Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

The best views come from the water. This private speedboat trip gives you a fast, flexible way to see Comino, Gozo, the Blue Lagoon, sea caves, and several swimming spots without being tied to a large boat schedule. I especially like the private boat for up to nine people and the freedom to adjust swimming stops to suit your group.

I also like the skipper-led sightseeing. Guides such as Atef, Agus, James, and Keith have been praised for local stories, careful boat handling, and taking photographs for guests. The main drawback is the extra €79 fuel charge, paid directly to the skipper, which means the advertised group price is not the full cost.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat, not a packed ferry: Your group gets the speedboat to itself, with room for up to nine people.
• Three hours gives you more breathing room: The shorter two-hour option covers the main sights, but the longer trip allows better time for swimming and caves.
• Blue Lagoon is best seen from the water: You can admire its famous color without fighting for a patch of land, though going ashore requires a free ticket from May 2025.
• Swimming stops can change with sea conditions: Your skipper may choose a calmer cove if wind or waves make another site uncomfortable.
• Bring your own refreshments: There is a cooler, fresh-water shower, shaded seating, music, and snorkelling gear, but food and drinks cost extra.
• The tour suits families and groups: It has received a perfect rating from 96 percent of reviewers, but it is not recommended if you are prone to seasickness.

What this Comino boat tour is really like

This is not a formal island tour with a fixed script and a large crowd. It is a private outing built around the sea, the coastline, and your group’s interests. You can swim, snorkel, listen to your own music, take pictures, or simply sit back while the skipper points out the caves and rock formations.

The listed cost is $187 for the whole group of up to nine people. That can be good value for a family or group of friends, especially compared with paying separate fares for several people on a shared excursion. But add the €79 fuel charge, then factor in your own food and drinks. The real value improves as your group gets larger.

You can choose a two-hour or three-hour trip. I would choose three hours if swimming is important to you. Two hours is enough to see the main Comino sights and stop at several places, but the schedule will feel brisk. Several people who chose the shorter option enjoyed it, yet still wished they had booked the longer version.

The boat has shaded space, a fresh-water shower, a cooler, Bluetooth music, and snorkelling equipment. You can bring your own lunch and drinks, which is useful because there is no included catering. One group even arranged to buy ice cream and beer from a boat supplier while anchored, but I would not rely on that. Bring what you want before departure.

Finding the boat at Cirkewwa

The main departure point is the jetty at Cirkewwa in northern Malta. Look behind the only kiosk in the area, identified by its umbrellas and tables. The departure can also be arranged from Mgarr in Gozo, so confirm the exact starting point when you book.

This detail matters. Cirkewwa is the main ferry area, and it can be confusing if you arrive without checking the meeting instructions. Give yourself time to locate the jetty rather than arriving at the last minute. Communication before the trip has been praised for being clear, and the team has sometimes helped when people were delayed or sent to the wrong pickup spot.

The boat ride begins with about ten minutes on the water before reaching the first major stop. The speedboat makes it possible to cover a lot of coastline in a short time, but remember that speed also means more movement. If you are prone to seasickness, take the warning seriously and plan accordingly.

Crystal Lagoon: the first proper swim

Crystal Lagoon is usually the first substantial stop, with around 40 minutes for photos, swimming, and snorkelling. The water is clear, and the setting gives you a strong first taste of Comino’s appeal.

This is a good place to get into the sea before you settle into the rest of the route. You can use the snorkelling equipment provided, though the underwater experience depends on the day’s conditions and visibility. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the skipper before entering the water.

The boat remains central to the experience. You are not being dropped at a beach with a long walk back to a meeting point. You can return to the boat, use the fresh-water shower, and sit in the shade before moving on.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and very busy

The Blue Lagoon receives about 40 minutes for a visit, photographs, swimming, and snorkelling. Its pale water and pale rock are the main reason many people book a Comino trip, and the view from the boat is particularly useful here.

The practical advantage of a private boat is that you can enjoy the lagoon without needing to spend your whole visit on the crowded shore. One important rule applies from May 2025: if you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon, Comino, you must reserve a free ticket through blcomino.com. The ticket costs nothing, but it is required.

You can also bring lunch onto the boat and eat while moored near the lagoon. That gives you a more relaxed meal than trying to find space on land. The downside is that the Blue Lagoon is not a quiet place in the main season. Do not expect private-island solitude. The boat gives you more room and flexibility, not an empty lagoon.

The skipper may also shorten a stop if your group would rather see more coastline. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip instead of a fixed group excursion.

Ħalfa Rock and the changing sea conditions

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat moves for roughly five minutes to Ħalfa Rock. This stop allows about 40 minutes for photographs, swimming, and snorkelling.

Rock formations like this are best appreciated from the water. You get a wide view of the cliffs and open sea, rather than seeing only the part of the coast accessible by road or footpath. If the water is calm, this can be one of the most enjoyable swimming stops.

Conditions can change quickly around the islands. One family found that the skipper moved them to a calmer and safer place for snorkelling when the sea became choppy. That is exactly the judgment you want from a boat captain. Your preferred stop may not always be the safest stop on the day, so remain open to adjustments.

Gozo, Santa Maria Bay, and the quieter side of Comino

The route then includes a short five-minute visit and photo stop around Gozo. This is not a long land visit. Think of it as a chance to see the island from the water and take in the shape of the coastline.

