Private Boat charter to Crystal & Blue Lagoon, Caves & Comino

The best Malta water day skips the crowded ferry. This private boat trip from Gozo gives you your own captain, quiet coves, swimming time, paddleboards, and a close look at Comino’s cliffs and caves. I especially like the freedom to slow down at a good swimming spot and the warm, family-run service reported by guests who sailed with Albert and Anthony. The main drawback is the short three-hour schedule, which gives you a taste of Comino rather than a full island day.

I also like the useful gear on board: snorkeling equipment, two stand-up paddleboards, a freshwater shower, a restroom, shade, coolers, and a bar. The water may be choppy at times, and the food details need checking before you book, since the tour information lists local snacks as a feature but also places the traditional platter under extras.

The details that matter most

• Private boat for up to 15 people: Your party travels alone, so the captain can adjust the pace and swimming stops.
• Five main stops in about three hours: You visit Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.
• Swimming equipment is supplied: Snorkels, masks, two paddleboards, coolers, a freshwater shower, and a restroom are available.
• A family-run operation: Albert, Anthony, and their sons are praised for friendly service, local knowledge, and patience when the sea gets rough.
• Food and drinks are part of the experience: Local cheese, olives, crackers, cold cuts, and bread may be provided, but confirm exactly what is included.
• Good weather is essential: If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is famous for clear water, pale rock, and an astonishing number of boats. It is also where the island can feel least peaceful. A private charter gives you a better chance to enjoy the scenery without being tied to a large group’s timetable or packed deck.

The boat carries up to 15 people, but only your group takes part. That makes a big difference for families, couples, and small groups of friends. You can spend more time in the water, ask the captain about the coast, or move on when a bay feels too busy.

The trip costs $419.39 per group, not per person. At the maximum of 15 people, that is excellent value. For two people, it is a much more expensive outing, but the privacy and personal service may justify it if you care more about peace than the lowest possible fare. The cost also covers fuel, equipment, and the private boat, which helps explain the price.

I would look at this as a charter rather than a simple sightseeing cruise. You are paying for space, flexibility, and local attention. That value is strongest when you fill the boat with family or friends.

Blue Lagoon, 45 minutes in Comino’s busiest water

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and you get about 45 minutes here. The water is the star: clear, bright, and inviting for a swim. The setting is framed by Comino’s low rocky shores, and the color changes with the depth and sunlight.

You will also find food kiosks, cocktail bars, sandy patches, and watersports such as parasailing. Those facilities are handy if you want a quick drink or activity, but they also mean this is unlikely to be the quietest part of the outing.

A short walk leads toward Comino’s tower, built in 1618 to help defend the island. The tower was also used in filming The Count of Monte Cristo. The walk from Blue Lagoon takes about five minutes, though the tour’s schedule may not allow enough time for a full visit after swimming.

I would not treat Blue Lagoon as the tour’s most peaceful stop. Instead, use it for the famous water, photographs, and a first swim. The private boat lets you see the attraction without making it your entire day.

Crystal Lagoon and the caves beneath the cliffs

Crystal Lagoon is where this excursion becomes more adventurous. The inlet is surrounded by high cliffs and sea caves, and you can swim from one side of a cave to another. There is also a small sandy beach inside one of the caves, a memorable place to reach by water.

The cave swimming requires comfort in open water and enough mobility to get in and out of the sea. The boat has snorkeling equipment and a freshwater shower, both useful after saltwater swimming. You should still bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and anything you need to feel secure in the water.

This area was used for The Count of Monte Cristo, along with Comino’s tower. The film connection is a nice extra, but the rock formations are the real reason to stop. The captain can point out the shapes and openings that are easy to miss from a standard ferry route.

You get about 45 minutes here. That is enough for a swim and a look into the caves, but it can pass quickly if everyone wants time on a paddleboard. If your group has mixed swimming abilities, tell the captain early so the stop works for everyone.

The elephant’s head and Comino’s quieter corners

The route includes rock formations that resemble an elephant’s head, as well as a quiet beach. These brief stops are useful because they show a different side of Comino from the famous lagoon.

You might simply cruise past the elephant-shaped rock for photographs, while the quieter beach offers a calmer place to pause. The exact length of these stops is not specified, so I would think of them as flexible scenic moments rather than guaranteed long visits.

There is also a 13-meter-deep wreck in clear water near Comino’s tower. It offers something for people interested in underwater sights, though the information provided does not say that the boat stops for a formal wreck swim or explain how visible it is from the surface. Ask the captain what conditions allow on the day.

That flexibility is one of the better parts of a private charter. The boat does not need to follow a large group through every stop at the same speed.

Cominotto Reef, a short underwater stop

Cominotto Reef receives about 15 minutes. It is described as a good place for underwater exploration, so this is a useful stop for anyone who enjoys looking below the surface.

Fifteen minutes is brief. You may get a quick swim and a look with the supplied snorkeling equipment, but you should not expect a long session. If your group loves snorkeling, ask whether the captain can adjust time from another stop.

The clear water around Cominotto makes even a short stop worthwhile. Still, this is one place where expectations matter. The tour covers many locations in three hours, so the schedule favors variety over lengthy time at one reef.

Santa Marija Bay and its 1618 tower

Santa Marija Bay gives you a quieter pause than Blue Lagoon. The sandy beach, small church, and food kiosks make it a pleasant place to stop without the same level of activity.

You have about 20 minutes here. That is enough to look toward the beach and church, stretch your legs if you go ashore, or enjoy a calm swim. It is not enough for a slow meal and a full walk around the bay.

