Malta: Private Boat Cruise with Caves, Beaches & Swim Stops

Comino’s famous blue water looks best from a small private boat, not from the middle of a packed excursion vessel. This cruise lets you circle the island, pause at caves and bays, and jump into the sea when the skipper finds a good spot. Skippers such as Francis and Frances are praised for being friendly and flexible.

I like the private setting, especially for families or friends who want their own music and timetable. I also like the useful onboard kit: masks, fins, noodles, an ice cooler, fresh-water showers, and a side ladder. The main catch is the extra €59 fuel fee in cash, and three hours can feel short if you want long swims at several stops.

Key points to know

• Comino by private boat: Visit Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and San Niklaw Bay without joining a large shared boat.
• Flexible swim time: Ask the skipper to focus on swimming, caves, sightseeing, or a mix of all three.
• Good onboard equipment: Snorkeling masks, fins, noodles, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, and a fresh-water shower are included.
• Bring your own supplies: Food and drinks are not included, and the €59 fuel charge must be paid in cash.
• Blue Lagoon rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step ashore at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.
• Best for active groups: The boat suits people who can manage a ladder, sea movement, and swimming from the boat.

Why a private boat makes Comino better

The main advantage here is control. You are not tied to a large group’s schedule or forced to spend the same amount of time at every stop. Tell the skipper that you want more swimming, more cave viewing, or a quiet cruise, and the route can be adjusted when weather and sea conditions allow.

That matters around Comino. The island’s most attractive coves are close together, but each feels different from the water. A small boat can approach rock formations and caves more closely than a large vessel, then move on when a bay feels too crowded.

You can bring food and drinks, connect your phone to the Bluetooth sound system, and use the cooler with ice. This turns the outing into a relaxed private day at sea rather than a formal sightseeing trip. The boat is intended for up to seven people, so a full group can split the $176 price into a sensible per-person cost. Remember to add the €59 fuel charge, payable in cash onboard.

The trip is rated 4.9 from 179 ratings, with 90 percent of ratings giving it a perfect score. That high mark fits the strongest part of the experience: a clean boat, an accommodating skipper, and the freedom to make the day your own.

Finding the boat at Ċirkewwa

The meeting point is Sea Life Cruises at Ċirkewwa, near the ferry area at the northern end of Malta. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the CIRKEWWA KIOSK CAFE.

Arrive early. The company says late arrival will not extend your private charter, so losing even 15 minutes matters on a three-hour trip. Keep your meeting details and voucher close, especially because the Blue Lagoon QR code information is provided through the voucher.

The first speedboat ride takes about 10 minutes. From there, the day becomes a mix of short cruises, photo stops, swims, snorkeling, and time around Comino’s bays. The skipper handles the boat while you decide how much activity you want.

Comino’s caves and rock formations

The cruise begins its scenic work around Comino, where pale limestone cliffs meet clear Mediterranean water. The boat can pass into or near cave areas, including the Santa Maria Caves, with time for photos and views from the water.

The caves are best treated as a sightseeing stop rather than a long visit on land. The supplied route allows about 10 minutes for the Santa Maria Caves section, so you will have time to see the formations and take pictures, but not to linger at every opening.

Your skipper may also point out smaller rock shapes and inlets around the island. This is where Francis or Frances can add real value by choosing a good angle for photos and showing you places that are easy to miss from a large boat. Do not expect a full lecture on Maltese history, geography, or culture. One useful criticism of this experience is that explanations can be limited, so ask questions if you want more than scenery.

Bring a camera that can handle spray. You will be near the water, and the best views come from the side of the boat rather than from a dry dock.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and regulated

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop for many people. Its shallow-looking, bright water is one of Malta’s most recognizable sights, and swimming here gives you the postcard view from sea level.

The drawback is popularity. Even with a private boat, you cannot make the area private. The lagoon can be crowded, especially during the high season, and the shore is not the peaceful retreat some people imagine from photos. Your boat gives you a better chance to enjoy the water away from the thickest crowd, but conditions and anchoring rules guide where you can stop.

A free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon from May 1, 2025. Check your voucher for the link and arrange it before the trip. This rule concerns going ashore. Ask the crew how it applies to your planned stop if you mainly want to swim from the boat.

Blue Lagoon is also one of the few places along this route where you can buy food and drinks. Still, do not rely on finding everything you need there. Pack your own water, snacks, sunscreen, and any meal you want during the three-hour cruise.

Crystal Lagoon and the best swim time

Crystal Lagoon is a strong reason to choose a private boat. Its clear water and rocky setting are made for a swim, and the boat can stop so you can enter directly from the side ladder.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, including masks and fins. Swimming noodles are also available, which helps if someone in your group wants to float without working hard. Life jackets are carried for emergency use, but they are not automatically worn during the journey. Ask the crew if you want one for the ride or while swimming.

The side ladder is practical, though one account found it a little short and wished for two more steps. If you have stiff joints, limited balance, or trouble climbing from the water, this is worth considering before booking. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with back problems.

The fresh-water shower is a welcome detail after a salty swim. Use it before settling back on the boat, especially if you plan to sunbathe or play music during the return cruise.

