Comino Private Boat Tour in Malta

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here: clear water, pale sand, and cliffs that make the sea feel like a giant natural swimming pool. A private boat lets you reach it with your own small group, then continue to the quieter Crystal Lagoon and Cominotto Reef.

I like two things right away: you get exclusive use of the boat for up to five people, and the short route packs in four very different sights. Shade, a sun deck, snorkeling gear, seating, a cooler, and a Bluetooth speaker make the boat practical as well as scenic. The main caution is safety and cost: fuel and the professional skipper are listed separately, and one passenger felt the captain was too relaxed about safety.

Key points before you book

• Blue Lagoon swimming: Spend about 20 minutes in Comino’s famous natural pool, with sandy and rocky edges.
• Crystal Lagoon access: Reach a sheltered cove available by boat, with several shades of blue and a spot suited to cliff jumping.
• Cominotto Reef: Swim through a cave from a small beach toward the open sea.
• St. Mary’s Tower: See a 1618 watchtower built to warn against pirates and link Malta with Gozo.
• Private group format: The boat is reserved for your party of up to five, rather than shared with strangers.
• Extra charges: The advertised group price does not include €40 for fuel consumption or €40 for a professional skipper.

Four Comino stops in about one hour

This is a compact boat outing, not a full-day cruise. The route gives you around 20 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, 20 minutes at the Crystal Lagoon, 10 minutes at Cominotto Reef, and 10 minutes near St. Mary’s Tower.

That schedule is useful if you want a quick taste of Comino or need to fit the boat trip into a busy Malta day. It also means you should not expect long, lazy swims at every stop. Bring your swimsuit already on, keep your belongings organized, and be ready to move when the boat does.

The exact order can matter less than the mix. You get one famous swimming area, one more sheltered swimming area, a reef and cave, plus a historic fortress. It is a good little sampler of Comino by sea.

Blue Lagoon, Malta’s famous swimming stop

The Blue Lagoon gets 20 minutes, which is enough for a quick swim and a look around. The water is famously clear, and the setting combines a sandy bottom with rocky cliffs around the edges. From the boat, the color and shape of the lagoon are the main show.

The place also carries an older story. In the 1500s, the Knights of St. John used Comino for leisure and hunting hares and wild boars. That detail gives the stop a human connection to the island’s past, even if your main goal is simply to get in the water.

I like that the private format gives your group a more personal setting than a large ferry. You can use the boat’s snorkeling equipment, swim, and return to a comfortable seat or the sun deck. A canopy provides shade when you want a break from the strong sun.

Still, 20 minutes passes quickly. If you want an extended Blue Lagoon beach day, this tour will feel rushed. The boat may also be moving among other craft in a popular area, so do not expect complete solitude.

Crystal Lagoon and the cliff-jumping question

The Crystal Lagoon is another sheltered cove, reached by boat, with water that shifts through several shades of blue. It receives roughly the same amount of time as the Blue Lagoon, so this is your second main chance to swim and snorkel.

The stop is also described as a good place for cliff jumping. Treat that as an option, not an obligation. The tour information does not give jump heights, water depth, or a detailed safety briefing, so you should judge the conditions for yourself and follow the skipper’s instructions.

This is where a private boat can feel worthwhile. A small group can spend its short stop swimming, using the snorkeling gear, or simply looking at the cliffs instead of following a large group’s schedule. You will need to decide quickly what matters most, since the total trip lasts only about an hour.

One important point: the private setting does not automatically mean a higher level of seamanship. A passenger described the captain as too laid-back and felt unsafe. That is not a reason to reject the route, but it is a reason to ask clear questions before departure about the skipper, boat safety equipment, and how stops will be handled.

Cominotto Reef, a small beach and a swim-through cave

Cominotto Reef sits across from the Blue Lagoon and gets about 10 minutes. The rocky formation includes a tiny sandy area and a cave that you can swim through toward the open sea.

This is the most adventurous part of the short route. It is less about settling onto a beach and more about seeing how Comino’s rock formations connect the sheltered lagoon side with the outer sea. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you can make the most of the water even during the brief stop.

The time limit matters here. Ten minutes gives you little room for a long swim, a cave crossing, and a leisurely look around. If you are not a confident swimmer, you may prefer to stay close to the boat or skip the cave. The tour is private, but the water conditions still control what is sensible on the day.

St. Mary’s Tower and Comino’s defensive past

The final stop is St. Mary’s Tower, also called Comino’s Tower. Grand Master de Wignacourt had it built in 1618 as a watchtower and communication link between Mdina and the Ċittadella in Gozo.

The tower’s job was practical. It helped warn of pirates and corsairs and formed part of the island’s defensive system. After a morning or afternoon of swimming, the sight of this stark stone fort adds a useful historical layer to the trip.

The stop lasts around 10 minutes. You can explore the inside without an admission charge, though donations are welcomed. Since the outing is short, confirm how much of the tower visit is on foot and how much is a view from the boat. The supplied details include interior access, but they do not spell out the exact landing arrangements.

For me, this stop helps keep the tour from becoming only a string of swimming spots. It also gives you a reason to look up from the water and understand why Comino mattered to Malta’s rulers.

What the private boat includes

The boat comes with more than a seat and a ride. The package includes a canopy for shade, comfortable seating areas, a sun deck, safety equipment, an ice cooler, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker.

The cooler is useful, but bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, and meals are not included. You should plan your own refreshments rather than assume the boat supplies them. Alcoholic drinks are also excluded.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from arranging separate gear. The boat also includes private transport and port fees. Those details help explain why the cost can be attractive for a group, especially if five people share the base fare.

The practical catch is the wording around the skipper and fuel. Fuel consumption is listed at €40, and a professional skipper is also listed at €40. Treat both as extra costs unless the operator confirms otherwise. Ask for the full total before you commit, especially if you are comparing this with a shared ferry or larger organized boat.

Is $70.89 good value for five people?

The advertised price is $70.89 per group of up to five, not per person. Divided evenly, that looks very reasonable for a private boat, but the extra €40 fuel charge and €40 professional skipper charge can change the calculation.

For five people, the base price works out to about $14.18 each before those additional fees. Once the two €40 charges are added, the real per-person cost is higher, though still potentially fair for an exclusive boat and included snorkeling gear. For a couple, the same extras weigh much more heavily.

I would compare the complete price, not the headline figure. A private boat gives you control over your group, shade, seating, a sun deck, and a direct route between Comino’s main sights. A large ferry may offer a more established operation and a simpler all-in price, but it will not provide the same private setting.

The value is strongest for a group of four or five that wants a short, active outing. It is less convincing if you mainly want a long swim at one location or if the final price approaches that of a longer, better-staffed cruise.

Comfort, safety, and the captain

The boat has safety equipment, and the tour is private, so only your own group participates. Those are useful features, particularly if you prefer not to share space with a crowd.

But private also means the experience depends heavily on the skipper. One direct account raised concern about a captain who seemed too casual and not fully professional. That is the most serious issue to consider because the route includes swimming near cliffs, a cave crossing, and possible cliff jumping.

Before setting out, I would confirm three things: who the skipper will be, whether the €40 professional skipper charge is compulsory, and what safety rules apply at the swim stops. If the operator cannot answer clearly, I would choose a larger company instead.

Do not let the Bluetooth speaker or WiFi distract from the basics. A good boat trip needs sound judgment, clear instructions, and sensible decisions when sea conditions change. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, which is a useful safeguard.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most?

This outing suits you if you want to see several Comino sights quickly and value privacy. It works particularly well for a small group of friends or family members who want to swim, snorkel, take photos, and share one boat rather than join a larger departure.

It also suits active passengers who are comfortable in the water. The Crystal Lagoon may offer cliff jumping, and Cominotto Reef includes a swim-through cave. Those activities are optional, but the route is built around being near the sea rather than simply sightseeing from the deck.

You may want another option if you need a slower pace, a long lunch, or extensive time at the Blue Lagoon. The one-hour duration is the defining limitation. You are getting a brisk introduction, not a full Comino day.

I would also be cautious if safety standards are your top concern and you dislike uncertainty about added charges. A larger ferry or established company may feel more reassuring, even if the ride is less personal.

Booking details that matter

You receive confirmation at booking in most cases. If you book within two days of travel, confirmation may arrive within 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and operates near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the water activities mean you should be comfortable with swimming if you plan to use the lagoons or cave.

Free cancellation applies until 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded and changes are not accepted.

Since good weather is required, a weather cancellation gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. That policy is worth remembering when planning around a tight Malta schedule.

Should you book the private Comino boat?

Book it if you have a small group, want a private ride, and prefer a fast route covering the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower. The included shade, snorkeling gear, cooler, and seating make the boat more useful than a bare transport service.

Before paying, confirm the full price after the €40 fuel and €40 skipper charges. Also ask who will captain the boat and what safety procedures apply. I would book this for a group of four or five seeking a compact sea outing, but I would choose a larger operator if the captain’s professionalism or all-in pricing cannot be confirmed.

FAQ

How long is the Comino private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately one hour. It includes about 20 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, 20 minutes at the Crystal Lagoon, 10 minutes at Cominotto Reef, and 10 minutes at St. Mary’s Tower.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group, with up to five people included in the stated group price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included in the tour.

Are fuel and the professional skipper included in the listed price?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €40, and a professional skipper is also listed separately at €40. Confirm the final total before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.