Blue Lagoon, Comino and Caves Tour with Private Rib Boat

Clear water is only the beginning. This private RIB tour circles Comino’s best coves, caves, reefs, and historic sites in about three hours, with room for up to eight people. I like the freedom to stop for swimming and snorkeling away from the busiest parts of the Blue Lagoon, and I like that skipper Francesco has been praised for his warm, personal approach and strong knowledge of Gozo and Comino. The main drawback is the extra €99 fuel surcharge, which matters when you are comparing the total cost with larger shared boats.

You get bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and an ice cooler, while the boat gives your group a more private setting than a packed ferry or sightseeing craft. The route is packed with stops, so you should expect a brisk sightseeing pace rather than long, lazy hours at one beach. The Blue Lagoon also requires a pre-booking pass if you want to go ashore, though staying on the boat avoids that requirement.

Key points to know before booking

• A private RIB for up to eight: Your group gets the boat to itself, with a skipper who can adjust the pace and swimming stops.
• The Blue Lagoon without going ashore: You can enjoy the famous water from the boat without needing the new land-entry pass.
• Several swimming locations: Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay each offer a different setting.
• Sea caves are the real treat: Lovers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, and the cave without a roof are best appreciated from the water.
• A wreck and reef add variety: The P31 patrol boat and Cominotto Reef give snorkelers something different from cliffs and beaches.
• Budget for the fuel surcharge: The advertised group price is $311.18, but fuel adds €99 per booking.

Why a private boat changes the Comino experience

Comino is small, but its coastline is full of corners that are hard to reach by land. A private RIB lets you move between those spots quickly, enter caves by boat, and pause for a swim without waiting for a large group to board or disembark.

The boat accommodates up to eight people, so the price can make better sense when shared among family or friends. At the advertised $311.18 per group, the base cost is about $39 per person for eight people, before the €99 fuel charge. With a smaller group, the per-person cost rises sharply, but you are paying for privacy, flexibility, and a more personal ride.

The fuel surcharge is not a small footnote. It changes the final price, so include it when comparing this trip with a shared excursion. For a full group, the extra charge is easier to absorb. For two or three people, the value depends on how much you care about avoiding crowds and having your own skipper.

The experience lasts about three hours. That is enough time to see a great deal of Comino’s coast, but not enough for every stop to become a long beach afternoon. Think of it as a fast, scenic coastal tour with several short water breaks.

St. Mary’s Tower and Lovers Cave begin with history

The boat first passes St. Mary’s Tower, a 17th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. It sits high above Comino’s cliffs and once guarded the channel between Malta and Gozo. From the sea, you get a clear sense of why this location mattered: the tower watches the narrow waterway rather than a broad open horizon.

Film fans may recognize the fort as the Château d’If prison in the 2002 movie The Count of Monte Cristo. That connection is fun, but the tower is worth seeing even if you have never watched the film.

Below the cliff, the RIB enters Lovers Cave. This is a quiet sea cave reached only from the water, and the boat’s size makes the approach possible. The stop lasts about 15 minutes, enough for photographs and a close look inside, though conditions at the entrance can affect how far the boat can go.

This is a good early stop because it sets the tone. Comino is not just turquoise water and sunbathing. Fortifications, movie locations, cliffs, and small caves all share the same shoreline.

The cave without a roof and Popeye’s Cave

L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf means the cave without a roof. Its ceiling collapsed long ago, leaving a large opening that lets sunlight fall into the cave. The result is part sea cave, part natural chamber, with bright water below and limestone walls around it.

The cave is also called It-Tieqa or Taħt il-Ħnejja, and it has the nickname Popeye’s Cave because it appeared in the 1980s movie Popeye starring Robin Williams. You will approach by boat, giving you the best view of the opening and the unusual shape of the rock.

The scheduled visit is about 15 minutes. That is plenty for photographs, but you should not expect a long exploration on foot. The attraction is the view from the boat, especially when the sun is high enough to light the interior.

This stop also shows why a private boat is useful. A large craft may not offer the same close approach, and you can take photographs without a crowd filling every corner of the frame.

Crystal Lagoon offers the first proper swim

Crystal Lagoon sits on Comino’s western side, surrounded by pale limestone cliffs and clear water. It is often a calmer alternative to the Blue Lagoon, though it can still attract boats during busy periods.

The tour allows about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. There are nearby caves, including some large enough for the boat to enter, while other openings are better suited to a quiet swim. The cliffs also attract people who enjoy jumping into the water, with different heights available.

Use sensible judgment around cliff jumps. The tour description presents them as an option, not a requirement, and you should only consider one if you are comfortable with the height and the conditions. Snorkeling or simply floating gives you plenty to do without adding risk.

Crystal Lagoon is one of the most useful stops for people who want actual water time. The 30-minute pause is longer than the brief photography stops, but it is still shared with the nearby caves and other activities.

The P31 gives snorkelers a different view

The P31 is a former Maltese patrol boat that was intentionally sunk in 2009 to form an artificial reef and underwater attraction. It rests upright on the sandy seabed at a depth of about 18 to 20 meters, with its highest point only around seven meters below the surface.

That shallow upper section means you may be able to see the wreck from the surface when visibility is good. Snorkelers and free divers can appreciate its outline, while certified divers can explore more of the structure at depth. The site attracts schools of fish and smaller sea life, adding movement to what would otherwise be a simple wreck visit.

The P31 is especially worthwhile if you have already seen several caves and coves elsewhere in Malta. It breaks up the scenery with something man-made and historical. Visibility is the key variable, so do not treat the wreck as guaranteed underwater viewing in every condition.

