Malta: Crystal/Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

Blue water is only half the story. This three-hour private boat trip gives you a more personal way to see Comino, Cominotto, and parts of Gozo, with time for swimming, snorkeling, caves, coves, and sunbathing away from the most crowded boat routes. I like the private itinerary, which lets your group choose between more swimming, more sightseeing, or a bit of both. I also like the shade, ice cooler, snorkel gear, and Bluetooth music, small comforts that matter on a sunny boat ride.

The main drawback is the extra €79 fuel charge, paid to the skipper after the trip. The advertised price is $293 per boat for up to seven people, not per person, so it can be good value for a full group, but the final cost needs to include fuel. Three hours is enough for a lively coastal outing, though not enough for a slow, all-day exploration of both Gozo and Comino.

At a glance: what makes this trip useful

• A boat for your group only: The price covers up to seven people, making this far more attractive for families or friends than for a solo visitor.
• Two possible starting ports: You can begin at Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr in Gozo, but you need to state your choice when booking.
• Swimming comes first: The skipper can anchor at clear-water spots around the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, and nearby Gozo.
• Caves and coves are part of the route: The boat can take you close to sea caves, rock formations, beaches, and cliff-lined bays.
• Useful onboard extras: Shade, a cooler with ice, life jackets, and snorkel equipment are included.
• Early departure is smart: A 9 a.m. start helped one group avoid the worst crowds and the strongest midday heat.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous sights, and fame brings boats. Shared cruises and ferries can fill the water around the best-known swimming area, especially during the summer season. A private boat does not make the Blue Lagoon empty, but it gives you more control over when you stop and lets your skipper look for quieter coves nearby.

That flexibility is the heart of this outing. You can ask for more time in the water, stay aboard for coastal views, or combine several shorter stops. If you are traveling with children, that matters. A young swimmer may want a quiet cove and an easy ladder back onto the boat, while stronger swimmers may prefer snorkeling, cliff jumping, or a longer swim.

The boat is described as spacious for groups of up to seven. Families of four and groups of five found there was plenty of room, and a group of seven reported that the boat was a decent size with enough time at each stop. Space is still relative, so do not expect a private yacht with cabins and a dining table. Think of it as a comfortable, practical motorboat designed for moving between swimming spots.

The shaded seating is a welcome feature. Malta’s summer sun can be fierce, and a shaded place to sit lets you cool down between swims. The Bluetooth system also adds a relaxed, social feel. You can bring your own music and drinks, then keep those drinks cold in the onboard ice cooler.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr

The Malta departure point is next to the Cirkewwa kiosk, with free parking at the meeting point. Cirkewwa sits at Malta’s northern tip and is the main jumping-off point for the Gozo ferry, so it is a practical base if you are staying in northern Malta or already planning to visit the islands.

You can also request a start at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. This is helpful if you are staying on Gozo, arriving there independently, or want to combine the trip with time on that island. Confirm the port when you book. The meeting information specifically allows either Malta or Gozo, but the operator needs to know your choice in advance.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour company has helped some groups arrange taxis, but that should be treated as separate assistance rather than part of the tour. Give yourself enough time to reach the marina, particularly if you are connecting from a ferry or relying on a taxi.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and not always quiet

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the trip. Its clear water shifts between pale turquoise and deep blue, and the surrounding pale rock makes it one of Malta’s easiest places for photographs. The water is the reason most people book this outing, and it is especially inviting on a warm day.

The private boat lets you approach the lagoon by water rather than joining a crowded shore-based stop. Your skipper can explain the area, show you good viewpoints, and decide how close to the main activity makes sense on the day. You may still see plenty of other boats. This is a major attraction, not a secret inlet.

The best strategy is to start early if the schedule allows. A group that left at 9 a.m. found the water less crowded and the heat easier to handle. An early departure also leaves you more comfortable for snorkeling and swimming before the sun reaches its strongest point.

Bring beachwear, a towel, and your own drinks if you wish. Food and drinks are not included, but the cooler and ice are free to use. That simple arrangement works well for a private group, especially if you pack water and a few snacks before reaching the marina.

Crystal Lagoon and Cominotto’s clear water

Crystal Lagoon offers a different feel from the Blue Lagoon. It is smaller and framed by rock, with water that is well suited to swimming and snorkeling. The boat can anchor here, giving you a chance to see below the surface rather than simply admire the color from the deck.

Snorkel and mask equipment are included, along with life jackets. The supplied gear makes the stop easy, although you may prefer to bring your own mask if you want a particular fit. One past group brought pool noodles because the boat did not have flotation devices beyond life jackets. That is a useful distinction: life jackets are available, but casual floating aids are not listed as standard equipment.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place to balance the day. After the more famous Blue Lagoon, a shorter stop here can give you a calmer swim and a closer look at the rocky edges. The exact order depends on sea conditions, crowd levels, and what your group wants.

Do not assume the water will feel warm. One family described it as cold, though still well worth entering. A towel and dry layer for the ride back are sensible, even on a hot day.

Comino’s caves, coves, and rocky coast

The most memorable part of this trip may be the movement between the named lagoons. Your skipper can guide the boat into or near sea caves, pass rock arches, and point out unusual formations along Comino’s coastline. One group particularly enjoyed being taken inside a cave, while another liked seeing the Elephant Cliff formation.

These stops give the outing more variety than a simple transfer to a swimming area. You are not only sitting at anchor. You are also seeing the island from the water, where the cliffs and openings in the rock make better sense.

The skipper may share stories about the caves, coves, and formations, as well as facts about Comino, Gozo, and the wider Maltese archipelago. Guides named in the feedback include Justin, Matt, Momo, Buffon, Pedro, Luca, Ginger, Elton, Michael, Jimmy, and others. The repeated strength is not a scripted lecture. It is the way the skipper adjusts the amount of information to the group.

