Comino Blue Lagoon: Private Boat Charter (2 Hours)

Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are best enjoyed from the water, and this private two-hour charter gives you a boat, skipper, and flexible route for your own group. You can swim, snorkel, cruise past caves, or spend more time in a bay instead of following a fixed group schedule. Skippers including Ammie and Jolene have earned praise for being friendly and helpful.

I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want space without sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the practical extras: a sun canopy, coolers with ice, drinking water, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and a Bluetooth stereo. The main catch is time. Two hours passes quickly, and the €40 fuel charge, paid in cash after the trip, is separate from the advertised boat price.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to eight people: The $247 price is per boat, not per person, so the value improves sharply when your group is full.
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon: You can visit Comino’s best-known swimming spots without committing to a longer cruise.
• A route shaped by your group: Ask to spend more time swimming, seeing caves, or cruising along the coast, with the final plan guided by sea conditions.
• Useful onboard comforts: Expect shade, ice-filled coolers, bottled water, snorkeling gear, life jackets, and Bluetooth audio.
• A clear extra cost: Fuel is not included. Plan to pay about €40 in cash directly to the skipper.
• Good for a short Malta itinerary: The two-hour length works well when you want a taste of Comino but cannot spare half a day.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is a small island, but its coast packs a lot into a short stretch: pale rock, narrow inlets, clear water, and the famous Blue Lagoon. From a private boat, you are not limited to one swimming area or a standard route. You can ask to stop for a swim, see a cave, or keep cruising if the sea is not right for your group.

That flexibility is the real reason to choose this trip. A shared boat can offer a lower price per person, but it normally follows a set schedule. Here, your skipper can adapt the route to your preferences and the conditions on the day. You still have only two hours, so this is not a full Comino expedition. It is a focused coastal outing.

I see this as a particularly good fit for a family with young children, a couple wanting privacy, or a small group that values control over a longer public cruise. One family specifically appreciated the skipper’s care with a four-year-old child. That does not make the trip a dedicated children’s tour, but it suggests the private setup can be easier for families than a crowded, fixed program.

Starting from Mellieha or Mgarr Harbor

The charter can depart from either Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Imgarr Port on Gozo, depending on the option you choose. The exact meeting point is sent before departure, so do not assume you can simply walk to any boat at the harbor and find it.

This matters because ports can be confusing, especially if several boats are operating in the same area. One person had trouble locating the boat, even though the skipper was warm and gave a good account of the area. I would keep your phone available, arrive with enough time to check messages, and confirm the port and meeting instructions before setting out.

The departure choice can also shape your day. Cirkewwa is useful if you are staying in northern Malta or already heading toward the ferry area. Imgarr Harbor works if you are visiting Gozo. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own transport to the selected port.

The first look at Comino’s coast

Once aboard, the boat heads along Comino’s coastline. The point is not a long narrated cruise with a fixed list of stops. Instead, the skipper can talk about the places you pass and adjust the outing to your wishes.

The coastline is best appreciated from the water. You see the rock formations from a lower angle, and small coves that are easy to miss from shore become part of the route. The skipper may also point out caves and bays along the way. The precise order depends on sea conditions and the choices your group makes.

Several people praised the skippers for their explanations and friendly manner. Jolene was singled out for her strong local information, while Ammie was praised for being accommodating with a young child. Those details matter because a private boat ride can feel thin if the skipper only drives. Here, the guide’s role includes helping you understand what you are seeing and making the two hours work for your group.

Blue Lagoon: the main swimming stop

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, and its clear, bright water is the reason most people book a Comino boat trip. You can stop here to swim or snorkel, with the boat giving you a convenient base for your belongings and a place to rest under the canopy.

The lagoon is a scenic stop, but do not expect solitude simply because you booked privately. The private charter means your boat is exclusive to your group. It does not make the lagoon itself private. Your advantage is reaching the water by your own boat and deciding how long to stay, not having the entire area to yourself.

Bring a towel and beachwear. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with life jackets, so you do not need to pack a full kit. Still, if you have a favorite mask or snorkel, you may prefer to bring it. Bottled water and drinking water are supplied, but food and extra drinks are not.

The Blue Lagoon works best when you treat it as one part of the trip rather than the whole event. Spend a sensible amount of time in the water, then ask to see more of Comino’s coast. With only two hours, staying at one spot for the entire outing may leave you feeling that you missed the boat ride itself.

Crystal Lagoon and the quieter side of the route

The Crystal Lagoon gives the trip a second major swimming and sightseeing point. Its clear water and rocky surroundings offer a different setting from the more famous Blue Lagoon, and the private format lets your group decide how much time to give it.

I would ask the skipper at the start which lagoon has the better conditions that day. Wind and sea state can affect both comfort and access, and the operator makes clear that the route is subject to weather. A flexible plan is useful here. If one stop is too rough or less pleasant, you can spend more time at another bay or continue along the coast.

This is also where the two-hour limit becomes important. Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, caves, and several bays are a lot to fit into a short charter. You can see a selection of them, but you should not expect an unhurried visit to every location. Tell the skipper your top priority before leaving. If swimming matters most, say so. If your group prefers caves and coastal views, make that clear instead.

