Private Boat Tour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

Blue water, quiet coves, one small fast boat. This private Comino tour is appealing because it gets you away from the thickest crowds at the Blue Lagoon and gives your group control over where to stop. I especially like the chance to swim directly from the boat, and the included masks and snorkels make the short outing more useful than a simple sightseeing cruise. The main catch is the one-hour length, which passes quickly, and the listed price does not include the separate €49 fuel charge.

You meet at Cirkewwa Cafe in Mellieħa, near Malta’s northern tip, then return to the same point. The boat holds up to eight people, so the base price can be good value for a full family or friend group. I would confirm the final total before booking and remember that this is a sea trip, so poor weather can force a new date or a refund.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight: Your group travels alone, with room to request changes to the route.
• Swimming away from the Blue Lagoon crowds: The boat anchors in a quieter patch of water rather than stopping only beside the busiest shore.
• Crystal Lagoon and Comino Caves: You get time for swimming, snorkeling, cliff viewing, and a look into the cave system.
• Cominotto and its reef: The boat reaches places that are not available through ordinary land access.
• Popeye Cave and high cliffs: Short scenic passes add drama to the trip, even if you do not swim at every stop.
• P31 option: On suitable days, you may pass over the patrol-boat wreck or request time to swim around it.

Why a private boat makes sense at Comino

Comino is Malta’s third-largest island, yet only two people live there. Its small size and bright sea make it one of the most popular day-trip areas in the Maltese archipelago. That popularity creates a problem: the Blue Lagoon can be packed, especially when boats and swimmers gather around its most famous shore.

A private boat changes the rhythm. You do not need to follow a large group from one fixed stop to the next. The skipper can anchor in a calmer area, and you can spend your short outing swimming from the stern instead of squeezing onto a small beach.

That privacy is the heart of the experience. This is not a long cruise with a full commentary program. It is a compact boat outing built around clear water, caves, reefs, and swimming. If you want a broad tour of Comino, the private format lets you request more time at one location and less at another.

The boat has a canopy, which matters in Malta’s strong sun. Shade is especially welcome if you are bringing children, have sensitive skin, or simply do not want to spend every minute exposed while the boat is moving or anchored.

Meeting at Cirkewwa and setting out

The meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe, listed at the location code 8XQH+3W6 in Mellieħa. The activity ends back at this same point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from Comino.

The tour lasts about one hour. That makes it easy to fit into a day around northern Malta, but it also means you should keep your expectations realistic. The itinerary includes several short scenic passes, two main lagoon stops, and possible swimming time. You will see a lot, but you will not have long at every location.

The private setup is best used actively. Before leaving, tell the skipper what matters most to you. If swimming and snorkeling are your priority, say so. If you want the caves and cliffs, ask for more scenic time. If you hope to visit the P31 wreck, discuss it in advance because the route may need to be adjusted.

Blue Lagoon: swim from the boat, not just the shore

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the water is the reason. Between Comino and Cominotto, the sea takes on the pale blue color that made this part of Malta famous. Small beaches sit on either side of the islands, but the shore can be crowded.

This tour’s better idea is to anchor away from the tightest concentration of people. You can step or jump into the water from the boat, then swim in open water with your group. The included mask and snorkel let you look below the surface rather than treating the lagoon as a place for a quick dip only.

The stated stop lasts about 15 minutes. That is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. If you need a ladder, have limited mobility, or are not comfortable entering the sea from a boat, clarify the boarding and swimming arrangements before departure.

The canopy is another practical touch here. A short stop can still feel hot when you are wet and waiting on deck. Use the shade between swims, and bring your own towel, sun protection, and drinking water unless the operator tells you otherwise. The included ice box cooler is useful for keeping drinks cold, but the supplied details do not say that food or beverages are provided.

Comino’s coves, cliffs, and small islands

After or around the lagoon stops, the boat explores Comino’s southern points and lesser-used coves. The appeal is visual as much as aquatic. High cliffs drop toward the sea, and small islands sit just offshore, some with pale colors that resemble little icebergs.

The boat can pass between the cliffs and an offshore islet, giving you a close look at the rock formations. Several caves appear along this stretch of coast. These short passages are important because they give the trip variety: you are not spending the full hour anchored in one swimming spot.

There is also an islet area where the boat zigzags among the small pieces of rock around Comino. The listed stop is only about five minutes, so think of it as a scenic viewing pass rather than a place where you will land. Keep your camera ready, but protect it carefully around spray and wet swimmers.

Cominotto and Cominotto Reef

Cominotto is the smaller island just off Comino. It has no ordinary land access for this tour, so reaching its beach by private boat gives the stop a more secluded feel. The beach has appeared in films including Troy and Swept Away, a curious bit of screen history for such a small patch of sand and rock.

The more important point is the water around it. Cominotto Reef is long and shallow, and its position affects the color of the sea. The reef is associated with octopuses, sea urchins, parrotfish, and sea bream, so this is one of the best parts of the route for using the provided mask and snorkel.

Conditions will affect what you can see. Clear water and calm weather help, while wind or choppy water can make a shallow reef less comfortable. Do not treat the mention of marine life as a guarantee of sightings. The value is having access to a reef area that a standard shore visit may not reach.

