The 1-Hour Private Boat Trip in Malta That Gets You to the Blue Lagoon — Without the Crowds, the Queues, or the Compromise
Let’s be honest. You didn’t come to Malta to queue for a ferry.
You came for the water. That specific shade of blue that looks fake in photos but somehow looks even better in real life. You came for the Blue Lagoon, the caves, the feeling of the Mediterranean sun on your face while you float in crystal-clear water.
So here’s something most tourists don’t know: you can get there — privately, on your own boat, with your own skipper — in just one hour, for €99 for the whole group. Not €99 per person. €99 total, for up to 8 people.
That’s the 1-hour private boat trip with I Malta Boat Trips, and it might just be the best-value experience on the island.
What Actually Happens on a 1-Hour Private Boat Trip in Malta?
Here’s the thing about this tour — an hour is more than enough time when you’re on a fast, private powerboat departing from Cirkewwa in the north of Malta, right on the doorstep of Comino.
From the moment you cast off, it’s just 10 minutes to Crystal Lagoon, and another 5 minutes from there to the Blue Lagoon. Which means you’re not spending your precious time watching coastline drift by — you’re swimming within 15 minutes of departure.
Here’s roughly how your hour breaks down:
- 10 minutes: Depart Cirkewwa, cruise across to Crystal Lagoon
- 10 minutes: Swim and explore Crystal Lagoon, including the Popeye Cave — a hidden gem most tourists never see
- 5 minutes: Cruise from Crystal Lagoon to Blue Lagoon
- 20 minutes: Anchor in the Blue Lagoon away from the crowds, swim and snorkel
- 15 minutes: Cruise back to Cirkewwa
Two swim stops. Two of Malta’s most iconic lagoons. All in one hour.
Meet Gaia — The Boat You’ll Be On
This isn’t a tired old charter boat that’s done ten thousand trips. Gaia is a custom-built luxury open powerboat, built in 2026 — one of the newest and most modern private charter boats operating in Maltese waters.
She’s fast, sleek, and open-deck — so you feel the sea breeze from the moment you leave the harbour. But what really sets Gaia apart is her hull design. She’s built specifically to navigate the shallow reefs around Comino, getting you closer to the caves, the crystal-clear shallows, and the spots that bigger boats simply cannot reach.
On board you’ll find snorkelling gear ready to use, a cool box stocked with ice, shade on deck, and a skipper who knows these waters inside out. All fuel and permits are included — there are no hidden extras. What you pay is what you pay.
Your Skipper Isn’t Just There to Drive the Boat
“Very nice trip. Justin was very good and nice. Stopped two places to swim in crystal clear water. Recommended.” — Tora Kristine, verified customer review
When you book a private tour with I Malta Boat Trips, your skipper does a lot more than get you from A to B. They’re your local guide, your photographer, and your storyteller for the hour.
Skippers like Justin — mentioned by name in reviews by customers who clearly didn’t want to forget him — have deep knowledge of the islands. They’ll point out landmarks, tell you about Comino’s history, explain the geology of the limestone caves, and crucially: they’ll grab your phone and take photos you’d never manage yourself.
Because one of the best things about being on a private boat? Nobody is rushing you to move along. The skipper anchors in the bluest water they can find, and you swim, snorkel, and take it all in — on your timeline.
Why This Beats the Comino Ferry — Every Single Time
Let’s talk about the ferry for a second, because it’s what most tourists end up doing by default.
The Comino ferry takes you to the jetty. That’s it. You walk off with 200 other people, find a spot on the beach (if you can), and swim in crowded, shallow water near the shore. Then when you’re ready to leave, you queue — sometimes for a long time — for the next ferry back.
Here’s what you get with a private boat instead:
- You anchor in open water, away from the shore crowds — the water is deeper, clearer, and almost entirely to yourselves
- You visit Crystal Lagoon properly — most ferry passengers just pass by it or don’t know it exists. You’ll swim in it and explore the Popeye Cave, which is one of the most beautiful natural features around Comino
- Your belongings stay safe on the boat — no leaving your bag unattended on a packed beach while you swim
- Your skipper is your guide AND your photographer — you leave with actual memories, not just blurry selfies
- No waiting — you leave when you want to leave, and you’re back at the harbour when your hour is up. No queuing, no missed ferries, no stress
- Free snorkelling gear included — pick it up straight off the boat and go
The ferry costs less, yes. But when you split €99 between even 4 people, that’s less than €25 each — for a fully private, skippered experience that blows the ferry out of the water (literally).
