Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

Comino’s best scenery is on the water, and this private speedboat tour gives you a brisk, flexible way to reach its famous lagoons, quiet coves, and sea caves. The main draw is one boat for your group, with swimming stops built into a three-hour outing rather than a crowded sightseeing cruise.

I like the chance to spend real time at both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and I like that the skipper can help you choose the best place to swim. Guides such as Adam, Atem, and James have been praised for safe driving, friendly service, and useful local information.

The main caution is the extra €79 fuel charge, which brings the actual cost above the advertised $322.86 group price. Also confirm your departure point carefully if you are staying on Gozo, since one booking had a 45-minute delay after a pickup mix-up.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine: Your group gets the boat and skipper to itself, which is useful for families and friends who want more control than a large cruise allows.
• Two major swimming stops: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each receive about an hour, giving you time for swimming and snorkeling rather than only a quick photo.
• Comino’s quieter corners: San Marija Bay, San Nikolai Bay, and the Santa Maria Caves add variety beyond the crowded Blue Lagoon.
• Gozo views from the sea: The route includes Half Rock and a pass by Mgarr Harbour, the main port on Gozo.
• Gear is simple but basic: Snorkeling masks and an ice box are supplied, but bring your own mask if you care about fit and clarity.
• Weather matters: The trip can be moved or refunded if poor conditions force a cancellation, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

Why a private speedboat works well around Comino

Comino is small, but its coast is broken into coves, rock shelves, caves, and narrow channels. From land, you can reach some places on foot, but the most striking views come from the sea. A speedboat lets you link several coastal spots in one outing without committing to a full-day cruise.

The private setup is the heart of this experience. Up to nine people can share the boat, so the cost makes more sense for a group than for one or two people. At $322.86 per group, the base price works out to about $36 per person for nine people, before the €79 fuel charge. For a small group, the per-person price rises quickly, but you are paying for privacy and control rather than simply a seat on a boat.

You also avoid the feel of a fixed public cruise, where everyone follows the same pace. Your group can spend its swimming time in the water, ask the skipper about the coast, and use the boat as a comfortable base between stops. The tradeoff is that the tour lasts only about three hours, including cruising time, so this is a focused coastal outing rather than a full day at sea.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth seeing

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its clear, pale turquoise water sits between Comino and Cominotto, surrounded by pale limestone and open Mediterranean sky. The water is shallow in places, and the color is especially striking from the boat.

You receive about an hour here, with admission included. That gives you enough time to swim, snorkel, take photos, and enjoy the setting without rushing straight back aboard. The water can reveal small marine life near the rocks, so bring a mask if underwater viewing matters to you.

The Blue Lagoon is also the stop where you should expect the most activity. Its beauty has made it one of Malta’s best-known swimming places, so the private boat does not turn it into a private beach. Your advantage is arriving by water and having your own boat as a base, not having the lagoon to yourself.

I would treat this stop as the visual centerpiece, but not the quietest part of the day. If you want calm water and less commotion, the Crystal Lagoon and the smaller bays may suit you better.

Crystal Lagoon: a calmer hour for swimming

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. It is set along Comino’s rugged coast, with clear water enclosed by cliffs and rock. The name fits the setting: this is the place to watch the sea shift from pale blue near the surface to darker tones farther out.

The tour allows about an hour here as well. That balance is valuable. Many short boat trips give the famous lagoon most of the attention and leave little time for swimming elsewhere. Here, you get a second substantial water stop, so you can enjoy the coast even if the Blue Lagoon is busy.

The Crystal Lagoon is particularly appealing if your group wants to snorkel. Masks are supplied, though the equipment is basic. One passenger specifically advised bringing personal snorkeling gear because the provided masks can be worn or used. I would pack your own mask if you have one, especially if you want a clear fit and plan to spend much of the hour in the water.

San Nikolai Bay and San Marija Bay

The smaller bays give the trip its sense of discovery. At San Nikolai Bay, you see the Comino Hotel from the water and get another look at the island’s clear blue coast. The stop may be brief, but it helps you understand how different Comino feels away from the main lagoon.

San Marija Bay is more suited to a pause. Its clear water and sandy beach offer a softer contrast to the cliffs and rock shelves elsewhere. Depending on the timing and sea conditions, you may have a chance to swim, take photos, or simply watch the shore from the boat.

These stops matter because they break up the day. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its color, but Comino’s appeal comes from the change of scene between open water, narrow bays, cliffs, and beaches. A private boat can show you several of those settings without asking you to walk between them.

Santa Maria Caves by boat

The Santa Maria Caves are one of the most memorable parts of the route. Waves have cut passages and openings into the limestone, creating dark spaces, bright patches of water, and unusual rock shapes. The boat takes you close to the cave entrances and through the passages where conditions allow.

This is a sightseeing stop first, though swimming and snorkeling may also be possible. Sunlight entering through openings can make the water glow against the rock, giving you strong photo opportunities. Keep your camera secure, since a speedboat route around caves can mean spray and movement.

