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

Comino’s best views come from the water, and this private trip gets you close to the island’s caves, rock arches, and clear swimming spots without packing onto a large boat. I especially like the small-group format and the chance to choose how long you stay at each stop. You can swim for a long stretch, move on quickly, or ask your skipper to find a quieter cove.

The other strong point is the access. A smaller boat can nose into places larger craft cannot, including narrow cave entrances and tucked-away shorelines. The main consideration is cost: $173 covers the boat for up to six people, but a certified skipper is required and fuel is paid separately, so confirm the final total before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: You get time for swimming and snorkeling at Comino’s two best-known water stops.
• A genuinely private boat: The rate is for the whole boat, not each passenger, with room for up to six people.
• Caves large boats cannot reach: Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Santa Maria’s caves, and other rock formations are part of the route.
• Flexible pacing: Captains including Mario, Joe, and Harry have allowed groups to choose where to stop and how long to swim.
• Morning or sunset appeal: Early departures and late-day trips can help you avoid the busiest hours.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, although an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, shade, and snorkeling gear are provided.

Why a private boat changes Comino

Comino is a small island, but its most memorable sights are scattered along a jagged coast. From land, you can reach some beaches and walking paths, yet the best view of the cliffs and caves is from a boat. The water shifts from pale green near the rocks to clear blue farther out, and the low, dry island gives you a fine sense of open space.

A private charter also solves the main problem with a standard boat excursion: everyone has the same timetable. Here, your group can spend more time at a favorite swimming spot and less time at one that does not appeal. That freedom matters on a three-hour trip, since you do not want to waste half of it waiting for a large group to reboard.

The boat accommodates up to six people. That makes this a good choice for a family, two or three couples, or a small group of friends. The per-boat price can be reasonable when shared, but a solo traveler or couple will pay more per person than on a crowded group cruise.

The skipper is not simply a driver. The strongest captains, including Mario, Joe, and Harry, have been praised for making people feel safe, taking photos, sharing brief facts, and adjusting the route to suit the group. Your experience will depend partly on the sea and partly on who is assigned that day, but the format gives you a better chance to ask for what you want.

Starting at the Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is the obvious opening stop, and for good reason. Its shallow, clear water and pale rock edges create the famous Comino view. You can swim, snorkel with the provided mask and snorkel, or stay aboard and take photographs from the sun deck.

The main drawback is popularity. Blue Lagoon can become crowded, especially in the middle of the day and during the warmest months. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but an early morning or sunset departure can give you a calmer setting. Ask about the least crowded available time when you arrange your trip.

You should also keep your expectations in check. Blue Lagoon is a natural swimming area, not a private beach. Boats and people may be present, and the water can feel busy even when the surrounding island looks quiet. The private charter is most valuable because it lets you combine this famous stop with less crowded places nearby.

If you want the classic Comino photograph, this is the place to get it. If you want peace and quiet, do not assume Blue Lagoon will provide the whole experience. Use it as one part of the route, then let your skipper take you to the coves.

The calmer water of Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. The water is clear and sheltered, making it a natural place to stop for a longer swim. Several people have enjoyed spending about an hour or more in one favored location before continuing, which shows how useful the flexible schedule can be.

You can ask to swim here, snorkel, or simply sit under the shade canopy. The boat has cozy seating areas and a sun deck, so you can choose between sun and shelter. That is useful after swimming, when you may want to dry off without giving up the view.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good test of whether this tour suits you. If your ideal outing means jumping between many sights at a quick pace, you can keep moving. If you prefer one beautiful place and plenty of water time, you can make the lagoon the center of the trip.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but food and drinks are not. Pack water and snacks, and remember that the cooler is supplied but the refreshments are your responsibility. The activity information also lists cash among the recommended items, so carrying some is sensible.

Comino’s caves from a small boat

The caves are where the private boat earns its keep. A smaller craft can approach the openings more closely than a large charter boat, giving you a better look at the rock walls and the water inside. You might visit several caves, with the exact route changing according to sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

Roofless Cave is especially unusual because it has an open ceiling. Light enters from above, giving the rock formation a different feel from a fully enclosed cave. It is not just another photo stop, but a natural formation that makes you look up as well as around.

Lovers Cave offers a more enclosed and secluded setting. The name suggests romance, but you do not need to be a couple to enjoy it. The appeal is the quiet shape of the rock and the sense of entering a small coastal room by boat.

Santa Maria Bay also has surrounding caves and calmer water. This is a useful part of the route for anyone who wants a mix of scenery and swimming rather than a sightseeing circuit with no time in the water. Ask your skipper which cave entrances are safe to approach on the day.

The itinerary includes numerous other caves, but conditions can alter what you see. A skipper may change course because of wind, tides, or waves. That is not a failure of the trip. It is one reason to value a licensed local skipper rather than expect a fixed route at all costs.

Santa Maria Bay and Cominotto

Santa Maria Bay brings you to a quieter part of Comino. The bay and nearby caves offer scenic views without relying only on the famous Blue Lagoon. You may find this a better place to slow down, swim, or take in the coast from the boat.

Cominotto, the small islet near Comino, adds another angle to the trip. From the water, you can see the relationship between the two islands and the narrow channels around them. The setting feels more spacious than the packed center of Blue Lagoon, even though the distances are short.

This is also where a private itinerary feels more personal. You can ask for a few minutes to photograph the islet, then continue to a swimming spot rather than follow a fixed group schedule. The skipper can respond to your interests, within the limits of weather and the three-hour time slot.

