Comino looks unreal from a private boat. This 3-hour charter hits the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon with your own skipper, so you get famous views without the usual crush. I also love that you get to decide your pacing in the water, with built-in time for swimming, photos, and snorkel breaks.

One thing to weigh first: this trip is not suitable for people with motion sickness, and the skipper can shift the route or swimming stops based on weather.

Key reasons this charter feels worth it

• Private pace on Comino: you control how long you swim at the main stops.
• Real lagoon time: Blue Lagoon gets about 45 minutes, with Crystal Lagoon around 20 minutes.
• Snorkel-ready setup: snorkeling mask, life jacket, and beach noodles are included.
• Chilled drinks on board: ice and a cooler keep your beverages from turning into warm regret.
• A guided route, in two languages: live guide in English and Italian helps you enjoy the stops, not just pass them.
• Santa Maria Caves plus wildlife cruising: photo stops and pass-bys keep the ride varied.

Private speedboat to Comino lagoons, without the crowd grind

If you want the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon experience, Comino is the place. But the classic problem is timing and crowds, especially when everyone arrives at the same moment and squeezes into the same photo spots.

This private speedboat style changes the whole vibe. Instead of feeling like you’re on a queue, you get a planned route with multiple stops, plus enough flexibility to choose your moments in the water. It also helps that the day is guided, with a live guide speaking English and Italian, so you’re not guessing what you’re looking at as the coastline changes.

I like that the itinerary is built around a rhythm: cruise in, swim and snorkel, then move on. It keeps the day from dragging, while still giving you actual time in the water where it matters most.

What’s included on board (and what that means for your day)

You’re paying for a private boat, but the value isn’t only the boat. It’s the practical extras that save you from hunting down gear or dealing with small inconveniences once you’re out on the water.

Here’s what you get as part of the price:

• 3-hour boat trip with multiple stops
• Ice and a cooler to keep drinks chilled
• Beach noodles
• Snorkeling mask
• Bluetooth sound system for your music
• Life jacket
• Marina and lagoon fees
• Live guide in English and Italian
• Parking on site
• Private boat

For me, the cooler plus ice is the underrated win. A hot day on the water can turn into a mood killer fast. Having drinks kept cold means you can actually relax instead of rationing bottled water.

And the Bluetooth sound system is more than a fun perk. If you’re traveling with friends or family, it makes the boat feel like a small hangout rather than a transport ride.

Also pay attention to what is not included. Towels, sunblock, and a swimsuit are on you. Fuel and an experienced local skipper fee are also extra. More on that in the money section below.

Getting to the boat: Cirkewwa start point, and your two options

This charter’s meeting point is near the Cirkewwa Cafe kiosk. The skipper is set to be waiting there, and the tour ends back at the same meeting spot.

You should also know there can be an alternate start point. The private boat can begin at either Cirkewwa (Malta) or Mgarr (Gozo). That matters for planning your morning, especially if you’re already staying on Gozo or if you need to time buses and ferry schedules.

Tip: give yourself a little buffer around Cirkewwa. Even if everything runs on time, you’ll want a calm moment to get ready, do quick sunscreen and water checks, and settle everyone before you push out.

Stop 1: Blue Lagoon, Malta, the main swimming and snorkeling window

This is the star of the show, and the timing matches that. You’ll get a photo stop and then about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, plus marine life viewing.

What I like about how this stop is structured is that you get both:

• A built-in moment to take photos and orient yourself
• Enough water time that you’re not rushing, changing, and drying off every two minutes

Blue Lagoon is famous for a reason, but it can be chaotic when you’re stuck with group schedules. Here, the private format helps you take your time in the water. If you want a slow swim, great. If you want to snorkel first and photo later, the plan supports that.

Potential downside: the lagoon is popular. Even with fewer crowds, it is still a shared natural spot. So treat your time like a swim window, not a beach layover. Keep your expectations focused on water time.

Stop 2: the “pass by” stretch that keeps the ride interesting

After Blue Lagoon, there’s a quick sightseeing cruise and a photo stop, then more pass-by viewing. This is a smart way to break up the trip. You get movement without losing the day to constant transfers.

This part matters because Comino’s coast changes a lot as you go. Even short cruises can feel like a mini sightseeing session, especially when you’re watching for wildlife and coastline shapes from the water.

If you like photos, this is often where you can grab shots without needing to be in the sun constantly. The boat gives you a new angle every few minutes.

Stop 3: Crystal Lagoon, faster snorkeling and a clean-water feel

Next comes Crystal Lagoon, with about 20 minutes for photos, sightseeing, swimming, and snorkeling, plus marine life viewing.

That shorter time compared to Blue Lagoon is intentional. You’re getting variety in the same half-day, not maxing out one location only. For most people, Crystal Lagoon is best enjoyed with a couple of focused goals:

• Get in for a snorkel circuit
• Take a few photos while you’re dry enough to see clearly
• Move on before it feels like the novelty wears off

A practical note: since the stop time is shorter, you’ll want to have your mask on and ready to go. If you spend the first five minutes adjusting your gear, it eats time you could be actually swimming.

Stop 4 and 5: quick water moments and more wildlife viewing

There are additional photo stops and short swimming and snorkeling opportunities, including a stretch of about 10 minutes where you can swim and snorkel. You also get more sightseeing and wildlife viewing while cruising.

