Blue Lagoon: Malta, Crystal Lagoon, Caves, Private Speedboat

Malta’s best swimming water is often surrounded by crowds, but this private speedboat trip gives you a quicker, calmer way to reach the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. You’ll also pass Saint Mary’s Tower, Cominotto Reef, and Alex’s Cave, with time to swim, snorkel, or simply sit back.

I like the two separate swimming stops, since you get more than a rushed photo visit. I also like the boat’s cooler, snorkeling masks, noodles, music system, and WiFi, small touches that make two hours on the water easier. The main catch is the extra €99 cash charge for fuel and the experienced skipper, so the advertised group price is not the final cost.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You avoid sharing the boat with a large crowd and can discuss your preferred route with the skipper.
• Two 20-minute swim stops: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the main event, with snorkeling and swimming at both.
• Caves and coastal sights: You pass Alex’s Cave, Cominotto Reef, and Saint Mary’s Tower along the way.
• Useful gear included: Snorkeling masks, life jackets, beach noodles, ice, and a cooler are supplied.
• A short, focused outing: The two-hour format works well if you want a taste of Malta’s water without committing to a full-day charter.
• Extra cost to plan for: Fuel and the skipper cost €99, paid in cash on board.

Why this short boat trip works so well

This outing is built around Malta’s water rather than a long list of land attractions. You board near Cirkewwa Cafe, head toward Comino’s famous lagoons, stop for swims, and return to the same place. The pace is brisk, but it gives you a clean snapshot of the coast in two hours.

The private format matters. You can bring a group of up to 12 people, then talk with the skipper about where you would most like to spend your time. That does not turn the trip into a completely custom charter, since the route and swimming stops can change with the weather, but it gives you more freedom than a fixed public boat.

The trip has a relaxed feel. One recent booking described it as an easy mix of sitting on the boat, enjoying the views, and choosing when to enter the water. That balance is important. Not everyone wants to snorkel for the full two hours, and the boat gives non-swimmers a comfortable way to enjoy the coast too.

You can request an English or Italian-speaking guide. A skipper named Darren has been praised for keeping the ride informative and fun, though skipper assignments can vary. The supplied music system also lets your group play its own soundtrack, a nice perk for a private ride.

Leaving from Cirkewwa toward Comino

The usual meeting point is near the Cirkewwa Cafe kiosk. The skipper waits there, and the activity finishes back at the same meeting point. Cirkewwa is practical if you are already in northern Malta, though the exact starting point can also be Mgarr in Gozo.

Once aboard, the first five minutes are a sightseeing cruise. This is not a long open-sea crossing, so you get to the coastal sights quickly. That short transfer helps explain the value of the tour: most of your two hours are spent near the lagoons and caves rather than simply traveling to them.

Bring only what you need. Large bags, luggage, bikes, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. A small day bag is the sensible choice, with room for a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, food, drinks, and some cash.

Saint Mary’s Tower and Cominotto Reef

Saint Mary’s Tower is one of the first notable sights on the route. You can stop for photographs and hear a guided explanation in English or Italian, or simply take in the view from the boat. The tower gives the outing a little more variety than a simple ride to a swimming hole.

The stop at Cominotto Reef is mainly for photographs and sightseeing. It is a good chance to keep your phone ready, but you should not expect a long shore visit here. The route is focused on seeing these places from the water, not on spending time ashore.

That distinction helps set expectations. If you want a detailed historical tour of the tower or a full coastal walk, this is not the right experience. If you want to combine a few Maltese sights with swimming, the short visits make sense.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth reaching early

The Blue Lagoon is the tour’s headline stop. Its clear water and pale coastal setting are exactly why people come to Comino, and you get about 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The boat format lets you enjoy the water without making this a full beach day.

The phrase without the typical crowds needs a little care. A private boat can give you more space and a better angle on the lagoon, but the Blue Lagoon itself is a famous place. Conditions can vary, and the shore area may still feel busy at popular times. The advantage here is that you are not tied to a crowded public boat and can spend your swim from the private vessel.

The supplied snorkeling mask makes it easy to get into the water without packing your own equipment. Beach noodles and life jackets are also available, so confident swimmers and less confident swimmers can share the stop more comfortably.

Twenty minutes passes quickly. I would use the first few minutes to get into the water and the remaining time for a short snorkel or swim, rather than spending the whole stop taking photographs. You can also stay on board if you prefer the view to the water.

Alex’s Cave and the cinematic coastline

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes Alex’s Cave. This is a sightseeing and photo stop rather than a promised cave swim, so you should expect to see the cave from the boat and hear about it from the skipper.

