Private speed boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves

The best part of this Comino trip is the freedom of a private speedboat. You are not tied to a large cruise boat’s route or timetable. Your skipper can take your group of up to nine people between clear-water coves, sea caves, and the famous Blue Lagoon, with time for swimming and snorkeling along the way. I especially like the quieter Crystal Lagoon stop and the chance to play your own music while you enjoy the coast.

I also like the practical touches: an ice box, snorkeling masks, fresh-water shower, and a skipper who can adjust the pace for families or older passengers. Guides such as Agus, Atef, Keith, and James have been singled out for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. The main drawback is that the advertised price does not include the 79 EUR fuel charge, and two hours can feel short once you allow for several stops.

Key points to know before booking

• Crystal Lagoon gives you a calmer swim stop: It is usually less crowded than Blue Lagoon and has very clear water for swimming and snorkeling.
• Popeyes Cave has a film connection: This roofless cave is linked to the movie Popeye and is visited from the water.
• Blue Lagoon is the headline stop: You get about 45 minutes there, but you must book the free entry ticket if you plan to go ashore.
• Your group has the boat to itself: The private setup suits families and friends who want music, drinks, and a flexible pace.
• The extra fuel fee matters: The listed $191.04 price covers up to nine people, but 79 EUR is paid separately to the skipper.
• Sea conditions affect comfort: The operator does not recommend this trip for people prone to seasickness, and poor weather can lead to a new date or refund.

Why a private boat makes Comino easier

Comino is famous for water that looks almost too blue to be real. The trouble is that its fame brings crowds, especially around the Blue Lagoon. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it gives you more control over how you spend your time and lets you reach other stops that large boats may not include.

You can sit with your own group, bring drinks for the ice box, listen to music, and decide how much time you want to spend in the water. That matters more than it may sound. On a shared cruise, you follow the group. Here, your skipper can give you a more relaxed outing, within the two-hour limit and the conditions at sea.

The boat holds up to nine people, so the price works best when shared by a full family or friend group. At $191.04 per group, the base price works out to about $21 per person for nine people, before the 79 EUR fuel charge. For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly, but you are paying for privacy rather than simply buying a seat on a public cruise.

Several skippers are named in the experience details, including Agus, Atef, and Keith. James is also involved in bookings and has helped with first aid in an emergency. The important point is not a particular skipper guarantee, since assignments can change, but the type of service you can expect: a local boat operator who can explain the coast, point out good swim spots, and give you space when you simply want to enjoy the water.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter place to swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first major stop and usually gets around 30 minutes. It is a compact, sheltered bay on Comino with clear turquoise water and good visibility below the surface. You can swim, use the supplied mask, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the view if you are not keen to get wet.

I would treat this as the best place to settle into the outing. Blue Lagoon is more famous, but Crystal Lagoon offers a calmer feel and a little breathing room. The water clarity makes it a useful snorkeling stop, though the experience is still dependent on sea conditions and how many other boats are nearby.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused swim but not a long snorkeling session. If your group wants plenty of time in the water, tell the skipper early. The private format gives you some flexibility, but the trip still includes caves and Blue Lagoon within roughly two hours.

The supplied snorkeling masks are a useful inclusion, especially if you do not want to bring your own gear. The boat also has a fresh-water shower, which lets you rinse off salt after swimming. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own refreshments if you want something during the trip. The ice box gives you somewhere to keep them cool.

Popeyes Cave and Comino’s blue-water caves

The boat also visits Popeyes Cave, a well-known cave connected with the movie Popeye. The local name is translated as the cave without a roof, which tells you what makes it unusual: it is open above rather than fully enclosed.

This is a short sightseeing stop rather than a major activity. You get to see the cave from the water, take photographs, and hear about its connection to the film. The open roof lets sunlight reach the water, giving the stop a different character from a dark sea cave.

Another cave on the route is known for the intense blue color of the water inside. The supplied details do not give it a name, so do not expect a formal landmark briefing for every cave. What you can expect is a boat-level visit to a striking coastal formation, with time to look, photograph, and possibly swim depending on the skipper and conditions.

Caves are one of the reasons I prefer this kind of small private outing to a basic point-to-point ferry. You are not only being transported to Blue Lagoon. You are seeing parts of Comino’s shoreline that add variety to the trip. Still, two hours goes quickly. If cave photography is your priority, ask how much time can be given to each stop before you set off.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, popular, and time-limited

Blue Lagoon is the main attraction, with about 45 minutes scheduled there. It sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto, and its shallow water, pale seabed, and clear blue color explain its popularity.

This is the place for your longest swim. The water is generally calm and transparent, making it good for swimming and snorkeling. One useful tip is to save enough energy and time for Blue Lagoon rather than spending the entire first half of the trip at Crystal Lagoon. The clearer, calmer water here is especially appealing if you want to see fish or take an easy swim.

There is a practical rule to understand before you go. If you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon, you must book a free entry ticket. The lagoon visit itself is included, but the shore access system is separate. Check that this is arranged for everyone in your group before the day of the tour.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop most likely to feel busy. The private boat gives you your own space onboard, but it cannot remove the crowds on shore or around the lagoon. If you want a quieter swim, use Crystal Lagoon well and ask your skipper about less busy water nearby. One skipper has taken groups to a less touristy swimming stop, so there may be room for some local flexibility.