If you are hoping to step ashore at every location, clarify the plan before departure. The information describes access to beaches and shorelines by private boat, but it does not promise a landing at every named site. Some stops may be viewed from the water or used for swimming directly from the boat.

Elephant Rock, Pigeon Rock, and Saint Nikolaw Creek

Comino’s rock formations give the trip its variety. Elephant Rock is a distinctive natural shape that is best appreciated from the sea, where you can see its profile against the water. It is a short photo stop rather than a place to build the whole outing around, but it adds character to the route.

Pigeon Rock is another striking formation in the water. These stops help break up the swimming time and give you a sense of Comino’s unusual coastline. You are not simply being taken from one beach to another. You are also seeing how wind and water have shaped the island.

Saint Nikolaw Creek is described as a secluded place for a quieter escape. This may be one of the more appealing stops if your goal is to get away from the busiest water. Again, the actual stop depends on sea conditions and the captain’s call.

The route can include Gozo views as well, depending on timing and conditions. One three-hour outing cannot guarantee every named formation plus long swims at each lagoon. The advantage is that you can tell the skipper what matters most: swimming, caves, photographs, or a broad circuit of the coast.

What the boat provides, and what you need to pack

The boat includes cozy seating, a sun deck, and a shade canopy. That combination matters because three hours in direct sun can become tiring, especially when you are wet and the glare from the water is strong.

Safety gear is included, as are port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, and taxes. You also get an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, free WiFi, and snorkeling gear. The Bluetooth speaker is a nice touch for a private group, since you can play your own music rather than listen to a shared onboard soundtrack.

Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a separate fishing cooler are not included. Bring what you need for the outing. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Cash is also listed as useful to have.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The boats leave from two main points: Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the harbour terminal, or Cirkewwa in Malta, near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. Check your exact meeting point carefully, since Malta and Gozo are different starting areas.

Late arrival will not extend the charter. That matters on a three-hour trip, where losing 20 minutes takes a noticeable bite out of your swimming and sightseeing time.

Timing, weather, and the real flexibility

Early morning is the best choice if avoiding crowds is your main aim. Sunset can offer softer light and a calmer mood, though the available starting time depends on the day and the booking schedule. Midday gives you strong light for the water but is more likely to feel busy and hot.

The skipper can cancel, postpone, or change the trip when weather and sea conditions make the original plan unsuitable. The route, stops, and departure or landing points can also change because of waves, tides, or other legitimate reasons.

That flexibility is important around Comino. A route that works in calm water may not be safe when the sea rises. A good skipper should put safety first, even if that means skipping one cave or changing the order of the stops.

The listed guides include English and Maltese service. Captains such as Mario have been singled out for friendliness and safety, while Joe and Harry have been praised for letting groups choose their pace, playing music, taking photos, and sharing small facts along the way. You should still treat those details as captain-dependent rather than guaranteed extras.

Is $173 good value for up to six people?

At $173 per boat, the arithmetic can work well. Six people would pay less per person than a private trip for two, while a couple pays for privacy and flexibility rather than simply transport. Fuel is charged separately, and you need a certified skipper with a valid Maltese Sea License, so ask for the complete price before confirming.

Compared with a large boat tour, this costs more per person in a small group. You are paying for control over the schedule, close access to caves, private seating, and the ability to choose your swimming time. For a special day or a group that dislikes crowds, that can be worth the difference.

The value is weaker if you only want a quick ride past the Blue Lagoon. In that case, a basic group boat may meet your needs for less. This charter makes the most sense when you plan to swim, snorkel, visit several caves, and use the skipper’s local judgment to shape the route.

The activity has a 5 out of 5 rating from 42 bookings, and the most consistent strengths are the captains, the relaxed pace, the scenery, and the chance to reach smaller cave entrances. That is a strong signal, but your own value calculation should include fuel, refreshments, and the number of people sharing the boat.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this for a small group that wants both the famous sights and time away from the main crowd. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families, and friends who want their own music and a more relaxed onboard setting.

It also suits anyone who would rather see fewer places properly than rush through a fixed list. One group spent roughly an hour and a half swimming at one spot before moving on, while another used the three hours to cover many caves and viewpoints. That range is the central benefit.

It may not suit you if you dislike boats, cannot swim, or want a fully fixed itinerary with guaranteed access to every listed stop. The trip depends on the sea, and the skipper has the final say on safety and routing.

I would also think carefully about the departure point. If you are staying far from Cirkewwa or Mgarr, allow time for traffic and harbor delays. The boat itself is only three hours, so an awkward transfer can make the day feel longer than expected.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino charter if you can share the $173 rate with several people and want a personal route around Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria, and the caves. Tell the skipper your priority at the start, especially if you care most about swimming, photographs, or quieter coves.

For the best chance of avoiding the busiest water, request an early morning or sunset time. Arrive 30 minutes early, bring your own water and food, and confirm the fuel charge and final meeting point.

Skip it if you want the cheapest possible way to see Comino or if a fixed group schedule suits you better. For everyone else, the combination of private space, flexible stops, snorkeling time, and close cave access makes this a strong way to experience Comino in three hours.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat trip?

The tour lasts three hours.

How many people can share the boat?

The private boat is available for a group of up to six people. The price is charged per boat, not per passenger.

Where does the boat depart from?

Departures are available from Mgarr in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal, or Cirkewwa in Malta, near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Which languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and Maltese.

Are swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. You can swim at locations such as Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and snorkeling equipment with a mask and snorkel is included.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are also excluded. An ice cooler is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper may cancel, postpone, or change the route, stops, departure point, or disembarkation point because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons.