Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino Caves Private Boat Tour

Crystal-clear water, quiet coves, and a fast boat make this a memorable way to see Comino. This private tour packs Saint Mary’s Tower, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, Elephant Rock, the Santa Maria Caves, and Cominotto into two hours. I especially like the private group format and the chance to swim and snorkel away from a large excursion crowd.

I also like the personal touch provided by Francesco and his brother, who are praised for adjusting the trip to suit families and different comfort levels. The main drawback is the short running time: two hours is tightly scheduled, and the advertised route includes many stops, so you should expect quick visits rather than a long beach day.

Key points to know before booking

• A powerful RIB boat: The Yamaha V6 250 engine gives the ride a lively, quick feel while covering several parts of Comino in little time.
• Private space for up to eight people: Your group does not share the boat with a large crowd, making it easier to request photo, swim, or sightseeing pauses.
• Excellent swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, and the waters around Elephant Rock are the main reasons to bring beachwear and a towel.
• Caves and landmarks included: The route passes through Santa Maria Caves and near Saint Mary’s Tower, Cominotto, and Elephant Rock.
• Extra cost to budget for: The listed price is $234 per group, but a €99 fuel surcharge is not included.
• Best for an active two-hour outing: You get a lot of scenery in a short time, but the pace may feel rushed if you want long, lazy swims.

What this private Comino boat tour is really like

This is a compact sightseeing and swimming trip around Malta’s northern waters. You can arrange pickup from either Ghajnsielem or Mellieha, with the operator also describing pickup at Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo. That flexibility matters if you are already near the ferry route or staying on Gozo.

The boat is a RIB powered by a Yamaha V6 250 engine. In plain terms, this is not a slow sightseeing launch. You should expect a brisk ride between stops, with open-air views and a more lively feel than a large harbor cruise.

The private setup is the strongest feature. With space for your own group of up to eight, you can ask for a little more time at a swimming spot, spend less time at a photo stop, or adapt the outing for children. Francesco is specifically praised for making adjustments, and one family with children aged 3, 8, and 11 found the experience easy to enjoy.

The boat includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler. A GoPro is also described as available for capturing underwater moments. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. The tour is conducted in English or Maltese.

Saint Mary’s Tower gives Comino its historic face

Saint Mary’s Tower is one of the first major sights on the route. From the water, it gives Comino a strong visual marker: a stone watchtower set above the island’s rough coastline.

The stop is listed as a 10-minute photo stop, guided visit, boat cruise, swimming, and snorkeling opportunity. That is a lot to fit into one short pause, so think of it mainly as a scenic look and quick orientation rather than a full visit to the tower itself.

The tower helps explain why this part of Malta feels more than just a collection of swimming coves. Comino’s position between Malta and Gozo made its coast useful for watching the sea, and the tower remains an unmistakable part of the view.

If your group enjoys taking photographs, this is a good moment to keep your camera ready. The RIB can give you a water-level angle that is quite different from what you see from shore.

Crystal Lagoon is the calmer swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon comes next, with about 20 minutes for photographs, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling. Its appeal is simple: clear water, pale rock, and a more enclosed setting than the open sea.

I would treat this as one of the best chances to get into the water early in the outing. The stop is long enough for a proper swim, though not long enough for an unhurried beach session. The supplied snorkeling equipment is useful here, especially if you want to look below the surface rather than simply float.

The lagoon is also a good place for less confident swimmers to decide how active they want the rest of the trip to be. You can stay on deck, take photographs, or enter the water for a short swim. Since this is a private tour, your group has more control than it would on a fixed large-boat excursion.

A practical point: do not assume the boat will wait while everyone changes slowly. Wear your beachwear before boarding and keep your towel and sunscreen easy to reach.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but the timing is short

The famous Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto. Its pale turquoise water is the star attraction, and the tour allows about 20 minutes for a boat cruise, photographs, swimming, and snorkeling.

This is enough time to experience the water, but it is not a full Blue Lagoon beach day. The route is designed to show you several places, not to leave you at one lagoon for hours. If Blue Lagoon is your only priority, a longer dedicated visit may suit you better.

Still, the private boat changes the experience. You can see the lagoon from the water, swim from the boat, and avoid spending the whole visit looking for a place to sit. The group format also makes it easier to keep children close and decide how much time to spend in the water.

The lagoon’s popularity is also the reason to manage expectations. The tour gives you access to the scenery, but it cannot make the best-known swimming area feel private. The quieter parts of the route are likely to provide the more personal moments.

Santa Marija Bay and Elephant Rock add variety

Santa Marija Bay receives a shorter five-minute visit with a guided explanation and photo opportunity. It is a quick stop, but it breaks up the route and gives you another view of Comino’s coast.

Elephant Rock receives the longest scheduled stop, about 30 minutes. The rock formation is a distinctive natural landmark, and this part of the outing includes photographs, sightseeing, boat cruising, swimming, and snorkeling.

That half hour is valuable because it gives your group the best chance to slow down. You can take photographs from the boat, swim near the rocks, and spend more time looking at the shape of the coast rather than rushing from one location to the next.

The exact feel of the stop will depend on sea conditions and how your captain handles the boat. The operator says the captain guides the RIB through narrow passages and cave areas, but safety comes first. You should not expect every small opening to be accessible on every departure.

The itinerary also mentions the option of swimming near rocky ledges, based on the experience described by one customer. That sounds appealing for confident swimmers, but it is not something to treat as guaranteed or suitable for everyone. Follow the captain’s instructions and be cautious around rock.

