Blue Lagoon, Comino and Caves Tour with Private Rib Boat

Comino looks best from the water. This private RIB tour packs the island’s famous Blue Lagoon, quiet bays, historic forts, and striking sea caves into about three hours. I like the freedom of a private boat and the chance to reach places large ferries cannot. I also like that skipper Francesco has local roots in Gozo and can adjust the outing around swimming and scenery. The main caution is cost: the advertised $311.18 covers up to eight people, but a €99 fuel surcharge is added per booking.

You will see a lot in a short time, including Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Cominotto, the P31 wreck, and several caves. Snorkeling gear, bottled water, and an ice cooler are included, but the Blue Lagoon’s on-land pass is not needed only if you remain on the boat. Three hours can feel brisk, especially if your group wants long swims at every stop.

Key reasons to consider this private Comino tour

• A private boat for up to eight people: Your group avoids the fixed pace and crowded decks of a large public cruise.
• More than just the Blue Lagoon: The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Cominotto, sea caves, reefs, and historic coastal defenses.
• A local skipper with a personal touch: Francesco is praised for friendly service, safe handling, and strong knowledge of Comino and Gozo.
• Swimming equipment is supplied: Masks and snorkels are included, along with bottled water and an ice cooler.
• The boat reaches water-only sights: Lovers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Għemieri Window, and several rock formations are best seen from the sea.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Why a private RIB changes the Comino experience

Comino is small, but its best sights are scattered along a rough coast. A private RIB lets you move between bays and caves without walking from one crowded beach to another. You can also stop for a swim in places that are difficult or impossible to reach from land.

The group limit is eight people, which makes the $311.18 base price most attractive for a full group. Split eight ways, the base price is reasonable for a private outing, though you must also account for the €99 fuel surcharge. For a smaller party, the cost per person rises quickly. Ask for the complete total before booking, since the advertised price and the fuel charge use different currencies.

The RIB format also means a faster, more open ride than a traditional sightseeing boat. That is fun when the sea is calm, but a RIB can feel more exposed in wind or choppy water. If anyone in your group gets seasick, choose a calm-weather departure and tell the operator about any concerns.

The tour is sold as approximately three hours. That is enough time for a strong overview, several swim stops, and plenty of coastal views. It is not enough time to linger for a long swim at every bay, take a relaxed shore walk, and explore every cave. Think of it as a focused sampler of Comino rather than a full-day expedition.

St. Mary’s Tower and Lovers Cave begin with history

The tour opens near St. Mary’s Tower, a 17th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. Set high above the channel between Malta and Gozo, it was once part of the islands’ coastal defense system. You see it from the water, where its position on the cliffs makes the old military purpose easy to understand.

Film fans may recognize the tower as the Château d’If prison in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. That connection is a pleasant extra, but the fort is worth seeing even if you have never watched the film.

Below the tower, the boat enters Lovers Cave. This is a water-only stop, so you do not need to share the space with a walking crowd. The cave is short and atmospheric, with a good chance for photos if the light and sea conditions cooperate. It is a quiet opening to the tour, though the fifteen-minute schedule means you should be ready to move on.

Popeye’s Cave has an unusual open roof

L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf translates roughly as the cave without a roof. A collapsed section of the ceiling lets sunlight pour into the cavern, giving it the feel of a natural room open to the sky.

The cave is also called It-Tieqa or Taħt il-Ħnejja, and it gained the nickname Popeye’s Cave after appearing in the 1980s Popeye film starring Robin Williams. The name is useful for finding it on maps, but the collapsed roof is the real attraction.

Your boat approaches from the sea, giving you a direct view of the opening and the pale rock around it. This is one of the better photo stops, especially when the sun reaches the water inside. The boat spends about fifteen minutes here, so use the approach for pictures rather than waiting until the boat is already moving away.

Crystal Lagoon offers the first proper swim

Crystal Lagoon is on Comino’s western side and is often a calmer alternative to the Blue Lagoon. High limestone cliffs frame the clear turquoise water, and the bay is accessible only by boat.

This is the first major swimming and snorkeling stop, with about thirty minutes available. You can swim near the boat, inspect smaller caves, or simply float in the sheltered water. Some caves are large enough for the RIB to enter, while others are suited to a short swim.

Cliff jumping is also popular here, with different heights available. This should be treated as an optional extra, not a requirement. The tour information does not promise supervision or specific jump heights, so use sound judgment and follow the skipper’s advice.

Crystal Lagoon is valuable because it gives you a more relaxed water stop before the famous Blue Lagoon. If you prefer swimming to sightseeing, tell Francesco early. The private format makes it easier to express that preference than on a fixed public cruise.

The P31 wreck adds an underwater change of pace

The P31 was a Maltese patrol boat that was intentionally sunk in 2009 to create an artificial reef. It rests upright on a sandy seabed in roughly 18 to 20 meters of water, with the highest point only about 7 meters below the surface.

That shallow upper section makes the wreck visible from the surface on clear days. Snorkelers and free divers can get a sense of its shape without needing a full scuba excursion. Schools of fish and small sea creatures now use the wreck as shelter.

The P31 is a good example of how this tour reaches beyond scenic bays. You get a look at a man-made underwater site as well as natural caves and cliffs. Visibility will affect what you can see, and the supplied information does not give this stop a fixed duration. Consider it an opportunity rather than a guaranteed long wreck session.

Cominotto Reef and Cominotto reward confident swimmers

Cominotto Reef, also known as Anchor Reef, lies off the western coast of the small island of Cominotto. Its underwater terrain includes steep drop-offs, overhangs, and swim-throughs, with depths ranging from about 10 to 40 meters.

