Private Boat Trip: Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Santa Maria

The best of Comino fits into three hours. This private boat trip gives you access to Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Cominotto, and a string of sea caves without being tied to a large-boat schedule. I especially like the small group size, up to six people, and the freedom to choose how long you swim or stop for photographs.

The other strong point is the skipper service. Captains including Mario, Joe, and Harry have been praised for making guests feel safe, taking photographs, playing requested music, and adjusting the route to suit the group. The main consideration is cost: $173 per boat sounds reasonable for six people, but fuel and a certified skipper are payable separately, so check the final total before booking.

What makes this Comino trip worth considering

• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon in one short outing: You can see Comino’s two best-known swimming spots without giving up the whole day.
• A smaller boat reaches narrow caves: The boat can get closer to places that larger charter boats cannot enter.
• Private timing matters: You can spend about an hour and a half swimming in one favorite spot if that suits your group, rather than being hurried along.
• The skipper shapes the experience: Mario, Joe, and Harry have been singled out for friendly service, local suggestions, safety, and good photographs.
• A quieter start or sunset can improve the visit: Early morning and sunset departures are offered as ways to avoid the busiest periods.
• The price is per boat: At $173 for up to six people, the cost works best for families or friends sharing the charter.

Blue Lagoon first: famous for good reason

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and you can expect clear, bright water framed by Comino’s pale rock. It is the place most people picture when they think of Malta’s smaller islands, so it deserves time in the plan. You can swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, and look into the water around the boat.

The catch is its fame. Blue Lagoon can be busy, especially during the middle of the day. A private boat helps because you avoid the standard queue arrangement and can approach by water, but it does not make the lagoon empty. I would choose an early morning or sunset departure if calm water, photographs, and a less crowded feel matter to you.

The schedule is flexible enough to make this more than a quick photo stop. One group spent roughly an hour and a half swimming at a favorite location before moving on. That tells you something useful: this is not necessarily a rigid circuit where the skipper watches the clock every minute.

Crystal Lagoon for a calmer swim

Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. The water is clear, the setting feels more sheltered, and it is well suited to a relaxed swim or a little snorkeling. If Blue Lagoon is the famous postcard, Crystal Lagoon is the place where you may prefer to spend more time in the water.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment, but you should not count on food or drinks being included. An ice cooler is provided, though the information specifically excludes a food cooler, so ask what you may bring and how the cooler is intended to be used.

The private format makes Crystal Lagoon especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can get in, less confident swimmers can remain on deck, and everyone can agree on the length of the stop. That is a much better arrangement than trying to keep six people happy on a large shared boat.

Caves that give the trip its character

The sea caves are where this outing earns its place beside a standard lagoon cruise. The smaller boat can move closer to the rock and enter narrower spaces, including Roofless Cave. As its name suggests, this formation is open above, giving you an unusual view of rock, sky, and sea in one frame.

You will also visit Lovers Cave, a more secluded spot with a romantic feel, along with other caves around Comino. Exact conditions determine how close the skipper can take you. The sea, tides, and weather can change the route, so think of the cave stops as a chance to explore rather than a guaranteed performance with every angle fixed.

This part of the tour suits people who want more than swimming. You get shifting views of the cliffs, dark openings in the rock, and quiet water that feels very different from the open lagoon. The captain may also share short facts as you pass points of interest, rather than delivering a long formal talk.

Santa Maria Bay and Cominotto

Santa Maria Bay brings a more restful stretch of shore. Its surrounding caves and sheltered water offer a useful contrast with the better-known Blue Lagoon. You can expect scenic views, another possible swimming stop, and a quieter setting for photographs.

Nearby Cominotto is a small islet that adds another viewpoint to the route. From the boat, you can appreciate the shape of Comino and the nearby sea without needing a long walk or a separate transfer. This is one reason a private charter works well in a three-hour window: you see several distinct places from the water while keeping the journey compact.

The itinerary also includes Elephant Rock, a natural formation that gives the boat ride a bit of visual variety. Pigeon Rock provides another memorable rock view in the sea. These stops are brief compared with the lagoons, but they break up the swimming and give you plenty to point your camera toward.

Saint Nikolaw Creek and the quieter side of Comino

Saint Nikolaw Creek is described as a secluded and peaceful place, making it a good candidate for a slower stop if sea conditions allow. It is the kind of location that can make a private trip feel personal. You are not simply following the most famous route. You have room to ask for a quieter corner and take in the water without rushing.

The captain has authority to change the route, timing, or stopping points because of weather, tides, and sea conditions. That is not a minor legal footnote. It is central to how a small boat day works in Malta. If the sea becomes uncomfortable, the skipper may postpone, shorten, or alter the charter. A good captain puts safety ahead of checking every named site off a list.

