Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

The best part of this trip is simple: you see Comino from the water, where the cliffs, caves, and bright lagoons make far more sense than they do from a crowded shore. A private boat also lets you choose how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, taking photos, or just cruising.

I especially like the chance to reach quieter swimming spots when the Blue Lagoon is packed, and the boat’s shaded area, fresh-water shower, cooler, music connection, and snorkeling gear make the outing easy. Skippers such as Atef and Agus are often praised for friendly service, local stories, and adjusting the route to suit each group.

The main catch is the short running time. The two-hour option covers the major sights but can feel rushed, while the three-hour version gives you more breathing room. You also need to add 79 EUR for fuel, and the speedboat may feel rough if you are prone to seasickness.

Key points before you book

• Blue Lagoon without committing to a full beach day: You can see Comino’s famous water from the boat and swim nearby, without spending hours on the crowded shore.

• Private boat for up to nine people: The group price can be good value for families or friends sharing the cost.

• Three hours is the better choice for swimming: The shorter option works for sightseeing, but extra time makes the caves and swim stops less hurried.

• Atef and Agus are frequent skipper favorites: Both are praised for safe handling, friendly conversation, photos, and adapting the trip to the group.

• Fuel costs extra: The advertised group price does not include the 79 EUR fuel charge.

• Bring your own picnic: Food and drinks are not included, but you can use the onboard cooler and bring supplies with you.

Why seeing Comino by private speedboat works so well

Comino is small, but its most attractive places are scattered around the coast. The Blue Lagoon is the headline sight, yet the real pleasure comes from moving between coves, rock formations, tunnels, and caves that are difficult to appreciate from land.

A private speedboat gives you three useful advantages. First, you avoid being tied to a large group’s schedule. Second, you can swim from the boat rather than fight for a patch of space beside the lagoon. Third, your skipper can react to the conditions. If the sea is choppy at one stop, the boat can look for a calmer place.

That flexibility matters. Groups have been able to shorten one swimming stop to see more of the island, or stay longer in a quiet cove. On a warm day, you might spend most of the time in the water. In cooler weather, the caves and coastal views still give the trip a purpose.

The boat is designed for comfort rather than bare-bones transport. You have shaded seating, a fresh-water shower, a cooler for your own food and drinks, music through Bluetooth, and snorkeling equipment. Some groups have also used float noodles. These are small details, but they make a difference when you are wet, carrying snacks, or traveling with children.

Starting at Cirkewwa, Malta

The usual meeting point is the jetty at Cirkewwa, at the northern end of Malta. Look behind the only kiosk in the area, identifiable by its umbrellas and tables. The tour can also depart from Mgarr in Gozo, so confirm your chosen point when booking.

Cirkewwa is practical if you are already in northern Malta or planning to combine the boat trip with travel to Gozo. It is less convenient if you are staying in southern Malta, and hotel pickup is not included, although it can be arranged separately.

Allow time to find the jetty. The instructions are clear, but the area serves ferry traffic and can feel busy. Communication before the trip has generally been strong, with the team checking plans and weather conditions. If your taxi or bus is delayed, contact the operator quickly rather than assuming the boat will wait.

The group limit is nine people, which is large enough for a family celebration or a group of friends but still much more personal than a shared ferry. For two people, the total price is less of a bargain. For six to nine people, the private rate makes much more sense.

Crystal Lagoon: the first serious swim stop

After roughly ten minutes by boat, you reach the Crystal Lagoon. This is one of the most appealing places to stop because the water is clear, the cliffs frame the cove, and the boat can serve as your base while you swim or snorkel.

The planned stop is around 40 minutes. That gives you enough time to get comfortable in the water, look below the surface, and climb back aboard without turning the stop into a hurried splash.

Snorkeling equipment is available, but you should still bring your own mask if you need a particular fit. The trip is not recommended for non-swimmers, and the water can look shallower than it is. Listen to the skipper before jumping in, especially if the sea has picked up.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place for less confident swimmers to decide how active they want to be. You can stay aboard and enjoy the view, or use the stop for a proper swim. The boat’s fresh-water shower is useful afterward, especially if you have sunscreen and saltwater on your face.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and crowded

The Blue Lagoon is the central event of the tour, and it deserves its reputation. The water is strikingly clear, and the surrounding rock creates the classic Comino view that appears in so many Malta photographs.

The tradeoff is the crowds. The lagoon can be extremely busy on land, with limited room to sit or stand along the shoreline. A private boat changes the experience. You can enjoy the color and scenery from the water, stop for photos, and swim from the boat without needing to claim a place on the beach.

If you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon, Comino, you must arrange a free entry ticket through www.blcomino.com. Tickets are required from May 2025, but there is no charge. This detail is easy to miss, so handle it before the trip if stepping ashore matters to you.

The scheduled stop lasts about 40 minutes. You can use the time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, or a picnic from your own supplies. The onboard cooler helps keep drinks and food fresh, but it is not a catering service. Bring what you want to eat, and remember that food and drinks are not included.

I would not plan the entire experience around getting off at the Blue Lagoon. The boat is at its best when it takes you around the coast and away from the most crowded patch of shore.

Ħalfa Rock and the coast of Gozo

The next major stop is Ħalfa Rock, another chance to swim, snorkel, and take photos. The planned time here is about 40 minutes, making it one of the longer water stops.

This part of the trip shows why a private boat is more useful than a simple ride to the Blue Lagoon. You can see a different section of the Comino area, stop near the rock, and let the skipper choose a safe place depending on the wind and waves.

The route then passes toward Gozo for a short sightseeing stop. You should not expect a full Gozo tour on this outing. The Gozo section is mainly a coastal look and photo opportunity, not a land visit with time for villages, churches, or inland sights.

