Comino looks unreal from a private boat. This tour stitches together the big Comino sights plus a side trip to Gozo, so you get more variety than the typical quick boat hop, with time set aside for swimming and snorkeling at each stop, including Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.

Two things I like a lot are how the crew picks the water stops, and how they handle the group once you are in the sea. In a previous group of 13, the guides Joseph and Frankie kept the day running smoothly, with strong communication and careful attention to detail, without turning it into a nonstop performance.

One consideration: the price is high per group (up to 15 people) and food and drinks are not included, so it is best when you split costs and you plan your own meal breaks or pick up supplies on Gozo.

Key highlights to clock before you go

• Blue Lagoon anchor time with a swim and snorkel stop chosen for calm, clear water
• Crystal Lagoon caves by water, plus snorkeling masks included for use in the area
• Gozo south coast cruise covering Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq, and Bemberin gorge
• Santa Maria Bay for a quieter Comino feel, with sandy shallows and shade from tamarisk trees
• Santa Maria Caves visited as short cave time, ideal if you want wonder without a long outing
• A private format where your group is the only group on the boat

How the Comino Blue Lagoon stop actually sets the tone

If your mental picture of Comino is postcard water, Blue Lagoon is where that idea becomes real. The lagoon is on Comino’s west coast, between Malta and Gozo, and it is known for shallow, clear, bright water. On this tour, you do not just drive past. You stop, anchor, and get time to swim and snorkel.

What I like about this setup is simple: it gives you choices. Some people want to float and soak in the view. Others want to get in the water right away. Since you anchor at a good spot, you are not racing from one tiny moment to the next. That matters because Comino’s most famous water can get busy on shore and at popular approach points.

The tour gives you about 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon stop. That is enough time to do a relaxed swim, put your head in the water for a snorkel session, then regroup without feeling rushed.

Crystal Lagoon, caves, and movie-cast scenery from the water

Next comes Crystal Lagoon, on the north west side of Comino. This stop is built around clear turquoise water and caves, including some that can be shallow with sandy bottoms. If you like the idea of snorkeling while looking into cave openings, this is the water stop that gives you that angle.

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and the plan is not only swim and snorkel. The crew also shows you around the caves from the water. It is also one of those locations that has shown up in film, with Lovers Cave and Popeye’s Cave mentioned as examples. You do not need to be a movie buff to enjoy it, but it helps you know you are looking at a place that has real visual personality.

A practical plus: snorkeling masks are provided for free during this portion. So you can bring a simple swim setup and let the tour handle the gear.

One possible mismatch to be aware of: this stop is focused on caves and water time, so if you want a long beach nap, you might enjoy Santa Maria Bay more later in the day.

Gozo added the right way: Qala beaches and Bemberin gorge

The tour does not stop at Comino only. It also cruises along Gozo’s south coast, focusing on the Qala area, with a route that includes Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq bay, and Bemberin gorge.

Here is why I think this section works. Comino can feel like one big water highlight stringed together. Adding Gozo gives you a change of pace, different shoreline shapes, and the chance to see more than one kind of coastline.

Tal-Halfa is described as a clay-rich beach, backed by a large solitary rock called Halfa Rock with history tied to it. Hondoq bay is another beach stop, described as pebbly, with nice blue and turquoise water.

Then comes the standout for people who like adventure with low fuss: Bemberin gorge. It is a hidden inlet that can only be accessed by boat. You get time for swimming, and the water is described as crystal clear. The area is also noted for cliff diving fans, though even if you are not planning jumps, you can watch from the boat and enjoy the caves and rock edges.

Timing here is about 1 hour. That is just enough to feel like you did something beyond Comino, without turning the day into a long endurance project.

Santa Maria Bay: quieter Comino time with sandy shallows

If Blue Lagoon is the headline, Santa Maria Bay is the “slow down” page in the story. The tour positions it as a quieter option than the popular neighbor, with the note that it is about a 20 minute walk from The Blue Lagoon.

You are on Comino’s side with sandy conditions, and the water here is described as shallow and clear. The bay sits next to Comino’s small police station, which is mentioned as part of how boats are controlled around the island. The shore might have some dead algae due to currents, but the beach is described as sandy and clean, with tamarisk trees providing shade.

This stop lasts about 1 hour. I like this because it gives your body a break between cave-focused water time and any cave visits later.

If you are traveling with mixed energy levels, Santa Maria Bay helps. One person can snorkel lightly or wade. Another can just hang out with fewer crowds.

Elephant Rock and Santa Maria Caves: short moments that add character

Two more elements add texture to the trip without stealing your whole schedule.

On the way around Comino, you pass Elephant Rock, a natural arch shaped like an elephant with its head dipping toward the water. It is on the east side of Comino. Since it is a pass-by, this is a camera moment. Think of it as a quick visual bookmark for your trip, especially if you like having a few different landmarks to remember beyond just the water stops.

Then, later, you visit Santa Maria Caves on Comino’s north side. This is described as a popular dive site because of its cave systems, but your visit on the tour is time-boxed to about 30 minutes, focused on admiring the cave entrances and natural formations. The caves are shallow and are described as a series of five caves.

If you want cave scenery without committing to a long underwater session, this short stop makes sense. It is also mentioned as a filming location related to The Count of Monte Cristo. Again, you do not need the movie context, but it helps explain why the caves are so photogenic and well-known.

Private boat day value: who should book this

The tour price is listed as $1,130.75 per group, with a cap of up to 15 people. That can sound steep at first if you are imagining a solo or couple trip. But in practice, private boat tours work best when you can split costs across a group.

I would think about value in terms of how many people you are bringing and how much time you want on the water. With this setup, you are paying for a private day built around multiple swim and snorkel stops, plus a Gozo route and cave time. If you do not want to share a boat with strangers, the private format is a real upgrade, not just a label.

Also look at what is included. You get snorkeling equipment, and fuel surcharge is included. The tour also includes a cooler box with complimentary cooling ice, which helps with the “food not included” part. You can bring food and drinks, or you can stop at Gozo Mgarr harbour to buy them.

If your group is large enough to spread the cost, this becomes one of those trips where you feel like you bought the right kind of day, not just the right photo.

Timing, pickup, and how to plan your half-day

This tour is described as 2 to 6 hours approximately. Your actual time on the water will depend on how the day runs, since it includes several scheduled stops: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo south coast highlights, Santa Maria Bay, cave time at Santa Maria Caves, plus a pass by Elephant Rock.

You have optional pickup via private taxi, van, or coach transfers to and from your residence, and that transfer costs extra. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you are not dealing with a complicated drop-off scenario at the end.

There is also an operational window: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, listed for Monday through Sunday over the provided date range. That matters if you are planning the rest of your Malta day. With morning plans elsewhere, you might need to rearrange.

One more planning note: this experience is described as requiring good weather. If weather does not cooperate, the tour can be moved to another date or refunded.

What is included on board, and what you need to handle yourself

Included items are straightforward: snorkeling equipment and fuel surcharge. During the Crystal Lagoon stop, snorkeling masks are offered for free, so you are not scrambling to find gear.

Food and drinks are not included. But you are not stuck either. You can bring your own, and the tour can include time to stop at Gozo Mgarr harbour where you can buy food and drinks. The cooler box with complimentary cooling ice is a practical touch. It is the kind of small thing that makes a big difference when you want cold drinks without hunting for a shop once you are out on the water.

Because lunch is on you, I suggest planning your timing around the stop order. You get multiple water blocks spread through the day, so a meal break is easiest when you treat it like part of the schedule, not a random pause.

Service, communication, and the crew style that makes this feel easy

The strongest praise for this tour centers on how smoothly it runs and how clearly the crew communicates. In one group of 13, Joseph and Frankie were specifically mentioned for being kind and attentive without being intrusive. That is a subtle but important distinction. Some tour crews hover. Some disappear. Here, it sounds like the balance is right.

The same group also noted the boat was clean and spacious. That matters because you are not just standing around. Even with plenty of water time, there is still time aboard between stops, and comfort makes the day feel more relaxed.

A clean, spacious boat also helps with group coordination. With up to 15 people, people do not want to be tripping over gear or squeezing past each other every time someone wants a swimsuit, a camera, or a quick rinse.

Is this a good fit for your group?

This tour is described as safe and suitable for all types of guests, with the note that most travelers can participate. There are also details that service animals are allowed and that it is near public transportation.

I would point it at:

• Groups who want a private boat day with multiple swim and snorkel stops
• People who want both Comino and Gozo in one outing
• Travelers who like cave scenery but still want plenty of time above water

It may be less ideal if:

• You are traveling solo or as a couple and the group cost feels hard to justify
• You want an all-inclusive meal setup, since food and drinks are on you
• You are only interested in one single Comino beach stop, since the day is built as a sequence

Should you book Comino Blue Lagoon and Gozo in one private boat day?

I think this is a smart choice if your priority is real time in the water, not just quick sightseeing passes. The way the day is structured, Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the core experiences, and the Gozo segment plus Santa Maria Bay keeps the day from feeling like one long repeat of the same shoreline.

Book it if you can split the $1,130.75 per group cost across a decent-size party and you are comfortable handling food and drinks yourself with the option to buy at Gozo Mgarr harbour. If you do not want to plan meals at all, or if the price is going to land on a small group, you might want to price out other options.

FAQ

FAQ

What places does the tour visit in Comino and Gozo?

The itinerary includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, swimming areas around Gozo south coast (Tal-Halfa beach, Hondoq bay, and Bemberin gorge), Santa Maria Bay, a pass by Elephant Rock, and Santa Maria Caves.

How long is the private tour?

It is listed as approximately 2 to 6 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is optional. You can add private taxi, van, or coach transfers to and from your residence for an additional cost.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling masks are offered for free at Crystal Lagoon.

Are lunch and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring them, or the plan allows you to stop at Gozo Mgarr harbour to buy food and drinks.

What does the tour include for cooling drinks?

A cooler box with complimentary cooling ice is provided.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where does the tour start and end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.