Review · CAVE BOAT TOURS

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo

5.0 · 79 reviews 2 hours (approx.) Operated by Gozoblu Private Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Turquoise water rewards a small boat. This private trip around Comino and Gozo gives your group up to eight people room to set the pace, with pickup at either Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina. I like the private format and the chance to spend real time swimming at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon rather than simply sailing past them.

I also like the practical touches: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an iced cooler are included. The main point to watch is the €80 fuel surcharge, which is added per booking, and the two-hour schedule may feel short if you want long swims at every stop.

The experience has a 5.0 rating from 79 reviews, with 100 percent recommending it. A guide named Francesco receives special praise for finding places that larger tours may not reach, while the crew has also helped with towels, served fresh fruit after swimming, and adapted the outing for a family with young children.

Key details to know before you book

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Key details to know before you book

  • A private boat for up to eight people means your group does not share the excursion with strangers.
  • Crystal Lagoon gets its own 30-minute stop, giving you a quieter alternative to Comino’s famous main lagoon.
  • Blue Lagoon is scheduled for 30 minutes, enough for a swim and photos, but not a long beach day.
  • Pickup is available at Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina, depending on whether you begin in Malta or Gozo.
  • Snorkeling gear, bottled water, and an iced cooler are included, but the €80 fuel surcharge is extra.
  • The route can be adjusted, which is useful for families, swimmers, and groups with different priorities.

Why a private Comino boat makes sense

Comino is best experienced from the water. The island’s famous coves, pale rock, and clear shallows are spread around a compact but busy corner of Malta, and a small private boat lets you see more than one postcard location.

A shared boat can be good value for solo visitors, but it usually follows a fixed timetable. Here, your group controls the mood more easily. You can give more attention to swimming, spend longer taking pictures, or ask to stop near Cominotto if conditions and timing allow.

The boat carries up to eight people, so the $216.02 price is charged per group rather than per person. Split among eight, that is about $27 per person before the fuel surcharge. For four people, it works out to about $54 each before fuel. That makes the trip most attractive for families or friends traveling together.

The added €80 fuel charge changes the calculation. It is paid per booking, not per person, so a full group shares it more easily. At eight people, it adds €10 per person. At two people, it becomes a much larger part of the cost. Check the final total before booking so the price does not surprise you.

More Cave Boat Tours in Malta

Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Marina

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Starting at Cirkewwa or Mgarr Marina

The pickup choice is one of the most useful parts of the arrangement. Cirkewwa Terminal sits at Malta’s northern end, while Mgarr Marina is Gozo’s main harbor. You can select the location that fits your day instead of arranging a separate trip to an unknown meeting point.

This matters if you are already using the ferry system. Cirkewwa is the practical choice for a day beginning on Malta, while Mgarr Marina makes sense if you are staying on Gozo or have already crossed from Malta.

The meeting point is described as easy to find, and confirmation arrives when you book. Still, allow enough time to reach the harbor and identify the boat. A private tour begins more calmly when you are not rushing down the pier at the last minute.

The experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. Since the tour depends on good weather, keep a little flexibility in your schedule if possible.

Crystal Lagoon: a calmer first swim

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Crystal Lagoon: a calmer first swim

Crystal Lagoon receives about 30 minutes, and this is likely to be the most peaceful water stop of the outing. It is known for clear, shallow water and generally feels less crowded than Blue Lagoon.

I would use this stop to get comfortable with the boat, test the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy the water before reaching Comino’s busiest sight. The shallow water also makes it appealing for families, though parents should still supervise children closely around the boat and open sea.

Do not expect a full beach visit here. The tour is boat-based, and the schedule is compact. Thirty minutes gives you time for a swim and a look below the surface, but you will need to be ready when the group moves on.

Crystal Lagoon is valuable because it offers contrast. Blue Lagoon is the famous name, but the quieter stop may be the one you remember most if you prefer a slower setting.

Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason

Blue Lagoon is Comino’s headline attraction. Its clear turquoise water and bright rock surroundings make it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and photographs.

The downside is its fame. The lagoon is the place most people want to see, so it can feel less peaceful than Crystal Lagoon. A private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it gives you a better chance to enjoy the water without being tied to a large group’s schedule.

The planned 30 minutes is enough for a quick swim and a few photographs. It is not enough for a leisurely afternoon onshore, so think of this as one part of a wider water tour rather than a complete Blue Lagoon beach day.

Bring a swimsuit and any personal sun protection you need. Bottled water and an iced cooler are included, and snorkeling equipment is supplied, which saves you from packing a full set of gear. Towels are not listed as standard equipment, so bring your own or ask ahead. One family had help obtaining towels, but I would not assume that service is guaranteed.

Cominotto and the smaller coves

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Cominotto and the smaller coves

Cominotto, also called Kemmunett, is a small islet just off Comino. The boat passes by and may stop there, making it a flexible part of the route rather than a guaranteed main landing.

This islet offers a quieter feel, with small sandy beaches, sheltered coves, rock formations, and views back toward Blue Lagoon and the Mediterranean. It suits you if you want a break from the busiest part of Comino or enjoy looking for less obvious places to swim.

Because the stop depends on the route and conditions, ask the crew early in the trip whether Cominotto is planned. That simple question helps you understand how much time remains for the other stops.

The islet also gives the tour some variety. Instead of seeing only the famous lagoon, you get a sense of how the islands look from the water: low rocky shores, small inlets, and changing views as the boat turns toward Gozo.

