A full day on a boat is the single highest-value way to see Malta. In eight hours on the water, a well-designed itinerary can cover the Blue Lagoon at Comino, the caves and grottoes of Malta’s southern coastline, the sea-level views of the Blue Grotto, and a crossing to Gozo — all with snorkelling stops, a proper lunch, and enough time at each location to actually experience it rather than photograph and move on. That combination of geographic range, access to sites that are difficult or impossible to reach by land, and the quality of time spent actually in the water rather than in a transfer makes a full-day Malta boat tour a fundamentally different product from a half-day excursion. This page covers what a full day actually looks like, which route options exist, what is and is not included, what things cost, and what you should bring to make the most of it.
Why Book a Full-Day Boat Tour in Malta?
Range. Malta’s three main islands — Malta, Comino, and Gozo — are separated by short stretches of water but represent entirely distinct landscapes and experiences. A full-day tour by boat connects all three in a single trip. No separate ferry bookings, no rental car logistics, no half-days lost in transit. The boat is the transport and the destination simultaneously.
Access. Some of Malta’s best locations are genuinely difficult to reach by land — St Peter’s Pool requires a significant walk on an unmarked path, the sea caves on Malta’s eastern coast have no land access at all, and the best approach to the Blue Lagoon (arriving early before the public ferries flood the area) requires your own boat. A full-day charter gets you to these places at the right time of day.
Value. Shared full-day tours in Malta start from approximately €60 per person all-inclusive (lunch, snorkelling gear, drinks). That price point, for eight hours on the Mediterranean visiting Malta’s most iconic locations, represents outstanding value against the cost of equivalent land-based excursions plus food and activity fees.
Flexibility on private charters. If you book a private full-day charter, the itinerary is yours to shape. Stay longer at the Blue Lagoon. Skip a site that does not interest you. Add a cove the skipper knows. The day belongs to you. Families. Full-day shared tours are well-suited to families with children from about 6 upwards. Snorkelling is beginner-friendly, the boat is a safe and engaging environment for children, and the combination of swimming, lunch, and movement keeps attention levels high in a way that cultural tours on land often do not.
What to Expect on a Full-Day Malta Boat Tour
Departure is usually between 09:00 and 09:30 from Sliema Ferries, St Julian’s, or Cirkewwa depending on the operator and route. Return to the departure point is typically between 17:00 and 17:30 — a clean eight hours on the water.
The general shape of a standard day: 09:00 depart Sliema or St Julian’s and transit south along Malta’s east coast. 09:45 first stop at the Blue Grotto or Wied iż-Żurrieq sea caves, 45–60 minutes at anchor for snorkelling or swimming. 11:00 transit across to Comino, approaching the Blue Lagoon from the south, arriving ahead of or alongside the main ferry traffic. 11:30 Blue Lagoon anchor, 90 minutes swimming, snorkelling, and free time with snorkelling equipment distributed. 13:00 lunch served on board (or ashore at Comino if the operator uses a restaurant stop) — typically salad, pasta or fish, bread, soft drinks. 14:00 second Comino stop or Crystal Lagoon swim. 15:00 optional Gozo transit on itineraries that include Gozo, 30–45 minutes ashore at Mgarr Harbour or brief coastal transit with views of Gozo’s cliffs and the Fungus Rock. 16:00 return transit to Malta, drinks served on deck. 17:00 arrive at departure point.
Not all full-day tours include Gozo — check the itinerary before booking. Gozo-inclusive tours are longer transits and are more commonly found on private charters or premium shared departures. Shared tours typically carry 15–30 passengers and follow a fixed itinerary. They offer excellent value and a social atmosphere. Private full-day charters carry your group only, follow the itinerary you choose, and offer flexibility at each stop. Private pricing starts from around €500 for smaller vessels and scales to €1,200 and above for larger motor yachts with full catering.
Popular Routes and Itineraries
The Classic Maltese Highlights (shared, most popular). Blue Grotto sea caves → Blue Lagoon → Crystal Lagoon. The core of the standard shared full-day offering. Covers Malta’s two most iconic water destinations in a single day with snorkelling at both and lunch on board.
Full Malta, Comino & Gozo Day (shared premium or private). Blue Grotto → Blue Lagoon → Gozo coastal transit → Ramla Bay or Mgarr Harbour stop → return via Comino caves. The most comprehensive single-day island-hopping itinerary available in Malta. Best on a private charter where the pace can be controlled.