The coastal scenery has also appeared in films, including Tory and The Count of Monte Cristo. That gives the route an extra bit of screen history, but the real appeal is still the rock, sea, and changing view from the speedboat. If you enjoy recognizing movie locations, keep your camera out during this section.

The cave visit is brief, which is one of the trade-offs of a two-hour tour. You get several sights in one compact outing, but none receives the time you would have on a dedicated cave charter.

Crystal Lagoon: the second chance to swim

Crystal Lagoon is the second major stop, with another 20 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. Having two water stops is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. If the first stop feels too short, you get another chance to swim, and if conditions or personal preference make one stop less appealing, the outing is not over.

The second stop also breaks up the ride. You can spend the first swim getting comfortable with the mask and water, then use the Crystal Lagoon stop for a more relaxed snorkel. Marine life is part of the appeal of these clear waters, although the exact amount you see will depend on weather, visibility, and conditions that day.

The skipper may alter the route or swimming stops when the weather requires it. That is sensible on a small boat, but it means you should treat the listed stops as a plan rather than an absolute guarantee.

What is included, and what you still need to pack

The practical inclusions are good for such a short trip:

• Private boat
• Two-hour cruise
• Ice and cooler
• Snorkeling mask
• Beach noodles
• Life jacket
• WiFi
• Bluetooth sound system
• Marina and lagoon fees
• English or Italian-speaking guide
• Parking on site

Towels, sunblock, swimsuits, food, and drinks are not included. Bring all of them, especially a towel and sunscreen. The cooler and ice are supplied, so you can keep your own drinks chilled, but you need to provide the food and beverages.

The €99 charge for fuel and the experienced local skipper is paid in cash on board. At first glance, $84 per group sounds remarkably low for a private boat carrying up to 12 people. Once the €99 charge is added, the real group cost is higher, but it can still offer solid value if you fill much of the boat.

For two people, the extra cost changes the calculation considerably. For a larger group, the price per person becomes more attractive. I would compare the full cost, not just the headline amount, before booking.

How the two-hour timing affects the experience

Two hours is enough for a taste of Malta’s coastal highlights, not enough for an unhurried full-day outing. The schedule includes a short sightseeing cruise, Saint Mary’s Tower, Cominotto Reef, Alex’s Cave, and two 20-minute swims, so the boat keeps moving.

That compact timing is useful if you are in Malta for only a day or if you have other plans near Cirkewwa. It also suits a group that wants a private water experience without spending an entire afternoon on a boat.

The trade-off is limited time at each stop. If you want long snorkeling sessions, a leisurely lunch at sea, or several caves explored from inside, choose a longer charter. If you want two swims, a few strong coastal views, and a simple private ride, two hours is a sensible length.

This tour is not a good choice if you regularly suffer from motion sickness. It is also weather dependent, and the trip can be cancelled on the day if conditions are unsuitable. A route change is possible even when the boat goes ahead.

Who should book this private speedboat

I would recommend it most strongly to a small group or family that wants privacy and flexibility. It also suits friends who like to set their own music, share drinks from a cooler, and divide their time between swimming and sitting on deck.

It is a useful option for a short Malta visit. You can see several well-known coastal sights and get into the water without arranging a full-day excursion.

The tour is less suitable for anyone seeking a slow historical tour, a long snorkeling session, or a fully accessible boat setup. The restrictions on large bags, non-folding wheelchairs, and strollers also matter when planning for children or mobility needs.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a private, efficient introduction to Malta’s lagoons and you like the idea of two swim stops rather than one crowded public-boat visit. The cooler, masks, noodles, music, and small-group setup add real comfort, while the skipper can adjust the pace within weather and safety limits.

Think twice if you are traveling alone or as a couple and the added €99 cash charge makes the total poor value. Also skip it if motion sickness is a concern or if you need long, quiet time at every stop.

For a group of several people, the numbers work better. Add the fuel and skipper charge to your budget, bring cash and a towel, and treat the route as weather dependent. Do that, and this is a cheerful, practical way to sample Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Malta’s rocky coast in one compact ride.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

The usual meeting point is near the Cirkewwa Cafe kiosk, where the skipper waits for you. The start point may also be Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr in Gozo, depending on the booking arrangements.

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What swimming stops are included?

The route includes swimming and snorkeling at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. Each stop is scheduled for about 20 minutes.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience is for a private group, with space for up to 12 people.

Is the skipper and fuel charge included?

No. Fuel for the full trip and the experienced local skipper cost €99, paid in cash on board.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, a towel, food, drinks, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash. Snorkeling masks, life jackets, beach noodles, ice, and a cooler are provided.