Comino Private Boat Tour in Malta

Blue water, short distances, and a boat to yourself. This one-hour Comino trip links the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower without the crowds of a large ferry. I like the private setting and the generous onboard equipment, especially the snorkeling gear, shaded canopy, cooler, sun deck, and comfortable seating. I also like the simple route, which gives you time for both swimming and sightseeing.

The main catch is price clarity. The advertised rate is $70.89 per group of up to five, but fuel and a professional skipper each cost an additional €40. That means you should budget for up to €80 in extra charges before deciding if this short trip offers good value. A safety concern raised in one account also makes the captain’s professionalism worth confirming before departure.

Key things to know before booking

• Four Comino stops in about one hour: The schedule allows 20 minutes at both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, then 10 minutes each at Cominotto Reef and St. Mary’s Tower.
• Private space for up to five people: You do not share the boat with another group, which is useful for families or friends who want control over swimming and sightseeing time.
• The real cost is higher than the headline price: Add €40 for fuel and €40 for a professional skipper when calculating the total.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: You also get safety equipment, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker, an ice cooler, shade, and a sun deck.
• One safety concern deserves attention: A 3-star account described the captain as too laid back and the trip as less safe than expected.
• Weather controls the schedule: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, while cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead receive a full refund.

Why this private Comino route appeals

Comino is a small island, but its coast packs a lot into a short boat ride. The Blue Lagoon brings the famous pale water and cliffs. Crystal Lagoon offers a quieter-looking cove with several shades of blue. Cominotto Reef adds a small beach and a swim-through cave, while St. Mary’s Tower gives the trip a historic finish.

I like the way this route mixes water time with Malta’s past. You are not spending the whole hour simply circling the island for photographs. You get three places connected to swimming and snorkeling, then a fortified tower built when the Knights of St. John controlled Malta.

The private format matters most if your group has different plans. One person can swim while another stays under the canopy. You can use the Bluetooth speaker, sit on the sun deck, or keep your belongings in the cooler area without negotiating space with strangers. With room for only five people, the boat should feel personal rather than like a standard ferry ride.

Still, one hour is brief. The four stops add up to 60 minutes exactly, leaving little room for delays, extended swims, or a leisurely look at the tower. I would treat this as a compact introduction to Comino, not a full day on the water.

Blue Lagoon: 20 minutes in Malta’s famous water

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason many people come to Comino. The water is strikingly clear and blue, with a sandy bottom in parts and rocky cliffs around it. The setting can feel like a giant natural swimming pool, though the sea and the rocks remind you that this is not a managed pool.

You receive 20 minutes here, and that timing encourages a quick decision. If you want to swim, put on your gear without delay. If you prefer photographs, use the first few minutes to take in the color before the boat moves on.

The lagoon has an unusual link to the island’s past. In the 1500s, the Knights of St. John used Comino for leisure and hunting hares and wild boars. That detail gives the place a human story beyond its postcard appearance. It is easy to picture Comino as a remote retreat centuries ago, long before boat tours and Bluetooth speakers.

The private boat helps here because you are not locked into a large group’s timetable beyond the planned 20 minutes. You can ask how the stop will work and make the most of your time. Do not expect a long, relaxed beach visit. The schedule is designed for a swim, a look, and a move to the next cove.

Crystal Lagoon: 20 minutes for swimming and cliff jumping

Crystal Lagoon has a similar appeal, but its character comes from sheltered water and changing shades of blue. It is accessible only by boat, which makes this stop especially suited to a private water excursion.

The lagoon is described as a good place for cliff jumping. That does not mean you should jump without checking the conditions first. Use the provided safety equipment, listen to the skipper, and make your own decision based on the height, water depth, and current conditions at the time.

You have another 20 minutes here, the longest allocation of the tour along with the Blue Lagoon. That gives you enough time for a swim or a short snorkeling session, but not for extended cliff-jumping attempts, a long shoreline visit, and a relaxed meal.

I like the contrast between the two lagoons. The Blue Lagoon is the famous name on the route, while Crystal Lagoon gives the hour a second water stop with its own look. If you are choosing where to spend your swimming energy, this is the point where a private group can agree on a plan instead of following a large boatload of people.

Cominotto Reef: a small beach and swim-through cave

Across from the Blue Lagoon, Cominotto Reef is a rocky formation with a tiny sandy area. The stop lasts only 10 minutes, so it is more of a short exploration break than a full beach visit.

Its special feature is a cave that you can swim through to reach the open sea. The cave links the island’s beach side with the water beyond the reef. That gives this stop a sense of discovery, even though the visit is tightly timed.

You should save your snorkeling equipment for this stop if the water and conditions allow. The tour includes snorkeling gear, so you do not need to bring your own equipment to take part. Still, 10 minutes passes quickly, and you should not assume you will have time for a long swim around the reef.

This is also the least suitable stop for anyone who wants to remain completely dry. The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon can work for people who simply want to admire the water from the boat. Cominotto’s attraction is more active: a small beach, rocks, and a cave reached through the sea.

St. Mary’s Tower: Comino’s defensive landmark

The final stop turns from water to stone. St. Mary’s Tower, also called Comino’s Tower, was built in 1618 by Grand Master de Wignacourt. It served as a defensive and communication link between Mdina and the Ċittadella in Gozo.