Santa Maria Caves are the most atmospheric part

The Santa Maria Caves are scheduled for about 10 minutes. Here, the boat moves close to rock formations and grottos, where sunlight reflects across the water and changes as the RIB passes through.

This is a different experience from the lagoons. The lagoons are about color and swimming. The caves are about shade, stone, echoes, and the close-up shape of Comino’s coast.

The short timing means you will probably take photographs from the boat rather than explore on foot. That is part of the appeal: you see the rock from the same level as the water, with the boat entering narrow passages where conditions allow.

I would keep your phone or camera protected from spray. The RIB’s speed is part of the fun, but open boats and sea water are not ideal partners for unsecured electronics.

Cominotto and the Gozo passage complete the route

Cominotto is given roughly five minutes for a photo stop, guided sightseeing, and a short boat cruise. The small island helps frame the Blue Lagoon and gives you another perspective on the channel between Comino and Cominotto.

The route then passes by Gozo for about 10 minutes. The wider description refers to the southern coast of Gozo and a secluded beach where you can relax, swim, or walk on the sand. However, the detailed schedule labels Gozo as a pass-by section, not a full beach stop.

That distinction matters. If you book this as a two-hour tour, expect Gozo to be viewed from the boat unless extra time is arranged in advance. The operator says additional hours can be requested, which may be the better choice if you want to land on a beach or spend more time around Gozo’s coast.

This is also where the tour’s compact schedule becomes clear. Saint Mary’s Tower, three lagoon or bay areas, Elephant Rock, caves, Cominotto, and Gozo are a lot to cover in 120 minutes. You get variety, but you trade away long stays.

The boat and guide make the difference

A private RIB is a practical choice for this route. It can move quickly between Comino’s coves and get close to coastal features that are difficult to appreciate from a larger vessel. The Yamaha 250 engine also gives the trip an energetic edge.

That power may not suit everyone. RIB boats can feel lively, especially in choppy conditions, and the tour is not recommended for people with back problems or heart problems. If you prefer a slow, gentle cruise, ask questions before booking.

The human side of the tour is just as important. Francesco is praised for his warm service, conversation, and strong local understanding of Comino and its surrounding waters. His brother also helped make one family’s outing more flexible.

You should not expect a formal lecture at every stop. The value is in having a captain and guide who can point out the coast, explain local history, geology, and marine ecology, and adjust the experience to your group.

Is $234 plus the fuel charge good value?

The tour costs $234 per group of up to eight, with a €99 fuel surcharge added separately. Since the advertised prices use different currencies, check the final total carefully before you commit.

For a full group, the base price works out to less than $30 per person before the fuel charge. That can be good value for a private boat, especially if you would otherwise book several seats on a crowded shared excursion. For two people, the cost per person is much higher, so the private format makes the most sense for families or groups of friends.

You are also paying for convenience and control. Pickup options include Ghajnsielem and Mellieha, and the operator can work from Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina depending on what suits your plans. Snorkeling gear, water, and an ice cooler are included.

The weaker point is the short duration. A private boat for two hours can feel like excellent value if you want a fast sampler of Comino. It is less compelling if you want to anchor for a long swim, walk on Gozo, or spend a whole afternoon by Blue Lagoon.

Extra hours should be requested in advance. That is the most useful upgrade for a group that wants to slow down.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families who want a private boat and flexible pacing
• Small groups sharing the cost
• Confident swimmers who want several water stops
• First-time visitors seeking a broad look at Comino
• People who prefer an active ride to a slow cruise
• Photographers who want views of caves, towers, rock formations, and lagoons

It may be a poor match for anyone with back or heart problems. It may also disappoint you if your main goal is a long stay on one beach.

Children can enjoy it, as shown by the family experience with three children, but you should still prepare carefully. Pack towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and suitable beachwear, and follow all instructions around the boat and rocks.

Weather is another real factor. The operator can cancel if conditions are unsafe and will notify you if plans change. That is sensible for an open-water trip, even if it creates uncertainty in your schedule.

Practical details that make the day easier

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check available starting times because the departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

Plan to arrive ready for the water. Wear beachwear, use sunscreen before boarding, and keep sunglasses secured. Bottled water is included, but bring only what you can manage safely on a small boat.

The tour is private, but it is not a private island experience. Blue Lagoon remains a major attraction, and the route’s purpose is to combine famous sights with less obvious coastal corners. The best moments may come from the caves, Elephant Rock, or a quiet swim rather than from the most photographed lagoon.

Should you book this Comino boat tour?

Book it if you want a fast, private introduction to Comino with several swimming stops, cave views, and a lively boat ride. It is especially good value for a group of six to eight, and Francesco’s flexible approach adds a personal quality that large boat trips often lack.

Think twice if you want a slow afternoon, a long beach stop, or substantial time on Gozo. In that case, request extra hours before booking. For everyone else, this is a well-packed way to see a lot of Malta’s northern coast without giving up the comfort and control of a private boat.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts two hours. Additional hours can be requested in advance.

Where can pickup and drop-off take place?

Pickup and drop-off options include Ghajnsielem and Mellieha. The operator also describes pickup from Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo, depending on your preference.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private boat accommodates a group of up to eight people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and an ice cooler.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €99 fuel surcharge is not included in the listed group price of $234.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Maltese.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. The operator may cancel the tour in adverse weather for safety reasons.