Private Boat Trip: Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Santa Maria

Comino is at its best from the water, where a small private boat can slip close to caves and quiet coves that larger boats must pass by. This three-hour trip covers Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Cominotto, Elephant Rock, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and Saint Nikolaw Creek, with swimming time built in.

I like the private, flexible format, especially if your group wants to linger in one lagoon instead of following a fixed schedule. I also like the smaller boat access, which lets the skipper take you farther into some caves and play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker. The main caution is that the $173 price is per boat for up to six people, while fuel is payable separately, so confirm the final cost before you go.

Key points

• Three hours around Comino: See the island’s main coastal sights without spending an entire day on a boat.
• Private boat for up to six: Choose your swimming stops and set the pace with your skipper.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Expect clear water, scenic rock walls, and time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Smaller boat access: Reach cave entrances and narrow coastal spots that may be awkward for larger charters.
• Skippers who add a personal touch: Mario, Joe, and Harry are among the captains named in recent bookings, though your assigned skipper may differ.
• Flexible timing: Early morning or sunset departures can help you avoid the busiest part of the day, subject to availability and sea conditions.

A private way to see Comino in three hours

This trip is built around choice. You are not joining a large boat with a loudspeaker, fixed swimming stop, and a long line of passengers waiting to get back aboard. You have a private boat, a skipper, and a short route that can be adjusted to suit your group.

That matters at Comino. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its pale turquoise water, but it can feel crowded when the big boats arrive. A private charter gives you a better chance to visit at a quieter time, then move on when the shoreline becomes too busy. The company suggests early morning and sunset departures for a calmer atmosphere, but you will need to check the available starting times.

The trip lasts three hours. That is enough to see a long list of coastal sights and stop for swims, but it is not a full-day island charter. You will get a lively overview of Comino from the water rather than long walks, extended beach time, or a leisurely meal aboard.

What the $173 price really covers

The advertised rate is $173 per group of up to six, not $173 per person. For six people, that can be strong value compared with paying individual fares on a large boat, especially if you care about privacy and control over the schedule.

For a couple, the calculation is different. You are paying for the boat rather than filling every seat, so the cost per person rises sharply. The real value is the experience itself: your own seating area, your own music, direct attention from the skipper, and the ability to stay longer at a swimming spot.

The boat includes a sun deck, shaded seating, safety equipment, an ice cooler, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. Snorkeling gear with a mask and snorkel is also provided. Food and drinks are not included, and the information specifically says that barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for fishing are not included. An ice cooler is provided for ordinary use, but you should bring your own refreshments.

One cost needs extra attention. Fuel is payable separately, and a certified skipper with a valid Maltese Sea License is required. Ask how those charges are handled before paying, so the attractive group price does not come as a surprise later.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

The boat departs from one of two points. From Malta, you meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. From Gozo, you meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

These locations are useful because they put you close to Comino, but you still need to allow time for traffic and finding the meeting point. Arriving 30 minutes early is recommended. If you arrive late, the three-hour charter does not get extended, so this is not the place to cut things close.

Pickup is included from the stated departure points. The skipper may adjust the departure time, route, or drop-off point when weather, tides, or sea conditions require it. That flexibility is sensible around Malta’s exposed coast, but it also means your exact order of stops is not guaranteed.

Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its clear, pale water and pale rock shoreline make it one of Comino’s most recognizable sights. From the boat, you can appreciate the color and shape of the lagoon without immediately committing to a crowded patch of shore.

You can swim and snorkel here, using the supplied mask and snorkel. The water is the main attraction, so bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. If you want photographs, the boat gives you a useful angle on the lagoon’s curved shoreline and surrounding rock.

The drawback is simple: popularity. Blue Lagoon can be the busiest stop on the route, particularly during the high season. A private boat improves your flexibility, but it cannot empty the lagoon. Ask your skipper about visiting early or later in the day, and be ready to enjoy another cove if the scene feels too packed.

Crystal Lagoon for a quieter swim

Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. It is known for clear water and a more sheltered feel, making it a natural place to stop for a longer swim or snorkel.

This is where the three-hour format can work well. Instead of rushing through a checklist of sights, you can tell the skipper that swimming matters most and spend meaningful time in the water. One booking described spending about an hour and a half at a favorite swimming spot before moving on, which shows how the private format can be shaped around your group.

Still, time is limited. If you spend a very long time at Crystal Lagoon, you may see some other sights only from the boat. Decide before departure whether you want a swim-heavy trip or a sightseeing-heavy trip.

Caves that larger boats cannot reach

Comino’s coast is full of openings, cuts, and rock formations. The private boat’s smaller size is useful here. You may be able to move close to cave entrances and see details that are easy to miss from a large excursion boat.

The Roofless Cave is one of the more unusual stops. Its open ceiling gives it a bright, exposed quality rather than the fully enclosed feel of a traditional cave. You can expect the skipper to bring you close enough for views and photographs, with the exact approach depending on water and wind conditions.

Lovers Cave offers a more enclosed and secluded setting. Its name gives you a sense of the mood, but this is not a staged attraction. It is simply one of the island’s coastal formations, best appreciated from the water and perhaps with a short look inside if conditions allow.

You will also see other caves along the route. The important point is not to expect every one to be a formal stop with a long explanation. Some may be viewed while cruising past, while others may allow the boat to approach more closely. The skipper can share small facts as you go, but the focus is scenery, swimming, and time on the water.

