Private Boat Trip: Explore Comino, Blue Lagoon & Santa Maria

Turquoise water is only the beginning. This three-hour private charter from Blue Waves Comino Charters gives you a close look at Comino’s famous lagoons, sea caves, rock formations, and quiet bays without being tied to a large boat’s schedule. You can depart from Mgarr in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta, and the boat carries up to six people.

I like the small private group, which makes it easier to stop for a swim, change the pace, or ask the skipper to linger at a favorite spot. I also like the way the smaller boat can get nearer to cave openings than larger sightseeing boats. The main consideration is cost: $173 is per boat, not per person, and fuel plus the certified skipper’s charge are payable separately, so confirm the final price before booking.

The timing matters. Early morning and sunset departures offer a calmer feel and help you avoid the thickest crowds around the Blue Lagoon. You should arrive 30 minutes early, bring your own food and drinks, and expect the skipper to adjust the route if wind, waves, tides, or other sea conditions make the planned course unsuitable.

Key points to know before you book

• Up to six people share one private boat: The per-boat price can be good value for a group, but less so for one or two people.
• The small boat reaches narrow cave areas: This is a real advantage over large charter boats, especially around Comino’s rock formations.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the main swimming stops: Reviews describe swim time of around an hour and a half on some outings, depending on the group’s wishes and conditions.
• You set much of the pace: Captains such as Mario, Joe, and Harry have been praised for allowing guests to choose stops and stay longer where they liked.
• The boat is set up for comfort: You get shaded seating, a sun deck, an ice cooler, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker, safety equipment, and snorkeling gear.
• Extra charges need attention: Food, drinks, fishing gear, barbecue equipment, and a separate cooler are not included, and fuel and skipper charges are payable separately.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is compact, but its best sights are spread along a rocky coast. A private boat lets you see more in three hours than you could comfortably reach on foot, while also giving you access to coves and cave openings that are difficult to approach from shore.

The biggest gain is control. On a shared boat, you generally follow the captain’s timetable and spend much of the trip alongside other passengers. Here, your group can ask to swim longer, move on sooner, play music through the Bluetooth speaker, or focus on photos and cave views.

That freedom has practical value for families and small groups. A party of six paying $173 for the boat can split the base price quite favorably. For two people, the same rate feels less like a bargain, especially after fuel and skipper costs are added.

The boat includes a shade canopy and cozy seating, but you should not treat it like a fully catered cruise. There is an ice cooler, yet you need to supply your own food and drinks. Bring cash as well, since it is listed among the recommended items.

Starting from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat at one of two ports. From Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, you meet near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The Cirkewwa departure is useful if you are staying on Malta’s main island and want to avoid crossing to Gozo first. The Mgarr departure suits anyone already based in Gozo. In either case, allow extra time for traffic, parking, or finding the correct terminal area.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. The three-hour charter does not get longer if you arrive late, so this is one of those small details that can affect the whole outing.

English and Maltese are available for the live guiding. The boat also has a separate entrance arrangement for lagoon access, which helps you avoid the standard lines associated with the busiest swimming areas. It does not mean you will have the Blue Lagoon to yourself, but it can save time when crowds are thick.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth seeing

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the color of the water explains why. From the boat, you get a broad view of the pale rock and clear sea before deciding how much time to spend swimming.

This is one of the places where an early start or late-day departure makes the most sense. At peak times, the famous bay can feel crowded, and the view from the water may include plenty of other boats. The private charter helps because you can enjoy the lagoon without committing the full outing to one location.

Snorkeling gear is included, so you can take a mask and snorkel into the water rather than renting equipment separately. You should still bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. There is no mention of food or drinks being provided, so pack them before you board.

The Blue Lagoon is not necessarily the quietest swim of the day. Its value is the setting and the chance to see Comino’s best-known water from a boat, then move on when the crowds or activity begin to wear thin.

Crystal Lagoon for a calmer swim

Crystal Lagoon is often the favorite part for people who want clear water with a quieter feel. The lagoon is described as a place for a relaxed swim, and several outings have included a substantial amount of time here.

One useful feature of a private charter is that you do not have to accept a rushed photo stop. Captain Joe, for example, has been praised for letting his group decide how long to remain at each place. Captain Mario has also been singled out for choosing good locations and taking photos for the group.

The water and rock walls make Crystal Lagoon a natural place to use the included snorkeling equipment. Conditions will affect visibility and whether the boat can stop exactly where planned, but the setting is well suited to a swim break.

If your group has mixed interests, this is also a good time to use the boat’s different areas. Swimmers can get in, while others can remain under the canopy or on the sun deck. You will not have a restaurant stop built into the charter, so plan your refreshments around the swimming schedule.

Roofless Cave and Comino’s other sea caves

The Roofless Cave is one of the more unusual stops. Its open ceiling gives the cave a different character from a fully enclosed sea grotto, with daylight coming down through the top. It is the kind of place that makes a small boat especially useful.

The boat can approach cave areas more closely than larger charter vessels. That does not mean every cave is guaranteed in all conditions, since the skipper can alter the route for safety, tides, and weather. Still, this is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience instead of a large boat circuit.

