Malta: Comino Island Private Boat

The best part of this Comino trip is simple: you get a boat for your own group, not a crowded sightseeing ride. With room for up to six people, you can swim at the Blue Lagoon, cruise past caves, and ask the skipper to pause when a view or quiet patch of water catches your eye.

I like the flexibility and the useful onboard setup. The shaded canopy, sun deck, cooler, Bluetooth speaker, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling gear mean you can switch easily between swimming and relaxing. I also like that captains such as Joe and Mario have been praised for friendly service and clear explanations. The main thing to watch is the final cost: the advertised $86 group price does not include the skipper fee of €54 or fuel at €54, so confirm the full total before paying.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You share the boat only with your chosen group, which makes the ride more personal and relaxed.
• Two lagoons in two hours: The route includes the famous Blue Lagoon and the quieter-feeling Crystal Lagoon, subject to sea conditions.
• Caves viewed from the water: Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other sea caves give the trip its scenic variety.
• Good comfort for a short charter: You get seating, a canopy, sun deck, cooler, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth music, and mask-and-snorkel equipment.
• Skipper-led flexibility: The captain can adjust stops and routes for weather, tides, and your preferred departure time.
• Extra fees matter: Skipper and fuel are listed separately, so the headline price is not the complete cost.

What two hours around Comino really gives you

Comino is small, but its coast packs a lot into a short boat ride. In two hours, you are not signing up for a full-day cruise with a long lunch stop. You are choosing a brisk, private circuit built around swimming, sea views, and short visits to notable rock formations.

That shorter format is useful if you have limited time in Malta or Gozo. It can fit beside a morning in Victoria, an afternoon near Mellieħa, or a day when you simply want to get on the water without giving up most of your schedule. The tradeoff is clear: you should not expect long stays at every location.

The skipper controls the pace. You may spend more time in the water if conditions are calm, or stay aboard and view the coast if the sea turns rough. One particularly useful piece of feedback came from a two-hour outing in rough conditions. Swimming was not possible, but the captain still made the ride enjoyable by stopping where possible and keeping the mood relaxed. That is worth remembering when you book any small boat trip in Malta: the sea, not the brochure, has the final say.

Starting from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

You can meet the boat at one of two departure points. From Malta, the meeting place is by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the right terminal area, deal with traffic, and avoid losing charter time. Late arrival does not add time to the two-hour booking, so this is one detail I would take seriously.

The experience includes pickup according to the booking information, but the exact arrangement is tied to these two boat departure points. Confirm where you should meet and how you will identify the boat before setting out. The separate entrance and lagoon access permits are included, which helps keep the start of the trip straightforward.

The boat charter is charged per boat rather than per person. For six people, that can be a sensible way to share the cost. For two people, the same price feels less economical, especially once the skipper and fuel charges are added.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon swimming stops

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and its bright water is the reason many people come to Comino in the first place. From a private boat, you can enjoy the view from offshore and enter the water for swimming or snorkeling instead of trying to find a patch of shore.

The boat has masks and snorkels, so you do not need to bring your own equipment unless you prefer a personal fit. Still, pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat. The Mediterranean sun feels pleasant on the water, but there is little reason to spend your short charter uncomfortably sunburned.

The Crystal Lagoon adds another swimming setting, with sheltered bays and clear blue water. The exact order of the stops can change, and the skipper may alter the route for wind, tides, or safety. That flexibility is a benefit here, not a flaw. A fixed plan would be less useful when conditions shift around exposed rocks and narrow cave entrances.

You should also set sensible expectations. The lagoons can be busy areas, and a private boat does not mean you have the whole lagoon to yourself. What you gain is your own space aboard the boat and more control over when you swim, rest, and move on.

Cominotto and the coast seen from sea level

Cominotto is a small island just off Comino. Seeing it from the boat gives you a different view of the channel, the rock walls, and the open water around the main island. It is not presented as a long land visit. Instead, it forms part of the coastal circuit and adds another scenic point to the two-hour route.

This is where the private format helps. You can ask the skipper to slow down for photographs or enjoy the view without trying to hear a guide over a large group. The boat has a comfortable seating arrangement and a canopy, so you can get out of direct sun when the bright water becomes tiring.

The route also passes Pigeon Rock and several other sea caves. These formations make the journey feel varied: one moment you are looking across open water, and the next you are close to a cut in the limestone coast. If you enjoy taking photographs, keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray and use the cooler or another secure spot when you go swimming.

Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave by boat

Roofless Cave, known locally as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more distinctive stops. Its open structure and unusual rock shapes make it best appreciated from the water, where you can see how the cave meets the sky and sea.

The skipper may explain some of the local history and geography. A previous outing included useful historical explanations along with views of many caves, which suggests this is not only a transport service from one swimming point to another. Still, the amount of commentary can vary with the captain and the conditions, so book it mainly for the scenery and private access rather than as a formal history tour.

Lovers Cave adds a more secluded, romantic pause to the route. It is a natural spot viewed from the boat, not a guaranteed private stop where you will be alone. Couples may appreciate the atmosphere, while families and friends can treat it as another chance for photos and a quiet look at the coast.

The boat cannot promise entry into every cave. A skipper may avoid a narrow opening or change the course when waves make the approach unsafe. That is normal for a coastal charter and one reason the route remains flexible.

