Comino: Private boat tour with Snorkeling activities & caves

Comino’s best moments happen in the water, and this private cruise puts you right beside them. You’ll swim through natural caves, reach a pond inside Santa Marija Caves, and snorkel around Cominotto’s reefs from your own traditional Maltese luzzu.

I like the private boat format, which gives your group control of the day, and the boat’s shaded rear seating, toilet, freshwater shower, fridge, and coolers make four hours at sea much easier. The main drawback is that food and drinks cost extra, and Blue Lagoon can still feel busy during the most popular part of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Swim into Santa Marija Caves: The guide leads you through the water and about 10 meters into a cave to reach an inner pond.
• Cruise aboard a 12-meter luzzu: This colorful traditional Maltese fishing boat gives the trip a local character that a standard speedboat lacks.
• Use the boat as your private base: You have shaded seating, a toilet, freshwater shower, fridge, coolers, snorkeling masks, and a stand-up paddle board.
• See several sides of Comino: The route includes Blue Lagoon, Cominotto Beach, San Niklaw Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and Saint Mary’s Tower.
• Snorkel near reefs and a wreck: Cominotto Reef and the P31 wreck area are included, with the wreck visible from the boat when sea conditions are clear.
• Good value for a large group: The $506 rate covers up to 20 people, fuel, crew, guiding, and the private charter for four hours.

Why a private luzzu makes Comino easier

The boat is a 12-meter luzzu, the brightly painted Maltese boat traditionally used for fishing. It is not just transport between swimming spots. It gives you a comfortable base where you can leave a towel, cool off under shade, grab a drink from your own supplies, and return between swims.

At $506 per group of up to 20, the price works out very differently depending on your party size. A couple or small family pays a premium for privacy, while a full group can get strong value per person. You are paying for the boat, fuel, captain, deckhand, equipment, and a route tailored to your group rather than a seat on a shared cruise.

The crew speaks English and Italian. The captain and deckhand guide you around the caves and beaches, and the guide accompanies you into certain cave areas. That matters at Santa Marija and Crystal Lagoon, where the most interesting spaces are reached from the water rather than from a simple viewpoint.

The boat also has a toilet and freshwater shower. Those are practical extras, especially when you plan several swims in one short outing. A fridge, ice coolers, shaded seating, snacks, drinks, and ice cream service are available on board, though the cost of food and drinks is not included.

Starting at Cirkewwa or Gleneagles Bar

You can meet the boat at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or beneath Gleneagles Bar at the Mgarr waterfront in Gozo. The Cirkewwa meeting point is in the ferry marshaling area, near a small kiosk and jetty. At Mgarr, the boat is moored at Pontoon A near the seaside.

Check your meeting instructions carefully. At Cirkewwa, the boat may be waiting to berth because of ferry traffic. At either point, the crew takes you out for a short sightseeing cruise before the main swimming stops.

The trip lasts four hours, so timing matters. The route includes many stops, but this is not a full-day, slow-paced charter. You will spend much of the time moving between bays, swimming, snorkeling, or walking briefly on shore. Keep your belongings compact and arrive ready to get into the water.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busy

The cruise begins around Blue Lagoon, Comino’s best-known patch of clear water. You can swim, snorkel, and pass through a natural cave that can be reached from the lagoon. A sandy beach gives you a place to sit, while nearby kiosks sell fast food, alcoholic drinks, and ice cream.

The Blue Lagoon Pass is included, which is an important practical detail. You can also find activities such as parasailing in the area, and Saint Mary’s Tower is visible from here.

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop for good reason, but it is also the place most likely to feel crowded. A private boat helps because you do not need to spend your time on the busiest section of sand. You can swim from the boat, then return to your shaded seating when the shore feels too full.

I would treat Blue Lagoon as a first taste rather than the main event. The quieter bays and cave stops later in the route offer more room to enjoy the water without the same concentration of kiosks and beach activity.

Cominotto Beach and San Niklaw Bay

Cominotto Beach offers another chance to swim and watch marine life. It is a useful contrast with Blue Lagoon because the focus here is more on the water and the natural setting than on shore facilities.

The itinerary then includes a short sightseeing cruise to San Niklaw Bay, where you have about 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The bay provides a compact, easy stop if you want time in the water without a long walk or complicated shore access.

Because the total tour is only four hours, these half-hour segments help keep the route moving. You will not have unlimited time at each bay, but you get several different settings instead of spending the whole charter in one place.

Santa Marija Caves, the tour’s special stop

Santa Marija Caves are the most distinctive part of this experience. You swim to the cave entrance, get onto land with help from the guide, then walk about 10 meters inside. There, a pond sits within the cave, and you can swim in it before returning to the sea.

This is not simply a boat ride past a dark opening. The crew shows you how to reach the interior, which makes the cave feel like an actual activity rather than a photo stop. If you are a strong swimmer, the information provided says you may be able to pass beneath the water from the pond to the other side. Do not treat that as a requirement. You can enjoy the cave without attempting the underwater route.

The cave was also used as a filming location for The Count of Monte Cristo, a small but fun detail for film fans. Several other caves are visible around Santa Marija, so the guide can point out more formations as you move along the coast.

This stop requires comfort in the water, a steady footing on the short walk, and the ability to follow the guide’s directions. The description does not promise special accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if anyone in your group has mobility or swimming concerns.

Elephant Rock and Saint Mary’s Tower

As the boat continues around Comino, you pass the naturally formed Elephant Rock. It is a quick sightseeing moment rather than a long stop, so have your camera ready as the boat approaches.

