Comino Private Boat Tour in Malta

Comino’s coast packs a lot into one short boat ride. In about an hour, you visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a look at one of Malta’s old watchtowers. The private boat is limited to your group of up to five, so you avoid sharing the trip with a large crowd.

I like the small-group format and the chance to reach Crystal Lagoon and Cominotto Reef by boat. The shade canopy, seating, snorkeling gear, cooler, and sun deck also make the boat more useful than a simple transfer. The main concern is safety: one review described the captain as too casual and did not feel fully confident in the boat operation, so confirm who will skipper the trip and what the extra €40 charge covers.

Key points at a glance

• Four Comino stops in about one hour: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower.
• Private space for up to five people: A good setup for families or friends who want their own boat.
• Crystal Lagoon is the quietest water stop: It is sheltered and suited to swimming and cliff jumping.
• Cominotto Reef adds a small beach and swim-through cave: This is the most unusual part of the route.
• Fuel and skipper fees are extra: Budget for €40 fuel and €40 for a professional skipper in addition to the listed price.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Four Comino sights packed into one short ride

This is a compact outing rather than a full-day cruise. The advertised price is $70.89 per group of up to five, which can be good value if you fill the boat. Split five ways, the base price is modest for a private trip, although the added €40 fuel charge and €40 professional skipper charge change the final calculation.

The route gives you a quick taste of Comino’s best-known water and historic sights. You are not simply riding past the coast. The plan includes stops for swimming and snorkeling, plus time near St. Mary’s Tower. Still, one hour passes quickly, so you should expect short visits rather than long, unhurried stays.

The boat includes a shade canopy, comfortable seating, an ice cooler, safety equipment, a sun deck, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and snorkeling equipment. Those details matter on a small boat. You can sit in the shade between swims, keep drinks cool, and use the sun deck if you want more exposure to the open air.

Food and drinks are not included. Alcohol, bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, and meals all cost extra or must be arranged by you. Plan accordingly, especially since the tour is short and the boat’s cooler is included but its contents are not.

Blue Lagoon: Malta’s natural swimming pool

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its sheltered water has a sandy bottom in places, with rocky cliffs around it. The combination gives the area the feel of a large natural pool, although the setting is entirely coastal and open to the sea.

You get about 20 minutes here. That is enough for a swim and a quick look around, but not enough for a long beach session. If swimming is your main goal, use this stop wisely. Bring a towel, secure loose items, and be ready to get back aboard when the skipper calls time.

The Blue Lagoon also carries a small piece of Comino’s past. In the 1500s, the Knights of St. John used Comino as a place for leisure and hunting hares and wild boars. That story feels distant when you are looking at the busy blue water, but it offers useful context. The island was once a remote retreat, not Malta’s famous swimming stop.

The big benefit of arriving by private boat is control over your time and access to the water. The drawback is that the stop remains brief. You will see the lagoon, swim, and move on. This is not the right choice if you want to spend several hours planted on one beach.

Crystal Lagoon: the best stop for a swim

Crystal Lagoon gets another 20 minutes and offers a different mood from Blue Lagoon. It is a sheltered inlet where the sea shifts through several shades of blue. The lagoon can only be reached by boat, which makes this stop feel more tucked away from the main shore areas.

This is also the planned spot for cliff jumping. That activity is not for everyone, and you should judge the conditions for yourself. The provided equipment includes safety gear, but you still need to use good judgment and follow the skipper’s directions. Do not jump simply because the stop is advertised for it.

For many people, Crystal Lagoon may be the most satisfying part of the tour. You have enough time for a swim, a little snorkeling, and perhaps a jump if conditions suit you. Because the stop is only 20 minutes, you should not expect a long session or extended time exploring every corner of the inlet.

The private format helps here. Your group does not need to wait for a large ferry to unload or reload. You can spend the stop in the water and return to the boat on your own group’s schedule, within the limits of the short route.

Cominotto Reef and its swim-through cave

Cominotto Reef sits across from the Blue Lagoon. It is a rocky formation with a small patch of sand and a cave that you can swim through to reach the open sea. The cave is the feature that gives this stop a little more character than a simple photo pause.

You get about 10 minutes here. That is enough for a quick swim or a look at the cave, but it leaves little room for hesitation. If you want to use the snorkeling equipment, ask the skipper to explain the safest entry and exit points before you enter the water.

The reef is a good reminder that Comino is not only about bright water. The rocky edges and small sandy areas give you a closer look at the island’s natural coast. At the same time, the short stop means you should choose one activity. Trying to swim through the cave, snorkel, take photographs, and linger on the sand could make the timing feel rushed.

St. Mary’s Tower adds a historic pause

St. Mary’s Tower, also called Comino’s Tower, was built in 1618 by Grand Master de Wignacourt. It served as a defensive and communication point between Mdina and the Citadel in Gozo. Its purpose was to warn against pirates and corsairs.

You have about 10 minutes at the tower. That makes it a quick history stop rather than a long visit. The interior has no admission charge, although donations are welcome. If the tower is open during your visit, you can look inside without paying an entry fee.

The tower gives the trip some balance. The lagoons are about swimming and scenery, while this stop connects Comino to Malta’s military past. You might prefer to stay on the boat and enjoy the view, but the tower is worth considering if you like old fortifications and want more than a water outing.

Do not expect a full guided historical tour from the information provided. The experience is built around a boat route, not a long land visit. You will get the key historical setting, then continue around the coast.

What the private boat setup really offers

A private boat for up to five people is the main reason to choose this experience over a shared trip. You can travel with your own family or friends, use the Bluetooth speaker, and enjoy the seating without sharing the space with a large group.

The small size also makes the trip easier to shape around your group’s interests. If everyone wants to swim, the water stops matter most. If one person prefers sightseeing, St. Mary’s Tower provides a break from swimming. The tour still follows a short schedule, but a private group usually feels less rigid than a large public boat.

The included equipment is practical:

• Shade canopy for relief from the sun
• Comfortable seating areas
• Sun deck
• Snorkeling equipment
• Ice cooler
• Safety equipment
• Bluetooth speaker
• WiFi on board
• Private transportation
• Port fees

You need to treat the cooler as storage, not a food service. Bottled water, snacks, soda, and meals are not included. Bring or arrange your own refreshments if permitted by the operator.

The listing also separates the fuel charge and professional skipper fee from the main price. Each is shown as €40. Ask for the complete price before booking, and confirm if the professional skipper fee is required or optional. That question matters because the base fare may look much lower than the final cost.

Safety deserves more attention than the brochure details

The overall rating is 4.6 from 17 reviews, which suggests a generally positive experience. Still, one three-star review raises a serious practical issue: the passenger felt unsafe because the captain seemed too relaxed and not fully professional.

That is not a reason to reject every private boat trip, but it is a reason to ask direct questions. Confirm the skipper’s qualifications, the safety equipment on board, and whether the €40 professional skipper charge guarantees a qualified skipper. You should also ask how the boat handles rough conditions and who makes the call if swimming becomes unsafe.

A private boat gives you more space, but it does not automatically give you better safety standards. A large ferry or established shared operator may feel more reassuring if you prefer a formal crew, clearer procedures, and a bigger vessel. On the other hand, a private boat can be a comfortable choice when the operator and skipper are professional.

Use the safety equipment, listen to instructions, and do not feel pressured to swim or jump from a cliff. The lagoons are attractive, but no photograph is worth taking a needless risk.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would consider this trip for a small group that wants a short, private look at Comino. It suits friends, couples traveling together, and families who value their own boat more than a long day on the water.

It is especially useful if you want to combine several stops in one outing. You see both lagoons, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower without arranging separate transport. The included snorkeling equipment also saves you from bringing your own, though you should not expect a full snorkeling expedition in the short time available.

This may not suit you if you want a slow cruise, a meal on board, or several hours at one beach. It is also a less obvious choice if you are uncomfortable with a captain whose professionalism you cannot confirm in advance. In that case, a larger company with a more formal operation may offer greater peace of mind.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information provided does not give detailed accessibility arrangements. Contact the operator directly if you need specific help with boarding or movement around the boat.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is useful for a water activity, since the lagoons and open sea are best enjoyed in calm conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. Cutoff times follow Malta’s local time.

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within two days of the trip, confirmation can take up to 48 hours and depends on availability. Since the tour is booked an average of 15 days ahead, booking early makes sense if your dates are fixed.

Should you book the Comino private boat tour?

Book it if you have up to five people, want a short private ride, and care most about swimming at the Blue and Crystal Lagoons. The price can be good when divided among a full group, and the canopy, cooler, snorkeling equipment, and private seating add real convenience.

Before paying, clarify the final cost. Add the €40 fuel charge and €40 professional skipper charge to the listed $70.89 group price, then compare the total with a reputable shared boat. Also ask who will operate the boat and what safety procedures are in place.

I would choose this tour for flexibility and the four-stop route, but I would not book it without resolving the skipper question. If the operator gives clear answers and the weather is sound, it offers a compact way to see Comino’s best water spots and a historic tower. If safety reassurance matters more than privacy, choose a larger, established boat company instead.

FAQ

How long does the Comino private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to five people.

What locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and St. Mary’s Tower.

How much time is planned at Blue Lagoon?

The tour allows about 20 minutes at Blue Lagoon.

How much time is planned at Crystal Lagoon?

The tour allows about 20 minutes at Crystal Lagoon.

Can you swim at Cominotto Reef?

Yes. Cominotto Reef has a small sandy area and a cave that you can swim through to reach the open sea.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

Are fuel and a professional skipper included in the listed price?

No. Fuel is listed as €40 and a professional skipper as €40. Confirm the final total and whether the skipper charge is required before booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.