Comino looks unreal from a private boat. This 4-hour charter is built for Comino caves and calm anchoring at crystal-clear Blue Lagoon spots, with snorkel gear and easy onboard comfort. The only real catch is you may need a Blue Lagoon QR code to step onto the lagoon area, plus there’s a fuel fee due in cash onboard.

You’re not stuck on a huge group schedule. You sail with an English-speaking skipper, and many trips keep the vibe relaxed with a Bluetooth sound setup while you watch the cliffs and water go by at your own pace.

Key takeaways before you go

• Small-group private charter: up to 7 people, so you’re not fighting crowds for the best water time
• Comino caves and rock formations: you get the sea-view sightseeing with time to actually swim
• Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Maria & St. Nikolaus Bay: multiple swim stops, not just one quick dip
• Snorkel kit plus “getting in” gear: masks, fins, noodles, life jackets, and a side ladder
• Optional Maltese platter on board: includes ftira and local dips, served with a drink when selected
• Practical reality check: €89 fuel in cash onboard can add to the final cost

Why Comino’s Blue Lagoon looks best from a small private boat

If you care about water clarity, Comino is the reason people come to Malta in the first place. On this private cruise, you spend time where the sea turns bright turquoise and you can drop anchor for swimming and snorkeling—rather than racing from one stop to another.

I like that the trip is set up around time in the water and time in the caves, not just a “view from the deck” checklist. With a qualified skipper and a private boat layout, you can linger at the spots that feel right to you and your group.

One thing to plan for: Blue Lagoon has a specific entry requirement. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step foot onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon area (check your voucher instructions).

The 4-hour flow: how the day is paced

This charter is short enough to feel efficient, but long enough to feel like a real sea day. You’re out for about 4 hours total, with brief speedboat transit legs (around 10 minutes each) between the main stop areas.

What that pacing means in real life:

• You’ll likely do a couple of swim moments rather than one long beach day.
• You’ll spend a good chunk of time sightseeing while anchored near caves, then switch into swim/snorkel mode.

If your group includes mixed swimmers, this is where the private format shines. You can spend some time soaking up sun on board, and you can also disembark to explore the island areas if you want a break from the boat.

Where to meet at Sea Life Cruises (and what to bring)

Start at Sea Life Cruises. You’ll look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind Cirkewwa Cafe.

For a smooth start, bring the basics that actually matter on a boat day: sunscreen, beachwear, a camera, and whatever you want for snacks or drinks. The tour includes food only if you select the Maltese platter option; otherwise extra drinks can be purchased.

A few practical notes from the rules list that are easy to overlook:

• High-heeled shoes and oversize luggage aren’t allowed.
• Intoxication isn’t allowed (makes sense for shared safety and comfort).
• Non-folding strollers are not allowed.

And since the crew provides life jackets, side ladder access, plus fresh water showers, you don’t need to overpack gear—just bring swim-ready clothes and sun protection.

Comino caves, caves-and-rock stops, and the sightseeing time

The heart of Comino is not just the beaches—it’s the rock shapes and cave passages that make the coastline feel sculpted. On this cruise, you’re taken to Comino’s caves and rock formations as part of the main sightseeing time.

What I like about the way the experience is set up is that you’re not forced into a passive viewing style. You can watch the caves while the boat is positioned well, then jump in when it’s time. Many groups also describe the skipper as sharing useful cave-by-cave context, which turns the scenery into something you actually remember.

You may see a skipper named Frances or Francis leading these trips, and groups consistently mention attentiveness and clear local explanations. That matters, because spotting caves from water is easier when you know what you’re looking at.

Swim, snorkel, and lagoon bays: Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon and more

This is a swim-focused cruise, and the included gear supports that. You get snorkelling masks, swimming fins, and swimming noodles, plus life jackets and a side ladder for getting back in.

The swim stops are one of the big reasons people rate the experience so highly. The cruise is designed to visit multiple lagoon-style areas, including:

• Comino’s Blue Lagoon
• Crystal Lagoon
• St. Maria Bay
• St. Nikolaus Bay

Here’s how to think about these stops: each one gives you a different feel of the same clear-water magic. Blue Lagoon is the headline for a reason, but Crystal Lagoon and the other bays tend to work well if you want variety without spending the whole day on just one spot.

A key logistics note for planning: the skipper can shift routes or anchoring decisions due to weather, tides, or shallows. That’s not a bad thing—it’s how you keep the trip safe and comfortable in Malta’s changing sea conditions.

If your group wants photos, bring a waterproof plan for your phone or camera. The water colors and cave edges make for strong shots, especially when the boat is anchored and you have time to swim rather than rushing a quick look.

The optional Maltese platter with ftira and Bigilla dip

One of the more thoughtful inclusions here is the option to add a Maltese platter with a drink. If you choose it, the menu list is very specific, and it sounds like the real local stuff rather than tourist snacks.

The platter includes:

• Bigilla dip
• White beans
• Stuffed olives
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Water biscuits
• Ftira (the iconic Maltese bread)

Plus an assortment of local dips, Maltese cheeselets, and a refreshing pasta salad.

Why that matters: lunch on boats can be a scramble. Having a ready-to-eat, local-focused option lets you enjoy the view without losing time. Also, it’s easier for groups because you don’t have to coordinate everyone’s food separately while you’re out there.

If you didn’t select the platter, extra drinks are available for purchase, and the skipper can help with the practical reality of getting what you need during the limited stop time.

Snorkelling gear, showers, and the onboard comfort details

Private boat comfort is often about the small stuff, and this one checks a lot of boxes.

Included onboard touches:

• Fresh water showers to rinse off salt after swimming
• An ice cooler with ice
• Bluetooth sound system
• Life jackets
• Side ladder
• Snorkelling masks, fins, and noodles

That fresh-water shower detail is bigger than it sounds. After time in the lagoon, you’ll feel better if you can rinse quickly instead of going straight back into clothes that smell like sea water.

And the Bluetooth music option helps set a relaxed mood, especially when you’re floating near caves and cliffs and everyone has time to settle in. Several groups specifically mention music during the cruise, which fits the whole point of renting a private boat: your day, your rhythm.

Two more practical notes:

• The skipper reserves the right to change itinerary and stops for legitimate reasons like weather and tides.
• The boat setup isn’t described as suitable for every body type—people with mobility issues, back problems, motion sickness, or pregnancy are specifically listed as not suitable.

Price and value: what $397 per group really buys

The price is $397 per group up to 7, for a total duration of about 4 hours. That’s where the math becomes important.

If you fill the boat, you’re effectively paying per person rather than per seat on a big tourist boat. Even at full capacity, it can come out to roughly $57 per person for the charter portion. Then you also get a qualified skipper and snorkeling gear included, which reduces what you’d otherwise spend renting equipment and paying for extra boat time.

One caution: fuel is not included. There’s a €89 fuel fee due in cash onboard. So the true “all-in” cost will depend on how you budget for that day.

Is it still good value? For many groups, yes—especially if you want:

• multiple swim stops
• a private boat feel
• time for caves and lagoons rather than just views

The strongest value play is when you have a mixed group: swimmers and non-swimmers can each enjoy the day without feeling rushed or stuck.

Weather, tides, and the skipper’s right to reshuffle plans

On the water, conditions change fast, and Malta is not a place where you can ignore wind and tide. This charter explicitly notes that the skipper can cancel or change the itinerary, routes, and embarkation/disembarkation points due to weather, tides, shallows, or legitimate factors.

Here’s how to use that info to your advantage:

• Keep your day schedule flexible so a route change doesn’t ruin your plans.
• Arrive on time so the skipper can keep the day on track. Late arrivals don’t extend the charter.

One service detail I’m glad to see reflected in real-world experience: when conditions made returning to the original harbor unsafe, a group noted the provider arranged a taxi to get them back. That’s the kind of practical backup you want when you’re booking a small-boat day.

Should you book this Malta private boat cruise?

Book it if your ideal Malta day looks like this: Comino caves, crystal-clear swim stops, and a private boat pace where your group isn’t sharing space with a lot of strangers. It’s especially compelling for groups of up to 7 who want snorkeling gear handled for them and who will actually use the water time.

Skip it or reconsider if any of these apply:

• You’re dealing with mobility limitations, back problems, pregnancy, motion sickness, or you’re over 70 (listed as not suitable).
• You want a long beach-and-lunch-on-shore day (this is more “boat + swim stops” than “stay put for hours”).
• You don’t want to manage the extra €89 fuel in cash or the Comino Blue Lagoon QR code requirement starting May 1, 2025.

If you’re flexible and you like being on the sea instead of just near it, this charter is a strong way to spend a half-day in Malta with real water time and a calmer feel than the big-boat crowd.

FAQ

How long is the Malta private boat cruise?

The cruise lasts about 4 hours. Starting times vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the exact departure options.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at Sea Life Cruises. Look for the white and brown boat on the dock behind Cirkewwa Cafe.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. The cruise includes snorkelling masks, swimming fins, and swimming noodles, plus life jackets and a side ladder for entering and exiting the water.

What swim stops does the cruise include?

Stops are described for Comino and lagoon-style bays, including Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Maria Bay, and St. Nikolaus Bay, with swim and snorkel time at lagoon and beach locations.

Is the Maltese platter included?

A Maltese Authentic Platter with a drink is included only if you select that option. The listed items include Bigilla dip, white beans, stuffed olives, sun-dried tomatoes, water biscuits, ftira, plus other local dips/cheeselets and pasta salad.

Is fuel included in the price?

No. There is a fuel consumption fee of €89 in cash onboard.

Do I need a QR code for Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step foot onto Comino’s Blue Lagoon. Your voucher will include the needed info.