Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon Private Boat Tour

The best part of this Comino trip is simple: you get the boat to yourselves, with only your group of up to six and the skipper on board. Instead of being tied to a large ferry route, you can reach small caves, quiet swimming spots, and the less crowded sides of the Blue Lagoon.

I like the freedom to choose where you spend your time, and I like the practical extras: snorkel gear, floats, shade, and an ice cooler are provided. The main drawback is the short two-hour length. It works well for a focused look at Comino, but you will need to keep moving if you want to see every listed stop and still have plenty of time in the water.

Key points at a glance

• A genuinely private boat: Your group of up to six shares the speedboat only with the skipper.
• Best late morning or late afternoon: Early starts can bring quieter water, while a 5 p.m. departure has offered calmer Blue Lagoon conditions and sunset views.
• Swim from the boat: You are not limited to the packed shoreline, and the skipper can seek out quieter water when conditions allow.
• Caves are a major part of the fun: Lovers Cave, Popeye Cave, Comino Caves, and other rock openings are reached from the sea.
• Bring your own drinks: The cooler has ice, but food and drinks are not included.
• Budget for the fuel charge: The advertised group price is $187, with a separate €79 fuel fee paid in cash on arrival.

Why a private boat changes the Blue Lagoon experience

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear, pale water, but fame brings crowds. The shore can feel hectic in the middle of the day, with people arriving by ferry, small boat, and larger sightseeing vessel.

A private speedboat gives you another option. Your skipper can anchor away from the busiest shoreline, letting you swim straight from the boat. That matters if you want the water without treating the beach area as your whole experience.

The boat also makes it easier to see the coast from the right angle. Comino is best understood from the water, where cliffs, arches, narrow inlets, and bright patches of sea appear one after another. You can pause for photos, move into a cave, or spend longer swimming if your group agrees.

I would not treat this as a slow, full-day island cruise. Two hours goes quickly, especially once you include departure, movement between sites, swimming, and the return. Think of it as a well-packed coastal sampler with time for two proper swims.

Starting at Ċirkewwa or Gozo

The stated meeting point is next to the wooden kiosk with umbrellas, described as the only kiosk in the area. The usual departure is from Ċirkewwa in northern Malta, though the trip can also begin from Gozo if you request that when booking.

That starting detail matters. Ċirkewwa is Malta’s main ferry area for Gozo, so you should allow time to find the correct kiosk rather than arriving at the last minute. The ferry terminal has toilet facilities, which is useful before setting out.

If you book within 24 hours of departure, contact the operator by WhatsApp or phone to confirm the meeting details. Communication has been a strong part of the experience, with clear messages sent before departure and practical directions to the boat.

The tour is offered in English and Maltese. Your skipper is both driver and guide, so you receive information about the rock formations, caves, islands, and local life without joining a large group with a fixed commentary.

Comino: the first look from the sea

The boat reaches Comino early in the route, with roughly 10 minutes set aside for the initial cruise and introduction. From the water, you get a broad view of the island’s dry, rocky coast and the narrow passages that larger boats cannot always approach closely.

This first section is less about one major stop and more about getting your bearings. It also gives the skipper a chance to judge the day’s sea conditions. The route can change for safety, and the best private captains adjust the order of the stops to match wind, waves, and swimming conditions.

That flexibility is one of the tour’s real advantages. You are not simply ticking off places at fixed times. If one inlet is too rough, the skipper may choose another. If your group wants more time in the water, the route can be shaped around that, within the limits of a two-hour trip.

Blue Lagoon swimming away from the shoreline

The Blue Lagoon usually receives about 25 minutes for sightseeing, photos, swimming, and snorkeling. That sounds brief, but it is enough for a useful stop if you are ready to get into the water promptly.

The important distinction is where you swim. The private boat aims to anchor away from the packed beach sections, where you can enter the sea directly from the boat. Clear water makes this a strong spot for looking below the surface with the supplied mask and snorkel.

You should be comfortable in open water, even though the skipper checks swimming ability. Noodles and other flotation equipment may be available on board, and some skippers have swum with the group to guide people into caves or point out marine life.