If you want quiet, say so. If you enjoy history and local stories, ask questions. Several guides were praised for taking photographs, pointing out details, and giving families a relaxed ride. The exact personality will depend on who is assigned, but the skipper is central to the experience.

Seeing Gozo from the water

The trip includes parts of Gozo’s southern coast rather than a full island tour. From the boat, you can expect views of beaches, bays, cliffs, and sea caves. This is a coastal introduction, not a substitute for visiting Gozo’s villages, churches, or inland sights.

That limitation is worth understanding before you book. If your priority is seeing Gozo by road, this is not the right activity. If you want to add Gozo’s shoreline to a swimming trip, it works well. The boat gives you a quick sense of the island’s rocky edge without spending the day on roads.

The route may also include Cominotto, the small island beside Comino. Together, Comino, Cominotto, and Gozo create a compact area with plenty to see in three hours. Still, your group will need to choose its priorities. You cannot linger at every cave, lagoon, and beach in a short half-day trip.

How the three hours usually work

There is no fixed stop-by-stop schedule presented for this charter. That is intentional. Your skipper can ask what you want and suggest a route based on conditions.

A typical outing may include:

• Boarding at Cirkewwa or Mgarr and settling into shaded seating.
• Cruising toward Comino while looking at the coastline and local birdlife.
• Passing or visiting caves, coves, rock arches, and beaches.
• Anchoring for swimming or snorkeling at Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, or another suitable bay.
• Continuing along Comino, Cominotto, and part of southern Gozo.
• Returning to the marina after roughly three hours.

You can make the trip active by swimming at several locations. One family visited three swimming spots in three hours, with enough time left to relax aboard. You can also make it gentler by staying on deck, taking photographs, and asking for more coastal sightseeing.

The ladder at the back of the boat makes getting into and out of the water easier. That does not remove every challenge for children or anyone uneasy in open water, but it is more practical than climbing over a high side. Life jackets are included, and a careful skipper can help nervous swimmers feel more comfortable.

The skipper can make or break the outing

The boat and water are the obvious attractions, but the skipper shapes the day. The strongest feedback centers on captains who were friendly, safe, flexible, and good at reading the group.

Justin was praised for more than 25 years of sailing experience, good timing, stories, and photography. Matt was described as reassuring and generous with local information. Momo earned praise for being funny without becoming overbearing, while Ginger brought music, ice, and a lively mood. Elton was especially appreciated for making a family group feel relaxed.

That range matters. Some people want a quiet ride with a few useful facts. Others want jokes, music, and a party atmosphere. Tell the skipper your preference early. The private format gives you a much better chance of getting the pace you want than a large shared cruise.

The guides speak English and Maltese. Historical information is available during the ride, but this is primarily a boat and swimming experience. If you want a formal, detailed history tour, you may find the commentary lighter than the sightseeing.

Price, fuel, and the value question

The listed price is $293 per boat for up to seven people. A separate €79 fuel payment goes to the skipper after the tour. Food, drinks, and hotel transfers are also extra.

For seven people, the base cost works out to about $42 per person before fuel. For a group of four, it is about $73 each before fuel. For two people, the private format becomes a much more expensive choice, though couples who value privacy and flexibility may still consider it worthwhile.

The real comparison is with a crowded shared boat. You are paying for control, not just transport. Your group can choose how long to swim, bring its own drinks, play music, ask for caves, and avoid spending the entire outing beside strangers. For a family or group of friends, those advantages can justify the price.

Be clear about the total cost before setting out. The €79 fuel charge is not hidden in the fine print of your day, but it is easy to overlook when comparing prices. Add it to your budget, then compare the full boat cost with the price of a shared cruise.

Who should book this trip

I would recommend this outing to:

• Families who want a flexible pace and a private boat.
• Friends who plan to swim, snorkel, play music, and bring drinks.
• Couples who prefer a quieter coastal trip to a packed excursion.
• Strong swimmers who want several water stops or possible cliff jumping.
• Anyone who wants caves and coastline as well as the Blue Lagoon.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, do not want to swim, or hope to spend several hours touring Gozo on land. The trip is also weather-dependent, so a rough sea can change the route or make the experience less comfortable.

Book an early start if you can. Pack a towel, beachwear, water, sunscreen, and perhaps a pool noodle or other personal flotation aid if you like to float. The boat provides shade, a cooler, snorkel gear, and life jackets, but you should not expect food, drinks, hotel transport, or extra flotation equipment.

Should you book the private Comino boat trip?

If you are a group of four to seven, I think this is one of the stronger ways to experience the Blue Lagoon area. The price becomes more reasonable when shared, and the private boat gives you something the standard cruise cannot: control over the day.

The biggest reasons to book are the friendly skippers, flexible swimming stops, comfortable boat, cave visits, and the chance to see Comino and southern Gozo without being tied to a large group. The main cautions are the extra €79 fuel charge, the short three-hour duration, and the fact that the Blue Lagoon can still be busy.

For a family, friend group, or couple that values a personal route, book it. Choose an early departure, confirm Cirkewwa or Mgarr, and tell the skipper whether you want more swimming, more caves, or more time simply enjoying the sea.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price is for one private boat with up to seven people.

Where does the boat trip start?

You can start at Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. You need to tell the operator your preferred port when booking.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs €79 and must be paid to the skipper after the tour.

Are snorkel equipment and life jackets provided?

Yes. Snorkel and mask equipment, life jackets, an ice cooler with ice, marina fees, lagoon permits, and the skipper are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. Food and drinks are not included, though you may bring your own drinks and keep them cool in the onboard ice cooler.