These short segments are perfect if your group includes a mix of people:

• Some want longer swims
• Others want photos and scenic views
• Everyone still wants a chance to get wet

In other words, the shorter stops prevent the day from becoming one long wait for the next swim.

Stop 6: Santa Maria Caves, where the boat does the sightseeing work

You’ll reach Santa Maria Caves for photo stops and time for sightseeing and visiting, plus pass-by viewing and marine life viewing.

Even if your main goal is swimming, caves and rocky coastlines are where a boat outing makes sense. From land, you can see parts of the area. From the water, you get the scale and the motion, and you’re close enough to feel how the coastline bends.

This portion is also a good mental reset. After lagoons, caves are a different type of scenery, more dramatic and rocky. It keeps the trip from feeling like you’re just bouncing between two blue points on a map.

The skipper’s route flexibility, and why it helps you

One of the best parts of this charter format is that the skipper can change the route or swimming stops due to weather conditions.

That doesn’t mean everything goes off plan. It means the experience is designed to adapt. Wind and wave conditions can make certain areas calmer or rougher, and the skipper can decide what feels safe and enjoyable.

The private setup also gives you a bigger sense of control. In the feedback I’ve seen, the standout theme is that the boat feels great underway and you can decide where you stop and for how long. That matters, because Comino’s lagoons are at their best when you’re not stuck with a rigid schedule.

Price and value: $203 per group up to 12, plus the cash extra

Price is listed as $203 per group up to 12, with starting times that vary by availability. If you’re a small group, it can still be cost-effective because you’re paying for a private boat, not a seat in a crowd.

But the total value depends on two realities:

1. You get a lot included for the price
2. There is a separate cash payment on board

Included in the base:

• Boat for 3 hours with multiple stops
• Guide in English and Italian
• Snorkeling masks, life jacket, beach noodles
• Bluetooth sound system
• Ice and cooler
• Marina and lagoon fees
• Parking on site

Extra you should plan for:

• Fuel for the entire trip
• An experienced local skipper fee of €99, paid cash on board

So what should you do with this info? Add up the math based on your group size. If you can fill the group cap, the per-person cost becomes very friendly for a private boat day. If you’re only a couple of people, you’ll feel more of the premium, but you still may prefer it over crowded tours if your top priority is space and control.

Practical tip: bring cash in advance for the on-board payment, and also keep some extra small bills for convenience.

What to bring (and what to skip)

To have a smooth trip, bring:

• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Towel
• Food and drinks
• Sunscreen
• Cash

You should also plan around the included gear. You’ll have a snorkeling mask, life jacket, and beach noodles, so you don’t need to pack those. But towels and sunscreen are not included, and without them your “quick swim” turns into a miserable towel hunt.

Not allowed items:

• Baby strollers
• Luggage or large bags
• Bikes
• Littering (yes, it’s listed)
• Baby carriages

Also note: this tour is not suitable for people with motion sickness. If that’s you, take a hard look at your tolerance before booking. A fast boat plus open water can be a rough combo.

Who this private speedboat trip suits best

This works best if you want:

• A private group experience with your own pace
• Time in the water at the lagoons, not just photo stops
• Snorkeling with provided mask gear
• A guided route, in English and Italian

It can be a great pick for couples and friend groups who want to spend most of the day moving between the best water spots. It also fits families who are comfortable in and out of the water quickly.

Who should think twice:

• Anyone sensitive to motion sickness
• Anyone needing to bring bulky gear, luggage, or strollers

Should you book this private Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon speedboat?

Yes, I’d book it if your goal is simple: get to Comino’s best water areas with a private boat feel and enough flexibility to make the swim time yours. The combination of included snorkeling gear, life jackets, cooler with ice, and the ability to decide stops is a strong package, especially for groups.

I’d hesitate if you know you get seasick easily or if your group expects a calm, beachy all-day hang. This is a 3-hour boat plan with multiple stops, so it’s energetic and time-based, not a slow drift picnic.

If you want my best decision tip: book this when you can rally a few people, bring sunscreen and a towel, and you’re okay with weather-driven route changes. That’s when it turns into one of the easiest, most satisfying Malta outings you’ll do.

FAQ

Where do we meet for the private speedboat?

You meet near the Cirkewwa Cafe kiosk, and the skipper waits there. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the charter?

The duration is 3 hours.

What locations does the boat visit?

The experience includes the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus Santa Maria Caves. The overall experience also references St Mary Bay and hidden sea caves.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $203 per group, up to 12 people. Starting times depend on availability.

What is included in the price?

Included are the 3-hour boat trip with multiple stops, ice and a cooler, beach noodles, snorkeling mask, Bluetooth sound system, life jacket, marina and lagoon fees, and a live guide in English and Italian.

What extra costs should I expect on board?

You’ll need to pay cash on board for fuel for the entire trip and an experienced local skipper fee of €99.

Do you provide snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A snorkeling mask is included, along with life jackets and beach noodles.

Can the route change during the tour?

Yes. The skipper can change the route or swimming stops due to weather conditions.

Is this tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for people with motion sickness. Also, baby strollers and large luggage or bags are not allowed.