Blue Lagoon, Comino and Caves Tour with Private Rib Boat

Comino’s best scenery is at water level, and this private RIB tour puts you right where the island looks most dramatic: inside sea caves, beside limestone arches, and in clear coves reached only by boat. You can see the packed Blue Lagoon without being tied to a large public boat’s timetable.

I like the private group format, which gives up to eight people one boat and a skipper who can focus on your pace. I also like the range of stops, from the historic St. Mary’s Tower and Saint Mary’s Battery to snorkeling at Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and the P31 wreck.

The main point to weigh is cost. The advertised price is $311.18 per group, but a €99 fuel surcharge is added per booking. The tour lasts about three hours, so it offers excellent access, but it is not a full-day cruise.

Key points at a glance

• Private RIB for up to eight: Your group does not share the boat with a large crowd.
• Caves you enter by boat: Lovers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, and other openings are viewed from inside.
• Several swim stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Cominotto, and Santa Marija Bay are all part of the route.
• P31 wreck viewing: The patrol boat rests in relatively shallow water and may be visible from the surface in good conditions.
• Local skipper experience: Francesco is singled out by name in the tour information, along with Mathew on some departures.
• Bring the extra cost into your budget: The €99 fuel surcharge is not included in the headline price.

Why a private RIB makes sense around Comino

Comino is small, but its most appealing places are scattered along a rugged coast. A private RIB can move between them quickly and enter narrow caves that are not practical for larger boats. You get the thrill of a fast ride, then a quiet stop for swimming or photos.

The boat is described as clean, spacious, and comfortable, with some outings using a newer Zodiac powered by two 300-horsepower engines. That suggests a lively ride rather than a slow sightseeing ferry. If you prefer a gentle, quiet cruise, tell the skipper at the start. If you enjoy speed and open water, the RIB is part of the fun.

The format works especially well for families, couples, or a group of friends who want to share the cost. At the maximum group size, the base price works out to about $39 per person before the fuel surcharge. The value is less attractive for one or two people, but the privacy and access can still justify it for a special occasion.

Francesco is named as a skipper on several outings, and Mathew is also mentioned. Francesco is from Gozo and is described as having a strong grasp of the islands and their past. You should not assume a particular skipper until your booking is confirmed, but the personal guiding style is a major part of this kind of trip.

St. Mary’s Tower and Lovers Cave

The route begins with a look at St. Mary’s Tower, a 17th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. It sits high above the channel between Malta and Gozo, so the view from the water shows both the defensive purpose and the stark setting.

Film fans may recognize the tower as the prison Château d’If in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo. That is a small detail, but it gives the old stone building an extra layer of interest, especially when your skipper points out the filming connection.

Below the tower, the boat enters Lovers Cave. This is not a walk-through cave or a beach stop. You see it from the boat, where the enclosed water and low rock ceiling create a calm break from the open sea. Have your camera ready, but protect it from spray during the approach.

The cave without a roof

L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf translates as the cave without a roof. A collapsed ceiling lets sunlight pour into the space, creating a natural opening above the water. Local names include It-Tieqa and Taħt il-Ħnejja, and the cave is also called Popeye’s Cave because it appeared in the 1980s film Popeye starring Robin Williams.

This is one of the tour’s most unusual stops because it feels part cave and part open-air chamber. The changing light makes it a strong photo stop, though conditions at sea can affect how far the boat can go inside. The advertised visit lasts about 15 minutes, enough for a look and photographs rather than a long exploration.

Crystal Lagoon, caves, and cliff jumps

Crystal Lagoon sits on Comino’s western side, framed by pale rock and clear water. The tour allows about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling, with nearby caves that the boat can enter and smaller openings suited to a short swim.

This stop offers the clearest sense of what a private boat adds. Instead of simply looking at the lagoon from a crowded route, you can get into the water and use the skipper’s knowledge of the area to find a suitable place to swim. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and an ice cooler.

The cliffs around the lagoon are used for jumps into the sea, with different heights available. Treat this as an optional thrill, not a required part of the tour. Rock edges, water depth, and sea conditions matter. If you have any doubt, stay in the water at a lower level or skip the jumps entirely.

The P31 wreck and Cominotto Reef

The P31 was a Maltese patrol boat that was intentionally sunk in 2009 to form an artificial reef. It rests upright on a sandy seabed between 18 and 20 meters deep, with its highest point only about seven meters below the surface.

That depth makes the wreck interesting even if you are not a scuba diver. In clear conditions, you may be able to see the full outline from the surface. The boat has become a home for fish and small sea life, and its shallow position makes it suitable for snorkelers, experienced breath-hold swimmers, and beginners using scuba equipment.

The route also includes Cominotto Reef, sometimes called Anchor Reef. The underwater terrain includes steep drop-offs, overhangs, and swim-throughs, with depths from 10 to 40 meters. Octopuses, moray eels, and colorful fish are found in the area, though marine life is never guaranteed on a short visit.

For a three-hour trip, these underwater sites add real variety. You are not only stopping for a standard swim. You are also seeing how the coast has been shaped by people and by the sea. The limitation is time. You will not have a long session at every site, so tell the skipper if snorkeling matters more to you than sightseeing.

