Malta: Blue Lagoon, Caves, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason: pale sand below clear turquoise water, rocky cliffs around it, and plenty of places to swim and snorkel. A private boat lets you see the bay without spending your whole outing in the busiest patch of shore.

I like the chance to shape the route around your group, and I like the mix of swimming stops, sea caves, and Malta’s old watchtower. Captain Jeffrey is named as an informative and kind skipper, which matters when your time on the water lasts only two to four hours. The catch is the extra €88 in cash for skipper and fuel, so the real cost is higher than the advertised $227.

Key points to know

• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Swim and snorkel at Comino’s best-known coves, with the option of deeper water and cliff-jumping at Crystal Lagoon.
• Santa Marija Caves: See blue reflections, rock formations, and clear water along Comino’s less accessible coastline.
• Private boat for up to 12: You get a charter reserved for your own family, couple, or group rather than sharing space with strangers.
• Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto: The route can include all three islands, with the option to begin in Malta or Gozo.
• Quiet St. Nicholas Bay: Use this stop for a calmer swim, beach time, or a simple picnic away from the main crowds.
• Bring the basics: Pack beachwear, a towel, and a camera. Snorkel gear, life jackets, noodles, water, an ice chest, and a fresh-water shower are included.

A private way to see Comino’s famous water

This boat trip is built around flexibility. Instead of following a fixed group route, you have a private charter for up to 12 people and can spend your time swimming, snorkeling, resting on board, or looking into the coves along Comino’s coast.

That private setup changes the feel of the outing. You do not need to match the pace of a large boatload of people, and your group can tell the skipper what matters most. Some groups will want long swims at Blue Lagoon. Others may prefer more time around the caves or a quieter stop such as St. Nicholas Bay.

You can start in Malta or Gozo, but you need to state your preference when booking. The listed location is Elephant Rock, Malta, while the skipper will text a live location to make the meeting point easier to find. That is useful because small-boat departures can be harder to spot than a large ferry terminal.

The advertised duration is two to four hours. Check the available starting times before booking, and think about your priorities. A two-hour trip gives you a quick taste of the main coves. A longer outing gives you more room for several swims and a slower cruise past the caves, beaches, and historic tower.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, limited solitude

The first stop is usually Blue Lagoon, Comino’s best-known swimming bay. The water is described as turquoise and the seabed as white and sandy, giving the cove its famous natural-swimming-pool look.

You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the boat and take in the view. Snorkel gear is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask and equipment. The boat also carries swimming noodles, which can be handy if you want to float without constantly treading water.

The private boat is most useful here because it can take you away from the busiest part of the lagoon. That does not mean the whole area will be empty. Blue Lagoon is one of Comino’s major attractions, and the water and shoreline can be busy. Still, your group has a better chance of enjoying a swim on your own terms than you would with a large shared excursion.

I would treat Blue Lagoon as the classic photo and swimming stop, not as the quietest part of the trip. If your main aim is solitude, ask the skipper to give more time to the smaller coves and St. Nicholas Bay.

Crystal Lagoon for caves and deeper water

Crystal Lagoon offers a different type of stop. Its water is deeper, making it suited to swimming, snorkeling, and cliff-jumping for people who are comfortable with those activities.

The cove is also known for sea caves and underwater passages. From the boat, you can get close to the rock formations and look into the openings where the water changes color in the shade. The clear water makes this one of the more interesting places to use the included snorkel equipment.

You should judge the conditions and your own comfort before jumping from any cliff. The trip information presents cliff-jumping as an option, not a requirement. You can enjoy the cove from the boat or swim at a calmer spot instead.

Crystal Lagoon may be the better choice for an active group that wants more than a standard beach stop. It has deeper water and caves, while Blue Lagoon offers the more recognizable sandy-bottom swimming scene.

Santa Marija Caves along Comino’s coast

The Santa Marija Caves are one of the boat trip’s strongest reasons to choose a private charter. They are difficult to appreciate from the island’s inland paths, but a boat can bring you close to the openings and rock walls.

Sunlight reflecting off the water creates blue tones inside the caves. You can use the stop for snorkeling and look at the rock formations beneath the surface, or simply stay on board while the captain positions the boat near the entrances.

The caves also show why a short boat ride around Comino can be more rewarding than spending the whole visit at one beach. The island’s appeal is not only its famous lagoon. It is the changing coastline, with inlets, cliffs, narrow openings, and small swimming areas that you would miss from a single shore base.

Conditions can affect exactly how close the boat gets and how long you stay near the caves. The experience is best approached as an outdoor coastal visit rather than a formal cave tour with a set route and commentary at every point.

Santa Marija Tower and Malta’s military past

As you continue around Comino, you pass Santa Marija Tower, a 17th-century fortress built by the Knights of St. John. It was designed as a watchtower, and its position above the water gives the structure a strong visual presence against the island’s rough coast.

The tower adds a historical layer to what might otherwise be only a swimming outing. You can see how Malta’s coastal defenses fit into the scenery, even if you do not go ashore for a full historical visit.

The tower has also appeared in films, including The Count of Monte Cristo. That small bit of film history may interest movie fans, but the bigger appeal is the contrast between the old stone fortification and the open sea around it.

You should know that the main focus remains the boat ride, not an interior tour of the tower. The itinerary calls for passing by it, so think of this as a scenic and historical viewpoint from the water.

St. Nicholas Bay for a quieter pause

St. Nicholas Bay gives the trip a chance to slow down. It is described as a more secluded beach on Comino, away from the better-known crowds.

You can swim, relax on the sandy shore, or have a picnic while looking across the coast. This is the kind of stop that makes a private charter worthwhile. A group can spend less time rushing between famous points and more time enjoying a cove that feels peaceful.

