Malta: Blue Lagoon, Caves, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

The best part of this trip is simple: you get your own boat around Comino, rather than trying to find space among the many boats and beach crowds at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, visit sea caves, and ask the captain to spend more time in quieter coves. I especially like the chance to combine the Blue Lagoon with Crystal Lagoon and the Santa Marija Caves, giving you more than one pretty swimming stop.

I also like that the boat works well for a family or a group of friends, with room for up to 12 people and useful extras such as snorkel gear, an ice cooler, noodles, drinking water, and a freshwater shower. Captain Jeffrey is described as kind and informative, and the water is a major attraction. The main drawback is the extra €88 cash payment for skipper and fuel, which is collected separately, and the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key Points at a Glance

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You get a charter built around your own group, not a shared sightseeing boat.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Swim in the famous turquoise water, then seek out a quieter cove with deeper water and sea caves.
• Santa Marija Caves: Cruise close to Comino’s rocky coastline and explore caves known for blue reflections.
• Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto: You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo and visit the islands in one outing.
• Useful equipment included: Snorkels, an ice chest with ice, noodles, water, life jackets, a ladder, and a freshwater shower come with the boat.
• Extra cash cost: The captain collects €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel, so budget €88 beyond the advertised price.

Why a Private Comino Boat Makes Sense

Comino is famous for the Blue Lagoon, but fame has a price. The bay can become crowded, and the experience changes quickly when many boats and swimmers gather in the same small area. A private charter gives you more control. You can arrive at the Blue Lagoon, enjoy the water, and then move on instead of spending the whole trip in the busiest spot.

I like this format because Comino is best appreciated from the water. The island’s coastline is marked by pale rock, small inlets, caves, and swimming coves that are difficult to appreciate from one beach. From your boat, you can see the coastline from several angles and stop where conditions and timing suit your group.

The boat is private for your party, with a maximum of 12 people. That makes the cost more attractive when divided among a full group. For two people, the price is less of a bargain, especially after adding the €88 cash charge. For a family or larger group, the same fixed charter price can compare well with paying separately for several seats on a shared cruise.

You can choose to start in Malta or Gozo when making the reservation. That flexibility matters if you are already staying on Gozo or plan to spend the day there. The captain sends a text with the live location, which helps because the exact boarding point may be easier to find through your phone than through a fixed landmark.

The Blue Lagoon: Famous for Good Reason

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon, a shallow bay known for clear turquoise water and a pale sandy seabed. It is the classic Comino scene, and you will want time here for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, or simply sitting on the boat and taking in the color.

The water is the star. The sandy bottom helps create the bright appearance, and the sheltered bay makes it a natural place for a swim. Snorkeling gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer familiar equipment.

The practical catch is that the Blue Lagoon is also the best-known stop in the area. A private boat helps, but it does not make the famous bay private. Other boats and swimmers may still be present. Your advantage is the ability to limit your time there and move to another cove if the scene feels too busy.

Ask the captain about timing and quieter sections of the lagoon. The supplied information promises a private trip away from crowded areas, but the exact amount of solitude depends on the day, the season, and the captain’s route. Go with the understanding that the Blue Lagoon is an iconic stop, not a secret beach.

Crystal Lagoon and Its Sea Caves

Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. It is described as a cove with deeper water, making it appealing for swimming, snorkeling, and cliff-jumping. The deeper water may suit confident swimmers, but you should judge your own comfort and follow the captain’s advice before entering.

The lagoon is also known for sea caves and rock formations. Your boat can take you close to the openings, giving you a look at the water and stone from a much better angle than you would get from shore. Sunlight reflecting through the water gives the caves their character.

I like the contrast between the two lagoons. The Blue Lagoon offers the famous pale-water view and sandy bottom. Crystal Lagoon brings deeper water, caves, and a more adventurous feel. If your group includes people with different interests, this pairing works well: some can snorkel, others can swim, and anyone who prefers to stay aboard can enjoy the scenery.

