Reviewed · BOAT TOURS IN COMINO

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

★ 5.0 · 19 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Xlendi Pleasure Cruises · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Comino trip is simple: your group gets its own speedboat. Instead of following a fixed crowd, you can spend your three hours moving between bright lagoons, sea caves, quiet bays, and rocky swimming spots around Comino and Gozo.

I like the mix of classic sights and water time. You get the famous Blue Lagoon, but also the quieter Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves. I also like that the skipper handles the boat while you use the onboard ice box, bring your own drinks, and stop for swimming when conditions allow.

The main thing to check before booking is the extra €79 fuel charge per booking. The boat holds up to nine, so the price can be good for a full group, but less attractive for only two or three people. Water can also feel cold outside summer, and the supplied masks may be worn.

Key things to know before you book

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Key things to know before you book

  • Private boat for up to nine: Your group has the vessel to itself, with a skipper rather than a large shared excursion.
  • Three hours on the water: The time includes both cruising and stops, so this is a lively sampler rather than a full-day cruise.
  • Two lagoon stops: The Blue Lagoon gets about an hour, with another hour planned at Crystal Lagoon.
  • Several Comino viewpoints: San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Half Rock add variety to the route.
  • Bring your own refreshments: An ice box is provided, but food and drinks are not included.
  • Check the final cost: The advertised price is $322.86 per group, with a separate €79 fuel charge.

Why a private speedboat changes the Comino day

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Why a private speedboat changes the Comino day

Comino is known for clear water, pale rock, and small coves that are best seen from the sea. A private speedboat gives you a quick way to link these places without spending the whole outing at one beach.

That matters because three hours passes quickly. On a large boat, loading, unloading, and following a group schedule can eat into your swimming time. Here, your party stays together, and the skipper can guide you around the coast while you enjoy the scenery.

The boat takes up to nine people. That makes the pricing easier to justify for a family or group of friends. At $322.86 per group, the base cost works out to about $36 per person for nine people, before the €79 fuel charge. For two people, the per-person cost is much higher.

You should also factor in the style of the outing. This is not a slow historical cruise with long time ashore. It is a compact water adventure built around swimming, snorkeling, sea views, and short sightseeing stops.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first stop

The Blue Lagoon is the visual centerpiece. It sits between Comino and Cominotto, with shallow turquoise water and pale limestone around it. The color is the main attraction, but the clear water also makes this a natural place for swimming and snorkeling.

You get about one hour here, and admission is included. That is enough time to swim, use a snorkeling mask, take photographs, and enjoy the setting without spending the entire tour in one spot.

The lagoon is also the place where expectations matter most. Its fame means it is the stop most people anticipate, but this tour does not promise a private corner of the lagoon. Your advantage is arriving by private boat, not having the whole area to yourself.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a way to secure small belongings. There is no food or drink included, so pack what you need. The boat has an ice box for refreshments you bring yourself.

Crystal Lagoon gives you a quieter hour

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Crystal Lagoon gives you a quieter hour

Crystal Lagoon provides a useful contrast with the Blue Lagoon. It is described as a more secluded cove along Comino’s rough coast, with clear water and cliffs around it.

The planned stop is about one hour. I like this part of the route because it gives you another chance to swim and snorkel after the main attraction. If the Blue Lagoon feels busy, Crystal Lagoon may offer a calmer setting, although conditions and the number of boats can change from day to day.

The water is the star here. You can swim close to the cliffs, look below the surface with the provided equipment, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view. The word snorkeling is important: this is not a technical water activity, and no special instruction is described.

The masks are included, but one piece of feedback specifically found them worn. If you care about clear vision underwater, bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. That small bit of preparation can make a big difference.

Comino’s bays fill out the route

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Comino’s bays fill out the route

The tour also passes San Nikolai Bay and San Marija Bay. These stops help you see more of Comino than the two headline lagoons.

At San Nikolai Bay, you can see the Comino Hotel from the water and look into a clear blue cove. The description does not promise a long stop here, so treat it as a scenic pass or photo opportunity rather than a full beach visit.

San Marija Bay has clear water, a sandy beach, and a quieter feel. You may have time to swim or take in the view, depending on the day’s timing and sea conditions. The appeal is its softer, more relaxed setting compared with the dramatic rock around the lagoons.

These smaller bays are valuable because they show the island’s changing character. You get cliffs, sand, open water, and sheltered coves in a short period. You also avoid the feeling that the whole outing is just one stop with a boat ride attached.

Santa Maria Caves are best seen from the water

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Santa Maria Caves are best seen from the water

The Santa Maria Caves are sea caves shaped by waves over a long period. The boat takes you around the rock openings and passages, where sunlight reaches the water through gaps in the stone.

This is a sightseeing stop rather than a museum-style visit. The interest comes from the shapes of the rock, the shifting light, and the view back toward the open sea. The caves also create good photo opportunities, though your ability to take pictures depends on the boat’s movement and the conditions.

