The 1.5-Hour Private Boat Trip in Malta That Goes Beyond the Blue Lagoon — Caves, Cominotto, Cliff Diving & More for just €149
You’ve heard about the Blue Lagoon. Everyone has. But here’s the thing — Malta’s waters have a lot more to offer than one famous spot, and if you’ve only got a short window of time, the 1.5-hour private boat trip from I Malta Boat Trips might be the most complete experience you can fit into a morning or afternoon.
In ninety minutes aboard Gaia, our custom-built luxury powerboat, you’ll visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, the wild and untouched island of Cominotto, and three of Comino’s most dramatic sea caves — Lovers Cave, Popeye Cave, and Alex Cave. There’s even the option to cliff dive, at whatever level suits you, from a gentle 1-metre entry to a full 25-metre leap for the brave.
All of this for €149 for the whole boat — privately, with a professional local skipper, for up to 8 people. That works out at less than €19 per person in a group of eight.
This tour isn’t listed on the main booking page — it’s only available on request, which means it stays personal, unhurried, and genuinely tailored to your group. Get in touch to check availability and book.
Where You’re Going — The Full Route Breakdown
Departing from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta — with free parking right next to the departure point — you’ll be in the water within minutes of casting off. Here’s roughly how your 90 minutes breaks down:
- 0–10 min: Depart Cirkewwa and cruise to Crystal Lagoon
- 10–20 min: Explore Crystal Lagoon — swim, snorkel,cliff dive (optional) and enter Popeye Cave
- 20–25 min: Short cruise to the Blue Lagoon
- 25–45 min: Anchor at the Blue Lagoon away from the crowds — swim and snorkel in open water
- 45–60 min: Cruise to Cominotto and the cave area — swim, snorkel
- 60–90 min: Explore Lovers Cave and Alex Cave, then cruise back to Cirkewwa
That’s two lagoons, one uninhabited island, three caves, and an optional cliff dive — all in 90 minutes. It’s a lot, but because Gaia is fast and these locations are close together, it never feels rushed. Your skipper reads the group and adjusts the pace — if you want to linger at a cave or take an extra swim, they’ll make it work.
For a deeper look at these lagoons, check out our complete Crystal Lagoon guide and the Blue Lagoon Malta FAQ — both packed with practical info.
The Caves — Where This Tour Gets Extraordinary
Most visitors to Malta never see the inside of a sea cave. The ferry doesn’t take you there. The big group boats don’t have time. But on a private 90-minute tour aboard Gaia, the caves aren’t a bonus — they’re part of the plan. If you want to go deeper on all six of Comino’s best caves, this guide to the Comino caves covers them all in detail.
🎬 Lovers Cave — The One With a Secret Beach Inside
This is Comino’s most dramatic cave, and the one that stops people in their tracks when they see it for the first time.
Lovers Cave stretches 40 to 50 metres deep into the cliff — and at the very end, hidden from the sea, there’s a small white sandy beach. The kind of place that feels like it shouldn’t exist.
What makes it even more special is its cinematic history. This cave was used as a filming location for the classic adventure film The Count of Monte Cristo, and again for the 1985 French action film Les Loups Entre Eux — both productions drawn to its dramatic natural lighting and striking silhouette. Standing inside it, it’s not hard to see why.
Your skipper will take you right to the entrance by boat. It’s genuinely breathtaking.
📸 Popeye Cave — Malta’s Most Photogenic Cave
Popeye Cave is the one your camera will thank you for. The cave gets its name from the 1980 musical film Popeye starring Robin Williams — filmed partly in Malta — in which it featured as the setting for a battle with a giant octopus.
Today it’s known as the best photography spot on the Comino coastline. The reason is simple: the way the light enters the cave through gaps in the limestone, hitting the electric-blue water below, creates a colour and atmosphere that genuinely looks unreal on camera. Whether you’re shooting on your phone or a proper camera, you will get the shot.
Your skipper will help you get the best photos — just hand over your phone. And if you want to read more about snorkelling in and around these cave waters, this snorkelling guide for Comino and the Blue Lagoon is a great starting point.
🤿 Alex Cave — For the Curious and the Brave
Alex Cave is a different kind of experience. Less about scenery, more about the feeling of being somewhere very few people ever go.
The cave has an air pocket underneath — meaning free divers and confident swimmers can go below the surface and come up inside it. The water here is a deep, vivid blue, and the cave is home to damselfish that dart around in the shallows — so if you’ve got the snorkelling gear on (included in your tour), this is where you’ll want to use it.
