Malta: Blue Lagoon, Caves, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

The best part of this trip is the freedom to see Comino by private boat, not from a packed ferry. You can swim in the Blue Lagoon, slip into the Santa Marija Caves, and ask the skipper to spend more time at a quiet cove such as St. Nicholas Bay.

I like the flexible route and the useful onboard kit, especially the snorkeling gear, ice chest, fresh-water shower, and swimming noodles. I also like that you can start from Malta or Gozo and bring only your own group, up to 12 people.

The main drawback is the extra €88 cash charge, split between €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel. Confirm this cost before booking, and remember that the boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You get the boat for your own group rather than joining a shared cruise.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Swim and snorkel in two of Comino’s best-known coves, with Crystal Lagoon offering deeper water.
• Santa Marija Caves: Cruise close to sea caves with blue reflections and unusual rock shapes.
• Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto: The route can include all three islands, depending on time and your chosen plan.
• Flexible starting point: Begin from Malta or Gozo, then arrange the live meeting location with the skipper.
• Captain Jeffrey may be available: One especially praised captain is Jeffrey, described as kind and informative.

A private way to see Malta’s most famous water

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s main draw for good reason. Its clear turquoise water and pale seabed give it the look of a natural swimming pool, and the setting is striking from the water.

The trouble is simple: it is also one of Malta’s busiest places. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it gives you more control over when you arrive, where you swim, and how quickly you move on.

I like that this is not just a Blue Lagoon drop-off. The boat can carry you along the coast of Comino, toward caves, coves, beaches, and less crowded stretches of water. That makes the trip feel more like a small private outing than a basic transfer.

The charter lasts from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the available departure time and the plan you arrange. Two hours can cover the main sights at a brisk pace. Four hours gives you more time to swim, snorkel, stop at quieter bays, and enjoy the ride without checking the clock every few minutes.

What the private charter includes

The boat is reserved for your group, with room for up to 12 people. That setup works well for a family, a group of friends, or a couple that wants a more personal day on the water.

The included equipment is practical rather than fancy:

• Snorkeling gear
• Life jackets
• Swimming noodles
• Ice chest with ice
• Table water
• Fresh-water shower
• Boarding ladder
• Bluetooth-connected sound system

The ice chest matters more than it may sound. Malta’s sun can be strong, and cold water is useful after a swim. The fresh-water shower also lets you rinse off salt before heading back to shore.

You should still bring beachwear, a towel, and a camera. The boat has a ladder, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If anyone in your group has trouble boarding a boat or climbing a ladder, choose another way to see Comino.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and often busy

The first main stop is usually the Blue Lagoon. From the boat, you can take in the pale seabed and clear water before getting in for a swim or snorkel.

The water is the star here. You can use the included mask and snorkel to look below the surface, or simply float with a noodle and enjoy the view. The lagoon works for confident swimmers and relaxed bathers, but you should follow the skipper’s advice about where to enter and how far to swim.

The private charter’s advantage is timing. You may be able to avoid the most crowded parts of the lagoon by staying with the boat or arriving at a less pressured moment. Do not expect complete solitude at Malta’s most famous swimming spot, though. The Blue Lagoon remains a major attraction, and the boat cannot control how many other vessels are nearby.

I would treat this stop as the big scenic swim, not the only reason to book. The caves and quieter bays are what give the trip its extra value.

Crystal Lagoon and its sea caves

Crystal Lagoon is a nearby cove with deeper water. It suits people who want a more active stop, including swimming, snorkeling, and jumping from the rocks where conditions and skipper guidance make that appropriate.

The deeper water can be appealing, but it also means you should be honest about your swimming ability. This is not the best place to treat the sea casually. Listen to the captain and use a life jacket if needed.

The cove is also known for sea caves and rock formations. From the boat, you can get close to the openings and look into the darker water and stone walls. The light reflecting through the water gives the caves their blue color.

I like this stop because it changes the mood of the outing. The Blue Lagoon is open and bright. Crystal Lagoon feels more enclosed and more suited to exploring along the water’s edge. If your group enjoys snorkeling, this may become the most memorable part of the route.

Santa Marija Caves and the Comino coastline

The Santa Marija Caves are a collection of sea caves along Comino’s coast. The boat can take you close to the entrances, where sunlight reflects off the water and highlights the rock shapes.

You may swim near the caves or explore them with your mask and snorkel. The clear water helps you see below the boat, although visibility can change with weather and sea conditions.

The coastline between stops is part of the experience, not empty travel time. You will pass cliffs, small inlets, and rugged stretches of shore that are hard to appreciate from a road or beach. A private boat also lets you ask for a slower cruise if you want photographs or a closer look.

Bring a camera that can handle water if you have one. The most interesting views often come from the boat itself, looking back at the cliffs and into narrow openings along the coast.

Santa Marija Tower and Malta’s past

Santa Marija Tower is a 17th-century fortress built by the Knights of St. John. It was designed as a watchtower and now provides a dramatic landmark above Comino’s coast.

