Private Boat charter to Crystal & Blue Lagoon, Caves & Comino

Crystal water without the crowd rush. This private charter in Gozo, Malta is built for lagoons and cave swims with your own captain calling the shots, plus stops tied to the island’s movie past. You’ll spend your time in the water, not in lines.

I really like the practical extras that make this feel easy, including snorkeling equipment, 2 stand-up paddleboards, and a freshwater shower back on board. I also love the local touch, with simple snack offerings like cheese and olives that keep you fueled between swim breaks.

One thing to consider: this is weather-dependent, and the itinerary moves through several spots in about 3 hours, so if seas are choppy you may want to choose smoother conditions if you’re sensitive to motion.

Key things to know before you go

• Private boat time means fewer people around you and more flexible swim stops
• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are both built for swimming, with cave access at Crystal Lagoon
• Movie locations show up repeatedly, including scenes from The Count of Monte Cristo
• Onboard comfort includes a restroom, ice coolers, and a freshwater shower after getting wet
• You get tools, not just scenery, with snorkeling gear and paddleboards included

Why this private charter around Comino feels worth it

Comino day trips can turn into a floating traffic jam. This one is different because it’s a private boat charter for your group. That changes how the whole morning feels. You’re not waiting your turn to swim, and you’re not stuck with whatever a large tour has time for.

Your captain is also a big part of the value. Several reviews highlight the guides as local, family-run, and focused on sharing what you’re seeing. In at least one account, the named guides were Albert and Anthony, and the family effort shows in the pace, the patience, and the way the boat feels more like a day with locals than a scripted ride.

The vibe is especially good when you want water time over lectures. The stops are short and purposeful, designed so you can jump in, swim, and move on while the rest of the day still feels relaxed.

How the 3-hour plan actually works (and what that means for you)

This tour is about 3 hours total, and the schedule is built from a sequence of swim-friendly zones. The durations listed for key stops are roughly 45 minutes at Blue Lagoon and 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, then shorter segments at places like Cominotto Reef and Santa Marija Bay, plus a cave visit.

That compact timing is a feature if you’re on a tight Malta or Gozo schedule. It’s also smart for staying in the best conditions for swimming. Caves and lagoons look great in calm water, and an efficient route helps you spend more time where it counts.

The tradeoff is simple: you won’t have a long, slow beach day. You’re doing multiple water stops, so come prepared to swim, change your plans quickly, and keep moving when it’s time to board again.

Blue Lagoon: swim time, snacks, and a Comino tower hike option

Blue Lagoon is the star name for a reason. Expect crystal-clear water, sandy edges, and a setting that’s practical for both quick swims and longer float time. You’ll have about 45 minutes here, with food kiosks and cocktail bars nearby, plus watersports in the area such as parasailing.

What makes this stop useful is the mix. If you want classic lagoon swimming, you can do that. If you want a bit of land time, there’s also the chance for a short hike to see a historic tower on Comino. The tower is described as built a long time ago, and it’s the kind of viewpoint that makes the boat day feel more complete than just swimming.

A quick reality check: this area is famous, so you can still see activity around the shoreline. The private boat aspect helps you escape the worst crowd pressure, but if you hate busy areas entirely, you’ll still want to focus on your swim break rather than hanging out at kiosks.

Crystal Lagoon caves: the cave swim moment and the Monte Cristo connection

Crystal Lagoon is where this charter turns from pretty to memorable. You’re swimming in an inlet surrounded by cliffs and caves, and the experience is built around a special kind of movement through the water.

The highlights here include:

• the chance to swim right under a cave from one side to another
• access to a small sandy beach located inside a cave
• film ties, since The Count of Monte Cristo was filmed here

That combination is rare on short boat trips. Most places give you open water. This one gives you a built-in adventure route, with a cave passage and a sandy pocket tucked into the cliff.

There are also more natural rock features mentioned on this route, including an elephant’s head shape formed in the rocks and a quiet, peaceful beach. Those details matter because they add variety to the water time. Even when you’re just snorkeling or floating, the scenery changes constantly.

One practical tip: if you want the best cave-swim conditions, pay attention when you get in. Cave entry can feel tight compared to open water, so give yourself space and take it slow.

The 13 m wreck and the tower views above Comino

As you move along the route, there’s a stop tied to a 13 m deep wreck located in clear blue water. There’s a strong visual payoff here because overlooking the wreck is Comino’s tower, again connected to The Count of Monte Cristo film.

This is one of those moments where the boat’s perspective helps. From shore, a wreck is just a point on the water. From a boat stop, with clear water and a tower in the frame, you understand why filmmakers and travelers keep coming back.

If you like photos, this is likely one of your better angles. If you’re less into photos, you’ll still appreciate it as a grounding moment, a reminder that the boat day is more than swimming stops. It’s a tour of specific places.

Santa Marija Bay: quieter beach time plus a small church nearby

Not every stop is about dramatic water entrances. Santa Marija Bay is described as quiet and peaceful, and it’s framed as the kind of place that feels better for relaxing than for crowds.

You get about 20 minutes here. The bay has a sandy beach, plus food kiosks in the area. Even better, there’s a small church about 2 minutes from the beach, which gives you a low-effort way to break up the swim routine.

This stop is smart timing. After the cave intensity at Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay gives you a chance to slow down. You can float, regroup, and decide if you want a little shore wandering before heading back to the boat.

Santa Maria Caves: smaller coves to huge cave rooms, plus a pool inside

Santa Maria Caves is the cave visit on the schedule, and it’s described as a unique experience that ranges from small coves to stunning, huge caves carved into the high cliffs of Comino.

