Private speed boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves

Clear water rewards an early start. This private Malta boat trip gives you two hours around Comino, with time for swimming at Crystal Lagoon, a stop at the famous Blue Lagoon, and visits to striking sea caves. I like the freedom of having your own skipper rather than sharing a large public cruise, and I like the small-group setup for up to nine people. The main catch is the extra 79 EUR fuel charge, paid directly to the skipper, which changes the final price.

You can swim, snorkel, listen to music, keep drinks in the ice box, and rinse off with the fresh-water shower. Skippers such as Atef, Agus, Keith, and James have earned praise for being friendly, attentive, and flexible. But two hours passes quickly, and the trip is not a good choice if you are prone to sea sickness.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine people: Your group gets the boat and skipper to itself, with more room and flexibility than a public cruise.
• Crystal Lagoon before the Blue Lagoon: The quieter bay offers a calmer swimming stop, with clear water and good conditions for snorkeling.
• Popeyes Cave has no roof: This unusual Comino cave takes its name from its open top, adding a fun geological detail to the route.
• A second blue-water cave: You visit another cave known for its intensely blue water inside.
• Onboard extras matter: An ice box, music, snorkeling masks, and a fresh-water shower make the two-hour ride more comfortable.
• Budget for the fuel charge: The advertised group price is $191.04, but 79 EUR must also be paid to the skipper.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Comino is small, but the water around it packs in several of Malta’s best-known swimming spots. A public cruise can show you the same coast, yet you usually have less control over where you stop, how long you swim, and how much space you have onboard.

This private trip is a better fit if you want the outing to feel like time with your own group. A family can keep the pace gentle. Friends can use the music system and ice box. A mixed-age group can ask the skipper to adjust the day around swimming ability and comfort.

The boat carries up to nine people, so the value improves when you fill most of the seats. At $191.04 per group, the base cost works out to about $21 per person for nine people, before the fuel charge. With fewer people, the per-person cost rises quickly, but you are paying for privacy, not just transport.

You should also add the 79 EUR fuel payment before comparing this trip with a large shared cruise. It is not a small detail. Ask about the total cost when booking so there are no surprises at the harbour.

The strongest advantage is flexibility. Atef was praised for combining useful information with enough free time for the group to enjoy itself. Keith was described as lively and attentive, while Agus was particularly considerate with older family members. Those details matter because a private boat is only as good as the person steering it.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter first swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first major stop, with about 30 minutes allowed. It is known for clear, turquoise water, calm conditions, and good visibility for fish and underwater rock formations.

I consider this a smart opening stop. The Blue Lagoon draws the bigger crowds and gets most of the publicity, while Crystal Lagoon offers a more peaceful setting. If you want to swim without making the entire outing about sunbathing beside a packed shoreline, this bay gives you a better chance to settle into the day.

Snorkeling masks are included, so you do not need to bring your own equipment for a quick look below the surface. The water is the main attraction here, not a long guided nature walk. You will be on the boat, swimming from it, or exploring close to the water.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a short snorkel, but it is not generous if everyone in your group wants a slow change of clothes, extended water time, and plenty of photographs. Come ready to get in. Pack your swimwear under your clothes and keep belongings organized.

Crystal Lagoon also shows why a private boat can beat a fixed group cruise. If your party is ready to swim, you can make the most of the stop. If someone needs a little more time, the skipper can help keep the experience comfortable, though the overall tour still lasts about two hours.

Comino’s caves, including the open-roof Popeyes Cave

The route includes Popeyes Cave, a famous Comino cave linked to the film Popeye. Its name refers to the fact that it has no roof, which makes it different from the usual enclosed sea cave.

That open top gives you a more unusual view of the rock. You are not simply looking into a dark opening from the water. The cave’s shape and name provide a memorable piece of local character, especially if you enjoy seeing places that have appeared on screen.

The tour also visits another cave known for its striking blue water inside. The exact length of the stop is not specified, so you should think of the caves as short scenic visits rather than lengthy cave excursions.

Cave conditions depend on the sea. The skipper controls how close the boat can safely approach, and you may spend more time looking and photographing than swimming inside. Still, these stops break up the swimming and give the ride a sense of discovery.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures from the boat. Nothing in the tour details promises a dedicated photography stop, so use your time wisely and keep your phone secure around the water.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth your swim time

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto. Its clear blue water and pale seabed create the postcard view most people associate with Comino.

The lagoon is the longest listed stop, with about 45 minutes. That extra time makes sense because this is where you will probably want your main swim. The water is described as calm and shallow, and one guide specifically advised spending longer here because the water is especially clear and gentle.

The tradeoff is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, but fame brings crowds and activity. A private boat does not turn the lagoon into a deserted cove. What it does give you is a more personal way to arrive, swim, and leave without being tied to the schedule of a large public boat.

An important practical point is that anyone who wants to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon must book a free entry ticket. The tour includes access to the lagoons, but the free entry ticket is still required for disembarking at the Blue Lagoon. Check this before you go, especially if part of your plan is walking onto the island rather than swimming from the boat.

If you prefer the water to the shore, you may find the private boat more useful. You can enjoy the lagoon from the sea, use the snorkeling gear, and return to the boat for shade, music, or a drink from your own supplies.

