Comino: Private boat tour with Snorkeling activities & caves

The best part of this Comino trip is getting inside caves that larger sightseeing boats can only point at from offshore. Your private 12-meter luzzu takes you from the Blue Lagoon to Santa Marija Caves, Cominotto Reef, and Crystal Lagoon, with time to swim in clear water rather than simply photograph it.

I like two things right away: you have the boat to yourself, and the crew guides you into the caves instead of leaving you to guess where to go. The onboard toilet, freshwater shower, shaded rear seating, and stand-up paddleboard also make four hours on the water much easier. The main consideration is the fixed four-hour schedule. Comino offers many tempting swimming stops, so you may wish you had more time at each one.

Key points at a glance

• A traditional 12-meter luzzu: Enjoy a private charter on a colorful Maltese fishing boat, with room for groups of up to 20.
• Caves you can swim into: At Santa Marija and Crystal Lagoon, the crew leads you through natural passages to sheltered pools and sandy shorelines.
• Several snorkeling areas: Explore Cominotto’s reefs, the P31 wreck area, San Niklaw Bay, and the waters around Crystal Lagoon.
• Useful comforts onboard: A toilet, freshwater shower, fridge, ice coolers, shaded seating, and a bar make this more than a bare-bones boat ride.
• Two practical pickup choices: Meet at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or at the pontoon near Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo.
• Strong value for a full group: At $506 for up to 20 people, the price works out well for a large family or group of friends, but less so for only two or three passengers.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its most attractive coves and caves are scattered around the coast. A private boat lets you move between them without sharing every stop with a large excursion crowd or waiting for a public ferry.

The traditional luzzu adds a real Maltese touch. These colorful wooden boats were built for fishing, and their shape is now part of the islands’ cultural image. This is not simply a fast transfer boat. You get a moving base for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and short walks.

The crew includes a captain and deckhand, and both help guide you around the coves and into the caves. English and Italian are offered. You can also use the boat’s paddleboard and fishing equipment, giving your group options beyond swimming.

The private setup matters most if your group has mixed interests. Strong swimmers can head into a cave, younger children can stay near a sandy beach, and anyone who wants a quiet break can sit in the shade at the back. You are not forced to follow one activity at every stop.

The boat, shade, shower, and small comforts

The luzzu is 12 meters long and chartered for your group for the four-hour period. Capacity is up to 20 people, so the value depends heavily on how many people share the cost.

At the full group size, $506 is about $25 per person before any food or drinks. That is a fair price for a private boat, fuel, captain, deckhand, equipment, and access to several parts of Comino. For a small group, the per-person cost rises quickly, though you gain privacy and flexibility that a shared cruise does not offer.

The boat has a bar serving alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream, but these are not included in the price. Bring money if you want to buy something onboard, and plan on bringing your own food if your group needs a proper meal.

The practical details are unusually good for a half-day boat trip. You have a toilet, a freshwater shower, a fridge, ice coolers, and shade at the rear. The shower is useful after swimming, while the shaded seating gives you a place to cool off between stops. You can also play your own music, which helps the private charter feel like your group’s day rather than a standard sightseeing run.

Snorkeling masks are included. So are the stand-up paddleboard and fishing equipment. The activity does not list fins, so ask the operator before departure if you need them.

Blue Lagoon and Cominotto Beach

The route begins with a short sightseeing cruise toward the Blue Lagoon, Comino’s most famous stretch of water. You get about an hour here, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, and the famous clear-water views.

The Blue Lagoon is popular for good reason. The water is bright and clean-looking, and the shallow sandy area makes it easy to get in. A natural cave near the beach can be reached by swimming through it, giving you an early taste of the cave work later in the tour.

You will also find kiosks selling fast food, drinks, and ice cream. Some serve cocktails in pineapples, and water sports such as parasailing are available in the area. These extras are not part of the private boat price, so treat them as optional purchases.

Saint Mary’s Tower can be seen from the lagoon and may be visited from there. The itinerary also includes a later stop near the tower, but a full walk is not guaranteed at every moment because the tour has several water stops to fit into four hours.

Cominotto Beach follows as another swimming area. It offers a sandy shoreline and a quieter feel than the Blue Lagoon, with two sandy beaches that suit parents with young children. This is one of the more useful stops for a group that does not want every person scrambling over rocks or swimming in open water.

The tradeoff is time. You have many places to see, and the first hour can pass quickly if you swim, use the beach, browse the kiosks, and take photos. I would decide before boarding if your group wants a long Blue Lagoon stop or prefers to save time for the caves and snorkeling sites.

San Niklaw Bay and the first snorkeling pause

San Niklaw Bay gives you roughly 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It is a shorter stop, but that can work well after the Blue Lagoon. You get another chance to enter the water without spending the whole afternoon at one beach.

The itinerary describes marine life viewing around several locations, including this bay and Cominotto Reef. Bring your mask from the start, because the boat moves between good spots and you may want to be ready as soon as the engine stops.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim and look around, but not for a slow snorkeling session. If your group includes serious snorkelers, this is one reason to use the private format well: tell the crew which people want more time in the water, then make sensible choices about the less important stops.

Santa Marija Caves, the tour’s special stop

Santa Marija Caves are the heart of this outing. The crew does more than circle the entrances. You swim toward a cave, get help climbing onto land, then walk about 10 meters inside to reach a sheltered pond.

You can swim in the pond inside the cave. If you are a strong swimmer and an experienced underwater explorer, the route may allow you to pass beneath the rock to the other side, but do not treat that as a casual stunt. Cave water, uneven rock, and changing conditions call for care. Follow the deckhand’s directions.

This stop is also linked to the filming of The Count of Monte Cristo, a fun detail for film fans. The cave itself is the main attraction, with other openings and rock formations around the coast adding to the short walk.

