Comino Blue Lagoon: Private Boat Charter (2 Hours)

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon looks best from a small private boat, where you can stop for a swim instead of merely peering at the water from a crowded shore. This charter lets your group visit the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, then ask the skipper to seek out caves, bays, or quieter swimming spots.

I like the freedom to shape the two-hour route, and I like that the price covers the whole boat for up to eight people rather than charging each person separately. The main drawback is the short running time: after cruising, swimming, and perhaps a cave stop, you may wish you had booked longer. Add the €40 cash fuel charge to your budget, too.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: You share the boat only with your own group, which makes the trip more relaxed than a standard shared cruise.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: You get time at Comino’s two best-known swimming areas, subject to sea conditions and the skipper’s route.
• Flexible two-hour plan: Ask for caves, beaches, bays, swimming, or snorkeling rather than following a rigid script.
• Useful onboard gear: Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, drinking water, a sun canopy, coolers with ice, and a Bluetooth stereo are included.
• Skippers with a personal touch: Guides such as Ammie and Jolene have been singled out for being friendly, flexible, and informative.
• Budget beyond the advertised fare: The boat costs $247 per group, with about €40 for fuel paid in cash after the trip.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its best views are spread along the coast. A private charter gives you a quick way to connect the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, rocky coves, and sea caves without committing to a full-day sailing trip.

The biggest advantage is control. You can spend more time swimming if the water looks perfect, or ask to move on if one spot feels too busy. Your skipper adjusts the route to the sea and your preferences, so this works well for a mixed group where one person wants to snorkel, another wants photos, and someone else simply wants to sit under the canopy.

This is also a useful option when you have limited time in Malta or Gozo. Two hours is long enough for a taste of Comino by water, but short enough to fit around other plans. I would think of it as a focused coastal outing, not a full island day.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbor

The activity can depart from Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Mgarr Port on Gozo. The exact meeting point is sent to you before departure based on the port you choose, so do not arrive expecting a clearly marked boat at any random part of the harbor.

That meeting detail matters. One booking had trouble finding the boat in the harbor, so I would keep your phone available, read the final instructions closely, and allow a little extra time to get your bearings. If you are unsure, contact the operator before setting out rather than trying to solve it after you reach the waterfront.

The charter does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the selected port, and the exact starting time depends on availability. This arrangement keeps the experience simple, but you are responsible for getting to the boat on time.

Cruising along Comino’s coast

Once aboard, the boat takes you along Comino’s shoreline toward the main swimming areas. The point is not a long narrated cruise with a fixed list of stops. It is a compact, private outing in which the skipper can balance sightseeing and time in the water.

You can sit beneath the sun canopy, listen to music through the Bluetooth stereo, or use the coolers with ice to keep drinks chilled. Bottled water and drinking water are supplied, but food and extra drinks are not, so bring any snacks you need.

The skipper provides life jackets and snorkeling equipment. That saves you from packing fins, masks, or similar basics, though I would still bring your own towel and beachwear. The boat setup is geared toward easy swimming stops rather than a formal onboard meal or luxury yacht service.

The crew speaks Maltese, English, and Italian. That gives most international visitors a practical way to discuss the route, water conditions, and how much time they want at each stop.

Blue Lagoon: Comino’s main attraction

The Blue Lagoon is the star of this trip, with clear water and pale rock around a narrow stretch of sea. It is the place most people have in mind when they picture Comino, and a boat gives you a strong view of the water before you even stop to swim.

Your skipper decides the precise approach according to the conditions. The charter description promises access to the Blue Lagoon, but the amount of time there can change because the whole tour lasts only two hours and the route remains flexible.

Bring your waterproof camera if you have one, but keep the practical limits in mind. The boat is moving between locations, and you are not guaranteed unlimited time at the lagoon. If swimming there is your top priority, say so early. A private charter is most useful when you tell the skipper what matters most rather than hoping every possible stop will fit.

The lagoon can be an excellent choice for a group with different energy levels. Strong swimmers can use the water, while others can remain aboard under the canopy. Life jackets are available, but you should still be comfortable around open water and follow the skipper’s instructions.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s caves

Crystal Lagoon offers another chance to stop in clear water along Comino’s coast. The appeal here is the setting itself: rocky shore, open sea, and the chance to see the water from a smaller boat rather than from a fixed beach.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can look beneath the surface without arranging a separate rental. Conditions control how worthwhile snorkeling feels on the day. Calm water should make it easier to see and move around, while rougher seas may lead the skipper to shorten or change the stop.

The route can also include scenic caves and other bays. These are not presented as a long walking tour or a formal cave expedition. You see them from the boat, with the skipper guiding you along the coast and explaining the places you pass.

That flexibility is one of the charter’s strongest features. If your group prefers caves and photographs to swimming, you can ask for that balance. If the water is the reason you booked, you can make swimming the focus. The skipper may also change the plan when sea conditions require it, which is a safety benefit even if it means missing a particular cove.

