Private Boat Tours From Malta/Gozo: Comino & Blue Lagoon

Comino’s best sights are on the water, and this private speedboat gets you to them without committing to a full-day cruise. You can slip into Crystal Lagoon, peer into sea caves, and reach the Blue Lagoon with your own small group rather than sharing every minute with a packed boat.

I like the flexible route, since your skipper can spend more time on swimming, caves, or photos. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, a canopy, a cooler, Bluetooth music, and a sundeck. Mario and Joe have earned especially warm praise for their timing, care, and easy manner.

The main catch is cost clarity. The advertised $69 price is per boat for up to six people, but the skipper and fuel are listed separately at €39 each. Confirm the full amount before booking, and choose two hours if swimming matters to you.

Key points at a glance

• Two pickup points: Meet near Mġarr Harbour in Gozo or at the Gozo Channel terminal in Ċirkewwa, Malta.
• A private boat for up to six: You avoid sharing the boat and can shape the pace around your own group.
• Two hours is the better choice: One hour covers the major sights, but leaves little time to swim and snorkel.
• Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon: The tour gives you time at both, plus Cominotto and several coastal caves.
• Skippers make the difference: Mario, Joe, and Marko are among the named captains associated with memorable trips.
• Budget for the extras: Skipper and fuel charges are separate from the advertised boat price.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Comino is small, but its shore is cut with coves, rock shelves, sea caves, and narrow inlets that are best seen from a boat. A private charter gives you a simple advantage: you do not have to follow the rhythm of a large sightseeing group.

That matters most when you want to swim. On a shared cruise, people often spend much of the trip getting on and off, waiting for others, or settling into a crowded anchorage. Here, you can ask to pause at a swimming spot, stay on the sundeck, or move on when you have had enough.

The boat carries up to six people, so the price can work well for a family or small group. At the advertised $69 per boat, the base cost divided among six is modest. But the listed €39 skipper fee and €39 fuel charge change the calculation, especially for only two or three people. Ask for the complete price in your booking currency before you commit.

Starting from Mġarr or Ċirkewwa

You can start from either side of the Gozo Channel crossing. In Gozo, the meeting area is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mġarr Harbour. In Malta, the departure point is close to the kiosk at the Gozo Channel terminal in Ċirkewwa.

Arrive 30 minutes early. That is useful advice here, since the boat leaves from a working harbour and late arrival does not extend your charter. The same location is used for the return, with drop-off at either Ċirkewwa or Mġarr depending on your start point.

The first part of the trip is by speedboat, with short runs of about 10 and 20 minutes. You get moving quickly, and the boat itself becomes part of the fun. Hold on during faster stretches, protect your phone from spray, and keep sunglasses and sunscreen within reach.

The first coastal views and cave stops

The route begins with scenic views along Comino’s coast. The skipper points out rock formations, small beaches, and birdlife as you travel toward the lagoons. There are brief photo stops, so have your camera ready rather than waiting for a long shore visit.

The listed sights include Lantern Point, Pigeon Rock, Daħlet il-Ħmara, Lovers Cave, and the Roofless Cave, known locally as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf. You may also pass other caves and coastal openings, with the exact route depending on sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment.

These stops are mainly about looking rather than walking. You will see the best detail from the boat, especially when the skipper takes the vessel close enough to show the shape of a cave or the color beneath the surface. The boat cannot always enter every opening, and rough water, tides, shallow rock, or wind can force a change of route.

That flexibility is sensible, not a flaw. The skipper has the final say on safety and can alter the route, timing, or landing points. A private charter gives you a tailored trip, but it does not guarantee every named location in every kind of weather.

Crystal Lagoon: the best early swim stop

Crystal Lagoon is one of the tour’s strongest moments. It sits among Comino’s natural rock formations, with clear water that suits swimming, snorkeling, and photographs from the boat.

The planned stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim and a look below the surface, but it can feel short if everyone in your group wants to get in, adjust masks, take photos, and dry off. This is another reason I would choose two hours.

Snorkeling equipment is included in the form of a mask and snorkel. You can look for sea bream and other visible marine life in the clear water, although conditions and sightings vary. Bring your own equipment if you have a preferred mask, but the supplied gear means you do not have to pack a full kit.

The boat also has a canopy and sun deck. You can sit in shade between swims or lie in the sun when the boat is stationary. There is an ice cooler, but food and drinks are not included, so bring refreshments if you want them. Cash is listed among the recommended items.

Cominotto and the Blue Lagoon

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat passes Cominotto, the small island beside Comino. This is a short sightseeing and photo stop rather than a long landing. From the water, you get a useful sense of how the islands sit together, with pale rock and bright water creating the classic view.

The main pause comes at the Blue Lagoon. The water is the star here, and swimming or snorkeling gives you the chance to enjoy it rather than simply photograph it from shore. The route also offers views of the busy lagoon area without requiring you to spend the whole day on a larger boat.

Do not expect the Blue Lagoon to feel private. It is one of Malta’s most popular places, and the water can be crowded, especially at the busiest times. The private boat helps, but it cannot remove the other boats and swimmers from the area.