The itinerary also includes Lovers Cave, a secluded spot with a romantic feel, along with several other caves around Comino. These stops are less about a long shore visit and more about seeing how wind and water have shaped the coast.

Harry, one of the captains praised in the feedback, has been described as offering small facts while passing the sights, taking photos, and keeping the pace relaxed. That combination matters. You get enough explanation to understand what you are seeing without turning a short boat ride into a formal lecture.

Santa Maria Bay and the northern side of Comino

Santa Maria Bay offers a change from the better-known lagoons. The bay and nearby caves bring scenic views, quieter water, and a less famous side of Comino.

You may find this part of the route especially appealing if the Blue Lagoon feels too busy. The private boat can pause near the bay, show you the surrounding rock formations, and give you another chance to swim if conditions allow.

The itinerary also includes Cominotto, the small islet near Comino. From the boat, it provides a pleasing view back toward the main island and helps you understand the shape of the coast. You will not be spending a full day ashore here, but the stop adds variety to the route.

This section is also a reminder that the trip is more than a transfer between two lagoons. You are seeing bays, islets, cave openings, and unusual rock shapes from sea level, where their scale is easier to appreciate.

Elephant Rock, Pigeon Rock, and Saint Nikolaw Creek

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation named for its shape. It makes a quick but memorable photo stop, particularly when viewed from the water. Pigeon Rock is another distinct formation that gives the route a recognizable landmark between the swimming and cave stops.

Saint Nikolaw Creek is described as a secluded place for a quiet escape. The word quiet depends on the day and the sea traffic, but the creek adds a more private mood to the route than the Blue Lagoon can usually provide.

These stops are best understood as part of a moving coastal portrait. You are not visiting each one for a long activity. Instead, the captain shows you a series of features, slows near the most interesting formations, and lets the group decide where swimming or lingering matters most.

That flexibility is why the captain makes such a difference. Mario has been praised for creating a relaxed outing and helping groups find good locations. Joe has been praised for giving guests choices. Harry has been praised for music, photos, and an easygoing manner. The exact captain is not guaranteed, but these comments give you a useful idea of the service style to expect.

What is included on the boat

The boat includes several practical comforts that matter during a three-hour trip:

• Cozy seating areas and a sun deck
• A shade canopy
• Safety gear
• An ice cooler
• Bluetooth speaker
• Free WiFi
• Mask and snorkel
• Port and marina fees
• Lagoon access permits
• Taxes

The speaker is a fun touch for a private group, and one outing was particularly enjoyed because the group could play its own music. Keep the volume considerate, especially near quiet coves and other boats.

The ice cooler is useful, but do not confuse it with a stocked bar. Food and drinks are excluded. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a separate cooler are also not included.

Price, fuel, and the real value

The advertised rate is $173 per group of up to six. That pricing model favors families or friends who can fill most of the boat. Six people sharing the base price pay far less per person than two people, before the additional fuel and skipper charges.

You are paying for privacy, flexibility, and access to smaller coastal spaces, not simply for transport. A large boat may cost less per person, but it will usually provide less control over the route and fewer chances to move close to cave openings.

The value is strongest if your group cares about swimming and wants to choose how long to stay. One outing included roughly an hour and a half at a favorite swimming spot, followed by more sightseeing at the group’s pace. That is a better fit for relaxed swimmers than for someone who wants a tightly scripted list of every sight.

Before paying, ask for the full cost including fuel and the certified skipper with a valid Maltese Sea License. The base price alone does not tell you the final amount.

Weather, safety, and what can change

The skipper can cancel, postpone, or change the charter because of weather and sea conditions. The route, stops, and departure or return points may also change because of waves, tides, or other legitimate reasons.

That flexibility is sensible on a small boat. It may mean missing a cave or changing a lagoon stop, but a safe route matters more than ticking every item on the plan. The skipper also has the right to adjust your selected time to find better conditions and meet your group’s needs.

Bring sun protection even if you choose an early or late departure. The recommended list includes sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash. The boat has shade, but you should still expect strong sun on the open deck.

Who should book this Comino charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups of friends who value personal space and want to swim without a fixed shared-boat timetable. It also suits people who enjoy taking photos, listening to their own music, and seeing caves from close range.

It is a good choice for a short Malta holiday because three hours gives you a concentrated visit to Comino without taking an entire day. It works particularly well as an early-morning or sunset outing.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a pair and want the lowest possible price. The private rate may be harder to justify once fuel and skipper charges are added. I would also check the weather closely if your holiday schedule leaves no room for a change of day.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino trip if you want control, swim time, and a smaller boat rather than the lowest-cost way to see the Blue Lagoon. The best reasons are the ability to reach narrower cave areas, adjust the pace, and spend longer at Crystal Lagoon or another favorite stop.

Ask for the complete price before confirming, arrive early, and pack your own refreshments. If you do that, this is a strong option for up to six people who want a relaxed coastal outing with plenty of water time and a skipper who can shape the route around the group.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat trip?

The charter lasts three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is priced for a private group of up to six people.

Where does the boat depart from?

Departures are available from Mgarr in Gozo, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal, or Cirkewwa in Malta, near Cirkewwa’s Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a separate cooler are also excluded.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter and can adjust the route, stops, and departure or disembarkation points because of weather, tides, or sea conditions.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.