Santa Maria Bay follows with about ten minutes for a photo stop, visit, swimming, or snorkelling. The shorter timing here means you should not expect a long beach break. It works better as a quick change of scenery, particularly after spending more time at Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon.

The private format helps here. If your group is more interested in the caves than swimming, you can tell the skipper. If children need a break from the water, you can shorten the swim and continue sightseeing. Families have particularly appreciated the ability to choose how long to remain at each stop.

Caves, windows, and rock shapes around Comino

The cave section is where the trip feels most like a coastal exploration rather than a simple swim transfer. The route can include Santa Marija Cave, the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers Cave.

The boat enters or approaches the cave areas so you can see how the rock has been shaped by the sea. Conditions determine how close the boat can get, and the skipper’s judgment matters here. You will want your camera ready, but protect it from spray and keep hold of loose belongings while the boat is moving.

Għemieri Window receives a brief five-minute photo stop. It is another example of how the route strings together several small sights rather than focusing on one long shore visit. Santa Maria Caves receives about ten minutes, giving you more time for pictures and a closer look.

Elephant Rock is the final named stop, with around five minutes for photos and a break. Its outline makes it easy to identify from the water, and it is the sort of quick landmark stop that adds variety to the ride.

The tour also lists Santa Marija Cave, the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers Cave as possible cave sights. The exact order and time at each one may change with weather, traffic on the water, and your group’s wishes.

The skipper makes the difference

The boat is important, but the skipper shapes the day. Atef receives especially strong praise for explaining Maltese history and local traditions, keeping people safe, and adjusting the route. Agus has also been singled out for taking photographs, listening to requests, and showing the caves in an entertaining way.

James has been praised for clear communication and local information, while Keith guided one winter outing around Comino, Gozo, and Malta with stories and humor. Other skippers include Michelle and Adam. Availability may vary, so you may not be able to request a particular person.

The best skippers do more than steer. They explain what you are seeing, notice when the water is rough, help people get on and off the boat, and leave quiet time for music or swimming. Several groups enjoyed using Bluetooth to play their own music, which gives the trip a relaxed, private feel.

Do not expect a full historical lecture. The emphasis is on scenery, caves, and time in the water, with useful local stories along the way. That balance works well for families and friends who want information without spending the whole trip listening.

Boat comfort, swimming, and what to pack

The speedboat is described as modern, spacious, clean, and well maintained. You will find shaded space, a cooler, snorkelling equipment, a fresh-water shower, and music facilities. Some groups also had float noodles available.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and beachwear. Pack food and drinks in containers that will not spill easily. The cooler is there for your supplies, but food and drinks are not included in the price.

The tour is suitable for children and adults, and one family enjoyed it with a toddler. Still, this is a boat trip, not a gentle beach outing. The boat can move quickly, and the sea can be choppy. It is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or non-swimmers who are uncomfortable around open water.

You should also expect limited time on land. This is mainly a water-based sightseeing and swimming trip. If your priority is walking around Comino’s interior, relaxing on a beach, or spending hours ashore, choose a different type of excursion.

Is the price good value?

At $187 per group of up to nine people, the base price looks strongest for a larger group. Split nine ways, the boat itself is inexpensive per person. For two people, the cost feels less attractive once the €79 fuel charge is added.

The private arrangement adds real value. You do not need to wait for other passengers, follow another group’s swimming preferences, or compete for space on a shared vessel. You also get the chance to bring your own lunch, play music, and request a calmer swimming area.

Remember the extra costs before booking:

• €79 fuel charge paid to the skipper
• Food and drinks
• Optional hotel pickup and drop-off, which can be arranged separately
• A free Blue Lagoon ticket if you plan to go ashore from May 2025

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the options for your chosen date.

Should you book this Comino speedboat tour?

I would book it if you are visiting Malta with family or friends and want a private day on the water without giving up the main Comino sights. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, caves, Gozo views, and several swimming stops gives you a lot in two or three hours.

Choose the three-hour option if you want time to swim, snorkel, eat on board, and still see the caves without rushing. Choose two hours if your schedule is tight and your main goals are the Blue Lagoon, a few swimming stops, and a fast look at Comino.

I would skip it if you dislike speedboats, suffer badly from seasickness, or want a long beach day. For everyone else, the private boat, flexible route, helpful skippers, and strong safety focus make this one of the better ways to see Malta’s northern islands. Just budget for the fuel charge and bring your own refreshments.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino speedboat tour?

You can choose a two-hour or three-hour option. The three-hour version gives you more time for swimming, snorkelling, caves, and scenic stops.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $187 per private group of up to nine people. Fuel is not included and costs €79, paid directly to the skipper.

Where does the tour depart?

The main meeting point is the jetty at Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk with umbrellas and tables. Departure can also be arranged from Mgarr in Gozo.

Do I need a ticket to visit the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free ticket if you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon, Comino. Tickets are required from May 2025 and can be reserved at blcomino.com.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring your own supplies. The boat has a cooler, and you can use it to keep your refreshments cold.

Is the trip suitable for children and non-swimmers?

The tour is suitable for families and all ages, and children have enjoyed it. It is not recommended for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.