Private Boat charter to Crystal & Blue Lagoon, Caves & Comino

Comino’s best water, caves, and quiet coves are packed into a three-hour private boat trip. You cruise from Gozo with your own captain, stopping for swims at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon before reaching Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.

I like the privacy, especially for families or couples who do not want a loud, crowded boat. I also like the local touch: captains Albert and Anthony share island stories, while the boat carries snorkeling gear, two paddleboards, coolers, a bar, and a restroom. The main drawback is time. Three hours passes quickly, and the famous Blue Lagoon can still be busy even when your boat is private.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: Your group gets the boat and captain to itself, with no strangers reshuffling your plans.
• Five worthwhile water stops: Swim at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, pause at Cominotto Reef, relax at Santa Marija Bay, and explore Santa Maria Caves.
• Family-run local service: Albert, Anthony, and their family bring a personal feel, local knowledge, and a relaxed pace.
• Useful gear on board: You get snorkeling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, ice coolers, a freshwater shower, and a restroom.
• Food details need checking: Local cheese, olives, crackers, cold cuts, and bread are described as available, but the traditional platter is also listed as not included.
• Best for an early or flexible outing: The lagoons and caves are easier to enjoy before the busiest part of the day, though the exact departure time matters.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is small, but the famous water spots can feel very crowded. A private boat changes the experience. Instead of following a large group on a fixed route, you have a captain who can spend more time at the places your group actually wants to enjoy.

That matters most at the lagoons. You might want a long swim, a turn on the paddleboard, or time to look into the caves. A private trip gives you more say in that balance, although the advertised schedule still divides the outing among several stops.

The boat carries up to 15 people, so the value depends on your group size. At $419.39 per group, a full party pays about $28 per person before any extra costs. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing than a shared boat, but privacy and personal attention are the point. For a family or group of friends, the price becomes easier to justify.

The service has a clear family-business feel. Albert and Anthony are named as guides, and the boat is operated by a local family with fishing experience. That background can make the route more interesting because you are not only being taken to a photo stop. You can also hear about the islands, their towers, the caves, and the waters around Comino.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shoreline

Blue Lagoon is the obvious first stop and the place most people picture when they think of Comino. The water is exceptionally clear and blue, and the stop allows about 45 minutes for swimming and enjoying the area.

You will find food kiosks, cocktail bars, sandy patches, and watersports such as parasailing around the lagoon. That makes Blue Lagoon convenient, but it also means it is not the quietest stop. The private boat keeps your group away from a packed passenger deck, yet it cannot remove the crowds on shore or in the water.

There is also a short walk to Comino’s tower. The tower was built in 1618 to defend the island and later appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo. You may visit it on foot in about five minutes from Blue Lagoon Bay, though the short time allotted here may make that walk difficult if swimming is your priority.

I would treat Blue Lagoon as your orientation stop rather than the most peaceful part of the trip. Take a swim, enjoy the color of the water, and decide how much time you want to spend on land. If you have already seen the lagoon from shore, ask the captain to give more attention to the quieter coves and caves.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves beneath Comino

Crystal Lagoon gets about 45 minutes, and this is likely the strongest part of the trip for anyone who prefers dramatic rock and swimming over beach facilities. The inlet is surrounded by cliffs and caves, with clear water close to the rock walls.

One of the unusual features is the chance to swim through a cave from one side to the other. You can also swim into a small sandy beach located inside a cave. That is a memorable setting, but you should be comfortable in open water and follow the captain’s advice about conditions.

The area is tied to The Count of Monte Cristo as well. A wreck lies in clear water at a depth of 13 meters, with Comino’s tower visible above it. The wreck is an interesting sight for people who enjoy snorkeling and underwater views, though the tour does not promise a dedicated wreck session or specialist equipment beyond standard snorkeling gear.

Other short stops in this area include an elephant-head rock formation and a quiet beach. These are quick scenic pauses rather than full visits. I like that the route includes them because they give you a better sense of Comino’s coastline, but you should not expect to walk ashore at every point.

Cominotto Reef: a short stop for clear water

The boat allows about 15 minutes at Cominotto Reef. The reef is described as a good place for underwater swimming and exploration, so this is where your snorkeling equipment may be most useful.

Fifteen minutes is not long. Think of it as a quick water stop, not a full session. If your group has strong interest in snorkeling, tell the captain early. Since this is a private boat, you may have some flexibility, but the route includes several other stops and the total time remains about three hours.

The included equipment is practical for a casual swim. Masks and snorkeling gear are supplied, and two stand-up paddleboards are available. The paddleboards give non-snorkelers something to do while others look below the surface, which is useful for mixed groups.

Santa Marija Bay for a calmer pause

Santa Marija Bay receives about 20 minutes. It is presented as a quieter alternative to Blue Lagoon, with a sandy beach, food kiosks, and a small church about two minutes from the shore.

This is the stop I would value most if the noise and activity around Blue Lagoon start to wear you down. It gives you a different view of Comino, one based more on a small bay and local buildings than on bright water alone.

A medieval tower built in 1618 is also part of the area and was used in The Count of Monte Cristo. The tower is about a five-minute walk from Blue Lagoon Bay, so the route description connects several landmarks that may not all fit neatly into the time at Santa Marija Bay.