Santa Maria Bay and San Niklaw Bay

Santa Maria Bay offers a calmer change of pace after the busier Blue Lagoon area. You may stop for swimming, snorkeling, photos, or time on the island. San Niklaw Bay gives you another chance to see Comino from the water and choose between a swim and a scenic pause.

The key benefit is not that every bay feels entirely empty. It is that your group can choose the balance. A family with children may want short water stops and more time sitting in the boat. A group of confident swimmers may prefer fewer photo pauses and longer swims.

If you want to walk ashore, tell the skipper before anchoring. The route allows time to disembark and explore, but the exact points can change with weather, tides, shallow water, and other legitimate safety concerns. The captain has the final say, and that is a good thing on a small boat in open water.

The boat’s flexibility also helps if wind makes one bay unpleasant. A June cruise had to change its return point because of wind, and the provider arranged a taxi to help the group reach its hotel. That kind of adjustment is more useful than sticking stubbornly to a fixed route.

What the skipper adds to the day

The captain is not just a driver. A good skipper reads the water, chooses a suitable anchorage, explains what you are seeing, and keeps the group comfortable. Francis and Frances receive repeated praise for being friendly, attentive, and willing to stop at requested places.

You should still set expectations correctly. This is a private boat outing with a live English-speaking guide, not a formal lecture tour. Some skippers may explain the caves and bays, while others may keep commentary brief. If you want local details, ask direct questions about the islands, rock formations, and route.

The private format also means the skipper can respond to your group. You can request a quieter ride, more music, more swimming, or a different stop when conditions permit. Families have used the flexibility to keep children happy, while couples and friend groups have enjoyed bringing their own food and drinks.

Safety comes first. The skipper can change the route, boarding point, or drop-off point because of wind, tides, shallow water, or other conditions. A changed route is not necessarily a failed trip. Around Comino, a safe bay with good water is better than forcing a planned stop.

Boat comforts and what to pack

The included equipment is generous for a short private cruise:

• Snorkeling masks and swimming fins
• Swimming noodles
• Ice cooler with ice
• Bluetooth sound system
• Fresh-water shower
• Side ladder
• Life jackets for emergency use

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, camera, food, drinks, and cash. Keep bags small, since oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed. High-heeled shoes, non-folding strollers, and intoxication are also not allowed.

The cooler is useful, but it does not replace lunch. Food and drinks are excluded, though you can buy supplies at beach stops. Pack water first, then simple food that will not spill easily on a moving boat.

You should also bring a waterproof pouch for your phone and cash. The fuel charge is €59 in cash only. That cost is easy to miss when comparing the headline price, so include it in your trip budget.

Is three hours enough?

Three hours gives you a brisk taste of Comino. You can see the caves, visit the main bays, swim, and enjoy a short return cruise. It works well if you are fitting the boat into a larger Malta day or if your group wants a compact outing.

It may feel rushed if everyone wants a long swim at every stop. The route includes several locations, and time spent at one bay reduces time elsewhere. Decide early what matters most: Blue Lagoon, snorkeling, cave views, a walk ashore, or simply sitting in the sun.

The private format helps you use the time better. You will not wait for dozens of people to board, and you can skip a stop that does not suit your group. Still, do not expect an unhurried full-day cruise for a three-hour booking.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for a family or friend group of up to seven people that values privacy and flexibility. It is also a good alternative to a large Blue Lagoon boat trip, especially if you want to play your own music, bring your own food, and decide when to swim.

It suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy being close to the water. The ladder, boat movement, and open-water setting make it a poor fit for anyone with serious motion sickness, back trouble, limited mobility, or difficulty climbing from the sea. The operator also lists pregnancy and age over 70 as unsuitable conditions.

The $176 group price can be good value when divided among six or seven people, but the fuel charge changes the calculation. For two people, the total cost per person is much higher. Compare it with a shared cruise if you care more about the lowest price than privacy.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, but you still need to arrive on time and carry the required cash.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a private, flexible way to see Comino and your group is happy to swim from a small boat. The skipper’s ability to adjust stops, the included snorkeling gear, and the chance to avoid a large tour vessel are the real reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you want a detailed cultural tour, a guaranteed fixed route, or long time at every bay. Also count the €59 fuel charge, prepare for a short ladder, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to go ashore.

For a group of friends or a family that wants clear water, caves, music, and control over the day, this is a strong Malta outing. Arrive early, pack your own refreshments, and let the skipper make sensible changes when the sea calls for them.

FAQ

How long is the private boat cruise?

The advertised duration is three hours. The route includes Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Santa Maria Caves.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to seven people. Children and infants count toward the total number of participants.

What is included in the price?

The cruise includes a private boat, qualified English-speaking skipper, snorkeling masks, fins, swimming noodles, an ice cooler with ice, Bluetooth audio, fresh-water showers, a side ladder, and swim and snorkeling stops.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel costs €59 and must be paid in cash onboard.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own or buy them at a beach stop. You can keep drinks and snacks in the onboard ice cooler.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, a free QR code is required to step onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The voucher provides the link for obtaining it.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Sea Life Cruises in Ċirkewwa. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind the CIRKEWWA KIOSK CAFE.

Who should not take this cruise?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, motion sickness, or people over 70 years old. High-heeled shoes, large bags, oversize luggage, intoxication, and non-folding strollers are not allowed.