The medieval tower nearby was built in 1618 to defend Comino. It is about a five-minute walk from Blue Lagoon, and it also appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo. The tower adds context to what might otherwise look like an empty rocky island. If you want to visit it on foot, ask the captain how the timing works, since the advertised stop is short.

Santa Marija Bay may be the best choice for you if Blue Lagoon sounds too busy. It offers a more relaxed setting, but do not expect total isolation, since kiosks and other boats can still be present.

Santa Maria Caves, the final 30-minute chapter

The Santa Maria Caves receive about 30 minutes, making them one of the longer stops. The coast here shifts from small coves to large natural openings cut into the cliffs.

The boat can take you close to the cave entrances, and you may see a cave with a pool inside. This is a strong place for photographs, gentle exploration, and a final swim. The mix of shadow, pale stone, and blue water gives the stop a different feel from the open lagoons.

Cave conditions can change with wind and waves. The exact route through the openings depends on the sea, so you should treat the cave visit as weather dependent. The boat’s freshwater shower is especially helpful after swimming in several locations.

I like that the trip finishes with caves rather than simply returning from Blue Lagoon. It gives the outing a sense of discovery, even though the tour remains short.

What comes on board

The equipment list is generous for a three-hour charter. You have access to:

• A restroom
• A freshwater shower
• Snorkeling equipment
• Two stand-up paddleboards
• Ice coolers
• A bar
• Fuel included in the price
• A Blue Lagoon pass

The paddleboards add real value. They give you something to do besides swim, and they let you look at the cliffs from a slower, lower position on the water. With only two boards, larger groups will need to take turns.

The onboard restroom matters more than it may sound, especially for families. The coolers and bar also make it easier to stay on the boat between swimming stops. The supplied information does not state exactly which drinks are included, so ask before assuming the bar is open-service.

Food requires a little care. The experience is associated with local Maltese cheese, olives, crackers, cold cuts, and bread, and several accounts describe a platter being served. Yet the details also place a traditional food platter among items not included. Confirm the current arrangement before departure, especially if you are counting on lunch.

The family-run service and captain’s role

The strongest part of this trip is the human element. Albert and Anthony are named as captains and guides, and the boat is described as a family business involving sons as well. Their background as fishermen gives the outing a local connection rather than a purely commercial feel.

You can expect explanations about the islands, cliffs, towers, and filming locations. The captain’s knowledge is especially useful around the caves, where a good route depends on sea conditions and local familiarity.

The service style appears relaxed and attentive. The crew has adjusted schedules for tight itineraries, slowed down when passengers felt uncomfortable in choppy water, and shown patience with different swimming abilities. That matters more than a polished sales pitch when you are on a small boat.

The boat also has full shade, according to one account, which is a practical advantage in Malta’s strong sun. Still, check the exact boat assigned to your booking, since the information allows for the pictured boat or a similar local boat.

Timing, pickup, and practical planning

The trip lasts about three hours. Since the schedule includes five main stops plus scenic points, expect a steady outing with limited time for long beach visits.

Transportation from your hotel to the pickup location can be arranged by the operator. Ask about this when booking rather than assuming it is automatically included. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation normally arrives at booking. If you book within one hour of departure, confirmation depends on availability.

The experience requires good weather. If conditions force cancellation, you can select another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation, though the exact pickup point should be confirmed before you set out.

Because the tour is often booked well ahead, around 63 days in advance on average, I would reserve early for a preferred date. Last-minute availability has worked for some groups, but it is not something to rely on during a busy season.

Who will get the most from this charter

I would recommend this trip to:

• Families who want their own space
• Couples who dislike packed boat tours
• Small groups splitting the charter price
• Swimmers who want several different coves
• People interested in caves, rock formations, and filming locations
• Anyone with only a short time for a Comino outing

It is less suitable if you want a full beach day, a long visit to Comino’s tower, or an extended snorkeling session at one site. The trip covers a lot quickly, and the sea can be choppy.

Bring sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. If you want the food platter, ask whether it is included in your booking. I would also tell the crew about swimming concerns before leaving the harbor.

Should you book this private Comino trip?

I would book it if privacy, flexible pacing, and local attention matter more to you than the lowest price. The boat reaches the famous lagoons but also adds caves, a reef, a quieter bay, a wreck, and smaller coastal sights. The paddleboards, snorkel gear, shower, restroom, shade, and coolers make the charter practical rather than bare-bones.

For a large family or group of friends, $419.39 can be strong value. For two people, it is a splurge, but a peaceful private morning may be worth it if you want to avoid the crowded boat scene.

The best reason to choose this tour is the crew’s personal approach. Albert, Anthony, and their family team appear to treat the outing as more than a transfer between swimming spots. If the weather is good and your group enjoys being on the water, this is one of the more flexible ways to see Comino in a short window.

FAQ

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to 15 people.

Which main locations does the tour visit?

The main stops are Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.

Is swimming included?

Yes. Swimming time is offered at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and other coastal stops, subject to sea and weather conditions.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and two stand-up paddleboards are provided for use during the trip.

Is food included?

The experience includes local specialties such as cheese and olives, and food platters have included items such as cold cuts, crackers, and bread. However, the booking details also list the traditional platter as not included, so confirm the current food arrangement before booking.

Can transportation from my hotel be arranged?

Yes. Transportation from your hotel to the pickup location can be arranged by the operator.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can receive a full refund or choose a different date if poor weather causes the tour to be canceled.