Private Boat Tour: Discover Comino’s Blue and Crystal Lagoon

Comino is at its best from a small boat, before the Blue Lagoon turns into a floating traffic jam. This private one-hour trip keeps the group to you and the captain, using a fast boat to reach Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, and Blue Lagoon in a short time. I like the flexible route and the chance to stop for a swim instead of spending the whole hour simply circling the island.

I also like that the tour includes a mask and snorkel, marina fees, and lagoon entrance fees. The main catch is cost clarity: the advertised price is $22 per person, but you must also pay the skipper €34 and fuel €34 in cash after the trip. Since the ride lasts only one hour, you should see it as a quick private sampler, not a full day on the water.

Key points at a glance

• Only you and the captain: This is a private boat rather than a shared cruise, so the route can be adjusted around your interests.
• Two lagoon swims: The planned stops include about 15 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and 15 minutes at Blue Lagoon for swimming or snorkeling.
• Fast sightseeing route: The boat reaches several coves, cliffs, and sea caves quickly, leaving more time for photos and water stops.
• Extra cash costs: Add €34 for the skipper and €34 for fuel, paid after the tour, to the advertised $22 per-person price.
• Cirkewwa meeting point: Meet at Cirkewwa Cafe in Cirkewwa Port, but confirm the exact departure and return details because the route information also names Xlendi Pleasure Cruises.
• Helpful skippers: Joe and Claivion are named in past bookings, with Claivion especially noted for friendly advice after the ride.

Why a private hour around Comino can work well

The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright turquoise water, but its popularity is also its weakness. At busy times, large boats and swimmers crowd the main area. A private boat gives you more control over the experience and lets the captain steer toward quieter sections rather than dropping you into the thickest part of the crowd.

That matters most if you have limited time in Malta or Gozo. In one hour, you can see several of Comino’s coastal sights, take a short swim, and get back to your day. You will not have time for a long snorkel session or a lazy afternoon on shore, but you also will not lose half a day to a large group excursion.

The boat is described as a fast craft, which is useful here. The short run between stops means less time sitting still and more time looking at the cliffs, sea caves, and clear water. A past booking also noted that the speed made it possible to visit the main sights even after arriving 20 minutes late. I would not plan to be late, but that flexibility can be valuable if your transport connection is tight.

Cirkewwa departure and the meeting-point detail

The stated meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe at Cirkewwa Port, a practical location for anyone coming from northern Malta. The experience information also names Xlendi Pleasure Cruises as the starting and finishing location, and another option allows the trip to finish at Mgarr in Gozo.

Because those details do not line up perfectly, confirm the exact meeting place and end point before you go. This is especially important if you are using the boat as a link between Malta and Gozo. Tell the operator whether you need to return to Cirkewwa or finish at Mgarr when you book.

Arrive with your towel and sunglasses ready. You should also allow time to find the meeting point at the port rather than walking up at the last moment. If you made the booking within the previous 24 hours, contact the operator through WhatsApp to confirm arrangements.

Lantern Point starts the coastal tour

The first planned stop is Lantern Point, with about 10 minutes for a break, photographs, and sightseeing. This gives you a quick introduction to Comino’s rocky coast before the swimming stops begin.

Do not expect a long walk or a full shore visit here. The value is the view from the water and the chance to get your camera ready. On a one-hour tour, every stop is short by design. Lantern Point is more of a scenic pause than a destination in its own right.

I would use these first minutes to listen to the captain’s plan. Since this is a private ride, you can make it clear if photographs matter more to you than swimming, or if you would rather reach the lagoons quickly.

L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz and the coastal views

The boat then passes L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz, a five-minute section devoted to guided sightseeing and marine-life viewing. This is a moving part of the tour, so you will see the coast from the boat rather than stop for a long visit.

Short passages like this are useful because they connect the better-known lagoons with less familiar parts of Comino. You get changing views of the rock formations and a chance to watch the water below the boat. The captain can point out marine life if conditions allow, though you should not treat this as a dedicated wildlife trip.

This part also shows the tradeoff of a one-hour booking. You cover more ground than on foot, but the commentary and viewing time at each place remain brief.

Crystal Lagoon is the best early water stop

Crystal Lagoon receives about 15 minutes for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. The water here is a major reason to choose this tour. It is a calmer and more contained setting than the broad Blue Lagoon, and the smaller scale can make the stop feel more personal.

The included mask and snorkel are useful for a quick look beneath the surface. Still, 15 minutes passes quickly once the boat is anchored, so have your towel and swimwear ready before reaching the stop. If you spend several minutes getting organized, you lose part of your water time.

Crystal Lagoon also makes a good choice for people who want clear water without committing to a long swim. You can stay aboard and take photographs if you prefer. The route is flexible enough to include scenic places instead when swimming is not your priority.

Sea caves and arches between the lagoons

Next comes a five-minute sightseeing section around L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, It-Tieqa, and Taħt il-Ħnejja. These names refer to coastal formations and openings in the rock, and the boat passes close enough for photographs and marine-life viewing.

This is one of the more atmospheric parts of the route. The boat gives you a view of the rock from sea level, where arches and openings look quite different from the shore. The visit is brief, so keep your camera accessible and do not expect to land or explore on foot.

For me, this section adds variety. Without it, the trip would be mainly a transfer between two lagoons. Here you get a little sightseeing, a little nature viewing, and a better sense of Comino’s irregular coastline.

