Blue Lagoon, Comino and Caves Tour with Private Rib Boat

Comino is best seen from the water, and this private RIB tour gives you a fast, flexible route around its caves, reefs, forts, and famous swimming bays. You can enter narrow sea caves by boat, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and see the Blue Lagoon without needing to go ashore.

I like the small private group, capped at eight people, and the chance to ask your skipper to linger at a quiet cove rather than follow a fixed public-boat schedule. I also like the local touch provided by skippers such as Francesco, who grew up in Gozo and knows the coast well.

The main drawback is the price structure. The advertised cost is $311.18 per group, but a €99 fuel surcharge is added per booking. The three-hour tour also covers a great deal of coastline, so some stops are brief photo or viewing pauses rather than long visits.

Key points to know before you book

• Private RIB for up to eight people: You get the boat to yourselves, with more room and flexibility than a standard group cruise.
• Blue Lagoon without going ashore: You can swim from the boat without needing the new land-entry pass required for going onto the Blue Lagoon shore.
• Several swim and snorkel stops: Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay offer different settings for getting into the water.
• Caves are a major part of the route: Lovers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Popeye’s Cave, and other rock formations are viewed or entered by boat.
• Useful equipment is included: Bottled water, an ice cooler, and snorkeling equipment come with the tour.
• Plan for the extra fuel charge: The €99 surcharge changes the total cost, especially for a small party.

Why a private RIB makes sense around Comino

Comino is small, but its best sights are scattered around a rough coast. A private RIB lets you move between them quickly and reach sea caves that are impossible to visit on foot. The boat can also stop in places where a larger vessel may not fit.

That matters most at the Blue Lagoon. The turquoise water is the star attraction, but the shore area can feel busy during the main part of the day. Since you do not need to leave the boat, you can swim from a quieter position and avoid the new pass required for going ashore.

The boat is reserved for your group of up to eight. That makes the $311.18 base price easier to justify for a full group, but less attractive for one or two people. Add the €99 fuel surcharge before comparing this experience with a shared cruise.

The trip lasts about three hours. That is enough time for a brisk circuit with several stops, but not enough for a long stay at every site. If you want extended snorkeling at one reef, ask the skipper early in the trip how much time can be given to your preferred stop.

St. Mary’s Tower and Lovers Cave

The first part of the route passes St. Mary’s Tower, a 17th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. It sits high above Comino’s channel and once helped guard the water between Malta and Gozo.

The tower also appeared as the Château d’If prison in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. From the boat, you get the best sense of its position on the cliff. This is a sightseeing pause rather than a fort visit, since the tour stays on the water.

Below the tower, the RIB enters Lovers Cave. It is a quiet sea cave reached only from the water, with a low-key, romantic feel and good conditions for photographs. The boat entry is part of the appeal, though people who want to swim inside every cave may find the 15-minute stop short.

Popeye’s Cave and Comino’s broken coastline

L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf translates as the cave without a roof. A collapsed ceiling has left a broad opening above the cave, allowing sunlight to reach the interior. Local names include It-Tieqa and Taħt il-Ħnejja, and it is also called Popeye’s Cave because it appeared in the 1980s film Popeye starring Robin Williams.

This is one of the more unusual stops because it feels part sea cave, part natural room. The open roof gives you changing light and a clear view of the limestone around it. Bring a phone or camera that can handle spray, since the most interesting angles are from the boat and water.

The surrounding coast is full of arches and cut-throughs. The Għemieri Window is another good example, a natural limestone arch shaped by wind and waves. It is a short viewing stop, not a formal walk or visit, but it adds variety to the route.

Crystal Lagoon, cliff jumps, and the P31 wreck

Crystal Lagoon is one of the best places on the tour for a proper swim. It sits on Comino’s western side, surrounded by pale cliffs and clear water. The RIB anchors here for about 30 minutes, giving you time to swim, snorkel, or enter nearby caves.

Cliff jumping is popular around the lagoon, with different heights available. Still, you should treat this as an optional activity, not a promise that every jump will be suitable on the day. Water conditions, your own comfort, and the skipper’s guidance should decide what you do.

The route also includes the P31, a former Maltese patrol boat deliberately sunk in 2009 to form an artificial reef. It rests upright on the seabed at about 18 to 20 meters, while its highest point is around seven meters below the surface. In clear conditions, snorkelers and free divers can see the wreck from above.

The P31 adds an underwater history lesson to a day otherwise focused on caves and swimming. You may see fish and small marine life around the wreck, but visibility depends on conditions. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, which is helpful, though you should not expect a full specialist wreck excursion in a three-hour coastal tour.

Cominotto Reef and the islet across the lagoon

Cominotto Reef, also called Anchor Reef, offers a more serious underwater setting. The reef has drop-offs, overhangs, and swim-throughs, with depths ranging from 10 to 40 meters. Octopuses, moray eels, and colorful fish are found in the area.

For a casual snorkeler, the shallow edges and clear water are the useful parts. More experienced underwater explorers may appreciate the deeper rock shapes, but the time available is limited. This is a place to inspect from the surface unless you have the skills and equipment for deeper activity.

