Comino Private Boat Tours: Blue/Crystal Lagoon, Malta & Gozo

Comino’s best moments happen from the water, where a private speedboat can slip past caves, rocky points, and bright swimming coves before the main crowds gather. I especially like the chance to shape the route with the skipper, and the useful onboard extras such as shade, a cooler, snorkelling gear, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth audio.

The skipper, often Mario, also adds local stories and helps with photos. That personal touch matters on a short outing. My main caution is the timing and price: the advertised duration is one hour, yet the detailed stop-by-stop schedule adds up to longer, and the listed $17 price excludes a €44 skipper fee and €44 for fuel. Confirm the final total and exact duration before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Roofless Cave and Cominotto add variety: You get more than a simple ride to the Blue Lagoon, with rocky scenery and photo stops along Comino’s coast.
• The route can be tailored: You can choose places to visit or let the captain adjust the trip to sea conditions and your priorities.
• Mario earns repeated praise: Recent bookings often single out Mario for friendly service, clear explanations, good communication, and a steady hand on the boat.
• Swimming time is built in: Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon are the main stops for swimming, snorkelling, and spotting marine life.
• The boat is set up for comfort: Expect seating, a canopy, safety equipment, a cooler, snorkelling masks and snorkels, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker.
• The advertised price needs a careful check: Skipper and fuel charges are separate, and food, drinks, and fishing gear are not included.

A private way to see Comino from the sea

Comino is small, but its shoreline packs in the scenery. From a boat, you can see cliff faces, narrow inlets, sea caves, pale rock shelves, and the little island of Cominotto without spending your short outing walking between viewpoints.

This charter is designed for a private group rather than a large shared boat. That changes the feel of the trip. You can ask to linger at a swimming spot, spend more time taking pictures, or follow the captain’s advice when the sea or crowds make one stop less appealing.

The boat departs from one of two places. In Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mġarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, the meeting area is close to the Ċirkewwa Kiosk inside the Gozo Channel Terminal. You are asked to arrive 30 minutes early, which is sensible at either port. Give yourself time to find the exact departure area, especially if you are connecting from a ferry.

The English-speaking skipper welcomes you aboard and handles the boat. Mario is the captain most often named in the available feedback, with praise for his friendly manner, clear explanations, helpful communication, and ability to make the outing feel relaxed. One particularly useful detail is his willingness to take pictures and videos for the group.

What the boat setup means in practice

This is not presented as a bare-bones transfer. You get seating, a sundeck with a canopy, safety vests and other safety equipment, a cooler for ice, Wi-Fi, a Bluetooth speaker, and basic snorkelling equipment with mask and snorkel.

The canopy is important in Malta’s strong sun. You can enjoy the ride without sitting exposed the entire time, then move into the sun when you want to warm up after swimming. The cooler is handy, but food and drinks are not supplied, so bring your own refreshments if permitted and practical.

Bluetooth audio lets you choose your own soundtrack, a nice touch for a private celebration or a relaxed family outing. Still, keep the volume sensible. The best parts of Comino are the natural sounds, the skipper’s commentary, and the quiet pause before you enter the water.

The included snorkelling equipment makes spontaneous swims easier. You should still bring your own mask if you need a particular fit, since no details are given about sizes or equipment brands. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and keep some cash with you.

From Ċirkewwa or Mġarr to Lantern Point

The first boat ride is listed as a roughly 10-minute speedboat transfer. Departures can begin from Ċirkewwa on Malta or Mġarr on Gozo, so the exact view depends on your starting point and the final route.

Lantern Point is a short photo stop and pass-by, listed at about five minutes. It is not a long walk or a major landing. Think of it as a chance to frame Comino’s rugged edge from the water while the skipper points out features along the coast.

The speed of the boat helps you cover ground quickly, but it can also make photography tricky. Have your phone ready before the boat slows, and hold on to loose hats or towels. The ride is part of the fun, but a speedboat is less gentle than a slow sightseeing vessel.

Next comes L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz, another scenic pass-by and photo stop. The appeal here is the coastline itself: irregular rock, open sea views, and the changing color of the water as the boat moves between deeper channels and shallower areas.

These early stops help you see Comino as a complete island rather than just a place called Blue Lagoon. They are brief, so do not expect a long explanation or shore visit at every point.

Roofless Cave and Comino’s rocky coast

Roofless Cave receives about 10 minutes and is listed as a visit, guided sightseeing stop, and pass-by. A cave without a conventional roof gives you a memorable angle on the island’s geology and makes a strong photo subject, especially from the boat.

This is also where a private charter earns its keep. A captain can position the boat for a better view and explain what you are seeing without forcing you into the fixed pace of a large group. Mario is praised for making the trip informative as well as fun, so ask questions if you want more context about the Maltese archipelago.

Do not picture a full cave expedition on foot. The experience described here is a boat-based visit, and the allotted time is short. You are seeing the cave from the sea, taking pictures, and continuing along the coast.

Crystal Lagoon is the main swimming break

Crystal Lagoon is listed for about 20 minutes, with time for swimming, snorkelling, photography, and viewing marine life. This is likely to be one of the most satisfying parts of the outing because it gives you a proper chance to get into the water rather than simply admire it from the deck.

The name fits the appeal: clear water, dramatic rock around the cove, and a sheltered-looking setting that feels different from an open-sea ride. The charter description focuses on finding good anchoring spots away from crowds, though the captain must make the final choice based on conditions, tides, shallows, and safety.

Bring sunscreen that you can reapply easily, but be careful not to leave bottles or loose items near the edge of the boat. Snorkelling lets you look for marine life below the surface, though the experience does not promise a particular species or guarantee visibility on the day.

