Comino: Private Boat Trips, Swimming stops and Caves Tours

Comino’s coast is best enjoyed from a boat you do not have to share with a crowd. This private trip gives your group the freedom to swim at Crystal Lagoon, pause near Santa Maria Caves, sunbathe on the open deck, and change plans with the skipper when wind or sea conditions shift. The Lucky Lady carries up to 25 people, but smaller groups get the most space and value.

I like the easy setup: pickup is available at Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, and fuel, skipper, snorkel masks, ice, and the boat are included. I also like the relaxed party feel, with a Bluetooth stereo, shaded seating, a rooftop deck, and a low bathing platform that makes getting in and out of the water simple. The main drawback is price: $648 per group is excellent for a large party, but costly for only two or three people, and food, drinks, and stand-up paddleboards cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Crystal Lagoon gets about 80 minutes: This is the main swimming and snorkeling stop, with clear water and marine life viewing.
• The route can change with the weather: Skippers may adjust swimming and cave stops when wind conditions make one part of the coast less comfortable.
• The boat works well for mixed groups: You get shade, sun decks, a toilet, a freshwater shower, a cabin sofa, and a bathing ladder.
• Blue Lagoon is the longest stop: The sample full-day route allows about two and a half hours for swimming, food, cocktails, or free time.
• Bring your own picnic and drinks: A cooler and ice are supplied, but meals and beverages are not included.
• The price favors larger groups: At maximum capacity, the advertised rate works out to about $26 per person before extras.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

The big advantage here is control. Instead of arriving at Comino on a fixed public boat and staying with its timetable, you have a private skipper and a route designed around your group’s available time. That matters in summer, when the best-known bays can become crowded and a short move around the coast can make the afternoon far more pleasant.

The boat is the Lucky Lady, with room for a maximum of 25 passengers. It is not just a transfer boat. You have seating around the boat, a covered area at the back for shade, an open front deck, and access to a rooftop deck for sunbathing. At the stern, a low bathing platform and climbing ladder make repeated swims easier than climbing over a high gunwale.

I would choose this trip for a family celebration, a group of friends, or a birthday day at sea. It also suits a mixed party where some people want to swim and snorkel while others prefer music, shade, and views. A private boat gives everyone more say in the pace.

The boat has an inside cabin with a sofa, a toilet, and an outdoor freshwater shower for rinsing off salt. You can connect your phone to the stereo by Bluetooth, so your group controls the music. That is a small detail, but it changes the mood from a basic sightseeing ride into a private day out.

Picking the right departure point and length

You can start at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or Gozo Ferry Terminal, with service from Mgarr Harbour. At Cirkewwa, the meeting area is behind the food kiosk beside the Gozo Channel ferry car-queuing lanes. At Mgarr, the boat waits from the main jetty at the far end, beyond the fast ferry terminal.

After booking, the exact waiting point is sent through WhatsApp. I would pay close attention to that message, since both terminals have several ferry and boat movements and the meeting point is not simply a generic instruction to walk to the harbor.

A full-day trip normally runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A half-day trip normally runs from 9 a.m. to noon. The start time can be adjusted earlier or later if the operator has room, and the length may also be extended or shortened by arrangement.

The detailed route described for this experience includes more than a simple three-hour outing, so you should confirm which stops fit your chosen duration. A full day gives you the best chance of combining Comino, Gozo’s southern coast, and several swimming breaks. A half-day is better if you want a focused outing around Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and nearby caves.

Saint Mary’s Tower and the first coastal views

The boat begins with a short sightseeing cruise of about 10 minutes. Saint Mary’s Tower, also called the Comino Tower, is used for a photo stop and a brief look from the water before the boat continues around the island.

This is a quick scenic introduction rather than a long historical visit. You pass by the tower, take photographs, and settle into the rhythm of the sea. I would keep your camera ready, but not expect a major stop here.

The point of this part is orientation. From the water, you begin to see how compact Comino is and how sharply its pale shoreline meets the sea. The skipper can then guide the boat toward the swimming areas instead of spending your limited time on a long shore visit.

Crystal Lagoon: the best early swim

Crystal Lagoon receives about 80 minutes in the sample full-day schedule. This is where the trip shifts from sightseeing to active time in the water, with swimming, snorkeling, and marine life viewing on the menu.

Snorkel masks are supplied and can be used freely throughout the outing. That is useful because you are not limited to one brief equipment session. You can swim, return to the boat, dry off, and go back into the water later at another stop.

I like the way Crystal Lagoon is positioned early in the day. You can enjoy a substantial swim before lunch and before the schedule becomes more relaxed around Blue Lagoon. The clear water is the main attraction, but conditions can vary with wind, boat traffic, and the number of people in the area.

You should pack a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and something dry to wear afterward. The freshwater shower helps remove salt, but it does not replace a full change of clothes. The boat has shade, yet the front and rooftop decks expose you to strong sun, especially during a long stop.

Blue Lagoon for two and a half hours

Blue Lagoon is the longest stop in the sample route, with about two and a half hours for a mix of swimming, snorkeling, cocktails, lunch, and free time. That generous block is important because it lets you choose your own pace instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next.

You can remain on the boat, swim from the bathing platform, snorkel, or spend time near the lagoon. Food and drinks are not included, so plan ahead. You may bring ready-to-eat food and beverages onboard, then keep them cold in the supplied cooler with complimentary ice.

If your group prefers to eat ashore, the skipper may recommend a lunch stop at Mgarr Harbour, where you can choose from food outlets, kiosks, or restaurants. That option gives you more choice than a fixed tour meal, though it also means part of your sea time becomes a harbor stop.

Blue Lagoon is one of Comino’s most famous places, so it can feel busy. The private boat does not make the lagoon private, but it does give you a comfortable base away from the shore. You can return to the boat for shade, music, a shower, or a drink whenever the crowds become too much.