Santa Maria Bay and Cominotto

Santa Maria Bay brings a quieter stretch of coast into the trip. Its surrounding caves and calm water make it a good contrast to the better-known Blue Lagoon. If your group wants a peaceful swim or a slower look at the shoreline, tell the skipper early.

Cominotto, the small islet beside Comino, adds another perspective. From the boat, you can see the relationship between the islet, the channels, and the larger island. It is a short visit in the sense that there is no promise of a long landing, but it gives the route variety and good photo opportunities.

Do not expect a walking tour of Comino’s interior. This is a coastal outing. Its historical and natural interest comes mainly through what you see from the boat, including old coastal features, rock shapes, and secluded inlets.

Elephant Rock, Pigeon Rock, and Saint Nikolaw Creek

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation with a distinctive outline. It is the sort of stop that works best when your skipper points out the shape and gives you a moment to take photographs. The charm comes from seeing how erosion has formed the coast, not from a large visitor facility.

Pigeon Rock is another striking formation in the sea. These stops help break up the lagoon time and show that Comino is more than one famous swimming area.

Saint Nikolaw Creek is described as a quiet, secluded place. It may suit you if you want a pause from the busier parts of the route. Conditions determine how close the boat can go and whether swimming or landing is practical, so treat it as a flexible stop rather than a guaranteed long stay.

The route also includes Comino’s historical heritage, though the available information does not specify a fixed historical talk or particular monuments visited on land. If history matters to you, ask the skipper what can be seen during your departure and how much time can be given to it.

How the private format changes the day

The strongest feature here is control. You can ask for more swimming, more cave viewing, more photographs, or a quicker circuit of the island. Captains Mario, Joe, and Harry have each been praised for being friendly, safety-minded, and willing to follow the group’s pace, but the assigned skipper can vary.

The personal service also extends to small touches. The boat has a Bluetooth speaker, so you can play your own music. Skippers may take photos for you, and one booking described receiving help finding scenic photo spots. You should still bring a phone or camera and protect it from spray.

The boat provides cozy seating, shade, and a sun deck. That gives you options when the sun becomes strong. The shade is especially welcome after swimming, though you should not treat it as a substitute for sunscreen and a hat.

The private setting suits families, couples, and friends who want to spend time together without strangers on board. It also works well for a group with mixed interests. Swimmers can stay in the water while others remain on deck, take photographs, or listen to music.

The limits of a three-hour charter

Three hours sounds generous until you count the lagoons, bays, caves, rock formations, and transfers between them. You can see the major points, but you cannot give every stop a long visit.

This is best thought of as a focused coastal circuit with swimming, not a complete Comino day. If you want extended beach time, a long picnic, or several hours at one cove, choose your priorities before leaving. If you want to see the island’s main sights and swim in clear water without giving up an entire day, the duration is more efficient.

Sea conditions can also change the experience. The skipper has authority to cancel, postpone, or alter the trip when the weather or water is unsafe. Routes, departure points, and disembarkation points may change because of wind, tides, or other legitimate reasons. That is worth accepting as part of a small-boat trip rather than expecting every stop to follow a rigid script.

The tour is offered in English and Maltese. Bring cash, as it is included on the suggested packing list, though the information does not specify exactly what cash might be needed for.

What to pack for the boat

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, and sunscreen. The boat provides snorkeling gear, but you may prefer to bring your own equipment if you have a well-fitting mask.

Food and drinks are not supplied. Pack what you need, using the provided ice cooler, and avoid bringing more than you can manage on a small boat. A phone with a waterproof pouch is a practical addition, even though it is not specifically required.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Keep your schedule clear enough to handle a possible adjustment to the starting time, since the skipper may change it to suit conditions and your needs.

Who should book this Comino boat trip?

I would choose this for a group of friends or family members who can share the $173 boat price. It is particularly appealing if you dislike large group excursions, want to play your own music, or care about entering smaller caves and choosing your swimming time.

It is also a good choice for couples who value privacy and do not mind paying more per person. The secluded coves and Lovers Cave give the outing a romantic feel, while the private setting lets you avoid a one-size-fits-all schedule.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long beach day or a fixed historical tour. The route includes many scenic and culturally interesting features, but the experience is primarily about the coast, water, caves, and freedom to set the pace.

Should you book Blue Waves Comino Charters?

Book it if you can fill most of the six seats and want a relaxed alternative to a large boat tour. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, cave access, snorkeling, and a flexible skipper-led route gives you a lot in three hours.

Before booking, confirm the fuel charge and ask about the likely departure time. Then tell the skipper what matters most: swimming, caves, photographs, quiet coves, or seeing every listed formation.

For the right group, this is a smart way to see Comino without spending all day afloat. The private boat costs more than a basic shared excursion, but the extra control, space, and personal service are the reason to pay for it.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat trip?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is for one private boat for a group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart from?

From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Which languages does the skipper speak?

The tour is offered in English and Maltese.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. The route includes swimming opportunities at places such as Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and mask and snorkel equipment is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, so you should arrange your own refreshments.

Can the route or departure time change?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather, sea conditions, tides, or other legitimate reasons. The skipper may also adjust the route, itinerary, and departure or disembarkation points.