Twenty minutes can pass quickly. If swimming is your priority, tell the skipper early. The captain can advise which stop offers the better conditions and may alter the route if weather, tides, or shallow water require it.

Cominotto offers a quieter coastal view

The boat then passes Cominotto, the small island beside Comino. The listed time is about 10 minutes, with sightseeing and photographs from the water.

Cominotto gives you a useful sense of scale. From a boat, the low island and surrounding water create a simple, uncluttered scene, with little between you and the sea. It is a good place to slow down for pictures, though the schedule describes a pass-by rather than a guaranteed landing.

That distinction matters. This charter includes visits and photo stops, but not every stop means you step ashore. Ask the skipper at the start which places are boat-only and which allow swimming or disembarkation.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, popular, and not always peaceful

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, with around 20 minutes listed for free time, swimming, snorkelling, sailing, and sightseeing. The water is the star, and a private boat gives you a much better approach than simply arriving at the shore and searching for space among sunbathers.

The charter aims to anchor in a spot that feels more private and less crowded. That does not mean the lagoon will be empty. Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most sought-after swimming areas, and conditions change with the time of day, season, and weather.

This is another reason to value the skipper’s judgment. A good captain can choose a practical anchoring point, explain where it is safe to swim, and adjust the plan when the water is too busy or rough. The itinerary also allows sailing and marine-life viewing, so you are not limited to standing on a crowded beach.

The 20-minute allowance is enough for a brisk swim and a few pictures, but it is not a full beach day. If you want long, unhurried snorkelling sessions, ask before booking if a longer charter is available. The company offers tailored charter services, but the supplied details describe this particular experience as one hour, creating some uncertainty around the actual time on the water.

The timing needs clarification before payment

The advertised duration is one hour. Yet the detailed schedule lists a 10-minute outbound speedboat ride, 5 minutes at Lantern Point, 5 minutes at L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz, 10 minutes at Roofless Cave, 20 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 10 minutes at Cominotto, 20 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and another 10-minute speedboat ride.

Those figures total much more than one hour. They may represent approximate stop times for a longer private charter, or they may be a general route outline rather than the exact timing attached to the $17 offer. Do not guess. Contact the provider and ask three direct questions:

• Is the full listed route included in the booked duration?
• Is the $17 price per person the complete cost?
• Are the €44 skipper and €44 fuel charges added once per group or in another way?

The answer affects the value more than any onboard feature. A one-hour private ride can be worthwhile for a quick look at Comino and a short swim. A longer private outing becomes much more attractive if you are splitting the cost among family or friends.

Price, extra charges, and overall value

The advertised price is $17 per person, but that is not the full figure shown in the supplied details. A professional skipper costs €44, and fuel consumption costs another €44. Fishing equipment, food, and drinks are also excluded.

Because this is a private group, the final per-person cost may become reasonable when several people share those group charges. For one or two people, the extras can change the calculation sharply. Compare the full group total with other Comino boat options, not just the headline price.

I like the value of the included equipment. You do not need to arrange a separate boat, find a snorkelling rental, or sacrifice shade and seating. The ability to tailor the route is also worth something, particularly for a family with mixed interests or friends who want both sightseeing and swimming.

The weak point is not the concept but the unclear pricing and duration. Get the complete cost in writing before you commit. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while plans settle.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would consider this for a couple wanting a private outing, a family that prefers its own pace, or a group of friends marking a special day. The Bluetooth speaker, cooler, shaded seating, and flexible route make the boat more personal than a standard shared excursion.

It also suits confident swimmers and people who want a short taste of Comino’s coves and lagoons. The boat has safety equipment and life vests, but the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the water stops are central to the experience.

If you dislike speedboats, want a long beach stay, or need a firm minute-by-minute schedule, this may not be the right choice. The route can change for weather, tides, shallows, or other legitimate safety reasons, and lateness does not extend the charter.

What the feedback tells me about the service

The strongest pattern is the captain’s personal service. Mario is repeatedly described as friendly, clear, helpful, and good at making people feel safe. Communication from the first contact through the trip also receives specific praise.

The clean, well-kept boat is another practical plus. One recent booking describes the boat as top notch and clean, while another highlights the beautiful views and the captain’s skill with photos and videos.

That does not remove the need to check the basics. A perfect rating from 23 recorded reviews is encouraging, but conditions at sea can still affect your route and swimming time. Treat the skipper’s decisions about weather and safety as part of the service, not an inconvenience.

Should you book Comino Private Boat Tours?

Book it if you want a private speedboat, a flexible route, and the chance to combine Comino’s caves with swimming at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. The captain’s friendly service, onboard shade, snorkelling gear, cooler, and photo help make this more than a simple transfer.

Before booking, confirm the true duration and the complete cost including the €44 skipper fee and €44 fuel charge. I would also ask which stops are actual visits, how much swimming time you receive, and whether the route begins from Malta or Gozo.

If the final price works for your group and the timing is clarified, this is a practical way to see Comino from the sea without joining a large boat. If you are booking alone or want a full-day outing, compare carefully. The short format may leave you wishing for more time in the water.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour depart from?

You can meet at two designated points: near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mġarr Harbour Terminal in Gozo, or near the Ċirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Malta.

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is one hour. However, the detailed route lists stop times and boat rides that add up to longer than one hour, so confirm the exact duration with the provider before booking.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is described as a private group charter, and you can choose exploration spots or follow the captain’s suggested route.

Is a skipper included in the price?

A professional skipper is required, but the listed details show a separate €44 skipper charge. Fuel is also listed separately at €44.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with safety equipment and life vests.

Can I swim at the lagoons?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon include time for swimming and snorkelling, subject to weather, sea conditions, tides, and the skipper’s safety decisions.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly.