Comino Blue Lagoon and Gozo-Sea Star Boat Private Tour

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is only part of the story on this private boat trip. You also reach quieter Santa Maria Bay, the caves at Crystal Lagoon, and small inlets along Gozo’s south coast that are difficult to reach from land. The water is the star, but the variety keeps the day from feeling like one long beach stop.

I like the freedom of a private boat for up to 15 people, especially for a family or group that wants to swim when it suits them. I also like the practical touches: snorkeling masks are included, and the boat has a cooler with complimentary ice.

The main consideration is price. At $1,130.75 per group, this makes sense when shared among a large party, but it is a major cost for two or three people. Summer crowds around the Blue Lagoon are another factor, even with a private boat and a carefully chosen anchoring spot.

Key points to know before booking

• Five water-focused stops: Swim at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and Gozo’s south coast, with a separate visit to the Santa Maria Caves.
• Private group space: Your party alone takes part, with room for as many as 15 people.
• Snorkeling gear included: Masks are supplied at no extra charge, making it easy to get into the water.
• Gozo adds variety: The route includes Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq Bay, and Bemberin Gorge, not just Comino.
• Food is not included: Bring lunch and drinks, or buy them at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.
• Flexible transfer options: Pickup can be arranged by private taxi, van, or coach for an additional fee.

Why this private Comino boat trip works well

The great advantage here is control. A private boat means you are not sharing the day with a large mixed group, and the route can focus on swimming, snorkeling, cave viewing, or simple cruising. The stated duration ranges from about two to six hours, so confirm the exact length when booking, especially since the full set of listed stops adds up to a long half-day on the water.

For a full outing, allow plenty of time. Blue Lagoon receives heavy summer traffic, and the popular anchorage can feel busy even from a private boat. The boat gives you a better way to see the bay than simply arriving on foot, since you can look back at the pale rock, bright water, and crowded shoreline from offshore.

The service is designed to be easy for mixed groups. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the operator describes the trip as suitable for all types of guests. Still, this is a swimming and snorkeling day, not a sightseeing cruise in which you remain seated. You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water, or be clear with the crew about what you want from the outing.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first swim

The Blue Lagoon sits between Malta and Gozo on Comino’s western side. Its shallow, clear water is the reason most people book this trip, and the private boat approach lets you stop at an anchorage selected for swimming and snorkeling.

The bay is photogenic from every angle, but the famous name brings crowds. Hundreds of people may be in the area during summer, so do not expect solitude. The private format helps because you are not tied to a public boat schedule, but it cannot remove the popularity of the lagoon itself.

I would treat this as your big opening swim rather than the only reason to book. The water is shallow in places and suitable for a relaxed splash, while snorkeling gives you a better sense of the clear seabed. Bring a waterproof phone case if photographs matter to you, since the strongest views are from the water.

The stop is listed at about two hours, which gives you enough time to swim without making the entire trip feel rushed. If your group has children, cautious swimmers, or people who want plenty of time in the water, this is one of the most useful parts of the schedule.

Crystal Lagoon and its cave-framed water

Crystal Lagoon, on the northwest side of Comino, gives you a second swimming setting with a different feel. The area is known for clear turquoise water, shallow cave entrances, and sandy patches beneath some of the caves.

This is the stop where the included masks become especially useful. You can snorkel, swim, or try fishing, with bream commonly found in the area. The crew also takes you around the caves, including Lovers Cave and Popeye’s Cave, both of which have been used in film production.

The listed stop lasts about an hour and a half. That is a good amount of time for a group that wants to split up, with some people swimming while others stay aboard or look into the caves. Ask about the order of activities before you get in, since cave visits and snorkeling are different experiences and the time passes quickly.

One practical point: clear water does not always mean a completely empty bay. Comino is a compact island, and several popular stops can be busy in good weather. The benefit of a private trip is less about having the whole lagoon to yourself and more about having a boat and crew devoted to your own group.

Gozo’s south coast, from Tal-Halfa to Bemberin Gorge

The hour spent along Gozo’s south coast adds the most variety to the route. Around Qala, you cruise past Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq Bay, and Bemberin Gorge.

Tal-Halfa is a clay-rich beach set behind a large solitary rock called Halfa Rock. Hondoq Bay has a pebbly beach and clear water. Bemberin Gorge is a narrow inlet reached by boat, with caves and spots suited to cliff jumping for people who already know what they are doing.

This portion is more about exploring the coastline than settling into one long beach break. The caves and inlets give you changing views, and the boat is the practical way to reach Bemberin Gorge. If you prefer a calm swim, say so. If your group wants more active water time, this is the place to ask about the safest available stopping point.

Do not assume every person in the group will want the same level of activity. Cliff jumping should never be treated as a casual group requirement, and the trip description does not promise that every activity will suit every swimmer. The strength of the private setup is that the crew can focus on what your own party prefers.

Santa Maria Bay for a quieter hour

Santa Maria Bay is a useful counterpoint to the Blue Lagoon. It has a small sandy beach, shallow clear water, and tamarisk trees that offer some shade. It is only about a 20-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon, yet it is described as the calmer option for bathers who want to slow down.