The 45-minute stop can feel short for a group of nine. Decide in advance who wants to swim, snorkel, take photographs, or go ashore. A little planning avoids using half the stop deciding what to do.

Mġarr Harbour and the optional Gozo extension

Mġarr Harbour is Gozo’s main port and the ferry gateway between Gozo and Malta. It is surrounded by hills and offers a pleasant view of working harbour life, ferries, and the Gozo coastline.

The harbour visit is optional. Since the advertised duration is about two hours, you should confirm how this fits into your chosen route before departure. It may be a short look from the water rather than a full shore visit.

Mġarr makes sense if you want a wider view of the Malta and Gozo area, or if you are especially interested in boats and coastal scenery. It makes less sense if your top priority is maximizing swim time at Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon.

Ask the skipper to explain the timing at the beginning. Atef and Keith were praised for giving useful information without taking over the day, so a clear conversation should help you choose between an optional harbour look and more time in the water.

What is included on the speed boat

The practical extras are well chosen for a short sea outing. You receive:

• A private two-hour speed boat tour
• A skipper
• Snorkeling masks
• An ice box
• Music
• A fresh-water shower
• Swimming and snorkeling opportunities
• Visits to the lagoons and caves

The ice box is useful, but food and drinks are not included. Bring your own refreshments if you want something cold after swimming. The supplied details do not state that food can be purchased onboard, so do not count on an onboard café.

The music system gives the boat a social feel, which suited one group of seven who enjoyed having drinks, music, and space for their own conversation. This may be a plus for friends or families who want a lively outing. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, tell the skipper. The private format gives you more say in the atmosphere.

A fresh-water shower is another small but valuable touch. After swimming in salt water, you can rinse off before sitting back down. That makes the trip more comfortable, especially if you plan to continue sightseeing after the boat ride.

The skipper is part of the experience, not just the driver. James was praised for giving first aid after a passenger cut a foot on a rock and for helping arrange an ambulance. You should still take care around rocks and bring any personal medical supplies you need, but that kind of calm response is reassuring.

Price, fuel, and the value of a private group

The advertised price is $191.04 per group of up to nine people. The separate fuel charge is 79 EUR, paid to the skipper, and must be included in your real budget.

For a full group, the total can be reasonable because you are dividing the boat cost among nine people. For a couple or small family, a public cruise may cost less per person. The private boat earns its price through control, space, and a more personal pace.

I would choose this option when privacy matters more than rock-bottom cost. You can keep your group together, ask questions, choose how actively you swim, and avoid being one small part of a large boatload.

The price also covers equipment that you might otherwise need to arrange yourself, including snorkeling masks and the ice box. It does not cover meals, drinks, or fuel, so plan for those separately.

Booking about 16 days ahead is common, which suggests you should not leave a preferred date until the last minute during a busy Malta visit. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

This tour suits you best if you want a short, private sea outing with a clear focus on swimming, caves, and coastal views.

It is especially well suited to:

• Families who want a private boat and a flexible skipper
• Groups of friends who will share the cost
• Couples seeking a more personal alternative to a public cruise
• Swimmers and snorkelers who care more about water time than a full-day sightseeing program
• Visitors who want to see Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon in one outing
• People who enjoy music, cold drinks, and a relaxed boat atmosphere

It may not suit you if you want a long excursion, extensive time ashore, or a low per-person price for a very small group. The two-hour schedule is compact, and the fuel charge adds to the advertised price.

You should also avoid it if you are prone to sea sickness. A speed boat can feel lively on open water, and the provider specifically advises against the experience for people who regularly become unwell at sea.

Timing, weather, and cancellation advice

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Malta time.

Because the route is built around swimming and cave visits, weather matters more here than on a simple harbour cruise. Check the forecast, but remember that the final safety decision belongs with the operator.

Near public transportation and suitable for most participants, the experience is fairly easy to fit into a Malta itinerary. The supplied information does not give detailed accessibility specifications, so contact Xlendi Pleasure Cruises directly if your group has mobility needs.

My verdict: book it for privacy, not just the postcard view

I would book this private Comino speed boat trip if I had a group large enough to share the cost and wanted swimming time without the fixed feel of a public cruise. Crystal Lagoon, Popeyes Cave, the second blue-water cave, and the Blue Lagoon create a varied two-hour route, while masks, music, an ice box, and a shower add real comfort.

The best reason to choose it is the skipper-led flexibility. Atef, Agus, Keith, and James have each been praised for warmth, good communication, local information, and thoughtful help. That personal service can make a short trip feel much more worthwhile.

Before paying, confirm the 79 EUR fuel fee, arrange the free Blue Lagoon entry ticket if you plan to go ashore, and decide how your group wants to split its time. If you want a private, social, water-focused outing, this is a strong choice. If you are on a tight budget, dislike speed boats, or want several hours on Comino itself, choose a longer or shared alternative.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours. The listed route includes Crystal Lagoon, Comino’s caves, and the Blue Lagoon, with an optional visit to Mġarr Harbour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat accommodates up to nine people per group. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. A fuel charge of 79 EUR must be paid directly to the skipper.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, along with an ice box, music, and a fresh-water shower.

Do I need a ticket to enter the Blue Lagoon?

If you want to go down at the Blue Lagoon, you must book an entry ticket. The ticket is free.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the tour for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.