Comino: Private boat tour with Snorkeling activities & caves

Crystal water, quiet coves, and a boat of your own. This private Comino tour packs Malta’s best swimming spots into four hours, using a colorful 12-meter luzzu, the traditional Maltese fishing boat. I like the freedom to linger at Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, and Crystal Lagoon, and I especially like having a captain and deckhand who accompany you into the caves rather than merely pointing from offshore. The main catch is simple: four hours goes quickly, and food and drinks cost extra.

I also appreciate the practical comforts. The boat has a toilet, freshwater shower, refrigerator, coolers, shaded seating, and room for your own music. Snorkel masks, a stand-up paddle board, and fishing equipment are included. The price is $506 for a private group of up to 20, which is excellent value for a full boatload, but less attractive for just two or three people.

Key things to know before you book

• A traditional 12-meter luzzu: You get a private Maltese boat rather than a seat on a crowded sightseeing vessel.
• Santa Maria Caves from inside: The guide can lead you through the water, onto the rocks, and about 10 meters into a cave to reach an inner pond.
• Three strong swim stops: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Cominotto give you different settings for swimming and snorkeling.
• Useful onboard comforts: A toilet, freshwater shower, refrigerator, coolers, shade, and a bar make four hours on the water easier.
• A private-group price: The $506 rate covers up to 20 people, so the value improves sharply when shared by a family or larger group.
• Two pickup choices: You can meet the boat at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or at the pontoon beneath Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is small, but its coves and caves are spread around the island. A private boat lets you move between them without waiting for a large group or following a fixed public-boat schedule. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply sit in the shade while the crew handles the route.

The boat itself adds a nice Maltese touch. A luzzu was built as a fishing boat, and its colorful shape is now part of the country’s coastal identity. This is not a sleek luxury yacht, but it offers character, useful space, and a more local feel than a standard motorboat.

The group limit is generous. Up to 20 people can share the charter, though a full boat will naturally feel busier around the seating and swimming areas. For a family reunion, group of friends, or several couples traveling together, the flat price can be a smart buy. For a small party, compare the cost with a shared cruise before booking.

The crew speaks English and Italian. Their role is more than driving. They guide you around the island, explain the coves, and help you enter the cave areas safely. That matters at Santa Maria, where the best part is not visible from the open water.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr

You choose between two meeting points. At Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, go into the ferry marshaling area. A small kiosk sits on the right when you face the sea, with a jetty behind it reached by stairs. The boat may be moored there or waiting to berth, since ferry traffic can affect the exact position.

The second option is the pontoon at Mgarr, Gozo, beneath Gleneagles Bar. The boat is located near the seaside at Pontoon A. This choice works well if you are already in Gozo, while Cirkewwa is convenient if you are coming from Malta.

Allow a little time to find the correct jetty. Ferry terminals can be confusing, and the boat may not remain in one exact spot while other vessels load. Keep your phone available for contact with the operator, and arrive ready to board rather than treating the meeting point as a casual waterfront stop.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth an early swim

The tour begins with a short sightseeing cruise before reaching the Blue Lagoon. This is Comino’s famous calling card, with bright, clear water and a sandy beach. You can swim, snorkel, or pass through a natural cave that opens from the lagoon.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of the island. Kiosks sell fast food, ice cream, and drinks, including alcoholic beverages served in pineapples. Water sports such as parasailing are available, and Saint Mary’s Tower can be seen from here.

The included Blue Lagoon pass is a useful detail. It gives you access to the area as part of the experience, rather than leaving you to sort out that step separately. Still, do not expect solitude. The attraction is popular for good reason, but the private boat gives you an escape route when the shore feels crowded.

I would use this first stop for a quick orientation and swim, not for the whole four-hour outing. The tour’s more peaceful coves and cave visits are where the private format earns its keep.

Cominotto Beach and San Niklaw Bay

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat reaches Cominotto Beach. This area offers swimming and the chance to look for marine life in the clear water. It is a good change of pace from the main lagoon, especially if you want a less built-up setting.

The route then continues to San Niklaw Bay for about 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. This is a useful shorter stop. You can get into the water without feeling pressured to make a full beach day of it, and the crew can help you choose how to spend the time.

The itinerary includes several short cruises between stops. Those minutes matter because Comino is best seen from the sea. Rock formations, openings in the cliffs, and small coves appear in quick succession, and the boat can approach places that are awkward to reach on foot.

Santa Maria Caves, the tour’s special moment

Santa Maria Caves are the strongest reason to choose this private outing. The crew does not simply circle the cave entrance. You swim toward the opening, get onto land with help from the guide, and walk about 10 meters inside to reach a pond within the cave.

You can swim in the inner pool, and strong swimmers may be able to pass beneath the rock to the other side. That part should be treated with care. The tour data describes the route as suitable for good divers, but conditions, confidence, and swimming ability matter. You should follow the crew’s instructions and skip the underwater passage if it does not feel right.

The cave was used as a filming location for The Count of Monte Cristo, giving film fans a small extra connection to the place. You will also see other caves nearby, so this stop combines a guided walk, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal scenery.

This is not a polished attraction with handrails and signs. It is a natural cave reached from the water. That is precisely its appeal, but it also means you should expect wet rocks, uneven footing, and a self-guided element once inside. Wear secure footwear if you have it, and do not rush the landing.

Elephant Rock and the changing Comino coast

The boat passes Elephant Rock as it rounds the island. The rock’s natural shape is one of those quick visual surprises that makes a boat route worthwhile. You may not spend long here, but keep your camera ready.

