Private Boat Tour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The best part of this private Comino boat tour is simple: you do not have to fight for a patch of sand at Blue Lagoon. Your skipper can anchor the boat away from the thickest crowds, let you swim straight into the clear water, and then move on to Crystal Lagoon, caves, reefs, and small islands.

I like the small-group freedom and the chance to see places that regular boats cannot reach. I also like the practical touches, especially the canopy for shade, included snorkeling gear, and ice box. The main catch is time: one hour is short for this many sights, and the advertised price does not include the separate €49 fuel charge.

Quick reasons to consider this boat ride

• Swim from the boat at Blue Lagoon: You can avoid the most crowded shore areas and enter the water from a quieter anchorage.
• Crystal Lagoon is the main snorkeling stop: Expect time for swimming, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and a look toward the Comino Caves.
• A private boat for up to eight: Your group keeps the boat to itself and can discuss route choices with the skipper.
• Cominotto and its reef add something different: The shallow reef is known for octopuses, sea urchins, parrotfish, and sea bream.
• Special access to caves and cliffs: The boat can pass through Popeye Cave and narrow coastal spots that are not part of a simple beach visit.
• Know the real price: The listed group fare is $106.92, but €49 fuel is paid separately per booking.

A fast, private look at Comino

Comino is Malta’s third-largest island, yet only two people live there. That contrast helps explain the appeal. The island is small, dry, and mostly open, but its shoreline is packed with coves, caves, cliffs, and unusually clear water.

A private boat is a smart way to see it because the most interesting sights are scattered along the coast. You will not spend the whole hour tied to one beach. Instead, the skipper can zigzag around Comino, Cominotto, and the small islets nearby.

The boat departs from Cirkewwa Cafe in Mellieħa and returns there after the ride. Cirkewwa is the meeting point, so check your route carefully before booking. The activity is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking.

This is not a long cruise with a slow, formal commentary. It is a short, active outing built around swimming and coastal viewing. The skipper’s role matters more than a script. You can ask to spend more time in the water or request a different route, subject to weather and the available hour.

Blue Lagoon without staying on the busiest shore

Blue Lagoon is Comino’s famous calling card, and the water deserves its reputation. The narrow area between Comino and Cominotto has bright blue water and small beaches on both sides.

The problem is popularity. Blue Lagoon can be very busy, especially when many boats and beach visitors arrive at once. A private charter does not make the lagoon empty, but it gives you a better option: anchor away from the densest section and swim from the boat.

That difference matters. Instead of searching for a small place on shore, you can step directly into the water, use the supplied mask and snorkel, and return to the boat when you are ready. The boat’s canopy gives you a shaded place to sit between swims, which is useful in Malta’s strong sun.

The stop is listed at about 15 minutes, so set your expectations correctly. You will get a refreshing swim and a look at the water, not a full beach afternoon. If your group wants longer swimming time, say so early. The private format gives you more say than a fixed group excursion, but the overall tour still lasts only about an hour.

Crystal Lagoon and the Comino Caves

Crystal Lagoon is the other major stop, and I consider it the stronger part of the route for anyone who likes being in the water. It is suited to swimming and snorkeling, with cliffs and the Comino Caves nearby.

The boat can bring you close to the lagoon, then give you a chance to swim in a quieter setting than the main Blue Lagoon area. The stop is also associated with cliff jumping. That does not mean you must jump. You can simply swim, use the snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The listed stop lasts about 15 minutes. Again, that is enough for a short swim, but not for a leisurely snorkeling session. If your group has children, cautious swimmers, or people who prefer sightseeing to getting wet, the skipper should know how you want to use the time.

Crystal Lagoon is only available to this kind of private boat access in the supplied tour description. That makes the stop useful for people who want more than a quick photo at Blue Lagoon. You get a second water setting, a look at the caves, and a chance to shape the stop around your group.

Cominotto, the reef, and a quieter side of Malta

Cominotto is the small island just off Comino. Its beach has appeared in the films Troy and Swept Away with Madonna, but the film connection is not the main reason to visit. The appeal is the sense of separation. Cominotto can be reached only by private boat tour, and its shoreline offers a calmer contrast to the famous lagoon.

Nearby, Cominotto Reef is a long, shallow reef at the island’s tip. The reef helps create the striking color of the water and supports sea life including octopuses, sea urchins, parrotfish, and sea bream.

This is one of the tour’s best details for anyone who enjoys looking below the surface. You should not expect a full reef excursion during a one-hour route, but the skipper can pass over the area and, if conditions and timing allow, let you inspect it from the water.

The reef is shallow, which can make it appealing for casual snorkeling. Still, the tour does not promise a fixed amount of time there. Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, cliffs, and several islets all compete for the same short schedule. Tell the skipper if marine life matters more to you than seeing every coastal feature.

