Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

Clear water is only half the story. This private speedboat trip gives you three hours around Comino, with time for Blue Lagoon swimming and quieter coves that larger boats may pass by. I like the privacy for groups of up to nine, and I like having a skipper who can adjust the pace and stop for photographs. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge, which sits on top of the listed $322.86 group price.

The boat also visits Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Half Rock, and the waters near Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. That is a lot to fit into three hours, so you should expect a brisk coastal circuit rather than long, lazy stays at every stop. The supplied snorkeling masks are useful, but one past complaint described them as worn, so bring your own mask if snorkeling matters to you.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat for up to nine people: Your group has the boat and skipper to itself, a major advantage over a crowded shared cruise.
• Two main swimming stops: Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each receive about an hour in the planned schedule, with other bays and caves visited along the route.
• The fuel charge is extra: Budget the listed €79 fuel fee in addition to the advertised group price.
• Three hours includes cruising: Time on the water and time at the stops are counted together, so the schedule moves quickly.
• Skippers receive strong praise: James and Atem, also referred to as Adam, are singled out for safe driving, friendly service, and useful local information.
• Check the meeting point carefully: One booking from Gozo led to confusion when the boat was waiting in Malta, causing a 45-minute delay.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its most famous water sits in a busy part of Malta’s summer day-trip circuit. A private speedboat changes the feel of the outing. You are not tied to a large group’s timetable, and your party can settle into the boat without sharing its seats with strangers.

That privacy is especially useful for a family, a group of friends, or a small celebration. Up to nine people can share the cost, making the per-person value much better than the headline price first suggests. At the full group size, $322.86 works out to about $36 per person before the €79 fuel charge. For two or three people, the arithmetic is less generous.

The boat includes a skipper, an ice box for food and drinks you bring, snorkeling masks, and swimming stops. Food and drinks are not included, so pack what you want to eat and keep it in the ice box. Hotel transfers are also not included, which means you need to arrange your own way to the departure point.

The strongest reason to choose this outing is control. You can enjoy the famous Blue Lagoon, then see less exposed coves and caves without spending the whole day on a large vessel. The tradeoff is that a private boat does not automatically mean a quiet lagoon. Blue Lagoon is famous precisely because many people want to see it.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first stop

Blue Lagoon lies between Comino and Cominotto. Its pale limestone edges and clear turquoise water create the classic Malta scene, and the shallow water makes it inviting for swimming and floating.

The planned stop is about one hour, with admission included. In practical terms, that hour gives you enough time to swim, take photographs, and look through the water for marine life. It is not an entire afternoon on the beach, and the rest of the route still has to fit into the three-hour trip.

I like seeing Blue Lagoon from a private boat because the approach itself is part of the experience. You get a water-level view of the cliffs and the narrow passage between the islands. At the same time, you should not expect solitude here. The lagoon is the headline attraction, so the setting can feel much busier than the pictures suggest.

Bring sun protection and a towel if you plan to swim. The tour provides snorkeling masks, but the condition of shared equipment can vary. If you already own a comfortable mask, bringing it is the safer choice.

Crystal Lagoon offers a quieter pause

Crystal Lagoon provides a useful contrast with its more famous neighbor. The water is clear and inviting, with rocky sides and a more sheltered feel. The route allows about one hour here, making it the other major swimming and snorkeling stop.

This is where the private format can pay off. The skipper can give your group time to enjoy the water rather than treating the lagoon as a quick photograph from the rail. You can swim, snorkel, or remain on the boat and take in the cliffs.

The word crystal is well earned in the description of the water, but do not read it as a promise of complete calm. Sea conditions can change, and the entire outing depends on suitable weather. If the sea is rough, the skipper may need to alter the pace or route.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good reason to reserve this trip for warm weather. One October booking found the sea too cold for the kind of swimming experience the group wanted. Malta can have pleasant autumn days, but water temperature still matters if swimming is your main goal.

Comino’s bays and the view of San Nikolai

The boat passes San Nikolai Bay, a small coastal cove with clear water and a rugged shore. The Comino Hotel can be seen from outside, adding a point of reference to the otherwise wild-looking coast.

This is a sightseeing stop rather than one of the two listed hour-long swimming sessions. You may get a chance for photographs or a short look at the water, but the schedule does not promise an extended landing here. That is typical of a speedboat circuit. The point is to show you several sides of Comino without turning each cove into a full stop.

San Marija Bay offers another change of mood. Its clear water and sandy beach make it appealing for a swim or a quiet look at the shoreline. The route may include a pass by, a photo stop, or a brief visit, depending on timing and conditions.

I would treat both bays as welcome extras, not the main reason to book. If you want a long beach stay at San Marija, three hours with several other locations will feel too short. If you want a broad look at Comino’s coastline, these stops add useful variety.

Santa Maria Caves by boat

Santa Maria Caves are shaped by the sea, with rock passages, openings, and shaded corners along Comino’s coast. The boat can take you close to these formations, where sunlight catches the water and changes the color inside the rock.

This part of the trip is strongest for photographs and for seeing the coast from a different angle. The caves are not a museum or a formal attraction with a long walking route. You see them from the boat, and the skipper navigates through or near the openings when conditions allow.

The cave visit also shows why a smaller private vessel can be preferable. A large craft may have less freedom in narrow coastal spaces. Still, access depends on the sea and on the boat’s handling, so the itinerary should be read as a planned visit rather than a guarantee that every passage will be entered.

If you want to swim or snorkel at the caves, ask the skipper about the conditions that day. The tour includes swimming stops, but not every scenic point is necessarily a swimming stop.

