Comino: private charter to Crystal & Blue lagoon & Caves

Clear water, cliffs, and a very busy lagoon await. This three-hour private charter is a smart way to see Comino from the sea, with stops at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Marija Bay, and the island’s northern caves. I especially like the small-group feel and the chance to swim at several different spots rather than staying at one beach. I also like that the boat includes snorkeling masks, paddleboards, fishing equipment, coolers, a restroom, and a bar.

The main drawback is time. Three hours passes quickly once you allow for cruising between stops, and Blue Lagoon can feel crowded even from the water. The tour is best for you if you want a lively, water-focused outing rather than a quiet beach day.

Key points before you book

• Crystal Lagoon comes first, giving you an early chance to snorkel near a military wreck and see marine life.
• Blue Lagoon is only one stop, so you can enjoy its famous water without spending the entire trip there.
• San Niklaw Bay and Santa Marija Bay are quieter alternatives, with time for swimming and snorkeling.
• The northern caves depend on weather, and good conditions may allow you to swim inside one.
• Two stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling masks are included, along with a bar, restroom, and ice coolers.
• The private charter costs $353 per group of up to 20, while the boat is described as able to hold up to 40 people, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Why a private Comino charter makes sense

Comino is small, but its coastline is packed with coves, cliffs, rock windows, and sea caves. From land, you see only pieces of it. From a boat, you get the full shape of the island and can reach swimming spots that are awkward or impossible to visit on foot.

I like the way this trip mixes sightseeing with time in the water. You are not simply parked at Blue Lagoon for three hours. Instead, you move around the island, stop at several bays, and get a look at the rugged northern coast.

The private format matters most for groups. The advertised price is $353 for a group of up to 20, which works out to excellent value if you fill the group. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher, but you are paying for a private boat, skipper, fuel, equipment, and flexibility rather than a basic seat on a large shared cruise.

The details state that the boat can accommodate up to 40 people, while the price is listed for a private group of up to 20. That difference is worth clarifying before you pay. Ask how many people your booking covers and what boat will be used for your party.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr

You meet the boat at the quay behind the kiosk at the ferry terminal. Pickup is available at Cirkewwa in northern Malta or Mgarr on Gozo. Both locations can be reached by public transport.

If you are staying in Valletta, the fast ferry to Mgarr takes about 45 minutes. That makes Mgarr a useful meeting point for anyone already traveling through Gozo, though you should allow enough time for the ferry journey and for finding the quay behind the kiosk.

The operator provides a skipper, and the tour is conducted in English or Italian. You should arrive ready for the water. The tour includes swimming, snorkeling, and possible access to a cave, so bring suitable swimwear and anything you personally need for sun protection. Masks are provided, which saves you from packing your own snorkeling gear.

The cruise starts with about 15 minutes of sightseeing before reaching Crystal Lagoon. That opening stretch gives you a first look at Comino’s rocky coast and helps you settle into the boat.

Crystal Lagoon: the best early swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first major stop, with about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and views around two beautiful coves. The water here is clear, and the setting feels more enclosed than the broad Blue Lagoon.

This is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who wants to spend real time in the water. You can use the provided mask to look for sea life around the reefs, and the area includes a military wreck. That wreck gives the snorkeling stop more interest than simply swimming along a bright shoreline.

You should take advantage of this first stop. The schedule gives you 45 minutes here, but that includes getting into the water, swimming, snorkeling, and returning to the boat. If you want to use a paddleboard, this is also a sensible place to try one of the two included boards, assuming sea conditions allow.

Crystal Lagoon may be less familiar than Blue Lagoon, but it is not merely a warm-up. The two coves create a varied view from the water, and the cliffs make a strong backdrop for photographs. I would bring a waterproof phone case if you want pictures from the water, though that is not included.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy

After roughly 10 minutes of cruising, you reach Blue Lagoon for another 45-minute stop. This is Comino’s most famous swimming area, known for clear water and a bright, inviting setting.

The tour includes a Blue Lagoon pass, which is an important practical benefit. You get time to swim, snorkel, take photographs, and enjoy the view without treating Blue Lagoon as the whole point of the day.

The catch is crowding. Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the tour information makes that clear. A private boat does not turn the lagoon into a private beach. You will still see plenty of activity around this popular spot, especially during the middle of the day.

I suggest using Blue Lagoon for the classic view and a quick swim, then saving your expectations for the less crowded bays later. The 45-minute schedule gives you enough time to enjoy it, but not so much that the crowds dominate the entire charter.

San Niklaw Bay and Santa Marija Bay

The next section takes you toward another swimming area, identified in the schedule as 288H+R9F, with about 15 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The exact name is not provided, so you should think of it as a short water stop rather than a major beach visit.

After about five minutes of sightseeing, you reach Santa Marija Bay for another 15-minute swim and snorkeling break. Santa Marija Bay is described as less crowded than Blue Lagoon while still offering clear water. That difference can make a short stop feel worthwhile.

San Niklaw Bay is also included in the route and is described as another quieter beach with clear water. The schedule gives Santa Marija Bay a named 15-minute stop, while the route description groups San Niklaw Bay with the island’s other beaches. If visiting both bays is important to you, ask the skipper how the timing is handled on your chosen day.

These shorter stops suit you if you prefer variety. You can sample several parts of Comino instead of spending all your time at one cove. They may feel rushed if you want a long, relaxed swim, so families or less confident swimmers should keep an eye on the clock.

Santa Marija Caves and Comino’s northern cliffs

The boat then spends about 30 minutes around Santa Maria Caves. This is the most scenic section of the trip, with natural caves set into high cliffs.

