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

The best part of this trip is simple: you control the boat day. Your skipper takes you around Comino, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo, then adjusts the pace for swimming, snorkeling, caves, bays, or a walk ashore. With space for up to seven people, it feels far more personal than joining a large sightseeing boat.

I like the access to quiet coves and sea caves, along with the practical extras: masks, floating noodles, boards, a cooler with ice, safety gear, and a bottle of wine. I also like that the route can include Santa Maria Bay, with its sandy beach and fine views, rather than stopping only at Malta’s best-known swimming spot.

The main catch is the short 3 to 4-hour duration. You can see several places, but you cannot give Comino and Gozo the time they deserve in one outing. Add the required €79 fuel cost, bring your own food and drinks, and skip this trip if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before boarding

• Private boat for up to seven people: You get the boat and skipper for your own group, with no strangers sharing the outing.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Expect swimming, snorkeling, limestone caves, and clear water, with time at each stop set by your skipper.
• Gozo can be part of the plan: You may visit coastal bays, take a walk, see local towns, or stop for lunch, depending on your chosen route and available time.
• Useful equipment is supplied: Snorkeling masks, a cooler with ice, safety equipment, floating noodles, and swimming boards are included.
• Bring cash for fuel: The €79 fuel charge is not included in the advertised group price and must be paid when you board.
• Weather matters: The trip can be rescheduled or canceled in poor conditions, so keep some flexibility in your Malta plans.

A private route through Comino’s best water

This outing is built around the sea, not a long list of fixed sightseeing stops. That matters because Comino is at its best when you have time to swim, float, snorkel, and look up at the cliffs instead of rushing from one photo stop to the next.

Your English-speaking skipper serves as both boat operator and guide. The experience is private for your group of up to seven, so you can talk through the route and spend longer at the places that suit you. If your group wants more swimming, you can focus on the water. If you prefer a short walk, Santa Maria Bay or part of Gozo may fit the plan.

The timing is still limited. Three to four hours gives you a useful taste of the islands, but not a full day around both Comino and Gozo. I would treat this as a focused coastal trip, not a complete visit to either island.

Blue Lagoon: Malta’s famous turquoise stop

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction. Its vivid turquoise water, pale shore, and limestone surroundings create the classic Comino scene. It is the place to swim, use the floating equipment, snorkel with a mask, or stay aboard and enjoy the view from the water.

The private boat is especially useful here. Instead of needing to find a place on the shore, you can enjoy the lagoon from the boat and use the water as your main setting. The skipper can help your group make the most of the stop, although the exact time available depends on the rest of the route.

The Blue Lagoon is also the most famous place on this trip, so it may feel less peaceful than the quieter bays. If you want a calm outing, ask about spending more time at smaller coves or at Crystal Lagoon. If you want to see Malta’s signature swimming spot, the Blue Lagoon deserves its place on the route.

Bring a waterproof bag for phones and cameras. You will want pictures, but ordinary loose belongings and salt water are a poor combination.

Crystal Lagoon and the limestone caves

Crystal Lagoon offers a different kind of stop. The water is clear, and the surrounding limestone has been shaped into sea caves and openings. For me, this is where the boat trip feels more exploratory, since the scenery is not limited to one broad swimming area.

You can snorkel with the supplied mask, swim in the deeper water, or look into the caves from the boat and water. The limestone walls add shape and texture to the stop, while the clear water makes it easier to see below the surface.

Keep your own comfort level in mind. This tour is not a good choice for anyone prone to seasickness, and the water activities may not suit every member of a mixed group. Floating noodles and boards are supplied, which helps, but you should still be comfortable around open water before booking.

The skipper’s local judgment matters here. Ask which cave areas are suitable for your group and how much time is sensible at the stop. The private format lets you enjoy the site at a more relaxed pace than a boat packed with passengers.

Comino beyond the two lagoons

Comino is car-free and known for its cliffs, bays, and quiet natural setting. The island’s appeal comes from the contrast between the bright water and the rough limestone coast. You can see much of that scenery from the boat without spending the whole trip walking in the heat.

The route can include less obvious coves and sea caves. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book privately. You are not limited to a single beach or forced to leave a spot just as your group gets comfortable in the water.

Santa Maria Bay adds a land-based option. You may have time for a walk on the sandy beach and a look across the bay, which gives the outing a welcome change of pace. A short shore visit also helps if some people in your group want a break from swimming.

Do not expect a full island walk during this trip. The duration is only 3 to 4 hours, and the main focus remains the coast and water. If you want long walks, beach time, and a broad look at Comino, you would need more time than this excursion provides.

