Private speed boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon is the real prize here: clear water, rocky walls, and a calmer feel than the famous Blue Lagoon. This private speedboat lets you swim, snorkel, and visit caves without being tied to a large public-cruise schedule.

I like the small-group setup, with room for up to nine people, and the useful extras: masks, fresh water, music, and an ice box. I also like the skippers’ flexible approach. Agus, Atef, and Keith are specifically praised for friendly service, local information, and adjusting the pace for families.

The main catch is the short two-hour duration and the extra 79 EUR fuel charge, paid to the skipper. If you want a long day at sea or plenty of time ashore, this trip may feel rushed. It also is not recommended if you are prone to sea sickness.

Key points at a glance

• Crystal Lagoon comes before Blue Lagoon, giving you a quieter swimming stop before the busiest sight.
• Popeyes Cave and a blue-water cave add a little exploration beyond the standard lagoon route.
• The private boat suits groups of up to nine, especially families or friends who want their own space.
• Agus, Atef, and Keith are among the named skippers praised for friendly, attentive guiding.
• Masks, music, an ice box, and a fresh-water shower are included, while food, drinks, and fuel are not.
• Blue Lagoon entry is free, but you must book a free entry ticket if you plan to go ashore there.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is small, but the famous Blue Lagoon can feel anything but peaceful. Public boats bring larger groups, fixed schedules, and less room to choose how long you swim. This private speedboat gives your group the whole boat and lets the skipper shape the outing around swimming, snorkeling, cave visits, and views.

That matters most if you are traveling with family or friends who do not all want the same thing. One person can swim, another can sit with music, and the group can move on when it is ready. You are not waiting for dozens of other passengers to climb aboard.

The capacity is up to nine people, so the value depends heavily on your group size. At $191.04 per group, the base price is reasonable for a full private boat if you have several people sharing it. For two or three passengers, the cost per person rises quickly, especially after adding the 79 EUR fuel charge.

The boat includes a skipper, masks, an ice box, music, and a fresh-water shower. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you want to use in the ice box. The speedboat format also means you spend less time moving between stops than you would on a slower cruise.

Crystal Lagoon: the best first swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first listed stop, with about 30 minutes set aside. It is known for transparent turquoise water, calm conditions, and clear views below the surface. This is where the included snorkeling masks make practical sense, since the main attraction is the water itself.

I like the order of the trip. Starting at Crystal Lagoon gives you a chance to enjoy a quieter bay before reaching Blue Lagoon, which is Comino’s headline sight. Crystal Lagoon is less famous, so it can feel more peaceful, although the exact atmosphere will depend on how many other boats are in the area.

The stop is short. Thirty minutes is enough for a brisk swim and a quick look underwater, but not enough for a slow, unhurried beach session. There is no promise of a long stay on land, either. This is primarily a boat-and-water outing, so pack for swimming rather than sightseeing on foot.

The clear water also makes this a good stop for anyone who prefers easy snorkeling close to the boat. You should still follow the skipper’s instructions, since conditions and safe swimming areas can change.

Popeyes Cave and Comino’s unusual rock formations

The route includes Popeyes Cave, a well-known Comino cave associated with the film Popeye. Its local name is explained as meaning a cave without a roof, which fits its open shape.

This is a quick sightseeing stop rather than a formal cave tour. You will see the rock opening from the boat, hear about its connection with the film, and have a chance to take photographs. The appeal is simple: it adds a bit of story and character to a trip that could otherwise be only a sequence of swimming stops.

Another cave on the route is known for the very blue water inside. That stop gives you a different view of Comino’s coast, where the water color changes with depth, shade, and the rock around it. Cave visits are also a good reason to choose a speedboat, since the skipper can bring you close to coastal formations that larger boats may not approach in the same way.

The tour description does not give a fixed time for either cave. Expect them to fit around the main lagoon stops, not replace them. If cave photography is your top priority, ask the skipper how much time is available at each one before setting off.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth planning around

Blue Lagoon receives about 45 minutes, making it the longest named stop. It sits between Comino and the tiny island of Cominotto, with very clear blue water and a pale seabed that gives the lagoon its famous color.

This is the place for your main swim. The water is described as calm and shallow, and one skipper specifically advised spending longer here because the water is clearer and calmer. With only 45 minutes in the planned schedule, you will want to get ready before arrival rather than spend half the stop searching for equipment.

The Blue Lagoon is also the most popular location on the route. Its beauty is genuine, but privacy is not the reason to come here. The private boat gives you more personal space onboard, yet it cannot make the lagoon itself empty.

If you wish to go down at the Blue Lagoon, you must book a free entry ticket. That small rule is easy to miss. The tour includes access to the lagoon, but the wording makes clear that an entry booking is required for anyone leaving the boat to go ashore.

For many people, the best plan is to use the boat as your base, swim during the allotted time, and avoid carrying too much ashore. Bring a towel, water, and sun protection, but keep valuables secure and follow the skipper’s instructions.

