What’s Included in an iMalta Private Boat Tour?
A complete, honest explanation of what comes with your directly booked skippered boat: fuel, skipper, snorkelling equipment, safety gear, shade, cooler and more—plus what you should bring yourself.
Quick answer
Every skippered private boat tour booked directly with iMalta Boat Trips includes the private boat, professional skipper, fuel, standard operating and port fees, a flexible itinerary, mask and snorkel sets, life jackets, flotation aids, a shade canopy, cushioned seating, a swimming ladder, Bluetooth music and an icebox with ice. There is no separate skipper charge or fuel bill at the end.
Food, drinks and towels are not supplied, but you may bring your own. A freshwater shower, toilet and USB charging are available on selected boats rather than guaranteed on every vessel. Self-drive rentals are a different product: you drive, no skipper is included, and fuel is charged according to usage.
Everything included as standard
We want clients to understand the service before paying. These are the standard inclusions on a directly booked iMalta skippered private boat tour:
Professional skipper
Your skipper operates the boat, adapts the route, explains the coastline and looks after navigation and safety.
Fuel included
Fuel is included in the direct skippered-tour price. We do not add a surprise fuel surcharge when you return.
A genuinely private boat
The boat is reserved for your group. You do not share it with unrelated passengers.
Flexible local itinerary
The skipper tailors the pace and suitable stops around your interests, tour length, wind and sea conditions.
Mask and snorkel sets
Standard snorkelling equipment is available so you can explore clear water around Comino and Gozo.
Life jackets and floaties
Life jackets are carried for adults and children. Hard floats and pool noodles add relaxed support in the water.
Shade canopy
Every tour boat has shade. The exact canopy size and coverage depend on the allocated boat.
Icebox with ice
Bring food and drinks and use the supplied icebox to keep them cool during your tour.
Bluetooth music
Connect your phone and enjoy your own music at an appropriate volume while aboard.
Swimming ladder
A ladder makes returning to the boat easier after swimming and snorkelling.
Cushioned seating and sun deck
Relax under the canopy or use the front cushioned area for sunshine between stops.
Normal operational fees
Standard boat operating and port fees shown in the direct tour are included. The free Blue Lagoon landing pass is separate if you go ashore.
Your skipper is more than a driver
The skipper is one of the most valuable parts of a private tour. Local knowledge changes the experience: which coast is sheltered from the wind, where the water is clearest that day, which cave has enough sea room, where anchoring is permitted and when a famous location is too busy to be enjoyable.
Your skipper can suggest swimming, snorkelling, sightseeing and suitable cliff-jumping locations according to the ability of the group. Longer tours can also include part of Gozo. This knowledge helps you spend more time enjoying the water and less time navigating, anchoring or trying to interpret marine boundaries.
Read our honest private-boat value comparison or explore what different durations cover in our half-day and full-day boat-tour guide.
Fuel and skipper fees: exactly how direct booking works
When you book a skippered private boat tour directly through iMalta Boat Trips, the advertised direct price includes the skipper and the fuel required for the agreed tour. You will not complete the trip and then receive a separate fuel calculation.
Some third-party agents or marketplaces may sell packages with different terms. If you book elsewhere, the inclusions shown on that specific listing and confirmation apply. Booking directly gives you the clearest contact with the team operating the boats and avoids confusion over what is included.
For prices and group-cost examples, see our private boat cost guide for Malta.
Features that depend on the allocated boat
iMalta operates different boats for couples, families and larger groups. Some comfort features are vessel-specific, so tell us before booking if one is essential:
- Freshwater shower: available on selected newer boats
- Toilet: available on selected boats
- USB charging: available on selected boats
- Jumping or bow platform: layout varies by boat
- Group capacity: depends on the legally allocated vessel
- Canopy and sun-deck size: varies between models
If you are travelling with a baby, an older guest, someone with reduced mobility or a large group, contact us with the details. We will recommend the most suitable available boat instead of promising that every vessel has the same layout.
What is not included—and what should you bring?
- Towels: bring one for each guest
- Food: pack snacks, lunch or a picnic
- Drinking water and other drinks: bring enough for the weather and duration
- Sunscreen: bring a water-resistant, marine-conscious option
- Hat and sunglasses: strongly recommended in summer
- Scuba or freediving equipment: not part of a normal tour
- Taxi transfers: arranged separately unless your booking says otherwise
- Gratuities: optional and never compulsory
You may bring your own food and drinks, including responsible amounts of alcohol on a skippered tour. Cans and plastic containers are safer than glass. Refreshment boats sometimes sell drinks, light food and ice creams on the water, but availability varies and should not replace bringing enough water.
Please do not bring bread to feed fish. Feeding marine life changes natural behaviour and can harm the ecosystem. Enjoy fish by watching quietly without touching, chasing or feeding them.
Use our complete Malta boat-trip packing checklist before departure.
Skippered private tour vs self-drive rental
The phrase “private boat rental” is sometimes used for two different services. This is the most important distinction for prices and expectations:
| Feature | Direct skippered private tour | Self-drive boat rental |
|---|---|---|
| Boat private to your group | Yes | Yes |
| Skipper included | Yes | No—you drive |
| Fuel included | Yes | No—charged by usage |
| Local route guidance | Skipper plans and adapts route | Map, briefing and approved operating area |
| Mask and snorkel | Included | Included |
| Icebox and shade | Included | Included |
| Anchoring and navigation | Handled by skipper | Your responsibility after training |
| Best for | Relaxing, families, caves and local knowledge | Confident independent boaters who want to drive |
Confident independent boaters can compare self-drive boat rentals in Malta. If you mainly want to relax, swim and see more without managing the boat, the skippered private tour is our honest recommendation.