Gozo as a flexible addition

Gozo gives the trip a wider reach. The island is known for small towns, historic sights, coastal views, and traditional places to eat. The Citadel in Victoria is one possible stop, while a Gozo restaurant lunch may suit groups that want a taste of local life instead of another swim.

You can also choose a sandy shore, a quiet bay, or a short walk. That makes Gozo useful for groups with different interests. One person can enjoy the water, another can explore a little, and everyone can return to the boat without following a rigid sightseeing schedule.

The practical limitation is distance and time. Seeing the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino, and Gozo in a single 3 to 4-hour trip means your Gozo visit will be brief. I would choose Gozo only if your group values a quick look at the island or wants to mix swimming with a short land stop.

If Gozo is your main goal, ask the skipper to shape the route around it. If the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon matter most, keep the outing focused on Comino. The value of the private format is being able to make that choice.

What the private format is worth

The advertised price is $227 for a group of up to seven people, before the required €79 fuel charge. That works out to about $32 per person before fuel if you fill all seven places, though the final cost depends on the exchange rate and the size of your group.

For seven people, the price can be good value. You are paying for a private boat, a professional skipper and guide, equipment, and the ability to set a more personal route. A smaller group pays more per person, so compare the total against other private charters before you book.

The included equipment adds real convenience. You get snorkeling masks, a cooler with ice, safety equipment, floating noodles, swimming float boards, and one complimentary bottle of wine. You still need to bring your own snacks, water, sunscreen, and other drinks, so the cooler is useful but not a full catering service.

The fuel charge deserves attention. It is paid upon boarding, and it is not part of the $227 headline price. I would calculate the complete cost before booking and make sure everyone in your group understands the extra fee.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

Arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. The operator does not provide hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for water activities. Pack swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera. Cash is also needed for the fuel charge, and a waterproof bag will protect phones, wallets, and other small items.

The boat includes safety equipment, and the skipper guides the outing in English. Still, open water can feel tiring, especially if you are swimming at several stops. Use the floating noodles or boards if you want extra support, and tell the skipper if your group needs a slower pace.

Weather can change the plan. The operator may reschedule or cancel if conditions are poor, so do not place this trip on the final possible day of a short Malta visit. The flexible booking terms allow cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Access to a boat, swimming areas, caves, and shore stops can also be awkward for anyone with limited mobility, so check your group’s needs before paying.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this outing to a group of friends, a family with older children, or a couple traveling with another couple. Seven people can share the cost, and the private setting makes it easier to balance different preferences.

It suits you if you want:

• Swimming and snorkeling rather than a long guided walk
• A skipper who can adjust the route
• Time at caves, bays, and clear water
• A short look at both Comino and Gozo
• A relaxed boat setting for your own group
• The option to include wine, snacks, and time on the water

I would think twice if you want a full visit to Gozo, a long stop at the Citadel, or an all-day sailing trip. The short duration is convenient, but it forces choices. I would also avoid it if you get seasick or dislike paying an extra fuel charge at boarding.

The most useful question is not Can this boat visit everything? It cannot do every island sight in depth. Ask instead, Which two or three experiences matter most to my group? If the answer is clear water, swimming, caves, Comino scenery, and a flexible private route, this trip fits well.

Should you book the Comino Waves boat trip?

Book it if you want a compact private outing with a friendly skipper, strong swimming stops, and room to shape the day around your group. The best moments are likely to come from the freedom to linger at a cove, swim near Crystal Lagoon, or add Santa Maria Bay instead of following a fixed crowd-based schedule.

Before you commit, budget for the €79 fuel charge, bring your own food and water, and accept that Gozo may be only a brief stop. For a group of seven, the cost is easier to justify. For a smaller group, the private comfort still has value, but the per-person price rises.

If you want a personal introduction to Comino’s water and coastline, I would book it. If you want a full Gozo sightseeing day, choose a longer excursion instead.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts 3 to 4 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to seven people.

Which places can the boat visit?

The route can include Comino, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo. Other locations may be available upon request.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes time for swimming at locations such as the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.

Is a skipper included?

Yes. A professional skipper and English-speaking guide are included.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

No. A €79 fuel cost must be paid upon boarding.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included. The boat does include a cooler with ice and one complimentary bottle of wine.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a towel, camera, snacks, sunscreen, water, and cash. A waterproof bag is also recommended for personal belongings.

Can the trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The trip may be rescheduled or canceled in poor weather. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.