REVIEW · MALTA
Private Boat Tour to Blue Lagoon Comino Caves and Gozo
Book on Viator →Operated by Gozoblu Private Boat Tours · Bookable on Viator
Short on time? You still get the good stuff. This private boat tour packs classic Comino water, quieter coves, and a history stop into about 2 hours. You also get a proper snorkeling setup, plus time to actually enjoy the sea instead of just posing for photos.
What I like most is the chance for no-crowd swimming time across multiple spots, not just one rushed stop. I also love the practical add-ons: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an iced cooler so you’re not hunting for basics mid-boat.
One thing to consider: each swimming stop is around 30 minutes, so you’ll want to be ready to enjoy the water fast—especially if the seas are choppy and the boat ride feels like it’s moving faster than you hoped.
In This Review
- Key highlights at a glance
- Why a 2-hour Comino-style boat plan works
- Getting to the boat: Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina
- The 1618 Knights of St. John watchtower stop (sea views first)
- Crystal Lagoon: a calmer, clear-water swim window
- Blue Lagoon: the iconic water, best enjoyed fast
- Cominotto (Kemmunett): quieter coves and the “different angle” payoff
- What you get on board: snorkeling gear, water, and an iced cooler
- Price and logistics: what $216.02 per group really buys you
- Weather, pace, and who this tour fits best
- Local touch: guides who explain and adapt
- Should you book this private boat tour to Blue Lagoon and Comino’s quieter side?
- FAQ
- How long is the private boat tour?
- What’s the group size for this private tour?
- Where can pickup happen?
- Are snorkeling equipment and water included?
- How long do you spend at each lagoon stop?
- Is there an extra fuel charge?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Do I need a printed ticket?
- What happens if weather is bad?
- Is service animals allowed?
Key highlights at a glance

- Private group up to 8: it’s just your group, not a shared scramble.
- Three water stops in ~2 hours: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Cominotto (Kemmunett).
- Snorkeling equipment included: you can get in the water with less prep.
- A 1618 Knights of St. John watchtower view: a history moment with sea views.
- Start from Malta or Gozo: pickup options at Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina.
Why a 2-hour Comino-style boat plan works

Comino has a reputation for postcard water, but it can also mean long days, crowds, and too much waiting. This tour is built around a simple idea: hit the best areas and give you short, focused windows to swim, snorkel, and cool off.
The timing matters. You’re not stuck in a full-day rhythm. Instead, you get about 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, about 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and around 30 minutes connected to Cominotto (Kemmunett)—with boat time in between. That pacing is great if you’re traveling with kids, if you hate wasting time in lines, or if you want a highlight tour without burning your whole day.
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Getting to the boat: Cirkewwa Terminal or Mgarr Marina

This tour makes pickup flexible, which is genuinely helpful on Malta itineraries. You can be picked up from either:
- the Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta, or
- the Mgarr Marina in Gozo.
That choice can save you stress. If you’re already based in Malta, Cirkewwa is the easy option. If you’re splitting your trip between Malta and Gozo, Mgarr Marina keeps things efficient and reduces backtracking.
One more practical note: the tour is near public transportation, so if you’re not renting a car, you still have options to get to the meeting point area.
The 1618 Knights of St. John watchtower stop (sea views first)
Before you settle into lagoon time, you’ll pass a historic watchtower built in 1618 by the Knights of St. John. It was part of a coastal network used for defense and communication. Even if you don’t get out to explore it in depth, the value here is in what the stop gives you: context.
Comino and this part of the Maltese coast were never just scenery. They were strategic. Seeing the tower while you’re already out on the water helps you connect the modern “swim and snorkel” experience to why this coastline mattered in the past.
Also, it’s timed so you don’t feel like the tour is stalling. You’re already in motion; you get the history beat, then you move on to the water.
Crystal Lagoon: a calmer, clear-water swim window

Crystal Lagoon is the “good warm-up” stop. The water is clear and shallow, and it’s described as less crowded than the more famous Blue Lagoon. That difference is huge on a short tour because it changes how quickly you can feel relaxed.
You’ll have about 30 minutes, and admission is included. With that short block, you’ll want to use it the way snorkeling works best:
- get in, scan the water near the surface, then
- pick one or two spots to swim around instead of trying to cover everything.
Snorkeling gear is included, so you won’t need to arrange rentals on your own. If you’re traveling with non-snorkelers, this is also a friendly stop because you can do the classic “stand in the water, cool off, look around” approach without committing to long swims.
One practical drawback: since it’s shorter, you can’t rely on changing weather to expand your time. If you want extra time here, you’ll need to start snorkeling early in the stop.
Blue Lagoon: the iconic water, best enjoyed fast

The Blue Lagoon is the star of Comino for a reason: it’s known for crystal-clear turquoise water and it’s built for swimming and snorkeling. On this private setup, the biggest advantage is not that the views are better than everyone else’s. It’s that your experience feels more controlled.
You get about 30 minutes here, and admission is included. That’s enough time to do the essentials well:
- swim a little,
- snorkel with breaks,
- and enjoy the views without rushing back to the dock every few minutes.
If you’re picky about comfort, private matters. Public tours can feel like a conveyor belt: in, out, photograph, repeat. This is slower, because it’s just your group. In the real world, that often means you spend more of the stop actually in the water and less time waiting around.
Other Gozo Island tours we've reviewed in Malta
Cominotto (Kemmunett): quieter coves and the “different angle” payoff

