Private Boat Tours From Malta/Gozo: Comino & Blue Lagoon

The best part of Comino is offshore. This private charter lets you reach Crystal Lagoon, sea caves, Cominotto, and Blue Lagoon without being tied to a large boat’s schedule. I especially like the freedom to stop for swimming and snorkelling, plus the chance to play your own music through the Bluetooth speaker.

I also like the choice of a one or two-hour trip, with friendly skippers such as Mario and Joe earning praise for punctuality, safety, local knowledge, and a warm manner. The main drawback is that the advertised $69 price is not the full cost: the skipper and fuel are each listed at €39, and one hour can feel rushed if swimming matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Two-hour trips give you proper swimming time: The one-hour option can cover the sights, but the longer trip is the better choice for snorkelling and a relaxed Blue Lagoon stop.
• Your boat leaves from Malta or Gozo: Pick up is available at Ċirkewwa or Mġarr Harbour, making this useful for visitors staying on either island.
• Crystal Lagoon is the quieter swimming highlight: Clear water, sea life, cliffs, and caves make this stop more than a quick photo pause.
• The charter is private for up to six people: You share the boat with your own group, not a crowded excursion boat.
• Several useful extras are included: You get a canopy, sundeck, safety equipment, mask and snorkel, cooler, Wi-Fi, and a Bluetooth speaker.
• The itinerary can change with the sea: The skipper may alter the route, stops, or departure point when weather, tides, or shallow water make it necessary.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Comino is famous for its bright blue water, but its popularity can make the Blue Lagoon feel more like a busy swimming stop than a peaceful island escape. A private boat helps you use your short time better. You can approach caves, pause for photographs, and spend more of the trip doing what you actually came for.

The boat carries a private group of up to six people. That is a good setup for a family, two couples, or a small group of friends. You do not need to wait for strangers to board, follow a fixed all-day program, or fit your swim around a large boat’s departure time.

I would think of this as a focused coastal outing rather than a full island tour. In one or two hours, you can see several famous places from the water, stop at the main lagoons, and hear stories from the skipper. You will not have time for a long walk across Comino or an extended beach stay.

The strongest part of the experience is the balance between sightseeing and water time. Mario and Joe are singled out for being on time, careful, friendly, and willing to point out details. One skipper even took photographs for a group, while another let a passenger try fishing on the return ride. Those small touches matter on a short private trip.

Getting to the boat at Mġarr or Ċirkewwa

You have two pickup choices. From Gozo, the departure area is at Mġarr Harbour, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mġarr ferry terminal. From Malta, the meeting area is near the Ċirkewwa Kiosk inside the Gozo Channel terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. That advice is worth taking seriously because the charter does not gain extra time if you arrive late. Traffic, ferry delays, and confusion around a harbour can eat into a one-hour booking very quickly.

The boat ride itself is a speedboat outing, so the journey between stops is part of the fun. The listed route includes an initial ten-minute ride, another twenty-minute run, and a final ten-minute return section. Exact timing can vary because the skipper may adjust the route for wind, waves, tides, or shallow water.

The boat has seating, a sundeck, and a canopy. You can sit in the shade or move into the sun, depending on the weather. A cooler is provided, but food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need and carry some cash.

Crystal Lagoon is the best reason to choose two hours

Crystal Lagoon is one of the main swimming stops, with about 20 minutes set aside for free time, photographs, snorkelling, and marine life viewing. The water and rock formations create the sort of setting that makes even a short swim memorable.

This is where the longer option begins to earn its price. Twenty minutes sounds reasonable on paper, but getting masks ready, entering the water, looking around, and climbing back aboard takes time. If you are travelling with children or with someone trying snorkelling for the first time, a two-hour trip gives everyone more breathing room.

The clear water is suited to simple snorkelling rather than a formal guided lesson. Sea bream may be visible, and the equipment provided includes a mask and snorkel. You should still bring your own gear if you prefer a particular fit, since comfort matters when your time in the water is limited.