The selected departure time may also be adjusted to provide better conditions or accommodate your needs. Arrive with some flexibility, especially if you have a tight connection afterward.

Why the skipper can make or break the day

The boat is important, but the captain shapes the experience. Mario has been praised for finding good swimming locations, taking photographs, and making the group feel safe. Joe has been described as welcoming and willing to let the group choose both the places visited and the time spent at each one. Harry has been praised for his relaxed manner, music, photographs, and short explanations along the route.

That pattern matters. You are paying for a private charter, not just a seat on a boat. The best use of it is to tell the skipper what your group wants at the start. Say if swimming matters more than sightseeing, if you want cave photographs, or if you would rather keep the ride gentle and unhurried.

The boat includes a Bluetooth speaker, free WiFi, cozy seating areas, a sun deck, and a shade canopy. You can play your own music, which adds a personal touch for a group celebrating a holiday or simply wanting a relaxed afternoon. Still, the speaker should support the day rather than overpower the natural setting. The sound of the water is part of the appeal.

Safety gear is included, and the skipper must hold a valid Maltese Sea License. That combination gives you useful reassurance, particularly if your group includes children or anyone uneasy about small boats.

A realistic look at the $173 price

The advertised price is $173 per group of up to six, not $173 per person. Split six ways, that is a strong value for a private outing. Split between two people, it becomes much less of a bargain, especially after adding fuel and the separate skipper charge.

The comparison is not simply private boat versus cheap boat. You are also paying for control over the day. You can avoid a large group, request more swimming time, play your own music, use the shade canopy, and get closer to caves than larger vessels can manage. One guest specifically considered it more expensive than a large shared boat but worthwhile for the personal service and intimate setting.

Before paying, ask for the full price including fuel and the certified skipper. Port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, safety equipment, WiFi, the cooler, and snorkeling gear are included. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for those items are not included.

For six people sharing the cost, this is a sensible splurge. For a couple, I would book it only if privacy, flexible timing, and cave access matter more than the lowest possible price.

Meeting points and timing that matter

Boats depart from two main locations:

• From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal.
• From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. This buffer helps with traffic and delays around the terminals, and it gives the operator time to prepare the boat. Being late will not extend your three-hour charter, so this is one appointment where arriving early protects the experience you paid for.

The duration is fixed at three hours, but the starting time depends on availability. Ask about an early morning or sunset slot if you want a calmer atmosphere. The skipper may adjust the selected time when conditions make another departure more suitable.

The service is private, with English and Maltese spoken. Pickup is included from the stated departure points, but you should still confirm the exact meeting instructions when booking.

What to bring, and what not to expect onboard

Pack lightly. You will want:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Cash
• Any food or drinks you want for the outing

The boat has seating, a sun deck, shade, an ice cooler, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. Snorkeling mask and snorkel are included. Food and drinks are not, and barbecue equipment is also excluded.

Cash is listed among the recommended items, though no specific onboard purchase is promised. I would carry a small amount for convenience rather than assume every expense can be paid by card.

Who will enjoy this most

This charter is a good match for a family, couple, or group of friends who want to control the rhythm of the day. It is particularly useful for people who want both swimming and sightseeing, since the route combines lagoons, caves, rock formations, and bays in a short period.

Photographers should appreciate the many viewpoints and the captain’s willingness to take pictures. Couples may enjoy Lovers Cave and a sunset departure. Music-loving groups will like the Bluetooth speaker and the ability to set their own atmosphere.

It is less suitable if you want an all-day cruise, a meal included, fishing, or a very low per-person price. It is also not the right choice if you expect every named stop regardless of sea conditions. The skipper can change the itinerary for safety, and you should accept that as part of responsible boating.

The experience has received a 5 out of 5 rating from 42 bookings, with 97 percent of ratings reported as perfect for the transport service. That points to a very strong record, particularly for the captains’ friendliness, safety, flexibility, and ability to find attractive spots.

Should you book Blue Waves Comino Charters?

Book it if you want a private, flexible way to see Comino in three hours, especially if you can share the $173 boat price among several people. The strongest reasons are the smaller vessel, access to caves, adjustable swim stops, and captains such as Mario, Joe, and Harry, who have earned praise for personal service and good local judgment.

I would choose an early morning or sunset departure, arrive 30 minutes early, confirm the separate fuel and skipper charges, and bring your own refreshments. If your main goal is the cheapest possible ride, use a larger shared boat. If you want to decide where to swim, take your time, and see Comino from close range, this private trip is worth serious consideration.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat trip?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart from?

From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for those items are also excluded.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and snorkel are included.

Can the route change?

Yes. The skipper may change the itinerary, route, departure time, or disembarkation points because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.