REVIEW · BLUE LAGOON TOURS

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip

5.0 · 33 reviews 4 hours (approx.) Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of this Comino charter is simple: you see Malta’s famous water from a small private boat, not from the edge of a packed beach. The route brings you to Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, several caves, and quiet swimming spots around Comino.

I like the flexible pace, since Nicholas can adjust stops and swimming time to suit your group. I also like the useful inclusions: fuel, skipper, drinking water, an ice cooler, snorkels, a board, shower, and toilet. The main drawback is the four-hour limit. With so many bays and caves on the route, every stop is fairly brief.

Key points to know before booking

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Key points to know before booking

  • Private boat for up to 11 people: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes this a good choice for families, friends, and small celebrations.
  • Blue Lagoon away from the main crush: You can swim from the boat rather than spend the whole stop on the crowded shore.
  • Nicholas sets a relaxed pace: Communication before the trip is a strong part of the experience, and the route can be adjusted.
  • Several swimming locations: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Battery, Santa Maria Bay, and San Niklaw Bay each offer a different setting.
  • Caves and film locations: The route passes St. Mary’s Tower and Elephant Head Rock, both linked with The Count of Monte Cristo.
  • Best value with a full group: At $426.50 for up to 11 people, the per-person cost becomes much more reasonable when shared.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its best-known water spots can feel crowded. The Blue Lagoon draws the biggest attention, and the difference between seeing it from a packed shoreline and swimming beside your own boat is considerable.

This charter gives you a private base on the water. You can swim, climb back aboard, rinse off with the shower, find shade or room to sit, and keep your things close. You are not tied to a large group’s schedule, and you do not have to leave just when your own group has settled into the water.

That privacy matters most for families and groups of friends. A family can give children a little more time to swim, while a group celebrating a birthday or hen party can play music, carry drinks, and enjoy the boat without sharing the space with strangers. The boat has been described as roomy and clean, with enough space to relax between stops.

The format is also more personal than a standard sightseeing cruise. Nicholas is praised for being friendly, patient, and willing to change the timing. That does not mean you can turn a four-hour trip into a full-day charter, but it does mean the experience is not treated like a rigid bus timetable on water.

More blue lagoon tours in Malta:

Blue Lagoon: the headline stop

The first stop is Blue Lagoon, usually the place most people picture when they think of Comino. The water is clear and bright, and the main attraction here is swimming rather than a long walk or formal sightseeing visit.

You get about 45 minutes at this stop. The key advantage is that you can enjoy the lagoon from the boat and swim away from the thickest part of the crowd. You still see the famous setting, but your experience is more about being in the water than standing on a busy strip of land.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and have a towel ready. With less than an hour, you will not want to spend much of the stop changing or searching for your belongings. The boat’s facilities include an ice cooler, drinking water, snorkels, a shower, and a toilet, all of which make a water-focused outing easier.

Blue Lagoon is also where the private format earns much of its price. On a shared boat, your timing is controlled by the operator and the other passengers. Here, you can use the stop for swimming and relaxing, then move on when your group is ready.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s cave views

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s cave views

Crystal Lagoon gets about 30 minutes and adds a different feel. It is suited to snorkeling, swimming, and cliff jumping, while the boat also passes cave formations including Lovers Cave and Popeye’s Arch.

I would treat the cliff jumping as an optional activity, not a central promise. The information confirms the location is good for it, but it does not provide jump heights, safety details, or a specific jumping program. You should use your own judgment and follow Nicholas’s instructions.

The caves are best appreciated from the water. Their shapes and openings are part of what makes a boat trip worthwhile, since some views are difficult or impossible to reach from land. If you enjoy taking photographs, this is a good point to keep your camera ready, though protect it around the water.

Thirty minutes passes quickly once you include snorkeling and looking at the caves. If your group wants a long swim, ask early in the trip how the timing can be handled. Nicholas is described as flexible, but the route includes several stops, so the total time still has limits.