Several people particularly enjoyed their first snorkelling attempt here and at Blue Lagoon. The skipper can point out places to look and help you feel comfortable around the boat. Safety equipment is provided, and one family specifically appreciated the skipper’s calm attention when a child was uneasy on the water.

Caves, Cominotto, and the short photo stops

Between the main lagoons, the boat passes a series of coastal sights. These include Lantern Point, Pigeon Rock, Daħlet il-Ħmara, Lovers Cave, the Roofless Cave, other caves, and the coast around Cominotto Island.

Some of these stops are brief, often around five minutes for photographs and views. That is enough for a look from the boat, but not enough for a long exploration on foot. The value comes from seeing the rock shapes and openings at water level, where a large boat might not be able to approach as closely.

The Roofless Cave, known locally as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is an unusual name for a memorable coastal formation. Lovers Cave gives the route another small landmark, while Pigeon Rock and Lantern Point add variety to the ride. You should expect a moving coastal show, not a series of long shore visits.

The skipper’s role is important here. A good skipper does more than drive. Mario and Joe are praised for explaining the area, sharing facts and stories, and making an effort to position the boat for photographs. One skipper went as far into a cave as conditions safely allowed, which is exactly the kind of judgment you want on a small boat.

One caution came from a passenger who felt the skipper spent too much of the trip on the phone. That appears to be an isolated complaint among otherwise very positive feedback, but it is a useful reminder that the quality of your commentary depends on the individual skipper assigned that day.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but timing matters

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the boat allows about 20 minutes for swimming, snorkelling, sightseeing, and photographs. The water is the startling blue associated with Comino, and the surrounding rock formations make a strong final swimming stop.

The private format helps here because you can approach the lagoon without giving up a full day to a big group excursion. Several people chose an early departure, including a 9 a.m. booking, to avoid some of the crowds. That is a smart move if the schedule allows it.

Still, private does not mean empty. Blue Lagoon is Comino’s most famous water stop, so you should expect other boats and swimmers, especially during the warmer months. The private boat gives you a better way to manage the visit, but it cannot remove the island’s popularity.

If you have only one hour, Blue Lagoon and the caves may be enough for a quick taste. One passenger found an hour too short and advised choosing two hours for proper swimming. I agree with that practical judgment, especially if Blue Lagoon is the main reason you are booking.

The water can be lively when waves are running. One group enjoyed the movement and bright color, while another appreciated the skipper’s care around less confident swimmers. Bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and swimwear. The sun can feel strong even during a short trip.

What the €69 price really means

The advertised rate is $69 per group of up to six, but the listed skipper fee is €39 and fuel is another €39. Since those charges are separate, you should check the final total carefully before treating the base price as the cost of the trip.

If six people share the boat, the private format may offer fair value compared with paying individual fares on a large cruise. You get your own space, a more personal route, flexible swimming stops, and a skipper who can respond to your group. For two people, the total cost per person will be higher, so the decision depends on how much you value privacy and saved time.

The value is strongest for a group that wants to see Comino without spending an entire day aboard a crowded boat. One family of four found a last-minute booking possible and appreciated being able to play its own music, stop for photos, and move at a comfortable pace.

The included equipment adds practical value. You receive a mask and snorkel, safety equipment, seating, a canopy, a sundeck, a cooler, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth audio. Fishing equipment, food, and drinks are not included, so do not assume the cooler comes stocked.

A cocktail boat offering snacks and drinks was seen during one outing, but that was not listed as part of this charter. Treat food and drink service as unavailable unless the operator confirms it directly.

One hour or two hours?

Choose one hour if you mainly want to see the coast, pass the caves, take photographs, and make a short swim at Blue Lagoon. It can work for people with tight schedules or for a quick outing between ferry connections.

Choose two hours if you want to snorkel, swim in both Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, take your time with photographs, and enjoy the ride without watching the clock. Families and first-time snorkellers should strongly consider the longer option.

The route includes two main swimming periods of roughly 20 minutes each, along with several short scenic stops and speedboat sections. That schedule sounds full even before boarding and leaving the water. A two-hour charter gives the skipper more room to adapt and gives you more time actually in the sea.

Some groups found two hours to be the perfect amount of time. It is long enough to visit the main coastal sights but short enough that the outing does not take over your day in Malta or Gozo.

Skippers, safety, and the human touch

Mario receives especially warm praise for punctuality, professionalism, local stories, and a cheerful manner. Joe is praised for being accommodating, taking photographs, explaining the area, and helping first-time snorkellers. Marko even provided a last-minute night cruise under the stars for one booking.

These details suggest that your skipper can shape the trip as much as the scenery. Ask for the best swimming point, tell the skipper if anyone is nervous in the water, and explain whether you prefer photographs, caves, snorkelling, or a faster ride.

Safety decisions remain with the skipper. Weather and sea conditions can lead to a cancelled, postponed, shortened, or changed charter. The route, departure location, and places where you get on or off may change because of waves, tides, shallow water, or other conditions.

That flexibility is sensible on a small boat. You may not receive every planned stop, but a careful skipper should put sea conditions ahead of a rigid schedule. If you need a specific departure time, keep in mind that the operator may adjust the chosen time to find better conditions.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

I would recommend this boat for:

• Small groups of up to six who want privacy.
• Families who prefer a short outing over a full-day cruise.
• Couples looking for photographs, caves, and a swim without a large group.
• First-time snorkellers who want an approachable introduction.
• People staying in Gozo or northern Malta, since both Mġarr and Ċirkewwa are pickup points.
• Anyone who wants to play personal music and control the pace of the trip.

It is less suitable if you want a full day on Comino, a long beach stay, fishing equipment, or included catering. It may also disappoint you if you expect Blue Lagoon to be quiet at every hour.

The boat is private, but the sea is shared. That distinction helps set realistic expectations.

What to bring and how to plan the day

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and some cash. Your own water and snacks are sensible because food and drinks are not included.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the correct harbour meeting point. If you are coming through the Gozo Channel terminal, allow time to find the kiosk or restaurant reference point rather than assuming the boat will be obvious.

Use the canopy if you need a break from the sun, and keep valuables secure while swimming. The ice cooler and seating make the boat comfortable for a short trip, but this is still a compact speedboat outing, not a floating lounge.

For the best use of time, decide before boarding what matters most. If you want snorkelling, say so. If photographs are your priority, ask the skipper to allow time at the scenic points. A private charter works best when you give the skipper a clear idea of your ideal trip.

Should you book the Comino private boat tour?

Book it if you want a short, private way to see Comino’s caves and lagoons, especially with five or fewer companions to share the cost. The strongest choice is the two-hour option, ideally at an early time when Blue Lagoon may be less crowded.

The scenery is the star, but the skipper can make the trip far better through good timing, safe cave approaches, helpful commentary, and attention to nervous swimmers. Mario and Joe have been particularly well received for those qualities.

Before paying, confirm the full cost of the €39 skipper charge and €39 fuel charge. If that total works for your group, this is a useful alternative to a long, crowded boat excursion. If the add-on fees make it too expensive for your party, a shared cruise may offer better basic value, though with less privacy and less control.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour depart from?

You can depart from Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mġarr Harbour Terminal, or from Ċirkewwa in Malta, near the Ċirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long does the boat charter last?

The charter lasts one or two hours, depending on the option you choose and the available starting times.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price applies per boat for a private group of up to six people.

What places does the boat visit?

The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Lantern Point, the Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, Daħlet il-Ħmara, and other coastal caves and sights around Comino.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with general safety equipment.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The listed additional charges are €39 for the skipper and €39 for fuel consumption. Food, drinks, and fishing equipment are not included.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or change the charter, route, stops, and departure or drop-off location because of weather, sea conditions, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate reasons.