BBQ Bay Cruises: Elephant Rock, Blue Lagoon, Gozo & Comino

Comino’s coastline is the star here: hidden coves, sea caves, quiet beaches, and clear swimming water packed into a private three-hour boat trip. You can set the pace with your group instead of following a large excursion boat, and your skipper can adjust the route for weather, tides, and shallow water.

I like the private format and the chance to choose your own swimming and snorkelling stops. I also like the practical touches, including a canopy, cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and masks and snorkels. The main catch is the price structure: the €75 skipper fee, €75 fuel charge, food, drinks, and barbecue are not included, so the advertised rate is not the full cost.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: The $223 price applies to the boat, not to each person.
• Three-hour route around Comino: You can reach the Blue Lagoon, coves, caves, beaches, and snorkelling spots in one compact outing.
• Route shaped by the skipper: Weather, tides, shallows, and sea conditions may change the plan.
• Mario is one named captain: A recent booking specifically praised Captain Mario for being attentive and helpful.
• BBQ plans need advance budgeting: Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, and fuel are separate costs.
• Two useful departure points: Leave from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa on Malta, depending on your booking.

A private boat day, compressed into three hours

This is not a long sightseeing cruise with a fixed script. It is a short, private outing built around the water. You board with your own group, settle into the seating area, and let the skipper guide the boat toward the best available spots around Comino, Gozo, and Malta.

The route is flexible rather than guaranteed stop by stop. That matters in this part of the Mediterranean, where wind, tides, and shallow water can affect access to small coves and caves. If conditions change, the skipper can alter the route, departure point, or time to keep the outing safe and workable.

Three hours gives you enough time for a taste of the coast, but not enough for a slow, all-day exploration. You will want to decide in advance what matters most: the Blue Lagoon, snorkelling, caves, beach time, or a relaxed cruise with food and music.

Leaving from Gozo or Malta

You have two departure choices. From Gozo, the meeting area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, the boat leaves near the Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

These locations matter because they are at opposite ends of the island group. Check your departure point carefully before booking, especially if you are staying in Valletta, St. Julian’s, or elsewhere in Malta. Cirkewwa is at Malta’s northern tip, while Mgarr is Gozo’s main harbor.

The operator asks you to arrive 30 minutes early. That is sensible for a private charter, since a late arrival does not extend your three-hour booking. Bring cash, along with swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

The exact boat model is not specified, but the setup includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, shade from a canopy, and safety equipment. You also get an ice cooler, though that does not mean drinks or food are supplied.

Comino’s coves, caves, and beaches

Comino is the natural focus of the trip. Its coast gives you the chance to see more than the famous lagoon, including small coves, sea caves, and beaches that are difficult to reach by land.

I like the private boat format here because it lets you spend less time on shore logistics and more time moving along the coast. You can ask to stop for a swim or snorkel, then return to the boat without committing to a full beach day.

The skipper has the final say on safe access. Shallow water, tide levels, and wind can make one cove a poor choice on a particular day. That flexibility is useful, but you should treat the route as weather-dependent rather than as a promise to visit every named point.

The boat carries masks and snorkels, so you do not need to bring your own basic equipment. You should still bring your own towel and sun protection. The information does not specify fins or flotation gear, so ask before departure if those items matter to you.

The Blue Lagoon stop

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, with its pale turquoise water and striking setting between Comino and nearby islands. The boat lets you reach the water directly rather than arranging a separate beach visit.

You can swim and snorkel here if conditions allow. The lagoon is also a good place to use the boat’s sun deck, canopy, and cooler, especially if part of your group wants to relax while others get in the water.

The phrase away from crowds needs a little care. A private boat gives your group more space and control than a large shared excursion, but it does not make the Blue Lagoon empty. Its popularity is exactly why you should value the boat as a base, not expect total solitude.

The three-hour limit also affects your stop. If you spend a long time at the Blue Lagoon, you may have less time for caves, beaches, or other snorkelling locations. Tell the skipper your priorities early.

Gozo and the wider coast

The cruise can include coastal views around Gozo as well as Comino and Malta. The purpose is not a full tour of Gozo’s inland sights, towns, or historic sites. You are seeing the islands from the water, with the coast itself as the main attraction.

That makes this outing a good match for you if swimming and scenery matter more than museums or walking tours. You will see coves, beaches, and rock formations from a useful angle, while the boat handles the movement between stops.

The route can also change if sea conditions make a particular section uncomfortable or unsafe. The skipper may alter the itinerary or even use a different departure or disembarkation point. That is standard for a small private boat, but it is worth accepting before you book.

Snorkelling, swimming, and time on board

The snorkelling is self-directed, with basic masks and snorkels included. You can use the equipment at the stops chosen by the skipper, subject to conditions and your group’s comfort in the water.

