Malta: Comino Island Private Boat

Comino’s famous water looks best from a small boat, where you can pause at the Blue Lagoon instead of simply admiring it from shore. This private two-hour trip takes your group around Comino and nearby Cominotto, with time for swimming, snorkeling, caves, and a quiet stretch under the canopy.

I like the privacy and the freedom to ask the skipper to slow down or stop for a swim. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling gear, a cooler, Bluetooth music, Wi-Fi, and shaded seating. The main catch is weather. Rough seas can cancel swimming and may change the route, so treat this as a boat outing first and a swim trip second.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: The price is charged per boat, making it most attractive when shared by a small group.
• Two famous lagoons: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon offer the main swimming and snorkeling stops, subject to sea conditions.
• Caves viewed from the water: Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other sea caves form the sightseeing core of the route.
• Skippers can shape the outing: Captain Joe and Mario have been singled out for friendly service, good conversation, music, and flexibility.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get a canopy, seating, safety gear, mask and snorkel, ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, and Wi-Fi.
• Extra charges matter: The listed price is $86 per group, while the experienced skipper and fuel are each shown separately at €54.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its coast is packed with bays, cliffs, arches, and caves. A private boat lets you see more of that coast in two hours than you could on foot, and it gives you a quiet place to sit between swims.

The biggest benefit is control. You are not sharing the boat with a large crowd, and the skipper can respond to your group’s mood. You can spend longer near a lagoon, pause for photographs, or simply cruise past a cave without rushing everyone through a fixed schedule.

That flexibility matters at Comino. Conditions can change quickly, and some stops are best seen from the water rather than reached on foot. The skipper has the final say on the route, departure time, and swimming stops because of wind, tides, and sea conditions.

The boat is suited to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a short private outing without committing to a full-day charter. Two hours is enough for a taste of Comino’s best-known coastal sights, but not enough for a slow, unhurried survey of every bay.

Meeting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can join the boat from Malta at Cirkewwa or from Gozo at Mgarr. At Cirkewwa, the meeting point is by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. At Mgarr, look near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the correct terminal area, handle traffic delays, and get settled before departure. A late arrival does not extend the two-hour charter, so punctuality has real value here.

The trip includes pickup, but the provided details identify these harbor meeting points rather than a broad hotel pickup service. Check the exact departure instructions when booking, especially if you are crossing between Malta and Gozo on the same day.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard cooler can keep your own beverages cold.

The Blue Lagoon from the boat

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the private boat gives you a useful view before you enter the water. From offshore, you can take in the pale rock, clear turquoise water, and narrow coastal setting without beginning your visit in the middle of the beach crowd.

When conditions allow, you can swim and use the provided mask and snorkel. The water is the main attraction here, so this is the point where you will likely want your towel, sunscreen, and camera ready.

There is one practical limitation: the Blue Lagoon is not guaranteed as a swimming stop in every kind of weather. One outing had rough seas and no swimming, although the group still enjoyed the boat ride. That is a good reminder to keep expectations flexible.

If you care most about getting into the water, choose a day with calm conditions and ask about the sea before departure. If the skipper changes the route, that is a safety decision rather than a failure to provide the trip.

Crystal Lagoon and Cominotto

The route continues toward Crystal Lagoon, known for vivid blue water and sheltered bays. It offers another chance to swim or snorkel, and it may feel calmer than the more famous Blue Lagoon depending on wind and boat traffic.

Cominotto Island gives you a change of scale. Instead of only circling Comino’s better-known sights, you also get a view of this smaller island and its rocky shoreline. The attraction is simple: clear water, unusual rock shapes, and the pleasure of seeing the coast from a low boat rather than from a road or walking path.

The skipper can help decide which stop works best on the day. A private group has an advantage here because you can express a preference for swimming, sightseeing, or a slower cruise instead of following the priorities of a larger party.

Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock

Roofless Cave, known locally as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more memorable formations on the route. Its open rock structure gives it a distinctive look from the water, and the boat allows you to inspect the cave without arranging a separate walk.

Lovers Cave provides a more enclosed and romantic setting. It is a good place for a quiet pause, though the experience depends on the sea and on how close the skipper can safely take the boat.

Pigeon Rock adds another recognizable coastal landmark. Along the way, you pass several other sea caves, each with its own openings, shadows, and worn limestone shapes. This part of the trip is less about one grand stop and more about the changing views from the boat.

You should not expect a long cave expedition or a guided land visit. These are boat-based sights, seen from the deck and explained by the skipper when appropriate. One outing included useful historical explanations and many attractive caves, so the quality of the commentary can add plenty to the short trip.

What the skipper adds to the experience

The skipper is central to this charter. You are not simply renting an unmanned boat and following a map. An experienced skipper handles the route, safety decisions, lagoon access, and adjustments caused by weather or tides.

