Private Boat Tour: Discover Comino’s Blue and Crystal Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is famous for clear water, but the best reason to book this trip is the private boat. You get the captain to yourself, a fast ride between the island’s coves, and a better chance of pausing away from the thickest crowds. I especially like the Crystal Lagoon stop and the flexible route, which lets you spend more time swimming or taking photos instead of waiting in traffic on the water.

I also like that the tour is short and focused. Joe and Claivion have both earned praise for being friendly and helpful, and the speedboat can cover several scenic points in one hour. The main catch is the price: the advertised $22 per person does not include the €34 skipper fee or €34 fuel fee, both paid in cash afterward. Confirm the final cost before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Just you and the captain: This is a private group, not a shared sightseeing boat.
• One hour, several coastal stops: You pass Lantern Point, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, sea caves, and Blue Lagoon.
• Swim time is limited: The schedule allows roughly 15 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and 15 minutes at Blue Lagoon.
• The route can avoid packed areas: Tell the captain if you prefer swimming, photos, or a quieter cruise.
• Bring your own basics: A towel and sunglasses are specifically recommended, while mask and snorkel are supplied.
• Check the real total: The skipper and fuel charges are extra and paid in cash after the tour.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Comino is small, but its Blue Lagoon can feel anything but peaceful in the middle of the day. A private boat does not make the island empty, yet it gives you something useful: control. You are not tied to a large group’s pace or to a fixed route that spends too long in one crowded cove.

This one-hour trip is built for a quick look at Comino from the water. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply sit back while the captain moves between the island’s most striking points. The boat is described as a fast craft, and that matters here. One past booking party arrived 20 minutes late but still managed to see the main sites because the boat moved quickly between stops.

I would think of this as a concentrated coastal outing rather than a full beach day. You will see a lot in a short time, but the swimming stops are brief. If you want hours on a beach, this is not the right format. If you have a tight Malta or Gozo schedule and want a personal look at Comino, the timing works well.

Starting at Cirkewwa port

The meeting point is at Cirkewwa Cafe in Cirkewwa port. Arrive with enough time to find the meeting place and get settled, since the tour itself lasts only an hour. If you booked within the previous 24 hours, contact the provider through WhatsApp, as requested in the tour details.

There is one practical detail to clear up before you pay. The meeting information names Cirkewwa, while the route information also refers to Xlendi Pleasure Cruises as the starting and ending point. The description says the trip can finish at Cirkewwa or Mgarr in Gozo, with your preferred endpoint supplied at booking. Ask the operator to confirm the exact departure point and return point in writing. That small check can prevent a needless port scramble.

Cirkewwa is a useful departure area for Comino because it sits at Malta’s northern tip, close to the island and across the water from Gozo. The tour information does not include transport to the port, so you need to arrange your own way there.

Lantern Point and the first views

The first listed stop is Lantern Point, with about 10 minutes for a break, photographs, and sightseeing. This is a good opening stop because it gives you time to settle into the boat and begin seeing Comino from the water rather than rushing straight into a swim.

Use this pause for wide coastal photographs and for asking the captain about the route. Since you have a private boat, you can make your preferences clear early. If your group cares more about swimming than sightseeing, say so. If you want to take pictures of the coastline and sea caves, mention that too.

Ten minutes passes quickly. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from splashes. The tour specifically suggests sunglasses and a towel, and both are sensible for a short boat trip with swim stops.

L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz and the coastal ride

The boat then passes L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz, a five-minute section devoted to guided sightseeing, marine-life viewing, and coastal scenery. This is not a long shore visit. You remain on the boat, looking down into the water and out toward the rock formations.

The value of this part is the moving view. From a boat, you see angles that are easy to miss from land, including the waterline, openings in the rock, and small areas that are not practical to reach on foot. The captain’s commentary is in English, and the private setting means you can ask a question without shouting over a busload of people.

Do not expect a full nature presentation in five minutes. This is a scenic passage between the main stops. It adds variety to the hour and gives you a chance to watch for marine life, but the lagoons are the main event.

Crystal Lagoon: the calmer swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon receives about 15 minutes for a visit, photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. I would use this stop efficiently. Put on your mask and snorkel before you reach the water if you can, then spend the first few minutes looking around rather than searching through your belongings.

The supplied mask and snorkel are a useful inclusion because they save you from renting basic equipment for such a short outing. Still, bring a towel, and if you have personal snorkeling gear that fits you well, you may prefer to use it. The tour does not promise a long swim session, so every minute counts.

Crystal Lagoon is also a strong photo stop. The water is prized for its clarity, and the enclosed setting gives the boat a different feel from the open coastal sections. You may find this stop more relaxed than the Blue Lagoon, depending on the day and the route chosen by the captain. The operator specifically says the route can avoid the busiest areas, so ask to pause where the water feels less crowded.

Remember that 15 minutes includes more than swimming. The boat needs to arrive, you need to get into the water, and you need to climb back aboard before moving on. I would call it a refreshing dip and a short snorkel, not an extended session.

Cominotto and the sea caves

Next comes the stretch around L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, It-Tieqa, and Taħt il-Ħnejja. The boat visits, passes by, and offers sightseeing and marine-life viewing here, with about five minutes listed for the section. These names refer to coastal features and openings in the rock, so this is where you get some of Comino’s most distinctive views from the water.

