Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

REVIEW · MGARR

Malta: Comino, Blue lagoon Private Speed Boat Tour

  • 5.0214 reviews
  • 2 - 3 hours
  • From $187
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Operated by Xlendi Pleasure Cruises · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 5.0 (214)Duration2 - 3 hoursPrice from$187Operated byXlendi Pleasure CruisesBook viaGetYourGuide

Blue Lagoon looks best from a private speedboat. This Comino and Gozo outing is a fast, scenic way to hit the famous swims and then slip into sea caves and quieter coves with your own skipper.

I also like how the captain builds in real time for Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon—so it’s not just a quick pass-by.

I especially like two things: the flexible swim stops (you can spend more or less time in the water) and the onboard setup that makes the ride comfortable, with shaded seating, music, and a fresh-water shower. Guides like Atef and Agus bring local stories without turning the whole trip into a lecture.

One consideration: the price doesn’t include fuel (79 EUR to pay the skipper), and this is not a great fit if you’re prone to seasickness or you don’t plan to get in the water.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

  • Private group on a speedboat for up to 9, with a real skipper-host vibe
  • Blue Lagoon + Crystal Lagoon with meaningful swim and snorkel time
  • Cave-and-rock photo stops including Santa Maria caves and other notable features
  • Onboard comfort: shaded area, music, fresh-water shower, and an ice cooler setup
  • Personal pacing: you can usually adjust how long you want to swim at each stop

Why This Private Comino and Gozo Speedboat Works So Well

Comino’s reputation is real, but landing on the beach at peak times can feel like you’re sharing a stampede. From a private speedboat, the same spots feel calmer and more fluid. You’re still going to Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, but you’re doing it with your own timing, your own music, and a skipper who can position you where the water is nicest for the moment.

I like that this tour balances big-name sights with the type of rocky coastline Malta does best: caves, tunnels, windows in the rock, and photo angles you simply can’t get from shore. The ride is quick enough that you see a lot in a short window, but not so rushed that the water time feels cut.

The private format also matters. When you’re with a skipper instead of a large group, small changes become possible—like shortening a swim if your crew wants more viewpoints, or choosing a calmer area to snorkel when conditions are choppy. That kind of flexibility is where value shows up.

Getting There: Cirkewwa Jetty, Meeting Spot, and Simple Prep

You’ll meet at the jetty in Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area. It’s easy to spot: look for the umbrellas and tables near the water. The activity also lists the start as X8QH+6WH, which can help if you’re using a map app.

Departure can be arranged from Mgarr, Gozo or Cirkewwa, so confirm your exact start point when you book. That detail matters because it changes your timing and how you plan transport.

Bring the basics that actually make a difference on a boat day:

  • Swimwear and a towel
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses
  • A camera (you’ll want it)

And if you’re sensitive to motion, plan for it. This trip is not recommended for people prone to seasickness. If you’re the type who needs help, I’d take your usual medication before the ride starts, not after you feel rough.

The 2–3 Hour Plan: What You See and Why the Timing Matters

The route is built around short driving segments and then tight windows where you can be in the water, take photos, and move on. In a tour like this, timing is everything. Too short at the wrong stop and you’ll feel rushed. Too long in transit and you lose the point of a speedboat.

Here’s how the day typically flows, in the order you’ll experience it:

  • Speedboat ride (~10 minutes) to the first water area
  • Crystal Lagoon: photo stop plus swimming and snorkeling (~40 minutes)
  • Blue Lagoon: break, photos, and swim/snorkel time (~40 minutes)
  • Ħalfa Rock: photo stop plus swim/snorkel (~40 minutes)
  • Gozo sighting/photo time: quick look at the island (~5 minutes)
  • Santa Maria Bay: short break and swim time (~10 minutes)
  • Għemieri Window: photo stop (~5 minutes)
  • Santa Maria Caves: photo stop and on-water viewing (~10 minutes)
  • Elephant Rock: photo stop (~5 minutes)
  • Return by speedboat (~10 minutes)

Not every minute will feel identical. Weather and sea conditions can affect what’s comfortable. But the big structure stays the same: two longer swim windows early (Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon), then a cave-and-rock loop that keeps the sightseeing moving.