The itinerary includes swimming and snorkeling at several points, but it does not guarantee swimming inside every cave. Listen to the skipper, especially near rock walls and narrow openings. A private boat is useful here because a small group can see the caves without the scale of a large excursion vessel.

Half Rock and the view toward Gozo

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Half Rock and the view toward Gozo

Half Rock adds another coastal stop where you can swim and snorkel in clear water. It is described as a focal point on the route, with calm sea and colorful marine life below the surface.

This is the kind of stop that makes the trip feel less like a checklist. You are not only photographing famous places. You are also getting time in the water, with the chance to choose between swimming and snorkeling.

The route includes Mgarr Harbour in Gozo as well. The harbor is a scenic gateway with traditional fishing boats and views across the water. It may be a pass-by or sightseeing stop rather than a long shore visit, so do not book this expecting time to explore Gozo on foot.

You will see a slice of Gozo from the water, but Comino remains the main subject of the trip.

The skipper matters on a small private boat

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - The skipper matters on a small private boat

A private boat experience depends heavily on the skipper. You are not simply buying transport. You are relying on the person at the helm to choose safe routes, explain what you are seeing, and manage the day when weather or sea conditions shift.

Atem, also written as Adam in the feedback, was praised for an easygoing and professional manner, local information, and good handling of the route. James was also singled out as a safe and fun driver who offered useful information about Malta. Those details are encouraging if you want a relaxed outing rather than a silent transfer.

Another account described the skipper taking good care of a passenger who became seasick. That is worth noting if someone in your group is uneasy on boats. Still, a speedboat can move sharply over waves, so anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare carefully and tell the skipper early.

The boat itself has been described as new and comfortable, though another account called it only just adequate. That difference is a reminder to keep expectations practical. This is a working excursion boat, not a luxury yacht.

Timing, pickup, and the fuel charge

Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves - Private speed boat - Timing, pickup, and the fuel charge

The outing lasts about three hours, including cruising and stops. With one hour planned at the Blue Lagoon and one hour at Crystal Lagoon, the remaining time covers the other bays, caves, Half Rock, Mgarr Harbour, and the boat ride between locations.

That schedule is efficient but full. If you want long beach time, a slow lunch, or extended snorkeling, choose a longer trip. If you want to see several coastal sights in one morning or afternoon, three hours can work well.

Hotel transfer is not included. The tour is listed as available near public transportation, but the provided details do not identify a specific meeting point or promise pickup from your accommodation. Confirm the departure location carefully, especially if you are coming from Gozo.

One booking problem has been reported: a party arranged departure from Gozo but found the boat waiting in Malta, causing a 45-minute delay. That makes it especially important to check whether your reservation begins in Malta or Gozo and to confirm the meeting instructions before the day.

The separate €79 fuel charge is the largest cost detail to catch. It applies per booking, not per person. Add it to the advertised $322.86 when comparing this tour with other boat options.

What to bring for a better outing

The boat supplies snorkeling masks and an ice box. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own refreshments. You may also want your own mask because the supplied equipment has been described as worn.

Pack lightly. Useful items include:

  • Swimsuit and towel
  • Sun protection
  • Drinking water and snacks
  • Your own snorkeling mask, if you have one
  • A secure phone or camera
  • A light layer for the boat ride

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. Sea conditions also affect how comfortable the ride feels and how long you can safely spend at each swimming stop.

The tour allows service animals, is near public transportation, and states that most people can participate. The information does not give detailed access information for the boat, so ask the provider directly if anyone in your group has mobility needs.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would choose this for a group that wants privacy, swimming, and a fast look at Comino’s best-known coastal sights. Families, couples traveling with friends, and groups of up to nine can spread the cost of the boat and fuel charge.

It is also a good match if you dislike rigid large-group outings. You have your own skipper, your own space, and an ice box for the food and drinks you bring.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long beach day, a quiet luxury cruise, or extensive snorkeling. Three hours is short, and the route includes many sights. You will see more places, but you will not have unlimited time at any of them.

The season matters too. A French-speaking account found the sea cold in October, despite enjoying the captain’s care. If you are booking outside the warmer months, swimming may be less appealing than the sightseeing.

Should you book this Comino speedboat?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want an active three-hour route around Comino. The private format, two lagoon stops, sea caves, smaller bays, and swimming breaks give you much more variety than a simple ride to the Blue Lagoon.

Before paying, confirm the departure island, add the €79 fuel charge to your budget, and decide if you want to bring your own snorkeling gear. If your group is small or you want a full day on the water, compare the total price with longer options.

For a compact private outing with a skipper, clear water, and plenty of coastal scenery, this is a strong choice. Just treat it as a brisk sampler of Comino, not a leisurely day at sea.

FAQ

How long is the private speedboat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including cruising time and stops.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate one private group of up to nine people.

Is the Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon is included in the route, with about one hour planned there.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included, with about one hour planned for the stop.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, although you may prefer to bring your own because supplied masks have been described as worn.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You must bring your own food and drinks. An ice box is provided for them.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A €79 fuel charge applies per booking.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

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