The short stop means you need to choose. You can swim, walk toward the church, look at the tower area, or simply sit on the beach. You will not have time to do all of these slowly. That is a recurring feature of this outing: it covers many sights, but each one gets a taste rather than a long visit.

Santa Maria Caves and Comino’s rock walls

The final major stop is Santa Maria Caves, with about 30 minutes to explore. The coastline here changes from open bays to small coves and large caves carved into Comino’s high cliffs.

The boat can take you into the caves, including a cave with a pool inside it. This is more than a quick photo pass. You get time to see several formations and, if conditions allow, swim near or into the cave areas.

Caves are naturally dependent on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. Water can become choppy, and one account of the trip specifically praised the crew for noticing when conditions became uncomfortable and adjusting the experience with patience. That is worth keeping in mind. The most responsible captain may shorten or alter a cave stop rather than force the route in rough water.

The boat also has a freshwater shower, which is handy after swimming in salt water. An on-board restroom and ice coolers make the three-hour trip more comfortable, especially if you are bringing children or prefer not to depend on shore facilities.

What is included on the boat

The equipment list is stronger than what you get on many short boat outings. You have access to:

• A restroom
• Fuel surcharge coverage
• Two stand-up paddleboards
• Snorkeling equipment
• Ice coolers
• A bar
• Freshwater shower
• Blue Lagoon pass

Transportation from your hotel to the pickup point can also be arranged by the operator. Confirm this before booking, since the information says it can be arranged rather than stating that it is automatically included for every departure.

Drinks are available on board, and several accounts describe crunchy snacks or a local platter with Maltese cheese, olives, crackers, cold cuts, and bread. The food information is not fully consistent, since the traditional platter also appears under items not included. I would ask exactly what is supplied and what costs extra before you go. If you have dietary needs, do not rely on the snack arrangement without checking.

The bar is useful, but the trip is short. Bring any essentials you know you need, while keeping in mind that coolers are provided. The Blue Lagoon pass is included, which helps simplify access to the main stop.

The captain and the pace of the trip

The captain is the most important part of a private outing. A good captain does more than steer between stops. He reads the water, explains what you are seeing, and notices when your group wants a longer swim or a quieter pause.

Albert and Anthony are identified as the guides, and the family-run nature of the business comes through in the service. The crew has been described as friendly, patient, and willing to work around a tight schedule. One small group also received locally produced sea salt as a gift, showing the kind of personal touch that can happen on a small local operation, though you should not book expecting a gift.

The pace sounds relaxed rather than rushed, but the itinerary is full. Blue Lagoon takes 45 minutes, Crystal Lagoon another 45, Cominotto Reef 15, Santa Marija Bay 20, and Santa Maria Caves 30. Add the boat time between locations, and you can see why every stop is fairly focused.

If you want a slow beach day, this is not the right format. If you want a compact introduction to Comino’s best-known water and rock sites, it works well.

Who gets the best value from $419.39

The price is easiest to defend when you fill the boat. A group of 10 pays roughly $42 per person, while 15 people bring the cost to about $28 each. That compares favorably with paying individual fares for several people, especially when you value having your own route and captain.

For two people, the cost is a splurge. I would choose it for a birthday, a special morning, or a short Malta visit when you want one efficient outing without joining a large group. The private setting also suits people who dislike crowded boats, families who need flexibility, and friends who want to swim and snack together.

The tour is not ideal if you want a full day on the water. Three hours is enough for a sample of the coast, not an unhurried expedition. It also may not suit someone seeking a long shore walk, since most of the time is spent moving between water stops.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the pickup area is near public transportation. It requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Timing, comfort, and practical tips

This experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 63 days. That suggests you should reserve early if your Malta dates are fixed, especially for a private boat and a group of up to 15.

An early departure may be the smartest choice. The lagoons are popular, and several accounts describe quieter conditions during early-season or less busy outings. The boat’s privacy helps at any hour, but it cannot make a public beach empty.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sun protection. You will spend much of the outing around exposed water and pale rock, with limited time for shade unless the boat has a covered area. One account specifically praised a boat with full shade, but confirm that detail for your departure rather than assuming every boat configuration is identical.

Bring a towel and a dry layer for the ride back. Use the freshwater shower after swimming, and keep your phone protected around the caves. If you plan to walk toward a tower or church, use shoes suitable for uneven ground rather than relying only on flip-flops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book this Comino boat trip?

Book it if you want privacy, swimming, caves, and local attention in a compact outing. It is especially good for a group that can divide the $419.39 cost, or for a couple willing to pay more for their own boat and a quieter feel.

Skip it if your main goal is a long beach stay, extensive snorkeling, or the lowest possible price. The route covers a lot in three hours, and Blue Lagoon may still be crowded. For everyone else, this is a well-equipped way to see Comino without surrendering your whole day to a large boat schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 15 people.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves. It also passes rock formations, a wreck, beaches, caves, and historic towers around Comino.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and the use of two stand-up paddleboards are included.

Is food included on the boat?

The trip provides local snacks such as cheese, olives, crackers, cold cuts, and bread in the experience details and descriptions, but the traditional food platter is also listed as not included. Confirm the exact food arrangement before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. Free cancellation for other reasons is available up to 24 hours before the start time.