Optional Mġarr Harbour and a possible longer day

Mġarr Harbour is listed as an optional visit. It is Gozo’s main port, with ferry traffic between Gozo and Malta, hills around the harbor, and a mix of working boats and scenic views.

This stop can add variety if you want to see more of Gozo beyond Comino’s coves. It is also useful if your group enjoys looking at harbor life rather than spending every minute in the water. Still, the main tour lasts about two hours, so an optional harbor visit may reduce time at the lagoons unless your skipper adjusts the route.

Some bookings have involved different durations, including a one-hour trip and a three-hour outing. For this specific experience, plan around approximately two hours and confirm the route if Mġarr Harbour is important to you.

What the boat includes, and what you still need to pay

The practical inclusions are strong for a short private trip:

• Private two-hour speedboat
• Skipper
• Masks for snorkeling
• Ice box
• Music
• Fresh-water shower
• Swimming, snorkeling, and cave exploration
• Access to the lagoons, with a free Blue Lagoon entry ticket required for going ashore

The biggest extra cost is fuel: 79 EUR, paid directly to the skipper. This changes the advertised price enough that you should calculate the complete cost before booking.

Food and drinks are not supplied. The ice box is useful, but it is storage, not catering. Pack your own refreshments if you want something cold between swims. The fresh-water shower is a welcome detail after saltwater swimming, especially if you are heading elsewhere afterward.

The private format also gives you music and more freedom than a standard public cruise. Several outings have used the sound system as part of the fun, but remember that music preferences vary. Since this is your group’s private boat, you have more control over the atmosphere.

Skippers who shape the experience

The skipper can make a noticeable difference on a short tour. Agus is praised for being attentive and for helping a family with older relatives keep to a comfortable pace. Atef is described as friendly, professional, and good at mixing local information with time for the group to enjoy itself. Keith is praised for detailed explanations, lively conversation, and helping passengers spot fish.

James also receives strong praise for communication and first-aid help when a passenger cut a foot on a rock. That does not mean accidents are expected, but it is a reminder to watch your footing around rocky swimming areas and to listen to safety guidance.

The experience is not designed as a formal history lesson. It is better suited to you if you want a skipper who can point out sights, explain the area, and then give your group room to swim and relax.

Who should book this private Comino trip

I would recommend it most strongly for groups of five to nine people. The fixed group price becomes much better value when shared, and the private setting lets families or friends avoid the crowding of a public cruise.

It also works well for:

• Families who want a flexible pace
• Friends who want music and drinks onboard
• First-time visitors to Comino and the Blue Lagoon
• Swimmers and snorkelers who care more about water time than long shore visits
• People who want a private alternative to a larger cruise

It is less suitable if you want a full-day boat outing, a quiet empty lagoon, or extensive time on land. It is also a poor choice if you often suffer from sea sickness. The speedboat is part of the appeal, but movement on the water can be uncomfortable for some people.

Most participants can take part, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience runs in English, so you should be comfortable receiving instructions in that language, although one skipper has also been noted as speaking Maltese and Italian.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour lasts approximately two hours, with around 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and 45 minutes at Blue Lagoon. The remaining time covers the boat ride, caves, and any optional adjustment such as Mġarr Harbour.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

I would avoid booking this as the only activity on a tightly packed day. Sea conditions, boarding, and the group’s swimming pace can affect how much time remains for optional stops. Give yourself room before and after the boat trip.

Is the $191.04 group price good value?

For a full private boat, the price can be fair, especially with seven to nine people sharing it. You receive a skipper, equipment, an ice box, music, and a fresh-water shower, rather than simply paying for transport between two crowded points.

The fuel charge is the key detail. Add 79 EUR before comparing this with other cruises. A public boat may cost less per person, but it will not give your group the same space or control over the pace.

For a small group, the calculation is less convincing. Two people may prefer a cheaper shared cruise unless privacy is a high priority. For a larger family or friend group, the private boat becomes much easier to justify.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a compact, private introduction to Comino, with two major lagoon swims, cave stops, and a skipper who can adjust the mood and pace. The strongest reasons are the private group format, Crystal Lagoon’s quieter character, and the chance to avoid a large public boat.

Before paying, calculate the total with the 79 EUR fuel charge, reserve the free Blue Lagoon entry ticket if you plan to go ashore, and bring your own food and drinks. If you are comfortable with a fast boat and a short schedule, this is a good way to see Comino without giving up your group’s personal space.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only and can accommodate up to nine people.

What locations are included?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Popeyes Cave, and another cave known for its very blue water. Mġarr Harbour is an optional visit.

How long is the stop at Crystal Lagoon?

The planned stop at Crystal Lagoon is about 30 minutes.

How long is the stop at Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop at Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes.

Is Blue Lagoon entry included?

Access to the lagoons is included, but anyone who wishes to go ashore at Blue Lagoon must book a free entry ticket.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A fuel cost of 79 EUR must be paid to the skipper.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has an ice box.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the experience start time.