The cruise also brings you past smaller openings and cliffs that are difficult to appreciate from a road or walking path. The crew’s local familiarity helps them point out formations such as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, It-Tieqa, and Taħt il-Ħnejja. At the latter part of the route, the guide can take you for a swim and a guided visit.

Because the boat is private, you can ask questions as you go. That makes the ride feel less like a loud coastal transfer and more like a moving introduction to Comino’s shoreline.

Crystal Lagoon and the best water time

Crystal Lagoon comes near the end, and it is an excellent place to spend the final hour. The lagoon sits behind the Blue Lagoon and offers clear water, snorkeling, swimming, and two notable caves.

One cave lies beneath Saint Mary’s Tower. You can swim into it and reach a sandy beach at the far end. The guide accompanies you because the crew knows the passage well. The second cave is open at both ends, making it lighter and easier to swim through.

Crystal Lagoon also suits people who like a little more action. Cliff jumping is possible here, but you should judge the height and water conditions for yourself and follow crew advice. The tower is visible from the lagoon and can be reached by a walk of about 10 minutes, so you have the option of a short land excursion instead of staying in the water.

A military wreck called the P31 lies just outside the lagoon at a depth of about 25 meters. In clear seas, it is visible from the boat. The tour also includes Cominotto Reef, another stop for swimming, snorkeling, and viewing marine life.

Do not assume every stop will have perfect visibility. The wreck is specifically described as visible when the sea is clear, so conditions can affect what you see. The same is true of snorkeling. The boat provides access to good spots, but the underwater scene depends on water clarity and weather.

What the boat provides during four hours

The included equipment makes this more than a ride between beaches. You receive snorkeling masks, use of a stand-up paddle board, fishing equipment, and ice coolers. The paddle board is especially useful at calm bays, where you can explore above the water after snorkeling.

The onboard bar serves alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Bring your budget for purchases, or ask the operator what you may bring aboard. The refrigerator and coolers make it easier to keep personal refreshments cold.

The comfort details are unusually helpful for a half-day boat trip. The vessel has a toilet and freshwater shower, according to the tour information and recent customer feedback. There is also a shaded area at the back, a welcome refuge after time in the sun.

You can play your own music, another nice touch for a private group. Keep the volume considerate if the crew is giving instructions or if other boats are close. The boat is designed for a relaxed day on the water, not a nonstop party cruise.

How the $506 price works out

At $506 for up to 20 people, the per-person price can be very good. A full group would pay roughly $25 per person before any extras, while four people would pay about $127 each. That difference is the key to judging the value.

You are paying for a private 12-meter boat, fuel, a captain, a deckhand, cave guidance, snorkeling masks, a paddle board, fishing equipment, coolers, and the Blue Lagoon pass. You also avoid sharing the route with a large general group.

The price is harder to justify for only two people unless privacy is your main goal. A private boat gives you control and space, but a shared cruise may cost less. I would consider this tour most carefully if you can fill at least half the available places.

Remember that the advertised price covers the specified four-hour charter, not a full day in the literal sense. The description uses the phrase own the boat for the day, but the stated duration is four hours. Plan around that confirmed time.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This outing suits strong swimmers, families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop at Blue Lagoon. The private setup is particularly useful when your group has different interests. Some can snorkel while others use the paddle board or relax in the shade.

Families with young children may prefer the sandy beaches at Cominotto and San Niklaw Bay. The two sandy beaches at Santa Maria are described as a calmer setting for parents with children, though cave access still involves swimming and uneven natural surfaces.

Film fans will enjoy the Count of Monte Cristo connection. Active visitors will appreciate the caves, reef, wreck views, and possible cliff jumping. People who dislike getting wet, walking on rocks, or entering confined spaces should choose a simpler sightseeing cruise instead.

The boat has a toilet and shower, but this remains a sea-based activity. You need to be comfortable boarding a traditional boat, swimming from it, and moving around natural shore areas.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. A secure pair of water shoes would be useful for the cave landing and short walks, though the provided information does not list footwear as included.

Pack sun protection and a dry change of clothing. Shade is available, but you will spend much of the tour around exposed water and pale rock. A waterproof bag for phones and cameras is a sensible precaution.

If your group wants the inner Santa Maria pond or the cave beneath Saint Mary’s Tower, tell the crew early. The guides are there to lead you, but the route depends on conditions and your group’s comfort in the water.

Plan your snacks and drinks in advance. The boat bar sells refreshments, but they are not included. The included coolers and refrigerator are handy if you want to keep your own supplies cold.

Finally, confirm the pickup point carefully. Cirkewwa and Mgarr are both valid options, but they are on different sides of the channel. The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour and lets you reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still shifting.

Should you book this Comino charter?

Book it if you can share the $506 cost with a sizeable group and want cave access, swimming time, and a private boat rather than a standard cruise. The strongest features are the guide-led entry into Santa Maria Caves, the practical boat facilities, and the freedom to enjoy several coves at your own pace.

Think twice if you are a small group on a tight budget, or if you want a quiet, land-based visit. Blue Lagoon can be busy, four hours passes fast, and food and drinks cost extra. For the right group, though, this is a well-equipped way to see Comino from the water, with enough flexibility to make the island feel like more than a single crowded lagoon.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Where can I meet the boat?

You can meet the boat at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or at Pontoon A near the seaside beneath Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The 12-meter boat is chartered for a private group of up to 20 people.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling masks, a stand-up paddle board, fishing equipment, and ice coolers are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price, although the onboard bar serves alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream.

Does the tour visit Santa Maria Caves?

Yes. The route includes Santa Maria Caves, where the guide can lead you through the water, onto land, and about 10 meters inside to an inner pond.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Italian.