That distinction matters when choosing the trip. If your goal is to explore Gozo on foot, book a separate day. If you want to see the island’s coast while enjoying the water, this quick pass fits well.

Santa Maria Bay and the northern coves

Santa Maria Bay brings another short stop, listed at about ten minutes. It is a useful pause for photos and a quick swim, but the time is too brief for a leisurely beach visit.

The boat also reaches Għemieri Window, a natural rock formation used mainly as a photo stop. These brief calls are part of the appeal of the route. You are not staying at one resort-style beach all day. You are moving through a series of coastal features, each with a different shape and view.

Santa Maria Caves receive a longer look, around ten minutes. The skipper can take the boat close enough for you to see the openings and rock walls, conditions permitting. The caves are one of the strongest reasons to choose a boat rather than a standard beach transfer.

You may also pass or visit caves with names such as Popeye’s Cave, Lovers Cave, and the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel. The exact order can shift with the weather, traffic, and sea conditions. The captain’s local judgment matters here, since a safe and enjoyable route is more important than ticking every name off a list.

Elephant Rock and the return run

Elephant Rock is a memorable final photo stop. Its shape is easy to recognize from the water, and the boat gives you a better angle than a distant shore viewpoint.

After the last stop, the speedboat returns to the starting point in about ten minutes. The route is compact, but it packs in several kinds of scenery: open-water cruising, lagoons, swimming coves, caves, rock formations, and a glimpse of Gozo.

The journey itself can be part of the fun. You can listen to your own music, take photos, or simply sit under the shade. Some skippers have taken pictures for the group, which is handy when everyone wants to be in the shot.

The skipper can make or break the outing

The most consistent strength of this experience is the skipper. Atef is frequently singled out for being friendly, funny, careful, and well informed about Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Agus is also praised for an easy manner, good route choices, photos, and a willingness to adjust the timing.

James is involved in arranging trips and has also served as a skipper, sharing information about the coast and local history. Other skippers, including Keith and Michelle, have received warm feedback as well.

You should not expect a formal lecture. The better approach is conversational: ask about the caves, local traditions, rock formations, and the islands’ past. Then enjoy some quiet time. The strongest guides seem to understand that people want a bit of information, followed by time to swim and enjoy the view.

Skippers have also helped passengers get on and off the boat in windy conditions and have looked for calmer swimming areas when the sea was rough. That is more important than a long list of facts. Good judgment on the water keeps the trip pleasant.

Two hours or three?

The two-hour trip is enough if you want the main coastal sights, a few swim stops, and the Blue Lagoon without using half a day. It suits families with young children, first-time visitors on a tight schedule, or anyone who prefers a shorter outing.

The drawback is pace. Several stops are close together, and 120 minutes disappears quickly once you include travel time, getting in and out of the water, and photos. One family described the two-hour route as excellent, but also wished it lasted longer.

Choose three hours if swimming is a major reason for booking. You will have more time at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, with less pressure to leave just as you get comfortable. The longer option also gives the skipper more room to respond to your preferences.

What the $187 price really means

The advertised price is $187 per private group of up to nine people, not per person. That can be excellent value for a large family or group of friends. Split nine ways, the boat costs far less per person than a private charter might suggest.

You must add the 79 EUR fuel charge, which changes the final calculation. Food, drinks, and hotel transportation are also extra. Still, the value is solid when you compare a private boat, a personal skipper, several stops, and the ability to bring your own picnic.

For two people, a shared boat may cost less, but you lose control over the timing and group size. For four or more people, I would compare the total cost against multiple tickets on a crowded shared trip. The private option becomes especially attractive for birthdays, proposals, family outings, or groups who want their own music and food.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would recommend it to:

• Families who want a private boat and flexible swim time
• Couples looking for a scenic outing, especially outside the busiest months
• Friends who want music, snacks, photos, and swimming in one short trip
• Confident swimmers and snorkelers
• Visitors who want the Blue Lagoon without spending the whole day on its crowded shore
• Anyone who prefers a personal skipper to a fixed group schedule

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike speedboat motion, or want a long beach stay. The ride can become choppy, and the schedule is designed around moving between coastal sights rather than sitting on land.

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Pack water and food, and consider a seasickness tablet if you know you need one. Pets are not allowed.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact departure time and meeting point before setting out.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a flexible private look at Comino’s coast, not simply a transfer to the Blue Lagoon. The caves, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria area, Elephant Rock, and the ability to change swim times give it more substance than a basic boat ride.

I would choose the three-hour option for most groups, especially in summer. Pick two hours if you mainly want photos, a quick swim, and the headline sights. Add the fuel charge to your budget, bring your own refreshments, and secure the free Blue Lagoon ticket if you plan to step ashore.

For a group of four to nine, the price is particularly appealing. For a couple, the value depends on how much you care about privacy and control. If you are comfortable on the water, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to see Comino’s best features without being trapped in the busiest part of the island.

FAQ

Where does the private speedboat tour depart?

The usual meeting point is the jetty in Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk with umbrellas and tables. Departure can also be arranged from Mgarr in Gozo, so confirm your location when booking.

How long does the tour last?

You can choose a private two-hour or three-hour speedboat tour. Check the available starting times when booking.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, a coastal view of Gozo, Santa Maria Bay, Għemieri Window, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock. The boat may also visit caves such as Popeye’s Cave, Lovers Cave, and the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. A 79 EUR fuel cost is paid separately to the skipper.

Can I swim and snorkel during the tour?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling opportunities are provided at several stops, including Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock. Snorkeling equipment is available onboard.

Do I need a ticket to get off at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, you need a free ticket from www.blcomino.com if you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon, Comino.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and a camera. Food and drinks are not included, but you can bring your own and use the onboard cooler.