Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

Turquoise water is only the beginning. This three-hour private speedboat trip gives you your own boat for up to nine people, with time to swim, snorkel, see sea caves, and cruise around Comino and Gozo. I like the freedom of a private outing, and I like that a skipper can adjust the pace instead of moving a large group from stop to stop.

I also like the useful extras: an ice box for the food and drinks you bring, plus snorkeling masks and planned swimming stops. The main drawback is the extra €79 fuel charge per booking, and one booking problem caused a 45-minute delay when a group was collected from the wrong island. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you care about mask quality.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine people: The price is charged per group, not per person, making this more attractive for families and friends traveling together.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops: You get about an hour at each of Comino’s best-known swimming spots.
• A skipper who can shape the day: Atem, also called Adam, and James received especially warm praise for safe driving, good local advice, and friendly service.
• A €79 fuel fee is extra: Add this charge to the advertised price when working out the true cost.
• Three hours includes cruising: The tour is not three full hours of swimming. Some of the time goes to reaching the coves, caves, and viewpoints.
• Best in warm weather: An October trip was less satisfying because the sea was cold, and the supplied masks were described as worn.

Why a private boat works well around Comino

Comino is small, but its famous water stops can feel busy. A private boat gives you a quieter way to see the coast, especially if you are traveling with a group of relatives or friends who already agree on how much time to spend swimming.

The boat carries only your group, with a maximum of nine people. That matters because you are not sharing the outing with a coach-sized crowd or waiting for strangers to finish taking photographs. Your skipper handles the driving while you enjoy the view, swim, and move between coves.

The listed price is $322.86 per group, before the €79 fuel charge. With nine people, that works out to roughly $36 per person before fuel, though the exact amount depends on exchange rates and your group size. With four people, the base price is much less attractive, but you still gain privacy and flexibility.

The fuel fee is not a small footnote. Add it before comparing this trip with other boat outings. Food and drinks are also your responsibility, but the onboard ice box lets you keep them cold.

Blue Lagoon, one hour in Comino’s most famous water

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason many people come to Comino. It sits between Comino and Cominotto, where pale limestone cliffs frame clear, shallow water. From the boat, you get the classic Malta scene: bright sea, light rock, and a wide open sky.

The planned stop is about one hour, and admission is included. That hour gives you enough time for a proper swim and some snorkeling, though it is not a long beach day. If you want to spend most of your outing in the water, tell the skipper early.

The lagoon is especially good for a first swim because the water is described as shallow and clear. You can look for marine life while snorkeling, then climb back aboard without giving up the rest of the coast. I would treat this stop as the signature photograph and the easiest place to enjoy the famous color of Comino.

The trade-off is that the Blue Lagoon is the best-known stop on this route, so it may not feel peaceful at all times. A private boat protects your group from being mixed into a larger tour, but it cannot make a popular bay empty.

Crystal Lagoon for a quieter swim

The Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. It is tucked along Comino’s rugged coast and surrounded by cliffs, with clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling. The tour allows about one hour here, so you get another substantial water stop rather than a quick photo from the deck.

I like the contrast between these two lagoons. Blue Lagoon is the famous name, while Crystal Lagoon gives you another chance to enjoy the sea without rushing straight through the area. The rocky setting also creates a good backdrop for photographs.

You should bring a towel, sun protection, and any personal swimming equipment you prefer. Masks are included, but one October customer found the supplied masks worn and advised bringing personal snorkeling gear. That is sensible advice if clear vision underwater matters to you.

The phrase secluded lagoon should not lead you to expect total solitude. Comino is a popular boating area. Still, a private trip gives your skipper more room to choose the most comfortable timing and to spend less time on unnecessary stops if your group wants more water time.

San Nikolai Bay and the Comino Hotel

San Nikolai Bay is a coastal viewing stop rather than one of the two main hour-long lagoon sessions. The water is clear, and the route gives you a look at the Comino Hotel from the outside.

This is a useful stop for seeing a less famous side of Comino. You are not simply being taken from one postcard bay to another. The skipper can point out the shape of the coast, the hotel, and the small coves that are easy to miss from land.

The information provided does not promise a set swimming time at San Nikolai Bay. Think of it as sightseeing from the boat, with the possibility of a brief pause depending on the day’s timing and conditions. If you have your heart set on swimming there, ask the skipper rather than assuming it is guaranteed.

San Marija Bay and its sandy shore

San Marija Bay offers a softer scene, with clear water and a sandy beach along the Comino coast. The bay suits a simple break: swim, sit in the sun, look across the water, and enjoy the Mediterranean air.

The rocky shoreline gives you something to explore by boat, while the beach adds variety after the cliff-framed lagoons. For families or mixed groups, this kind of stop can be useful because not everyone wants to snorkel all afternoon.

Again, the full tour lasts about three hours, including cruising. You should not expect a long shore visit at every location. San Marija Bay is part of a compact coastal circuit, so your skipper has to balance beach views, swimming, caves, and Gozo scenery.

