Private Boat Tours From Malta/Gozo: Comino & Blue Lagoon

The best part of this private Comino boat tour is control. Instead of joining a large boat and following its timetable, you get a small speedboat, your own skipper, and stops chosen around your group. In one or two hours, you can see caves, Cominotto, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon, with time set aside for swimming.

I like the short format, which works well if you want the famous blue water without surrendering a whole day. I also like the friendly, personal guiding from skippers such as Mario and Joe, who take photos, explain the coastline, and help nervous swimmers feel safe. The main consideration is cost: the advertised rate is per boat, while the skipper and fuel are listed separately, so check the full total before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Private speedboat for up to six people, useful for families, couples, and small groups who want their own space.
• Two-hour trips offer the best balance, with time at both Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkelling.
• Mario and Joe receive especially warm praise for punctuality, care, local information, and a relaxed manner.
• The route includes Comino’s caves and rock formations, including Lovers Cave, Roofless Cave, Pigeon Rock, and Lantern Point.
• Early departures can help with crowds, with one 9 a.m. group using the quieter start to enjoy the water.
• Extra charges matter, since the skipper and fuel are not included in the advertised boat price.

Why a private boat makes sense at Comino

Comino’s famous lagoons are beautiful, but the experience changes quickly when many boats arrive at once. A private charter gives you a more intimate way to see the coast and removes the need to fit your day around a large shared excursion.

You can sit on the boat’s sundeck, use the canopy when you need shade, play music through the Bluetooth speaker, and decide how much time you want in the water. The boat also has Wi-Fi, an ice cooler, seating, safety equipment, and masks and snorkels.

I would think of this as a focused coastal outing, not a full-day island tour. The one-hour option is enough for a brisk look at the main sights, but it leaves little room for a relaxed swim. The two-hour version gives the trip a better rhythm: cruise, stop, swim, cruise again.

The boat holds up to six people, and the price applies to the boat rather than each passenger. That can make the outing good value for a group of four to six, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for several seats on a larger excursion. For one or two people, the additional charges may make the calculation less attractive.

Setting off from Mġarr or Ċirkewwa

You can start from either Gozo or Malta. The Gozo meeting point is in the Mġarr departure area, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mġarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, meet near the kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal at Ċirkewwa.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That matters here because the boat cannot extend the charter if you arrive late. Traffic, ferry queues, and finding the correct harbour area can all eat into a short outing, so build in extra time.

The opening ride is by speedboat. The first legs take about 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the route and conditions. These crossings give you a fast look at the water and coastline before the sightseeing stops begin.

The skipper speaks English and provides information about the places you pass. Mario and Joe are named as particularly personable guides, while another skipper, Marko, has also handled a night cruise. The exact skipper depends on the day and booking, but the format remains personal and informal.

Comino’s caves and rocky coastline

The boat takes you around Comino’s striking shore, where pale rock, narrow inlets, and sea caves create the main visual appeal. You pass formations such as Pigeon Rock and Lantern Point, along with Lovers Cave and the Roofless Cave, known locally as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf.

Some stops are brief photo pauses rather than long visits. That is sensible on a one-hour trip, since the boat can show you several features without requiring a shore landing at each one. Your skipper may take the boat close to cave entrances when sea conditions allow, giving you a better view than you would get from a distant route.

The caves are also one reason a private boat is useful. A smaller craft can make the route feel more personal, and the skipper can explain what you are seeing while positioning the boat for photographs. Still, the final route depends on weather, waves, tides, shallow water, and other safety concerns. Do not treat the published sequence as fixed.

If you want long time ashore, this is not the right outing. The focus is on seeing the coast from the water, swimming, and stopping at selected lagoons.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter water stop

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about 20 minutes, making it one of the most valuable parts of the trip. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, and look for marine life in the clear water. The lagoon sits among Comino’s natural rock formations, so the setting feels more sheltered than the open sea.

This is where the one-hour trip starts to feel tight. A few minutes are used getting into position, and you may want time to put on a mask, enter the water, swim, and climb back aboard. If swimming is a major reason for booking, choose two hours.

Sea bream may be visible while you snorkel. The supplied equipment includes a mask and snorkel, which is convenient, though you should still bring your own gear if you prefer a particular fit. You can also remain on the boat’s sundeck if you would rather enjoy the view without getting wet.

The water can be wonderfully clear, but sea conditions are never guaranteed. The skipper may alter the stop or route if conditions are poor. This flexibility protects the outing, even if it means your exact preferred location changes.

Cominotto, caves, and short scenic pauses

Cominotto Island appears as a brief scenic stop, usually around five minutes. The boat passes by for photographs and views rather than offering a long stay. It is a useful part of the route because it adds another angle on the lagoon area without taking too much time from swimming.

Other short stops include a viewpoint and a less visited cove. These pauses are quick, so have your camera ready. The value is in the changing views as the boat moves around the coast, not in a formal shore visit.

