Private Boat Trip: Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Santa Maria

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is only part of the story. A private three-hour boat lets you look beyond the crowded main swimming area, slip into narrow caves, and choose how long you want to stay in the water. Captains Mario, Joe, and Harry have all earned praise for friendly service, safe handling, photos, music, and a relaxed pace.

I like two things most here: the small-group freedom and the access to places larger boats cannot reach. You can spend a long swim at Crystal Lagoon, pause for pictures at Elephant Rock, or ask to linger at a quiet cove. The main consideration is cost. At $173 per boat for up to six people, it is good value for a full group, but less so for one or two people, especially since fuel is paid separately.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue and Crystal Lagoons: You get time for swimming and snorkeling in Comino’s clearest water.
• Private boat for up to six: Your group controls the pace instead of following a fixed crowd.
• Caves large boats may miss: Smaller craft can enter places such as Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave.
• Captains who add personal touches: Mario, Joe, and Harry are praised for photos, music, safety, and local suggestions.
• Early morning or sunset works best: These times can help you avoid the busiest hours.
• Fuel costs extra: The advertised boat price includes many fees, but not fuel or food.

A private way to see Comino in three hours

Comino is small, but its coastline packs in a surprising number of sights. From the water, you get a quick succession of pale rock, clear swimming holes, sea caves, and little islands. A private charter makes sense here because the best part of the outing is not simply reaching one famous lagoon. It is being able to adjust the route as the conditions and your mood change.

The boat carries your group alone, with space to sit, a sun deck, a shade canopy, and safety equipment. You also get a cooler with ice, Bluetooth music, WiFi, and mask-and-snorkel gear. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, and fishing gear are not included, so plan to bring what you need.

The tour lasts three hours. That is long enough to see Comino’s main coastal sights and enjoy one or two proper swims, but it is not a full-day cruise. One particularly useful detail from the boat trips is that some groups spent roughly an hour and a half swimming at a favorite spot, then continued to other sites. You can have that kind of flexibility, but you should not expect every named stop to receive equal time.

Blue Lagoon first, then a quieter side of Comino

The Blue Lagoon is the obvious opening attraction. Its pale, clear water and shallow-looking turquoise tones make it one of Malta’s most recognizable coastal scenes. From a private boat, you can admire it from the water and swim without dealing with the shore access that larger groups face.

The tradeoff is popularity. The Blue Lagoon can be busy, particularly in the warmer months. An early start or sunset departure gives you the best chance of a calmer atmosphere, although the skipper may change the departure time or route to suit sea and weather conditions.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The included snorkeling equipment is useful if you want to look below the surface without packing your own mask and snorkel. You should still bring cash, as it is listed among the recommended essentials, and do not count on the boat’s cooler supplying drinks.

Crystal Lagoon is the more peaceful counterpoint. The water is known for its clarity and sheltered feel, making it a natural place to stop for a longer swim. If you prefer actual time in the sea to a quick photo stop, tell the captain early. The boat’s private format means your group can make swimming a main part of the outing rather than a short interruption.

Roofless Cave and Comino’s smaller sea caves

Comino’s coast becomes more interesting when the boat turns toward its caves. Roofless Cave has an open ceiling, creating a bright natural chamber rather than a dark tunnel. It is an unusual formation and a good example of why a small boat can be more useful than a large sightseeing vessel.

The size of the boat matters here. A larger craft may show you a cave entrance from offshore, while a smaller boat can move farther into some openings. You should not assume every cave is accessible on every departure, since the skipper has to respond to tides and sea conditions, but the route is designed around seeing several of them.

Lovers Cave offers a more enclosed and private-feeling stop. The name gives away its appeal, but the real pleasure is the change in scale. After the broad views around the lagoons, a narrow cove feels quiet and personal. It suits couples, but families and friends can enjoy it too, particularly if the captain has time to pause for photographs.

You will also pass other coastal openings with their own shapes and colors. The captain may point out details as you go, and several boat trips included short facts about the areas along the route. This is not a formal historical tour, so expect useful commentary rather than a long lecture.

Santa Maria Bay, Cominotto, and quieter water

Santa Maria Bay gives you a less famous but still attractive part of Comino. Its surrounding caves and sheltered water create a slower stop, especially if the Blue Lagoon is crowded. It is a useful place to ask for a swim or simply sit under the canopy and take in the coast.

Nearby Cominotto is a small islet with good views back toward Comino and the surrounding water. Seeing it from the boat is quick, but it adds variety to the route. You are not limited to one beach or one lagoon, and the changing angles are part of the appeal.

Saint Nikolaw Creek is another quieter point on the itinerary. It is described as secluded and tranquil, which makes it a good choice if you want a break from the main swimming areas. The exact time spent there depends on the sea, the skipper’s judgment, and how long your group chooses to swim elsewhere.

