Malta: Comino Island Private Boat

The best part of this Comino trip is having the whole boat to yourself. You can swim at the Blue Lagoon, pause at a quiet cove, or ask the skipper to slow down for a better look at a sea cave. I like the small private group and the freedom to set the mood, with a sun deck, canopy, cooler, music, and Wi-Fi on board. The main point to check is the final cost: the listed price is $86 per boat for up to six, but the skipper and fuel are shown separately at €54 each.

I also like the range packed into two hours. You see the Blue and Crystal Lagoons, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other rock openings without spending the day on a large shared cruise. Sea conditions can change the plan, though. One recent trip had rough water that prevented swimming, even though the group still enjoyed the ride.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You share the boat only with your own family or friends, not a large group.
• Two lagoons in one short trip: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon offer the main swimming and snorkeling stops.
• Captain-led cave route: Expect Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and smaller sea caves along the Comino coast.
• Captains praised by name: Joe and Mario received especially warm comments for their friendly service and flexibility.
• Useful onboard extras: A canopy, snorkeling masks, cooler, Bluetooth speaker, Wi-Fi, seating, and safety equipment are included.
• Weather matters: The skipper can change the route, departure time, or swimming stops when wind, tides, or waves make conditions unsafe.

A private way to see Comino in two hours

Comino is small, but its coast is full of limestone cliffs, bright water, and narrow sea caves. A private boat gives you a better chance to enjoy those details at your own pace than a standard group cruise, especially if your group has different ideas about swimming, sunbathing, and sightseeing.

You are not buying a full-day island visit here. This is a compact coastal outing. Two hours is enough for a brisk circuit with several photo stops and time in the water, but it leaves little room for long stays at every location. I would choose this trip when you want a taste of Comino by sea, not when you want to spend half a day anchored in one lagoon.

The boat has seating, a shaded canopy, and a sun deck. That combination matters in Malta, where two hours in direct sun can become tiring quickly. You can move between shade and open sun, then use the cooler for your own drinks. Food and beverages are not included, so bring what you need.

Leaving from Cirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour

The meeting point depends on where you start. From Malta, you meet near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. From Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the correct terminal area and avoid losing part of your charter to traffic or a slow transfer. Late arrival does not extend the two-hour booking, so this is one place where being early has real value.

Pickup is included, but the supplied details identify these meeting points rather than a broad hotel transfer service. If you are staying elsewhere, allow time to reach Cirkewwa or Mgarr on your own. The boat company operates from both locations, which is useful if your Malta plans include Gozo.

The skipper can adjust the preferred departure time to suit sea conditions and the needs of the outing. Confirm the final meeting time after booking, especially if your schedule is tight.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its clear turquoise water and pale rock make it one of Comino’s most recognizable places. Here you can swim and use the provided mask and snorkel when conditions allow.

The appeal is simple: the water is the activity. You are not just looking at the lagoon from a boat. You have the chance to get in, cool off, and see what lies below the surface. Bring your swimsuit, towel, sun cream, and hat, since the boat’s equipment does not replace basic beach gear.

The Crystal Lagoon comes next in the stated route. It is known for bright blue water and sheltered bays, making it another natural place for a swim or snorkel. The word sheltered should not be treated as a guarantee of calm conditions, however. Wind and waves can still affect access.

A two-hour trip means your captain will need to watch the clock. You may get good swimming time at one or both lagoons, but the exact length of each stop can change. If swimming matters more to you than seeing every cave, say so early. The private setup makes that sort of request possible, within safety limits.

Cominotto, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave

The boat also passes Cominotto Island, the smaller island beside Comino. It gives you a different view of the coast and helps show how tightly packed these islands are. You are not promised a long landing here, so think of Cominotto as part of the coastal route rather than a separate beach visit.

Roofless Cave, known in Maltese as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more unusual stops. The name points to its open rock formation, where the roof has been cut away by natural forces. From the water, you get a close look at the limestone shapes without needing a walk or climb.

Lovers Cave offers a more enclosed and quiet contrast. The boat enters or passes close to a secluded rocky opening, depending on conditions and the captain’s judgment. It is a pleasant place for photos and a calm pause, though you should not expect a long private stay if other boats are nearby.

These cave stops are valuable because they add variety. The lagoons are about swimming and color. The caves are about shadows, stone, and the unusual shapes created along Comino’s shore. The captain’s commentary may also add context. One recent trip included clear explanations about local history and the caves, while another was praised for friendly conversation.

Pigeon Rock and the coastal cruise

Pigeon Rock is another named feature on the route. You pass this prominent rock formation along with several other sea caves and openings. From the boat, the coast becomes a series of changing views rather than one fixed lookout.

This is where the private format earns its keep. You can ask the skipper to slow down for pictures, stop briefly to look at a formation, or find a comfortable place to sit between swimming stops. The exact route is not fixed in stone. Weather, tides, and safety conditions can lead to changes in the order of stops or the places you visit.

Do not judge the experience only by the Blue Lagoon. The boat ride between the main stops is part of the outing. The cliffs, rock arches, and cave entrances give you a fuller picture of Comino than a quick swim from shore.

Still, keep expectations sensible. The tour lasts only two hours, and the boat may pass some formations rather than stop at all of them. If you want long photo sessions at every cave, a longer charter would suit you better.