The short timing is not a flaw if you understand the format. A speedboat can pass close to features that would take longer to reach by a slower craft, giving you a quick succession of views. The tradeoff is that you will not linger at every cave or stop for a long explanation.

Keep your camera ready and listen for the captain’s directions. On a small private boat, the best view may change quickly as the boat turns. This is also another reason to avoid bringing too many loose items. The tour includes a Bluetooth speaker, which can add music to the ride, but you may want the speaker turned down during the scenic passages so you can hear the guide.

Blue Lagoon: the famous stop, handled your way

The final major stop is Blue Lagoon, with about 15 minutes for a boat cruise, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and sailing. This is the part most people picture when they think of Comino: pale rock, clear water, and intense blue-green color.

The advantage of visiting by private boat is not that you avoid all other boats. You should still expect activity in this well-known area. The benefit is that the captain can guide you toward less packed sections when conditions and access allow. The tour is designed to avoid the thickest crowds, and the flexible route means you can spend your short stop swimming or stay aboard for photographs if that suits you better.

The description also refers to a 20-minute swim or snorkel session at Blue Lagoon during summer, while the itinerary lists 15 minutes. Treat the timing as approximate and ask the captain on the day. Weather, boat traffic, and the chosen route can affect the exact stop length.

If you swim, do it promptly. If you prefer not to enter the water, you can remain on board and enjoy the views. That flexibility makes the tour suitable for mixed groups, such as one person who wants to snorkel and another who would rather take pictures.

What the private format is really worth

The advertised price is $22 per person, which looks low for a private boat. But you must read the extra charges carefully. A €34 skipper fee and €34 fuel fee are not included, and both are to be paid in cash after the tour.

The supplied information does not explain whether those fees apply per person or to the booking as a whole. Do not guess. Ask for the total cost for your group before confirming, especially if you are booking for several people. The value can be good when the additional fees are shared across a private group, but the deal looks very different if they are charged in another way.

You are also getting more than a simple boat ride. The price includes a private group, an English-speaking live guide, mask and snorkel, permits, marina fees, a Bluetooth speaker, and the stated Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon entrance fees. Those inclusions reduce the need to arrange separate access or equipment.

For a couple, the extra cost of privacy may be worth it if you care about avoiding a shared boat. For a family or group of friends, the private setup can offer better value because everyone shares the same boat and can set the pace. For a solo visitor, the added charges may make the price less attractive.

The captain matters on a short tour

With only one hour on the water, the captain shapes the experience. Joe is specifically praised for being a very good guide, while Claivion is described as friendly and full of useful advice for the rest of a Malta trip. Another booking party from France noted that the skipper was pleasant.

That kind of practical help is valuable on a compact tour. You do not have much time for a long orientation, so a captain who keeps the boat moving and explains what you are seeing can make the hour feel full rather than rushed. The boat’s speed also helps recover some sightseeing time if you arrive late, though I would not plan to test that advantage.

The guide language is English. If you need another language, ask before booking. The tour is private, so the atmosphere should be more personal than on a large public cruise, but the exact route remains subject to the captain’s judgment and sea conditions.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a short private excursion rather than a long day at sea. It suits couples looking for a quiet hour together, families who want a simple swim and sightseeing plan, and friends who prefer not to share a boat with strangers.

It also works well for anyone with limited time in northern Malta or Gozo. You see several coastal points in one hour, and the fast boat keeps the route moving. The ability to finish at Cirkewwa or Mgarr may also help connect the trip with your wider plans, but confirm the endpoint before setting your schedule.

You may want a different experience if your main goal is a long snorkel, a beach picnic, or hours in the water. The total schedule gives you only short pauses at the lagoons. You should also reconsider if you dislike speedboat travel or want a fully fixed itinerary, since the captain may adjust the route to avoid busy spots.

What to bring and what to expect onboard

Pack a towel and sunglasses, as the operator specifically recommends. Keep your belongings secure and bring swimwear if you plan to use the water stops. A waterproof phone case would be sensible, though it is not listed as an included item.

Mask and snorkel are supplied. Permits and marina fees are included, as are the stated entrance fees for both lagoons. The Bluetooth speaker is available onboard, but remember that the main attraction is the coast, water, and captain’s commentary.

The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to confirm the cash fees and meeting point.

Should you book the one-hour private boat?

Book it if you want a fast, personal look at Comino with two short swim opportunities and no strangers sharing your boat. The Crystal Lagoon stop, the sea-cave route, and the chance to steer away from the busiest Blue Lagoon areas give this brief trip more variety than a simple point-to-point transfer.

Before you commit, confirm three things: the exact departure point, the final return point, and how the €34 skipper and €34 fuel charges are calculated. If the total works for your group, this is a practical way to see Comino’s best-known water without giving up half a day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe at Cirkewwa port. The tour details also refer to Xlendi Pleasure Cruises, so confirm the exact departure location with the provider before setting out.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts one hour. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the boat shared with other people?

No. It is a private group experience with only your group and the captain on the boat.

Can I swim or snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are listed at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. The itinerary allows about 15 minutes at each stop, while the description refers to a 20-minute Blue Lagoon swim or snorkel session in summer.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. You should bring a towel and sunglasses.

What extra costs must I pay?

The skipper fee of €34 and fuel fee of €34 are not included in the advertised price. Both are paid in cash after the tour. Ask the provider whether these charges apply to your booking or per person.