You get time for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and views from the water. If conditions are good, you may be able to swim into one of the caves. Inside, the view changes sharply as the cave frames the sea and cliffs outside.

That possibility depends on weather. The skipper decides what is safe, so you should treat cave swimming as a welcome bonus, not a guaranteed feature. Even if you remain outside, the cliffs and cave openings give you a memorable look at Comino’s northern shore.

The route continues around the island after the caves. You pass a rough, rocky coastline shaped by natural openings and rock formations. There is also a photo stop at Elephant Rock, one of the more distinctive formations on the route.

The final sightseeing cruise lasts about 15 minutes before you return to Pearl Lagoon Boat Charters. In total, the route includes about 85 minutes of cruising and scheduled sightseeing, with the rest of the three-hour trip divided among swimming, snorkeling, and cave time. That breakdown explains why the tour feels active rather than like a long beach stop.

What is included on the boat

The equipment package is generous for a three-hour charter. You receive use of:

• Snorkeling masks
• Two stand-up paddleboards
• Fishing equipment
• Ice coolers
• An onboard bar
• A restroom
• Fuel
• A skipper
• A Blue Lagoon pass

The restroom is particularly useful on a three-hour boat trip, especially if you are traveling with children. The coolers also make it easier to keep drinks cold, though the supplied information does not specify what food or beverages are available at the bar.

The paddleboards add another option beyond swimming. Since there are two, they are best treated as shared equipment rather than something every person can use at once. Fishing equipment is also included, but the details do not say where or for how long fishing takes place, so ask the skipper if that activity matters to you.

The skipper can customize the tour on request. That flexibility is valuable in a private setting. You may be able to adjust the balance between swimming, sightseeing, and cave viewing, though weather and safety will still control the final route.

How the timing affects your day

Three hours is enough to see a lot of Comino, but it is not a leisurely full-day cruise. You get roughly 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 45 minutes at Blue Lagoon, several 15-minute stops, and 30 minutes around the caves.

I like this pace for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction. You see the island’s best-known water, quieter bays, caves, and rock formations in one outing. If you already know Comino and want to spend half a day snorkeling in one place, the schedule may feel too busy.

The private format can help. Instead of following a fixed large-boat routine, you can request changes and speak directly with the skipper. The route still has many planned stops, but the stated customization option gives your group more control than a standard sightseeing cruise.

Weather is an important factor. The cave swim may not be possible in rough conditions, and water activities can be affected by sea conditions. A clear day will give you the best experience, but the skipper remains responsible for deciding what can safely be done.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this charter to:

• Families who want a restroom and several manageable swim stops
• Groups who can share the $353 price across many people
• Swimmers who want snorkeling, paddleboarding, and clear water
• Visitors with one free morning or afternoon for Comino
• Anyone who wants to see the coast from the water rather than only visit Blue Lagoon
• Groups interested in a private and customizable route

It may not be the best fit if you dislike boats, want a long quiet stay on one beach, or prefer a land-based walk around Comino. The tour is also less appealing if you want guaranteed cave swimming, because that depends on weather and sea conditions.

The limited review history includes a five-star rating from a verified booking by Chantelle from Australia, who specifically praised Albert and Joseph for providing a lovely tour. That direct mention is useful: Albert and Joseph are the guides named in the available feedback, and their friendly service was the most clearly praised part of the experience.

Is $353 good value?

The answer depends on the size of your group. At the full advertised limit of 20 people, $353 works out to less than $18 per person. That is strong value for a private three-hour boat with fuel, skipper, equipment, coolers, a restroom, and a Blue Lagoon pass.

For a small group, the value is more about privacy and control. You avoid sharing your outing with strangers and may be able to customize the route. You also get a boat that visits several spots instead of paying separately for equipment or a Blue Lagoon pass.

Because the boat capacity is stated as up to 40 people but the price applies to a group of up to 20, confirm the terms before booking. Ask whether your party receives exclusive use of the boat and whether any additional charge applies above 20 people.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms make planning easier. Still, I would not book solely for flexibility. The real reason to choose this tour is the mix of coves, caves, swimming, and private-group service.

Should you book the Comino charter?

Book it if you want an active three-hour introduction to Comino and plan to use the water. Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, the caves, and Elephant Rock give you a good spread of scenery, while the included masks and paddleboards keep the outing practical.

I would especially choose it for a larger family or group, where the price becomes excellent value. Albert and Joseph received the strongest praise in the available feedback, and the private format gives you a better chance of shaping the day around your group.

Skip it if your priority is a slow beach afternoon or guaranteed time inside the caves. Blue Lagoon will still be busy, several stops are short, and weather can change the water portion of the route. For most active visitors, though, this is a well-packed way to see Comino from its most attractive side: the sea.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour meet?

The meeting point is the quay behind the kiosk at the ferry terminal. Pickup is available at Cirkewwa or Mgarr, Gozo.

How long does the charter last?

The boat trip lasts three hours. The schedule includes sightseeing cruises, swimming, snorkeling, cave visits, and photo stops.

Can I reach the meeting point by public transport?

Yes. Both Cirkewwa and Mgarr can be reached by public transport. From Valletta, a fast ferry reaches Mgarr in approximately 45 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are provided. The boat also includes two stand-up paddleboards and fishing equipment.

Does the tour visit Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Blue Lagoon is a scheduled 45-minute stop for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and scenic views. A Blue Lagoon pass is included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option allows you to book without paying immediately.