The boat setup: useful extras, not just decoration

For a two-hour trip, the boat’s practical features matter. You get seating, safety equipment, a shaded canopy, and a sun deck. That lets you choose between sitting in the shade, stretching out in the sun, or moving around to take in the view.

The ice cooler is included for beverages, but food and drinks are not. Bring what you want to consume, subject to the operator’s rules, and carry cash as requested in the preparation notes. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are not included, so this is not a fishing charter or a cookout boat.

A Bluetooth speaker lets you play music, and onboard Wi-Fi gives you a way to stay connected and share photos. Those extras may matter more to a group of friends than to a couple seeking quiet. I would agree on the music volume before departure, especially if your group has different ideas about a relaxing boat ride.

The safety equipment is included, and the skipper remains responsible for making decisions about conditions. Listen carefully to instructions around swimming, cave approaches, and movement on the boat. A small private boat feels informal, but the sea still deserves attention.

Captain Joe, Mario, and the human side of the trip

The captain can make or break a short charter. Two names associated with especially warm feedback are Joe and Mario. Joe was praised for being an excellent captain, while Mario was described as friendly, helpful, and able to make the trip enjoyable even when communication in English was limited.

The available guide languages are English and Maltese. That should cover most basic instructions and conversation, but do not book this as a multilingual tour with guaranteed commentary in other languages. The experience is more about being guided around the coast than receiving a long, formal talk at every stop.

The captain may also adjust your preferred departure time to suit sea conditions and your needs. That can be helpful, but keep your wider schedule flexible. Departure and return points, routes, and stops may change when weather, tides, or other valid concerns require it.

One of the strongest features here is the chance to ask for a pause. A private charter gives you more say than a large boat with a fixed timetable. You can spend a little longer swimming, listen to an explanation, or simply sit under the canopy and watch the water.

Is the $86 group price good value?

The quoted price is $86 for the boat and up to six people. That sounds attractive when split between a full group, but it is not the complete advertised charge. The skipper is listed at €54 and fuel at €54, both excluded. Because the base price and extra fees are shown in different currencies, ask the provider to confirm the exact total in writing before booking.

For six people, the cost can still compare well with paying six separate fares on a shared boat, especially when you value privacy and flexible stops. You also receive snorkeling gear, lagoon access permits, port and marina charges, taxes, seating, shade, and the onboard extras.

For one or two people, the calculation changes. The boat remains private, but the total is divided among fewer people. I would choose this format for a couple only if privacy, flexible timing, or a special occasion matters more than finding the lowest per-person price.

Food and beverages are extra, but a two-hour charter is short enough that most groups can manage with their own water and snacks. The important cost question is not simply is $86 cheap? It is what will my final group total be after skipper and fuel?

Who will enjoy this Comino charter most?

I would recommend it for families who want a private boat rather than a crowded group outing. You can keep children close, decide when to swim, and use the shaded area when they need a break from the sun.

It also suits friends who want music, photos, swimming, and a relaxed ride without committing to a full day. Couples may like Lovers Cave and the privacy of the boat, although the value is stronger when two or more people share the cost.

It is a good match for confident swimmers and anyone interested in snorkeling. The tour also works for people who would rather remain aboard and enjoy the caves from the water, but swimming is a central part of the plan. If rough seas make you uncomfortable, remember that the captain may need to change the route or cancel.

The experience is less suitable if you want a long beach stay, a detailed archaeological tour, fishing, or a meal cooked at sea. Those are not part of the package.

Practical preparation for the day

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash. I would also bring a waterproof phone pouch, though that is not listed as provided, and keep valuables secure while you are in the water.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the correct terminal. Wear something easy to move in, and avoid assuming that every preferred stop will be possible. The skipper can cancel, reschedule, or alter the charter if sea or weather conditions are poor.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the current starting time when booking, since availability and the skipper’s preferred departure time can change.

Should you book this private Comino boat?

Book it if you want a short, private outing with swimming, caves, and a captain who can adjust the pace for your group. The best value comes with four to six people, when the boat cost is shared and the privacy feels worthwhile.

I would hesitate only if you need a fixed route, guaranteed swimming conditions, or a simple all-in price. Confirm the €54 skipper charge and €54 fuel charge first, then decide based on the full amount.

For a small group with flexible plans, this is an appealing way to see Comino from the water. Its strongest points are the private setting, the choice of lagoons and caves, and the friendly service associated with captains Joe and Mario. Just keep your schedule loose, arrive early, and let the sea set the final plan.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The charter lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability, and the skipper may adjust the preferred departure time for weather and sea conditions.

Where does the boat depart from?

From Malta, meet by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is priced for a private group of up to six people. The charter rate is charged per boat, not per individual passenger.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the price?

No. The skipper is listed separately at €54, and fuel is listed separately at €54. Confirm the full cost before booking because the base price and extra charges are shown separately.

What equipment is provided?

The boat includes safety equipment, snorkeling gear with a mask and snorkel, an ice cooler, a shaded canopy, Bluetooth speaker, Wi-Fi, and seating. Food, beverages, barbecue equipment, and fishing gear are not included.

What happens if the sea or weather is bad?

The skipper may cancel, reschedule, or change the route, stops, departure point, or return point because of weather, tides, or other valid safety concerns. Delays caused by late arrival do not extend the charter time.