Private Boat Tour Experience with Snorkeling Blue Lagoon and Comino

The best part of this Malta outing is simple: you get Comino by private boat, not packed into a large group and tied to someone else’s timetable. You can swim at Blue Lagoon, slip into quiet coves, inspect sea caves, and ask your skipper to linger at the places your group enjoys most.

I like the flexible pacing and the chance to reach spots that larger boats may skip. I also like that snorkeling gear, fuel, boat use, and bottled water are included, while skippers such as Martin, Johnny, Daniel, Geoffrey, and John have earned praise for being friendly and accommodating.

The main caution is the boat itself. You are not guaranteed the exact boat shown in promotional pictures, and the vessel may be a shaded touring boat or a smaller rib. Pickup is also extra, and weather can cancel the trip, so read the arrangements carefully before paying.

Key points to know before you book

• Private boat, private schedule: Your group has the boat to itself, with stops and swim time adjusted to your preferences.
• Five useful water stops: The route includes Blue Lagoon, Coral Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: You can use the provided equipment rather than packing a full kit.
• Boat type can vary: Shade, seating, and onboard facilities depend on the vessel assigned that day.
• Pickup costs extra: You meet at the Comino Ferries Co-Op in Marfa unless you arrange paid transport in advance.
• Best for shared cost: At $295.66 per person, the value improves when several people split a private charter.

A private way to see Malta’s clearest water

Comino is small, but the water around it changes quickly from pale turquoise over sand to dark blue beside rock walls. A private boat gives you a better way to enjoy those changes than a fixed ferry ride. You can swim, snorkel, look into caves, and move on when the water gets crowded or the sea becomes choppy.

The advertised length is roughly four to seven hours. That range matters. A shorter outing works well if you mainly want Blue Lagoon and two or three swim stops. The longer version gives you time for several coves, a slower lunch break if arranged, or a visit toward Gozo.

The boat carries bottled water and snorkeling equipment. Snacks are not automatically included in this particular package, although they can be added for an extra charge per person. Some skippers have prepared simple snacks, but you should not assume that food is part of the price. Bring extra drinks and your own food unless you have confirmed an add-on.

This is an active day, but not a difficult one. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is near public transportation, though the meeting point at Marfa still requires careful planning if you are arriving from Valletta, a hotel, or a cruise ship.

Blue Lagoon for two hours

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the tour allows about two hours here. The water is the famous clear blue-green color that makes Comino one of Malta’s most popular swimming areas. You can use the supplied mask and snorkel to look below the surface, or simply swim and float near the boat.

The private format helps, but it does not make Blue Lagoon private. This is the busiest part of the route, especially during the high season. A good skipper may position the boat away from the thickest crowds, but you should still expect plenty of other boats and swimmers.

I would use the Blue Lagoon stop for the big visual payoff, then save some energy for the quieter bays. The color is usually most striking in good sun, while cloudy weather can make it look less dramatic. The tour can still work in overcast conditions, but the sea will not have the same sparkle.

Two hours is generous for swimming, snorkeling, and taking in the cliffs. If you prefer calm sightseeing to long swims, ask your skipper to shorten this stop and give you more time elsewhere. That freedom is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat.

Coral Lagoon and the smaller coves

Coral Lagoon receives about 30 minutes. It is a shorter stop, but it adds variety to the day. Instead of spending the entire outing at the main attraction, you get another place for a quick look, a swim, or photographs of the rocky shoreline.

The tour then allows about an hour at Santa Marija Bay and its caves. This is one of the more appealing sections for people who like natural rock formations. The caves and openings give the skipper a chance to show you parts of Comino that are best appreciated from the water.

Some boats may let you swim toward a cave or under a rock arch, depending on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. One family described swimming beneath a large arch into a cave with an opening in the roof. That sort of moment is more memorable than simply circling the island, but it depends on weather, safety, and the boat’s ability to get close.

Santa Marija Bay also offers a quieter change from Blue Lagoon. You might find a more relaxed setting here, though conditions and crowd levels vary. Bring water shoes if you have them, since rocky entries can be awkward. The provided snorkeling equipment is useful, but personal goggles may fit better if you are particular about gear.

Comino and San Niklaw Bay

The schedule sets aside about an hour for Comino and another hour for San Niklaw Bay. These stops give the skipper room to adjust the route. If the sea is calm, you may spend more time swimming. If wind picks up, the captain may choose a more sheltered position.

San Niklaw Bay is described as mysterious and beautiful, which fits the appeal of this stretch of coast. From the boat, you can see the contrast between pale rock, clear water, and low vegetation without having to follow a crowded shore excursion route.

One advantage of a private trip is the ability to say what you want more of. Families with children may prefer repeated short swims rather than one long stop. Strong swimmers may want more snorkeling time. A group focused on photographs may prefer a slow pass by the caves and cliffs.

You should let the skipper know your priorities early. The route lists approximate stop lengths, not rigid rules. A good captain can explain what is practical on the day and help you avoid wasting time moving between places that offer similar swimming.

The skipper can shape the whole day

The captain matters greatly here because the scenery is only half the experience. Captains named in the feedback include Daniel, Johnny, John, Geoffrey, Martin, Jimmy, David, Nicholas, Atef, and Jeffery. Several are praised for friendliness, local guidance, patience, and the ability to adapt the day for children and older family members.

The best skippers do more than steer from bay to bay. They point out caves and cliffs, suggest good swimming areas, help families get settled, and explain where the boat can safely stop. One captain even swam with the group. That is not something you should expect from every operator, but it shows how personal the experience can feel.

You can request a preferred captain if the company allows it, though availability is not guaranteed. If a particular skipper has been recommended to you, ask before the day rather than assuming the request will be honored.

