Malta: Comino Island Private Boat

Turquoise water, quiet coves, and your own skipper await. This two-hour private boat trip gives you and up to five companions a relaxed way to see Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock without sharing the boat with a crowd. I like the privacy and the freedom to stop for swimming, photos, or a rest on the shaded deck. I also like that snorkeling gear, an ice cooler, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker are supplied.

The main point to check is the final price. The advertised rate is $86 per boat for up to six people, but the skipper and fuel are listed separately at €54 each. That can change the value calculation, especially for a couple rather than a full group. Sea conditions also matter: one July booking had rough water, so the captain could not offer a swim, although the boat ride was still thoroughly enjoyed.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You get the entire boat rather than a seat on a larger shared cruise.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: The two best-known swimming areas are central to the route, with time for swimming and snorkeling when conditions allow.
• Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave: You see these formations from the water, along with Pigeon Rock and other sea caves.
• Captain-led flexibility: The skipper can adjust stops and timing based on wind, waves, tides, and your group’s preferences.
• Comfort items included: A shaded canopy, sun deck, seating, safety equipment, snorkeling mask and snorkel, cooler, Wi-Fi, and music connection are provided.
• Two departure points: You can meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or at Cirkewwa in Malta, depending on your booking.

Why a private Comino boat works well

Comino is famous for its water, but the experience can feel very different depending on how you visit. A shared boat means fixed timing and less room to pause. This private charter gives you a small floating base for two hours, with only your own group and the skipper aboard.

That matters most if your group has mixed interests. One person can swim, another can sit under the canopy, and someone else can take photos without the whole boat waiting for a large group to get organized. Families also get more breathing room than they would on a packed excursion.

The boat holds up to six people, so the $86 group price looks strongest when divided among six. At the base rate, that is roughly $14 per person. But do not stop at that calculation. The listed extras include a €54 skipper charge and €54 for fuel, so ask for the complete total in your booking currency before you commit. Food, drinks, and barbecue equipment are also not included.

Setting out from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can depart from two useful points. In Malta, the meeting point is by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. In Gozo, you meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

These locations make the trip practical if you are already moving between Malta and Gozo, but you need to choose the correct one. The activity includes pickup, yet the stated information identifies the departure points rather than promising hotel pickup. Arrive 30 minutes early. Cirkewwa and the ferry terminal area can be busy, and a late arrival does not extend your two-hour charter.

The skipper speaks English and Maltese. You may get a little commentary about the coastline and its formations, rather than a long formal history talk. One spring booking praised the explanations of local history and the many caves, while another described the conversation and music as part of the pleasant atmosphere.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and best seen from the water

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its clear turquoise water and pale rock make it one of Malta’s most recognizable swimming spots. From a private boat, you can appreciate the color without committing to a full day on shore.

The tour description allows time to swim and snorkel here. The supplied mask and snorkel are useful for a quick look below the surface, though you should bring your own equipment if fit or comfort matters to you. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. The sun deck is made for sitting between swims, while the canopy gives you a break from direct sun.

The Blue Lagoon is not guaranteed to feel calm. Wind and waves can change the plan, and the skipper has the final say on safety. A July trip had rough conditions that prevented swimming, but the captain still made the outing enjoyable by stopping where possible and keeping the pace relaxed. That is an important reality check: you are buying access to a private boat and a flexible route, not a guaranteed swim in perfect water.

Crystal Lagoon and Cominotto Island

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat can continue toward Crystal Lagoon, another sheltered area known for clear blue water and rocky bays. It offers a different mood from the more famous lagoon, with natural walls and openings that make the coast interesting from the boat.

The exact time at each stop is not fixed. Two hours goes quickly once you include cruising, swimming, snorkeling, and cave visits. If swimming is your top goal, tell the skipper early. If your group cares more about seeing the coastline, ask for enough time to pass the caves and rock formations at a comfortable speed.

Cominotto Island is another highlight. The small island adds a sense of open space and gives you a good point of reference as the boat moves around Comino. The route is not just a single stop at the Blue Lagoon, so you get a broader view of this part of Malta’s coast.

Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock

The caves are viewed from the boat, which is the right way to see their shape and position along the shoreline. Roofless Cave, also called L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is known for its open rock formation. The missing roof lets light reach the water and gives the cave its unusual character.

Lovers Cave is smaller and more secluded in feel. The name suggests romance, but it also suits anyone who wants a quiet pause away from the main lagoon area. Do not expect a long shore visit here. This is a coastal sightseeing stop, with the skipper positioning the boat so you can look inside and take pictures.

Pigeon Rock and the other sea caves round out the route. These stops are valuable because they show the rougher, more sculpted side of Comino. The coastline is not only about smooth swimming water. It is also about openings in the rock, narrow bays, and changing shades of blue as the boat passes each formation.