The access is part of the appeal and part of the limitation. You need to swim to the entrance, climb onto land, and walk inside. That makes the stop less suitable for anyone who cannot swim or manage uneven ground. The crew helps you get out of the water, but the activity still requires physical effort.

Plan to bring secure swimwear and footwear that can handle wet rock. The provided information does not specify special water shoes, so ask ahead if you need equipment beyond the included mask.

Elephant Rock and the west side of Comino

After Santa Marija, the boat passes Elephant Rock. The naturally formed rock resembles an elephant’s head, and it is mainly a sightseeing point rather than a long stop.

This is a good reminder that the boat ride itself matters. Comino’s coast is full of openings, cliffs, towers, and rock shapes that are difficult to appreciate from land. From the water, you can see how the coves connect and why a boat is the easiest way to cover the island in a short visit.

The cruise then heads toward the Crystal Lagoon, behind the Blue Lagoon. This western stop gives you another setting for swimming and snorkeling, with two caves and clear water around the rocks.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves beneath Saint Mary’s Tower

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about an hour, making it one of the major water stops. It is a strong place to end the route because you can choose among swimming, snorkeling, a short walk, and cave exploration.

One cave lies beneath Saint Mary’s Tower. Swim inside and you may reach a sandy beach at the end. The guide goes with you, which is important because the crew knows the route better than a first-time visitor.

A second cave is open at both ends. It is lighter and easier to swim through than the enclosed cave, so it suits people who want the cave experience without entering a dark passage. This gives your group a useful choice between a more adventurous route and a simple swim-through.

Crystal Lagoon is also listed as a place for cliff jumping. Treat that as an optional activity, not a requirement. The information does not specify heights, supervision, or safety conditions, so check with the crew before making any jump. Swimming and snorkeling are perfectly valid ways to enjoy the stop.

Saint Mary’s Tower can be reached by a walk of about 10 minutes from the lagoon. The tour includes the tower area and scenic views, but the four-hour limit means you should not assume there will be time for a long visit inside or around it.

P31 wreck, Cominotto Reef, and the final water time

The P31 wreck lies just outside Crystal Lagoon at a reported depth of 25 meters. When the sea is clear, you can see it from the boat. The itinerary also lists the wreck for swimming and snorkeling, although the depth means visibility from the surface may be the main appeal for many people.

This stop is best for confident snorkelers who want to look down into deeper water. It is not presented as a guided scuba activity, and no scuba equipment is included.

Cominotto Reef adds another marine-life viewing area. Reefs and wrecks give snorkeling a little more purpose than simply floating in clear water. You can look around the rocks, watch for sea life, and compare the different underwater areas around Comino.

The final listed cave area includes L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, It-Tieqa, and Taħt il-Ħnejja. The crew provides a guided visit and swimming here. Names can be difficult to keep straight on a fast route, so let the guide point out which opening is which rather than trying to follow the map alone.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

You can start from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or from the pontoon near Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo. At Mgarr, the boat is located at Pontoon A near the seaside beneath the bar. At Cirkewwa, go into the ferry marshaling area, find the small kiosk on the right when facing the sea, and use the jetty behind it. The boat may be moored there or waiting to berth.

The same two places are used for drop-off. Confirm the exact meeting point and timing when you book, especially at Cirkewwa, where ferry traffic can affect where the boat waits.

A four-hour tour with this many stops requires reasonable expectations. You will see a lot of Comino, but you will not get a long beach day at every location. I would prioritize Santa Marija Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and the snorkeling area your group most wants to explore.

Pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A secure bag for phones and cameras
• Water and any food you want beyond the onboard snacks
• Comfortable footwear for the cave walk and tower area
• Extra cash for drinks, food, ice cream, or water sports at the Blue Lagoon

The boat includes ice coolers, but food and drinks are not included. Ask before departure where your own supplies can be stored.

Who will get the most from this charter

This tour suits families, groups of friends, and multigenerational parties who want to control their own day on Comino. The sandy beaches at Cominotto and the onboard shade help if not everyone wants to swim nonstop.

It is also a good match for swimmers who want more than a standard Blue Lagoon photo stop. Santa Marija Caves, the Crystal Lagoon passages, Cominotto Reef, and the P31 wreck give the outing a clear snorkeling and exploration focus.

The tour is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet beach day in one place. Four hours is active, and the cave access involves swimming, climbing onto rock, and walking. It may also feel expensive for a couple, since the $506 price is charged for the private group rather than per person.

The strongest practical feature is the mix of activity and comfort. A toilet, shower, shaded seating, fridge, and paddleboard mean you can build in rest without leaving the boat. The onboard crew also helps with the caves, which makes the route more approachable than exploring the entrances alone.

Should you book this Comino boat tour?

Book it if you have a larger group, care about privacy, and want to swim inside Comino’s caves rather than just view them from the water. At full capacity, the price is good value for a private boat with fuel, crew, snorkeling masks, a paddleboard, fishing equipment, and several swimming areas included.

For a small group, compare the total cost with a shared cruise before booking. The private boat earns its price through control, comfort, and cave access, not through a long duration. If you want the Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and several snorkeling sites in one compact outing, this is a well-focused choice.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts four hours, with availability depending on the starting time you select.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private charter accommodates a group of up to 20 people.

What type of boat is used?

You ride on a traditional 12-meter Maltese boat called a luzzu. These boats were originally built mainly for fishing.

Where can I meet the boat?

You can choose pickup at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or at the pontoon near Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, along with use of a stand-up paddleboard and fishing equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although the onboard bar sells alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream.

Does the boat have a toilet and shower?

Yes. The boat has a toilet and a freshwater shower. It also provides a fridge, ice coolers, and shaded seating at the rear.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.