The exact amount of time here depends on your charter length and the rest of your route. On a two-hour trip, you may need to choose between several stops. On a four-hour outing, there should be more room to combine Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the caves, the tower, and a quieter bay.

If your group includes people who do not want constant snorkeling or cliff-jumping, St. Nicholas Bay provides a welcome change. It is also a good place for a simple meal or picnic, though the supplied information confirms water and an ice chest, not food.

Gozo, Cominotto, and the wider route

The charter can include Gozo, Comino, and Cominotto. These islands give you a broader view of the area than a short Blue Lagoon transfer.

Cominotto is particularly relevant because it sits near Comino and forms part of the island group’s distinctive coastal scenery. Gozo gives you the option of beginning or ending the outing from a different island, which may help if your plans already place you there.

You need to communicate your preferred starting point when making the reservation. The skipper can then share the live meeting location by text. This is a practical detail, especially for a private outing where the meeting place may not be a large, obvious pier.

The route is tailored, but that also means you should discuss your priorities clearly. Tell the skipper if your group cares most about snorkeling, caves, quiet beaches, historic sights, or simply a relaxed cruise. The more specific you are, the easier it is to make a short charter feel worthwhile.

What is included on the boat

The price includes more than the boat itself. You get a private charter, snorkel gear, life jackets, swimming noodles, table water, and an ice chest with ice.

A Bluetooth-connected sound system is also provided. That can make the ride more pleasant for a private group, though you may want to keep the volume low near beaches and caves so the natural setting remains part of the experience.

The boat has a ladder for getting back into the water and a fresh-water shower. Both are useful after snorkeling, especially if you want to rinse off before the ride back.

Safety equipment is included, but the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting on and off a boat, using a ladder, and moving between the boat and shore can be difficult. If anyone in your party has limited mobility, confirm suitability before booking.

Bring beachwear, a towel, and a camera. The operator provides water, but you should not assume that meals or extra refreshments are included.

The real cost and group value

The advertised price is $227 for a group of up to 12 people. That looks attractive when divided among a full group, especially for a private boat rather than individual seats on a shared trip.

However, you must add €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel, paid in cash to the skipper. That makes €88 in additional charges, and you should plan for that before you arrive. The supplied information also describes the captain as collecting the remaining €88 for fuel and skipper costs, so keep the cash requirement clear in your budget.

For 12 people, the cost can still work out well per person. For a couple or a small family, the private setting will cost more per head, but you are paying for control over the route and time rather than only transport.

I see the strongest value for families, groups of friends, and couples who care about privacy. If you only want a quick swim at Blue Lagoon, a shared boat may be enough. If you want to combine several coves, caves, and beaches at your own pace, the private format makes more sense.

Captain Jeffrey and the feel of the outing

Captain Jeffrey is specifically named as an informative and kind skipper. That is useful information because the captain shapes a small private trip far more than a guide on a large vessel does.

The tour can be conducted in English, Italian, or Maltese. You can expect the skipper to handle the route, boat positioning, and practical details while you decide how much time you want to spend swimming or looking around.

The available feedback is very positive, with a perfect five-star rating from four reviews. One comment calls the trip perfect and praises the driver’s friendly manner. Another singles out Captain Jeffrey’s information and kindness, along with the quality of the water and the value of making time for the outing from Gozo.

That is a small sample, so I would not treat it as proof that every departure will be identical. Still, it points to the most praised parts of the experience: a pleasant skipper, good water conditions on the day, and a trip that feels worth fitting into a Gozo visit.

Who should book this Comino boat trip?

This outing suits you if you want:

• A private boat for your own group
• Several swimming and snorkeling locations in one trip
• A flexible route around Comino and nearby islands
• Sea caves and coastal scenery, not only a beach stop
• A calmer alternative to spending all your time at Blue Lagoon
• A small group experience with an English, Italian, or Maltese-speaking skipper

It is less suitable if you dislike swimming, want a fully land-based historical tour, or need step-free access. It may also disappoint if you expect Blue Lagoon to be empty. The private charter reduces the pressure of crowds, but it cannot remove the popularity of Comino itself.

For a group of 10 to 12, the price has a clear advantage. For two people, the decision depends on how much you value privacy and route control. You should also be comfortable carrying the required cash for the €88 skipper and fuel charge.

Should you book it?

Book this private boat trip if you want to see more than Blue Lagoon and would enjoy choosing the pace with your own group. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Caves, Santa Marija Tower, St. Nicholas Bay, and the option to include Gozo or Cominotto gives the outing real variety.

I would choose the longest available duration if your schedule allows it. Two hours can cover the highlights, but four hours gives you a better chance to swim, snorkel, see the caves, pause at a quiet bay, and enjoy the ride without watching the clock.

Before confirming, check the starting point, tell the operator whether you want to begin in Malta or Gozo, and budget for the extra €88 in cash. With those details handled, this is a strong choice for a private day on the water, especially for a full group that wants freedom without giving up the famous Comino sights.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts between two and four hours. Available starting times and exact duration options should be checked when booking.

How many people can join the private charter?

The boat is available for a private group of up to 12 people.

Can the trip start in Malta or Gozo?

Yes. You can choose to begin in Malta or Gozo, but you should tell the operator when making the reservation.

Which places can the boat visit?

The route can include Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Caves, Santa Marija Tower, St. Nicholas Bay, Comino, Cominotto, and Gozo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, swimming noodles, life jackets, and a ladder are included.

Are fuel and the skipper included in the advertised price?

No. You must pay €44 for the skipper and €44 for fuel in cash to the skipper.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, beachwear, and a towel. Table water and an ice chest with ice are included.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.