Pigeon Rock adds another short scenic stop. It is a distinctive rock formation in the water and works well as a photograph point. The same is true of Elephant Rock, whose shape gives the stop its name. These formations are not lengthy visits, but they help you understand Comino as a rugged coastline rather than just a place with one famous pool.

What the skipper adds to the experience

A private boat is only as good as the person at the helm. Here, the captain is part guide, part driver, and part timekeeper. The strongest part of the service is the sense that you can set the rhythm.

Mario is repeatedly singled out for taking groups to good locations, helping with photographs, and keeping safety in mind. Joe is praised for offering choices about stops and time in the water. Harry is described as easygoing, good with music and pictures, and willing to match the group’s pace.

Those details matter because a three-hour trip can feel rushed if every stop is timed too tightly. The better approach is to decide your priorities before departure. If swimming matters most, say so. If you want to see every cave and rock formation, accept that your water time will be shorter.

The Bluetooth speaker lets you play your own music, an appealing touch for a private group. Keep the volume reasonable so you can still hear the skipper’s instructions. Safety gear is included, and the skipper holds a valid Maltese Sea License. The skipper also has the final say when weather, tides, or sea conditions make a route unsafe.

Price, group size, and the real value

The rate is $173 per boat for up to six people, not $173 per passenger. Split six ways, that is about $29 per person before the separate fuel charge. For a couple, the per-person figure is much higher, so the charter is financially strongest for families or groups of friends.

The price includes the private boat, port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, snorkeling equipment, safety gear, seating, shade, an ice cooler, WiFi, and a sun deck. Those inclusions reduce the chance of small add-on costs during the outing. Fuel is the important exception, and you should ask for the current fuel charge before finalizing your budget.

Compared with a large shared boat, this costs more. The benefit is not luxury in the formal sense. It is control. You can avoid a fixed group schedule, spend longer at a favorite lagoon, play your own music, and enter smaller coastal spaces when conditions allow.

For a group of six, I consider that a fair exchange for a more personal outing. For one or two people, I would compare the total cost with a shared boat before booking. The 97 percent perfect rating and 5 out of 5 score from 42 ratings indicate strong satisfaction, but your value judgment should still come down to group size and how much you care about privacy.

Meeting points and timing that can affect your day

Pickup is available from two locations. In Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. This is not wasted time. Traffic and delays around ferry terminals can interfere with a short charter, and lateness will not extend your three hours.

The starting time is subject to availability. Early morning is a smart choice if you want softer light and a better chance of avoiding the heaviest crowds. Sunset can bring beautiful light and a calmer mood, though the skipper must still judge the conditions and may adjust the timing.

The route, departure point, or disembarkation point can change because of weather, tides, or other legitimate operating needs. That flexibility is sensible on the water, but it means you should not treat the named stops as an absolute promise in a specific order.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If conditions force the skipper to cancel, postpone, or modify the charter, follow the operator’s instructions rather than assuming the original plan will continue.

Who will enjoy this Comino charter most

I would choose this trip for a group that wants swimming, photographs, and a relaxed boat day without committing to a full-day cruise. It works especially well for six friends or a family that can share the cost.

It also suits people who dislike fixed schedules. You can tell the captain what matters most and adjust your time at each place. Couples may appreciate Lovers Cave and the private setting, while photo-focused groups will benefit from the captain’s help with pictures.

You should think twice if your priority is a long beach stay. This is a boat-based tour, not a shore day, and three hours passes quickly once you include movement between stops. It may also be less appealing if you want a formal account of Comino’s history. The tour includes access to historical and natural sights, but the main focus is coastline, swimming, and scenery.

The boat has shade as well as a sun deck, but you should still prepare for strong sun. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and bring a towel. Since food and drinks are not included, bring refreshments if you need them, while respecting the boat’s rules about what can be carried aboard.

Should you book the Blue Waves Comino charter?

Book it if you have a full group, want to swim at Blue and Crystal Lagoons, and value a private pace over the lowest possible price. The best reasons to choose it are the small boat, access to caves, captain-led flexibility, and the chance to spend meaningful time in the water.

I would book an early morning or sunset slot when available, arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes early, and tell the skipper your top two priorities before leaving. Ask about the separate fuel charge, pack your own food and drinks, and remember that the sea may change the route.

For a solo visitor or couple on a tight budget, a shared excursion may be the smarter buy. For up to six people who want Comino with fewer compromises, this private three-hour outing offers a strong balance of sightseeing, swimming, and personal service.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat trip?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to six people.

How much does the boat trip cost?

The listed price is $173 per boat for up to six people. Rates are per boat, not per passenger, and fuel is payable separately.

Where does the boat depart from?

In Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Malta, meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Which lagoons can I visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. The skipper may adjust the itinerary because of weather, tides, or sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for fishing are also not included, although an ice cooler is provided aboard.

Can the tour route or time change?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter based on weather and sea conditions. Departure times, routes, and departure or disembarkation points may also be adjusted.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Maltese.