Private Boat Tour Experience with Snorkeling Blue Lagoon and Comino

Go early for calmer water. This private Malta boat tour gives you your own skipper, snorkeling gear, bottled water, and time to shape the day around your group. I especially like the freedom to stay longer at a favorite swimming spot, and the chance to reach smaller bays that larger boats may skip. The main thing to consider is the boat itself, since the exact craft can vary and some groups have received small open boats with little shade.

You can book four to seven hours, with the longer option allowing more time for swimming, caves, and possibly a look toward Gozo. Captains such as Daniel, Geoffrey, Martin, Johnny, Jimmy, David, and Atef have earned warm praise for being friendly, flexible, and good with families. Still, you need to stay in close contact with the company, especially if you want pickup, since hotel and cruise-port transport costs extra.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Blue Lagoon gets the headline: You can spend about two hours around Comino’s famous clear water, but an early departure gives you a better chance at quieter conditions.
• The boat is not guaranteed: You may receive a shaded touring boat or a smaller speedboat, depending on availability, weather, and your group’s needs.
• Your captain shapes the day: The schedule is flexible, so you can ask for longer swims, extra cave visits, or time in a quieter bay.
• Pickup costs extra: The listed meeting point is at Comino Ferries Co-Op in Marfa, Mellieħa. Hotel, airport, or cruise-port transfers require a separate quote.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Bottled water is included, but reviews indicate that you should bring extra drinks. Snacks may cost more unless arranged separately.
• This suits families and groups: Babies, children, teenagers, grandparents, and groups of up to 10 have all used the private format successfully.

Why a Private Boat Makes Comino Easier

The best reason to book this outing is control. On a shared boat, you follow someone else’s clock and share every swim stop with a crowd. Here, your group has the full boat and can discuss how long to stay in each place.

That matters in Comino. Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but its popularity can make the water feel less like a quiet island escape and more like a busy public pool. A private skipper can take you away from the thickest crowd, if conditions and boat traffic allow.

You also avoid the awkwardness of trying to keep children, grandparents, and strong swimmers on the same schedule. One family used the tour with a nine-month-old baby and found the private setup suitable. Another group included children aged eight and 11 along with grandparents, and had a very good day despite cloudy weather and rain near the end.

The tour is not a formal historical sightseeing trip. Its strength is the sea: swimming, snorkeling, caves, cliffs, and the freedom to pause. Your skipper may point out sights such as the Drinking Elephant rock formation, but the main attraction is being out on the water.

Blue Lagoon: Malta’s Famous First Swim

The tour usually gives Blue Lagoon the most time, around two hours. This is Comino’s postcard stop, with bright, clear water enclosed by pale rock and small beaches.

I would use this first long stop to get comfortable with the boat and snorkeling equipment. The gear is included, which saves you from packing fins, masks, and snorkels, though bringing your own mask can still be useful if you prefer a familiar fit.

Blue Lagoon is ideal for a first swim because you can choose your pace. Confident swimmers can snorkel farther from the boat, while children or less confident swimmers can stay close to shore or the boat. The exact swimming area will depend on where the captain can safely anchor or stop.

Do not expect solitude here. The lagoon is world famous, and it can be crowded, especially during the middle of the day and in peak summer. Early departures are one of the smartest choices you can make. One past guest specifically found that earlier starts brought smaller crowds and calmer seas.

The clear water is the star, but sun protection is just as important. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a cover-up. If your boat is a small open speedboat, shade may be limited.

Coral Lagoon and the Smaller Bays

Coral Lagoon receives about 30 minutes, making it a short but worthwhile contrast to Blue Lagoon. Its appeal is the feeling of discovery and the chance to see a quieter stretch of Malta’s coast.

The schedule may not always follow the same order. Wind, waves, boat traffic, and the captain’s judgment can change the route. That flexibility is useful, but it means you should treat the published times as a guide rather than a promise down to the minute.

At Coral Lagoon, you may have time for a quick swim, snorkeling, or photographs from the boat. Thirty minutes is enough for a taste, but not a leisurely beach stay. If this is the place your group likes best, ask the captain if you can adjust the schedule.

Santa Marija Bay and Its Caves

The tour allows about an hour at Santa Marija Bay, one of the more scenic stops on Comino. The area is known for caves and clear water, and the boat gives you a good angle on the rock formations.

This is where the private format can feel most useful. A captain can guide you toward a cave or arch suited to your group, then wait while you swim and snorkel. One particularly memorable stop involved swimming under a large arch into a cave with an opening in the roof. That kind of setting is hard to appreciate from a fast pass on a crowded ferry.

You should ask about water conditions before entering any cave. Weather can change quickly around Malta, and your captain has the final say on what is safe. The tour requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Santa Marija Bay also works well for a mixed-age group. Non-swimmers can remain aboard and enjoy the scenery, while active members of the group can get into the water. The boat’s facilities and shade will make a difference here, so confirm your needs before departure.

Comino and San Niklaw Bay

The general route includes about an hour around Comino and another hour at San Niklaw Bay. These stops are less about checking off a landmark and more about giving you room to enjoy the island’s water at a slower pace.

San Niklaw Bay is described as quiet and mysterious, but the practical value is simple: it offers another place to swim away from the main Blue Lagoon rush. Depending on conditions, your captain may choose the best side of the island for calmer water.

The longer seven-hour outing gives you more breathing room. You may have time for extra swim stops, a view toward Gozo, or a meal break if you arrange it. One group of 10 used the longer tour and visited Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, several other bays, and Gozo. The shorter four-hour version is better if you want a compact sea outing without giving up most of your day.

Do not assume every group will see every added location. The listed route focuses on Blue Lagoon, Coral Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay. Wind, timing, and your chosen tour length can affect what fits.

