Private speed boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves

Comino’s best water is the star here. This private speed boat takes you to Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, and several caves in about two hours, with time to swim instead of simply snapping photos from a crowded cruise boat. Skippers including Atef, Agus, and Keith are known for mixing local information with a relaxed pace.

I like the private format and the useful onboard extras: snorkeling masks, fresh-water shower, music, and an ice box. I also like the chance to see quieter water near Crystal Lagoon before facing the famous Blue Lagoon. The catch is the extra fuel charge, which is €79 paid to the skipper, and two hours can feel short if your group wants long swims.

Key points to know before booking

• Crystal Lagoon comes first: You get about 30 minutes at a quieter Comino bay with clear water and good swimming.
• Blue Lagoon gets 45 minutes: This is the famous stop, but it can be busy, so use the time for swimming rather than expecting solitude.
• The caves add variety: Popeyes Cave and another vivid blue-water cave offer quick sightseeing between swims.
• The boat is private for up to nine: You can set the mood with music and enjoy more room than on a public cruise.
• Fuel costs €79 extra: Add this to the advertised group price when working out the real total.
• Atef, Agus, and Keith are named skippers: Their reported strengths include friendly service, local information, flexibility, and help with guests who need extra care.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is small, but its famous swimming spots can feel very busy. A private speed boat gives you a better way to move between them, with your own group and skipper rather than a fixed public-cruise routine.

The price is $191.04 for the whole boat, for up to nine people. That is a strong group value if you fill most of the seats. With nine people, the listed boat price works out to about $21 per person before the €79 fuel charge. For a couple or small family, the per-person cost rises quickly, so compare it with public boat trips before booking.

The real benefit is not just speed. You can listen to your own music, keep drinks in the ice box, and ask for a little more time at a preferred swimming stop if the schedule allows. The skipper can also give you information about Comino and the surrounding coast.

You should still keep the two-hour limit in mind. This is a focused outing, not a full-day charter. The route includes Crystal Lagoon, caves, and Blue Lagoon, so the boat must keep moving between stops. If your main goal is a long, lazy swim, a longer private booking may suit you better.

Crystal Lagoon: the calmer first swim

Crystal Lagoon is the most peaceful part of the route. It is a secluded bay on Comino with transparent turquoise water, and it is less crowded than Blue Lagoon. That makes it a good opening stop, especially if you want to swim or use the snorkeling mask before the more famous site.

You get about 30 minutes here. That sounds short, but it is enough for a quick swim, a look beneath the surface, or a few photographs from the boat. The water is calm and clear, with underwater marine life visible when conditions are good.

I would use this stop to get comfortable in the sea. The boat carries snorkeling masks, so you do not need to bring your own equipment for a basic look underwater. A fresh-water shower is also available onboard, which is useful after swimming in salt water.

The tradeoff is timing. Crystal Lagoon is the quieter bay, but the tour does not give you unlimited time there. If your group is more interested in snorkeling than sightseeing, tell the skipper early that you would like to make the most of this stop.

Popeyes Cave and Comino’s bright blue water

The cave visits break up the swimming and give you a closer look at Comino’s rocky coast. Popeyes Cave is known locally as a cave without a roof, and it is associated with the film Popeye. That unusual shape makes it more than a routine coastal photo stop.

You also visit another cave known for the intense blue color of the water inside. The supplied details do not give the cave a name, but its appeal is clear: it offers a quick look at how the water changes in a sheltered rocky setting.

These are sightseeing stops rather than long walks or cave expeditions. You should expect to see the caves from the boat, with the skipper explaining the area and positioning the boat for views. The precise time spent at each cave can vary because the tour has only about two hours.

For me, this is where a private boat earns its keep. A public cruise may pass the same sights, but a private skipper can give your group a more personal explanation and adjust the pace when possible. Skippers Atef, Agus, and Keith have been singled out for being friendly, informative, and attentive, though the exact skipper depends on the day.

Blue Lagoon: famous, clear, and often busy

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. It lies between Comino and Cominotto and is known for clear blue water over a pale sandy seabed. The shallow, calm water gives the place its almost tropical look.

The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes, the longest listed swim. That is sensible because Blue Lagoon is the main reason many people come to Comino. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply enjoy the view from the boat.

There is an important booking detail. If you want to go down at Blue Lagoon, you must book a free entry ticket. The tour includes access to the lagoons, but the separate entry requirement still applies. Handle this before the day of the trip so you are not trying to sort it out while the boat is waiting.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop where expectations matter most. Its clear water is genuine, but its fame means you should not expect a private beach experience. The private boat helps you avoid being tied to a large public vessel, yet the lagoon itself can still be busy.

One practical tip is to prioritize swimming here. One skipper specifically advised spending longer in the Blue Lagoon because the water can be calmer and clearer. Since the boat’s schedule includes several sights, do not use all 45 minutes for photos if swimming is your main goal.

Optional Mġarr Harbour and the Gozo connection

Mġarr Harbour is an optional visit rather than a required stop. It is Gozo’s main port and the arrival point for ferry services between Malta and Gozo. The harbor sits on Gozo’s southeastern coast, surrounded by hills and active maritime traffic.

This option may appeal if you want a wider view of the Maltese islands rather than only swimming. It adds a Gozo reference to a route otherwise centered on Comino. Ask the skipper how it fits within the two-hour schedule, since the listed itinerary already includes two lagoons and cave visits.

Do not count on a long shore visit at Mġarr Harbour. The information provided describes it as an optional visit, not a separate land excursion. Think of it as an additional boat-side view if time and route conditions allow.

What comes with the boat

The equipment is simple but well chosen for a short sea outing. You get snorkeling masks, an ice box, music, and a fresh-water shower, along with the skipper and the private boat.

The ice box matters more than it may sound. Since food and drinks are not included, you can bring your own refreshments and keep them cool onboard. The tour does not provide meals, so plan ahead if anyone in your group needs food during the outing.

Music also helps define the private experience. You can use the boat’s sound system while your group travels between stops, then switch attention to the sea and the caves. This setup suits families and friend groups who want a social outing rather than a quiet guided cruise.

The boat holds up to nine people. A full group will get the best value from the fixed price, while a small party pays more per person for the same private space. The private setup also means only your group participates, which gives you more control over the atmosphere.

Skippers who shape the day

The named skippers are one of the strongest parts of this experience. Atef is described as friendly, professional, and good at explaining the area without taking over your free time. That balance matters on a private boat, where you want useful information but also plenty of room to relax.

Agus has been praised for an energetic approach and for taking care with older passengers. If you are bringing grandparents or anyone who prefers a gentler pace, mention this when booking and again at the start of the trip. The boat can then be handled with your group’s comfort in mind.

Keith is described as lively, attentive, and able to speak Maltese, Italian, and English. He has also helped guests spot fish while snorkeling. The exact language support depends on the assigned skipper, so do not assume every departure has the same language mix.

James has also been described as helpful with first aid after a guest cut a foot on a rock. That is not a promise of medical care, and you should still take care around rocky swimming areas. It does show why it is useful to have a skipper nearby when swimming from a boat.

Price, fuel, and the real value

The listed cost is $191.04 per group of up to nine, but fuel is not included. You pay an additional €79 to the skipper. That makes the total price higher than the headline figure, so include the fuel charge before deciding if this is a bargain.

For a full group, the combined cost can still be reasonable compared with buying many individual seats on a cruise. You also receive a private boat, skipper, equipment, music, an ice box, and the chance to explore several sites in one short trip.

For two people, the calculation is different. You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and space rather than simply transport to Blue Lagoon. If you mainly want to reach one swimming spot at the lowest cost, a public option may be more sensible.

Booking directly with Xlendi Pleasure Cruises may offer a better deal with fuel, according to the available booking advice. Check the final price carefully and confirm how the fuel payment will be handled before departure.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this boat for a family group, a group of friends, or anyone who wants a private alternative to a crowded cruise. It works particularly well for groups of five to nine, where the fixed cost spreads more comfortably.

It also suits people who want several highlights in one outing: two lagoons, caves, snorkeling, and a possible look at Mġarr Harbour. The private format is helpful when your group has mixed interests, since you can discuss the pace with the skipper.

This is not the best match for someone prone to sea sickness. It is a speed boat, and the outing takes place on open water. If you are sensitive to motion, think carefully before booking.

It is also not ideal if you need a long beach day or extensive time on land. The route is built around boat access and short swimming stops. You will spend most of the experience onboard or in the water.

Practical details before you go

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the departure point is near public transportation. The experience is offered in English, and most people can participate.

Bring your own food and drinks because they are not included. Use the ice box for your supplies, and remember that the free Blue Lagoon entry ticket must be booked if you plan to go down there.

Good weather is essential. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The tour is booked, on average, 16 days ahead. That is a useful sign that you should not leave it until the last minute, especially if you need a particular date or want to travel with a larger group.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino speed boat if you value personal space, clear swimming water, and a flexible feel more than the lowest possible price. The strongest case is for a group that can share the $191.04 boat cost and the €79 fuel charge.

The route covers the essential sights efficiently. Crystal Lagoon gives you a quieter start, the caves add something beyond swimming, and Blue Lagoon supplies the famous blue water. Skippers such as Atef, Agus, and Keith add local context and a human touch.

Skip it if you dislike speed boats, are prone to sea sickness, or want a full day at one beach. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Comino without being packed onto a standard public cruise. Just reserve the free Blue Lagoon entry, budget for fuel, and use your 45 minutes at Blue Lagoon wisely.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is private for your group and can accommodate up to nine people.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Popeyes Cave, and another cave known for its very blue water. Mġarr Harbour is an optional visit.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour provides opportunities for swimming and snorkeling at the lagoons and other suitable stops.

Are snorkeling masks provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel costs €79 and must be paid to the skipper.

Do I need a ticket for Blue Lagoon?

If you want to go down at Blue Lagoon, you must book a free entry ticket.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.