Cominotto, also called Kemmunett, is a small islet off the coast of Comino. It’s described as picturesque and peaceful, with tranquil sandy beaches and secluded coves. The views back toward Comino and across the Mediterranean are part of the point too—this is a stop that gives you a different angle on the same coastline.
You’ll have about 30 minutes, and the tour notes you’ll pass by and can also stop there. Either way, the practical value is that it breaks up the “one famous lagoon” routine. Even if you’re not planning on doing anything beyond swimming and snorkeling, the scenery and quieter feel are a nice contrast.
A quick reality check: the description mentions coves suitable for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving, but snorkeling gear is what’s included on the tour. If you want kayaking or diving, you’d need to manage that separately. Your best bet on this specific outing is to focus on the water time you’re already set up for—snorkeling plus relaxing in shallow areas.
What you get on board: snorkeling gear, water, and an iced cooler

This is one of those tours where the included items actually matter.
You’ll have:
- snorkeling equipment (included),
- bottled water,
- and an iced cooler.
That “iced cooler” detail sounds small until you’re halfway through a Comino day with salt in your hair and sand in your swim bag. Cold water and a place to keep things more comfortable makes a short tour feel less frantic.
One small advantage from the on-the-water hosting style: a guide named Francesco is specifically praised for information and for taking guests to multiple spots. In another highlight, the hosts were described as friendly and accommodating, including help getting towels if you didn’t have one. I’d treat that as a helpful bonus, not a guaranteed towel service, but it tells you the crew attitude is practical.
Price and logistics: what $216.02 per group really buys you

The price is listed at $216.02 per group, up to 8 people. That matters because private boat tours often become expensive per person once you scale past a couple travelers. Here, the structure is group-based: you’re paying for the whole small group slot.
But there’s a catch to plan for: a fuel surcharge of €80.00 per booking is not included. That’s the kind of detail that can change the math depending on your group size. If you’re traveling as 6–8 people, the fuel cost can feel much less painful than if you’re only 2 people splitting the group price.
So how do you judge value?
- If you’re a small group that wants short, efficient lagoon time with a private feel, the price can be reasonable.
- If you’re just two people, do the quick cost check with the fuel surcharge in mind so you don’t get surprised at checkout.
Also note: English is offered, and the tour provides a mobile ticket. That’s useful when you’re bouncing between Malta and Gozo and don’t want extra paperwork.
Weather, pace, and who this tour fits best
This experience runs on good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That’s typical for Comino boat days, but it’s still worth building into your planning. If your schedule is tight, consider choosing your most flexible day.
The pace also makes a difference. With only about 30 minutes at each lagoon stop, this isn’t the right fit if you want slow, long “lounge in the water” time for hours. Instead, it suits travelers who like a clear plan:
- couples or small families who want a special day without the full-day commitment,
- travelers who dislike crowds and queues,
- swimmers and snorkelers who can make the most of short water windows.
If you have young children, it can also work well because the structure is predictable: brief swim blocks and lots of scenery changes rather than one long slog.
Local touch: guides who explain and adapt
The best part of a private tour isn’t just the access. It’s the feel—whether the host actually makes the water stops enjoyable.
In the feedback, Francesco is singled out as a top guide for taking guests to multiple places and for sharing useful information. That means you’re not just watching scenery; you’re getting some context while you’re there, which makes the time feel more worthwhile.
Another repeated theme is adaptability. One account mentions the tour was personalized to desires and needs, including for a birthday and for young children. That tells me the crew isn’t rigid. They’re more likely to treat this like your private outing rather than a strict script.
Should you book this private boat tour to Blue Lagoon and Comino’s quieter side?
I’d book it if you want Comino highlights without turning it into a full-day logistics game. It’s especially attractive if:
- you’re traveling in a group up to 8 and want private time,
- you care about swimming and snorkeling but don’t want to spend hours on transit and waiting,
- you like the idea of mixing Blue Lagoon with Crystal Lagoon and the calmer feel of Cominotto.
Skip it (or at least reconsider) if you need long swim sessions. This plan is built for short, high-impact water time. If you dream of staying in one spot for hours, you may feel rushed.
FAQ
How long is the private boat tour?
It runs for about 2 hours.
What’s the group size for this private tour?
It’s a private tour for your group only, priced for up to 8 people.
Where can pickup happen?
Pickup can be arranged from Cirkewwa Terminal in Malta or Mgarr Marina in Gozo.
Are snorkeling equipment and water included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and an iced cooler are included.
How long do you spend at each lagoon stop?
Each of the main lagoon stops is listed as about 30 minutes.
Is there an extra fuel charge?
Yes. A fuel surcharge of €80.00 per booking is not included.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, the tour is offered in English.
Do I need a printed ticket?
No. A mobile ticket is provided.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Is service animals allowed?
Yes, service animals are allowed.