Crystal Lagoon: The Best Early Water Time for Photos and Snorkel

Your first meaningful water stop is Crystal Lagoon, with a photo moment plus about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is where you get the classic “Malta looks unreal” effect—bright water that turns the shoreline into a layered postcard.

In practical terms, this stop is great because it’s early enough that:

  • you’re fresh and not already tired from repetitive getting-on-and-off the boat
  • you can judge conditions quickly (if the sea is choppy, you still have time to adjust)
  • you get a chance to snorkel before the day gets busy around the more famous anchors

If you’re new to snorkeling, the boat crew can usually point you toward a calmer spot. One thing I like about this kind of tour is that you’re not stuck doing a single “one-size-fits-all” swim. If you want more water time, you’re positioned to do it.

Blue Lagoon: Big Views, Real Swims, and a Free Ticket You Must Get

Blue Lagoon is the headline, and it comes with a 40-minute break that includes photos, time on/near the water, and swimming or snorkeling.

One important detail: if you want to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon on Comino, you need a ticket at www.blcomino.com. Tickets are required as from May 2025, but they cost nothing. Plan for that before the day so you’re not scrambling at the last second.

From a value standpoint, this stop is why the tour earns its keep. Blue Lagoon by shore can get crowded fast. From the water, you still get the signature color, but you’re not tied to a narrow beach queue. You also get your boat nearby, so if you want to hop back in quickly, it’s usually simple.

Ħalfa Rock and Santa Maria Bay: Shorter Stops That Change the Mood

Between the big-name lagoons, the route hits Ħalfa Rock with another 40 minutes for photos plus swimming and snorkeling. The reason I like this stop is that it breaks up the day. After the “wow, lagoon” effect, you get a more rocky, craggy coastline feel and a different angle for photos.

Then you get Santa Maria Bay for a shorter 10-minute break plus photo time and a quick swim/snorkel window. Short stops can feel rushed on paper, but on the water they can work well because:

  • you’re already near the right part of the coast
  • you can do a quick swim without committing your whole attention span
  • it keeps the tour moving toward caves and windows

Even if you don’t spend ages in the water here, you’ll likely appreciate the variety. A tour like this isn’t just about one perfect lagoon; it’s about a connected stretch of coastline that’s full of angles.

Gozo Photo Time, Għemieri Window, and Santa Maria Caves

This is the part of the route that turns into the best kind of sightseeing: rocks, openings, and cave systems you can actually see from close range.

You’ll get:

  • a quick Gozo photo/view moment (~5 minutes)
  • Għemieri Window for photos and on-water viewing (~5 minutes)
  • Santa Maria Caves for photo stop and viewing (~10 minutes)
  • Elephant Rock for another quick photo moment (~5 minutes)

These stops are short, but that’s intentional. If the day ran only on long swims, you’d end up with less story and fewer signature “how is that real?” shapes. Instead, you get a sequence of landmarks. They’re the kind of places where, even if you’re not planning to swim at that exact second, you’ll want to raise your camera and look closely.

Also, the tour description includes hidden cave possibilities like Santa Marija Cave, the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers Cave. You may not get every named cave in the exact way you imagine from maps, but the overall goal is to show you the cave coastline system rather than only the open-water beaches.

Boat Comfort: What’s Onboard and How to Use It

A speedboat tour can go one of two ways: fun and comfortable, or bouncy and exhausting. Here, the setup is designed to make you feel settled.

Onboard you’ll have:

  • a fresh water shower
  • music and a shaded area
  • an ice box cooler setup for food and drinks (food and drinks themselves aren’t included)
  • a skipper and English-speaking host support

Many groups also report snorkeling gear like snorkels being available, and some mention float noodles as well. So even if you’re not planning to be a serious snorkeler, it’s usually easy to try the water in a low-pressure way.

Practical tip: if you bring your own snacks and drinks, the cooler matters. I like that the trip supports that kind of personal touch. Several people also mention being able to use their own music through Bluetooth, which is a small detail that makes the ride feel more like your day.

