Private Boat Tour: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Comino and Gozo

The best thing about this Malta boat trip is simple: you get your own boat. Instead of squeezing onto a large excursion vessel, your group of up to eight can swim, snorkel, and cruise around Comino at a pace that suits you. The small boat can reach cave entrances and narrow coastal spots that larger boats cannot.

I like the flexible route and the friendly skippers, especially Justin, Ginger, Upie, and Lucas, who are often praised for making families feel safe and welcome. I also like the early-morning option, when the Blue Lagoon is calmer and easier to enjoy. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge per booking, which is separate from the advertised price.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight people: You share the boat only with your own group, not a crowd of strangers.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon swims: The main stops give you time for swimming and snorkeling in Malta’s clearest water.
• Caves and smaller islands: The route can include Cominotto, Cominotto Reef, Alex Cave, and the Crystal Lagoon Cave.
• Two departure areas: Start from Cirkewwa in northern Malta or Mġarr Harbour on Gozo.
• Flexible timing: Your skipper can adjust the route and seek quieter anchorages when conditions allow.
• Plan for the fuel fee: The advertised $204.37 price covers the group, but fuel costs an additional €79 per booking.

A private way to see Malta’s busiest blue water

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous sights, and that fame creates a problem. At peak hours, the water can be filled with boats, swimmers, inflatables, and people arriving by ferry. A private trip cannot make the lagoon empty, but it gives your skipper more freedom to find a less crowded place to anchor and to move on when one area becomes too busy.

That is the real value here. You are not locked into a fixed seat or forced to spend the whole outing at one crowded swimming area. You can ask to spend more time in the water, look for caves, or make a quick stop near Gozo. The trip lasts about two hours, so it is a compact outing rather than a full day at sea.

The boat is suitable for a small family, a couple, or a group of friends who want privacy. Several skippers are named in the feedback, including Justin, Ginger, Upie, Lucas, Chris, Jimmy, Francesco, Zlatko, Adin, and Sam. The experience can vary with the person at the helm, but the strongest pattern is friendly service, good communication, and a willingness to adjust the route.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mġarr Harbour

If you are staying on mainland Malta, the usual departure point is Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal at the northern tip of the island. If you are staying on Gozo, the boat can leave from Mġarr Harbour. Pickup can also be arranged at either marina, so confirm the exact meeting point before setting out.

Cirkewwa is a practical base because Comino is only a short boat ride away. The crossing gives you a quick look at the northern coast before the bright water around Comino comes into view. Cirkewwa itself is also known for clear water and snorkeling, with octopus and small fish sometimes seen around the coast.

The operator can return you to the original departure point. It may also be possible to finish on Malta or Gozo instead, but you need to request that arrangement in advance. This could be useful if you are moving between the islands, though you should confirm the drop-off plan before booking transport for the rest of the day.

A short trip by taxi or bus may not be enough to reach Cirkewwa comfortably from every part of Malta. The company has helped some people arrange taxis, but any separate taxi service is outside the boat tour itself. Allow extra time for the journey, particularly if you are traveling from a cruise port or from the southern side of the island.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and best early

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the trip. Its pale seabed gives the water a bright turquoise color, and the shallow edges look almost unreal in strong sunlight. You normally anchor nearby rather than walk onto the beach, then enter the water directly from the boat.

A listed stop here lasts about 30 minutes, although the route is flexible. That is enough for a refreshing swim and some snorkeling, but not enough for a long beach visit. If you want the calmest possible experience, choose an early departure. Several people specifically found an 8:00 or 8:30 start useful because the lagoon was quieter before the main rush.

The private format helps most at this stop. Your skipper can avoid the busiest ferry area and look for a quieter section of the lagoon. Still, do not expect complete solitude in high season. The Blue Lagoon is a major Malta attraction, and the water can become crowded later in the morning.