Cave visits depend more on sea conditions than a standard beach stop. The skipper has to judge what is safe and practical on the day. That is one reason a private tour can be useful: you have a direct conversation with the person operating the boat instead of trying to keep up with a large group.

Half Rock and the route toward Gozo

Half Rock adds another open-water swimming point. The clear sea around this rock formation invites a quick swim or snorkel, with colorful marine life visible below the surface. It is a good place to use the mask, provided the water and weather are suitable.

The route also includes scenic views toward Gozo and a pass by Mgarr Harbour. Mgarr is Gozo’s main maritime gateway, with fishing boats and views of the island’s coast. You may not spend long at the harbor, but seeing it from the water gives you a useful sense of how Gozo connects to Malta and Comino.

This part of the route is not meant to replace a visit to Gozo itself. Think of it as a coastal view and photo stop. If you want time on Gozo’s land, villages, or archaeological sites, you need a separate plan.

Guides, boat comfort, and the human side

The skipper can make or break a small boat outing. The strongest feedback here centers on friendly, professional service and careful handling of the boat. Adam, also referred to as Atem in one account, has been praised for an easygoing manner and for explaining the area. James has been singled out for safe driving, good humor, and local knowledge.

One especially useful detail is the care shown when a passenger became seasick. That suggests the crew pays attention to comfort rather than treating the trip as a simple transfer from one stop to the next. A speedboat can be exciting, but it can also be uncomfortable for anyone sensitive to motion, so a considerate skipper matters.

The boat itself has been described as new and comfortable, though one account called a different boat merely adequate. That mixed detail is worth keeping in mind. Boat condition and comfort may depend on the vessel assigned that day, so I would not book this expecting a luxury yacht.

The ice box is included, but you must bring your own food and drinks. That is practical for a private outing, since you can choose what suits your group. Keep supplies simple and secure, and remember that food and drinks are not part of the price.

Timing, pickup, and the real cost

The advertised price is $322.86 for up to nine people, with the skipper and private boat included. The additional fuel charge is €79 per booking. You should calculate the total before comparing this with a shared cruise, since the extra charge is not a minor detail for a small group.

For six to nine people, the value is fairly strong. You receive privacy, several swimming stops, snorkeling masks, an ice box, and a route covering Comino’s main coastal sights. For two or three people, the same price is harder to justify unless having your own boat is the main goal.

The three-hour duration includes cruising and stops. With one hour at the Blue Lagoon and one hour at the Crystal Lagoon, the remaining time covers travel, caves, bays, Half Rock, and Gozo views. You get variety, but you should not expect long stays at every location.

Pickup details deserve careful attention. Hotel transfers are not included, and the tour is offered near public transportation. If you are arranging departure from Gozo, confirm the exact meeting place in writing. One delayed pickup happened because the boat was waiting in Malta instead of Gozo, despite the booking information indicating otherwise.

What to bring for a better outing

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a waterproof bag for phones and cameras. The boat provides snorkeling masks, but your own mask may be a better choice if you care about comfort or have had trouble with shared equipment.

Bring food and drinks because they are not included. You can store them in the supplied ice box. I would also carry a light layer for the ride, since the boat can feel breezy even on a warm day.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking sensible precautions before boarding. The skipper can help, but a speedboat still moves differently from a large ferry. The review of one passenger becoming ill is a reminder to plan ahead rather than assume the ride will feel smooth.

The trip requires good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator will offer another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Who should book this Comino boat tour?

I would recommend it most to families, couples traveling with friends, and groups of up to nine who value privacy. It also suits swimmers who want more than a sightseeing pass, since the two one-hour lagoon stops give you time in the water.

It is a good match if you want Comino’s main sights in a short window and do not need a full-day cruise. The route offers the famous lagoon, a quieter lagoon, caves, bays, and Gozo views without adding a long land program.

I would be more cautious if your budget is tight, your group is very small, or you expect luxury boat facilities. The fuel charge changes the value calculation, and the snorkeling gear may be worn. I would also avoid booking it without confirming the departure point, especially from Gozo.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat if your priority is time in the water, privacy, and a varied Comino route. The Blue Lagoon gets the attention, but the Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, Half Rock, and smaller bays make the outing feel more complete.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach day, a full day on Gozo, or a polished luxury cruise. For the right group, though, the combination of a private boat, capable skipper, and several swimming stops offers a practical way to see Comino from its best angle, the sea.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, including cruising time and stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to nine people.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the private boat, skipper, an ice box for food and drinks you bring, snorkeling masks, and swimming stops.

Is fuel included?

No. A fuel charge of €79 per booking is not included in the advertised price.

Are food and drinks provided?

No. You need to bring your own food and drinks. An ice box is provided for your supplies.

Does the tour visit the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

Yes. The tour includes about one hour at the Blue Lagoon and about one hour at the Crystal Lagoon.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, though the experience is near public transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions results in an alternative date or a full refund. You may also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.