The nearby islet of Cominotto is uninhabited and reached only by boat. It has rugged cliffs, a small sandy beach, and a sea tunnel suited to swimming and snorkeling. The islet is also linked with scenes from Troy and Swept Away, though its real appeal is the clean, open setting across from the Blue Lagoon.

Cominotto can feel calmer than the main lagoon, especially if you stay with the boat rather than trying to reach the beach. The area is also used for cliff jumping, with several heights. As always, check conditions first and do not assume a jump is safe simply because someone else has made it.

Blue Lagoon from the quieter side

The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright turquoise water and pale seabed. It sits between Comino and Cominotto, and the sheltered shape makes it a natural swimming stop.

The private boat format helps here. You can swim from the RIB, float in the clear water, and explore nearby coves without joining a large public boat. Your skipper can guide you toward a less crowded position, although no private tour can guarantee an empty lagoon during peak hours.

The land-entry rule is important. A pre-booking pass is now required if you plan to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. That rule does not apply if you remain on the boat, so this tour lets you enjoy the water without adding a shore visit to your plans.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a swim and photographs, but you may want to tell the skipper if Blue Lagoon is your top priority. The route includes many sights, and the schedule requires some balance between the lagoon, caves, and northern bays.

Santa Marija Bay and the northern caves

Santa Marija Bay offers a quieter contrast to the Blue Lagoon. The water is clear and shallow, and the sandy beach makes the bay appealing for families or anyone who wants a gentler swim. You can relax on the boat or get into the water during the roughly 30-minute stop.

The Santa Marija Chapel, dating from 1618, adds a small cultural detail to this otherwise natural setting. You see it from the surrounding area rather than as part of a guided chapel visit.

San Niklaw Bay is another peaceful northern stop. Its cliffs and Mediterranean plants frame clear water suited to swimming or snorkeling. It is reached by boat or walking trail, but this experience approaches from the sea, which gives you a better view of the coast’s shape.

The Santa Maria Caves are one of the route’s strongest sections. The RIB carefully enters the cave network, where narrow passages and reflected light create blue and green tones on the rock. This is the kind of place a large vessel may not be able to reach comfortably.

Elephant Rock is another brief photo stop. The limestone formation resembles an elephant lowering its trunk into the sea. It is a simple sight, but the shape is easy to spot from the water and makes a pleasant change from the swimming stops.

Forts, batteries, and the Gozo connection

Near the end of the coastal circuit, you pass Saint Mary’s Battery, an 18th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. It once watched the channel and helped protect the islands from pirate and Ottoman attacks.

Seeing both St. Mary’s Tower and Saint Mary’s Battery helps you understand how important this narrow channel was. The forts are not just isolated stone buildings. Their positions explain the military value of the water between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

The skippers add useful local context. Francesco is from Gozo and has been praised for explaining the islands, rocks, and history while keeping the outing relaxed. Mathew also operates trips, and the company is family-owned, with Nigel handling bookings and offering help with wider Malta plans.

This personal guidance is one of the strongest reasons to choose the private option. You can ask why a cave has its name, which bay is calmer, or how long to stay in the water. The experience is not simply transport from one postcard view to another.

What is included, and what you still need to plan

Bottled water, an ice cooler, and snorkeling equipment are included. The equipment is especially useful if you are arriving without masks and snorkels, and the cooler helps keep the short trip comfortable in the Maltese sun.

The fuel surcharge is not included in the base price. At €99 per booking, it is a meaningful extra, so calculate the full cost before you reserve. For eight people, the cost is much easier to split. For a couple, the private space and flexible route come at a premium.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, the departure area is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made within 24 hours is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Keep the local cut-off time in mind when making plans.

Who should choose this Comino boat tour?

I would choose this tour for a family group, a group of friends, or anyone marking a special day on Malta. Eight people can share the boat, and the mix of swimming, caves, forts, and short sightseeing stops keeps the outing varied.

It also suits people who dislike large public cruises. You get a cleaner, more personal format, and the skipper can respond to your interests. If you want to spend most of the time snorkeling at one reef, though, ask about timing before departure, since this route covers many locations.

This is less suited to a strict budget or to anyone who wants a long shore visit. The Blue Lagoon stop is mainly water-based, and the new pass does not matter if you stay aboard. The fuel surcharge also makes the final price higher than the headline figure.

Should you book it?

Book this private RIB tour if you value space, local guidance, and access to Comino’s caves more than the lowest possible price. The strongest parts are the small group, the ability to enter sea caves, the Crystal Lagoon swim, and the chance to enjoy Blue Lagoon from the water without going ashore.

For the best value, bring a full group of up to eight and decide in advance which stop matters most. If your group wants a calm, personal route with room for swimming and questions, this is a strong choice. If you mainly want a cheap ride to the Blue Lagoon and a long beach stay, a shared boat may suit you better.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group only and allows up to eight people.

Is the Blue Lagoon land-entry pass included?

No pass is needed if you stay on the boat. A pre-booking pass is required if you plan to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler are included.

Is the fuel charge included in the listed price?

No. A €99 fuel surcharge is added per booking.

Which sea caves are included?

The route includes Lovers Cave, L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, the Santa Maria Caves, and other coastal arches and openings such as the Għemieri Window.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.