Skippers Make the Day: Atef, Agus, Michelle, and the Personal Touch

In my experience, a private boat tour lives or dies by the skipper. Here, names like Atef, Agus, Michelle, and James show up repeatedly, and the pattern is consistent: calm handling, local stories, and a friendly, practical attitude.

What I’d call out as especially valuable:

  • They explain what you’re seeing and connect the coast to Malta traditions and history
  • They adjust swim time when people want more sightseeing
  • If conditions are rough, you can still get a calmer snorkeling option

You’ll also notice people praising punctuality and safety. That matters on water, especially if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who needs a steady hand.

One more plus: some groups mention the crew being flexible if timing slips (like a delay and then keeping the tour length). That’s not something you should count on, but it’s a good sign that the operation stays focused once you’re out on the water.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What Adds Up)

The listed price is $187 per group up to 9, and the trip runs 2 to 3 hours depending on the option you choose. That structure is important: you’re paying for a private experience, not per person boat fare.

But there are two costs you should factor in:

  • Fuel is not included and is listed as 79 EUR to pay to the skipper
  • Food and drinks are not included, even though there’s an ice box cooler on board

So is it good value? In my book, yes—if your group is at least a few people and your goal is freedom. Blue Lagoon is famously busy from shore. This tour gives you the famous look with more control over when you swim and where you stop for photos.

Also, private boat time can be hard to replace. A public ferry is cheaper, but it doesn’t give you cave access, snack-and-swim pacing, or the chance to float near the boat while conditions change. If you’re comparing your money, compare it to the total experience, not just ticket price.

If you’re deciding between 2 hours and 3 hours: I’d lean longer if you care about extra swimming and want more breathing room between caves. Several people note the shorter option works well for the main highlights, but the longer tour gives you more time to settle in.

Who Should Book This (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong match if you:

  • want privacy and your own pacing
  • plan to swim and snorkel during the stops
  • care about Malta’s coastline details like caves, windows, and rock formations
  • want a fun, not-too-long outing that still feels like a major highlight

It can also work for families. People report enjoying it with toddlers and kids, and the private setting helps because you’re not stuck waiting in a crowd line.

But I’d skip it if:

  • you’re prone to seasickness (it’s not recommended)
  • you don’t feel comfortable in the water, because the schedule includes swim/snorkel opportunities at multiple stops

Final Call: Should You Book This Comino and Gozo Private Tour?

If you’re aiming for the Blue Lagoon experience with less stress and more time in the water, this tour is a smart pick. The private speedboat format, the cave-and-rock stop sequence, and onboard comfort make it feel like you’re treating Comino and Gozo like your personal coastline for a few hours.

Just go in prepared:

  • get the free Comino ticket if you want to step off at Blue Lagoon
  • budget for the 79 EUR fuel add-on
  • pack swim essentials and plan for motion if you’re sensitive

If that matches your style, you’ll probably feel like you bought your best day at sea in Malta.

FAQ

How long is the private speed boat tour?

The tour duration is listed as 2 to 3 hours, depending on the option you choose and the planned route timing.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It is a private group experience, and the price is per group up to 9.

What are the main places you visit on the water?

You’ll include time at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, plus sightseeing/photo stops around Gozo and notable coastline features, including Santa Maria Caves, Għemieri Window, and Elephant Rock.

Do you get time to swim or snorkel?

Yes. The schedule includes swimming and snorkeling opportunities at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, and also shorter swim time at Santa Maria Bay.

Are hidden caves part of the experience?

Yes. The tour description mentions hidden caves such as Santa Marija Cave, the Crystal Lagoon Tunnel, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers Cave.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes an ice box food and drinks setup, but food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is fuel included in the tour price?

No. Fuel is not included, and you pay 79 EUR to the skipper.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the jetty in Cirkewwa, Malta, behind the only kiosk in the area. It’s recognizable by its umbrellas and tables.

Do I need a ticket to get off at Blue Lagoon?

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

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness?

It is not recommended for non-swimmers or those prone to seasickness.

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