Comino Explorer (private, full day). Dedicated full-day Comino charter. Blue Lagoon → Crystal Lagoon → Santa Marija Bay → Comino towers and coastal cliffs → snorkelling at multiple sites around the island. For groups who want to spend the whole day around Comino rather than covering multiple islands. Exceptional for snorkelling.
Southern Malta Sea Caves (private, full day). Focused on Malta’s southern coastline. Blue Grotto → Wied iż-Żurrieq caves → St Peter’s Pool → Ghar Lapsi. For snorkelling-focused groups who prefer less busy sites over the main Blue Lagoon. Best in September and October when water clarity peaks.
Gozo Day Charter (private, full day). Depart from Malta. Cross to Gozo. Full circumnavigation of Gozo by boat — Fungus Rock, Dwejra Bay (former Azure Window site), Xlendi Bay for lunch, Ramla Bay for swimming. Return to Malta by late afternoon. One of the most visually dramatic full-day routes available in the Maltese islands.
Pricing Guide
Shared full-day tours covering the Blue Lagoon and caves run €60 to €90 per person for 8 hours. Shared full-day Malta + Comino + Gozo tours run €80 to €110 per person for 8–9 hours. Private full-day charters for up to 8 passengers on a motor boat run €500 to €900. Private full-day catamaran charters for up to 20 passengers run €900 to €1,800. Private luxury motor yacht charters run €1,200 to €4,000+. Shared tour prices are per person and typically include lunch, snorkelling equipment, and soft drinks. Private charter prices are per vessel and can be divided across your group.
What’s Included
On shared full-day tours: snorkelling mask, snorkel, and fins; lunch on board (typically pasta, salad, bread); soft drinks and water throughout the day; skipper and crew; life jackets and safety equipment; fuel and island transit fees. On private full-day charters, all of the above plus fully flexible itinerary, choice of departure point and time, customisable catering and drinks (wine, beer, premium options available), and private use of the vessel with no sharing. Not included on standard shared tours: alcoholic beverages (often available to purchase), sunscreen, towels, personal travel insurance, and gratuities.
What to Bring
High-SPF sunscreen (the Mediterranean sun at sea is significantly stronger than on land); a towel — some operators provide them on private charters but not typically on shared tours; reef-safe sunscreen if you plan to snorkel in marine protected areas; a light layer for the return transit (evenings cool quickly on the water even in summer); waterproof bag or dry bag for phone and valuables; seasickness medication if you are prone to motion sickness (the transit between islands can be choppy in summer afternoon conditions); cash for gratuities and any on-board purchases.
Ready to Book?
Eight hours on Malta’s water, covering the Blue Lagoon, sea caves, and the islands’ best swimming spots — all-inclusive, guided, and departing in the morning with everything arranged. Browse the full-day boat tours below, compare shared and private options by date, route, and group size, and submit an enquiry for your dates. Your best day in Malta starts on the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to book a full-day boat tour in Malta?
Shared full-day tours start from €60 per person for the Blue Lagoon and caves route, and €80 to €110 for the Malta + Comino + Gozo itinerary. Private full-day charters run from €500 for a small motor boat up to €4,000+ for a luxury motor yacht. Shared prices include lunch, snorkelling gear, and soft drinks; private charters can be fully customised.
What’s included on a full-day boat tour?
Shared full-day tours include mask, snorkel and fins, lunch on board (usually pasta, salad, bread), soft drinks and water all day, skipper and crew, life jackets, and fuel and island transit fees. Alcoholic drinks, towels, sunscreen, and gratuities are extra. Private charters add full itinerary flexibility and customisable catering and drinks.
Where do full-day boat tours in Malta depart from?
Most full-day tours depart between 09:00 and 09:30 from Sliema Ferries, St Julian’s, or Cirkewwa depending on the operator and route. Cirkewwa is the shortest hop to Comino. Private charters can pick up from a wider range of points. Return is typically between 17:00 and 17:30. Departure details are confirmed at booking.
When is the best time of year for a full-day boat tour in Malta?
June through October covers the core season. July and August are busiest — the Blue Lagoon becomes very crowded by mid-morning, so early departure is critical. September and October offer warm water (still 22–25°C), far fewer crowds, and the year’s best underwater visibility for the snorkelling stops. May is increasingly popular for early-season tours with good conditions and competitive pricing.