The boat’s layout gives the outing a social side. There is seating for relaxing, a sun deck for drying off, shade from the canopy, and a Bluetooth speaker for your own music. Free WiFi is also included, though you may prefer to put your phone away for much of the trip.

The ice cooler is useful for keeping your own drinks cold, but drinks are not included. The same applies to food. Pack or arrange provisions before you leave, and remember that the listed price does not include party food, party beverages, BBQ food, BBQ beverages, or the barbecue itself.

This is an important distinction. The experience is presented as a BBQ boat charter, but the equipment and meal are separate from the base booking. If you want an actual barbecue on board, confirm what can be supplied and what you must bring before departure.

What the $223 price really covers

The $223 rate is for a private boat for up to six people. That is appealing for a family or group of friends because the cost is shared across the boat rather than charged per passenger.

At six people, the base cost works out to about $37 per person. At four people, it is about $56 each, and for two people it is about $112 each. Those figures make the trip much better value with a full group.

But you need to add the listed €75 professional skipper fee and €75 fuel consumption charge. Before food and drinks, that brings the known total to $223 plus €150 in extra charges, with the currencies shown as supplied. Because the exact exchange rate and payment details are not given, confirm the final amount when booking.

The private setting can still be good value if you want control over the route and music, or if you dislike being packed onto a large boat. It is less attractive if you are a solo visitor or couple focused only on reaching the Blue Lagoon for a quick swim.

Port and marina fees, taxes, safety equipment, shade, the cooler, WiFi, speaker, snorkel gear, and lagoon permits are included. Those inclusions reduce the number of small add-on costs, but they do not remove the main skipper, fuel, and catering charges.

Captain Mario and the service

Captain Mario is specifically named in a recent booking, where he was praised for being attentive and helpful. That gives you a useful clue about the style of service to expect, though the assigned captain may depend on the date.

The tour is available in English and Maltese. A live guide is included, and the private group format should make it easier to explain what your group wants from the outing.

Do not confuse a flexible route with unlimited choice. The skipper must make the final call on weather, sea conditions, tides, and shallow areas. The best approach is to arrive with two or three priorities, then let the captain fit them into the conditions.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this charter for a group of friends, a family, or a small celebration where the boat itself is part of the fun. The speaker, sun deck, cooler, and private setting make it more personal than a standard shared excursion.

It also suits swimmers who want several possible stops rather than one fixed beach. You can ask for time in the Blue Lagoon, snorkelling, caves, and coves, with the understanding that nature and safety may change the plan.

It is less suitable if you want a detailed historical tour, a full-day island tour, or a guaranteed visit to every location in the title. Three hours passes quickly, and the route is subject to the sea.

If your group is not interested in swimming or sitting in the sun, you may not get enough from this experience to justify the cost. The boat is the attraction, and most of the enjoyment comes from being on the water.

Practical details before you book

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not change the weather policy.

The skipper may cancel, postpone, or modify the charter if conditions are unsuitable. The departure time may also be adjusted to match the best conditions and the group’s needs. If the trip is changed for safety reasons, follow the operator’s instructions rather than expecting the original route.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are not supplied, and the barbecue is not included, so make a clear plan for refreshments before boarding.

Arrive 30 minutes early. At Cirkewwa or Mgarr, confirm the exact meeting point and allow time for traffic or delays. The operator does not extend the charter for late arrivals.

Should you book BBQ Bay Cruises?

Book it if you have up to six people, want a private boat, and care more about swimming, snorkelling, and coastal scenery than a formal sightseeing program. The flexible route, onboard shade, music, cooler, WiFi, and included snorkel gear make the basic setup practical.

Before paying, get the full price in writing. Add the €75 skipper fee and €75 fuel charge, then budget separately for food, drinks, barbecue equipment, and any fishing gear you want. With those costs understood, the trip can be a pleasant way to see Comino at your own pace.

For a couple or a small group on a tight budget, a shared boat may cost less. For a family or group of friends who want the Blue Lagoon, private swimming stops, and a boat to yourselves, this three-hour charter is the stronger choice.

FAQ

How long is the boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours. Check availability for the available starting times.

How many people can join the private boat?

The $223 rate covers one private boat for a group of up to six people. The price is per boat, not per passenger.

Where does the boat depart?

You can depart from Gozo at Mgarr Harbour, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Malta at Cirkewwa, near the Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is a professional skipper included in the price?

No. The professional skipper fee is listed separately at €75.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €75.

Are food, drinks, and the barbecue included?

No. Food, drinks, party supplies, BBQ food, BBQ beverages, and the barbecue are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Snorkelling masks and snorkels are provided, along with a cooler, canopy, safety equipment, and WiFi.