Gozo’s coast, from Mgarr to Ħondoq Ir-Rummien

The route may continue to Mgarr Harbour for a 30-minute photo and sightseeing stop. Mgarr is Gozo’s main maritime gateway, and the harbor provides a change of scene after Comino’s coves. It is also the practical place to stop for food if you did not bring lunch.

From there, the boat can continue to Ħondoq Ir-Rummien Beach for about 30 minutes of swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, or shore views. This stop adds variety because you are no longer looking only at Comino’s best-known lagoons.

The southern Gozo route may also include Halfa Rock and Qala Valley. On a longer charter, the skipper can head farther to Ramla Bay, Ghajn Barrani, Dahlet Qorrot, or San Blas Bay. These places are not guaranteed on every half-day trip, so I would discuss your priorities before departure.

If your group cares most about quiet coves, tell the skipper early. If you want the classic Comino stops, say so. The value of a private charter is not simply owning the boat for the day. It is having a chance to shape the day around swimming, photographs, lunch, or a longer coastal cruise.

Santa Maria Caves and the final views

Santa Maria Caves are included as a short photo stop and pass-by of around 10 minutes. The boat lets you view the openings and rocky formations from the water without turning the outing into a long shore excursion.

This is a good example of why expectations matter. The caves are a scenic feature, not a guided underground walk. You may get a close look from the boat, depending on conditions, but the listed activity does not promise that you will enter every cave or swim inside one.

The skipper may also take you around San Niklaw and Santa Marija Bay. These areas add more chances for a quieter swim or a slower cruise when the main lagoon is crowded. Weather remains the deciding factor, especially around exposed sections of coast.

A strong wind can change the plan. One group had an original speedboat trip canceled because of strong winds, then received a revised itinerary with swimming and cave time when conditions allowed. That is useful advice for you: flexibility is part of the experience, not a failure of the trip.

What the skipper adds to the day

The operator supplies an experienced local skipper, and several names associated with the service are Angelo, Marvic, Fabio, and Frankie. Angelo has been noted for taking groups to good swimming spots and shaping the outing around their wishes. Marvic, nicknamed Maverick by one birthday group, joined the group for lunch and pointed out places for snorkeling and a shipwreck visible about 20 meters below the surface.

Those details show what you should expect from the crew’s role. The skipper is not only steering from one listed stop to another. The crew can help judge the sea, suggest places for swimming, adjust the order of stops, and make the day fit your group.

Communication before departure is another practical strength. The operator uses WhatsApp to send the exact meeting point, and the crew has been described as understanding when a group was delayed by traffic. Still, I would leave extra time for the terminal. Ferry areas can be confusing, and arriving late reduces your time on a charter that may already be limited.

Price, group size, and what you really get

The price is $648 for a private group of up to 25 people. At 25 passengers, that is about $26 per person. For 10 people, it is about $65 each. For seven, it is roughly $93 each, before food and optional paddleboards.

That makes the trip a strong value for a large family or social group. For a couple or a small party, the same boat can feel expensive unless privacy and flexible timing matter more to you than the lowest per-person rate.

The price includes the exclusive boat, skipper, fuel, snorkel masks, cooler, ice, freshwater shower, toilet, shaded seating, sun decks, and Bluetooth stereo. Stand-up paddleboards are available for a small additional charge, but they must be booked before the trip.

Food and drinks are your responsibility. I would bring enough water for the full outing, easy food that does not need preparation, and any preferred drinks. The cooler removes one nuisance, but it does not supply refreshments.

Weather, cancellation, and practical comfort

The trip only runs in suitable weather. If conditions are not safe or comfortable, the booking can be moved to another available date or canceled with the deposit refunded in full.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking. Since sea conditions can affect Comino plans, those terms are helpful, but you should still check the forecast and keep some flexibility in your Malta or Gozo schedule.

There is no need to bring snorkeling equipment unless you prefer your own, since masks are provided. Life jackets for adults and children are available onboard if needed. The boat’s shaded rear area is valuable for children, anyone avoiding strong sun, and anyone who wants a break between swims.

I would not choose this charter for a group seeking a formal historical tour. The sightseeing is mainly coastal, and the day revolves around swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, caves, music, and flexible stops. I would choose it for people who want a private day on the water with enough facilities to stay onboard comfortably.

Is this Comino boat trip right for you?

Book it if you have a medium or large group, want privacy, and care about choosing your own balance of swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and coastal views. The boat’s equipment and layout make a long day easier, and the skipper can respond to weather and your interests.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the cheapest way to reach Comino. A shared boat may cost less. Also think twice if you dislike sun, sea movement, or flexible plans, since the experience depends on weather and the route can change.

For a birthday, family outing, or group day with music and repeated swims, this is a practical splurge. I would book the full day for the widest choice of coves and Gozo stops, bring food and water, reserve paddleboards ahead if you want them, and confirm the exact route before departure.

FAQ

How many people can ride on the Lucky Lady boat?

The boat can carry a maximum of 25 passengers. The private price applies to the group rather than to each individual passenger.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from Cirkewwa Jetty in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The exact waiting point is sent through WhatsApp after your booking is confirmed.

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts between four and six hours. Full-day trips normally run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., while half-day trips normally run from 9 a.m. to noon. Start and end times may be adjusted if availability allows.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You can bring ready-to-eat food and drinks onboard and use the cooler box with complimentary ice. You may also stop at Mgarr Harbour for lunch at a food outlet, kiosk, or restaurant.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkel masks are provided and can be used throughout the trip. Stand-up paddleboards are optional, cost extra, and must be booked before departure.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The trip is subject to suitable weather. If conditions do not permit the outing, you can postpone it to another available date or cancel and receive the deposit back in full.