Cliff-jumping is part of the description, but it should be treated as an optional activity, not a required feature. The boat includes a ladder for getting back aboard, which is useful after swimming. Life jackets are also provided. Bring beachwear and a towel, and use the freshwater shower afterward to rinse off saltwater.

Santa Marija Caves and Comino’s Rocky Coast

The Santa Marija Caves are among the most scenic parts of the route. These sea caves are known for blue reflections created as sunlight reaches the water inside. The effect can change with the sun and the angle of the boat, so the captain may position the boat for the best look.

Caves add variety to a boat trip that might otherwise become a series of swimming stops. You get a close view of the rock formations, and snorkelers can look for marine life in the clear water around the cave entrances. The trip is not only about getting from one beach to another. It is also about seeing the coastline from sea level.

The boat’s size and private format help here. A shared excursion may have to follow a fixed schedule, while a private charter can give your group more time at a place that catches your interest. Still, the trip lasts between two and four hours, so you should not expect unlimited time at every site. Tell the captain early if caves, swimming, or beaches matter most to your group.

The coastline itself is one of the strongest reasons to book. Comino has cliffs, small coves, and inlets that you can miss if you only visit the Blue Lagoon by land. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and remember that the most enjoyable moments may be when you put it away and watch the water from the deck.

Santa Marija Tower and a Touch of Maltese History

As the boat continues around Comino, you pass Santa Marija Tower, a 17th-century fortress built by the Knights of St. John. It was designed as a watchtower and remains one of the island’s most recognizable structures.

The tower gives the coastline a useful historical layer. The wild rock and bright sea can make Comino feel untouched, but the fortress reminds you that Malta’s islands have long been important for watching and defending the surrounding waters. The tower has also appeared in films, including The Count of Monte Cristo.

You may not spend much time here because this is primarily a boat route rather than a land-based history tour. Still, passing the tower is worthwhile, especially if you want a break from swimming. Have your camera ready as the boat moves along the coast, and ask the captain if you want more context about the landmark.

St. Nicholas Bay for a Quieter Stop

St. Nicholas Bay is presented as one of Comino’s more peaceful beaches. It is a useful alternative if your group wants clear water without spending every minute at the Blue Lagoon. Depending on the route, you may have time to swim, sit on the sandy shore, or enjoy a picnic.

This is where the private format has its clearest practical value. Your group can tell the captain that a quieter bay matters more than another pass through a famous site. The exact stop depends on the day’s plan and available time, so do not assume every possible location will receive a long visit during a two-hour booking.

If you are traveling with children or a mixed-age group, a calmer bay may also make the outing easier. Some people want to snorkel, some want to float, and some simply want to sit in the sun. The boat includes swimming noodles, which can be useful for relaxed floating, along with life jackets for added safety.

Gozo, Cominotto, and a Flexible Route

The charter can include Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto. You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo, so the trip may fit neatly into different travel plans. This is especially useful if your group is splitting time between Malta and Gozo and wants a single private outing rather than separate boat excursions.

Gozo adds scope to the trip, but you should pay attention to duration. A two-hour charter and a four-hour charter cannot offer the same amount of time at each island. If you want several swimming stops, cave visits, and time around Gozo, check the available duration before booking and tell the provider what you most want to see.

The route is tailored rather than presented as a rigid sightseeing circuit. That sounds appealing, but it also means you should communicate clearly. Tell the provider whether your priority is snorkeling, quiet beaches, caves, photographs, or simply a relaxed cruise. A private trip works best when the captain knows what your group actually wants.

What Comes With the Boat

The included equipment is practical rather than decorative. You receive snorkeling gear, an ice chest with ice, table water, swimming noodles, life jackets, and access to a ladder. A Bluetooth-connectable sound system lets your group play music, and a freshwater shower helps rinse off after swimming.

The ice chest is particularly useful in the Maltese sun. You can keep drinks cool, though the supplied information only specifically promises table water. If you want other drinks or food, ask about bringing them when you reserve. A picnic at St. Nicholas Bay is mentioned as an option, but no meal is included.

