Malta: Blue Lagoon, Caves, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

Turquoise water is only the beginning. This private charter gives you a more relaxed way to see Comino, Gozo, and Cominotto, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views instead of being tied to a large group. I especially like the choice of quieter stops such as St. Nicholas Bay and the freedom to shape the route around your group.

I also like the useful onboard extras: snorkeling gear, swimming noodles, an ice chest, drinking water, a freshwater shower, and Bluetooth speakers. The main consideration is the extra €88 paid in cash to the skipper, €44 for fuel and €44 for the skipper, which makes the final cost higher than the advertised $227.

The trip has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from four reviews. One especially warm note names Captain Jeffrey as informative and kind, with the water described as a major highlight. That is encouraging, though your exact captain and route may depend on the day.

Key details before you book

• Blue Lagoon is the first major stop: Swim and snorkel in the famous turquoise bay, with the boat helping you avoid the most crowded shoreline areas.
• Crystal Lagoon offers a quieter change of pace: Its deeper water, sea caves, and cliff-jumping spots suit confident swimmers and adventurous groups.
• Santa Marija Caves add scenery and snorkeling: Sunlight reflecting through the water gives these caves their striking blue color.
• The route includes Malta’s history: You pass Santa Marija Tower, a 17th-century fortress built by the Knights of St. John and seen in The Count of Monte Cristo.
• St. Nicholas Bay is the peaceful stop: This quieter cove gives you time to swim, rest on the sandy shore, or enjoy a picnic.
• The charter is private for up to 12 people: You can begin in Malta or Gozo, but you need to say which when booking.

What this Comino boat trip is really like

This is best understood as a private coastal outing, not a tightly scripted sightseeing cruise. You reserve the boat for your own group, then spend two to four hours moving between bays, caves, beaches, and swimming spots around Comino.

That private setup matters in Malta. Blue Lagoon is one of the country’s most famous sights, and the shore can feel crowded during popular periods. A private boat cannot remove the people from the island, but it can let you stop away from the busiest patches and enjoy the water without organizing yourself around a large excursion group.

The boat can take up to 12 people. That makes the $227 starting price potentially good value for a family or full group, especially when divided among several passengers. You still need to add €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel, both paid in cash directly to the skipper. Because the advertised price is in dollars and the extra charges are in euros, confirm the exact payment arrangement before setting off.

The duration is listed as two to four hours. That is a meaningful range. A shorter outing may focus on Comino’s main sights and one or two swims. A longer departure gives you more breathing room for caves, quieter coves, and time in the water. Check the available departure times and ask how much time is planned for each stop.

Blue Lagoon starts the day with bright water and busy fame

The first stop is the Blue Lagoon, the sight most people picture when they think of Comino. The bay has clear turquoise water over a pale, sandy seabed, giving it the look of a natural swimming pool.

I like that the trip is designed around getting into the water rather than simply pointing at it from a boat. You can swim, snorkel, use a floating noodle, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with life jackets and a ladder for getting back on board.

The practical catch is that the Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, and it is also the most likely place on the route to feel busy. The private boat helps you avoid some shore-based congestion, but it does not turn the bay into a private beach. If your priority is peace and quiet, ask the skipper to give more time to Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.

Bring beachwear and a towel. You should also bring a camera, but protect it carefully around the water. An ice chest with ice is included, and table water is provided, so you do not need to treat the boat like a full-service lunch cruise.

Crystal Lagoon brings caves and deeper water

Crystal Lagoon is a useful second act because it feels different from Blue Lagoon. The water is deeper, and the cove is known for its caves and rock formations.

This stop is a good fit if your group includes confident swimmers or people who want a little more excitement. The supplied snorkeling gear lets you look around the water and along the cave entrances, while the boat gives you a close view of the coastal rock.

Cliff-jumping is mentioned as an option here, but treat that as a choice for capable swimmers, not a required part of the trip. You should listen to the skipper, check the water, and only jump if you are comfortable and it is considered safe that day. A life jacket is included, though it does not replace sensible judgment around cliffs and cave openings.

The deeper water may be less suitable for young children who are not strong swimmers. Families can still enjoy the stop, but you may prefer the calmer, easier swimming areas at Blue Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.

Santa Marija Caves show Comino at its most dramatic

The Santa Marija Caves are among the most atmospheric parts of the route. Sunlight hits the clear water and creates blue reflections inside the openings, while the rock walls give the coastline a rough, sculpted look.

A boat is the right way to see these caves. You approach from the water, look into the openings, and may have the chance to snorkel near the rock formations. The caves also provide a break from open sun, which can be welcome during a warm afternoon.

Cave visits depend on water conditions and the skipper’s judgment. The supplied ladder makes boarding easier after a swim, and the freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt afterward. There is no promise of a long cave stop, so think of this as a scenic part of the cruise with possible swimming rather than a formal cave tour.

If you enjoy taking pictures, this is one of the places to keep your camera ready. The contrast between the pale rock, shadowed cave entrances, and blue water gives you more visual variety than a standard beach stop.

Santa Marija Tower adds a slice of Malta’s past

As the boat moves along Comino, you pass Santa Marija Tower, a fortified watchtower built in the 17th century by the Knights of St. John. It was designed to watch the surrounding waters, and its heavy stone shape looks striking against Comino’s open coast.

The tower has also appeared in films, including The Count of Monte Cristo. That detail gives the stop a bit of movie-location interest, but the tower is more valuable as a reminder that Comino was not only a place for swimming and sunbathing.