An early departure can improve the experience. One group chose 9 a.m. to reduce the crowds and found the timing especially rewarding. That does not make the lagoon empty, but it can give you calmer water and more breathing room before the day builds.

One hour or two hours?

The one-hour option is a quick circuit. It works if you mainly want photographs, a look at the caves, and a short swim at one lagoon. A group that booked one hour found it too brief and recommended two hours for anyone who wants proper time in the water.

The two-hour option gives the trip a better rhythm. You have time for the coastal sights, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon, and more than one swim without feeling that every minute is being counted. For a family, two hours also helps with the slower pace of getting children safely in and out of the water.

The tour description lists a 1 to 2 hour duration, with the actual starting time subject to availability. If the water is your priority, book the longer option. If you have a tight schedule and only want a fast taste of Comino, one hour can still cover the main route.

Some trips have included an extra personal touch. One captain allowed fishing on the return journey, and another trip became a night cruise under the stars after a last-minute booking. These examples show the flexibility that can be possible, but they should not be treated as guaranteed features. Fishing equipment is not included.

Skippers, safety, and the feel of the trip

The skipper is central to this experience. Mario is repeatedly associated with punctual departures, clear information, warm service, and careful help in the water. Joe has also been praised for taking photos, explaining the coast, and making first-time snorkeling feel comfortable.

Marko has been linked with a night cruise, while other captains may operate the boat depending on the date. You cannot assume you will receive a particular skipper unless the company confirms it, but Mario and Joe are names worth asking about if personal guidance matters to you.

The boat includes standard safety equipment, and life jackets are available. One family appreciated the skipper’s calm help when a child became less confident in the water. That kind of care is valuable, but you remain responsible for following instructions and judging your own swimming ability.

The skipper may also share local facts and stories during the ride. The best trips seem to balance talking with quiet time, music, and swimming. You can connect your own music through Bluetooth, which is a pleasant touch for a private group.

One caution deserves a fair mention. A guest found that the skipper spent much of the trip on the phone, which made the group feel they had to stay quiet. It appears to be an isolated complaint among otherwise very positive feedback, but it is still a useful reminder that the guide’s attentiveness can shape the day. If conversation and guiding are important to you, raise that expectation at the start.

What to bring and what not to expect

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and cash. Wear sun protection even if you plan to spend most of the time in the water, since the boat’s open areas can leave you exposed between stops.

The charter provides seating, a canopy, a sun deck, a cooler, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth audio, safety equipment, and a mask and snorkel. Food and drinks are not included, and fishing equipment is also excluded. The mention of a cocktail taxi in one experience suggests that refreshments may sometimes be offered independently around the lagoon, but you should not rely on that service.

Keep valuables secure and use a waterproof phone case if you have one. The boat moves fast at times, and water is part of the day. A small bag is easier to manage than a large suitcase or loose beach gear.

Weather changes the plan

The skipper can cancel, postpone, or alter the trip because of wind, waves, tides, shallow water, or other sea conditions. Routes and departure or drop-off points can also change.

That means the named caves and lagoons are planned highlights, not an absolute promise. A safe captain may skip a narrow cave or exposed stop rather than force the boat into bad water. You should treat that judgment as part of the service.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta or Gozo plans are still moving, though they do not remove the need to check the final boat, skipper, and fuel charges.

Who will enjoy this charter most?

This is a strong choice for a couple, family, or small group that wants a private outing without spending a full day at sea. It suits confident swimmers, first-time snorkelers, photographers, and anyone who prefers a quick, focused trip over a large group cruise.

Families may appreciate the private setting, the canopy, and the skipper’s ability to adjust the pace. Music and the open deck also make it feel more personal than a standard sightseeing boat.

You should think twice if you want a long beach stay, a full meal on board, or guaranteed access to every cave. This is a short boat tour, not a complete day on Comino. The extra skipper and fuel charges may also weaken the value for a very small group.

Should you book it?

Book this private charter if you want to see Comino’s caves and lagoons in one efficient outing, with time for at least one real swim and the freedom to set the mood. I would choose two hours, arrive early, and ask for the full cost including the €39 skipper fee and €39 fuel charge.

For the best chance at quieter water, request an early departure. If your budget is tight, compare the total price with a shared boat. If privacy, flexible timing, and a skipper who can stop for photos or help nervous swimmers matter more, this is the better fit.

The strongest reason to book is not simply the Blue Lagoon. It is the combination of Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, the caves, and your own small group moving at a sensible pace. Just keep your expectations practical: weather controls the route, the Blue Lagoon is still popular, and one hour goes by quickly.

FAQ

Where does the private boat tour depart from?

You can meet at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or at Ċirkewwa in Malta, close to the kiosk at the Gozo Channel terminal.

How many people can join one boat?

The price applies per private boat, with space for up to six people.

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

No. The skipper is listed as an additional €39 charge, and fuel consumption is also listed separately at €39. Confirm the complete price before booking.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned route includes Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Lantern Point, the Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, Daħlet il-Ħmara, and other coastal caves and sights. The skipper can change the route because of sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. Swimming and snorkeling time is planned at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.