay on shore. You can still enjoy the cruising and views, but the heart of the day is lagoon time.
Should you book this private yacht tour in Malta?
If your goal is a sea day that feels special without being fussy, I think this is a strong booking. The combination of two lagoon stops, included snorkeling gear, and a skipper who actually talks about Malta in a useful way makes it more than just a photo boat.
Book it if you can be flexible with weather and you want to spend most of your day in the water. Pass if you’re trying to avoid boat time or you need a stop-by-stop schedule that never changes.
If you want, tell me your travel month and whether your group includes non-swimmers or sea-sickness concerns, and I’ll help you decide if this day fits your style.
FAQ
What time does the tour start and where does it end?
It starts at 9:30am and it meets at Creek Marina Pontoon N Malta. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the private full-day yacht tour?
The duration is about 8 hours (including travel time).
How many people are in the private group?
This is a private tour. The price is per group for up to 6 people.
What’s included in the price?
The price includes all taxes, fuel, skipper/guide, snorkeling equipment, free-flow water/soft drinks, Bluetooth sound system, and use of an outdoor shower.
Do I need to bring food or drinks?
Food and drinks are not included. Soft drinks and water are provided as free flow, but alcohol and meals are not.
Is snorkeling gear provided?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.




