Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

Comino’s best scenery is found from the water, not from the crowded shore. This private speedboat tour takes you past the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, sea caves, and rocky coves, with the freedom to stop for a swim or stay aboard for the views. I like the personal pace, and I like that the skipper can seek a calmer swimming spot when the sea turns choppy. The catch is that the advertised price does not include the €79 fuel charge.

Two other details matter. Your group gets the boat to itself, and the skipper can tailor the stops, music, and swim time to suit you. Guides including Atef, Agus, and James have earned especially warm praise for their local stories, patience, and careful handling of families. The two-hour option is useful for a short visit, but it can feel rushed if you want long swims and a full circuit of the caves.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to nine: The $187 price covers the group, not each person, making the trip much better value for a larger party.
• Three long water stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock each allow about 40 minutes on the three-hour route.
• Caves are a major part of the trip: Santa Maria Cave, Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, Lovers Cave, and other rock formations provide excellent photo stops.
• Bring your own provisions: A cooler, fresh water shower, shaded area, music, and snorkeling opportunities are provided, but food and drinks are not.
• The boat avoids some shore-side hassle: You can swim from the boat near the Blue Lagoon, where land access and sitting space can be limited.
• Sea conditions matter: The trip is not recommended if you are prone to seasickness, and swimming is optional.

Why seeing Comino by private boat makes sense

The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s famous postcard stop, but the shore can be a poor place to spend a whole morning. You may find limited room to sit, heavy foot traffic, and little peace once the day gets busy. From a private boat, you can admire the pale water, swim nearby, and move on when the setting feels too crowded.

That is the chief advantage here: you are not tied to a ferry timetable or a large shared group. Your skipper can shorten one swimming stop and give you more time near the caves, or find a sheltered place when the wind picks up. You still see the headline sights, but the day feels less rigid.

I also like the group size. Up to nine people can share the boat, which makes this a sensible option for a family, two couples, or a group of friends. A solo pair will pay much more per person than a full group, so compare the total against a shared cruise before booking.

The boat has a shaded area, fresh water shower, cooler, Bluetooth music, and room to sit comfortably. Several outings have included snorkeling gear and float noodles, but you should confirm what is supplied for your departure rather than rely on extras mentioned by other passengers. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, swimwear, sunglasses, and beachwear.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr

The meeting point is the jetty at Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area, identified by its umbrellas and tables. Departure can also be arranged from Mgarr on Gozo, so state your preferred starting point when booking.

Cirkewwa is the practical choice if you are already in northern Malta or arriving for the Gozo ferry. Mgarr is useful if you are staying on Gozo. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the standard price, though they can be arranged separately.

Allow a little extra time to find the jetty. The directions are specific, but a busy ferry area is not the place to arrive at the last minute. Clear communication before departure has been one of the strong points of this operator, and the team has also checked in about weather and plans on the day.

The skipper is your driver, guide, and safety lead. Atef is frequently singled out for his stories, humor, and care around children. Agus has been praised for flexibility and for taking photos, while James is noted for clear communication and local information. You cannot assume which skipper you will receive, but the overall approach is friendly and personal.

Crystal Lagoon: the first major swim

After roughly 10 minutes by speedboat, the route reaches Crystal Lagoon. The three-hour plan gives about 40 minutes here for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you time to get comfortable with the boat and the water before the busier Blue Lagoon. The rock walls and clear sea make it one of the most attractive places to take pictures from the boat. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view under the shade.

The water can look deceptively shallow because it is so clear. One passenger specifically noted that it is deeper than it appears, so check with the skipper before jumping in. You should also be a confident swimmer if you plan to leave the boat, since the activity is not designed for non-swimmers.

The snorkeling is an opportunity rather than a guaranteed wildlife show. Conditions, visibility, and sea traffic can change. Bring your own mask if you have a favorite one, and ask whether equipment is available on your particular boat.

Blue Lagoon without being trapped on shore

The boat then moves to the Blue Lagoon, the trip’s main attraction. The planned stop is another 40 minutes on the longer route, with time for photos, swimming, snorkeling, or a relaxed break.

The smartest way to use this stop is to treat the boat as your base. You can swim in the famous water without needing to find a patch of shore. That matters because sitting space at the Blue Lagoon can be limited, and the shoreline is often the least peaceful part of the visit.

You may bring your own lunch and drinks aboard. The cooler keeps them fresh, and the boat’s music system lets you play your own selection through Bluetooth. Food and drinks are not included, so shop before meeting the skipper. The boat is not presented as a catered cruise.

If you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon, you must reserve a free ticket through blcomino.com. Tickets are required from May 2025, but there is no charge. This is an easy detail to miss, so arrange it before the day of your trip.

Ħalfa Rock and the quieter side of Comino

Ħalfa Rock follows the Blue Lagoon, with another roughly 40-minute break on the three-hour route. This is where the private format earns its keep. The skipper can give you time to swim, snorkel, photograph the rock, or simply sit back while the boat stays in a scenic position.

The stop also gives you a break from the most famous Comino sight. The Blue Lagoon is worth seeing, but the island’s appeal comes from its rock formations, small coves, and open water as much as from one turquoise inlet. You get a better sense of that variety by moving between several locations.

Conditions can be different from one cove to the next. On a windy day, one family was taken to a calmer and safer place for snorkeling. That kind of adjustment is a practical benefit, especially if children are aboard or the sea is unsettled.

Gozo, Santa Maria Bay, and the cave circuit

The route includes a short photo and sightseeing pass by Gozo, followed by Santa Maria Bay. The bay stop is listed at about 10 minutes, so think of it as a quick look and possible short swim rather than a long beach visit.

