Reviewed · BLUE LAGOON & COMINO CRUISES

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

★ 5.0 · 19 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Xlendi Pleasure Cruises · Bookable on Viator
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The real draw here is simple: a private speedboat gets you around Comino’s best water spots without sharing the boat with a crowd. You can swim at the Blue Lagoon, look into the Santa Maria Caves, and pause at quieter bays in one compact outing. I like the freedom of having your own skipper, and I like that the boat carries up to nine people, making the price easier to justify for a family or small group. The main caution is time: three hours passes quickly, and fuel costs an extra €79 per booking.

I also like the easygoing feel reported by the crew members Adam, Atem, and James, with praise for safe driving, helpful local advice, and a comfortable newer boat. But you should confirm the departure point carefully, especially if you are staying on Gozo. One booking had a 45-minute delay after the boat waited on Malta instead of Gozo, and the supplied masks were described as worn.

Key points at a glance

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Key points at a glance

  • Private boat for up to nine: Your group gets the skipper and speedboat to itself, with no strangers sharing your swim stops.
  • Two major swimming stops: Plan on about an hour at the Blue Lagoon and another hour at the Crystal Lagoon.
  • Comino’s coast in one trip: San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Half Rock are all part of the route.
  • Good crew feedback: Adam, Atem, and James are named as friendly, careful, and helpful skippers.
  • Bring the right extras: An ice box and masks are supplied, but food, drinks, hotel transfers, and fuel are not.
  • Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure.

Why a private speedboat makes sense around Comino

Comino is small, but its best sights are spread along a rough, rocky coast. A private boat lets you see several corners of the island without treating the day like a fixed group schedule. You can spend your swim time in the water instead of waiting for a large boat to load and unload.

The boat is available for up to nine people at a price of $322.86 per group. That works out to about $36 per person if you fill every seat, before the €79 fuel charge. For two people, it is an expensive outing. For a group of six to nine, it becomes a much more sensible way to get a private skipper, swim stops, and a flexible route.

The advertised duration is about three hours, including cruising and stops. That is enough for a brisk tour of Comino, but not enough for a slow, all-day cruise. I would think of it as a focused morning or afternoon on the water, not a full replacement for a beach day.

The boat includes an ice box for food and drinks you bring, plus snorkeling masks. Food and drinks themselves are not supplied. The fuel charge is also separate, at €79 per booking, so include it when comparing the total cost with other boat trips.

More Blue Lagoon and Comino cruises:

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, limited time

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, limited time

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the outing. It sits between Comino and Cominotto, where pale limestone cliffs frame clear turquoise water. The shallow sections show off the color, while the rocky edges give you places to look for small marine life.

You have about one hour here. That is enough time for a swim, some mask-and-snorkel time, and photographs from the boat or shoreline. It is not a long stay if you want a relaxed swim, sunbathing, and a full walk around the area.

The private format helps most at this stop. Your skipper can choose the most useful place to pause based on the conditions and the group’s wishes, although the exact flexibility is not guaranteed. You should still expect the Blue Lagoon to be the busiest-feeling part of the route because it is Comino’s best-known swimming spot.

Bring sun protection and secure anything that cannot get wet. The supplied ice box is handy for your own drinks, but you need to pack them before setting out. I would also bring a phone pouch or another way to protect your camera, since the scenery invites constant picture-taking.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter water stop

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Crystal Lagoon: the quieter water stop

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood from the Blue Lagoon. It is tucked into Comino’s rocky coast and is known for clear water, cliffs, and a more sheltered feel. The setting is better suited to calm swimming and looking below the surface than to simply taking a quick picture from a boat.

The planned stay is about one hour. That gives you a proper chance to swim and use the mask supplied on board. If you care most about seeing fish and rock formations, this may be the more rewarding stop of the two.

The word crystal describes the water, not a promise of perfect conditions every day. Wind, sunlight, and sea conditions affect visibility. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

One practical point matters here: the masks supplied on one trip were considered worn. If snorkeling is central to your plans, pack your own mask and snorkel. You will get a better fit and avoid wasting time adjusting equipment at the water.

San Nikolai and San Marija Bays

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - San Nikolai and San Marija Bays

San Nikolai Bay gives you a look at another section of Comino’s coast, with clear water and the Comino Hotel visible from outside. It is a scenic pass-by or photo opportunity rather than one of the two listed hour-long swimming stops.

San Marija Bay feels more sheltered and peaceful, with a small sandy beach, rocky edges, and open views across the sea. The route allows time to see the bay from the water and may include a pause for pictures or a swim, depending on the boat’s timing and conditions.

These bays are useful because they break up the famous sights. You get a better sense of Comino as a real island with coves, beaches, and rough stone shoreline, rather than just a quick visit to the Blue Lagoon. The tradeoff is that the three-hour schedule cannot give every bay a long stop.

Santa Maria Caves by boat

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Santa Maria Caves by boat

The Santa Maria Caves are among the most atmospheric parts of the trip. Waves have cut passages and openings into the limestone, creating dark corners, bright patches of water, and unusual rock shapes. Your skipper takes the boat along the cave area so you can see the formations from sea level.

Light filtering through the openings can make the water look especially striking. This is one of the best places to keep your camera ready, though glare and movement can make photographs tricky. A waterproof phone case is a sensible extra.