You should not expect a long land visit here based on the stated route. The tower is a passing landmark viewed from the boat. Still, it breaks up the swimming stops and gives the cruise a little historical texture.

This is one reason the private charter works well for mixed groups. Swimmers get several chances to enter the water, while people who prefer sightseeing can enjoy the cliffs, fortification, and changing coastal views from the boat.

St. Nicholas Bay is the quietest pause

St. Nicholas Bay is described as one of Comino’s more peaceful beaches. Compared with Blue Lagoon, it offers a slower setting for a swim, a rest on the sandy shore, or a picnic.

I like this stop because it gives the outing a useful rhythm. You start with the famous bay, visit caves and rock formations, pass a historic tower, then have space to simply enjoy the island without chasing another major sight.

The information provided does not specify whether food is included, so plan your picnic supplies yourself if you want a meal on the beach. The boat includes table water and an ice chest with ice, but this is not advertised as a catered excursion.

St. Nicholas Bay may be especially appealing for couples, families, or anyone who finds the Blue Lagoon too hectic. The route is tailored, so you can tell the skipper if quiet swimming matters more to you than fitting in every possible sight.

Gozo and Cominotto widen the route

The charter can include Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto. These islands give you a broader view of the Maltese coast and make the trip feel like more than a single-bay swim.

You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo. Tell the operator your preferred starting point while making the reservation, then watch for a text from the skipper with a live location. That arrangement is practical, since the meeting point is not described as one fixed landmark. It also means you should keep your phone available before departure.

The supplied information focuses mainly on Comino’s coastline, caves, lagoons, and bays. It does not promise a specific Gozo land visit or a walking tour on either island. Think of Gozo and Cominotto as part of the boat route and coastal scenery unless your skipper confirms something more specific.

The trip ends back at the meeting point. Since the duration can be as short as two hours, clarify how much of the route will be covered if visiting all three islands is important to you.

What is included on the boat

The included equipment is practical rather than fancy. You receive snorkeling gear, life jackets, swimming noodles, and access to a ladder, which makes repeated swimming stops easier.

The ice chest comes with ice, and table water is included. A freshwater shower is available after swimming, a small feature that becomes very useful once you have spent time in salt water and warm sun.

For music, the boat has a surround sound system that connects by Bluetooth. You can bring your own device if music matters to your group, but keep it protected from splashes and confirm the connection details with the skipper.

The boat is also equipped with life jackets for safety. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider the repeated movement between boat, ladder, water, and shore before booking.

Captain, pace, and the private-group advantage

The available feedback gives Captain Jeffrey particular praise for being informative and kind. That is the sort of service that can make a short boat trip much better, especially when you are deciding how long to spend at each cove.

A private group gives you more say than a standard shared cruise. You can ask for additional swimming time, favor quieter water, or spend longer looking at caves and coastal rock. The exact freedom will depend on safety, timing, and the captain’s route, but the basic idea is personal control.

You also avoid the social compromise of a crowded boat. You can play music, spread out your belongings, and keep the mood suited to your group. For a family or group of friends, that privacy may be worth more than a slightly cheaper shared excursion.

The limitation is that a private charter does not guarantee a completely empty sea. Blue Lagoon remains a major attraction, and conditions may affect which caves or coves are accessible. The best approach is to tell the skipper what matters most before departure.

Is the $227 price good value?

At $227 per group of up to 12, the starting rate can work out well for a full group. Split among 10 to 12 people, the base cost is modest for a private boat, especially with snorkeling equipment, water, ice, and a freshwater shower included.

The additional €88 matters. You pay €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel in cash, so the headline price is not the final amount. Small groups should calculate carefully. A couple will pay much more per person than a large family or group of friends.

The value is strongest if you want privacy and flexibility. If you only want a quick ride to Blue Lagoon and back, a shared boat may cost less. If you want several swim stops, caves, a quieter bay, and the freedom to set the pace, the private format makes more sense.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Comino charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups of friends who plan to swim and snorkel rather than spend the entire time looking at the coast from a seat.

It suits confident swimmers particularly well because Crystal Lagoon includes deeper water and possible cliff-jumping. Families with small children should focus on life jackets, close supervision, and calmer swimming areas.

It is also a good choice for anyone who dislikes large organized excursions. The private group, adjustable route, Bluetooth sound system, ice chest, and swim gear give you the feel of a personal day on the water without needing to arrange a boat yourself.

You should think twice if anyone in your group has limited mobility, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also confirm the final cost, starting location, duration, and planned stops before paying.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want Comino from the water, with several chances to swim, snorkel, and see caves away from the most crowded areas. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the choice of Malta or Gozo as a starting point, and the chance to trade busy Blue Lagoon time for quieter Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.

The main caution is cost clarity. Add the €88 cash skipper and fuel charge, then decide if the total works for your group size. If it does, this is a flexible and pleasant way to see Comino, with Captain Jeffrey’s kind, informative style adding a welcome human touch when available.

FAQ

How long does the private boat trip last?

The trip lasts between two and four hours. Available starting times and the exact duration depend on the date you select.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to 12 people.

Can the trip start in Gozo instead of Malta?

Yes. You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo, but you need to tell the operator when making your reservation.

Are snorkeling equipment and life jackets included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, life jackets, swimming noodles, an ice chest with ice, table water, a ladder, and a freshwater shower are included.

What extra costs must be paid to the skipper?

You must pay €44 in cash for the skipper and €44 in cash for fuel. The total extra charge is €88.

Is the boat trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also bring beachwear, a towel, and a camera.