Private Boat Tour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The best part of this private Comino boat tour is the freedom to leave the crowded Blue Lagoon behind. Rather than squeezing onto a beach or sharing a boat with a large group, you can anchor in a quieter patch of water and swim straight from the boat.

I like the small-group format, which gives you room to spread out under the canopy and choose how you use your hour. I also like the mix of famous sights and less obvious stops, including Cominotto Reef, Popeye Cave, and the option to visit the P31 patrol-boat wreck.

The main drawback is the short duration. One hour is enough for a fast sampler, not a leisurely day on the water. Add the separate €49 fuel charge to the advertised $106.92 group price, and the value depends on having close to eight people sharing the cost.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon without staying in the thickest crowd: Swim from the boat in a quieter area instead of fighting for space on shore.
• A private boat for up to eight people: Your group controls the pace and can discuss route choices with the skipper.
• Snorkeling equipment is included: Masks and snorkels are supplied, along with an ice box cooler.
• Crystal Lagoon is the main swimming highlight: You can snorkel, swim, and look into the Comino Caves from the water.
• Fuel costs €49 extra per booking: Treat this as part of the real tour price when comparing options.
• A quick one-hour circuit: The boat covers many sights, but stops are brief and the route may need to be adjusted.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is small, but its fame creates a big problem: the Blue Lagoon can feel packed. A private boat changes the experience because you are not tied to one busy beach or a fixed group schedule. You can anchor away from the main crush, slip into the water, and return to the boat when you are ready.

That matters most if you want a swim rather than a long stay on land. The tour provides masks and snorkels, so you can look below the surface without bringing your own kit. A canopy gives you shade between swims, and the ice box cooler is useful for keeping drinks or small refreshments cold.

The boat holds your group only, up to eight people. That is a good size for a family or a few friends, especially if you want to talk with the skipper about spending more time at one cove and less at another. It is also more personal than a large sightseeing boat, though the one-hour limit leaves little room for slow cruising.

The meeting point is at Cirkewwa Cafe in Mellieħa. The trip ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer from another harbor.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, smarter swimming

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s headline sight, with bright, clear water between Comino and Cominotto. Its small beaches look inviting, but the shore can be very busy. This tour’s more useful feature is not simply reaching the lagoon. It is the chance to stop away from the busiest patch and swim directly from the boat.

You get about 15 minutes here according to the planned schedule. That is enough for a quick swim and a look through the mask, but it will feel short if you want to sunbathe, snorkel slowly, or take many photographs. The boat’s canopy gives you somewhere shaded to wait, which is welcome in Malta’s strong sun.

If Blue Lagoon is your main reason for booking, set realistic expectations. You will see it and swim there, but this is not a half-day beach outing. The private format gives you a better position in the water, not extra time.

Cominotto and its shallow reef

Cominotto sits just off Comino and is reachable here by boat. Its beach has appeared in films including Troy and Swept Away, which adds a touch of screen history to an otherwise quiet stop. From the water, you get a view of a place that is difficult to visit without a private boat.

Nearby Cominotto Reef is shallow and stretches out from the island. The supplied details list octopuses, sea urchins, parrotfish, and sea bream among the marine life you might see. The reef also changes the color of the water, making this a worthwhile place to use the included mask and snorkel.

The important word is might. Marine life is never guaranteed, and the schedule does not give this reef a separate timed stop. The skipper can include it as part of the route, but the tour’s compact format means you may only pass over it or have a brief look.

Crystal Lagoon and the Comino Caves

Crystal Lagoon is the strongest part of the route for people who want time in the water. It is suited to swimming and snorkeling, and the cliffs around it contain the Comino Caves. The planned stop lasts about 15 minutes, matching the Blue Lagoon stop.

The lagoon is also known for cliff jumping. That does not mean you must jump, and you should use your own judgment about the conditions and your comfort. The tour description presents it as an option, not a required activity.

I would treat Crystal Lagoon as the place to prioritize if you are choosing between several possible route variations. It offers clear water, rocky scenery, and a more active stop than simply passing a shoreline. Still, fifteen minutes moves quickly once the boat anchors, you collect your gear, and everyone gets in and out of the water.

Popeye Cave and Comino’s small islands

The route includes several short sightseeing passes. Around Comino are small islets with different colors and shapes, some resembling little icebergs. The boat zigzags around them for about five minutes, giving you a close view from the water.

Another five-minute stop is L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf, better known as Popeye Cave. Sunlight enters through the cave and creates the striking effect that makes it one of Comino’s most photographed caves. The boat is designed to enter this cave, so you can see the rock formation from close range instead of only viewing it from offshore.

These stops are visual highlights, not long visits. You will not have time for a careful shore walk or extended photography session. They work best as part of a brisk circuit, with the boat moving between swimming areas and points of interest.