Half Rock and the Gozo view

Half Rock adds another coastal viewpoint and a further chance to swim or snorkel in clear water. The description presents it as a focal point connected with Gozo’s coast, so it gives the outing a wider reach than a Comino-only circuit.

The water here is intended for simple sea time: swim, use the mask, and look for marine life. It is not presented as a long shore excursion. You remain focused on the coast and the water, with the boat doing the work of connecting each place.

The trip also passes Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. This harbor is a gateway to the island, with fishing boats and views across the water. You may not get a land visit there, but the approach offers a pleasant final scene and a sense of how the islands connect by sea.

Because the outing is only about three hours, you should see Mgarr Harbour as a scenic pass rather than a substitute for visiting Gozo. If Gozo itself is a priority, you need a separate land visit or a longer excursion.

How the three-hour schedule really feels

Three hours sounds generous until you count the cruising. The stated duration includes both travel between locations and time spent at stops. With Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each planned for about an hour, the remaining time must cover the caves, bays, Half Rock, harbour views, photographs, and the return cruise.

That creates a lively route with little wasted time. I like this for a first look at Comino, especially if you want variety more than a single beach day. You will see more coastline than you would from one fixed swimming stop.

The limitation is equally clear: you cannot linger everywhere. If your perfect day means spending three hours in one cove, this is the wrong shape of trip. If you want a compact tour with several photo opportunities and two main chances to get in the water, the timing works better.

The skipper matters a great deal here. A good skipper keeps the boat moving without making the experience feel hurried, and the strongest comments about James and Atem or Adam focus on exactly that mix of safety, local information, and relaxed service. One skipper also took special care of a passenger who became seasick, an important reminder that the human side of the trip matters on a small boat.

Boat comfort, equipment, and what to pack

The boat is described as new and comfortable in the strongest feedback, though one less positive assessment called it only adequate. That difference is worth keeping in mind. Comfort on a speedboat also depends on the sea, your seat, and your tolerance for motion.

The ice box is included, but you fill it yourself. Pack drinks and food, and do not assume that refreshments will appear onboard. Hotel pickup is not included either, so allow time to reach the agreed meeting place.

Snorkeling masks are supplied. Since one booking found the masks worn, I would pack personal snorkeling equipment if you care about a good fit or clear vision. The supplied gear may be fine for a casual swim, but your own mask removes one avoidable uncertainty.

A practical packing list is short:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Drinking water and food
• Sun protection
• Personal snorkeling mask if you have one
• A dry bag or other protection for phones and cameras

You should also be ready for spray and movement. A private speedboat gives you a close view of the coast, but it is not the same as sitting on a slow, covered sightseeing vessel.

Price, fuel, and the value for your group

The listed price is $322.86 per group of up to nine. The additional fuel charge is €79 per booking, and that cost needs to be included in your real budget from the start.

For nine people, the base price is strong value for a private outing, especially with a skipper, masks, an ice box, and multiple swimming locations. The private setting also means you are paying for flexibility and space, not just transportation.

For four people, the base cost is about $80.72 each before fuel. For two people, it is about $161.43 each before fuel, which is harder to justify unless privacy is central to your plans.

The 4.9 rating from 19 reviews and a 95 percent recommendation rate support the idea that service is a major strength. Still, the score is based on a modest number of bookings, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than absolute proof that every trip will be perfect.

The fuel charge is the clearest value warning. Ask how the €79 is collected and confirm the total cost before departure. You do not want the only budget surprise to arrive after you have already planned the day.

Meeting points and weather matter

The most important practical check is the departure location. One group booked from Gozo but found the boat waiting in Malta, despite the information they had entered. The boat eventually collected them after a 45-minute delay, but that is a large part of a three-hour tour.

Confirm the exact harbor and pickup instructions in writing before the day of the trip. This is especially important if you are staying on Gozo or traveling between Malta and Gozo. A small misunderstanding can remove much of your time on the water.

The tour is weather dependent. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is offered in English and is near public transportation, but no hotel transfer is provided.

Who will enjoy this private speedboat most

I would choose this for a small group that wants a fast coastal sampler rather than a full beach day. It suits friends who want swimming and photographs, families who value a private boat, and anyone who prefers a skipper-led route over a large shared cruise.

It also suits people who want to ask questions and set a comfortable pace. The best feedback repeatedly praises the skippers for being professional, safe, friendly, and useful with local information. That personal service is a large part of what you are buying.

I would be more cautious if you are very sensitive to motion, need long stays on land, or are visiting in a cooler month mainly for swimming. I would also think twice if you are booking for only one or two people and do not place a high value on privacy.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino trip if your group can share the cost and you want Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, bays, and Gozo views in one compact outing. The private boat, strong skipper feedback, and two main swimming stops make it a well-focused way to see Comino from the water.

Before paying, confirm the departure point, add the €79 fuel fee to your budget, and plan to bring food, drinks, and your own snorkeling mask. If you want maximum time in one lagoon, choose a longer or more focused boat outing instead. If you want a relaxed but active introduction to Comino with your own group, this is a good choice.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including cruising between locations and time spent at the stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to nine people.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon stop is included, with about one hour planned there and admission included.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included, with about one hour planned for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing by the water.

What other places does the boat visit?

The route includes San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Santa Maria Caves, Half Rock, and scenic views around Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Some locations may be pass-by or photo stops.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You bring your own food and drinks, which can be kept in the included ice box.

Is fuel included in the listed price?

No. A €79 fuel charge applies per booking in addition to the listed group price.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, although bringing your own mask may be wise if you want equipment in a particular condition or fit.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.