Crystal Lagoon and the Comino Caves

Crystal Lagoon is the second major stop and lasts about 15 minutes. It is known for snorkeling and swimming, and it is also a popular place for cliff jumping. You should only consider jumping if the skipper confirms that conditions and the selected spot are safe. The tour description identifies cliff diving as an activity at the lagoon, but it does not promise that every departure will include a jump.

The lagoon also provides access to the Comino Caves. This is where a private boat is especially useful. Smaller craft can approach the cave openings more closely, giving you a better look at the rock and the changing light inside.

You may prefer Crystal Lagoon to the Blue Lagoon if you want a more natural setting and less emphasis on the famous name. Still, the 15-minute stop is brief. You will need to choose your priorities: swim, snorkel, look into the caves, or take photographs. A private boat gives you some say in that choice, but it cannot turn a one-hour trip into a half-day outing.

Popeye Cave and the high cliff coast

L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, also called Popeye Cave, is one of Comino’s most photographed caves. Sunlight passes through the opening and creates the striking effect that gives the cave its appeal. The boat is designed to reach this spot, so you can see it from close range rather than from a distant viewpoint.

The planned stop is about five minutes. That is enough to look through the opening and take pictures if the boat can hold position, but it is not a long cave visit. As with all the cave stops, wind and sea conditions may affect how close the boat can get.

The high cliffs nearby give you another memorable view. The route passes between the cliffs and a small offshore island, with more caves along the coast. These scenes are a good reason to keep part of the tour for sightseeing, even if you booked mainly for swimming.

The P31 patrol-boat wreck

P31 is a patrol boat that was intentionally sunk off Comino. It rests between 10 and 18 meters below the surface. On days with fair weather, the boat may pass over it, giving you a glimpse into the water.

You can also request time to swim around the wreck instead of visiting another location. This needs to be discussed in advance so the skipper can plan the route. The information provided does not promise that the wreck stop will operate on every trip, and sea conditions will matter.

For confident swimmers, P31 adds a different kind of interest to the tour. It is not just another cove or cave. For a group with mixed abilities, however, it may be less useful than the lagoons, especially when the total tour time is only about an hour. Tell the operator what your group can comfortably handle.

What is included, and what the price really means

The listed price is $106.92 per group of up to eight people. A separate €49 fuel payment is required per booking. Because the price is charged by group rather than per person, the value improves sharply when you fill most of the boat.

For eight people, the base cost works out to about $13.37 per person before the fuel charge, though the final per-person total depends on the exchange rate and how your group divides the €49. For two people, the same private setup costs much more per head. That makes this most attractive for families and groups of friends.

You receive snorkeling equipment and an ice box cooler. The boat also has a canopy for shade. Fuel is not included, so budget for it from the start rather than treating it as a minor surprise at the meeting point.

I like the fact that the private format gives you control over the route. The tradeoff is that a one-hour charter leaves little room for delays, long swims, or a relaxed lunch stop. You are paying for privacy and access, not for a long day on the water.

Who will enjoy this short Comino charter

I would recommend this tour to a group that wants a private boat without committing to a full-day charter. It suits families, couples traveling with friends, and small groups that care more about swimming and scenery than formal narration.

It is also a good match if the Blue Lagoon is on your list but you do not want to spend the whole visit among the largest crowds. The boat can anchor in a quieter area, and you can use the mask and snorkel straight from the boat.

You should think twice if you want extensive time on land, a long beach stay, or a detailed island tour. The trip is too short for all of that. It also depends on the sea and requires comfort with a boat-based swim for the best experience.

The operator allows service animals, is near public transportation, and says most people can participate. It is a private activity, so only your group joins. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets make the meeting process simpler.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

The experience can be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and a cancellation inside that window is not refunded.

Weather is the important exception. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you will be offered another date or a full refund. I would avoid placing this tour on the final morning of your Malta stay, since bad weather could remove your chance to reschedule.

The activity is often booked around 15 days ahead. That is a useful guide if your dates are fixed, particularly during the popular warm-weather season. Before paying, confirm the meeting point, fuel charge, start time, and whether the P31 option is realistic for your group.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat trip if your ideal Comino visit means clear water, a short swim, cave views, and freedom from a large group. The strongest features are the private boat, the quieter Blue Lagoon anchorage, the included snorkeling gear, and the ability to request stops such as P31.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day or a long cruise. At about one hour, this is a fast sampler of Comino’s best water-based sights. For a full group of up to eight, the price can be sensible even with the €49 fuel charge. For only one or two people, compare the total carefully. If privacy and flexible routing matter most, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Cirkewwa Cafe in Mellieħa, Malta, at the listed location code 8XQH+3W6.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at the Blue Lagoon, with time for swimming from the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, including a mask and snorkel, is included.

Is fuel included in the listed price?

No. Fuel costs €49 per booking and must be paid separately.

Does the boat have shade?

Yes. The boats are equipped with canopies for shade.

Can the tour visit the P31 wreck?

On fair-weather days, the boat may pass over P31. If you want to swim around the wreck, you should discuss it with the operator in advance so the route can be adjusted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.