The tower’s purpose was practical. It acted as a watchtower and helped frighten off pirates and corsairs. That makes it a useful reminder that Comino was not valued only for pretty swimming spots. Its position between Malta and Gozo gave it a military role.

You have 10 minutes here. The tower interior does not charge an admission fee, though donations are welcome. Because the time is short, ask early how much of the stop is intended for viewing the tower, going inside, or simply seeing it from the water.

I like ending with St. Mary’s Tower because it adds context to the bright lagoons. You finish with a better sense of why this small island mattered. Just keep your expectations reasonable. This is a brief stop, not a guided fort tour with a long historical talk.

What the boat includes, and why it matters

The equipment list is one of the strongest parts of this experience. A private boat is supplied with:

• A canopy for shade
• Comfortable seating areas
• A sun deck
• An ice cooler
• Safety equipment
• Snorkeling equipment
• A Bluetooth speaker
• WiFi
• Private transportation
• Port fees

Shade is important on a short Malta boat trip, especially when you are moving between bright water and open sun. The sun deck suits people who want to lie out, while the canopy gives you a place to escape the heat.

The cooler is useful, but do not assume it comes stocked. Bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, and meals are not included. Alcohol is also excluded. You should plan food and drinks separately rather than expecting a catered outing.

The Bluetooth speaker makes the boat feel more like a private leisure trip than a basic transfer. WiFi is included as well, though the main reason to book this experience is the sea around Comino, not internet access.

Is the $70.89 group price good value?

At first glance, $70.89 for up to five people looks appealing. Split among five, the listed group price is inexpensive for a private boat. Split among two people, it becomes less attractive, and the additional charges change the calculation.

Fuel costs €40, and a professional skipper costs another €40. If both charges apply to your booking, add €80 to the advertised price. The final amount can still be reasonable for five people, but it is not a $70.89 total experience. Ask for the complete cost before you commit.

The value depends on what you want. A private boat, snorkeling equipment, shaded seating, a sun deck, and a four-stop route can justify the expense for a small group that values privacy. A large ferry may suit you better if your priority is the lowest possible price or a stronger sense of formal operation.

The short duration is the other value question. You are paying for four stops, but you have no spare time in the schedule. The tour works best when you see it as a concentrated one-hour outing before or after other plans in Malta.

Safety and the skipper deserve careful attention

Most of the practical appeal comes from having your own boat, but private operation also means the skipper matters greatly. One 3-star account described feeling unsafe because the captain seemed too relaxed and not fully professional.

That is not a reason to dismiss the trip automatically, but it is a clear reason to ask questions. Confirm who the professional skipper will be and whether the €40 skipper charge covers the person operating the boat. Ask how the captain handles swimming near cliffs, the cave at Cominotto, and cliff jumping at Crystal Lagoon.

Use the safety equipment supplied, and do not feel pressured to jump or swim if conditions do not look right. A private trip should give you more control, not less. If the skipper’s approach makes you uncomfortable, say so at once.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 17 ratings, which suggests that the experience is generally well received. The safety complaint is still important because a one-hour trip leaves little time to correct a poor start. I would put professionalism ahead of the speaker, WiFi, or any other extra.

Who should book this Comino boat trip?

This tour suits a group of up to five that wants privacy, swimming, and a short taste of Comino. It is a good match for friends who want to share a boat, families who prefer their own space, and couples who do not want a large ferry setting.

It also works for people who like variety. In one hour, you get two lagoons, a reef with a cave, and a historic tower. You can swim, use snorkeling equipment, sit in the shade, and take photographs without committing a whole day.

You may want another option if you need a slow pace. The four stops are tightly timed, and anyone hoping for a long lunch, a full beach afternoon, or extended time inside St. Mary’s Tower will find the schedule restrictive.

It may also be a poor fit if you are uncomfortable with a small private operator. In that case, a larger ferry or established boat company may provide the formal structure you prefer, even if it means sharing space and following a less personal schedule.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, but reservations made within two days of travel may not be confirmed until within 48 hours, subject to availability.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Since this is a private activity, only your group takes part, which is helpful if you want to keep the outing among people you know.

Should you book it?

Book this Comino tour if your group can share the extra fuel and skipper fees, values a private boat, and wants a fast route through the island’s best-known water stops. The canopy, snorkeling gear, seating, cooler, and sun deck add real practical value.

I would book only after confirming the full price and the skipper arrangements. If safety and formal operation matter more to you than privacy, choose a larger boat company instead. If you accept the short schedule and treat the hour as a brisk sampler of Comino, this can be a fun and efficient addition to a Malta trip.

FAQ

How long is the Comino private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately one hour. The planned stops are 20 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, 20 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 10 minutes at Cominotto Reef, and 10 minutes at St. Mary’s Tower.

How many people can join the private boat?

The advertised group price covers up to five people. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Are fuel and the skipper included in the advertised price?

No. Fuel costs €40, and a professional skipper costs €40. Include both charges when calculating the total price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and safety equipment are included. Bottled water, snacks, soft drinks, meals, and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes within that period are not accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

Because the experience requires good weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor conditions cause cancellation.