The caves also show why a small private boat has an advantage. A speedboat can approach narrow coastal sections more easily than a large vessel. Still, do not expect a long underground boat journey or a guided geology talk. The supplied information promises a visit to the caves, scenic views, and local advice, but the exact amount of time inside the cave area depends on conditions and the skipper.

Half Rock and the Gozo view

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Half Rock and the Gozo view

Half Rock adds another swim and snorkeling setting to the route. Its clear water and unusual coastal shape make it a natural place to stop, stretch out in the sea, and look for colorful marine life.

The route also includes a view of Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The harbor is framed by traditional fishing boats and serves as an appealing introduction to Gozo’s coast. If you are staying on Gozo, this sight is especially relevant, but the departure arrangements need careful checking.

The supplied details do not make the starting harbor fully clear for every booking. One party expected to leave from Gozo but found the boat waiting in Malta, causing a 45-minute delay before pickup. Confirm the exact meeting point and island in writing before the day of the trip. This is the most important logistical lesson attached to the experience.

The skipper can shape the whole outing

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - The skipper can shape the whole outing

A private boat is only as good as the person at the wheel. The strongest praise goes to the crew’s manner, safety, and practical help. Adam, also referred to as Atem, is described as professional and easygoing, with useful information about the area. James is praised for safe driving, a fun manner, and local knowledge.

That matters on a short trip. You need a skipper who can balance sightseeing with swimming, keep the boat comfortable, and respond if someone feels unwell. One person became sick on the boat, and the skipper was credited with taking good care of the situation.

The experience is not presented as a formal historical tour. You are paying mainly for access to the coast, swimming time, and a private ride, with local information added along the way. If you want a detailed lecture at every stop, this may feel light. If you want a relaxed outing with a capable driver, it fits better.

Comfort, equipment, and what to pack

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Comfort, equipment, and what to pack

The boat is described as new and comfortable by one booking, though another called it only just adequate. That mixed picture suggests you should expect a practical speedboat rather than a luxury yacht.

Included equipment is straightforward:

  • Private boat and skipper
  • Ice box for food and drinks you bring
  • Snorkeling masks
  • Swimming stops

You need to supply your own food and drinks. Pack water, since swimming in the sun can leave you thirsty quickly. The ice box helps keep things cool, but it is not a catering service.

I would bring your own snorkeling gear if you care about comfort or clear viewing. The masks provided may be usable, but one report found them worn. Add a towel, swimsuit, sun protection, and a waterproof case for your phone. These are practical suggestions based on the nature of the outing, not supplied amenities.

Hotel transfer is not included. The tour is near public transportation, but the exact arrival method depends on the confirmed meeting point. Service animals are allowed, and the operator states that most people can participate.

Timing, fuel, and overall value

At $322.86 for the group, the price is easiest to defend when you have several people. Nine people would bring the base cost to roughly $36 each, while four people would pay about $81 each before fuel. Add the €79 fuel fee to the group total, then consider your own transport to the harbor.

For a couple, a shared boat may be cheaper. For a larger family or group of friends, privacy, a dedicated skipper, and the ability to move between several coves make the calculation more favorable. You are also avoiding the feel of a crowded excursion boat, which can be worth paying for on a short coastal trip.

The tour is booked, on average, about 66 days ahead. That suggests you should not leave it to the last minute during a busy Malta holiday. The current score is 4.9 out of 5 from 19 ratings, with 95 percent recommending it. Those numbers are encouraging, but the small sample and the one clear timing problem are reasons to read the practical details closely.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the trip depends on good weather, a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

I would recommend it most to a group that wants its own space and cares about swimming more than a long guided commentary. Families can benefit from the private setting, especially when different people want different amounts of time in the water. Friends sharing the cost get the strongest value.

It also suits people who want to combine several Comino sights in one short outing. The Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, two bays, Half Rock, and a Gozo harbor view would be difficult to arrange independently in three hours.

You may want another option if you need hotel pickup, supplied meals, a guaranteed luxury boat, or a full-day schedule. It is also less suitable if you are very sensitive to cold water, as an October outing was described as difficult because the sea was cold.

Should you book it?

Book this private speedboat if you have four or more people, want plenty of time in the water, and prefer a skipper-led outing over a crowded boat. The route covers Comino’s headline sights while leaving room for scenic stops, and the best crew feedback points to safe driving and a relaxed, helpful style.

Before paying, confirm the exact pickup island, ask about the fuel charge, and bring your own snorkeling equipment if that activity matters to you. With those details settled, this is a strong-value choice for a small group that wants Malta’s coast at close range without spending a full day on the water.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

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

How many people can join the private boat?

The private booking covers up to nine people, and only your group participates.

What is the base price?

The listed price is $322.86 per group of up to nine people.

Is fuel included?

No. A fuel charge of €79 per booking is additional.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You bring your own food and drinks. An ice box is provided to keep them cool.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, although bringing your own equipment may be wise if you want a better fit.

Which lagoons are included?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, with about one hour planned at each.

Does the tour visit the Santa Maria Caves?

Yes. The boat visits the Santa Maria Caves along Comino’s coast.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included. The tour is near public transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation for personal plans is available up to 24 hours before the start time.

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