Private Boat charter to Crystal & Blue Lagoon, Caves & Comino

The best part of this private Comino boat charter is the freedom to leave the crowded boats behind. You can swim beneath cliffs, paddle into clear coves, visit sea caves, and pause at quieter bays while your captain adjusts the pace to suit your group. Albert and Anthony, who run the family business, are known for sharing local stories and finding good swimming spots.

I like the small-group privacy and the practical comforts: a shaded boat, restroom, freshwater shower, coolers, bar, snorkeling gear, and two stand-up paddle boards. I also like the local touch of Maltese cheese, olives, crackers, and other traditional snacks. The main drawback is time. Three hours goes quickly, especially if you want long swims, a beach stop, a cave visit, and time at both lagoons.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon without surrendering the whole trip to crowds: You get time at Comino’s famous water, then move on to quieter places.
• A family-run boat with local guidance: Albert and Anthony may add useful stories about Comino, its towers, caves, and filming locations.
• Five main stops in about three hours: The schedule is full, so expect short visits rather than a slow day at one beach.
• Useful gear is included: Bring your swimsuit, but snorkeling equipment, two paddle boards, coolers, a freshwater shower, and a restroom are provided.
• A strong choice for private groups: The $419.39 price covers up to 15 people, making the cost more reasonable when shared.
• Food is light, not a full meal: Traditional cheese, olives, cold cuts, and bread are listed as an additional food option, while snacks are commonly provided.

A private way to see Comino’s famous water

Comino is small, but its coast packs in a lot: bright swimming water, steep rock walls, narrow coves, caves, old defensive towers, and beaches that feel very different from one another. A private boat lets you see more of it without spending the whole outing beside a crowded public craft.

This is not a long sailing cruise. You have about three hours, and the boat moves between several stops. That makes it a useful choice if you have limited time in Malta or Gozo and want a quick look at Comino’s best-known coastal sights.

The boat carries up to 15 people, but only your group participates. That distinction matters. You can ask for more time in the water, move on from a busy place, or slow down when the sea becomes choppy. The captain is not working through a large group with fixed needs.

The family-run nature of the operation is part of its appeal. Albert and Anthony are named as members of the crew, and the business grew from local boating and fishing experience. You can expect a friendly, informal style rather than a large-company excursion with a script.

Blue Lagoon: famous water and a busy setting

The Blue Lagoon is the obvious starting point. Its clear water is ideal for a swim, and the 45-minute stop gives you enough time to get in the sea, take photos, and look around.

You will also find food kiosks, cocktail bars, sandy patches, and watersports in the area. Parasailing is available at the lagoon, and a short walk leads toward Comino’s historic tower. The Blue Lagoon Pass is included, which is useful because access arrangements can matter during the busiest periods.

Here is the tradeoff: the Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, so it is also the place most likely to feel busy. A private boat helps you avoid spending the whole outing in a packed group, but it cannot make the lagoon itself empty. Go early if you want a calmer feel, or treat this stop as your quick look at the famous water before moving to less crowded parts of the coast.

The lagoon is best for a first swim and a sense of place. It is not necessarily the best stop for quiet. You may prefer to save your longer swim for Crystal Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and a swim-through

Crystal Lagoon offers a more enclosed setting. The water sits inside an inlet ringed by cliffs and caves, giving the stop a more sheltered and dramatic feel than the open Blue Lagoon area.

The special feature is the chance to swim beneath a cave from one side to the other. You can also reach a small sandy beach inside a cave. That is the sort of odd, memorable detail that makes this trip more than a standard beach transfer.

The area was used for filming The Count of Monte Cristo, and Comino’s tower can be seen from parts of the coast. The film connection is interesting, but the rocks and water are the real reason to stop here.

Allow about 45 minutes. That sounds generous, but it can disappear quickly once you swim, use the paddle boards, look into the caves, and climb back aboard. Wear secure water shoes if you have them, since rocky entries and cave areas can be awkward underfoot. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, but you should still be comfortable in open water before swimming through a cave opening.

Extra coastal sights between the main stops

The route includes several smaller sights that help fill in Comino’s character. One rock formation resembles an elephant’s head, a simple but fun detail to watch for as the boat passes.

You may also stop near a quiet beach. These brief pauses are useful if your group values scenery and photos, though they should not be confused with a full beach visit. The schedule has several major stops, so smaller sights may be viewed from the boat or handled as short breaks.

Another point of interest is a 13-meter-deep wreck in clear water. Comino’s tower overlooks the site, adding an old stone landmark to the underwater view. The wreck is best understood as a visual and snorkeling stop rather than a full wreck excursion, since the overall charter lasts only three hours.

The tower itself dates to 1618 and was built to defend Comino. It also appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo. You may walk to it in about five minutes from Blue Lagoon Bay, but the boat schedule may not allow a proper tower visit. Ask your captain early if walking to the tower is important to you.

Cominotto Reef: a short water stop

Cominotto Reef is listed as a 15-minute stop and is suited to people interested in underwater scenery. The water is clear, and snorkeling equipment is provided aboard the boat.

Fifteen minutes is brief. You will have time for a quick look and swim, not a long session. If your group includes strong swimmers or people especially keen on underwater viewing, tell the captain early so the limited time is used well.

This stop shows why the private format helps. Your group can decide if the reef deserves attention, and the captain can explain what is practical within the available time. On a shared boat, you would simply follow the fixed schedule.

Santa Marija Bay: the calmer beach choice

Santa Marija Bay is a good counterpoint to Blue Lagoon. It is described as quieter and more peaceful, with a sandy beach and food kiosks. A small church is about two minutes from the beach, giving you a simple walking option if the timing allows.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a short rest, a quick walk, or a look at the shoreline, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. If you want to stretch your legs after swimming, this may be the most suitable stop on the route.

The bay is also useful for groups with different tastes. Some people can swim, others can remain on the boat, and anyone wanting a calmer shoreline gets a break from the more famous lagoon. Still, the short duration means you should not expect a long church visit or a full meal from the kiosks.

Santa Maria Caves: the most unusual final stop

The Santa Maria Caves are the tour’s most atmospheric stop. The coast shifts from small coves to larger caves cut into Comino’s high cliffs, and the boat takes you close enough to see the rock formations from the water.

The most unusual feature is a cave with a pool inside it. That gives the stop a sense of discovery without requiring a long land walk. You can look into smaller openings, see the changing colors of the water, and understand how the cliffs shape the coast.

Allow around 30 minutes here. The boat’s freshwater shower becomes especially handy after swimming in caves and coves. A bar, ice coolers, and a restroom also make the return ride more comfortable.

Caves demand ordinary caution. Water conditions can change, and cave swimming is not for anyone who is uneasy in confined spaces. Stay within the captain’s guidance, especially when moving near rock walls or swimming through openings.

What is included on the boat

The inclusions are practical rather than flashy. You get fuel, a restroom, snorkeling equipment, two stand-up paddle boards, ice coolers, a bar, and a freshwater shower. Private transport from your hotel to the pickup location can also be arranged.

The paddle boards are a real plus. They give you another way to enjoy the lagoons without adding rental steps or extra fees at each stop. They are best used when the water is calm, and two boards mean your group can take turns rather than depend on one shared item.

The restroom matters on a small boat, especially for families or anyone spending several hours away from shore. The freshwater shower is equally welcome after swimming. Do not expect a full restaurant aboard the boat. Food is centered on snacks and traditional local items, not a complete lunch.

The food information needs a little care. Traditional Maltese cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread are listed as an additional food option, while the experience also includes local snacks such as cheese, olives, and crackers. Bring any larger meal you need, or plan to buy food at the lagoon kiosks or Santa Marija Bay.

Drinks are available aboard the boat, and the coolers help keep things cold. The exact drink selection is not specified, so ask before departure if that matters to your group.

Is $419.39 good value?

The price is $419.39 per group of up to 15 people. For two people, that is a costly three-hour outing. For a family or group of friends, the calculation changes quickly.

At full capacity, the base cost works out to less than $28 per person. At six people, it is about $70 per person. That price includes the private boat, captain, fuel, equipment, onboard facilities, and several coastal stops. You are paying for control of the outing as much as for transport.

The strongest value comes from groups that would otherwise book several seats on a crowded boat and want privacy. You also avoid the usual problem of having to fit your swimming time around strangers. If your group wants a quiet boat, shade, room for children, or the ability to ask for a different pace, the cost is easier to justify.

For a couple, the decision is more personal. You are buying a private experience and local attention, not the lowest-cost way to reach the Blue Lagoon. If your priority is simply swimming at one famous bay, a cheaper shared option may make more sense. If you want caves, several coves, paddle boards, and your own captain, the private price may feel worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this boat charter most?

I would choose this for families, couples marking a special occasion, and small groups of friends who dislike packed boats. It also suits anyone with only a short stay who wants to combine several Comino sights in one outing.

The tour is accessible to most people, and service animals are allowed. Public transportation is nearby, and hotel transport to the pickup location can be arranged. The details do not specify a particular boat design or boarding setup, so anyone with mobility concerns should confirm those points before booking.

Strong swimmers will get the most from Crystal Lagoon, the caves, the reef, and the paddle boards. You can still enjoy the scenery without swimming, but much of the tour’s appeal is on the water.

This is also a good option for people who like local contact. Albert and Anthony bring a family-run feel, and the crew can explain the islands, point out film locations, and share stories about the coast. The approach is informal and personal rather than formal and lecture-heavy.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

Three hours is enough for a brisk coastal sampler. It is not enough for long periods at every stop. Set your expectations accordingly, and decide before boarding which matters most: the lagoons, the caves, snorkeling, the beach, or the tower walk.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The sea can become choppy, so let the captain know if anyone in your group is sensitive to motion. The crew has been praised for noticing when conditions affect comfort and adjusting the pace.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and secure footwear for rocky areas. You may also want a waterproof phone case. The boat provides snorkeling gear and water equipment, but personal preferences vary, so bring your own mask if you need a particular fit.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, except when poor weather causes the operator to cancel.

Should you book this private Comino trip?

Book it if you want privacy, flexible pacing, and several swimming locations in one short outing. The family-run crew, local snacks, paddle boards, caves, and useful onboard facilities make it more than a simple ride to the Blue Lagoon.

Think twice if you want a slow beach day, a long tower visit, or the cheapest possible way to see Comino. The schedule is packed, and the Blue Lagoon can still be busy even when your boat is private.

For a group of friends or a family sharing the cost, this is a strong value. For two people, it is a special-occasion purchase. Either way, go in knowing that the best moments are likely to come from the caves, quieter bays, and personal attention, not just from checking the Blue Lagoon off your list.

FAQ

How long does the private boat charter last?

The charter lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can accommodate a private group of up to 15 people.

Which main places does the boat visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.

Is swimming included?

Swimming is part of the stops at the lagoons, reef, beaches, and caves, but admission tickets are free.

Are snorkeling masks and equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are stand-up paddle boards available?

Yes. Two stand-up paddle boards are included for use during the trip.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. A restroom is provided aboard the boat.

Is food included?

Traditional food such as Maltese cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread is listed as an additional option. Local snacks such as cheese, olives, and crackers are also provided. A full meal is not included.

Can transportation from my hotel be arranged?

Yes. Transportation from the hotel to the pickup location can be arranged by the operator.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation.