Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino Caves Private Boat Tour

The best part of this two-hour trip is how much Comino you see from the water. Francesco takes a private group through the Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Comino Caves, then past Saint Mary’s Tower and Elephant Rock. The powerful RIB can slip into narrow sea passages that larger boats cannot reach.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want to swim when they choose instead of following a crowd. I also like the personal touch: Francesco and his brother have adjusted the outing for families, and one family with children aged 3, 8, and 11 found plenty to enjoy.

The main catch is time. Two hours moves quickly, and the price of $234 per group is not the full cost because a €99 fuel surcharge is added. You will need to confirm the exact pickup point and how much time is available for swimming before you set off.

Key points to know before booking

• A private boat for up to eight: You get the boat and guide for your own group, not a seat on a packed shared excursion.
• A Yamaha V6 250 engine: The RIB offers a quick, lively ride between Comino’s coves and rock formations.
• Three strong swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and the waters near Elephant Rock are the main reasons to bring swimwear.
• Francesco provides local context: He shares information about Comino’s past, rocks, and sea life while steering the boat.
• Snorkeling gear and a GoPro are available: The listed inclusions cover snorkeling equipment, and the tour description also mentions use of a GoPro for underwater pictures.
• The fuel surcharge changes the value: The advertised $234 covers the private group, but you must add €99 for fuel.

Why a private RIB makes a difference around Comino

Comino is small, but its coast is full of cuts, caves, towers, and little bays. A private RIB gives you a more direct way to see them than a large sightseeing boat. You can move between stops quickly, look into sea caves, and stop for a swim without sharing the whole outing with a large crowd.

The boat is powered by a Yamaha V6 250 engine. That matters less if you want a slow sightseeing cruise, but it matters a great deal on a short tour with many stops. The boat can cover ground between Malta, Comino, and the southern coast of Gozo while still leaving time for swimming.

You should expect a lively ride rather than a quiet harbor cruise. RIB boats are open to the weather, sun, and spray. Keep your sunglasses secure, use sunscreen, and bring a towel. People with back problems or heart problems should not book this activity.

The private setup is the strongest reason to choose this trip. With room for up to eight people, the cost can be reasonable when split among a family or group of friends. A couple paying for the whole boat will find it much less budget-friendly than a shared trip, particularly after the €99 fuel surcharge.

Crystal Lagoon offers the first proper swim

The route begins from one of the available pickup areas and heads toward Comino. The first major stop is Crystal Lagoon, where you can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

Crystal Lagoon is a good early stop because it gives you a chance to get into the water before the main Blue Lagoon visit. The tour allows about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a refreshing swim and a look below the surface, but not enough for a long, relaxed beach session.

Bring beachwear under your clothes if you want to enter the water without delay. Bottled water and an ice cooler are included, which is useful in the hot Maltese sun. The cooler also gives your group a place to keep personal drinks cool, although the provided details do not promise meals or a full onboard lunch.

Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto and is the tour’s best-known stop. Its clear, turquoise water is made for swimming and snorkeling, and the boat gives you a view of the lagoon from the water rather than only from shore.

You get about 20 minutes here. That sounds brief, but it is sensible on a route that also includes caves, rock formations, bays, and Gozo views. If your main goal is to spend half a day floating in the Blue Lagoon, this is not the right product. If you want to sample the lagoon while also seeing much more of Comino, the timing works better.

The Blue Lagoon can be busy, especially during the warmer months. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it does give you a more flexible way to approach it and move on when your group is ready. The separate entrance mentioned for the activity may help with access, but you should still expect this famous location to draw plenty of people.

Snorkeling equipment is included. The tour description also says you can use a GoPro, a useful extra if you want underwater photographs without bringing your own camera. Ask the guide about the equipment before leaving the boat so you do not lose valuable swim time.

Saint Mary’s Tower gives Comino a human story

Saint Mary’s Tower is one of Comino’s most recognizable landmarks. The boat pauses for photographs and sightseeing, and the guide provides context about the island.

This is a short stop, listed at about 10 minutes, with possible swimming and snorkeling. The tower helps you see Comino as more than a collection of pretty water and pale rock. It is a reminder that the island’s position between Malta and Gozo made it a useful lookout point.

You will not be spending a long time ashore at the tower on this tour. Think of it as a scenic and historical pause from the boat, not a full visit inside the building. The value comes from the view and the explanation, especially if you enjoy knowing why a landmark is there rather than simply taking a photograph.

Santa Marija Bay slows the pace

Santa Marija Bay is scheduled as a short five-minute visit and photo stop. Compared with the Blue Lagoon, it offers a quieter-looking setting and a chance to see another side of Comino.

Because the stop is short, I would not plan on a long beach break here. It is best treated as part of the moving tour, with the boat showing you several different coastal settings instead of parking at one place for most of the afternoon.

That variety is important. In two hours, you are not buying a single beach stay. You are buying a fast sampler of Comino’s most striking coastal spots. The private boat lets the guide adjust the pace to your group, but the number of planned locations still means you should set realistic expectations.

Elephant Rock and the Comino Caves bring the adventure

Elephant Rock is one of the most memorable stops because of its unusual shape and open-water setting. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes here, the longest named stop. You can take photographs, swim, snorkel, and listen to the guide explain the area.

For many people, this will be the most active part of the outing. The tour description says you may swim into deep caves and jump from rocky ledges, but those activities depend on conditions and your guide’s judgment. Do not assume every group will use every ledge or cave. Safety, water conditions, and your comfort level come first.