What to expect from booking to returning
Choose your duration and group size
The group size helps us allocate the right boat. For most first-time visitors, four hours offers the best balance of Comino, swimming and part of Gozo.
Receive your confirmation
Check the departure point, meeting time, cancellation conditions and any special requests. Directly booked tour terms are written in your confirmation.
Tell us what matters
Let us know about young children, mobility needs, non-swimmers, a toilet requirement, a proposal or a preferred activity before the day.
Meet your skipper
The skipper explains the boat and safety equipment, then discusses a realistic route around your interests and the current sea.
Enjoy a flexible private route
Swim, snorkel, see caves or relax. You choose the pace while the skipper makes the final safety and navigation decisions.
Return without a fuel surprise
On a direct skippered booking, fuel and skipper costs are already covered. Optional extras only apply when agreed separately.
Current private boat-tour choices
Prices below are direct “from” prices per boat at the time of this update. Confirm the live total for your group and allocated boat on the booking page.
| Tour | Duration | From | Best fit | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Express | 1 hour | €99 | Blue and Crystal Lagoon highlights | View tour |
| Short tour | 2 hours | €199 | Lagoons, caves and a relaxed swim | View tour |
| Comino circuit | 3 hours | €289 | Families and cruise guests | View tour |
| Comino + south Gozo | 4 hours | €369 | Best overall balance | View tour |
| Extended Gozo | 6 hours | €539 | Snorkellers and active groups | View tour |
| Full circuit | 8 hours | €699 | Gozo and Comino explorers in suitable weather | View tour |
| Sunset | 3 hours | €289 | Couples and golden-hour trips | View tour |
Prices and availability can change. The live product and checkout page always controls the final booking.
Cancellation and bad-weather clarity
For direct bookings, iMalta’s current FAQ states that cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled activity receive a full refund. If iMalta cancels because of unsafe weather, you can choose a full refund or reschedule. Third-party marketplace terms may differ, so check the policy attached to the channel you used.
Weather may also change the route without cancelling the entire tour. Comino has sheltered sides, and a knowledgeable skipper can often create an excellent alternative itinerary. No operator should guarantee a particular cave, exposed coastline or swimming stop before seeing the actual conditions.
Blue Lagoon landing pass
The standard tour includes travelling to and swimming at the Blue Lagoon. A separate free QR-code landing pass is required only if you step ashore and remain within the regulated Blue Lagoon land area. Staying aboard and swimming from the private boat does not require a landing pass.
Read our complete Blue Lagoon landing-pass guide and check the official rules before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Are fuel and the skipper included in an iMalta private boat tour?
Yes. Every skippered private boat tour booked directly with iMalta Boat Trips includes the professional skipper and fuel for the agreed tour. There is no separate skipper fee or fuel bill when you return. Third-party packages can have different terms, so check that confirmation.
Is the boat private or shared with other passengers?
The boat is completely private to your booking. You travel only with your own group and the skipper; unrelated passengers are not added.
What equipment is included on the boat?
Standard inclusions are mask and snorkel sets, adult and child life jackets, flotation aids, a swimming ladder, shade canopy, cushioned seating, Bluetooth music and an icebox with ice.
Are food, drinks and towels included?
No. Bring your own food, drinking water, other drinks and towels. An icebox with ice is supplied. Refreshment boats may operate on the water, but availability is not guaranteed.
Do all iMalta boats have a toilet, shower and USB charging?
Yes. Toilets, freshwater showers and USB charging are available on selected boats. If any feature is essential for your family or group, tell the team before booking so they can recommend a suitable available vessel.
Will the skipper take photos during the tour?
The skipper is normally happy to help with casual group photographs when it is safe. Navigation and guest safety come first, so this is not a guaranteed professional photography package. Discuss proposals and special occasions in advance.
How many guests can join a private boat tour?
Capacity depends on the allocated boat and its licensed passenger limit. iMalta has options for couples, families and larger groups, including multi-boat arrangements. Send the exact number of adults and children for the safest recommendation.
Can we customise our private boat route?
Yes. Tell the skipper whether you prefer swimming, snorkelling, caves, sightseeing, suitable cliff jumping or a relaxed pace. The final route depends on tour length, wind, sea conditions, marine restrictions and the group’s ability.
Are there hidden charges on a directly booked skippered tour?
No ordinary fuel or skipper surcharge is added at the end. Optional transport, catering, decorations, boat upgrades or other special extras are priced separately and agreed before booking.
What happens if bad weather affects the tour?
If iMalta cancels a direct booking because conditions are unsafe, the current policy offers a full refund or the option to reschedule. When safe sheltered water remains available, the skipper may adapt the route instead.
Is fuel included with a self-drive boat rental?
No. Self-drive is a separate product without a skipper, and fuel is charged according to actual consumption after the rental. Snorkel equipment, an icebox, shade, a route map and safety briefing are included.
Do we need a Blue Lagoon pass on a private boat tour?
You need the free official QR-code landing pass only if you step ashore and remain within the regulated Blue Lagoon land area. You do not need it simply to stay aboard and swim from the boat without landing.
Sources and accuracy note
This page describes direct iMalta Boat Trips policies and equipment as confirmed by the operating team. Product inclusions, booking terms and vessel allocation should always be checked on your final confirmation because boats, regulations and optional services can change.
iMalta private boat product inclusions
iMalta booking and equipment FAQs
iMalta self-drive fuel and equipment guide
Official Blue Lagoon Access Management System FAQs
Book directly with every standard inclusion made clear
Your private boat, skipper, fuel, snorkelling equipment, safety gear, shade and icebox are included. Tell us your group size and priorities, and we will recommend the right boat and tour duration.
