Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

Comino looks unreal from the water, and this private speedboat tour gets you there fast, with time to swim and spot caves up close. I like the freedom of going by boat, not ferry, and I like the mix of big-name stops plus smaller coves that feel calmer.

The parts I would book for, every time

I love having a private boat for up to 9 people, which means you can actually choose how long you stay in each swim spot. I also love the human touch, skipper Atef or Agus (names you may hear a lot), who keeps the day moving while sharing stories and pointing out what you are seeing.

One thing to think about before you go

If you get seasick easily, this may not be your best Malta day, since a speedboat ride and open-water waves are part of the deal.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Private speedboat for your group, so your swimming schedule is in your hands
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon with multiple chances to swim or snorkel
• Sea-cave viewpoints like Santa Marija Cave and Popeye’s Cave on a boat route
• Onboard comfort including a fresh-water shower, shaded area, and music
• Short stop, big scenery plan that fits a half-day without dragging into a full day

Private Comino and Gozo Speedboat, what the day feels like

This is a half-day style adventure designed around water, not walking. You start at the jetty near Cirkewwa, then you bounce across the channel to Comino and hit the island from the sea, where the caves and coves actually make sense. You are not stuck waiting in crowds or squeezing onto a beach access point, and that alone makes the day feel less stressful.

The most practical payoff is that you get multiple swim moments. Comino and the surrounding area are famous for clear water, but the way it looks depends on where you stop. From a boat, your skipper can position you for calmer entries, better photos, and snorkel breaks that are actually enjoyable.

For most people, this tour lands in the sweet spot between a quick photo boat and a full-day island hopping plan. It is also built for variety. You get the headline locations like the Blue Lagoon, plus smaller cave-and-rock stops where the coast looks dramatic and photo-friendly.

Getting to Cirkewwa and finding the right jetty

Your meeting point is the jetty in Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area. It is recognizable by umbrellas and tables nearby. That detail matters because that coastline is made of small access points, and you do not want to waste time searching with your swim gear.

A simple approach:

• Arrive early enough to feel unhurried.
• Bring your towel and sunscreen ready to go, since you will be in and out of the water.
• If you are unsure, ask for the boat tied up at the Cirkewwa jetty behind the kiosk with umbrellas.

Most tours like this also work with flexible departure points in the region, and this one notes departure can be done from Mgarr, Gozo or Cirkewwa. So even if you start at Cirkewwa, expect the day to be planned around your route and weather.

The boat setup: music, a shower, and a cooler that helps

What makes a speedboat day comfortable is what happens between swim stops, not just during them. Onboard, you get a fresh-water shower, music, and a shaded area. That might sound basic, but it changes the vibe when you are coming out of salty water.

Also, there is an ice box onboard food and drinks. Important detail: ice box access is included, but food and drinks are not included in the price. That is great value for families and friend groups, because you can bring what you like and keep it chilled between stops.

A number of visitors also mention snorkelling gear being available and a cooler that actually works well for snacks and drinks. If your group wants to bring your own snacks, this is one of those tours where it feels normal to do it.

And yes, music shows up as part of the experience. Several people talk about connecting music, so if that is your thing, bring your playlist ready.

Crystal Lagoon stop: 40 minutes of swim and snorkeling

Your first meaningful water time is at the Crystal Lagoon, with about a 40-minute block for photo, swimming, and snorkeling. This is one of those stops where the key is not just the view, but the pacing. Forty minutes is long enough to get a proper rinse, a swim, and at least one snorkel pass, without making you feel rushed.

What I like about this stop in the plan is that it is early in the day. That means you can start the fun while your energy is still high, and you can figure out how the boat ride feels before you commit to longer swim time later.

Practical tips for this stop:

• Sunscreen before you get in, not after. Water does not cancel sunscreen.
• If you snorkel, keep an eye on your breathing, clear your mask before you drift farther.
• Wear swimwear you can move in easily, since you will likely be hopping in and out quickly.

If the sea is choppier that day, your skipper may choose where to position the boat for safer, calmer entry. That is a real benefit of having a private group and a local skipper handling the details.

Blue Lagoon (Comino): the famous water, plus a May 2025 ticket note

Then you move on to the Blue Lagoon, with another 40-minute window for a break, photos, swimming, and snorkeling. This is the headline stop. From the boat, you can see why the Blue Lagoon pulls people in. The water color is the reason people come, and being on a boat helps you enjoy it without being packed into the same beach squeeze.

Here is the important logistics note you should know ahead of time: if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must book a free ticket at www.blcomino.com. Tickets are required as from May 2025, but they cost nothing.

So ask yourself what you want from this moment:

• If you just want swimming and snorkeling from the boat, you can keep it simple.
• If you want the option to step onto land, take a minute to handle the free ticket ahead of time.

One more realistic point: the Blue Lagoon can be crowded on land, and that can affect how long you want to stay. On the water, you have more freedom because you are not limited to beach space.

Halfa Rock and the cave route: Santa Marija, Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, and more

After Blue Lagoon, the route includes Ħalfa Rock with another swim and snorkel window, again around 40 minutes with photo opportunities. This is where the day shifts from famous beach water to dramatic coastal rocks and cave entrances.

What makes this valuable is the boat perspective. Many of Comino’s most photogenic spots are caves and openings that are hard to appreciate from shore. This tour route is designed to show you those features, including stops associated with places like Santa Marija Cave and the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, plus further cave points mentioned like Popeye’s Cave and Lovers Cave.