The 45-minute schedule is a useful compromise. It gives you time to swim without turning the whole trip into a single-stop visit. If your group prefers a long, unhurried swim over caves and sightseeing, confirm the route with the skipper at the start.

Optional Mġarr Harbour and the Gozo connection

Mġarr Harbour is listed as an optional visit. It is Gozo’s main port, with ferry traffic linking Gozo and Malta. The harbor sits on Gozo’s southeastern coast and is backed by hills, giving you a change from Comino’s small coves and rock formations.

This option makes sense if your group wants to add a look at Gozo’s working waterfront. It may be less useful if swimming and the lagoons are your main goals, since every extra stop uses part of the two-hour outing. Ask the skipper whether Mġarr can fit without cutting short your time at Crystal Lagoon or Blue Lagoon.

The optional nature of the stop is helpful. You are not forced into a sightseeing detour that does not interest you. Your group can focus on water time, caves, and Comino instead.

The boat setup and what is included

The boat comes with a skipper, music, an ice box, snorkeling masks, and a fresh-water shower. These inclusions make the trip feel more like a small private outing than a simple transfer.

The music system is useful for a group celebrating a holiday or spending a first day in Malta together. Keep the volume considerate around other boats and natural areas, but the option lets you set the mood instead of accepting a shared cruise soundtrack.

The ice box is one of the most practical features. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own if you want them. The information provided does not specify whether ice itself is supplied, so confirm that if keeping drinks cold is important.

The fresh-water shower is welcome after swimming. It will not replace a full change area, but it helps remove salt before you settle back into the boat. Bring whatever dry clothing and sun protection your group needs, since those items are not listed as included.

The experience is offered in English. The guides named in the details have also spoken other languages, including Maltese and Italian, but you should not assume that every skipper will offer the same language mix. If language support matters to your group, ask when booking.

Is $191.04 plus fuel good value?

The base price is $191.04 for the whole boat, with up to nine people. That is attractive for a full group. Add the 79 EUR fuel payment, and the final cost becomes notably higher, so calculate the total before comparing it with a public cruise.

For nine people, the private arrangement can be very good value. You receive a skipper, two hours on the water, several Comino stops, snorkeling equipment, an ice box, music, and a shower. You also avoid sharing the boat with strangers. For two or three people, the price is less compelling unless privacy and flexibility are worth the extra cost to you.

The fuel fee needs clear attention. It is not hidden in the sense that it is stated in the tour information, but it is easy to focus on the headline price and forget it. Budget for both amounts, and ask whether booking directly with Xlendi Pleasure Cruises changes the fuel arrangement or total price.

I would compare this with public cruises by asking what you value. A shared boat may cost less per person, but you lose control over the route and onboard space. This private trip is aimed at people who want a more personal day, not necessarily the cheapest way to reach Blue Lagoon.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This outing is a good fit for a family, a group of friends, or a couple who wants private space and swimming time. The capacity of up to nine makes it particularly sensible for a larger group that can split the cost.

It also suits people who want a skipper to explain the coast without taking over the whole experience. Atef, Agus, and Keith have been praised for balancing information with free time, and for being friendly and attentive. Families may appreciate that the pace can be adjusted, especially if older relatives are onboard.

The trip is less suitable for anyone prone to seasickness. A speedboat can feel lively on open water, and the operator specifically warns against booking if you are susceptible. It may also disappoint you if you want a full-day cruise, long snorkeling sessions, or extensive time on Gozo. This is a compact two-hour trip with several highlights.

Most people can participate, and the boat is near public transportation. The supplied details do not give more specific accessibility information, so ask the operator about boarding and mobility needs before booking.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The tour lasts about two hours, although individual outings in the supplied details have sometimes been longer or shorter. Treat two hours as the expected duration and confirm the exact departure time and route with the operator.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Arrive ready to use the time efficiently. With Crystal Lagoon, two caves, Blue Lagoon, and an optional Mġarr visit, the schedule is active. Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and your own drinks or snacks, since food and beverages are not included.

Should you book this Comino speedboat trip?

I would book it if your group has several people, values privacy, and wants a mix of swimming, caves, and sightseeing rather than a simple ride to Blue Lagoon. The private boat, flexible pace, snorkeling masks, ice box, music, and fresh-water shower give it more comfort than a basic shared cruise.

I would pause if you are traveling alone or as a pair and mainly want the lowest possible price. The 79 EUR fuel cost makes the total higher than the headline figure, and two hours is not long enough for every stop to receive generous attention.

For the best experience, arrange the free Blue Lagoon entry ticket, budget separately for fuel, bring your own drinks, and tell the skipper whether swimming, caves, or Mġarr matters most. If your group can share the cost and you are comfortable on a speedboat, this is a strong way to see Comino without being locked into a large boat’s schedule.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat tour?

The advertised duration is approximately two hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can carry up to nine people in your private group.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Popeyes Cave, another cave known for its blue water, and Blue Lagoon. Mġarr Harbour on Gozo is an optional visit.

Is Blue Lagoon entry included?

The lagoon visit is included, but anyone who wants to go ashore at Blue Lagoon must book a free entry ticket.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks are included, along with swimming and snorkeling opportunities.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring your own if needed.

Is fuel included in the advertised price?

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

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private activity.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather cancellations are offered a different date or a full refund.