Comino Blue Lagoon and Gozo-Sea Star Boat Private Tour

Clear water, quiet coves, and one busy lagoon. This private Malta boat trip links Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon with Gozo’s south coast, using swimming stops, cave visits, and scenic cruising to show you some of the islands’ best coastal spots. I like the private boat format, which keeps your group together, and I like the choice of several swimming locations, rather than making the Blue Lagoon your only stop. The main drawback is the price: at $1,130.75 for up to 15 people, it makes the most sense for a full group, not a couple or small party.

The schedule can last from roughly two to six hours, depending on the plan arranged for your group. Food and drinks cost extra, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded in summer, even when your boat gets a good anchoring spot. Still, the clean boat, included snorkeling equipment, cooler with ice, and attentive service from Joseph and Frankie give this trip a strong practical edge.

Key points before you book

• A private boat for up to 15 people: The fixed group price becomes much better value when shared by a larger family or group of friends.
• Several swimming stops: You can swim at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and selected Gozo coves.
• Free snorkeling equipment: Masks are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own gear.
• Caves and film locations: The route includes Santa Maria Caves, Lovers Cave, Popeye’s Cave, and other coastal formations.
• Gozo’s Qala coast included: Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq Bay, and Bemberin Gorge add a less familiar side of the islands.
• Food is your responsibility: Bring a meal and drinks, or buy supplies at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Why a private boat changes the day

The best reason to choose this excursion is control. You are not joining a large boat with a fixed crowd and a single pace. Your own group shares the boat, and the route includes several places where swimming and snorkeling are the main event.

That matters in the Maltese islands because the most appealing stops are not all the same. The Blue Lagoon is famous and photogenic, but it is also the busiest. Crystal Lagoon feels more suited to swimming and snorkeling, while Santa Maria Bay offers a quieter sandy beach. Gozo’s coast adds caves, small bays, and cliff-jumping spots.

A group of 13 used the boat and found it clean and spacious, with Joseph and Frankie attentive without hovering. That is exactly the sort of service I want on a private outing. You can ask for help when needed, but the day still feels like your group’s day.

The fixed price is $1,130.75 for up to 15 people. For 12 to 15 people, that works out to roughly $75 to $94 per person before food and optional transfers. For a smaller group, the cost per person rises quickly. I would consider this a strong value for a family reunion, birthday group, or group of friends, but a poor fit for two people unless privacy matters more than price.

Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

The Blue Lagoon sits between Malta and Gozo on Comino’s western side. Its shallow water is exceptionally clear, and the pale seabed helps create the bright blue color that draws boats here all summer.

The private boat anchors at a favorable position in the lagoon, giving you direct access to the water. You can swim and snorkel here for about two hours, which is generous compared with a quick photo stop. The long pause lets strong swimmers explore farther, while less confident swimmers can stay close to the boat.

The catch is the crowds. Hundreds of people can gather around the lagoon during the summer months, and a private boat cannot make the whole bay private. You may find the water busy with other boats and bathers. The benefit is choosing a good anchoring point and returning to your own boat when you want a break.

Bring a towel, sun protection, and footwear suitable for getting in and out of the boat. The tour supplies snorkeling masks, but you may prefer to bring your own if you want a particular fit. Food and drinks are not included, so plan ahead before the boat leaves.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s cave coast

Crystal Lagoon is northwest of Comino and offers a different mood from the Blue Lagoon. The water is clear and turquoise, with several caves nearby. Some caves are shallow and have sandy beds, making them easier to explore than a dark, narrow cave system.

This stop lasts about an hour and a half. You can swim, snorkel, or fish, and bream are common in the area. The crew also takes you around the caves, including Lovers Cave and Popeye’s Cave, locations connected with film production.

I like this stop because it gives the trip more texture. You are not simply moving from one postcard bay to another. Here, the focus shifts to small coastal formations, fish, and shallow water. If you enjoy looking below the surface, this may be more rewarding than the crowded Blue Lagoon.

Swimming conditions can vary with wind and boat traffic, so your comfort level matters. The tour is described as suitable for all types of participants, but anyone with limited swimming confidence should tell the crew. You can enjoy the scenery from the boat without needing to enter every cave or swim at every stop.

Gozo’s Qala coast, from Tal-Halfa to Bemberin Gorge

The boat then cruises along Gozo’s southern coast near Qala. This section includes Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq Bay, and Bemberin Gorge, with about an hour set aside for the area.

Tal-Halfa is a clay-rich beach behind a large solitary rock called Halfa Rock. The setting has a sense of place that the more famous lagoon lacks. You get a look at a quieter piece of Gozo, shaped by rock, clay, and open sea.

Hondoq Bay is a pebbly beach with clear blue water. It is a practical swimming stop, though pebbles are less comfortable underfoot than sand. Water shoes can help, but they are not listed as part of the supplied equipment, so bring your own if you have them.

Bemberin Gorge is only accessible by boat and contains several caves. It is also a good location for cliff-jumping fans, with clear water below. I would treat cliff jumping as optional rather than central to the tour. The trip includes the setting, but your group should only use the rocks if conditions and personal ability make it sensible.