Cominotto Reef and Cominotto island

Cominotto Reef, also called Anchor Reef, offers steep underwater edges, overhangs, and swim-throughs. Depths range from about 10 to 40 meters, and the area is associated with octopuses, moray eels, and colorful fish.

For this tour, the value of the reef depends on sea conditions and how much time your group wants in the water. Experienced snorkelers and free divers may get more from the underwater shape, while casual swimmers may prefer the shallower areas around Cominotto itself.

The nearby islet of Cominotto is uninhabited and has rugged cliffs, clear water, a small sandy beach, and a sea tunnel suited to swimming and snorkeling. It lies directly across from the Blue Lagoon, but it feels quieter and more removed.

Cominotto also has film connections. Parts of Troy and Swept Away were filmed around the area. The films are secondary to the scenery, but they help explain why this stretch of coast has attracted filmmakers.

The Blue Lagoon from the boat

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s famous showpiece, with pale sand under clear turquoise water and cliffs enclosing the bay. It is beautiful, but its fame brings crowds, especially during the main season.

This tour’s advantage is that you do not need to join the queue for a public swimming area. Your skipper can position the boat in a quieter part of the lagoon or nearby coves, depending on conditions and traffic. You can swim, float, snorkel, and take photographs without treating the crowded shore as your only option.

New rules require a pre-booking pass if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The pass does not apply if you remain on the boat, so this experience can be simpler for anyone mainly interested in swimming and seeing the lagoon from the water.

I would not book this tour solely for a long stay at the Blue Lagoon. The scheduled time there is about 30 minutes, and the boat also visits many other places. The real strength is seeing the Blue Lagoon as one part of a wider Comino route.

Santa Marija Bay slows the pace

Santa Marija Bay is a quieter stop on Comino’s northern coast, with shallow clear water and a sandy beach. It is a good contrast to the Blue Lagoon, particularly for families or anyone who wants a calmer swim.

The tour allows about 30 minutes here. You can swim, snorkel, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view. The bay is also home to Santa Marija Chapel, built in 1618, adding a small but meaningful cultural detail to the natural setting.

San Niklaw Bay may also be included as the boat works around the northern coast. It is another peaceful place for swimming or resting on board, framed by cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. Since several stops are packed into three hours, the exact time at an unlisted stop may depend on the day’s route and sea conditions.

Santa Maria Caves, Għemieri Window, and Elephant Rock

The Santa Maria Caves are a network of sea caves on Comino’s northeastern coast. The skipper guides the boat through narrow passages where sunlight reflects from the water onto the rock walls. This is one of the most atmospheric parts of the route, though the boat’s access will depend on the sea and the width of each passage.

The scheduled time is about 15 minutes. Bring a camera, but protect it from spray and remember that cave photographs can be tricky in changing light.

The Għemieri Window is a natural limestone arch along the coast. You see it from the boat, with the opening framed by cliffs and open water. It is a short photo stop rather than a place to land.

Elephant Rock is another memorable formation. Erosion has shaped it into what looks like an elephant lowering its trunk into the sea. From the boat, you can see the curve of the rock and the surrounding clear water without needing to leave the vessel.

These formations reward a skipper who knows the coast well. The strongest praise for this operator centers on Francesco’s easy manner, safe handling, and local familiarity. If he is your skipper, ask him about the rock shapes and fortifications as you go. The trip becomes more interesting when the coastline is explained rather than simply passed.

What the boat service adds

The operator has been praised for clean, comfortable boats and friendly service. One account describes a newer Zodiac with two 300-horsepower engines on a longer trip, while another highlights good-quality masks and snorkels. The exact boat setup can vary by departure, so treat those details as useful indications rather than a promise about every tour.

Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an ice cooler are included. That saves you from bringing your own mask and gives you a practical way to keep drinks cold. You should still bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and a secure way to protect phones and cameras, since the tour is built around water access.

The small-group format also matters for comfort. You can ask to spend more time swimming at one stop, move on from a crowded bay, or pause for photographs. The tour is not completely free-form, since the route includes many named sites, but it offers much more personal attention than a large public boat.

The company is family-owned, and the service has received praise for quick communication and flexibility when windy weather affected plans. That does not remove the need to check the forecast, but it is reassuring for anyone worried about being treated like a number.

Who should book this Comino tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and small groups who want a private day on the water and plan to swim or snorkel. It also suits film fans, amateur photographers, and anyone who prefers sea caves and cliffs to a single beach stop.

The trip is less suitable if you want a slow beach day, a long visit on land, or a low-cost way to reach the Blue Lagoon. The three-hour schedule covers a lot of coastline, but the short stops can feel quick if you want to spend 45 minutes or more at each place.

The route is also a good fit for people who feel uneasy on crowded public boats. The private setting, skipper attention, and comfortable RIB make the ride feel more personal. Good weather is required, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want to see far more than the Blue Lagoon and can share the cost with a group. Its best features are the private boat, the range of caves and bays, the useful swimming stops, and the chance to explore Comino with a local skipper rather than follow a fixed public-boat routine.

Before paying, calculate the $311.18 group price plus the €99 fuel surcharge. If eight people are sharing, the cost is easier to justify. If you are traveling as a couple, compare it with a shared trip, then decide how much privacy and flexibility are worth to you.

For a compact, water-focused look at Comino, this is a strong choice. Just arrive ready for a busy three hours, not a leisurely day at one beach.

FAQ

How long does the private Comino boat tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private tour accommodates a group of up to eight people.

Is the Blue Lagoon land-entry pass included?

No pass is needed if you remain on the boat. A pre-booking pass is required if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

Are snorkeling equipment and drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and an ice cooler are included.

Is there an extra fuel charge?

Yes. A fuel surcharge of €99 per booking is not included in the advertised group price.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.