One benefit of a private charter is that you can ask the skipper to slow down for photographs or explain what you are seeing. The route can be altered for weather, tides, or other valid reasons, so the final order of stops may not match the advertised sequence.

What the boat provides during the two hours

The boat is arranged for comfort rather than a bare transfer. You get ample seating, a shaded canopy, and a sun deck. That combination matters in Malta, where two hours in direct sun can become tiring, especially for children or anyone who is not planning to swim the whole time.

Safety equipment is provided, and the charter includes port and marina charges, lagoon access permits, and taxes. Snorkeling equipment consists of a mask and snorkel. An ice cooler keeps drinks chilled, but you supply the beverages and food.

The Bluetooth speaker lets your group play its own music, and Wi-Fi is available on board. Those are pleasant extras, though I would treat them as secondary. The real value is the private space, the skipper’s ability to adjust the route, and the chance to combine swimming with coastal sightseeing.

Barbecue equipment, fishing equipment, and a fishing cooler are not included. If those are central to your plan, this is not the right package as described.

Price and the value for different group sizes

The quoted $86 price is per boat, not per passenger, and covers a group of up to six. That is a useful setup for a family or group of friends. A full boat can share the base cost and the private format becomes much more attractive than paying individual fares for several separate seats.

For two people, the arithmetic is less favorable. Add the listed €54 skipper fee and €54 fuel fee, then account for the currency difference between the advertised dollar price and the euro supplements. The total may still be fair for a private boat, but it is not the bargain that the headline figure suggests.

I would ask these questions before paying:

• Is the skipper fee already reflected in the checkout total?
• Is fuel charged separately or only shown as an additional listed cost?
• What currency and final amount will appear on your confirmation?
• Does the boat’s capacity include children and infants in the six-person limit?

The inclusions are generous for a short charter, but the trip is only two hours. You are paying for privacy and control more than for a long day at sea.

Weather can change the whole experience

The skipper may cancel, reschedule, or change the route when sea or weather conditions make the original plan unsafe. Departure times and even pickup or drop-off points can also be adjusted to suit conditions.

This flexibility is sensible, but you should plan your day around it. Do not place a crucial ferry connection or airport transfer immediately afterward. The route may change, and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Rough water can also affect the comfort of the ride. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and keep your expectations flexible. The crew can make the trip pleasant, but no skipper can flatten a choppy sea.

The strongest booking feedback praises the captains by name. Joe is singled out repeatedly for making the outing special, while Mario is praised for staying patient and helpful with a group whose English was limited. Those comments point to an important part of the experience: a friendly skipper can make a short, weather-affected trip feel personal rather than disappointing.

Who should book this private charter

This trip suits a small group that wants several things in one outing: swimming, caves, scenery, and a place to sit in the shade. It is especially practical for families, couples who want privacy, and friends who prefer their own music and schedule.

It also works for people who dislike large boat tours. You do not have to follow a crowd into the water or wait for dozens of people to board. The private setting makes it easier to ask for a slower pass by a cave or a longer stop in a calm bay.

You may want a different option if you need a full-day outing, a guaranteed swim, a meal, fishing, or a barbecue. Two hours is enough for a sharp taste of Comino, not a leisurely exploration of every corner. You should also reconsider if your group is larger than six, since the stated price applies to one boat with that maximum capacity.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack a hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Cash is also listed as something to bring, so keep some with you even though the inclusions cover taxes, permits, and marina charges.

Wear something comfortable for moving around the boat, and secure loose items before the boat gets underway. The information does not specify changing rooms or luggage storage, so travel light and do not rely on having a private place to change.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. At both Cirkewwa and Mgarr, finding the correct terminal meeting point is easier when you have time to spare. Keep your phone protected from spray, especially if you plan to use the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth speaker while taking photos.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Malta plans are still shifting, but weather remains the larger uncertainty.

Final verdict: book it if privacy matters

I would book this Comino charter for a group of up to six that wants a relaxed, personal outing rather than a fixed shared cruise. The Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock give the two hours plenty of variety.

The decision comes down to the final price and your tolerance for changing conditions. Confirm the skipper and fuel charges, arrive early, and accept that rough seas may replace swimming with a scenic ride. If you do that, the private boat, friendly captains, shaded seating, and freedom to pause where conditions allow make this a strong short excursion from Malta or Gozo.

FAQ

How long is the Comino private boat tour?

The charter lasts two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is priced for a private group of up to six people.

What is the advertised price?

The listed price is $86 per group of up to six people. The skipper and fuel are listed separately at €54 each, so confirm the final total before booking.

What locations does the boat visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other sea caves, subject to sea and weather conditions.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes, swimming and snorkeling are planned opportunities, especially around the lagoons. Rough conditions can prevent swimming, and the skipper decides what is safe.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are provided.

Where do I meet the boat?

In Malta, meet by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. In Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Can the route or departure time change?

Yes. The skipper may change the route, stops, departure time, or disembarkation point because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other valid reasons.