The watchtower and Malta’s coastal defenses

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - The watchtower and Malta’s coastal defenses

The route includes a historic watchtower built in 1618 by the Knights of St. John. It formed part of a wider chain of coastal towers used for defense and communication.

The tower adds a useful piece of Malta’s story to what could otherwise be only a swimming outing. From the sea, you can connect the old defensive system with the islands’ exposed position in the Mediterranean. The tower also provides broad views over the surrounding water.

The supplied information does not identify the tower by name or give a separate visit length. It is best to treat this as a sight viewed during the boat trip rather than assume you will go ashore. If the historic stop matters to you, ask whether the boat pauses for photographs or simply passes the site.

Caves and what to clarify

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Caves and what to clarify

The experience title includes Comino caves, but the detailed route lists Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Cominotto, and the watchtower without naming a separate cave stop.

That does not mean caves are excluded. It does mean you should confirm the exact cave plan before paying, especially if cave viewing is the main reason you want this tour. Ask whether the boat enters any caves, passes their entrances, or includes time for photographs.

This is a good example of why a private outing can help. You can tell the crew what matters most, whether that is a cave visit, snorkeling, a quiet cove, or more time at Blue Lagoon. The route may be adapted to the group’s wishes, but weather, sea conditions, and the short duration still limit what can fit.

Two hours requires sensible expectations

Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo - Two hours requires sensible expectations

The trip lasts about two hours, with roughly 30 minutes assigned to Crystal Lagoon, 30 minutes to Blue Lagoon, and about 30 minutes for Cominotto or related sightseeing. The remaining time covers moving between locations and the broader route.

That schedule is efficient, not leisurely. You will see several highlights in a short window, but you will not have time to linger at every one. If you want long snorkeling sessions, a relaxed lunch, or extensive time on shore, choose a longer boat charter instead.

For a compact introduction to Comino’s water, two hours works well. It also fits neatly into a larger day on Malta or Gozo. Families with young children may appreciate the shorter commitment, especially since one outing was adapted to suit children’s needs.

I would discuss your priorities before departure. If swimming matters most, ask the crew to protect enough water time. If photographs and sightseeing matter more, you may prefer to keep moving and see more of the coast.

What is included, and what you should bring

The included equipment makes this a fairly simple outing to prepare for. You receive snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an iced cooler. You do not need to arrange separate rental gear for a quick look below the surface.

Towels are not included in the stated package. Bring them if you have room, and ask ahead if you are traveling without them. Fresh fruit was served after swimming on one outing, but it is not listed as a standard inclusion, so treat that as a pleasant possibility rather than a promise.

The boat setting also means you should pack the basics: swimwear, sun protection, a dry change of clothes, and a waterproof way to protect your phone. These are general practical choices for any water excursion, not advertised extras.

Since the tour is offered in English, communication should be straightforward for English-speaking groups. Service animals are permitted, and most people can participate, though the exact fit for your party is worth checking if anyone has mobility or medical concerns.

The personal service factor

The strongest praise centers on personal attention. Francesco is singled out for taking a group to several places they would not have seen on a standard tour. That points to the main benefit of booking privately: you are paying for flexibility and direct attention, not only for a boat ride.

Another group received plenty of time to swim, fruit after the swimming, and help finding towels. A family with young children had the route adjusted around its needs. These details suggest a friendly and accommodating style, though individual service can vary by crew and conditions.

I would tell the guide your priorities at the start. Be clear if someone in your group is a nervous swimmer, if children need shorter water sessions, or if you want more time at a particular lagoon. The crew can only tailor the outing when they know what you want.

Who will get the most from this tour

This boat trip fits a group that wants a private, short outing with swimming at more than one Comino location. It is especially practical for families, couples celebrating a special occasion, and friends who can share the group price.

It also suits you if crowded shared boats are a poor match. A private boat gives your party more space and removes the need to follow strangers’ preferences. The birthday outing described in the supplied details is a good example of how the format works for a small celebration.

I would be more cautious if you are traveling alone or as a pair on a tight budget. The per-group price and €80 fuel surcharge are easier to justify with several people. I would also look elsewhere if you want a full-day sailing trip, a guaranteed cave itinerary, or a long stay on a beach.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Cutoff times follow local Malta time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging the tour from another country.

Should you book this private Comino trip?

I would book it for a small group that values privacy, flexible pacing, and several swim stops in a short time. Crystal Lagoon gives you a quieter counterpoint to Blue Lagoon, Cominotto adds variety, and the private format lets you explain your priorities directly to the crew.

Before booking, confirm three things: the exact cave plan, how the €80 fuel surcharge affects your total, and whether your preferred pickup is Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina. If those details suit your plans, this is a strong choice for a personal two-hour look at Comino’s clearest water and rocky coast.

FAQ

How much does the private boat tour cost?

The listed price is $216.02 per group of up to eight people. An additional €80 fuel surcharge applies per booking.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The private booking is for a group of up to eight people. Only your group participates.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup can be arranged at Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo.

Is Blue Lagoon included?

Yes. The tour includes a planned 30-minute stop at Blue Lagoon, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the scenery.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included with a planned 30-minute stop.

Does the tour visit Cominotto?

The boat passes Cominotto and may also stop there. The stop can depend on the route and conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is bottled water available?

Yes. Bottled water and an iced cooler are included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.

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