Timing can make a large difference. Early morning departures have offered especially quiet conditions, while a late afternoon start around 5 p.m. can bring a less crowded Blue Lagoon and a slow return in the evening light. The operator does not promise a crowd-free lagoon, so treat this as a useful strategy rather than a guarantee.

A short secret stop for fish and clear water

The itinerary includes a five-minute secret swimming stop for snorkeling and marine-life viewing. Five minutes is not long, but it can be worthwhile if the skipper finds a good patch of water between the larger landmarks.

This is where a small boat earns its keep. The skipper can stop in a suitable inlet rather than taking you only to the headline sights. One useful tip from the experience is to bring white bread if you want to attract fish for a closer look, though you should use good judgment and avoid feeding wildlife if local guidance says otherwise.

The stop may be adjusted or skipped if the sea is not suitable. That is not a flaw in the tour. On a small boat, safety and water quality should matter more than rigidly completing every minute on a schedule.

Crystal Lagoon and the best swim of the trip

Crystal Lagoon receives another 25 minutes, making it the second major swimming stop. It is known for steep rock walls, clear water, caves, and good snorkeling conditions.

I would make this one of your priorities. The setting feels more enclosed than the open Blue Lagoon, and the cliffs give the stop a stronger sense of being in a natural inlet rather than at a famous public swimming site.

The boat can bring you close to openings in the rock, though the exact route depends on conditions. Some skippers encourage confident swimmers to enter a cave with guidance. If you are not a strong swimmer, remain near the boat and use the flotation equipment rather than trying to follow the most adventurous members of your group.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place for underwater photos if you bring a suitable camera. One skipper has lent a GoPro and sent the videos afterward, but that is an extra courtesy, not a guaranteed inclusion. The advertised package includes snorkeling equipment, not an underwater camera.

Cominotto and its reef

The route then passes Cominotto, the small island opposite Comino. About 20 minutes are allocated for photos, sightseeing, and a boat cruise around the island and reef.

This is a scenic portion rather than a long shore visit. The boat lets you see the relationship between Comino, Cominotto, and the surrounding reef, while the skipper points out places that are difficult to understand from a busy beach.

If you want a quiet beach stop, ask what is possible on the day. The information describes secluded beaches and marine life around Cominotto, but the exact amount of time on shore is not fixed. In a two-hour format, the skipper may keep you on the boat so the group can see more of the coast.

Lovers Cave, Popeye Cave, and Comino’s rock openings

Several cave and arch stops fill the middle and return portions of the route. Lovers Cave is described as a roughly 40-meter cave with a small white sandy beach inside. It is the sort of place that gives the tour its character, especially if the sea is calm enough to enter safely.

Popeye Cave is a natural arch with a shape compared to Malta’s Blue Grotto. The appeal here is visual: sparkling water, a frame of rock, and a close view that is hard to get from a larger vessel.

The route also includes Comino Caves and Lantern Point, along with another photo stop listed as a hidden spot. These places are not separate, lengthy excursions. They are short boat approaches and photo opportunities, so keep your camera ready and listen for the skipper’s explanation as you pass.

The advantage of a private speedboat is its size. It can move into narrow coastal spaces and turn around more easily than a large sightseeing boat. The tradeoff is that the ride may feel lively in open water, particularly when the sea is choppy.

Saint Mary’s Tower and the return cruise

Saint Mary’s Tower receives roughly 10 minutes for photos, sightseeing, and a boat cruise. The tower gives the route a strong visual landmark and adds a little of Comino’s human story to what is otherwise a coast-focused outing.

After that, the boat returns toward the starting point, with around 10 minutes listed for another photo and sightseeing section. The return can be as relaxed or as lively as the sea allows. Some skippers play music through a Bluetooth speaker, and several groups have enjoyed choosing their own soundtrack.

The music is a small touch, but it helps set the mood on a private boat. You can have a quiet ride if that suits your group, or bring a playlist if the boat’s sound system allows it. Ask before departure rather than assuming every boat has the same setup.

What is included, and what you still pay for

The price is listed as $187 per group of up to six. That works out to about $31 per person if you fill the boat, before the fuel charge. For a couple, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than simply a seat on a boat.