Cliffs, coves, and the P31 wreck

Comino’s high cliffs give the boat ride its most dramatic views. The skipper can take you between the cliffs and a small offshore island, passing caves along the way. This section is especially useful for seeing the coast from an angle you cannot get from the main beaches.

On fair-weather days, the boat may also pass over the P31, a patrol boat that was scuttled off Comino. The wreck rests between 10 and 18 meters below the surface. If you want to swim around it instead of visiting another location, you need to discuss that choice in advance so the route can be adjusted.

The P31 option is best for people who want something beyond a standard lagoon stop. It is not automatically part of the most active swim plan, and the weather has to cooperate. Ask about it before departure rather than assuming the boat will spend time there.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is approximately one hour, yet the route includes Blue Lagoon, Comino, Cominotto, Cominotto Reef, Crystal Lagoon, small islets, Popeye Cave, cliff passages, and possibly the P31 wreck. That is a lot for a short trip.

You should think of this as a fast private overview with two short water stops. The boat lets you reach many points around southern Comino, but you cannot give every cove and reef equal time. If your group wants a long snorkel, a relaxed lunch, or several swims, this tour will feel rushed.

The upside is variety. In one outing you can see the two famous lagoons, enter a cave, pass small islands, and choose a custom route. The private setup also means your group can tell the skipper what matters most. For example, you might favor swimming at Crystal Lagoon over spending extra time near the islets.

A private boat does not remove the need to make choices. Before setting off, agree on your priority: swimming, snorkeling, caves, the P31 wreck, or sightseeing. That simple conversation can make the short schedule work much better.

Price, fuel, and group value

The listed price is $106.92 per group of up to eight people. Fuel is separate at €49 per booking. Since the boat price is not charged per person, the deal becomes more attractive as your group gets larger.

For eight people, the base cost works out to about $13.37 each before the fuel charge. The €49 fuel fee adds about €6.13 per person if split eight ways, though the currencies make the exact total depend on the exchange rate and how you pay. For a full group, that is a reasonable way to get a private boat and included snorkeling equipment for a short outing.

For two people, the calculation changes. You are paying for privacy and route control, not the lowest possible per-person fare. A shared boat may cost less, but it will not offer the same ability to swim away from the busiest water or request a P31 stop.

The fuel charge deserves attention because it is easy to focus on the headline price. When comparing this tour with another boat option, add the €49 from the beginning. The ice box, shade canopy, snorkeling gear, and private use add practical value, but the one-hour limit keeps this from being a low-cost full-day charter.

Who will enjoy this Comino trip most

I would recommend it to a group of friends or family members who want a private boat without paying for a full day. It suits people who value a quiet swim, a flexible route, and close views of caves and cliffs.

It is also a good fit if you are visiting Comino for the first time and want to see several major spots quickly. The skipper can adapt the plan, so you are not forced to spend equal time at places that interest you less.

You should think twice if your main aim is a long beach stay. The Blue Lagoon stop is short, and the boat returns after roughly an hour. This is also not the right choice if you want guaranteed marine life or a lengthy visit to the P31 wreck. Those options depend on the route, weather, and time available.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can take part, though the information does not provide detailed boarding or mobility specifications, so ask ahead if you have particular access needs.

Weather and cancellation advice

This boat trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Because the route includes open water, cliffs, and short swimming stops, a weather check is more than a formality. A calm day should make the lagoons and caves easier to enjoy, while poor conditions may affect both comfort and the possible route.

Should you book this private Comino boat tour?

Book it if you have a group of up to eight, want privacy, and prefer a quick circuit with swimming over a full beach day. The strongest reasons are the quieter Blue Lagoon anchorage, included snorkeling gear, and the chance to shape the route around Crystal Lagoon, Popeye Cave, or the P31 wreck.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple and mainly want the cheapest way to see Comino. The separate €49 fuel fee and one-hour schedule make the value less convincing for a very small group.

For most groups, I would make Crystal Lagoon and the quieter Blue Lagoon swim the priorities, then ask whether the weather and timing allow Cominotto Reef or P31. That gives you the best chance of enjoying the water instead of spending the whole hour rushing from one photo stop to the next.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour start?

The meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe, at 8QH+3W6 in Mellieħa, Malta.

Where does the tour finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Cirkewwa Cafe.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat is available for one group of up to eight people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel costs an additional €49 per booking and must be paid separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment, including a mask and snorkel.

Is there shade on the boat?

Yes. The boats have canopies that provide shade from the sun.

Can the route include the P31 wreck?

Yes, on fair-weather days the boat can pass over the P31 wreck. If you want to swim around it instead of visiting other locations, discuss this with the operator in advance.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.