Comino Blue Lagoon and Gozo-Sea Star Boat Private Tour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline, but the best reason to book this private boat trip is the range of swimming spots packed into one day. You’ll visit the famous lagoon, quieter Santa Maria Bay, sea caves, and Gozo’s southern coast without sharing the boat with strangers. Joseph and Frankie are named as the crew, and the boat is described as clean and spacious.

I like two things here: you get free snorkeling equipment, and you can shape the day around swimming, caves, and scenery rather than following a large-group schedule. I also like the simple cooler with complimentary ice, since food and drinks are not included. The main drawback is the price: $1,130.75 per group, so it makes the most sense for a larger party.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to 15 people: Your group has the boat to itself, which is useful for families, friends, or a special occasion.
• Five strong water stops: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo’s south coast, Santa Maria Bay, and Santa Maria Caves give the day variety.
• Best value with a full group: Split among 10 to 15 people, the price becomes much easier to justify than for a small party.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Masks are supplied at no extra charge, so you have less equipment to pack.
• Food is your responsibility: Bring lunch and drinks, or buy them at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. A cooler with ice is provided.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Why this private Comino trip works well

This is a boat day built around water time. The route links the major sights around Comino with several less crowded places, then adds a short tour along Gozo’s Qala area. You are not simply anchored at the Blue Lagoon for the whole afternoon.

That variety matters. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear, shallow water, but it can draw hundreds of people in summer. A private boat gives you a better chance to enjoy the setting from the water and move on to other bays when you want a change. You still visit the main attraction, but you are not limited to it.

The private format is also the central value of the tour. Up to 15 people can participate, and no one outside your group joins the activity. If you fill the boat, the cost works out to about $75 per person. With 10 people, it is roughly $113 each. For two or three people, the same flat price becomes hard to defend unless privacy is your top priority.

The stated duration ranges from about two to six hours, while the listed stops add up to roughly five hours. That suggests the exact schedule can vary, so I would confirm the expected length when booking. The regular operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which suits a daytime swim and sightseeing outing.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first swim

The Blue Lagoon sits between Malta and Gozo on Comino’s west side. Its shallow water and bright blue color make it one of the most recognizable places in the Maltese islands.

The boat anchors at a favored spot inside the lagoon, giving you time to swim and snorkel. This is the stop most people have in mind when they book, and it delivers the classic Comino view: pale water, rocky shore, and an easy place to get in.

The catch is popularity. In summer, the lagoon attracts hundreds of people each day. A private boat does not make the bay empty, but it gives you a comfortable base on the water and lets you enjoy the lagoon without having to settle into a public beach area.

Plan on about two hours here. That is enough time for a relaxed swim, a look beneath the surface, and photographs from the boat. If you dislike busy places, treat Blue Lagoon as one part of the day rather than the whole reason for booking.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino’s cave country

Crystal Lagoon is northwest of Comino and offers a different mood. The water is clear and turquoise, and the area has several caves, including some shallow ones with sandy bottoms.

This stop lasts about an hour and a half, so you have time to swim, snorkel, and look around the cave entrances. The crew supplies masks at no extra cost. Bream fish are common in the area, giving you something to look for beneath the surface.

The caves add interest for people who want more than a standard bay swim. Lovers Cave and Popeye’s Cave are among the named formations, and the area has been used for film production. You will also be shown around the caves by boat, which is useful if you want to see the rock formations without trying to find them on foot.

Bring footwear that you can manage around a boat and rocky edges, but do not assume every cave is suitable for entering. The supplied information specifically notes shallow caves and sandy beds, yet conditions can vary. Let the crew guide you on where it is safe to swim.

Gozo’s Qala coast in one hour

The boat then cruises along Gozo’s southern coast near Qala. This part of the route is shorter, with about an hour to see Tal-Halfa Beach, Hondoq Bay, and Bemberin Gorge.

Tal-Halfa is a clay-rich beach set behind Halfa Rock, a large solitary rock with its own local history. The unusual shape and geology give this stop a different look from the bright-water bays around Comino.

Hondoq Bay has pebbles and clear blue water. It is a good place to appreciate how the Gozo coast changes from one inlet to the next, even during a quick cruise.

Bemberin Gorge is accessible only by boat and contains several caves. It is also listed as a good spot for cliff jumping, though the activity description does not say that jumps are supervised or required. If you are considering it, ask the crew about current conditions and safe locations before doing anything.

For most people, the value here is the combination of scenery and access. You see several coastal sites without arranging another boat ride. The limitation is time: one hour is enough for a look and perhaps a swim, but not for a long stay at each place.

Santa Maria Bay for a quieter pause

Santa Maria Bay is the calmer counterpoint to Blue Lagoon. It has a small sandy beach, shallow clear water, and tamarisk trees that offer some shade in summer.

The bay sits beside Comino’s small police station, which helps explain why boats are controlled in the area. It is about a 20-minute walk from Blue Lagoon, but arriving by private boat saves you that walk and lets you use it as a separate swimming stop.