St. Mary’s Tower and the movie connection

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - St. Mary’s Tower and the movie connection

Between the swimming stops, the boat passes St. Mary’s Tower. The Knights of St. John built it in the early 17th century, and it later appeared as a prison in The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is a passing sight rather than a guided fortress visit. You will not be getting off to explore the interior, so think of it as a quick historical detail that adds character to the cruise. The tower gives you a reason to look beyond the water and notice Comino’s defensive past.

The same movie connection appears later at Elephant Head Rock, on the eastern side of Comino. These references are small but useful. They turn a scenic boat ride into something with a bit of local context, without pretending this is a full history tour.

Same islands, a completely different day out:

Saint Mary’s Battery and a quieter swim

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Saint Mary’s Battery and a quieter swim

The third main stop is near Saint Mary’s Battery, built by the Knights of St. John in the early 18th century to protect the southern channel. The boat pauses here for about 30 minutes, with a swimming location below the fort and attractive views around it.

This stop combines two things well: a historic structure above and a natural swimming area below. If you want a break from the most famous lagoon, this can feel more relaxed. You get to see a defensive site while still spending most of the time in the water.

The description says the boat stops near the battery rather than promising an inland visit. That distinction matters. You should book this for the view and swim, not for a detailed fort tour.

The sequence also helps break up the day. Instead of repeating the same type of stop, the route moves between open water, caves, bays, and historic coastal sites. Still, the timetable is active. You will want to listen for instructions about returning to the boat so that one long swim does not shorten the later stops.

Santa Maria Bay and the five Santa Maria Caves

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Santa Maria Bay and the five Santa Maria Caves

Santa Maria Bay offers a sandy beach, clear water, swimming, and snorkeling. The planned stop is about 30 minutes, giving you time to enjoy the beach from the water or, depending on the arrangements and conditions, spend time near the bay.

This is a useful contrast with Blue Lagoon. Blue Lagoon is the famous showpiece, while Santa Maria Bay has a more beach-centered feel. If someone in your group prefers a sandy setting to swimming directly beside the boat, this stop may be especially welcome.

The boat then visits Santa Maria Caves for about 10 minutes. These are described as a group of five caves on the northern side of Comino. Ten minutes is enough for a look and some photographs, but not for a long exploration.

That short timing is worth noting for anyone who loves caves. You are seeing them as part of a coastal route, not taking a dedicated cave expedition. The advantage is variety. The drawback is that the most interesting places receive only a limited amount of time.

San Niklaw Bay closes the route

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - San Niklaw Bay closes the route

The final bay is San Niklaw Bay, where the water is clear and the atmosphere is tranquil. The planned stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Ending at a quieter bay is a sensible choice. After the famous lagoon, caves, and sightseeing points, you get one last chance to swim without feeling that you are racing from one attraction to the next. I would save some energy for this stop rather than treating Blue Lagoon as the entire purpose of the trip.

The schedule lists roughly 175 minutes of stops, leaving the remainder of the four-hour outing for moving between locations and viewing the coast. That is a useful way to understand the pace. You receive plenty of time in the water overall, but no single stop, apart from Blue Lagoon, is especially long.

Nicholas and the feel on board

Boat Charters Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, Malta 4hr trip - Nicholas and the feel on board

The guide and skipper are identified as Nicholas, with the name Nicholai also appearing in booking communication. The important practical point is that your contact person is responsive before the trip and helps make the meeting details clear.

That pre-trip communication can remove a lot of stress. You know where and when to meet, and you have a chance to ask questions before leaving shore. A taxi can be arranged for an additional €45, but private transportation is not included in the stated boat price.

On board, the tone is relaxed rather than formal. Nicholas is described as patient and unhurried, and the route can be adjusted around where your group wants to spend time. The boat also suits a social outing: one hen party enjoyed music, drinks, and long swimming breaks.

English and Italian guiding are available. The tour is listed in English, so confirm your preferred language when booking if that matters to your group.

What the $426.50 price really buys you

The price is $426.50 per group, for up to 11 people. That works out to about $38.77 per person if the boat is full, before any optional taxi fee.