Caves, bays, and time on the water

The boat can take you past Comino’s caves and scenic bays, with the route shaped by the skipper and your group. These sections add variety to a trip that might otherwise become only a quick swim at the Blue Lagoon.

Caves are best seen from the boat, where you can appreciate the openings and rock walls without turning the trip into a shore walk. Bays give you a chance to slow down and enjoy the setting. You may also ask to stop for more swimming or snorkeling if the water and weather allow.

The charter is not sold as a strenuous activity. You can relax aboard under the sun canopy, listen to music through the Bluetooth stereo, or use the boat as a floating rest stop between swims. The boat carries coolers with ice flakes, which is useful on a warm day, though you need to bring any food or extra drinks yourself.

One person noted access to goggles for swimming and a SUP during the outing. The official inclusions list snorkeling equipment but does not promise a paddleboard, so I would not book this trip specifically for SUP use. If that activity matters to you, ask about it before departure.

What the skipper adds to a short trip

A two-hour charter needs a skipper who can balance driving, safety, local information, and your requests. The strongest part of this experience appears to be that human element. The guides are described as kind, accommodating, and willing to let the group decide what to do.

That freedom has practical value. A family may want shorter swims and more time aboard. A group of friends may want to spend most of the trip in the water. Another group may care more about caves and coastal views. You are not locked into the same pattern as everyone else.

The skipper still has the final say when conditions change. This is a good thing. The route depends on the sea, and safety comes before a requested stop. Life jackets are included, and the boat has a canopy, but you should still follow the skipper’s instructions around swimming and boarding.

The guide languages are Maltese, English, and Italian. If you want local information during the trip, make sure the language you need is clear when booking or before departure.

Is $247 good value for the boat?

The advertised cost is $247 for a private boat of up to eight people, not $247 per person. With eight people aboard, that works out to just under $31 per person before fuel. With four people, the boat portion is roughly $62 per person. For two people, the private experience becomes much more expensive than a shared boat.

There is also an extra fuel charge of about €40, payable in cash to the skipper after the tour. Factor this into your budget from the beginning. Because the advertised price is in dollars and the fuel charge is in euros, the final amount depends on the exchange rate and your payment arrangements.

I think the value is strongest for a full group that wants privacy and a short, polished outing. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, not just transport to Comino. The canopy, water, coolers, snorkeling equipment, port fees, and skipper help make the price easier to justify.

If you are alone or traveling as a couple, compare the total private cost with a shared cruise. The private charter earns its keep through control and comfort, not through the number of attractions you can tick off in two hours.

Practical details for a smooth outing

Pack light. You need a towel and beachwear, and you should bring sun protection even though the boat has a canopy. Water is provided, but food and extra drinks are not included.

The meeting point is not fixed until the departure port is confirmed. You will receive exact directions for Cirkewwa Port or Imgarr Harbor before the trip. Check those details carefully, since finding the boat can be the most frustrating part of an otherwise easy outing.

Fuel must be paid in cash directly to the skipper. Bring about €40 and do not treat the advertised price as the complete final charge. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also excluded, so allow time and money for reaching the harbor.

The charter can be canceled without charge up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still changing. Weather can affect the trip, so keep your schedule a little flexible if possible.

Who should book this private charter?

I would recommend it most strongly to groups of four to eight people who want their own boat and do not need a full-day cruise. It is also a sensible choice for families because you can set the pace and avoid sharing the space with strangers.

This is a good pick if you want to combine swimming, snorkeling, caves, and coastal views in one compact outing. It suits visitors staying in northern Malta or Gozo who can reach Cirkewwa or Imgarr Harbor without hotel transport.

I would be more cautious if you want a long, slow day on the water. Two hours is enough for a taste of Comino, but not enough to linger at every lagoon, bay, and cave. I would also compare other options if your group has fewer than four people and privacy is not important.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon charter?

Book it if you value privacy, flexible routing, and a short schedule. The strongest reasons are the exclusive boat, helpful skippers, clear swimming water, and practical onboard equipment. A group of eight gets particularly solid value from the price.

Skip it if you want hotel pickup, a full-day Comino experience, or a trip with every cost included upfront. Keep the €40 fuel payment in cash, confirm the harbor meeting point, and tell the skipper your top priority before the boat leaves. Do that, and this charter offers a neat way to see Comino without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino boat charter?

The charter lasts two hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the boat?

The private boat can accommodate a group of up to eight people. The price is charged per boat, not per person.

Where does the boat depart?

The departure can be from Cirkewwa Port in Malta or Imgarr Harbor on Gozo. The exact meeting point is sent before departure based on the port selected.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel is paid directly to the skipper in cash after the tour. The estimated fuel cost is €40 for this trip.

What is included on the boat?

The charter includes a skipper, boat tour, sun canopy, coolers with ice flakes, drinking water, bottled water, Bluetooth stereo, snorkeling equipment, port fees, and life jackets.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.