Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – Private speed boat

Comino looks best from the water. This private speedboat trip gives you three hours around Comino, with time for swimming, snorkeling, caves, and quiet bays rather than one crowded beach stop. I like the freedom of having the boat to your own group of up to nine, and I like that a skipper, ice box, masks, and swimming stops are included. The main catch is the extra €79 fuel charge, which is added to the advertised group price.

The route covers Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon but also reaches Crystal Lagoon, San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Half Rock. Guides such as Atem, also called Adam, and James have been praised for safe driving, good local advice, and a relaxed manner. Still, confirm your departure point carefully. One booking went wrong when a group leaving from Gozo found the boat waiting in Malta, causing a 45-minute delay.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to nine people: You avoid sharing the speedboat with strangers and can enjoy a more personal outing.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: The first is the famous Comino sight, while the second offers a quieter setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• Several coastal stops in three hours: You see bays, caves, Half Rock, Comino Hotel from the water, and Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour.
• Swimming gear is provided: Masks are included, though one person found the supplied equipment worn and preferred bringing personal gear.
• The real cost includes fuel: The advertised price is $322.86 per group, with a separate €79 fuel charge.
• Strong guide feedback: Atem, Adam, and James received praise for being careful, friendly, professional, and helpful.

Why a private Comino speedboat makes sense

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most recognizable sights, but it can feel less peaceful when many boats and beachgoers gather in the same place. A private speedboat changes the experience. Your group has its own space, and the skipper can move you through several parts of Comino in a short time.

The advertised price is $322.86 for up to nine people, not per person. That makes the trip good value for a full group. Split between nine people, the base cost is about $36 each before the fuel charge. Add the €79 fuel fee, and the final amount is still reasonable for a private boat, skipper, equipment, and three hours on the water.

For a couple or small group, the value is less obvious. You are paying for privacy and flexibility rather than the lowest possible price. A larger group gets the strongest deal, especially if everyone wants to swim and snorkel instead of spending the day on land.

This is not a full-day cruise. The three hours include both cruising and stops, so you should expect a brisk route. You will see several places, but you will not have unlimited time at each one. That short length works well if you want a taste of Comino without giving up most of your day.

Blue Lagoon gives you the famous Comino view

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon, between Comino and Cominotto. Its clear, pale blue water and pale limestone cliffs create the classic Malta postcard scene. The lagoon is shallow in parts, and the clear water makes it appealing for swimming, sunbathing, and looking below the surface.

You get about one hour here, which is enough for a proper swim and some photographs. If your priority is seeing the Blue Lagoon, this is the stop that makes the trip worthwhile. The boat gives you a better view of the water and cliffs than you get from one fixed patch of shore.

The drawback is simple: the Blue Lagoon is the most famous place on the route, so it may not feel secluded. If you want stillness, use the hour for swimming rather than expecting a private beach atmosphere. The speedboat can then take you toward quieter corners of Comino.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and a secure place for your phone. The boat has an ice box for food and drinks you bring, but food and drinks are not supplied. You will want to keep personal items protected from spray while the boat is moving.

Crystal Lagoon offers a quieter water stop

Crystal Lagoon is given roughly one hour, making it as important to the experience as the Blue Lagoon. Its clear water and rocky sides create a more sheltered-feeling setting, and it is well suited to swimming and snorkeling.

I like the balance here. Blue Lagoon provides the famous scenery, while Crystal Lagoon gives you another chance to get into the water without treating the whole trip as a single photo stop. The surrounding cliffs also add interest when you are sitting aboard the boat between swims.

The phrase quiet should be used carefully. This is still a popular coastal area, and conditions can change with the day. You may find it calmer than the Blue Lagoon, but the private boat does not guarantee an empty cove.

The boat includes snorkeling masks, which is useful if you do not want to pack equipment. One person specifically advised bringing personal snorkeling gear because the supplied masks seemed worn. That is practical advice if you already own a comfortable mask that fits well.

Comino’s bays fill out the coastal tour

San Nikolai Bay is a short sightseeing stop along the Comino coast. You can see the Comino Hotel from outside and look into the clear water around the cove. This part of the route is less about a long swim and more about seeing another side of the island from the sea.

San Marija Bay offers a different mood. Its clear water and sandy beach make it suitable for swimming, relaxing, and photographs. The rocky shoreline adds texture, while the open view toward the horizon gives the stop a spacious feel.

The boat may also pass scenic sections of coast between the named stops. These stretches matter because Comino is best understood from offshore. From the water, the pale rock, small inlets, and changing shades of blue make more sense than they do from a single beach.

Since the tour has several stops, the skipper’s judgment matters. A good skipper helps you spend more time at the places that suit your group. Atem, also known as Adam, was praised for a relaxed and professional approach, while James was praised for careful driving, local knowledge, and making the outing fun without losing sight of safety.