Snorkel equipment is included. Bring your own mask if you are particular about fit, but the boat provides masks and snorkels for the group. One less positive experience involved foggy goggles and not enough usable equipment at the time, so check the gear before leaving the dock and tell the skipper at once if something does not fit.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and calmer water

Crystal Lagoon is often the more rewarding swimming stop. It is enclosed by steep limestone cliffs and has a quieter feel than the Blue Lagoon, although conditions and boat traffic change during the day. The water is clear enough for snorkeling close to the boat, and the rocky walls give the stop a dramatic setting.

Expect about 20 minutes here on the standard route. That sounds brief, but the boat does not need to pull into a marina or unload a large group. You can swim as soon as the skipper anchors, then climb back aboard when you are ready.

Cliff jumping is possible in suitable conditions, but it is not something to treat casually. Ask the skipper where it is safe, check the water, and follow instructions. Families with younger children may prefer to use the boat’s swimming ladder and stay close to the vessel.

The small boat is a clear advantage around Crystal Lagoon. It can approach cave entrances and rock formations more closely than large party boats. Keep your expectations realistic, though. The boat may enter or approach certain openings depending on sea conditions, but not every cave is large enough to enter. One person expected a full cave trip and found that the boat mainly viewed the entrances from outside.

Cominotto and the shallow reef

Cominotto is a tiny, uninhabited island opposite Comino. It has a secluded beach, striking rock walls, and a well-known cave that passes through the island. The water around it is shallow and intensely blue, making it a pleasant place for a short swim or photographs from the boat.

The usual stop is around 10 minutes, so this is more of a scenic pause than a long island visit. You may have time to swim, but the exact stop depends on the route, sea conditions, and how long your group spends at the lagoons.

Nearby Cominotto Reef is a good choice for people who care more about snorkeling than sightseeing. The shallow water makes it easier to look down into the seabed, and octopus have been seen in the area. Marine life is never guaranteed, and the busiest anchorages may not offer much to see. If snorkeling is a priority, tell your skipper before the boat leaves.

The tour may also pass Imriek Reef, another shallow area used for swimming and snorkeling. These smaller sites are where the private format earns its keep. A skipper can spend a few minutes at a quiet reef rather than following a large boat’s fixed timetable.

Sea caves and Comino’s rocky coast

The Crystal Lagoon Cave, also known as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the most photogenic places on the route. Sunlight reflects off the water and limestone, producing strong blue and green tones inside and around the entrance. You can swim near it or take photographs from the boat.

Alex Cave is another possible stop. It is known for an air pocket and clear water beside one of Comino’s small islets. On a calm day, your skipper may stop nearby for a swim. This is a good example of why the weather matters: rougher water can make cave access or a close approach unsafe.

The Comino Islets add variety to the ride. These small rocky outcrops break up the open water and offer views of the cliffs from a different angle. Depending on conditions, you may stop for a swim or a supervised jump from the boat.

St. Mary’s Tower, usually called Comino Tower, is the main historical sight seen from the water. Built in 1618 by the Knights of St. John, it rises above the coast and looks more like a fortress than a simple lookout. The tower has also appeared in films, including The Count of Monte Cristo. This is a passing photo stop rather than a land visit, so do not book the tour expecting a tour inside the building.

What the two-hour schedule really feels like

Two hours is enough to sample the main sights, but it is not a full Comino exploration. You can usually combine the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, a cave or two, and a short look at Cominotto or the islets. You are unlikely to have long, relaxed swims at every possible location.

The listed stops add up to several short pauses, and the skipper may combine or change them. That is not necessarily a weakness. A fixed schedule would be less useful when boats are crowding one lagoon or the sea is rough near a cave.

I would choose this trip if you want a focused morning or afternoon on the water, especially if the rest of your day includes another Malta sight. It is also useful for families who want to avoid committing to a long boat excursion. One family found two hours enough for swimming, sightseeing, and getting back to other plans.

If you want to spend half a day swimming, sunbathing, and taking your time, choose a longer charter instead. Here, the appeal is efficiency and privacy.

The boat, swimming gear, and family comfort

The boats are described as modern, well maintained, and small enough to reach narrow coastal areas. Their size also means less room than on a large sightseeing vessel. You should expect a compact boat with space to sit, move around, and enter the water, not a full-service yacht.

