Where the day takes you

Every charter is private, so the route is yours. These are the places our captains know best, from Comino's lagoons and caves to the pools and sea windows of the south-east. Choose a few, or leave it to the captain.

Comino

The small island between Malta and Gozo, and the reason most people charter a boat. About 45 minutes from the marina, with five of our favourite stops within a few minutes of each other.

Blue Lagoon

A shallow channel of white sand between Comino and Cominotto that turns the water a pale, luminous blue. It is Malta's most photographed swim, and by late morning in summer the day-trip ferries fill it.

On a private charter you arrive earlier, anchor a little apart from the crowd and swim straight off the boat. Ask the captain for the sandbanks on the Cominotto side if you'd rather float than people-watch.

Getting there: About 45 minutes from the marina
Best for: Half days, first-timers, swimming off the boat

Crystal Lagoon

A few minutes around the coast from the Blue Lagoon, and a different world: deep, glass-clear water beneath sheer limestone cliffs. It is where the captains go to swim.

The rock ledges make it a favourite for jumping in, and the water is clear enough to watch fish from the deck. Quieter than its famous neighbour, especially in the afternoon.

Getting there: Five minutes from the Blue Lagoon
Best for: Swimming, snorkelling, jumping from the rocks

Santa Maria Caves

A cluster of sea caves cut into Comino's northern cliffs, reachable only from the water. When the sea is calm the captain brings the boat to the entrances and you can swim or snorkel inside.

Light filters through the openings and turns the water inside an intense blue. The caves are also one of the best-known dive sites in the Maltese islands.

Getting there: Comino's north coast, by Santa Maria Bay
Best for: Snorkelling, calm mornings

Santa Maria Bay

Comino's largest beach, on the island's quieter north side. Shallow turquoise water over sand, tamarisk trees along the shore and a small chapel above the bay.

Far fewer boats than the Blue Lagoon, and gentle enough for children to paddle. A good place to anchor for lunch on a full day.

Getting there: Comino's north coast
Best for: Families, a long lunch at anchor

San Niklaw Bay

A small, sheltered bay on Comino with clear water over sand and rock. Calm, uncrowded and within easy reach of the Blue Lagoon, it makes a peaceful swim stop between the busier spots.

Ask the captain to add it to your route if you'd like an hour at anchor without the crowds.

Getting there: On Comino, close to the Blue Lagoon
Best for: A quiet swim stop

The north coast

Sheltered, shallow and close to home. The easy choice when the wind makes Comino choppy.

St Paul's Islands

The pair of islets at the mouth of St Paul's Bay, where tradition says the apostle was shipwrecked. A statue of St Paul stands on the larger island, and the water around both is clear and good for snorkelling.

The route up the coast is shallow and sheltered, which makes this the natural choice when a north-westerly wind makes Comino choppy.

Getting there: About 25 minutes from the marina
Best for: Windy days, snorkelling, families

Smuggler's Cave

A sea cave cut into the pale limestone cliffs of Malta's north coast near Mellieħa, on the way to Comino. The water in front of it is a vivid turquoise over a white seabed, and legend has it the cave once hid smugglers' cargo.

When the sea is calm the captain brings the boat in close so you can swim or snorkel to the entrance. It makes a natural first stop before crossing to Comino.

Getting there: North coast near Mellieħa, on the way to Comino
Best for: A swim stop en route, snorkelling, photographs

The south-east coast

Limestone platforms, sea windows and some of the clearest water in Malta, around the Delimara peninsula.

Ħofriet Window

Two round coves, Il-Ħofra l-Kbira and Il-Ħofra ż-Żgħira, the big hole and the small hole, carved into the cliffs north of Delimara. The sea has worn a window through the rock, and it is best seen from the water.

The coves are sheltered and deep, and very few boats stop here. A beautiful, little-known swim before or after St Peter's Pool.

Getting there: South-east coast, near Delimara
Best for: Photographs, quiet swims

St Peter's Pool

A natural swimming pool in the limestone at the tip of the Delimara peninsula, with flat rock platforms around deep, brilliantly clear water. People come for the jumps as much as the swim.

By road it means a long walk and a crowded shelf of towels in summer. By boat, you anchor off the pool and swim straight in.

Getting there: South-east coast, Delimara
Best for: Jumping, snorkelling, strong swimmers

Around the harbour

A short hop from the marinas, ideal for a swim on a shorter or sunset charter.

Rinella Bay

A small sandy bay in Kalkara, just past the entrance to the Grand Harbour, overlooked by Fort Ricasoli and the old Bighi hospital. Only minutes from the marinas, it is the easiest swim stop of all.

Perfect at the start or end of a charter, and on sunset trips, when the bastions of Valletta glow across the water on the way home.

Getting there: About 15 minutes from the marina
Best for: Short trips, sunset swims

Let the captain plan the route

Tell us your date, your group and how long you'd like on the water. We'll suggest the stops that suit the day's weather and the boat that fits.

Plan my route on WhatsApp