Captain Joe has received especially strong praise for making the outing feel personal and relaxed. Mario has also been appreciated for his friendly manner and for communicating well even when the group’s English was limited. That matters if you want a social, easygoing trip rather than a silent transfer between swimming spots.

The strongest feature is flexibility. You can ask to stop somewhere for a rest, spend time taking photographs, or change the balance between cruising and swimming. Still, flexibility has limits. The skipper can alter the itinerary and may adjust the departure time to provide safer or better conditions.

The tour has live guidance in English and Maltese. Do not expect a long formal lecture at every stop, but you can receive explanations about the coast and its caves while moving between locations.

Comfort on a small private boat

The boat has ample seating and a shaded canopy, which is important in Malta’s strong sun. You can sit in the shade while cruising, then move into the sun when you want to warm up after swimming.

Safety equipment is supplied, and port, marina, lagoon access, and tax charges are included. The mask and snorkel are useful if you do not want to pack your own, though bringing personal gear may still suit you better if fit and comfort matter.

The ice cooler is provided for beverages, but food and drinks are not. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are also excluded. The Bluetooth speaker and Wi-Fi are pleasant extras, especially for a private group, but they should not distract from the main reason to book: the coastline and water.

A private boat also means your group controls the atmosphere. You can play music, talk, or keep things quiet. That is a better fit for friends and family than for someone hoping for a structured group cruise with lots of onboard entertainment.

Is the $86 price good value?

The advertised price is $86 per group of up to six people, not $86 per passenger. Shared among six, that is a very low starting cost for a private boat. Shared by two people, the cost per person is naturally much higher, but you still receive exclusivity and a skipper-led route.

Pay close attention to the additional charges. The skipper is listed at €54 and fuel at €54, both not included in the base price. Since the headline figure is in dollars and the extra charges are in euros, confirm the final total and currency before you commit.

That changes the value calculation. For six people, the overall cost can still make sense because you are dividing a private charter among a full group. For a couple, a shared cruise might be cheaper if your main goal is simply to reach the Blue Lagoon. The private option earns its price through space, flexibility, and the ability to set the mood.

The boat also includes several costs that can otherwise appear as add-ons, including marina and port charges, lagoon permits, taxes, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, and the cooler. Food and beverages remain your responsibility.

Weather is the key variable

The sea decides how much of the advertised experience you receive. The skipper may cancel, reschedule, or alter the trip, and the departure or disembarkation point can change because of wind, tides, or other valid conditions.

In calm weather, the plan offers a strong mix of swimming, snorkeling, coastal sightseeing, and relaxed cruising. In rough weather, the boat may still visit the caves and rock formations, but swimming may be unsafe or uncomfortable.

I would book this for the coastal views even if swimming is your main hope. That mindset protects the day from disappointment. Wear a hat and use sunscreen even if the sky looks mild, and bring cash for needs at the harbor.

The two-hour length is another factor. It works well as a focused outing between other Malta or Gozo plans. It is not a substitute for a full day on the water, and the route may feel quick if you want long swims at both lagoons.

Who should book this trip?

This is a strong choice for a group of up to six that values privacy. Families can keep children close, couples can enjoy a quieter ride, and friends can use the boat as a relaxed floating base for swimming and music.

It also suits people who want to see caves without spending hours hiking along the coast. The boat brings you close to Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other formations in a compact route.

I would be more cautious if your budget is based only on the $86 headline price. Add the skipper and fuel charges first. I would also choose another plan if you need a guaranteed swim, since sea conditions control the route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund, and reserve-now, pay-later booking keeps your plans flexible. Those terms are useful when your Malta schedule depends on weather or ferry connections.

Final call: a good short charter with a weather warning

Book this private Comino boat if you are traveling with several people, want a personal skipper, and like the idea of mixing swimming with caves and coastal views. The private format, shaded seating, snorkeling gear, and flexible stops give the two hours more character than a basic boat transfer.

Before booking, confirm the full price including the €54 skipper charge and €54 fuel charge. Then check the sea forecast and arrive at Cirkewwa or Mgarr 30 minutes early. If you can accept a changed route or a no-swimming day, this is a comfortable and good-value way to see Comino from the water.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The charter lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to six people. The charter rate is charged per boat, not per passenger.

Where does the boat depart from?

You can meet the boat in Malta at Cirkewwa, by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal, or in Gozo at Mgarr Harbour, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The experienced skipper is listed at €54, and fuel is listed at €54. Confirm the final total before booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with safety equipment. Swimming and snorkeling depend on sea and weather conditions.

Can the itinerary change because of the weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, reschedule, or change the route, departure time, and disembarkation point because of sea conditions, weather, tides, or other valid reasons.