The private setting also makes conversation easier. You can ask about Malta, Comino, the sea conditions, or the best places for a swim. This is not a formal history tour, so you should book it for time on the water rather than a long lecture about the islands.

Boat comfort is the biggest variable

This is the point I would examine most closely before booking. The company uses a mix of boats, including shaded touring boats and smaller ribs, and the assigned vessel may not match the promotional image. A group of three received a 21-foot boat that was large enough for them, but lacked the amount of shade and onboard facilities they wanted.

For a small group, a compact boat can be nimble and reach places that a larger vessel cannot. It may also feel more personal. The tradeoff is less shade, fewer seats, and possibly no toilet or other facilities. One group of eight received a 20-foot speedboat and felt the lack of cover made the price harder to justify.

Larger groups have sometimes had boats with plenty of shade, cold drinks, seating, and space to spread out. Another group of nine had access to a cooler with ice and a stand-up paddleboard. These details can vary, so ask exactly what boat, shade, storage, and facilities are available for your date.

Malta’s sun is strong, and a boat without cover can become tiring after several hours. Pack a hat, sunscreen, a shirt that covers your shoulders, and extra water. The supplied bottles may not be enough for a full day in the heat. If shade is important to you, make that request in writing before departure.

Price and the question of value

The listed price is $295.66 per person. That is a serious amount for a swim day, but this is not priced like a public ferry excursion. You are paying for a private boat, fuel, a skipper, snorkeling gear, and control over the schedule.

The value improves with a family or group that can share the boat. A private charter for four, six, eight, or more people lets you spread the cost while keeping the day exclusive. Group discounts may also be available. For a solo visitor or couple, the same price is harder to defend unless privacy and flexibility are your top priorities.

I would compare this with what you actually want. If you are happy to sit on a crowded public boat, follow a fixed timetable, and spend most of the day at Blue Lagoon, a private charter may be unnecessary. If your group includes children, grandparents, mixed swimming abilities, or people who dislike crowds, the control can be worth paying for.

Do not count snacks as included. Bottled water is supplied, but extra snacks cost more unless you bring your own. Roundtrip transport to the meeting point is not included either, so the final price may be higher than the headline figure.

Getting to the boat without confusion

The meeting point is Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd. at X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa. The activity ends back there. If you want pickup and drop-off, message the operator after booking with your exact location and request a quote.

This detail deserves attention. Some people have arranged paid car service from hotels or cruise ports, while others have had trouble because pickup was assumed to be included. It is not included in the listed price. Get the arrangement, cost, and meeting instructions confirmed before the day.

Cruise passengers should allow extra time. The boat operator needs to coordinate your transfer, the ferry area, and the return journey to the ship. Several outings have worked well with drivers who escorted families directly to the boat and back to their vehicle, but the communication has to be clear.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the experience is private for your group only. Since the activity can be booked around 33 days ahead on average, I would not leave a summer date until the last minute if your schedule is fixed.

Weather, cancellations, and practical packing

This trip requires good weather. If the captain decides conditions are unsafe, the tour may be canceled, with a different date or full refund offered. That is sensible for a boat trip, but it can be frustrating if you have built the day around a cruise stop.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses Malta’s local time.

Pack lightly, but bring the things that make a hot day easier:

• Extra drinking water
• Sun protection and a hat
• Swimwear and a dry change of clothes
• Water shoes for rocky edges
• Personal goggles if supplied equipment may not fit you
• Food or snacks unless you have paid for them

Jellyfish can appear in the water, so look before you swim and follow the skipper’s advice. Sea conditions may also change the order of the stops. A flexible route is a benefit, not a failure to follow the printed schedule.

Who will enjoy this private Comino tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families and groups that want control over the day. Children can swim in shorter bursts, grandparents can remain aboard during a stop, and stronger swimmers can ask for more time in the water. The private setting also avoids having strangers set the pace.

It works well for people who care more about swimming and scenery than formal sightseeing. You will see caves, cliffs, coves, and famous water, but this is not a detailed cultural tour of Malta.

Couples and small groups should think carefully about cost and boat comfort. A smaller boat may be perfectly pleasant, but you need to know if it has shade and facilities. If you are sensitive to sun or want a roomy place to sit, request those details before booking.

The tour can still be enjoyable under cloud cover or light rain, as several outings have shown, but the water will look less luminous. Strong wind is different. If the captain cancels for safety, accept the refund or new date rather than treating the decision as a minor inconvenience.

Should you book it?

Book this private Blue Lagoon and Comino tour if you want your own skipper, your own pace, and several swim stops rather than a standard boat ride. It is especially good for families, cruise groups, and larger parties that can divide the cost.

I would pause if you are booking for only one or two people, need a guaranteed shaded boat, or expect a full lunch and hotel transfer to be included. Confirm the vessel, shade, facilities, snacks, and pickup price in writing.

For the right group, the ability to move beyond crowded Blue Lagoon and spend time at caves and quieter bays is the real payoff. Just treat the boat assignment and weather as variables, and you will make a much better buying decision.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to seven hours. The exact length depends on the option booked and how your group uses the time.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

What places does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Blue Lagoon, Coral Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay and its caves, Comino, and San Niklaw Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Is food included?

Snacks are not included in the listed price. They can be added for an additional fee per person, or you can bring your own.

Is hotel or cruise-port pickup included?

No. Roundtrip transport to the meeting point is not included. You can message the operator after booking to request pickup and drop-off and receive a separate quote.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts and ends at Comino Ferries Co-Op Ltd., X8QH+2RG, Triq Il-Marfa, Il-Mellieħa, Malta.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather makes the trip unsafe, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.