Malta: Crystal/Blue Lagoon, Comino & Gozo Private Boat Trip

The best part of this boat trip is control. Instead of following a large boat’s fixed route, you get a private boat for up to seven people and can spend more time swimming, snorkeling, or poking into sea caves around Comino and Cominotto. Skippers such as Justin, Momo, Matt, Luca, and Pedro are praised for mixing local stories with an easygoing day on the water.

I like the flexible stops and the practical extras: shade, an ice-filled cooler, Bluetooth music, masks, snorkels, and life jackets. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge, paid to the skipper after the tour, and three hours can feel short if you want to cover both Gozo and Comino at a leisurely pace.

Key points for your Malta boat day

• Private boat for up to seven: The price is per boat, not per person, making this especially useful for families and small groups.
• Three-hour custom route: Ask for more swimming, snorkeling, caves, or sightseeing rather than accepting a fixed schedule.
• Comino and Cominotto by water: Reach coves, beaches, rock formations, and sea caves that are harder to appreciate from shore.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: Swim in clear water, with the skipper able to seek quieter areas away from the busiest spots.
• Comfortable onboard setup: Shade, cushioned seating, Bluetooth audio, an ice cooler with ice, snorkel gear, and life jackets are provided.
• Fuel is separate: Add €79 to your budget and pay it directly to the skipper after the trip.

Why a private boat makes sense around Comino

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but fame brings crowds. A private boat does not make the lagoon private, yet it gives you a better way to experience the area. You can look at the water from the boat, stop for a swim, and then move on when the busiest section no longer appeals.

I like this format for families and groups of friends because you are not trying to fit everyone’s wishes into a shared boat schedule. If one person wants to snorkel and another would rather sit in the shade, the skipper can adjust the pace. You can also bring your own drinks and keep them cold in the onboard cooler.

The boat holds up to seven people. At the advertised $293 per boat, the cost works out much better for a full group than for a couple. Two people will pay a premium for privacy, but that premium may still feel worthwhile if you dislike packed ferries and want a more personal day.

The trip has a 4.9 rating from 307 reviews, with 94 percent of ratings reported as perfect. The strongest praise focuses on friendly skippers, comfortable boats, good swimming spots, and the freedom to shape the outing.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr

You can arrange the departure from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr on Gozo. Tell the operator your preferred starting port when you book. The listed meeting point is next to the Cirkewwa kiosk, so confirm the exact instructions if you choose Mgarr.

Cirkewwa is the practical choice if you are staying on Malta and want to reach Comino quickly. Mgarr works well if you are already on Gozo or plan to combine the boat trip with time on that island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the marina.

Free parking is provided at the meeting point. Still, allow time to find the correct kiosk and meet the skipper without rushing. Communication from the operator has been praised, including help with transport arrangements in some cases, but a private taxi transfer is not part of the standard tour.

Starting early is a smart move if you have a choice. One family group found a 9 a.m. departure helped them avoid the worst crowds and the strongest midday heat. Exact starting times depend on availability.

Comino’s caves, coves, and rocky coast

Once aboard, your skipper heads toward Comino. The route is as much about the coast as it is about the lagoons. You can expect views of pale rock, narrow inlets, small beaches, and sea caves where the boat may be able to enter or approach closely, depending on sea conditions.

This is where a small private boat has a real advantage. Large boats often give you a broad view from offshore, while a smaller craft can bring you closer to the rock formations. Several skippers have also taken photos for their passengers, which is useful when you want pictures of cliff jumps, swims, or the boat itself.

The skipper also provides commentary in English or Maltese. The information can include local history, stories about caves and coves, and details about the Maltese islands. Justin, for example, has been praised for combining sailing experience with useful explanations, while Mahmood was singled out for adding anecdotes about the caves and coves.

Do not expect a formal lecture. The tone is more conversational, and the quality of the commentary depends partly on your skipper. That is a good thing for some people. You can ask questions, request music through the Bluetooth system, or simply enjoy the ride.

Swimming at Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon is one of the main reasons to book this experience. The water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the setting is framed by Comino’s rocky coast. The boat can anchor in a suitable spot, allowing you to climb down for a swim rather than joining a crowded shore area.

You should bring a towel and beachwear. Bring your own drinks and snacks if you want them, since food and drinks are not included. The ice cooler is provided, along with ice, so you can keep bottles cold during the outing.

The water may feel cold, especially outside the height of summer. One family described the water as cold but worth it. If you are nervous in open water, tell the skipper before you set off. Life jackets are included, and the boat has a rear ladder for getting back aboard, according to detailed experience notes.

The included snorkel and mask are useful for a casual look below the surface. This is not a specialist snorkel expedition, so set your expectations accordingly. You are getting several chances to see clear water and sea life, not a guided marine biology session.

Blue Lagoon without rushing the stop

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, and it can be the busiest part of the route. The value of arriving by private boat is not that the entire lagoon will be empty. It is that your skipper can take you around the area, look for a suitable swimming position, and avoid spending the whole three hours tied to the most crowded section.

You can choose to swim, snorkel, take photographs, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Groups who want music and a social atmosphere can use the Bluetooth audio system. Couples or families seeking a quieter outing can keep the sound low and focus on the water and cliffs.