Popeye Cave and Comino’s dramatic cliffs

L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf is also called Popeye Cave. Sunlight enters through the opening and creates the effect that makes it one of Comino’s most photographed caves.

The boat is designed to reach the cave closely, giving you a proper look rather than a distant view from open water. The listed stop is about five minutes, so this is mainly a scenic pass and photo opportunity, not a long cave visit.

The cliffs nearby offer another striking section of the route. The boat can take you between the high cliff faces and a small offshore island, then continue past other caves along the coast. These narrow coastal passages are a real advantage of using a small private boat.

This part of the ride is especially good for people who like unusual rock formations and views from the water. It is less important if your only goal is to swim. A private tour works well here because the skipper can adjust the pace, but five minutes goes quickly, so have your camera ready before reaching the cave.

Small islets and the P31 patrol boat

The water around Comino contains several small islets with different colors and shapes. The description compares them to little icebergs, and the boat route zigzags around them for a closer look.

This is a short five-minute portion of the trip, but it breaks up the swimming stops. You get a sense of how scattered the islands are and why a boat is the natural way to explore this part of Malta.

The route may also pass over the P31, a scuttled patrol boat just off Comino. The wreck rests between 10 and 18 meters below the surface. On days with fair weather, you can view it from above, or you may request to swim around it instead of visiting another location.

If the P31 interests you, discuss it before the trip. The route needs to be adjusted in advance, and the available swimming option depends on the conditions. This is not a guaranteed wreck visit on every departure. It is an optional choice that can make the outing more appealing to confident swimmers who want something different from lagoons and caves.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The listed route includes two 15-minute lagoon stops, a five-minute visit around small islets, a five-minute Popeye Cave pass, and additional views of Comino, Cominotto, the reef, cliffs, caves, and possibly the P31.

That is a lot for approximately one hour. I would treat the trip as a brisk sampler rather than a slow cruise. You can see many highlights, but you cannot spend long at every one.

The private format helps because you are not locked into the exact priorities of a large group. If swimming is your main goal, ask for more water time. If caves and rock formations matter most, ask the skipper to favor those sections. If you want the P31, mention it before departure.

The best plan is to choose two priorities before boarding. For example, you might make Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon the main goals, with caves and the reef as welcome extras. Or you might choose the P31 and coastal scenery if your group has already spent time swimming elsewhere.

Price, fuel, and group value

The advertised price is $106.92 per group of up to eight people. That sounds reasonable for a private boat, particularly if you fill most of the eight places. The separate €49 fuel charge must be paid per booking, so include it in your real budget.

The currency difference also matters. The listed fare is in US dollars, while fuel is charged in euros. Check the final booking amount and payment details so the total does not surprise you.

For one or two people, this costs more per person than a shared boat. For a family or group of friends, the calculation changes. You are paying for private use, a route that can be adjusted, and access to places that are not part of a basic shore visit.

The included snorkeling equipment saves you from bringing your own mask and snorkel. The ice box is useful for keeping drinks cool, although food and drinks are not listed as included. The canopy is another small but important feature, especially during a bright midday outing.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a short, private burst of sea time rather than a full-day cruise. It suits people who want to swim from the boat, see Comino’s caves, and avoid spending the whole visit in one crowded lagoon.

It is also a good fit for groups with different interests. One person can swim, another can stay under the canopy, and the skipper can shape the route around the group’s priorities. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation as well.

You should think twice if you want long snorkeling sessions, extended time on a beach, or a slow guided explanation of every stop. The duration is only about an hour, and several locations are viewed briefly.

Weather is another key factor. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Malta schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted, so do not leave the decision until the last minute.

Should you book the Comino private boat tour?

Book it if your group values privacy, swimming, and a flexible route more than a long, leisurely cruise. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Popeye Cave, the reef, cliffs, and small islets gives you a lively introduction to Comino in a short time.

The strongest reason to choose it is the ability to leave the crowded Blue Lagoon shore behind and swim from the boat. The canopy, mask and snorkel, ice box, and private setting add real value.

Just remember the limits. The tour lasts about an hour, the fuel charge is extra, and the schedule is packed. For up to eight people who want a private look at Comino and are happy with quick stops, it is a practical choice. For a long beach day or serious snorkeling session, choose a longer outing instead.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The meeting point is Cirkewwa Cafe in Mellieħa, Malta.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Cirkewwa.

How long does the private boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

What is included in the tour price?

Snorkeling equipment and an ice box are included. The boat also has canopies for shade.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel is excluded and costs €49 per booking, paid separately.

Can I swim at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The tour includes a Blue Lagoon stop where you can swim from the boat, including in a quieter area away from the busiest sections.

Can I request the P31 wreck?

You can request to swim around the P31 instead of visiting other locations, but you should discuss this with the operator in advance so the route can be adjusted.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.