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

Turquoise water, quiet coves, and a boat to yourself. This three-hour private cruise gives you a flexible way to see Comino, the Blue Lagoon, parts of Gozo, and Malta’s northern coast without joining a large group. I especially like the freedom to shape the route and the fact that the boat includes snorkelling gear, a canopy, seating, a sun deck, and a Bluetooth speaker.

The small-group setup is the biggest plus. At $223 for up to six people, the base price can be good value for a family or group of friends, and Captain Mário has earned praise for being attentive and helpful. The catch is important: the advertised price does not include the skipper, fuel, food, drinks, or the barbecue itself.

Key points at a glance

• A private boat for up to six people: You get the whole boat, not a seat in a shared group.
• Blue Lagoon access is included: Lagoon permits are covered, though your exact time there can change with sea and weather conditions.
• The route can be tailored: You can ask for caves, beaches, snorkelling areas, and preferred stops around Comino, Gozo, and Malta.
• Captain Mário receives strong praise: He is described as especially attentive and willing to help.
• The $223 price is not all-inclusive: Add €75 for the professional skipper and €75 for fuel, then budget separately for food, drinks, and barbecue supplies.
• You need to arrive early: The operator asks you to reach the meeting point 30 minutes before departure, with no extension for late arrival.

What you are really buying for $223

This is best understood as a private boat rental, not a fully catered cruise. The $223 rate applies to the boat for a group of up to six, which makes the arithmetic fairly attractive if you fill all six places. A couple paying the same base amount will find it much less economical.

The included equipment adds real value. You have comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, safety equipment, an ice cooler, free WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. A private boat also gives you space to change the pace. You can sit in the sun, shelter under the canopy, play your own music, or ask to spend more time swimming.

But calculate the final cost before you book. The professional skipper costs €75, and fuel costs another €75. Food and drinks are not supplied. The barbecue, BBQ food, BBQ drinks, and party supplies also cost extra. Fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not included either.

That setup can still work well. A group of six can split the fixed costs, bring food and drinks, and create a pleasant picnic on the water. For two or three people, a shared excursion may offer better value if keeping the budget low matters more than privacy.

Starting at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour or Malta’s Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat at one of two designated points. From Gozo, the departure area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, it is near the Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The two options matter because they let you fit the cruise into different travel plans. If you are staying or sightseeing on Gozo, Mgarr is the practical choice. If you are coming from Malta or using the Gozo Channel terminal, Cirkewwa may save you a separate transfer.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. That buffer is useful around a ferry terminal, where traffic and changing plans can easily slow you down. The boat will not wait by extending your three-hour charter if you arrive late, so this is not the kind of activity to approach casually.

The experience includes a live guide in English or Maltese. You travel as a private group, and a separate entrance is available to help you skip the regular line. The precise boarding arrangement may depend on the day, so follow the meeting instructions closely.

The Blue Lagoon with room to adjust your timing

The Blue Lagoon is the main draw. Its clear turquoise water makes it a natural place for a swim, snorkel, and a few photographs. The boat gives you a better way to reach the area than simply standing on a crowded shoreline, and the included lagoon permits remove one small administrative worry.

Do not expect the lagoon to feel empty. Blue Lagoon is one of Comino’s best-known sights, and the water can be busy. The value of a private charter is not a promise of total solitude. It is the chance to choose when you arrive, how long you stay, and where you go next, within the limits of sea conditions and the three-hour schedule.

You can swim from the boat and use the included mask and snorkel. That is convenient, especially if you do not want to pack your own equipment. Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The ice cooler is useful, but you need to fill it with your own drinks and food.

Sea conditions may change the plan. The skipper has the final say if weather, waves, tides, shallow water, or other safety concerns affect the route. This is a sensible rule, but it means you should treat the advertised stops as a plan rather than a guarantee.

Comino’s caves, coves, and Elephant Rock

Comino is where the trip feels most suited to a private boat. Its coast is known for small coves, caves, beaches, and open stretches of sea that are easier to appreciate from the water than from a busy road or crowded walking route.

The cruise advertises Elephant Rock as part of the area to explore. Since the exact route can change, ask the skipper at the start whether Elephant Rock is reachable under the day’s conditions and how much time it will take. A short private cruise cannot cover every coastal feature at length, so your priorities matter.

You might prefer a cave visit, a swim, or a quiet beach stop. Tell the skipper early. The operator specifically presents the trip as tailor-made, with guidance on good locations based on tides and weather. That is more useful than a fixed route if you already know what kind of day you want.

The boat’s sun deck should suit anyone who wants a classic Mediterranean ride, while the canopy gives you a break from direct sun. I would use both. Three hours can feel long if you remain in full sun without water, sunscreen, and shade.

Gozo and Malta from the water

The route can include the coastlines of Gozo and Malta as well as Comino. Seeing these shores from a boat changes the scale of the trip. You are not racing between inland sights. Instead, you are watching cliffs, beaches, openings in the rock, and changing water conditions from a low and open viewpoint.

The experience is less about a guided history lesson and more about access. The listed guide languages are English and Maltese, but the main pleasure comes from the coast itself, the swimming spots, and the freedom to adjust the route.

Because the charter lasts only three hours, it is wise to name your top two or three priorities. Trying to fit every island, cave, beach, and lagoon into one short outing may leave you spending too much time moving between places. A clear request, such as Blue Lagoon plus one snorkelling stop and one cave area, may produce a more relaxed ride.

The skipper can also change the departure or disembarkation location if conditions require it. That flexibility protects the outing, but it also means you should not plan a tightly timed connection immediately afterward.

The BBQ promise needs careful reading

The name suggests a ready-made barbecue meal, but that is not what the base package provides. Food, drinks, BBQ food items, BBQ beverages, and the barbecue itself are all listed as extras.

This is not necessarily a flaw. If you want control over what you eat, you can bring suitable food and drinks and use the boat as your private picnic platform. The ice cooler helps, and the Bluetooth speaker lets you set your own soundtrack.

Still, ask for the current arrangement before booking if a cooked meal is central to your plans. The supplied details do not state that a barbecue grill, ingredients, plates, utensils, or cooking service are included. The phrase BBQ boat should not lead you to assume that lunch appears on board.

A barbecue also requires planning within a three-hour charter. You may prefer to spend the time swimming and sightseeing, or you may want a slower stop for food. Tell the skipper what matters to you so the route and timing can fit the occasion.

Why the private format works well

The boat is designed for up to six people, so this is a natural choice for a family, a small friend group, or a couple who places a high value on privacy. You will not need to match your mood to a large party or wait for strangers to finish swimming.

I like the flexibility for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can use the snorkelling equipment while others stay on board under the canopy. One person can play music while another takes photos from the sun deck. The boat offers several ways to enjoy the same short trip.

The private format also makes it easier to mark a special occasion. You can bring party food and beverages, choose your music, and ask for a preferred BBQ spot on the boat. Just remember that these extras are yours to arrange and pay for.

The limitation is the short duration. Three hours is enough for a focused coastal outing, but not enough for a leisurely tour of every part of Comino, Gozo, and Malta. If you want a full-day trip, this product will feel compressed.

Captain Mário and the human side of the trip

Captain Mário is the clearest personal detail associated with this experience. He has been praised as extremely attentive and helpful, which matters on a private charter because the skipper shapes the day more than a fixed itinerary does.

A good skipper can help you choose a cove, read the water, and avoid wasting time on a stop that does not suit the conditions. The boat operator also gives the skipper authority to alter the route, timing, and boarding or return point when needed.

That authority is worth understanding before you go. It is not a promise that every requested location will be reached. It is a safety and practical safeguard for changing weather, tides, shallow water, and sea conditions.

The overall rating is perfect from the two supplied bookings, including one from Germany describing the guide as friendly and another from Portugal praising Mário’s care. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as an encouraging sign rather than proof that every outing will feel identical.

What to pack and how to plan

Pack lightly, but do not forget the basics:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Food and drinks if you want them
• Any preferred BBQ ingredients or party supplies

The boat includes a canopy, cooler, snorkelling mask, and snorkel, so you do not need to bring those unless you prefer your own equipment. Safety equipment is supplied as well.

Ask about the food setup before departure. The available details do not confirm that a grill or cooking tools are included, so bring only what the operator permits and clarify the plan in advance.

Keep your phone protected from spray and sun. Free WiFi is included, but the quality of a connection on the water can vary. The Bluetooth speaker is a nice extra, though it is still wise to keep the volume reasonable if other boats or swimmers are nearby.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some useful flexibility when planning around a Malta holiday.

Weather matters more here than it does for a museum visit. The skipper can cancel, postpone, change, or modify the charter when sea conditions make the original plan unsuitable. He can also alter the route, timing, and departure or return point.

I would not book this as the one activity that must happen on the final morning of a tightly scheduled trip. Leave some breathing room, especially if you need to catch transport afterward.

Should you book this Comino cruise?

Book it if you are a group of up to six and want a private, flexible outing focused on swimming, snorkelling, caves, and coastal scenery. It is especially appealing if you like choosing your own music, bringing your own picnic, and avoiding the fixed rhythm of a large boat tour.

Before paying, add the €75 skipper fee, €75 fuel charge, and the cost of food, drinks, barbecue supplies, and any cooking arrangement. At full capacity, the total can be reasonable. With only two people, the price is harder to justify.

My practical verdict: choose this for privacy and control, not for a guaranteed catered BBQ or a complete tour of three islands. Set your priorities with the skipper, arrive 30 minutes early, and let sea conditions guide the final plan.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The price applies to one private boat for up to six people.

Where can I meet the boat in Gozo?

The Gozo meeting area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Where can I meet the boat in Malta?

The Malta meeting area is near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the professional skipper included in the price?

No. The professional skipper is listed as an extra cost of €75.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €75.

Is food included?

No. Food, drinks, BBQ ingredients, BBQ beverages, and party supplies are not included.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper may change the route, timing, departure point, or return point because of weather, sea conditions, tides, shallow water, or other valid safety reasons.