The lagoon’s colors change with depth, sunlight, and the pale rock below. This is the kind of place where the view is best appreciated from the water. From a private boat, you can see the swimmers and shoreline activity, then move toward a calmer cove when you have had enough.

The tradeoff is time. Three hours gives you a good introduction to Comino’s coast and a few swimming stops, but it is not a full-day charter. If you spend a long time at the Blue Lagoon, you may have less time for Gozo’s southern shore and the caves around Comino.

A look toward Gozo and Cominotto

The route can include Cominotto and parts of Gozo, particularly the southern coast. Cominotto is small, but its position beside Comino adds another appealing view of the lagoons and rocky shoreline.

Gozo brings a different feeling to the trip. You may see quieter bays, unspoiled beaches, cliff faces, and sea caves from the water. The tour does not promise a land visit or a full tour of Gozo, so think of this as a coastal look rather than a replacement for a Gozo sightseeing day.

Some groups use their time for cliff jumping, while others prefer floating, snorkeling, and taking photographs. Cliff jumping should only be done if your skipper confirms the spot is suitable and you are comfortable with the conditions. The tour includes life jackets, but it does not list dedicated flotation toys, so bring a pool noodle if you want extra support in the water.

The best route depends on your priorities. Tell the skipper at the start if you want to see more caves, spend longer swimming, or cover more coastline. The strongest experiences come when you make that preference clear rather than waiting for the skipper to guess.

The skipper shapes the experience

A private boat tour rises or falls on the skipper. Here, the most frequently praised quality is the crew’s friendly, relaxed approach. Momo has been described as playful without being overbearing. Matt has been praised for making people feel safe while sharing information about Malta. Elton, Buffon, Ginger, Jimmy, Pedro, and Luca also receive strong praise for combining driving skills with personal attention.

That does not mean every skipper will offer exactly the same style. Some may talk more about history, while others may focus on finding good swimming areas and keeping the mood light. You can help shape the day by saying what your group enjoys.

Families with children have found the private format helpful. A skipper can slow the pace, give hesitant swimmers time, and adjust the route. Couples can ask for a more peaceful outing. Friends may prefer music, several swim stops, and the chance to jump from safe points.

The boat has cushioned seating and shade, but you are still spending three hours in a small marine setting. If you do not like sun, wind, or movement on the water, this may not be your ideal activity. The tour is also subject to weather conditions, so the operator may need to alter plans.

What the price really includes

The listed price is $293 per group of up to seven, not $293 per person. That distinction matters. A group of seven pays about $42 per person before fuel, while two people pay the full boat rate between them.

The €79 fuel charge is extra and paid to the skipper after the tour. Include it in your calculation from the start. Marina fees, lagoon permits, the skipper, parking at the meeting point, snorkel gear, ice, cooler, and life jackets are included.

Food, drinks, and hotel transfers are not included. You can bring your own refreshments, and the cooler makes that easy. If you are arriving from a cruise port or hotel, arrange transport separately.

For a full group, I consider the price good value because you are paying for privacy, a flexible route, and equipment rather than simply a seat on a ferry. For a couple, the cost is harder to justify unless avoiding crowds and having control over the route are important to you.

Who should book this three-hour outing

I would choose this tour for:

• A family that wants swimming stops without committing to a full-day cruise.
• A group of friends who can share the private-boat price.
• A couple who values privacy and can afford the higher per-person cost.
• Anyone who wants to combine snorkeling with caves and coastal views.
• Visitors staying on Gozo who prefer to start from Mgarr.
• People who dislike fixed group itineraries and crowded ferries.

I would think twice if you want a long land visit on Gozo, a full-day sailing trip, or a formal guided history tour. Three hours is enough for a concentrated taste of Comino and nearby Gozo, but you need to choose your priorities.

Book with weather in mind. The tour can be canceled up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Comino private boat trip?

You should book it if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, several swim stops, sea caves, music, and the freedom to change plans. The private format is the strongest reason to choose it over a large shared boat, especially for six or seven people.

Before booking, confirm your departure port, remember the €79 fuel cost, and tell the skipper what matters most to you. Choose an early start if available, bring a towel and beachwear, and pack drinks for the cooler.

For a small group that wants a relaxed half-day on the water, this is one of the better-value ways to see Comino. For two people on a tight budget, compare the total cost with a shared cruise. The scenery will be beautiful either way, but only this option gives you a boat and route tailored to your group.

FAQ

How long is the private boat trip?

The trip lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the boat?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to seven people. The price is charged per boat, not per person.

Where does the boat trip start?

You can arrange to start from Cirkewwa in Malta or Mgarr in Gozo. Tell the operator your preferred port when booking. The listed meeting point is next to the Cirkewwa kiosk.

Is fuel included in the price?

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

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a snorkel and mask, life jacket, ice cooler with ice, shade onboard, marina fees, lagoon permits, parking at the meeting point, and a skipper.

Should I bring food or drinks?

Yes, if you want refreshments. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring your own and keep them cold in the onboard cooler.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour is also subject to weather conditions.