You will also pass other caves and inlets. The list of possible sights is broad, but the skipper retains the right to change the route. That means the experience is more like a flexible coastal circuit than a guaranteed checklist.

I appreciate that arrangement. On a private trip, you can tell the skipper what matters most to you: caves, photographs, swimming, snorkelling, or a quieter ride. You should still be realistic about the limited time. No one-hour boat ride can provide a thorough visit to every named location.

Blue Lagoon without giving up the whole day

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. The water is intensely clear and blue, and the contrast between the pale rock and sea makes it the natural place for photographs and a swim.

The planned stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim and some pictures, but it can feel short if you have just reached the water and want to snorkel at an unhurried pace. This is another reason I would choose the two-hour version.

A 9 a.m. departure was used by one group specifically to avoid some of the crowds. An early start cannot guarantee an empty lagoon, but it gives you a better chance of enjoying the water before the busiest part of the day. Ask about available departure times when you book.

The private format also saves time in a less obvious way. You do not need to wait for a large group to board, gather, or follow a shared schedule. That efficiency is a major part of the value for a short outing.

Swimming, snorkelling, and safety

You can swim at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, and the boat carries basic safety equipment. One family described how Mario reassured children who felt unsure on the water and helped when a child drifted slightly away from the boat. That is the kind of practical attention that matters more than polished commentary.

You should still bring your own common sense. Wear a swimsuit, pack a towel, use sunscreen, and bring sunglasses. Cash is also listed as useful, especially if you want to buy something during the outing.

The boat has a canopy and a sundeck, so you can switch between sun and shade. An ice cooler is provided, but food and drinks are not included. One account mentions a cocktail taxi offering snacks and drinks near the water, but you should not depend on that service being available.

Fishing equipment is not included. One group was able to let a passenger fish on the ride back, but that appears to depend on the skipper and circumstances rather than being a standard part of the package.

What the skippers add

The best version of this trip depends heavily on the skipper. Mario is repeatedly described as punctual, professional, warm, and passionate about the area. He has taken photographs, shared facts about the coastline, played guests’ music, and made families feel looked after.

Joe is also praised for being accommodating and for pointing out sights while giving first-time snorkellers confidence. Those details suggest a guide who does more than steer the boat. You get someone who can adjust the pace and help shape the outing around your group.

There is one caution. One passenger found the skipper spent most of the trip on the phone, which made the ride feel less personal. That appears to be an isolated complaint among otherwise very positive feedback, but it is still worth noting. A private charter raises expectations for attention, so the skipper’s manner can strongly affect the day.

The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from 42 reviews, and 96 percent of customers gave the transport a perfect score. The strongest praise centers on punctuality, swimming stops, skipper care, and the advantage of avoiding a crowded shared boat.

Price, duration, and real value

The advertised price is $69 per group of up to six. However, the skipper is listed at €39 and fuel consumption at €39, both excluded. Since currencies and final booking totals can vary, confirm the complete price before you pay.

For six people, splitting the boat cost and extra charges can be reasonable, particularly when a private group values flexibility and personal space. For a couple, the same charges are spread across fewer people, so a shared boat may cost less.

The one-hour option suits you if you mainly want photographs, a quick look at the caves, and a short swim. The two-hour option is the better buy for families, first-time snorkellers, or anyone who wants both lagoons without feeling rushed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather remains the key uncertainty. The skipper can cancel, postpone, change the route, or alter pickup and drop-off points if sea conditions, tides, or shallow water require it.

Who should book this Comino boat trip?

I would choose this tour for a small group that wants to make good use of a limited schedule. It suits families because the skipper can give more direct attention, and it suits couples or friends who want music, photographs, and swimming without sharing the boat with strangers.

It is also a good option for first-time snorkellers. You get equipment, a guide nearby, and a chance to try the water in a short, manageable setting.

I would be less enthusiastic if your main goal is a long beach day or extended time on land. The stops are brief, and the boat spends much of its time moving between sights. For a full day around Comino, you would need a longer arrangement than this one or two-hour charter.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a private, efficient look at Comino with the freedom to swim, snorkel, listen to your own music, and ask the skipper to focus on caves or photographs. Choose two hours if the water is your main reason for going, and aim for an early departure if you want a calmer start.

Before confirming, check the full cost of the boat, skipper, and fuel. If that total works for your group, the private format offers a strong advantage over a crowded shared trip. For a quick taste of Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, this is a practical choice with a personal touch.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour depart from?

You can depart from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or from Ċirkewwa in Malta, near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long does the boat charter last?

You can choose a one-hour or two-hour charter, depending on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The advertised rate covers one private boat for a group of up to six people.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the price?

No. The skipper is listed at €39 and fuel consumption at €39. Confirm the full amount when booking.

What places does the boat visit?

The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Lantern Point, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, Daħlet il-Ħmara, and other caves and coastal sites.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. The boat includes a mask and snorkel, along with safety equipment.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The skipper can cancel, postpone, change the route, or alter departure and drop-off points because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other sea conditions.