What the skipper adds

A private boat is only as good as the person running it, and the crew receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Ammie is noted for being kind and accommodating with a four-year-old child, while Jolene is praised for clear explanations and a strong grasp of the places along the route.

That matters because a two-hour trip leaves little room for wasted time. A good skipper can explain what you are seeing, get your group settled, and make sensible choices about when to move or stop. You are not just hiring transport to the lagoon.

The tone appears friendly rather than formal. One booking described the skipper as especially nice and informative about local history, while another highlighted the freedom to choose what to do. You should expect guidance, but not a rigid lecture or a fixed entertainment program.

Families should find the private format helpful. You can set the pace around a young child instead of adapting to a boatload of strangers. Still, this remains a boat trip with swimming and snorkeling, not a dedicated childcare activity. Parents need to supervise children and use the provided safety equipment properly.

How much time do you really get?

Two hours sounds generous until you count the departure, coastal cruising, stops, and return. If you want the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, several caves, and plenty of snorkeling, the schedule will feel tight.

I see this duration as best for a sampler. You get a clear taste of Comino’s coast and a couple of water stops without giving up half a day. It is especially useful if your Malta plans are packed or if you want a premium private experience without paying for a longer charter.

For a group that wants to linger, two hours may disappoint. The private format gives you control, but it cannot create extra time. Tell the skipper your priorities at the start: for example, one main swim, one cave pass, and a short second stop. Clear expectations will help the outing feel more relaxed.

The sea can also affect the plan. This trip is subject to weather conditions, and the skipper may adjust the route. That is normal for a small boat in open water, but it means you should avoid booking it as the one fixed highlight that absolutely must operate at a particular hour.

Price, fuel, and group value

The listed cost is $247 per boat for up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $31 per person before fuel, which is a solid rate for a private outing. A group of four pays about $62 per person before the extra fuel charge, and a couple pays much more for the privacy.

The additional fuel cost is approximately €40, paid directly to the skipper in cash after the tour. That brings the real group expense above the headline price, so include it when comparing this charter with shared boat trips.

The value depends on how many people you have. For six to eight friends or family members, the private boat can make financial sense as well as giving you more room to choose the route. For two people, you are paying mainly for privacy and flexibility rather than the lowest possible fare.

Included equipment improves the value. You receive a skipper, boat tour, sun canopy, coolers with ice, water, snorkeling gear, life jackets, port fees, and the stereo. You do not receive hotel transport, food, or extra drinks, so the experience is best understood as a private boat hire with basic comforts, not an all-inclusive cruise.

Who should book this charter?

I would recommend it to a small group that wants a short, flexible visit to Comino. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who prefers choosing their own swimming stops instead of following a shared boat timetable.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You have only two hours available.
• You want the Blue Lagoon but dislike sharing a boat with strangers.
• Your group wants both swimming and sightseeing.
• You value a skipper who can explain the coast and adjust the plan.
• You have enough people to spread the boat cost.

I would be more cautious if you want a full day on the water, a long snorkeling session, or a guaranteed visit to every named location. The route depends on conditions, and two hours passes quickly.

You should also be comfortable arranging your own transport to Cirkewwa or Mgarr. Since hotel pickup is not included and the meeting point is confirmed later, this is not the easiest choice for anyone who wants door-to-door service.

Practical tips before you go

Bring a towel and beachwear, and keep your phone ready for the final meeting instructions. I would also bring cash for the €40 fuel payment, since that charge is paid locally and is not part of the online price.

Ask about the route as soon as you meet the skipper. Mention whether your priority is the Blue Lagoon, snorkeling, caves, photographs, or a slower ride. The private format gives you room to shape the outing, but only if you speak up.

Do not assume food is available onboard. Water is provided, while food and additional drinks are not. A small snack may be useful, especially for a family, but keep anything you bring secure and easy to store.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still moving, though the weather can still affect the trip itself.

Should you book the Comino private charter?

Book it if you want a short, private, flexible boat trip and have a group large enough to share the cost. The combination of Blue Lagoon access, Crystal Lagoon swimming, cave views, snorkeling gear, and an adaptable skipper gives you more control than a standard shared cruise.

Think twice if you want long, unhurried time in the water or a full Comino day. The two-hour limit and separate €40 fuel payment are the main catches.

For a family, a group of friends, or a couple willing to pay for privacy, this is a sensible way to see Comino from the water. Set your priorities before departure, confirm the meeting point, carry cash, and you will be prepared to make the most of the short charter.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat charter?

The charter lasts two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Where does the boat depart?

Departure can be arranged from Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Mgarr Port on Gozo. You receive the exact meeting point before departure based on the port you choose.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Comino, with the exact plan adjusted for sea conditions and your preferences.

Can the route include caves and bays?

Yes. You can ask the skipper to include caves, beaches, bays, swimming, or snorkeling in the route.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid separately in cash to the skipper after the tour. The approximate fuel cost is €40.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the selected harbor.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. Food and additional drinks are not included, while drinking water and bottled water are provided.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.