Santa Maria Caves add the most dramatic scenery

The Santa Maria Caves are carved into Comino’s rocky coast by the sea. The boat can guide you through the openings and passages, where sunlight reaches the water and changes the color of the rock and sea.

This is a strong part of the trip for photographs. The caves give you something different from open-water swimming, and the boat’s small size helps it reach coastal spaces that larger vessels may not approach in the same way. You may also have a chance to swim or snorkel near the cave area if conditions allow.

Do not expect a long land visit. This is a boat-based look at the caves, with the time shaped by the overall three-hour schedule. The appeal is the combination of moving through the rock formations, seeing the water from inside the openings, and continuing along the coast.

If your group includes anyone who feels unwell on boats, mention it to the skipper early. One person became sick during a trip and praised the driver for looking after them. That is a useful sign of attentive service, though a speedboat can still feel lively on choppy water.

Half Rock and the Gozo view

Half Rock is another swimming and snorkeling point, with clear water and the chance to see colorful marine life below the surface. It adds another opportunity to get into the sea rather than spending the whole route seated.

The exact amount of time here can depend on the pace of the day and sea conditions. Think of it as part of the sequence of swim stops, not a guaranteed long beach break. If your group cares most about snorkeling, tell the skipper at the start so your preferences are clear.

The route may also include views toward Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. The harbor is a gateway to Gozo, with fishing boats and a scenic coastal setting. Seeing it from the water gives you a useful sense of how the islands connect.

This is also where logistics become important. The experience information does not make a hotel transfer part of the package, and the departure arrangement needs careful confirmation. One serious mix-up involved a group booked to leave from Gozo while the boat was waiting in Malta. Confirm the exact meeting point, island, and pickup instructions before the day of the trip.

What the boat package includes

The package is straightforward:

• A private speedboat
• A skipper
• An ice box for food and drinks you bring
• Snorkeling masks
• Swimming stops

The ice box is a small but useful detail. You can bring water, snacks, and other drinks, then keep them cool while moving between the bays. Since food and drinks are not included, plan your supplies before meeting the boat.

The private setup is the main benefit. Your group does not share the activity with other passengers, so you can spend the ride chatting, choose how much time to give swimming, and ask for local information along the route. The skipper remains in charge of safe operation and the practical limits of the sea.

Fuel is not included in the listed price. The separate charge is €79 per booking, so calculate the full cost before comparing this trip with a shared cruise. The fee matters most for a small group, while a group close to nine can spread it across more people.

A few practical limits to consider

There is no hotel transfer included. You need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, and you should not assume that a Malta departure and a Gozo departure are interchangeable. Check the location more than once, especially if your accommodation is on a different island.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking, which keeps the process simple, but the location still deserves a direct check before departure.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. After that cutoff, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time.

The supplied masks may not suit everyone. If snorkeling matters to you, pack your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The included equipment is convenient, but personal gear usually gives you a better fit.

Who will enjoy this private boat most

This trip suits a family group, group of friends, or couple who values privacy and wants several coastal sights in a short window. It is especially good for people who want swimming stops rather than a long historical tour or a full day on a beach.

It also works well for a group that cannot agree on one activity. Some people can swim, others can photograph the cliffs, and everyone can enjoy the boat ride between locations. The skipper can provide local context along the way, which adds more value than simply hiring transport.

The trip is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet cruise with long stays at every bay. Three hours passes quickly once you count the cruising time. It may also disappoint anyone expecting every stop to be empty or fully sheltered.

The high rating of 4.9 from 19 ratings and a 95 percent recommendation signal a strong overall experience, but the smaller number of ratings means you should still pay attention to the practical warnings. The pickup mix-up and worn masks are not reasons to reject the trip, but they are reasons to confirm details and bring backup gear.

Should you book the Comino speedboat?

Book it if your group can share the cost, wants a private setting, and prefers active time on the water. The combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, several bays, Half Rock, and Gozo views gives you a lot in three hours.

I would book this for a group of four to nine, after confirming the meeting island and adding the €79 fuel charge to the budget. I would also bring personal snorkeling equipment, food, drinks, sunscreen, and a towel.

For a small group focused only on Blue Lagoon, a cheaper shared boat may offer better value. For people who want control, comfort, multiple swimming locations, and a skipper who can keep the mood easy and safe, this private trip is a strong choice.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The advertised price is $322.86 per group of up to nine people. A separate €79 fuel charge applies per booking.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours, including cruising time and stops.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, San Nikolai Bay, San Marija Bay, Santa Maria Caves, Half Rock, and views of Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private activity, and only your group participates. The boat can accommodate up to nine people.

Are snorkeling masks included?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, along with swimming stops. Personal snorkeling equipment may be preferable because one mask was described as worn.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You bring your own food and drinks. An ice box is provided for what you bring.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfer is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.