It’s also a remarkable location for drone photography — the kind of enclosed, narrow cave that a DJI FPV or DJI 360 drone was made for. If you’re a content creator or just want something genuinely different in your travel reel, ask your skipper to position the boat and give you time here.
More on all the Comino caves from our sister site: Comino Caves — Outdoor Explorers Malta
Cominotto — The Island Almost Nobody Gets To
Between Malta and Comino sits a tiny, uninhabited islet called Cominotto — and it is, genuinely, one of the best-kept secrets in the Maltese islands.
There are no ferries to Cominotto. No day trip boats. The only way to get there is on a private vessel — and Gaia can dock directly at its small jetty or anchor just a few metres offshore so you can swim across. The snorkelling around Cominotto is exceptional, with clear, shallow water over rocky reef that’s teeming with marine life.
The island itself is wild, untouched, and completely peaceful. No beach bars, no crowds, no noise. Just white rock, blue sea, and the kind of quiet that’s become genuinely rare in popular Mediterranean destinations.
Our friends at Outdoor Explorers Malta have written a brilliant piece on it: Cominotto — Malta’s Best Kept Secret. Worth a read before you go.
Cliff Diving — Completely Optional, Completely Unforgettable
Here’s where the 1.5-hour tour earns its reputation as the adventure option.
Along the Comino coastline, there are natural cliff diving spots at multiple heights — starting from 1 metre (around 3 feet) up to 25 metres (over 80 feet). Every level is doable. None of it is mandatory.
If you’ve never cliff dived before and you’re nervous — start at 1 metre. Feel the rush. Then decide if you want to go higher. A lot of people who arrive saying they definitely won’t jump end up going back for a second go.
If you’re travelling with young children, they can jump from the lower rocks while you watch from the boat. If you’re with older kids who want a real adrenaline hit, the higher ledges are waiting.
And if nobody in your group wants to jump at all? That’s completely fine. Your skipper will find a spot to anchor nearby and you can watch, swim, or just take it all in from the boat.
For a detailed breakdown of the cliff diving spots around Malta, Comino, and Gozo — including what to expect at each level — read our full cliff diving guide.
Why Families — Especially Those With Younger or Neurodiverse Kids — Love This Tour
“Well worth the cost to have a private boat for me and my neurodiverse teens. We didn’t want a half day tour and queuing and crowds doesn’t work for us so this was perfect. The kids got to jump in to the Blue Lagoon and have a swim and we got to see the beautiful scenery and the Crystal Lagoon. Clyde our skipper looked after us really well. I highly recommend.” — Sharon S, verified guest, March 2026
Sharon’s review says everything we couldn’t say better ourselves.
The 1.5-hour tour is genuinely one of the best options in Malta for families who want to see a lot without the exhaustion and overwhelm that comes with a full-day trip. There are no long stretches of waiting, no noisy group boats, no cramped ferry rides. You board, you go, you see everything, and you’re back within 90 minutes.
For children with sensory sensitivities, neurodiverse kids, or younger ones who tire quickly, this structure makes all the difference. The private setting means the environment is calm and controlled. The skipper gives their full attention to your family. And if anyone needs a break at any point, you’re not stuck on a schedule — the boat adapts to you.
We’ve also written a dedicated guide on this: Best Private Boat for Families in Malta — useful reading if you’re planning a family trip.
Everything That’s Included in Your €149 Tour
There are no hidden charges, no fuel surcharges added at the end, and no extras you have to pay for on the day. Here’s exactly what your €149 covers for up to 8 people:
- Professional local skipper — fully licensed, English-speaking, and genuinely knowledgeable about the islands, their history, and the best spots to stop
- Snorkelling gear — masks and fins for the whole group, ready to use at Crystal Lagoon, Alex Cave, Cominotto, and anywhere else you want to get in the water
- Cool box with ice — bring your own drinks and snacks and they’ll stay cold throughout. Your skipper won’t mind if you crack open something cold at the Blue Lagoon
- Cushioned seating — Gaia is a luxury open powerboat, not a hard plastic ferry. You’ll be comfortable throughout
- Shade on board — essential in peak summer when the Maltese sun is fierce
- All fuel — covered, no surprises
- All permits and insurance — every permit required to access the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, and the cave areas is handled by us
- Phone photography — your skipper will take photos and videos on your phone at the best spots. It’s one of the things guests mention most in reviews
For a full breakdown of what typically comes with a private boat charter in Malta, this guide to what’s included in a private boat rental is worth a read.