Cominotto and the Blue Lagoon

Cominotto is a tiny uninhabited islet just across from the Blue Lagoon. It has a small sandy beach, rough cliffs, clear water, and a sea tunnel that can be entered by swimmers when conditions allow.

The islet has appeared in films including Troy, starring Brad Pitt, and Swept Away, featuring Madonna. The film connection is secondary to the setting, but it helps explain why this short stretch of coast has attracted so much attention.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, with pale seabed and bright turquoise water between Comino and Cominotto. You have about 30 minutes here for swimming, floating, and photographs. The private boat is especially useful because you can enjoy the lagoon from the water without joining the queue for a large excursion boat.

There is an important rule to know. A pre-booking pass is required if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. That pass is not needed if you remain on the boat, so this experience is designed to enjoy the lagoon without landing. If walking on the shore is essential to you, check the current pass arrangements before booking.

San Niklaw Bay and Santa Marija Bay

San Niklaw Bay is a quieter stop on Comino’s northern coast. Its clear water, cliffs, and Mediterranean plants make it a good place to slow down after the busier Blue Lagoon. The bay can be reached by boat or a walking trail, but on this tour you see it from the water.

Santa Marija Bay offers another change of mood. The water is calm and shallow, and the sandy beach is better suited to an easy swim than an energetic snorkel session. The historic Santa Marija Chapel, dating from 1618, adds a cultural detail to an otherwise natural stop.

About 30 minutes are allocated to Santa Marija Bay. That is enough time to swim and relax, but do not expect a long beach visit because the tour does not include a shore admission or land-based stop. This part of the route is particularly appealing if your group includes people who prefer calm water over fast boat rides and cliff jumps.

Santa Maria Caves, Għemieri Window, and Elephant Rock

The Santa Maria Caves are on Comino’s northeastern coast. Your skipper takes the boat into a network of narrow passages where reflected light colors the water and rock walls. The published visit lasts about 15 minutes, making it a compact but memorable part of the trip.

The Għemieri Window is a natural limestone arch along the coast. You approach by boat for a clear view of the opening, cliffs, and sea. It is a photo stop rather than a swimming stop, and its appeal lies in seeing how wind and water have cut through the rock.

Elephant Rock is another unusual formation. From the right angle, the limestone shape looks like an elephant lowering its trunk into the sea. Its rough outline, clear water, and nearby cliffs make it easy to photograph from the boat.

The final historic sight is Saint Mary’s Battery, an 18th-century fort built by the Knights of St. John. It once watched the Gozo channel for pirates and Ottoman attacks. You view it from the sea, which gives you a useful sense of its remote defensive position without turning the trip into a land-based history tour.

What the three-hour schedule really means

The route contains many listed points, but the stated duration is only about three hours. Some stops have set times of 15 or 30 minutes, while others are brief pass-by views. You should think of this as a fast, scenic sampler rather than a slow day on the water.

That is not a flaw for everyone. I like a compact route when I want to see Comino’s main coastal features without giving up an entire day. You can visit several coves, caves, forts, and rock formations in one outing, with swimming built into the plan.

The trade-off is that the tour cannot give equal time to every place. If you want a long snorkeling session, tell the skipper early. If your priority is photography and seeing as many caves as possible, the short stops work better.

The experience requires good weather. Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and sea conditions may affect how comfortably the boat enters caves or reaches certain swim areas. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this trip for a group that values privacy, swimming, and close views of the coast. It suits people who want more freedom than a standard ferry provides, but who do not need a full-day charter.

It is also a strong choice for a family or mixed-age group because not everyone has to take part in the same activity. One person can snorkel while another stays on the boat, and the route includes calm bays as well as more adventurous options.

You should think twice if you dislike a fast RIB ride, need a long beach stay, or want guaranteed time at one particular site. The boat covers a lot of ground, but the schedule is active and the sea is central to the experience.

Is the Blue Lagoon private boat tour worth it?

For up to eight people, the base price can be good value, especially when you divide it among a full group. The €99 fuel surcharge changes the calculation, so include it before comparing this trip with a shared boat.

I would book it if your priority is seeing Comino from the water, entering sea caves, and choosing between swimming, snorkeling, history, and photography. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, the P31 wreck, Santa Marija Bay, and the Blue Lagoon gives you much more than a single postcard stop.

I would skip it if you mainly want to walk ashore at the Blue Lagoon or spend hours on one beach. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded short outing with a personal feel, strong scenery, and a clear advantage over a crowded group cruise.

FAQ

How long is the private boat tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat is available for a group of up to eight people.

Is the fuel included in the price?

No. A €99 fuel surcharge applies per booking and is not included in the advertised price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with bottled water and an ice cooler.

Can I go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

A pre-booking pass is required to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You do not need that pass if you remain on the boat.

Which caves are included?

The route includes Lovers Cave, L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, the Santa Maria Caves, and other coastal cave areas around Comino.

Can I see the P31 wreck while snorkeling?

The P31 lies between 18 and 20 meters deep, with its highest point about seven meters below the surface. In good visibility, the wreck can be seen from the surface.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.