A few things to keep in mind:

• Caves are best seen slowly. If you only care about the water, you might think cave stops are a distraction, but the scenery there is part of why Comino looks otherworldly.
• Wear footwear for getting on and off smoothly. You might not need it for every step, but it can help when you are moving around at the boat edges.
• Bring a camera, because these rock faces and cave mouths make strong photos, especially when the light hits the water.

If you are traveling as a couple or with friends, this is also the portion that tends to feel most cinematic.

The quick Gozo glimpse, then Santa Maria Bay

You get a short photo stop and visit related to Gozo, about 5 minutes, then you head toward Santa Maria Bay for another brief break and swimming or snorkeling time, about 10 minutes.

Why include Gozo even briefly? Because it adds variety to the day without stretching it into an all-day schedule. You get a taste of the island presence in the route, and it helps break up the rhythm between Comino’s main highlights.

Santa Maria Bay is a short hit, so treat it like a bonus swim rather than your main event. With only about 10 minutes, your goal is simple: rinse off, jump in, get a quick snorkel pass, and grab a couple photos before you move on.

If you are the type who loves to maximize time in the water, this short stop can feel perfect. If you want long swims at every location, you may wish you had chosen the longer version, since later stops are also time-limited.

Għemieri Window and Santa Maria Caves: photo stops that actually matter

You also have a stop for Għemieri Window, about 5 minutes for photo and visit. This kind of stop is fast, but that is the point. It is a quick visual landmark, and the boat route makes it easy to see without a hike.

Then you move to Santa Maria Caves with about a 10-minute photo and visit. Caves here work well for groups because you do not need to be an experienced swimmer or snorkeler to enjoy the view. Even if you stay mostly on the boat, the scenery is still the attraction.

The key benefit of these photo-and-visit blocks is pacing. After swimming areas, you get a break to dry off a bit, switch cameras, and let the group regroup.

If you want the best photos, look for a moment when the light is strongest and the water is calm. Your skipper can position the boat to help, and the private setup means you are not stuck waiting for others to move.

Elephant Rock and the ride back to Cirkewwa

The itinerary includes Elephant Rock for a quick photo stop around 5 minutes. It is the kind of landmark that feels small on paper, but it rounds out the route. After that, you return by speedboat to your original meeting point.

The ride back is when you notice the real value of a private group. Even when the day is short, you have been switching locations enough to feel like you did something different, not just repeated the same swim spot.

Price and logistics: when $187 per group makes sense

The price is listed at $187 per group up to 9 people, for a 2-3 hour private speedboat tour. That sounds like a lot if you think per person, but it can be a strong value when you price it as a private boat cost.

The big extra to factor in is fuel. Fuel cost is listed as 79 EUR, paid to the skipper. That turns the true cost into something closer to a “per group” decision, not a “per person” decision.

A helpful way to think about it:

• If you are 6 to 9 people, the cost per person becomes much more reasonable.
• If you are a small party, fuel makes the experience more expensive, but you still get the advantage of privacy and customized swim timing.

Also, there is no hotel pickup included by default, but you can organize it. So you will likely need to get yourselves to Cirkewwa unless you arrange transport.

What to bring, and what to leave out

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Beachwear
• Camera, since you will want photos of caves and rock formations

Not allowed:

• Pets

If you are planning to snorkel, you might not need extra gear since snorkelling is part of the experience. Still, always do your own comfort check. If you get uncomfortable in open water, choose your swim moments carefully.

One more key reality check: this is not recommended for non-swimmers. Plus, it is not for people prone to seasickness. If either of those applies, you might want a slower option.

Who should book this Comino and Gozo speedboat tour

This is a great fit if you want:

• A private half-day on Malta’s water
• Real swimming and snorkel time, not just sightseeing
• Cave stops you can only see properly from the sea
• A plan that works for families, friends, and couples

It also works well for groups who want flexibility. Several visitors note being able to shorten or lengthen swim stops based on the mood and conditions. That ability is a major advantage over set-schedule public tours.

Should you book it

Yes, I would book it if you want Comino’s clear water, Blue Lagoon fame, and cave scenery in a short, high-impact day. The private boat format is the main reason this feels worth it, especially when you share the cost with a group.

I would not book it if you are prone to seasickness or you are not comfortable in the water. For those cases, the speedboat part can turn into stress instead of fun, even if the views are incredible.

If you do book, do two things early: plan for the free Blue Lagoon ticket if you want to step off, and arrive on time at the correct jetty behind the kiosk in Cirkewwa. Then you can spend your energy on swimming, photos, and enjoying the Malta coastline from the best angle.

FAQ

How long is the private Comino and Blue Lagoon speedboat tour?

The tour duration is 2 to 3 hours, depending on the option you choose and the schedule for that day.

Where do we meet for the tour?

Meet at the jetty in Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area. Look for umbrellas and tables.

How much does it cost?

The price is $187 per group, for up to 9 people.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. Fuel cost is 79 EUR, paid to the skipper.

Do we need a ticket to get off at the Blue Lagoon?

If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must book a free ticket at www.blcomino.com. Tickets are required as from May 2025 but cost nothing.

What is included during the tour?

Included features are a private 2 or 3 hour speed boat tour (depending on option), visits to Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, exploration of hidden caves, swimming and snorkeling opportunities, ice box food and drinks (food and drinks not included), and the skipper.

What should we bring and is it suitable for non-swimmers?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. It is not recommended for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.