You’ll have about 30 minutes for this stop. The focus is on seeing multiple cave spaces and exploring a one-off cave with a pool located inside it. That pool detail matters because it’s a different kind of cave scene. Instead of only looking at walls and openings, you get to experience a contained water feature.

One thing to keep in mind: cave time is always more sensitive to conditions than open-water swimming. Even if you’re not doing anything technical, bring a calm, flexible attitude. Your captain will guide you through what’s possible during the visit.

Cominotto Reef: short and focused underwater time

Cominotto Reef is a shorter stop, about 15 minutes. It’s described as a perfect spot for underwater exploration for people who enjoy that kind of activity.

Because the stop is short, you’ll want to treat it as a hit-and-go. If you love scanning underwater life or just floating and seeing what the water reveals, this is a good add-on between the more structured cave moments.

If you’re not as interested in underwater exploring, you can still use this time to rest, rehydrate, and get back into the rhythm for Santa Marija and the caves.

Onboard setup that makes the swim easier

This trip is not just a boat with a few stops. It includes practical onboard comfort, and that’s what turns “cool idea” into “smooth day.”

Here’s what you can expect included:

• a restroom on board
• freshwater shower plus ice-coolers for drinks
• snorkeling equipment
• 2 stand-up paddleboards
• a bar on board
• restroom, plus you’ll have a place to cool down after swimming

In real-world terms, these details matter more than you might think. After multiple water entries, you want to rinse off before you leave. A shower also helps if you’re wearing swim gear for the entire trip, and the restroom makes the whole experience feel more comfortable.

Also, ice-coolers are a small detail that makes the day feel cared for. You’re not sweating it out with warm water, and you don’t have to constantly think about logistics.

Snacks, drinks, and what meals are not included

Food can be the difference between a fun swim day and a hungry scramble. On this charter, you’re set up with snacks. Reviews describe snack offerings that include local Maltese cheese and olives, along with crackers.

There’s also mention that you can buy drinks onboard. A bar is provided, so it’s an easy way to add a cold beverage during downtime between swim stops.

Meals are not included, though. The listing notes that traditional food platter options like cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread are not part of the included package. So if you want a full sit-down meal afterward, plan it for after the boat, not during.

My practical advice: treat the included snacks as swim-day fuel. If you’re the type who gets hungry fast, bring extra non-messy snacks, or plan a proper meal right after you get back.

Price and value for groups up to 15

The price is listed as $419.39 per group, up to 15 people, and that’s a key value factor. Private boat pricing is often painful per person, but here the structure is per group, so the experience can scale well for families, friend groups, or small travel parties.

For many people, the biggest value isn’t just the boat. It’s the time structure and access. You get multiple swim stops and cave moments without competing for space with a large crowd. If your group wants privacy and enough water time to justify a boat day, the math usually works.

Also, this tour is booked on average about 63 days in advance. That suggests people are planning it ahead, likely because popular lagoon conditions and boat availability matter.

One more value angle from the reviews: the captain and family run the operation, and there are mentions of flexibility with scheduling when timing is tight. That kind of hands-on service can matter as much as the sights.

Getting there without drama, and how long before you commit

This is a private tour, so only your group participates. You’ll also get a mobile ticket.

The boat day can include private transportation arranged from your hotel to the pickup location. That’s useful if you don’t want to think about buses or transfers on your vacation day.

If you like predictability, plan to be ready at the pickup time and keep your schedule simple before and after the tour. A boat day works best when you’re not juggling dinner reservations that require perfect timing.

Who should book this Comino and Crystal Lagoon private charter

This charter is a great fit if you want:

• privacy on the water without big-boat crowd pressure
• multiple swim stops, including cave access
• stand-up paddleboards and snorkeling gear included
• movie-location scenery tied to The Count of Monte Cristo
• a short, focused half-day plan that still feels like an adventure

It may be less ideal if you want a long beach hangout. This route is about moving between places, not staying put for hours at one shoreline.

If you’re sensitive to choppy water, it can help to ask when conditions are best. One review specifically mentions the captain adapting when the sea got a little choppy, and that kind of responsive care is worth appreciating.

Should you book it or skip it?

I’d book this if you’re visiting Malta or Gozo and want a 3-hour private boat day that hits Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon caves, and additional quieter bays and cave spots without turning the trip into a logistics headache.

You might skip or choose a different option if you’re chasing a full day on land, or if you hate any chance of cave access being affected by conditions. The tour does require good weather, so if the forecast looks grim, plan to be flexible.

My final advice: book it when you can travel with good conditions, and go in expecting swim time to be the main event. If that matches your style, this private charter is a strong, practical way to see Comino the way most people never do, with your group and your captain, not a crowd.

FAQ

How long is the private boat charter?

It runs for about 3 hours.

What does it cost, and what group size is it for?

The price is $419.39 per group, up to 15 people.

Where is this tour located?

It’s based in Gozo, Malta.

How many stops are included?

There are multiple stops, including Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, Santa Marija Bay, and Santa Maria Caves, plus short scenic stops along the route.

Are tickets or admissions included?

Admission tickets are listed as free for the stops mentioned, and a Blue Lagoon Pass is included.

What’s included onboard?

Included items are a restroom on board, fuel surcharge, 2 stand-up paddleboards, a bar on board, snorkeling equipment, ice-coolers, a freshwater shower, and private transportation can be arranged from your hotel to the pickup location.

Are meals included?

Meals are not included. The traditional food platter option with cheeses, olives, cold cuts, and bread is listed as not included.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour, so only your group participates.

What is the cancellation policy if weather is poor?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.