Santa Maria Caves, where the boat becomes the viewpoint

The Santa Maria Caves are carved into Comino’s coast by years of wave action. The route takes you near and through the natural openings, where sunlight reaches the water and brings out the rock shapes.

This is one of the more memorable parts of the trip because you see Comino from inside the coastline rather than simply looking at it from open water. The caves also make good photo stops, with darker rock around the boat and bright water beyond.

The supplied information describes the caves as suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and photography. Exact time inside the caves is not specified, so your experience will depend on sea conditions and the day’s schedule. You may spend more time cruising through and taking pictures than swimming inside.

I would keep your camera or phone ready, but secure it carefully. The trip is on a speedboat, and the coast has moving water, rock walls, and narrow passages. Your skipper’s judgment matters here.

Half Rock and a look toward Gozo

Half Rock is another coastal feature on the route, with clear water for swimming and snorkeling. It also offers a chance to see colorful marine life below the surface.

This stop helps the tour feel broader than a simple Blue Lagoon transfer. You move around Comino, then reach a point connected with Gozo’s coastal scenery. The route includes scenic views, sightseeing, photo pauses, and places passed from the boat, so not every location is a long stop.

If you want the most swimming possible, make that clear before departure. The published schedule already gives about an hour at Blue Lagoon and an hour at Crystal Lagoon, leaving roughly an hour for cruising and the other bays, caves, and viewpoints. A private boat gives you some flexibility, but time still has limits.

Mgarr Harbour, Gozo’s colorful finish

Mgarr Harbour is the gateway to Gozo, with traditional fishing boats and views across the water. The harbor provides a pleasant closing scene after the rougher coastline of Comino.

You may not have a long stop here. The route describes it as a scenic visit and sightseeing point, so treat Mgarr as part of the cruise rather than a separate Gozo tour. This is a view of the harbor from the water, not a land visit to Gozo’s villages or inland sights.

That distinction matters when you plan your day. If you want to explore Gozo on foot, you need a separate plan. This outing is about the sea, the islands’ edges, and the coves between Malta and Gozo.

The skipper can make or break the outing

The strongest praise goes to the skippers. Atem, also called Adam, was described as professional, easygoing, and good at explaining the area. James was praised for safe driving, local knowledge, good humor, and looking after the group.

Those details are important on a private speedboat. You are relying on the skipper not only to operate the boat, but also to judge where to stop, how long to stay, and how to respond if someone feels unwell. One customer specifically appreciated the care shown when a friend became sick on board.

A speedboat is not the best choice for everyone. If you are prone to motion sickness, prepare carefully and tell the skipper at the start. The boat moves between several coastal points, and the outing includes open-water cruising.

The service record is strong overall, with a 4.9 rating from 19 reviews and 95 percent recommending the experience. That is encouraging, though the small number of ratings means I would still pay attention to the practical warnings about pickup arrangements and snorkeling masks.

What to bring, and what you should confirm

The boat includes an ice box, so bring your own food and drinks. Food and drinks are not included, and you should not assume refreshments will be supplied during the three-hour outing.

Snorkeling masks are provided, but I would bring personal equipment if you own it. The supplied gear was described as used in one account, and a well-fitting mask can make the difference between enjoying the water and constantly clearing leaks.

Before you go, confirm the meeting point, especially if you are staying or starting in Gozo. One group expected pickup from Gozo, but the boat was waiting in Malta instead, leading to a 45-minute delay. That is the clearest practical warning in the available feedback.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, the activity is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The tour requires good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who gets the best value from this boat trip?

I think this tour makes the most sense for a group of friends or a family of up to nine people. The shared price becomes easier to justify as your group grows, and a private boat lets you keep the day relaxed and personal.

It also suits you if swimming, snorkeling, caves, and coastal views matter more than visiting towns or historic sites. The outing spends its time on the water. You will not tour inland Gozo, visit museums, or explore Comino on foot.

The trip is less suitable if you want a full-day boat experience. Three hours passes quickly once cruising, photographs, and several stops are counted. It is also less appealing in cool weather, especially if you are hoping to spend much of the time swimming.

Should you book this private Comino tour?

Book it if you have a group, want privacy, and prefer seeing several Comino highlights without committing to a full day. The Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, Half Rock, and the smaller bays create a varied route, while a good skipper can add useful local advice and keep the mood easy.

Before paying, add the €79 fuel fee, confirm the pickup island, and decide if you will bring your own mask. If you are traveling in cooler weather or only have two or three people, compare the final price with other boat options.

For a warm-weather group that wants clear water, short cruising distances, and a flexible private outing, this is a strong choice. Just remember that the famous lagoon is popular, the day is compact, and the best value comes when you fill the boat.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including cruising time and stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

Up to nine people can participate in the private tour.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon is a planned stop with admission included, and the itinerary allows about one hour there.

Is the Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included, with about one hour scheduled for the stop.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. Swimming stops are included as part of the experience.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, although one customer advised bringing personal equipment because the supplied masks may be worn.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies, and an ice box is available on the boat.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

No. A fuel charge of €79 per booking is listed separately.

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.