The bay sits beside Comino’s small police station, which helps explain why you may see boats being managed nearby. The shore is usually sandy and clean, but currents can leave dead algae along the beach. That is a natural condition, not a sign that the stop has been neglected, but it may matter if you are particular about the shoreline.

The planned stop is about an hour. I would use it for an easy swim or a break from snorkeling rather than expecting dramatic cave scenery. For a family group, this may be the most comfortable beach stop. For someone chasing the brightest water and most unusual rock shapes, Crystal Lagoon or the caves may be more memorable.

Passing Elephant Rock and visiting Santa Maria Caves

Elephant Rock is a natural arch on Comino’s eastern side. Its shape resembles an elephant lowering its head toward the water, so keep your camera ready as the boat passes. This is a scenic viewing point rather than a scheduled long stop.

The seabed around Elephant Rock is sandy with scattered patches of posidonia, a seagrass that forms part of the local marine environment. The stated depth range is about three to 18 metres, though this tour description only promises a pass by the rock, not a separate snorkeling session there.

Santa Maria Caves receive a dedicated 30-minute stop. The cave system includes five shallow caves on Comino’s north side, with natural entrances and formations that have also appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo. The short stop is enough to see the openings and admire the rock shapes, but it is not an extended cave expedition.

This is a good reminder that the trip mixes active stops with quick scenic passes. You will not spend equal time everywhere. The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon get the longest periods, while Elephant Rock is a moving viewpoint and Santa Maria Caves are a shorter visit.

What the $1,130.75 group price really means

The price is $1,130.75 for a private group of up to 15 people. For a full group, that works out to roughly $75 per person before any optional transfers, which can be fair for a private boat and several hours around Comino and Gozo. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly.

This is not the right choice if you simply want the cheapest way to reach the Blue Lagoon. Public boats and other shared options may suit a small budget better, although no alternative pricing is provided here. The value comes from having your own group on board, included snorkeling masks, fuel covered, and access to several stops in one outing.

The boat has been described as clean and spacious, a meaningful detail when 13 or more people are sharing the day. Space matters after swimming, when you are carrying towels, masks, bags, and wet clothing. It also makes the private format more practical for families or friend groups with different habits.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies, use the cooler and complimentary ice, or buy food at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. Plan this in advance, since a boat day feels much better when nobody is hungry halfway through the route.

Communication and the human side of the trip

Service is one of the stronger reasons to consider this operator. Joseph and Frankie are praised for kind, attentive help without hovering, which is exactly the right balance on a private boat. You want clear instructions and quick help when needed, but you do not want someone directing every minute of your swim.

Good communication matters here because the route has several possible priorities. Tell the crew if your group cares most about snorkeling, calm swimming, cave viewing, photographs, or time at the beach. The supplied information does not promise a fully custom route, but private operation gives you more room to discuss preferences than a standard shared excursion.

The boat service also offers optional private taxi, van, or coach transfers to and from your residence. These cost extra, so compare that charge with your own transport plans. The activity ends back at the meeting point, and the tour is offered in English.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The listed operating hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., every day, from June 13, 2023 through March 19, 2027. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Canceling or changing within the final 24 hours is not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

The duration is given as approximately two to six hours. That broad range is important. If you want all five main stops, ask the operator to confirm the planned length and exact departure details before paying. A shorter trip may focus on the main lagoons, while a longer outing can include Gozo’s coast and the caves.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, drinking water, and lunch or snacks. Snorkeling masks are supplied, but the information does not say that fins or other equipment are included, so do not assume they will be available. Use the cooler for food and drinks, and keep valuables secured when you enter the water.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it most strongly for a group of friends or family members who can share the fixed cost. A party of 10 to 15 gets much better value than a couple, and the private boat gives the group room to set the pace.

It also suits people who want more than a single famous bay. The route combines open-water swimming, shallow caves, beaches, rock formations, and a section of Gozo’s coast. Strong swimmers and snorkelers will have plenty to do, while less active members can stay aboard or enjoy the beaches.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a quiet, empty Blue Lagoon. The bay attracts large summer crowds, and a private boat cannot change that. I would also hesitate for anyone who dislikes boats, swimming, or being outdoors for several hours, since the experience is built around time on the water.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo private tour?

Book it if you have a sizeable group, want a private setting, and value a full route rather than a simple transfer to the Blue Lagoon. The strongest parts are the range of stops, included masks, cooler with ice, spacious boat, and attentive service associated with Joseph and Frankie.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and need the lowest possible price. In that case, the group charge is hard to justify. For everyone else, confirm the exact duration, arrange food, and ask how the crew will divide time between swimming, caves, and Gozo’s coast. With those details settled, this is a practical way to see Comino’s best-known water and several quieter corners in one private outing.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The tour costs $1,130.75 per group, with up to 15 people included.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately two to six hours. Confirm the exact length when booking, particularly if you want all listed stops.

Is hotel or residence pickup included?

Pickup can be offered through an optional private taxi, van, or coach transfer. These transfers cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are provided for free. The supplied information does not state that fins are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You may bring your own food and drinks, or buy them at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. A cooler with complimentary ice is provided.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group takes part, with a maximum group size of 15 people.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.