The Comino Caves are the other major highlight. Francesco steers through narrow passages and lets you see rock formations and sheltered grottos from close range. Sunlight reflecting on the water creates changing patterns inside the caves, making this more interesting than a simple ride along the coast.

This is where the smaller private RIB earns its place. A large boat may be able to show you the outside of a cave, but a compact boat can offer a closer look at passages and corners. The tradeoff is that entering tight spaces and stopping near rocks can feel exciting rather than restful.

You should also be comfortable climbing in and out of the water if you plan to swim inside a cave. The supplied information does not describe ladders, steps, or changing facilities, so wear secure swimwear and bring only items you can keep safe on an open boat.

Cominotto and Gozo add variety to a short route

Cominotto is a small island beside Comino and the Blue Lagoon. The boat pauses for photographs and sightseeing for about five minutes. It is a quick stop, but it helps explain the shape of the lagoon and the relationship between the two islands.

The route then passes by Gozo for about 10 minutes. The tour description also refers to the southern coast of Gozo and a possible secluded beach where you can swim or relax. However, the timed itinerary labels Gozo as a pass-by rather than a guaranteed landing or extended beach stop.

That distinction matters. If you specifically want to set foot on a Gozo beach, ask the operator before booking. You may see the coast from the boat, but the two-hour schedule does not clearly promise a shore visit. The tour is strongest when viewed as a Comino and lagoon trip with Gozo added as a coastal view.

Pickup and drop-off options are listed at Ghajnsielem and Mellieha. The operator also says it can collect you at Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo. These locations are useful for different ferry and island plans, but they are not identical places, so confirm the meeting point after booking.

What Francesco adds to the ride

The guide is Francesco, with his brother also helping on the boat. The personal service is a clear part of the experience. One family found that the two brothers adapted the outing to suit three children, while another group was able to arrange a same-day booking and felt that the two-hour route seemed much longer because of the number of stops.

Francesco shares information about Comino’s history, geology, and marine life. That makes the boat ride more than a sequence of photo stops. You get some sense of how the islands formed, why the rocks look the way they do, and what you are seeing below the water.

The guide’s attitude matters more on a private tour than on a large shared boat. You are spending the full outing with the captain, so a friendly and flexible crew can make the difference between a good transfer and a memorable day. The available feedback gives Francesco strong marks for conversation, local knowledge, and adjusting the pace to the group.

Still, a two-hour tour cannot provide a long talk at every stop. If you want a detailed history lecture, this may feel light. If you prefer short explanations between swims and photographs, the format should suit you.

Price, fuel, and what you actually receive

The listed cost is $234 per group of up to eight people. That is a group price, not a per-person fare, so the value improves as your party gets larger. At eight people, the base price works out to about $29 per person before the fuel charge. The required €99 fuel surcharge adds a significant extra cost, so include it in your comparison.

The package includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler. The tour description also says you can use a GoPro, which is helpful for underwater photographs. There is no stated meal or extensive refreshment service, though fresh snacks were provided to one group, so do not book this expecting a catered boat lunch.

You are paying for privacy, speed, and flexibility. That is worthwhile for a family that wants to keep children comfortable, a group of friends that wants its own music and pace, or anyone who dislikes being packed onto a large boat. It is less attractive if you only need transport to the Blue Lagoon or want the lowest possible fare.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Weather can cancel the trip, with safety taking priority. Malta’s sea conditions can change, so keep some flexibility in your plans if this outing is important to you.

Who should book this Comino boat tour

I would recommend this trip to a small group that wants several experiences in one outing: swimming, snorkeling, coastal sightseeing, caves, and a fast boat ride. Families may appreciate the private setting because the crew can adjust the pace rather than forcing everyone into a fixed group schedule.

It also suits confident swimmers and people who like active water stops. The description includes swimming into caves and jumping from rocky ledges, but you can choose your own comfort level. You do not need to take part in every activity to enjoy the boat ride.

This is not a good choice for anyone with back or heart problems. It may also disappoint you if you want a slow, long beach stay, a guaranteed landing in Gozo, or a full-day sailing experience. The boat is open, the ride can be lively, and the two-hour route is tightly packed.

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, and beachwear. Keep your schedule clear enough to handle weather changes, and confirm the pickup point, fuel surcharge, and Gozo beach arrangements before departure.

Should you book it?

Book this private tour if you want to see the best-known Comino water sites without surrendering your entire day to a shared excursion. The strongest combination is the private boat, Francesco’s personal guiding, the narrow cave passages, and the chance to swim at several locations.

I would be cautious only about the short duration and added €99 fuel cost. For a group of six to eight, the price can make good sense. For one or two people, a shared boat may offer better value. If you accept that this is a quick, active sampler rather than a leisurely beach day, it is an appealing way to experience Comino’s coast.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat is available for a group of up to eight people.

What locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Saint Mary’s Tower, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, Cominotto, and a pass by the coast of Gozo.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Swimming is listed at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Tower, and Elephant Rock, with additional swimming opportunities depending on conditions and the guide’s direction.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are bottled water and a cooler provided?

Yes. Bottled water and an ice cooler are included.

Is a GoPro available?

The tour description says you can use a GoPro to record underwater activities.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off options are listed at Ghajnsielem and Mellieha. The operator also offers pickup from Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo, so confirm the exact meeting point.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €99 fuel surcharge is not included in the advertised $234 group price.

Can the tour be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The operator may cancel the reservation because of adverse weather conditions and will notify you if plans change. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.