What the boat adds to the experience

The boat includes a shaded canopy, a sun deck, and cozy seating. That is a practical combination for a mixed group. One person can sit in the shade, another can stretch out in the sun, and swimmers can return to a proper seat rather than balancing on a crowded deck.

Masks and snorkels are provided. This saves you from packing or renting basic gear, though you should still bring your own if you need a particular fit. The cooler is for keeping drinks cold, but food and beverages themselves are not supplied.

A Bluetooth speaker lets you play your own music, and Wi-Fi is available on board. These extras will matter more to a group of friends than to a couple seeking quiet. The speaker is a nice touch for a relaxed private outing, but you can also leave the music off and listen to the water and the motor.

Safety gear and port and marina charges are included. Lagoon access permits and taxes are also listed as included, which reduces some of the small add-on costs that can appear on boat trips. The skipper remains in charge of the boat and can change the plan when conditions require it.

Barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are not included. This is not a fishing charter or a cookout cruise. Bring your own simple drinks and snacks if you want them, and ask ahead about anything beyond the listed setup.

The skipper can shape the day

The captain is more than a driver on this type of trip. Your skipper controls the route, watches the sea, and decides when swimming is safe. A private booking gives you room to express preferences, but it does not mean every requested stop is guaranteed.

Joe received especially strong praise for making the trip feel personal and enjoyable. Mario was also praised for being friendly, helpful, and easy to understand even when the group’s English was limited. Those comments point to an important part of the experience: a good captain can turn a simple coastal circuit into a relaxed outing with conversation, music, and useful local context.

Captain assignments can vary, so you should not book on the assumption that one named person will definitely be at the helm. The listed tour languages are English and Maltese.

A captain may cancel, reschedule, or alter the charter because of weather and sea conditions. One recent group faced rough water and could not swim, but still found the ride worthwhile because the captain stopped where possible and kept the mood relaxed. That is a useful warning: the scenery is dependable, but swimming is not.

Is the $86 price good value?

The advertised price is $86 per group of up to six, not $86 per person. For six people, that looks attractive compared with paying individual fares on a shared excursion. For two people, the same boat still gives you privacy, but the cost per person rises.

There is an important pricing detail. The included list covers the private boat, seating, safety gear, permits, taxes, cooler, speaker, Wi-Fi, and snorkeling equipment. The not-included list separately shows an experienced skipper at €54 and fuel at €54.

Because the base price and those charges use different currencies, I would not assume the advertised amount is the final total. Ask for the complete price before committing. That one check will tell you if the trip fits your budget and prevents an unpleasant surprise at booking or departure.

The value is strongest for a group of friends or a family of up to six. You are paying for privacy, a flexible route, and a boat equipped for both swimming and relaxing. It is less compelling if you only want a quick swim at the Blue Lagoon and do not care about the caves or the private setting.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the trip, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans depend on the weather, but they do not remove the need to check sea conditions before setting out.

Who should book this Comino boat?

I would recommend it to families who want their own space, couples who prefer a quieter boat than a shared cruise, and friend groups that want music, drinks, swimming, and sightseeing in one short outing.

It also suits people who dislike fixed group schedules. You can tell the skipper what matters most, then let the captain make the final call based on the water. The route includes enough named sights to keep non-swimmers interested, while the lagoons give swimmers a clear reason to bring a towel and mask.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed swimming time, dislike boats in rough water, or want a long visit at one beach. A two-hour coastal trip has limits. It is also not the right choice if you are looking for food, a barbecue, fishing, or a full-day island stay.

What to bring and how to prepare

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and cash. Pack drinks or snacks if you want them, since food and beverages are not included. The cooler can keep your drinks cold, but it is not a food service.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure at Cirkewwa or Mgarr. Keep your phone protected from spray, especially if you plan to use the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth speaker, or camera. The boat has safety equipment, but normal care around water still matters.

Check the forecast and keep some flexibility in your day. The captain may change the route, stop order, departure time, or departure and return points because of wind, waves, tides, or other valid reasons. That is not a flaw in the trip. It is how a responsible boat outing works.

Should you book it?

Book this private Comino trip if you can fill most of the six seats, want a short and flexible boat outing, and care about seeing more than the Blue Lagoon. The caves, Cominotto, Pigeon Rock, and Crystal Lagoon give the two hours a good mix of swimming and sightseeing.

Before paying, confirm the full price including the €54 skipper charge and €54 fuel charge, then accept that rough seas may limit swimming. If those points work for you, this is a practical way to enjoy Comino with your own group, a friendly captain, and enough comfort to make the ride pleasant even when the water keeps you on board.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

From Malta, meet by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Cirkewwa. From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal.

How long is the private boat trip?

The charter lasts two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

Is the skipper included in the advertised price?

The skipper is listed separately at €54, so confirm the final total before booking.

Is fuel included?

Fuel is listed separately at €54 and is not included in the base price.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other sea caves.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are provided.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and beverages are not included, but an ice cooler is available for your own drinks.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Maltese.

Can the route change because of the weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, reschedule, or alter the route, departure time, or stopping points because of sea conditions, weather, tides, or other valid reasons.