Next come Għemieri Window and Santa Maria Caves. These are brief stops, but they add the geological character that a simple Blue Lagoon cruise misses. The boat lets you view the openings and rock shapes from sea level, where their scale is easier to appreciate.

The cave section may include the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers Cave, along with Santa Maria Cave. Names and exact viewing time can vary with the route and conditions, but the purpose is clear: you are not merely commuting between swimming spots. You are being shown the folds and openings along Comino’s coast.

Elephant Rock is another short photo stop near the end. It is best treated as a memorable final landmark rather than a place for a long visit. Have your camera ready, and ask the skipper for the best angle.

Choosing two hours or three

The two-hour trip is a good fit if you want the main Comino sights without giving up most of a day. You can generally expect the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, several cave views, and a few swim opportunities, but the schedule will be tighter. One short tour still managed three swimming locations, though that depends on timing and sea conditions.

I would choose three hours for a family occasion, a birthday, a proposal, or any group that wants time to relax rather than race between stops. The longer plan allows the itinerary’s three main water breaks to approach 40 minutes each, plus the cave and photo stops.

You can also use the extra hour for flexibility. If the group loves one swimming area, stay longer. If everyone is ready to move, ask to see more caves or coastline. This is where the private boat differs most from a fixed shared excursion.

The speedboat itself is part of the experience. The ride between stops is short, but open water can feel bumpy when the wind rises. If you get seasick, take that warning seriously. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and the skipper may need to alter the route for comfort and safety.

What the $187 price really buys

At $187 per group of up to nine, the base price can be strong value for a full party. Nine people would bring the boat cost to about $21 per person before fuel, while a group of four would pay about $47 each before fuel. A couple pays considerably more, so the value improves as your group grows.

The added €79 fuel cost is important. It is paid to the skipper and is not included in the headline price. Ask in advance whether card payment is accepted, since one group wished this had been explained more clearly. Add the fuel charge to your mental total before comparing this trip with other boats.

You also need to budget for lunch, drinks, and transport to Cirkewwa or Mgarr. The cooler is useful, but it is not a food service. The operator can organize hotel pickup and drop-off, but that is separate from the standard package.

For a group that values privacy, the cost is easier to justify. You are paying for control over the timing, your own music, a private skipper, and the ability to choose quieter water. If all you want is a short ride past the Blue Lagoon, a shared boat may cost less.

Families, couples, and friend groups

The trip works well for families because swimming is optional and the boat has shade. Skippers have handled children, adjusted stops, and helped people get on and off in windy conditions. Still, you need to supervise children around the open sides of the boat and in deep water.

Couples can make the trip feel special by requesting a slower pace around the caves or planning a swim stop away from the busiest area. One couple even combined the outing with a marriage proposal. The private setting gives you more control than a large sightseeing boat.

Friends will appreciate the Bluetooth music, cooler, flexible stops, and ability to bring food aboard. The boat can feel like your own floating picnic platform between swims. Keep the volume considerate and remember that the skipper remains responsible for navigation and safety.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes fast boat rides, struggles with motion sickness, or cannot swim confidently. You can remain aboard for the sightseeing, but the tour’s main pleasure comes from being comfortable around the water.

Practical preparation for the day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera. Beachwear is listed among the recommended items, and comfortable clothing will make boarding easier.

Pack water and food before you arrive. There is a cooler, but food and drinks are not included. You may also want a waterproof phone pouch, though that item is not supplied as part of the tour.

Check the weather and keep your schedule flexible. A calm day makes the swim stops more enjoyable, while wind can change which cove is safest. The team has shown a willingness to adjust routes and swimming locations, but no private boat can control the sea.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity is offered in English, and pets are not allowed. The tour is suitable for all ages in general, but it is specifically not recommended for people prone to seasickness.

Should you book this Comino boat tour?

Book it if you want the Blue Lagoon plus the caves, coves, and quieter water around Comino, and if your group values privacy. The strongest reasons are the flexible timing, personal skipper, comfortable boat, and chance to swim from the boat instead of competing for room on shore.

Choose the three-hour option if you want a relaxed day or have a larger group. Choose two hours if you mainly want the famous sights and a few swims. Before paying, confirm the departure point, the €79 fuel charge, what snorkeling gear is aboard, and your free Blue Lagoon access ticket.

I would skip it if you are prone to seasickness, dislike speedboats, or want a fully catered outing. For everyone else, especially families and groups of friends, this is a practical way to see Comino’s best coast without surrendering your day to a crowded timetable.

FAQ

How much does the private speedboat tour cost?

The listed price is $187 per private group of up to nine people. Fuel is not included and costs €79, paid to the skipper.

How long is the tour?

You can choose a two-hour or three-hour private tour. The three-hour option allows more time for swimming, cave visits, and flexible stops.

Where does the tour depart?

The meeting point is the jetty at Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area with umbrellas and tables. Departure can also be arranged from Mgarr, Gozo.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price, but they can be organized separately.

Do I need a ticket to visit the Blue Lagoon?

If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon on Comino, you must reserve a free ticket at blcomino.com. Tickets are required from May 2025 and cost nothing.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks. A cooler is available on the boat to keep them fresh.

Is snorkeling possible?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling opportunities at several stops, including Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.

Is swimming required?

No. Swimming is optional. You can remain on the boat for the scenery, cave views, and photo stops.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is suitable for all ages, and families with toddlers and children have taken part. Children should be supervised around the boat and during swimming stops.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and a camera. You should also bring any food and drinks you want during the trip. Pets are not allowed.