Captains Make the Difference

The boat is only part of the experience. Your skipper controls the route, explains what you are seeing, and decides where you can safely swim.

Several captains have been praised by name. Daniel was described as friendly and informative. Geoffrey was singled out for making a family day special. Martin received praise as both a host and skipper, including for preparing snacks on one occasion. Johnny was credited with finding good swimming areas even in poor weather, while David was especially well received by a family with children.

Atef took one group to favorite places, including a large cave and arch. Other captains have swum with the group, pointed out caves and cliffs, and adjusted the time at each stop.

You can request a preferred captain, though that request cannot be guaranteed. It is still worth asking, especially if a particular skipper has been recommended to you.

This is a captain-led outing, not a scripted commentary tour. You will get useful local guidance, but the day centers on swimming and exploring rather than long talks about Maltese history.

The Boat Question You Should Not Ignore

The biggest weakness is uncertainty about the boat. The operator uses a mix of shaded touring boats and rigid inflatable or speedboat-style craft. The boat may depend on availability, weather, group size, and the type of day planned.

For three people, one group received a 21-foot boat. It was large enough, but the lack of shade and onboard facilities became noticeable. Another group of eight received a 20-foot speedboat and felt that the craft did not match its expectations.

At the same time, other groups enjoyed clean boats with seating, places to lie down, shade, a large cooler, and even a stand-up paddleboard. A group of nine particularly liked being able to chill their own drinks in a cooler packed with ice.

These different experiences point to one clear booking tip: ask what boat is available for your date before you pay. Tell the operator if shade, seating, toilets, storage, or easy boarding matters to you. Do not assume the boat shown in promotional images is the boat you will receive.

A small boat can be an advantage. It may get into places larger craft cannot, and it can feel more personal. The tradeoff is less shade, fewer facilities, and a bumpier ride if the sea is choppy.

Food, Water, and What to Pack

Bottled water and some snacks are supplied, but the amount may be limited. One past guest received only a few bottles of water and wished they had brought more, particularly in hot weather.

You can bring your own food and drinks aboard. Extra snacks can also be added for a fee per person. Do not expect a full lunch unless you arrange it. A local snack may include a Maltese ftira and Kinnie, a local soft drink, rather than a restaurant meal.

Pack lightly but sensibly:

• Extra water and drinks
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A towel and dry clothes
• Waterproof storage for phones and valuables
• Snacks for children or anyone with dietary needs
• Water shoes if you prefer extra footing around rocks

Jellyfish can be present, so ask your captain about current conditions before swimming. The supplied snorkeling equipment is useful, but check the fit before you leave the dock.

Price and What You Get for $295.66

At $295.66 per person, this is not a budget boat trip. The price makes more sense for a full private group than for one or two people, since you are paying for exclusive use of the boat, fuel, equipment, and a skipper who can adjust the day for you.

For a family or group of friends, the value improves as more people share the cost. A private boat for several hours can also save you from paying for separate beach transfers, ferry tickets, and other short excursions, though those savings depend on your plans.

The price includes snorkeling equipment, fuel surcharge, the boat and its facilities, and private transportation on the water. It does not include transport to the meeting point, and pickup from your hotel or cruise ship requires a separate quote. One group paid an additional 100 euros for pickup and drop-off, so settle this detail in writing before the tour.

The value is strongest if you care about privacy, flexible stops, and personal attention. It is weaker if you only want a quick look at Blue Lagoon or expect a luxury yacht, full catering, and guaranteed onboard facilities.

Meeting Point, Pickup, and Timing

The standard meeting point is Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. on Triq Il-Marfa in Il-Mellieħa. The tour ends back at that meeting point.

Pickup is not included automatically. After booking, message the company with your hotel, cruise port, or other location and request a quote. If you do not send that message, the operator assumes you will meet the boat at the listed location.

This communication matters. Some groups had smooth transfers with drivers who escorted them directly to the boat or back to a cruise ship. Other groups had trouble because pickup arrangements were unclear. If you are visiting Malta from a cruise ship, allow extra time and confirm the transport plan several times.

The tour is often booked about 33 days ahead, so I would reserve early for summer dates or larger groups. The operator provides confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would choose this for families, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a relaxed sea day without strangers sharing the boat. It works particularly well when your group has different swimming abilities or wants to spend extra time at one location.

The tour is also a good fit for cruise passengers, but only if you arrange transport carefully. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed shade, toilets, a large deck, or a specific boat design. Ask direct questions before booking. If those details matter more than privacy, a larger organized boat with fixed facilities may suit you better.

Should You Book the Blue Lagoon Private Boat Tour?

Book it if you want your own skipper, flexible swim stops, and access to Comino’s caves and bays without following a large group. The scenery is excellent, and the strongest part of the day is the freedom to swim longer, move on sooner, or ask for a quieter spot.

Before paying, confirm the boat, shade, onboard facilities, pickup cost, available water, and the captain assigned to your date. Choose an early start when possible, and book the seven-hour version if you want Gozo or a slower route.

I would recommend it for a group that values privacy and can accept a little uncertainty about the craft. I would skip it if you are paying for only one or two people and mainly want a short visit to Blue Lagoon. In that case, the premium may be hard to justify.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to seven hours, depending on the option you book and the schedule arranged for your group.

What locations are included?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Coral Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay and its caves, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay. Some longer tours may also include Crystal Lagoon or views toward Gozo, depending on timing and conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is hotel or cruise-port pickup included?

No. Roundtrip transport to the meeting point is not included. You can message the company after booking with your location and request a separate quote.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and finishes at Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd., Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and some snacks are supplied. Additional snacks can be added for a fee per person. You can also bring your own drinks and food aboard.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are unsafe, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.