REVIEW · MALTA
Private speed boat trip to Comino, Blue Lagoon and Caves
Book on Viator →Operated by Xlendi Pleasure Cruises · Bookable on Viator
A speed boat beats the ferry to Comino. This private Malta trip puts you at Crystal Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon with time to swim, snorkel, and explore Comino’s movie-famous caves. You get your own pace instead of racing the crowd, and the water quality here is the main event.
What I like most is the mix of calm swim time plus cave stops, so the trip feels varied rather than just one pretty shoreline. I also like the included onboard extras: an ice box, music, snorkeling masks, and a fresh-water shower. One caution: it’s not recommended if you’re prone to sea sickness, since you’ll be on a speed boat.
In This Review
- Key Points at a Glance
- Why a Private Comino Speed Boat Feels Like Buying Time
- Crystal Lagoon Swim: Clear Water, Calm Mood, Real Time in Motion
- A quick reality check
- Popeye’s Cave and Comino Caves: Movie Fame Meets Short, Scenic Stops
- What to expect
- Blue Lagoon Timing: The Big Name Stop, Done With Swim-First Energy
- Entry ticket note (the one detail that can trip you up)
- A small strategy tip
- Onboard Comfort: Ice Box, Music, Masks, and a Shower That Actually Helps
- The Skipper Factor: Personal Pace Beats a Fixed Script
- One drawback to consider
- Price and Value: What $191 Per Group Really Includes (and What’s Extra)
- How to Choose This Tour Based on Your Style of Travel
- Should You Book This Private Comino Trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the private speed boat trip?
- How many people can join the private boat?
- What are the main stops on the route?
- Is snorkeling gear included?
- Are lagoon entry tickets included?
- What is included onboard?
- What costs extra besides the tour price?
- Is this tour private?
- What should I know if the weather is poor?
Key Points at a Glance

Private speed boat (up to 9): your group stays together, with skipper-led pacing.
Crystal Lagoon + Blue Lagoon: two different swimming bays, timed for real breaks.
Popeye’s Cave and cave swimming spots: short cave moments that match Comino’s film fame.
Snorkeling masks included: you can get in the water right away.
Fuel is extra (79 EUR): plan for it when comparing value.
English-speaking guide/skipper: clear communication during the ride and stops.
Why a Private Comino Speed Boat Feels Like Buying Time
Comino is small, but the experience can go two ways: crowded and rushed, or calm and well-timed. This is built for the calm version. You’re paying for speed, privacy, and flexibility, not just a route.
The tour runs about 2 hours, which is just long enough to get multiple swims and a couple of cave moments without your day turning into a logistics project. It also helps that you’re dealing with two lagoons with different vibes: Crystal Lagoon tends to feel more relaxed, while the Blue Lagoon is the big-name postcard stop.
Best of all, this is a private setup for up to 9 people. That matters because lagoons like these are popular. In a shared boat, you spend more time waiting, lining up, and moving on cue. With a private boat, your skipper can help you time your swim, snorkel, and photos to match the conditions.
Other Blue Lagoon and Comino tours we've reviewed in Malta
Crystal Lagoon Swim: Clear Water, Calm Mood, Real Time in Motion

Your first major swim stop is Crystal Lagoon on Comino, with about 30 minutes on the water. This bay is famous for crystal-clear turquoise water and the kind of underwater visibility that makes snorkeling worth it, even if you’re not a confident swimmer.
Why it works in practice: Crystal Lagoon is often described as more secluded than the Blue Lagoon. That means you’re more likely to enjoy a calmer rhythm—jump in, float, snorkel, and soak up the views without feeling like you’re in a queue. The short timeframe also helps you avoid the classic “we’re still waiting for everyone” problem.
If you want a simple strategy, do this: go in early when you arrive, take your first swim while the water looks its clearest, and then decide whether you want a second pass with snorkeling gear. You’ll have masks included, so you can go from boat to swim without needing to hunt for equipment.
A quick reality check
Thirty minutes can feel short if you’re a slow swimmer or you want lots of time on the ladder. If that’s you, focus on one goal: snorkeling for fish and water clarity, or relaxing for the view. Trying to do both in one stop is doable, but you’ll feel rushed.
Popeye’s Cave and Comino Caves: Movie Fame Meets Short, Scenic Stops