Shade and room to relax are available, but the supplied information does not promise extensive onboard facilities. Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring sun protection, and pack water. Food is not supplied under current transport rules. You can bring your own food or buy snacks from kiosks along the coast, though the short duration means a full meal is not practical.

Snorkeling equipment is included. Floats have sometimes been available for weaker swimmers, and life jackets are provided for children, including a four-year-old on one trip. Still, tell the operator about children or uncertain swimmers when booking so the skipper can prepare properly.

The crew has received strong praise for helping people board and leave the boat, especially children and anyone nervous around boats. Justin was singled out for keeping both young children and older family members comfortable, while Chris helped a passenger board safely. That kind of personal attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip.

Cost, fuel, and overall value

The advertised price is $204.37 per group of up to eight. Split among eight people, that is a reasonable price for a private boat. For two people, it becomes a much more expensive outing, but you are paying for privacy, a flexible route, and a skipper rather than a basic seat on a shared ferry.

The important detail is the extra €79 fuel surcharge per booking. This is listed separately and should be included in your real budget. The fuel fee applies to the booking, not each person, so it matters much less for a full group than for a couple.

The best value comes when you fill most of the available seats and care about avoiding a large party boat. It is also good value for families who want control over swimming time, departure point, and route. If you are traveling alone or as a pair and only want to reach the Blue Lagoon, a shared boat may cost less.

The price does not include food, and the tour is only about two hours. Think of it as a private coastal outing, not an all-day charter with lunch.

Choosing your skipper and your timing

You cannot necessarily guarantee a particular skipper, but several names appear repeatedly in the operator’s service: Justin, Ginger, Upie, Lucas, Jimmy, and others. Justin is a strong choice for families who want a lively host and local stories. Ginger is praised for adjusting the route and finding better anchorages when areas become busy. Upie is described as calm and helpful, while Lucas has been appreciated by families with young children.

Communication before departure is another plus. The operator typically sends meeting information and checks arrangements before the trip. Read those messages carefully, especially if you are being collected at a marina or want to finish on a different island.

For the clearest water and fewer crowds, book the earliest time available. For a quieter experience, avoid the busiest part of the day. Weather matters as well. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so do not leave the decision until the last minute if the forecast looks uncertain.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to:

• Families who want a private boat and a skipper comfortable with children
• Small groups that can share the cost
• Couples who value privacy more than the lowest price
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want quick access to several clear-water sites
• People with only two hours to spare
• Anyone trying to avoid a large party boat

I would think twice if you want a long beach stay, a formal history tour, or guaranteed cave access. The skipper may provide useful local facts, including film locations and island stories, but the level of commentary can vary. One otherwise pleasant trip had little explanation beyond safe boat handling.

Should you book the Outdoor Explorers Malta boat tour?

Book it if your ideal Malta outing is a short, private, flexible ride with swimming, snorkeling, caves, and bright coastal scenery. Start early, budget for the €79 fuel charge, and tell the skipper what matters most before leaving the dock.

The Blue Lagoon is gorgeous but crowded. Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, the reefs, and the cave stops give the trip more depth, and the private boat lets you move away from the busiest water. For a group of four to eight, the price makes good sense. For two people, compare it with a shared excursion first.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to eight people.

Where does the tour depart?

Groups staying on mainland Malta usually depart from Cirkewwa. Groups staying on Gozo can depart from Mġarr Harbour. Pickup can be arranged at either marina.

Can the boat return to a different island?

The tour normally returns to the original meeting point, but drop-off on Malta or Gozo may be arranged if requested in advance.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour.

Is food provided?

No. Food is not served. You can bring your own food or buy snacks from kiosks around the coast.

Is there an additional fuel charge?

Yes. A €79 fuel surcharge applies per booking and is separate from the advertised tour price.

Can the itinerary be changed?

Yes. The itinerary can be adjusted to suit your interests and sea conditions. You can discuss swimming, snorkeling, caves, and quieter anchorages with the skipper.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.