You will generally see it while cruising past rather than spending a long time ashore. That is worth knowing if you are expecting a walking visit or a full historical tour. The tower is mainly a scenic and cultural stop within the boat route.

Its location gives the trip some welcome variety. After swimming in bright water and looking into caves, you pass a stone fortification tied to Malta’s long military past. The tower has also appeared in films, including The Count of Monte Cristo.

I like these brief historical touches because they do not interrupt the water time. You get a sense of the island’s past without turning a short boat charter into a formal history lesson.

St. Nicholas Bay for a quieter pause

St. Nicholas Bay is one of the more peaceful parts of the route. It offers a chance to stop away from the main Blue Lagoon crowds, swim in clear water, relax on the shore, or have a picnic.

This is the stop to request if your group values quiet time more than collecting famous sights. You may find the bay calmer, but the exact atmosphere depends on the day, the sea, and other boats in the area.

The bay also gives you a useful break from active snorkeling. You can sit on the boat, use the swimming noodles, or simply enjoy the coastal views. For families, this slower section can be easier than moving from one swim spot to another without a pause.

If you want to spend more time here, say so when arranging the charter. A private trip is most useful when you communicate your priorities instead of accepting a fixed route without discussion.

Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto in one outing

The charter can include Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto. Comino is the main focus, with its lagoons, caves, tower, and quiet bays, while Gozo gives you another island setting and a different starting option.

You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo. Tell the operator your preference when you reserve, then watch for a message from the skipper with a live location. This flexible meeting arrangement is helpful, but it also means you should keep your phone available and check the final instructions carefully.

The exact balance of islands depends on the trip length and your chosen plan. A 2-hour charter cannot provide the same relaxed pace as a 4-hour outing. If seeing several islands matters to you, choose the longer option when available and confirm the route before departure.

This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book privately. You can focus on swimming, caves, sightseeing, or a mix of all three instead of following a large group’s fixed schedule.

Price, extra charges, and overall value

The advertised price is $227 per group of up to 12 people. That can be good value for a full private boat, especially when divided among a larger group.

There is an additional €88 cash payment to the skipper. It is listed as €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel. This is a meaningful extra cost, so include it in your budget rather than treating the advertised price as the final total.

For 12 people, the base cost works out to less than $19 per person before the extra euro charge. For two people, the same charter becomes much less economical. The value is strongest for families and groups of friends who want privacy and can share the cost.

The included equipment also improves the value. You do not need to arrange separate snorkeling gear, and the ice chest, water, ladder, shower, and life jackets are already onboard. Still, clarify the total price, payment method, and expected route before you set out.

What the captain adds to the experience

The captain controls more than navigation. A good skipper helps you choose sensible swim stops, judges the conditions near caves, and keeps the day moving at a comfortable pace.

Captain Jeffrey is specifically named as kind and informative in the available feedback. If he is assigned to your boat, you can expect a captain who may add useful context as you cruise, though skipper assignment should be confirmed rather than assumed.

The listed guide languages are English, Italian, and Maltese. That gives many visitors a practical way to communicate about the route, swimming stops, and safety instructions.

You should tell the captain what matters most to you at the start. Ask for more cave time, a quieter bay, a longer swim, or a slower coastal cruise. A private charter is at its best when the skipper knows what your group wants.

Who should book this boat trip

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of friends, families with confident swimmers, and couples who value privacy. It is also a good fit if you want to combine swimming with coastal scenery and a few historic sights.

The trip suits people who prefer an active outing. You can swim, snorkel, climb from the water using the ladder, and move between coves. It is less suitable if you want a fully guided land tour, a long beach stay, or easy step-free access.

The 2 to 4 hour length works well as part of a Malta or Gozo day. It gives you a focused time on the water without taking over an entire holiday schedule.

Take a towel, beachwear, and camera. The boat provides a cooler and water, but you should ask ahead about any food or drinks you plan to bring, especially if you want a picnic at St. Nicholas Bay.

Should you book the Comino private boat?

Book this trip if you want the freedom to set the pace and share a boat with only your own group. The best reasons are the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon swims, the Santa Marija Caves, and the chance to move away from the busiest spots around Comino.

Think twice if you are traveling as only two people and are sensitive to extra costs. The $227 group price, plus €88 in cash for skipper and fuel, makes more sense when shared across a larger party.

For most groups of up to 12, the private format offers good value and a more relaxed way to see Comino than a fixed shared cruise. Confirm the final cost, meeting location, departure island, and preferred route before booking, then let the captain shape the day around your group.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The activity lasts between 2 and 4 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat is available for a private group of up to 12 people.

Can I start the trip from Malta or Gozo?

Yes. You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo, but you need to tell the provider when making the reservation.

What places can the boat visit?

The route can include Gozo, Comino, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Caves, Santa Marija Tower, and St. Nicholas Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, swimming noodles, and a ladder are included.

Are there extra charges?

Yes. The skipper collects €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel in cash, for a total extra charge of €88.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, beachwear, and a towel.

Is the activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.