Included are:

• Private speedboat tour
• Professional skipper and guide
• Lagoon and marina fees
• National Park fee
• Snorkeling equipment
• Ice cooler with ice flakes
• Canopy shade

The separate fuel fee is €79, paid in cash on arrival. This is the cost most likely to affect your final budget, so include it when comparing this trip with a shared cruise. Food and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded.

For six people, the total cost can be good value, particularly if you care about a private group, flexible stops, and swimming away from the shore. For two people, compare the final cost with a shared excursion before booking. The private format is most useful when your group values personal space or has different needs from a standard crowd.

Skippers make the difference

The operator uses several skippers, so you cannot necessarily request a particular person unless the company confirms it. Names associated with especially warm service include Justin, Casper, Buffon, Ginger, Clavion, Mahmoud, Zlatko, Pedro, Jimmy, and Sakhru.

The strongest pattern is practical care. Skippers have checked swimming ability, helped less confident swimmers, taken photos, remembered names, shared local stories, and adjusted the route to suit the group. One even allowed a child to steer under supervision, though you should treat that as a personal choice by the skipper, not a promised feature.

Good guiding here is not about long lectures. It is about knowing which cave is safe to approach, which inlet has better water on the day, and when to move on before the sea changes. That local judgment is the main reason to choose a private trip over hiring a boat without a guide.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits couples, families, and groups of friends who want a private outing without committing to a full day. It is especially good for people who care more about swimming, snorkeling, caves, and photographs than walking around Comino.

Families can enjoy it, and the boat has worked well for groups with young children. Still, children and adults should be comfortable around open water, and anyone with a medical condition should tell the operator in advance.

It is less suited to you if you want a long beach stay, a formal historical tour, or a slow picnic on the island. Two hours is a brisk format, and the primary activity is being on the boat and in the sea.

The tour operates only when weather and sea conditions permit. The skipper may change the route for safety, so do not book it expecting every cave and swimming stop to be guaranteed in the exact order listed.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and drinks for the cooler. The boat has shade, but you will still spend time in strong Mediterranean sun when swimming and taking photos.

Wear something secure for the ride. Loose items can be awkward on a speedboat, especially when the sea is moving. Keep phones and cameras protected when approaching caves and arches.

If you want the quietest feel, ask about the earliest available departure. A later start can also work well, with one group enjoying a quieter Blue Lagoon at 5 p.m. and returning as the light softened.

Confirm your departure point, especially if you are staying in Gozo or plan to cross from Malta on the same day. The operator can start from Malta or Gozo, but you need to state your preference when booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your schedule is still moving, but they do not remove the need to check the sea forecast and confirm a last-minute booking.

Should you book this Comino boat tour?

Book it if you want the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon without spending the whole time beside a crowd. The private boat, small-group size, snorkel equipment, caves, and flexible route make this a strong choice for a short Malta water experience.

I would book it for a group of four to six, when the shared cost becomes easier to justify. Couples should book it for privacy, a special occasion, or the freedom to choose their own pace, not because it is the cheapest way to reach Comino.

The main decision comes down to time. If two hours is enough for you, this is a focused and well-equipped outing. If you want a full day around the islands, longer beach time, or guaranteed calm water, choose a longer trip instead. Just remember to add the €79 cash fuel fee before comparing prices.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts two hours, including the cruise around Comino, swimming and snorkeling stops, cave visits, sightseeing, and the return to the meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to six people. Only your group and the skipper are on the boat.

Where does the tour depart?

The usual departure point is Ċirkewwa in Malta, next to the wooden kiosk with umbrellas. The tour can also start from Gozo if you request that when booking.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The route includes a Blue Lagoon stop for sightseeing, photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the tour price.

Is there shade on the boat?

Yes. The boat includes a canopy shade area, as well as an ice cooler with ice flakes.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A €79 fuel fee is paid in cash on arrival. Food, drinks, and hotel transportation are also not included.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper may adjust or change the route because of weather and sea conditions. An optional stop at the P31 wreck is available only when conditions permit.

Can I cancel the booking?

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