After Crystal Lagoon, the trip shifts into cave country. First up is Popeye’s Cave, the one associated with the movie set on Comino. The detail that makes it memorable is the name itself: it’s described as being translated to mean a cave without a roof—because this cave has no roof.
That matters because it changes how the space feels. You’re not dealing with a fully enclosed tunnel experience. Instead, it’s more open and airy, with the scenery framing the moment. If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who doesn’t love dark, enclosed spaces, this type of cave stop can feel easier to enjoy.
Then you have a second cave highlight: a cave stop known for very blue water inside. This is the sort of stop that’s hard to duplicate elsewhere, because the visual effect is the point. Even if you only get brief exploration time, it tends to create that wow moment people remember later.
What to expect
Cave stops on a boat tour are usually about positioning and access rather than long hikes. You’ll have chances for swimming and exploration, but the schedule keeps moving. If you want deep cave time, you should know this trip is designed for short, high-impact moments, paired with lagoon swimming.
Other private boat charters we've reviewed in Malta
Blue Lagoon Timing: The Big Name Stop, Done With Swim-First Energy
Next comes Blue Lagoon, the famous stretch of water between Comino and Cominotto. You’ll have about 45 minutes here, which is generous compared with many fast boat schedules. The Blue Lagoon is known for intensely clear, azure-blue-looking water (think vivid turquoise) and a white sandy seabed that makes the whole area feel tropical.
The best part is that this stop gives you more time to choose your own swim style:
- If you want snorkeling, you can focus on what’s under the surface.
- If you want swimming, you can take advantage of the calm conditions and open water access.
- If you just want to float and watch, you can do that too.
Entry ticket note (the one detail that can trip you up)
The tour includes admission tickets to the lagoons, and it also notes that if you want to go down at the Blue Lagoon you must book an entry ticket that is FREE. In plain terms: don’t assume every water-level entry happens automatically. Make sure you follow the instructions linked to your lagoon access so you don’t lose time figuring it out on the day.
A small strategy tip
Blue Lagoon is the popular one. If you’re the type who hates crowd pressure, try to swim in the first part of your stop window. You’ll usually get calmer water and more space to enjoy the view before things fill in.
Onboard Comfort: Ice Box, Music, Masks, and a Shower That Actually Helps
The tour includes a set of small comforts that add up to a better swim day. You get:
- an ice box for keeping drinks cool
- music on board
- snorkeling masks
- a fresh-water shower after swimming
The shower isn’t just a nice-to-have. After you’ve spent time in salt water, rinsing off helps you feel human again, especially if you plan to keep going after the trip.
The ice box and music are also part of the vibe. This is not silent sightseeing. It’s meant to feel like a proper boat day—relaxed, fun, and a little celebratory. When you’re on a speed boat, a good soundtrack helps make the ride feel less like transportation and more like the beginning of your day.
The Skipper Factor: Personal Pace Beats a Fixed Script
The biggest advantage here is that your skipper runs the day with you, not at you. Private means you can usually move at the pace of your group—less waiting, fewer forced photo stops, and more time at the spots that look best in the moment.
The operator’s skippers have been praised for a friendly, hands-on style. You’ll see names like Atef, Agus, and Keith come up with people talking about their mix of professionalism and warmth. Keith, for example, is credited with helping people spot fish, which is exactly the kind of practical attention that makes snorkeling feel easier. Agus also comes up in examples where the skipper helped families, including making space for older relatives to go at their own comfort level.
That flexibility is where private tours often justify their price. You’re not just buying access to Comino—you’re buying a smoother experience that fits your group.
One drawback to consider
Because this is private and paced to your group, you might feel like you’re not getting every last second of sightseeing. If you crave a strict timetable and ticking off every micro-spot, a flexible private route might feel too relaxed. For most people, though, that relaxed feeling is the point.
Price and Value: What $191 Per Group Really Includes (and What’s Extra)
The price is listed as $191.04 per group, up to 9 people, for an approx 2-hour private speed boat. That’s the headline, but the value math depends on the fuel note.
Fuel is listed as 79 EUR, paid to the skipper. So your true total cost is the tour price plus that fuel amount.
Here’s how that usually plays out for value:
- If you book with a full group near the 9-person limit, your cost per person drops a lot, and you’re essentially turning Comino into a private swim session rather than a budget hit.
- If you book as a small group, you still get privacy and included gear, but the per-person cost rises.
What’s included helps justify the price:
- private boat for the full time
- lagoon admission tickets
- snorkeling masks
- ice box, music, and fresh-water shower
- swimming/snorkeling opportunities and cave exploration time
What’s not included is mainly what you’d expect:
- fuel
- food and drinks
If you’re comparing to public or shared cruises, the value isn’t just the boat. It’s the fact that you’re not dealing with crowd pressure at the waterline. You can swim, snorkel, and explore without feeling like you’re always negotiating space with strangers.
How to Choose This Tour Based on Your Style of Travel
This tour is a strong fit if you want:
- first-timer Comino highlights without a stressful day
- real swim time rather than quick photo stops
- a calmer start than crowded shared boats
- English-speaking communication
It may not be the best choice if:
- you’re prone to sea sickness (speed boats mean motion)
- you want long, slow cave exploration instead of short stops
Also note that the tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It’s described as near public transportation, so reaching the start point should be manageable without a complicated transfer plan.
Should You Book This Private Comino Trip?
I’d book it if you want Comino’s two best water stops with a plan that favors swimming and cave moments, and you care about doing it with less crowd pressure. The included snorkeling masks, music, ice box, and fresh-water shower make it feel like a complete swim experience, not just a boat ride to a photo.
I’d hesitate only if you know you get sea sick easily or if your group is the kind that feels happiest with very structured, guided-to-the-minute sightseeing. For most people—especially families or small groups who want flexibility—this private speed boat format is a smart way to make Malta feel like a personal vacation, not a schedule.
FAQ
How long is the private speed boat trip?
The tour duration is about 2 hours.
How many people can join the private boat?
It’s priced per group and supports up to 9 people.
What are the main stops on the route?
You’ll visit Crystal Lagoon, Popeye’s Cave, a second cave with very blue water, and Blue Lagoon. An optional visit to Mġarr Harbour is also listed.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes. Snorkeling masks are included.
Are lagoon entry tickets included?
Admission tickets for Lagoons are included. For going down at the Blue Lagoon, you need to book a free entry ticket.
What is included onboard?
You get an ice box, music, a skipper, snorkeling masks, and a fresh-water shower, plus swimming and snorkeling opportunities and cave exploration.
What costs extra besides the tour price?
Fuel cost is not included and is listed as 79 EUR, paid to the skipper. Food and drinks are also not included.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.
What should I know if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.






