I like this part of the route because it gives you a chance to slow down. After the well-known Blue Lagoon and the cave stops, a quieter bay can feel more comfortable for a simple swim or a little time on the sand.

There is one minor beach detail to know. Currents can leave dead algae along the shore. The beach is otherwise described as sandy and clean, but anyone looking for a perfectly groomed shoreline should keep expectations realistic.

The scheduled stop is about one hour. If your group includes people who prefer gentle water and shade to snorkeling, this may be one of the most useful stops of the day.

Elephant Rock and Santa Maria Caves

At some point during the trip, the boat passes Elephant Rock on Comino’s east side. This natural arch resembles an elephant lowering its head toward the water. It is a quick sightseeing moment rather than a separate timed stop, so keep your camera ready.

The seabed around Elephant Rock is sandy with scattered patches of posidonia, a seagrass found in the Mediterranean. The supplied information also notes depths from three to 18 meters and says the area suits all levels of divers. For this tour, the important point is that the rock is a memorable formation to photograph from the boat.

Santa Maria Caves receive about 30 minutes. They lie on Comino’s north side and form a group of five shallow caves. Their entrances and shapes have also appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is a compact stop, but it adds a good final chapter to the route. You get natural rock formations, a film connection, and another chance to see the coast from the water. Since the caves are shallow and time is limited, expect a short exploration rather than a long cave outing.

What is included, and what should you bring?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment and the fuel surcharge. That is helpful because fuel costs can otherwise appear as an unwelcome extra on a private charter.

Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own supplies, use the provided cooler and complimentary ice, or buy food at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. If swimming leaves you hungry, plan ahead rather than assuming refreshments will be served on the boat.

I would pack:

• Lunch and drinks
• A swimsuit and towel
• Sun protection
• A waterproof case for your phone
• Any personal snorkeling equipment you prefer

The supplied masks cover the basic need, but people who care about a particular fit may prefer to bring their own. The information does not specify whether fins, flotation aids, or towels are provided, so do not count on them unless you confirm in advance.

Boat size, service, and pickup choices

The boat takes private groups of up to 15. That is large enough for a family gathering or group of friends, while still keeping the day exclusive to your party.

A group of 13 is specifically described as having plenty of room on a clean, spacious boat. The same account praises Joseph and Frankie for kind, attentive service without hovering. That balance matters on a private boat: you want help with timing, equipment, and safety, but you also want space to enjoy your own group.

Pickup is offered, but private taxi, van, or coach transfers from your accommodation to the boat cost extra. The tour ends back at the meeting point. Since the exact pickup charge is not provided, ask for the full transfer cost before adding it to your booking.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation is sent at booking, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The operator describes it as suitable for all types of visitors, but anyone with mobility concerns should ask about boarding and movement on the boat, since those details are not provided.

Is $1,130.75 a fair price?

The price is $1,130.75 per group, with up to 15 people allowed. That is a serious amount for a boat outing, but the comparison should be made against a private charter, not an individual seat on a public ferry.

At full capacity, the cost is about $75 per person. At 12 people, it is about $94 each. At six people, it rises to about $188 each, and for a couple it becomes a luxury purchase.

You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, fuel, snorkeling equipment, a route covering Comino and part of Gozo, and the ability to spend time at several swimming locations. You are not paying for lunch, drinks, or included land transport.

I would call it good value for a full group that wants privacy and flexibility. It is less attractive for a small party that only wants to see Blue Lagoon. For two or three people, a shared boat option may make more financial sense, though it will not provide the same private setting.

Who should book this boat day?

This trip suits you if you want a water-focused day with several stops and your group values having its own boat. Families, groups of friends, and parties celebrating a special occasion will get the strongest value from the private setup.

It also works well for mixed interests. Swimmers can spend time in the lagoons, photographers can watch for Elephant Rock and the caves, and people who prefer a sandy beach can settle at Santa Maria Bay.

You should think twice if you do not enjoy swimming or snorkeling, since much of the experience centers on the water. You should also be cautious about booking a fixed date during unsettled weather. The company requires good conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather results in a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted inside 24 hours. The cut-off uses local Malta time.

FAQ

How many people can join the private boat tour?

Up to 15 people can participate, and only your group will take part in the private activity.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo’s Qala coast, Santa Maria Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and a pass by Elephant Rock.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks and equipment are included at no extra charge.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own or buy food at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour. A cooler with complimentary ice is provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup can be arranged, but private taxi, van, or coach transfers cost extra. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

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

Should you book the Comino and Gozo private tour?

Book it if you can fill most of the 15-person capacity and want a relaxed private boat day rather than a single stop at Blue Lagoon. The combination of famous water, quieter Santa Maria Bay, Comino’s caves, and Gozo’s Qala coast gives you more range than a basic lagoon outing.

Before booking, confirm the exact duration, meeting point, boat transfer cost, and what equipment beyond masks is supplied. If your group is large, the clean boat, attentive service from Joseph and Frankie, cooler, and broad route make the price reasonable. If you are traveling as a couple or only want a short swim at Blue Lagoon, the flat $1,130.75 cost is difficult to justify.