Blue Lagoon closes the trip with another swim

The final major stop is the Blue Lagoon, with roughly 15 minutes for a boat cruise, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing. This is the famous stop, and the water can be strikingly clear, but it is also the place most likely to feel busy.

The captain’s ability to avoid the packed sections is important. You may not have the entire lagoon to yourself, but a private boat can seek a calmer position and give you a better angle for photographs. If you want to swim, this is the time to get in quickly. If you prefer not to enter the water, the boat still gives you a good view without requiring a crowded beach stop.

The tour description allows a 20-minute swim or snorkel session at the Blue Lagoon during summer, while the detailed route allocates about 15 minutes there. Treat the timing as approximate and ask the captain how the day’s schedule will work. Weather, boat traffic, and your preferred stops may affect the exact balance.

What the private format really gives you

The main benefit is not luxury. It is control. You can ask for more photographs, spend your short swim at the place you prefer, or skip a crowded section. Families may appreciate not having to match a large group’s schedule, while couples can enjoy a quieter hour without strangers sharing the boat.

Friends who want a quick swim and good photographs may also find this format efficient. The private setting is particularly useful if one person wants to snorkel while another would rather remain aboard. The captain can adjust the route rather than forcing everyone into the same activity.

The boat includes a Bluetooth speaker, which adds a casual touch. I would keep the volume low so you can still hear the captain and the sound of the water. The useful inclusions are the mask and snorkel, permits, marina fees, and lagoon entrance fees. These reduce the small add-on charges that can make short boat trips feel less straightforward.

Is $22 really the full price?

Not quite. The advertised fare is $22 per person, but the skipper costs €34 and fuel costs €34, both payable in cash after the tour. Those fixed charges matter more for a solo visitor or a couple than for a larger private group.

For example, two people would pay the per-person price plus €68 in fixed charges. That makes the real cost considerably higher than the headline figure. A larger group can spread those fixed fees across more people, though the boat remains a private arrangement for your party and the captain.

I would compare the total party cost with shared boat trips before booking. The private format may be good value if you care about avoiding crowds, choosing the route, and finishing at a useful port. It is less convincing if your only goal is the cheapest possible way to see the Blue Lagoon.

Bring the required cash and ask for the exact total in the currency you will use. The combination of dollars for the advertised price and euros for the extra charges deserves attention.

How the skippers shape the experience

The captain matters on a short tour because there is little spare time. Joe is named as a guide who gave a particularly good experience, while Claivion is noted for being friendly and offering useful suggestions for the rest of a Malta trip. You may not receive the same skipper, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

A good captain can make the difference between a rushed circuit and a well-paced hour. Ask early about the best place to swim, how long the boat will stop, and whether the route can change if the Blue Lagoon is crowded. Clear communication is especially helpful when your schedule depends on returning to Cirkewwa or continuing to Gozo.

English is the stated tour language. The group type is private, and the boat is intended for just you and the captain, rather than a large shared party.

Who should book this Comino boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You have only one free hour for Comino.
• You want a private boat rather than a shared cruise.
• You care more about seeing several coastal sights than spending all day at one beach.
• You want a short swim or snorkel in clear water.
• You are traveling as a couple, family, or small private group.
• You need the option of returning to Cirkewwa or continuing toward Gozo, subject to confirmation.

I would think twice if you want a long swim, extended snorkeling, or time on land. Fifteen minutes at each main lagoon is enough for a quick dip and photographs, but not a relaxed beach day. The extra €68 in skipper and fuel charges also reduces the value for a very small party.

The tour is best understood as a fast coastal introduction. It shows you the signature places, adds several less familiar rock formations, and gives you some control over the route. It does not replace a full-day boat charter.

Practical ways to get more from the hour

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel within reach. You will lose valuable time if you need to change before the Crystal Lagoon or Blue Lagoon stops.

Bring sunglasses, as advised, and keep your camera secure while the boat is moving. The itinerary includes several short photo stops, so you will get more from the trip if you do not have to search through a bag each time.

Confirm three details before setting out:

• The exact meeting point at Cirkewwa Port.
• Whether you will return to Cirkewwa or finish at Mgarr.
• The full price, including the €34 skipper fee and €34 fuel fee.

If you booked within the last 24 hours, send a WhatsApp message to confirm the arrangements. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule is still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino tour if you want a quick, personal look at the island and value avoiding the thickest Blue Lagoon crowds. The private boat, flexible route, fast transfers, and two short swim stops are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you want a slow day at sea or if the added fixed fees make the total too high for your group. Before paying, confirm the meeting point, end point, and final cost. With those details settled, this is a practical one-hour way to see Comino’s best-known water and several quieter coastal sights without committing your whole day.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

Where do you meet the boat?

The meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe at Cirkewwa Port. If you booked within the previous 24 hours, contact the operator through WhatsApp to confirm the arrangements.

Is the boat shared with other passengers?

No. The boat is described as a private group experience with only you and the captain aboard.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Lantern Point, L-Iskoll ta’ Taħt il-Mazz, Crystal Lagoon, L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, It-Tieqa, Taħt il-Ħnejja, and Blue Lagoon.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. The tour includes swimming and snorkeling stops at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. A mask and snorkel are provided.

What additional charges must be paid?

The skipper costs €34 and fuel costs €34. Both charges are paid in cash after the tour.

Can the tour finish in Gozo?

The experience information allows the option of returning to Cirkewwa or finishing at Mgarr in Gozo. Specify your preferred endpoint when booking and confirm the arrangement before departure.