Octopuses, moray eels, and colorful fish may be found around the reef. The reef suits experienced snorkelers and divers, but the tour also works for people who prefer to stay near the boat and enjoy the clear water. Do not feel pressured to enter deeper water just because the site is known for underwater exploration.

Cominotto itself is uninhabited and sits across from the Blue Lagoon. It has rugged cliffs, a small sandy beach, and a sea tunnel that can be explored by confident swimmers. Cliff jumping is another local activity, but again, it is optional.

The islet has a film connection too. Parts of Troy and Swept Away were filmed around this coast. The lack of buildings and the pale rock explain why filmmakers like the area. You get a striking view without needing a long walk or a beach landing.

The Blue Lagoon is famous, but the boat is the advantage

The Blue Lagoon is Malta’s signature swimming spot, known for bright turquoise water and a pale sandy bottom. It sits between Comino and Cominotto and is protected enough for swimming and floating when conditions are good.

The name brings crowds. A private boat does not remove the popularity of the lagoon, but it changes how you experience it. You can remain on the boat, view the water from a better angle, and move toward quieter parts instead of joining the busiest shore area.

New rules require a pre-booked pass to go on land at the Blue Lagoon. That rule does not apply if you stay aboard, so this tour can avoid the extra land-access step. If standing on the beach is important to you, ask the operator about the current process before departure.

The planned stop is about thirty minutes. That gives you enough time for a refreshing swim and photographs, but it is not a full afternoon at the lagoon. I consider that a sensible trade-off because the tour also visits less famous places that many short cruises skip.

Santa Marija Bay slows the pace

Santa Marija Bay offers a quieter contrast to the Blue Lagoon. Its shallow, calm water and sandy beach make it appealing for families and for anyone who prefers a gentler swim.

The bay is also linked to Santa Marija Chapel, which dates from 1618. You may see the chapel from the water, depending on the boat’s position and conditions. The combination of an old religious building, pale rock, and clear water gives this stop more character than a standard swim break.

The scheduled time is about thirty minutes. That is generous by the standards of a three-hour boat trip. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy a slower view of Comino’s coast.

San Niklaw Bay may also be included as a peaceful stop along the northern coast. It is described as a quiet place for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing on the boat, away from the more heavily visited areas. Since the full route contains several stops without listed times, the exact balance can depend on sea conditions and your skipper’s judgment.

Caves and rock formations fill the final stretch

The Għemieri Window is a natural limestone arch shaped by wind and waves. It is viewed from the water, with rugged cliffs and clear sea around it. This is a quick photo stop rather than a place to get out and walk.

The Santa Maria Caves provide one of the most atmospheric parts of the route. The boat enters narrow passages and tunnels, where reflected light can turn the water blue and green against the rock walls. Careful boat handling matters here, and this is one reason a local skipper adds value.

Nearby Elephant Rock looks like an elephant lowering its trunk into the Mediterranean. The formation includes shapes that can suggest an eye socket and a curved trunk when viewed from the right angle. It is a simple sight, but a memorable one for photographs.

Saint Mary’s Battery is another historic coastal defense site. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 18th century, it once helped watch the channel against pirates and Ottoman attacks. Like the other forts, it is seen from the sea rather than visited on foot.

The skipper and boat matter as much as the route

Several details make the operator appealing. Francesco is repeatedly praised for being friendly, safe, and easy to talk with, while Nigel is described as helpful during planning and willing to offer advice for the rest of a Malta trip. Francesco is from Gozo and is familiar with Comino’s coves and coastal history.

That local connection matters on a private tour. You can ask why a fort was built, which cave you are entering, or how to spend your remaining time on the islands. You are not simply being carried from one photo stop to the next.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable. One outing used a newer Zodiac with twin 300-horsepower engines, though you should not assume every departure uses that exact boat unless the operator confirms it. Masks and snorkels have been described as new and in good condition.

The tour includes an ice cooler and bottled water. Bring your own food only if the operator confirms it is permitted, since no meal is listed as included. Service animals are allowed, the experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate, but the operator should be told about mobility or medical concerns in advance.

Who gets the best value from this tour?

I would shortlist this experience for:

• A family or group of friends that can share the base cost
• Swimmers who want several water stops in one outing
• Visitors who prefer a private pace to a large public cruise
• Film fans interested in Popeye, Troy, or The Count of Monte Cristo
• People who want caves and historic sites without spending the day on land
• Couples seeking a quieter, more personal way to see Comino

It is less suitable if you want a long beach stay, a full scuba session, or a low-cost boat ride for one or two people. It may also feel rushed if your priority is photographing every cave and rock formation.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

Should you book this private Comino boat tour?

I would book it if you have three or more people to share the cost and want a broad, active look at Comino in a short window. The strongest features are the private boat, the variety of caves and bays, and the chance to swim away from the main Blue Lagoon crowd.

Before paying, confirm the final price with the €99 fuel surcharge, ask which boat will operate, and decide how much time your group wants in the water. If you value personal service and local guidance more than the lowest possible fare, Gozoblu offers a strong way to see Malta’s most photogenic coast.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers a private group of up to eight people.

What is included in the tour?

Bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and an ice cooler are included.

Is the €99 fuel surcharge included in the advertised price?

No. A fuel surcharge of €99 per booking is listed separately from the advertised price.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

A pre-booking pass is required to go on land at the Blue Lagoon. The pass is not required if you stay on the boat.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Planned swimming and snorkeling stops include Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay, with other coastal areas also available depending on the route.

Is this a shared tour?

No. It is a private activity, and only your group participates.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of bad weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.