For two people, the price is much harder to justify. For six people, it is about $71.08 per person. For a group of 10, it is about $42.65 per person. The value improves sharply as you fill the boat.

You are paying for privacy, a skipper, fuel, use of the boat’s shower and toilet, drinking water, an ice cooler, snorkels, and a board. Those inclusions reduce the small extra costs and practical hassles that can build up during a water outing.

The strongest value is for a group that wants control over its time. If your priority is the lowest possible fare and you do not mind sharing a boat, a public cruise may cost less. If your priority is room, privacy, flexible swimming stops, and a calmer pace, this charter makes more sense.

The price does not include private transportation. A taxi can be provided for €45, which you should add to your budget if your group needs help reaching the departure point.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this charter to:

  • Families who want swimming time without a large shared group
  • Friends looking for a social day with music and drinks
  • Small groups that want to split a private boat cost
  • Snorkelers who prefer several short water stops
  • Visitors who want to see caves and coastal sights from the sea
  • Anyone who finds crowded Blue Lagoon beaches unappealing

It is less suited to someone who wants a long historical tour, an all-day sailing trip, or a single location with hours on a beach. The itinerary is built around movement and variety.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but private transportation is not included. The experience depends on good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Smart ways to prepare

Start with a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and footwear that you do not mind getting wet. The boat has a shower, but you should still expect a water-based day from the first stop to the last.

Keep your valuables secure and bring a waterproof phone case if you want photographs from the water. The caves, rock shapes, towers, and bays are the main visual rewards, and the best views come while you are moving between stops.

Ask about the meeting point and pickup plans before the day. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, and a taxi may be arranged for an extra fee if needed.

An early start is a sensible request if the schedule allows it. The tour information does not promise a specific departure time, but getting on the water earlier can help you enjoy the famous lagoon before the busiest period. Confirm the time directly rather than assuming an early departure is guaranteed.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Because the trip requires good weather, the operator may cancel in poor conditions. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Check the local start time when calculating the cancellation deadline.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the trip is commonly booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 33 days, reserve early if you need a particular date for a larger group.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon charter?

Book it if you want a private, swimming-first way to see Comino and can share the $426.50 cost with a group. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, historic coastal sites, and several swim stops gives you a broad look at the island in four hours.

I especially like this for people who want to avoid a packed boat and prefer a skipper who can adjust the pace. Nicholas’s calm approach, the clean and roomy boat, and the useful water facilities add real comfort.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the full group price feels too high. Also skip it if you want long stays at each bay, since the route covers a lot of ground and several stops last only 30 minutes or less.

For a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration, this is one of the stronger ways to spend a half-day around Comino. Book early, ask about the meeting point, and aim for the earliest available start if your schedule permits.

FAQ

How long is the Comino boat trip?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to 11 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is the price for the boat charter?

The listed price is $426.50 per group of up to 11 people.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Battery, Santa Maria Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and San Niklaw Bay. It also passes St. Mary’s Tower and Elephant Head Rock.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Swimming is part of the planned stops, and snorkels are included. Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay are specifically suited to snorkeling.

What is included in the price?

Fuel, a skipper, use of the boat’s shower and toilet, drinking water, an ice cooler, snorkels, and a board are included. English and Italian guiding are available.

Is transportation to the boat included?

Private transportation is not included. A taxi can be arranged for an additional fee of €45.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

More like this

Blue Lagoon Tours, compared.

The full Blue Lagoon Tours list →
Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 15,672 reviews· from $28

Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 5,673 reviews· from $35

Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Seacaves Tour

Read our review →
Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 5,496 reviews· from $62

Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

Read our review →
Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★4.6· 5,092 reviews· from $34

Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise

Read our review →
Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 3,792 reviews· from $40

Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Read our review →
Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 3,461 reviews· from $41

Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Read our review →
Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 2,882 reviews· from $34

Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves Cruise

Read our review →
Boat Trip to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and Caves
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 2,061 reviews· from $47

Boat Trip to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and Caves

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Malta

Pick a harbour, a walled city or a boat.