Why You Can Only Book This Tour Directly
The 1.5-hour private tour isn’t listed on booking platforms or on the main website booking page. It’s available exclusively on request — and there’s a good reason for that.
Because this tour covers more ground and includes more stops than the standard options, we keep it personal. You contact us directly, tell us about your group, and we make sure everything is set up properly for you — including timing the departure to avoid the busiest periods at each location.
The best way to book is through our contact page. The team responds quickly and can usually confirm availability within a few hours.
Also Worth Knowing
If 90 minutes isn’t quite enough and you want to keep exploring, Outdoor Explorers Malta — our sister company — runs guided snorkelling tours, kayaking, and coastal adventures around Malta and Gozo. They’re experts in getting you to the spots that most tourists never find, and the two experiences complement each other brilliantly.
And if you want to add some speed to your day, Malta Jet Ski Rental operates from the same area at Cirkewwa — jet ski safaris, rentals, and more. A great add-on before or after your boat trip if the group is up for it.
Curious about how the 1.5-hour tour compares to a full half-day? Our guide to how many hours to book for a private boat trip in Malta breaks it down honestly.
How to Book
The 1.5-hour private boat tour is priced at €149 for the whole boat — up to 8 people. That includes everything listed above, with no hidden extras.
This tour runs all year round, weather permitting. Malta gets around 300 days of sunshine annually, and even in winter the sea is often calm and the light is beautiful. If weather ever forces a cancellation, you’ll always be offered a full reschedule or refund.
To book or check availability, contact the I Malta Boat Trips team here. We’ll come back to you quickly with options.
Ninety minutes. Three caves. Two lagoons. One uninhabited island. Optional cliff diving. €149 for up to 8 people. It’s a lot of Malta in a very short time — and that’s exactly the point.
Frequently Asked Questions — 1.5-Hour Private Boat Trip Malta
Is the cliff dive mandatory?
Not at all. Cliff diving is completely optional. If you’d prefer to watch, swim, or simply cruise past the diving spots, your skipper will make that work. There’s no pressure whatsoever.
Can children do this tour?
Absolutely — this tour is one of our most popular options for families with young or neurodiverse children. The private setting is calm, controlled, and flexible. Children can swim from the boat at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, and the shorter duration (90 minutes) means nobody gets overtired. For more on bringing children on a private boat in Malta, see our family boat trip guide.
Why can’t I book this on your website?
The 1.5-hour tour is available exclusively on request so we can keep it personal and make sure it’s the right fit for your group. Simply get in touch via our contact page and we’ll confirm availability, answer any questions, and get you booked in.
What exactly is included in the €149?
Your €149 covers the entire private boat for up to 8 people, including a professional licensed skipper, snorkelling masks and fins, a cool box with ice, cushioned seating, shade on board, all fuel, and every permit required to access the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, and the cave areas. No hidden extras.
What’s the difference between the 1-hour and 1.5-hour tour?
The 1-hour tour focuses on the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon with one or two swim stops — perfect for couples or budget-conscious travellers who want the Blue Lagoon experience without a full half-day. The 1.5-hour tour adds Cominotto, all three major caves (Lovers, Popeye, and Alex), and the optional cliff diving element. It covers significantly more ground. If you’re unsure which is right for you, this guide to choosing the right boat trip duration should help.
Do I need snorkelling experience?
No experience needed at all. The snorkelling spots on this tour — Crystal Lagoon, Alex Cave, and Cominotto — are calm and shallow enough for complete beginners. Your skipper will give you a quick rundown of how to use the gear if needed.
What if I’m not a confident swimmer?
Not a problem at all! We carry life jackets, pool noodles, and floaties on board, so even the least confident swimmers can get in the water safely with a little extra support. And if you’d prefer to stay dry entirely, the caves, Cominotto, and the Blue Lagoon are genuinely stunning from the deck too. Everyone is welcome, swimmer or not. 🚤
Is the tour available in winter?
Yes — the tour runs all year round, weather permitting. Malta’s winters are mild with plenty of calm, sunny days, and the sea is often swimmable well into November. For more on visiting Comino outside peak season, this guide to visiting the Blue Lagoon in winter is worth reading.
Where exactly do we meet?
All departures are from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta. There’s free parking right next to the departure point. Once you book, we’ll send you exact meeting point details and everything else you need to know.
How do I book?
The easiest way is through our contact page at imaltaboattrips.com. Drop us a message with your preferred dates, group size, and any questions — the team will get back to you quickly.