Saint Mary’s Tower appears from several points around the route. It can be visited from the Blue Lagoon side and seen clearly from Crystal Lagoon. The tower is about a 10-minute walk from Crystal Lagoon, making it possible to add a short land walk if the timing and conditions suit your group.

The tower visit is not the central feature of this charter. The real value comes from seeing how it sits above the bays and caves, giving you a useful landmark as the boat circles the island.

Crystal Lagoon and its two caves

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about an hour and may be the best all-around swimming stop. It sits behind Blue Lagoon and offers clear water, snorkeling, caves, and a sandy beach tucked inside one of the cave passages.

One cave lies under Saint Mary’s Tower. You can swim into it, and at the far end you reach a sandy beach. The guide goes with you because the route is easier to follow with someone who knows the entrance and interior.

A second cave opens at both ends. That makes it less dark and easier to swim through, especially if you want a cave experience without entering a tight or enclosed space. The lagoon is also listed as a good place for cliff jumping. Since the tour information does not specify jump heights or supervision, ask the crew before attempting any jump and follow their safety advice.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place to use the stand-up paddle board. The board is included, so you can choose a slower way to explore the edges of the bay after snorkeling. This is one of the details that gives the private charter more flexibility than a simple point-to-point cruise.

Snorkeling at Cominotto Reef and the P31 wreck

The trip includes snorkeling at Cominotto Reef, with marine life viewing from the water. Masks are provided, so you do not need to bring your own unless you prefer a personal fit.

A military wreck called the P31 lies at a depth of about 25 meters just outside Crystal Lagoon. When the sea is clear, it can be seen from the boat. The itinerary also lists swimming and snorkeling near the wreck area, but the information does not promise that every group will reach or inspect the wreck closely. Visibility and sea conditions matter.

That makes this section best for people who enjoy looking below the surface but do not need a formal wreck expedition. The reefs and shallow bays provide more immediate snorkeling, while the wreck adds interest when the water is clear.

Fishing equipment is also available. The tour details do not explain whether fishing is a guided activity or how much time it receives, so ask the crew if fishing is a priority for your group. With many swimming and cave stops packed into four hours, it should not be your main reason for booking.

L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf and the final water stop

The route includes L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, also known as It-Tieqa or Taħt il-Ħnejja. Here you receive a guided tour and another chance to swim.

This final section helps round out the outing. You have already seen the crowded Blue Lagoon, quieter bays, caves, reef areas, and the wreck view. The last guided cave stop keeps the focus on Comino’s rocky shoreline rather than ending with a simple ride back.

Because the exact timing of every short cruise can shift, do not expect each listed site to receive equal attention. The four-hour schedule includes about an hour at Blue Lagoon, 30 minutes at San Niklaw, an hour at Santa Marija, and an hour at Crystal Lagoon, plus the other stops and boat transfers. The captain has to balance conditions, swimming time, and the distance between locations.

What is included, and what you should bring

The charter includes the private 12-meter boat, fuel, captain, deckhand, cave and beach guidance, snorkeling masks, a stand-up paddle board, fishing equipment, ice coolers, and the Blue Lagoon Pass.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy refreshments at kiosks around Blue Lagoon, and the boat bar serves alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream. If you want to keep costs predictable, bring your own food and drinks and use the boat’s fridge and coolers.

I would bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and secure footwear for the short cave walk. Keep phones and cameras protected around the water. The crew provides masks, but you may still prefer your own snorkel if fit and comfort are important.

The boat offers shade at the back, which is valuable after repeated swims. Still, you should plan for strong sun between stops and take breaks rather than treating every bay as a challenge to conquer.

Who will get the most from this Comino cruise

This tour suits families, friend groups, and larger parties who want their own schedule and a boat with practical comforts. Parents may appreciate the two sandy beaches at San Niklaw Bay, while the toilet, shower, shade, and fridge make the day easier with children.

It also suits active groups who want several kinds of water time: snorkeling, cave swimming, paddleboarding, and possibly cliff jumping. Film fans get the Count of Monte Cristo connection, and anyone interested in Maltese boat culture gets to ride in a traditional luzzu rather than a generic vessel.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, land-based sightseeing tour, dislike swimming from a boat, or need a long, unhurried visit at every location. The cave sections require comfort in the water, and the schedule is full.

The three available ratings are all five out of five, with especially strong praise for the crew’s kindness and service. The boat’s toilet, freshwater shower, fridge, shaded rear seating, and ability to play your own music were also singled out as useful comforts. The stand-up paddle boards were a favorite feature because they let you explore the bays at your own pace.

Should you book this private Comino boat tour?

Book it if you can fill the boat with enough people to make the $506 group price worthwhile, and if caves and swimming matter more to you than a long stop on land. The private format, helpful crew, equipment, and varied route give you more than a basic Blue Lagoon transfer.

For a small party, compare the per-person cost with shared cruises. For a large group, this can be a smart way to combine transport, sightseeing, snorkeling, and a private base for four hours.

My main advice is to confirm your pickup point, bring food or budget for the boat bar and kiosks, and save your energy for Santa Marija Caves and Crystal Lagoon. Those stops show why Comino is worth seeing from the water.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to 20 people.

Where can I meet the boat?

You can meet at Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in Malta or at Gleneagles Bar in Mgarr, Gozo.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Italian.

Is the boat a traditional Maltese vessel?

Yes. The boat is a 12-meter luzzu, a traditional Maltese boat originally built mainly for fishing.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling masks are included. A stand-up paddle board and fishing equipment are also available.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat bar serves alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, and ice cream. Kiosks are also available around Blue Lagoon.

Can I cancel the booking for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.