This Gozo section is valuable because it breaks up the Comino focus. If you want only the Blue Lagoon, you can find shorter boat trips. If you want a broader look at the islands’ coast, the Qala stops justify the extra time.

Santa Maria Bay for a quieter swim

Santa Maria Bay is a small sandy beach on Comino, about a 20-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon. It is the calmer alternative in the route, especially for bathers who want to sit, swim, and slow down.

The bay has shallow, clear water and sits beside Comino’s small police station, which helps monitor boat activity around the island. Tamarisk trees provide some shade, a useful break from the strong summer sun.

There may be dead algae along the shore because of local currents. This does not mean the beach is dirty, but it can affect the first impression and the comfort of walking at the waterline. Away from that material, the beach is described as sandy and clean.

The stop lasts about an hour. I would use it for an easy swim or a quiet pause rather than expecting a dramatic cave experience. It gives the day a needed change of pace after the more famous lagoon and active snorkeling stops.

Elephant Rock and the island’s natural oddities

At some point on the Comino route, the boat passes Elephant Rock on the island’s east side. This natural arch resembles an elephant lowering its head toward the water.

It is a sightseeing pass rather than a scheduled swimming stop, so keep your camera ready. The seabed near the formation is sandy with scattered patches of posidonia, a seagrass important to the local marine environment. Depths in the area range from 3 to 18 meters, and it is also used by divers.

You do not need to spend much time here, but it is the sort of small detail that makes a boat tour more memorable. Comino is not only about bright water. Its rock formations help explain why the island has become such a popular setting for films, photographs, and water activities.

Santa Maria Caves and the Count of Monte Cristo setting

The Santa Maria Caves sit on Comino’s northern side. The cave system includes five shallow caves and is well known as a dive site, although you can appreciate the entrances and rock shapes from the boat without entering the water.

The visit lasts about 30 minutes. The caves were used in filming The Count of Monte Cristo, adding a little screen history to the natural scenery. The appeal is visual: water framed by rock, narrow openings, and changing light inside the cave mouths.

This is a shorter stop, but that is sensible. The day already includes several swimming locations, and a brief cave visit keeps the pace moving. If cave photography interests you, this is one of the places where a waterproof phone case or camera would be useful.

What is included, and what you should bring

The tour includes snorkeling equipment and the fuel surcharge. You also get a cooler box with complimentary ice, which is a small but useful detail in Malta’s heat.

Lunch, food, and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies or buy them at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour if the route stops there. I would bring water and a meal from the start, since relying on a harbor stop may reduce your time in the water.

Pack lightly but sensibly:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• Water and food
• Waterproof phone protection
• Water shoes if you dislike pebbly beaches
• A dry change of clothing

Optional private taxi, van, or coach transfers can be arranged between your residence and the boat, but these cost extra. Pickup is offered, so confirm the added price before booking if you need door-to-boat transport.

Timing, group size, and weather

The experience is listed as lasting from two to six hours, with the full set of stops taking close to six hours. That range suggests the exact plan can be adjusted. Ask for the expected duration when arranging your date, especially if you have dinner plans, a flight, or another activity afterward.

The operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Sunday, for the stated operating period. The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The boat is for your group alone, with a maximum of 15 people. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is also near public transportation, though private transfers are available at an added charge.

Because the boat operates in open water, weather affects comfort as well as safety. A calm day should make the swimming stops more pleasant, while rougher conditions may change the order or number of stops. Confirm the plan with the provider before setting out.

Who will get the most from this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups that want a private day on the water and can share the cost. Families with older children, groups of friends, and mixed-age parties should appreciate having several ways to spend the day: swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, cave viewing, and relaxing on a sandy beach.

It also suits people who want more than the Blue Lagoon. The Gozo coast and Santa Maria Caves make the outing feel like a full coastal tour rather than a single photo stop.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, expect an empty Blue Lagoon, or want a fully catered excursion. The lagoon remains popular, food costs extra, and the timetable may depend on conditions. A small group may also find the fixed price hard to justify.

Is the Comino and Gozo private boat tour worth booking?

For a group of 10 to 15 people, I think this is a sensible splurge. You get a clean, spacious boat, several well-chosen swimming spots, free snorkeling masks, a cooler with ice, and a route that covers both Comino and Gozo. The strong service from Joseph and Frankie is another reason to feel confident, especially for a private booking where communication matters.

For a couple or small group, compare the total against shared boat trips before committing. Book this one when privacy, flexible group time, and a broad coastal route matter more than finding the lowest price. If that sounds like your kind of Malta day, the combination of Blue Lagoon scenery, Gozo coves, and Comino’s caves makes the cost easier to defend.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The price is $1,130.75 per group, with up to 15 people included.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately two to six hours. Visiting all listed stops takes close to six hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but private taxi, van, or coach transfers between your residence and the boat cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and equipment are included at no extra charge.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. You can bring your own food and drinks or buy them at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. A cooler box with complimentary ice is provided.

Does the boat visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat anchors at a favorable location in the Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling, with about two hours planned there.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can select a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.