Who Is This Tour Perfect For?
The 1-hour tour is ideal for:
- Couples looking for a quick, romantic, and affordable Blue Lagoon experience — it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful things you can do together in Malta
- Budget-conscious travellers who want the private boat experience without spending hundreds of euros
- Tourists on a tight schedule — cruise passengers with a few hours in Malta, or those with late arrivals or early flights
- Anyone who has already been to the Blue Lagoon on the ferry and wants to see it properly this time
And because the tour runs all year round (weather permitting), it’s not just a summer activity. Malta’s winters are mild and the water stays swimmable well into autumn — so even an October or November trip can be magical.
Everything That’s Included (More Than You’d Expect)
For €99, your private 1-hour boat trip includes:
- Professional local skipper — fully licensed, English-speaking, and genuinely great company
- Snorkelling gear — masks and fins ready to go if you want to explore underwater
- Ice box with ice — bring your own drinks and food and keep them cold throughout the trip
- Shade on board — so you’re not baking in the sun during transit
- Fuel, all permits & insurance — everything handled, nothing hidden
There are no surprise charges. No “fuel surcharge” added at the end. The price you see is the price you pay.
“Short and Sweet” — A Real Guest Experience
One of our recent guests, Tora Kristine, came with a group of friends and summed it up perfectly in her review:
“Very nice trip. We took the tour which lasted for 1 hour, but it turned out that they had tours that lasted longer as well. We had Justin as the skipper, he was very good and nice. Nice places, stopped two places to swim in crystal clear water. Recommended.”
That’s exactly what this tour is — short and sweet. No filler, no wasted time. Just the best bits of Comino, privately, at a pace that works for you.
Justin is one of our regular skippers, and reviews mentioning him by name are something we see a lot. Local knowledge matters — he knows where the water is calmest, where the snorkelling is best, and when to time a swim to avoid the busiest moments.
Can You Swim? What if You Don’t Want To?
Most guests swim once for around 20 minutes, or twice for 10 minutes each — it completely depends on you. If you’d rather stay dry and just cruise, your skipper will simply explore more locations instead. More caves, more coastline, more of Comino from the water.
The 1-hour tour runs year-round, weather permitting. Malta gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, so the chances are strongly in your favour — but on the rare day the sea is rough, we’ll always let you know in advance and help you reschedule.
Where to Meet Us
All departures are from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal, in the far north of Malta — the closest point on the island to Comino. There’s free parking directly nearby, and it’s easy to find for first-time visitors.
If you’re coming from Valletta, St Paul’s Bay, or Bugibba, it’s a straightforward drive up the coast. From Sliema or St Julian’s, you’re looking at around 45 minutes.
The team will send you everything you need once you book — including exactly where to park and where to find the boat.
A Quick Note on Conditions
Malta’s weather is famously good, but the sea is the sea — and the team will never take you out if conditions aren’t right. If your tour is ever cancelled due to bad weather, you’ll always be offered a full rescheduling or refund. Safety is always the priority.
For the calmest water and the most beautiful light, early morning departures are hard to beat — the Blue Lagoon is quieter, the water is glassy, and the colours are absolutely spectacular in the morning sun. That said, any time of day in settled weather is going to be a great experience.
Also Worth Knowing — More Adventures Nearby
If after your boat trip you’re in the mood for more water action, our sister company Outdoor Explorers Malta runs guided snorkelling tours, kayaking adventures, and coastal hiking experiences around Malta and Gozo — great for extending your time on and in the water.
And if you fancy something with a bit more horsepower, Malta Jet Ski Rental operates from the same area — jet ski safaris, rentals, and more, just a few minutes away.

How to Book Your 1-Hour Private Boat Trip
The 1-hour private boat tour to the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon is priced at €99 for the whole boat — that’s for up to 8 people, with snorkelling gear, ice box, shade, fuel, and all permits included.
This tour isn’t listed on the main booking page — it’s available on request, which means you get a slightly more personal service from the start.
To check availability, ask questions, or book your spot, head to the I Malta Boat Trips contact page and the team will come back to you quickly.
Don’t overthink it. €99, two lagoons, one hour, zero queues. Just book it.
The 1-Hour Private Boat Trip to the Blue Lagoon That Will Change How You See Malta
By I Malta Boat Trips