Bring a camera, beachwear, and a towel. Sunscreen is a sensible addition, though it is not specifically listed among the required items. Because this is a water-based outing, keep personal belongings secure and expect some spray around the boat.

The boat has a ladder and freshwater shower, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Anyone who has difficulty boarding a boat, using a ladder, or getting in and out of the water should consider this limitation carefully before paying.

Price, Extra Costs, and Overall Value

The advertised price is $227 for a private group of up to 12 people. The captain also collects €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel in cash, making the additional charge €88. This is the most important cost detail to understand before booking.

For a group of 8 to 12, the base price divided among the group can be reasonable for a private boat, especially with snorkeling equipment, an ice chest, water, and a freshwater shower included. You are paying for space, flexibility, and control over the route, not just transportation from one point to another.

For a couple or a very small group, the value is less obvious. A shared boat may cost less per person, though it will not offer the same private setting or ability to adjust the route. If privacy matters, or if you want your own music, swimming schedule, and stops, the extra cost can still make sense.

Remember that fuel and skipper fees are paid in cash to the captain. Bring the required amount and treat it as part of the real price, not as an optional tip. Because the stated duration ranges from two to four hours, check the available time when you select your booking.

How the Captain Shapes the Experience

The captain is more than a driver on this outing. The route includes narrow caves, swimming areas, beaches, and several islands, so local judgment matters. Captain Jeffrey is described as informative and kind, and that combination is important on a short trip where you want both useful guidance and an easygoing pace.

The exact captain may depend on the booking, so you should not assume Jeffrey will operate every departure. Still, the experience is designed around a live guide speaking English, Italian, or Maltese. That gives you a chance to ask questions and request a change of focus during the ride.

The trip has received a perfect rating from four submitted reviews, with specific praise for the captain’s friendliness and the quality of the water. That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every departure will be identical. It does point to the strongest part of the experience: a pleasant captain, clear water, and the freedom of a private boat.

Who Should Book This Boat Trip?

I would choose this outing for a family, group of friends, or couple that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It is also a good fit if you want several kinds of scenery in one short trip: famous lagoon, quieter bay, sea caves, fortress, and rocky coastline.

Snorkelers and confident swimmers will get the most from the stops at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and the caves. People who prefer sightseeing can remain aboard, enjoy the views, listen to music, and use the boat as a comfortable base between stops.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a long beach day, a formal historical tour, or a completely secluded bay. The Blue Lagoon can still be busy, the trip lasts only two to four hours, and the route must fit several possible destinations. The activity also requires enough mobility to board the boat and use its ladder.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the trip, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still taking shape, but the cash skipper and fuel fee remain part of the budget.

Should You Book the Comino Private Charter?

Book it if you want a flexible, water-focused outing and can fill enough seats to make the fixed price work. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Caves, St. Nicholas Bay, Santa Marija Tower, Gozo, and Cominotto gives you a fuller view of the area than a quick stop at one beach.

I especially like it for groups that want to escape the busiest parts of Comino without giving up the famous sights. Just budget the extra €88 in cash, confirm whether you prefer a two-hour or four-hour departure, and tell the captain which stops matter most.

If your priority is the cheapest way to see the Blue Lagoon, choose a shared excursion instead. If you want your own boat, clear water, cave visits, snorkeling, and a captain-led route shaped around your group, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The advertised price is $227 for a private group of up to 12 people. An additional €44 skipper fee and €44 fuel charge are paid in cash to the captain.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts between two and four hours. Available start times and durations are shown during booking.

Can the trip start in Malta or Gozo?

Yes. You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo when making the reservation.

Which places can the boat visit?

The trip can include Gozo, Comino, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the Santa Marija Caves, Santa Marija Tower, and St. Nicholas Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the price, along with life jackets and swimming noodles.

Is food included?

No food is listed as included. Table water is provided, and you can enjoy a picnic at St. Nicholas Bay if the route and timing allow.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, beachwear, and a towel.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English, Italian, and Maltese.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.