2-Hour Private Boat Trip in Malta — The Sweet Spot for Snorkelling the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino’s Secret Spots

There’s a moment that happens to almost everyone who snorkels in Malta for the first time. You put your face in the water, adjust your mask, and then just… stop. Because what’s underneath is nothing like you expected.

The water isn’t just clear — it’s extraordinary. You can see the sandy bottom fifteen, twenty metres below you as though it’s right under your fingertips. The rocks are covered in colour. And the fish — sea bream, parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish — are moving around you like you’ve just walked into an aquarium, except this is the real Mediterranean and nobody built any of it.

That moment is what the 2-hour private boat trip with I Malta Boat Trips is designed to give you. Not a rush past the Blue Lagoon and back to the harbour. Not a crowded beach where you’re swimming around other people’s snorkels. A proper, unhurried exploration of some of the best snorkelling water in the Mediterranean — privately, with an expert skipper, for €199 for the whole boat and up to 8 people.

In two hours, you’ll visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and more of Comino’s hidden coastline — with 30 minutes of swim time at each main location, time to explore caves, and the possibility of discovering a secret beach or two along the way. This, as anyone who’s done it will tell you, is the sweet spot.

Book the 2-hour private boat tour here

What Actually Happens Underwater — An Insider’s Guide

Most Malta travel guides will tell you the Blue Lagoon is beautiful. They’ll show you the photos. They’ll mention the turquoise water. What they almost never tell you is what it looks like from beneath the surface — and that’s where the real magic is.

The visibility at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon is, on a calm day, genuinely exceptional — often 20 metres or more. The water is so clear that from the surface you can read the shape of every rock, every patch of sand, every shadow cast by the limestone cliffs above. First-time snorkellers are consistently shocked by it. It looks almost unreal.

What You’ll See — The Fish of Comino

These waters are home to a rich variety of Mediterranean fish species, and because Comino is a protected marine area, the populations are healthy and the fish are relatively unbothered by swimmers. Here’s what you’re likely to encounter:

• Sea Bream — one of the most common sightings, often in small shoals near the rocks
• Saddle Bream — recognisable by the dark saddle marking near their tail, usually found in shallow rocky areas
• Parrotfish — vibrantly coloured and unmistakable, one of the highlights for first-time snorkellers
• Wrasse — several species here, often curious and bold enough to come surprisingly close
• Damselfish — small, darting, and found in huge numbers particularly around Alex Cave and the reef at Cominotto
• Grey Mullet — often spotted in the shallower sections near the lagoon edges, moving in loose groups
• Painted Comber — one of the more striking Mediterranean fish, with vivid striped markings
• Moray Eel — spotted occasionally in crevices and under rocky overhangs. Intimidating looking, but completely harmless if you don’t disturb them
• Grouper — the bigger, shyer residents of the deeper rocks. A genuine treat to spot one

And in the more secluded sections of the lagoon and around the reef at Cominotto, octopus and starfish sightings are genuinely common. Your skipper knows exactly where to look — the spots where these creatures appear regularly aren’t the ones the ferry crowds swim around.

For a deeper dive into the best snorkelling locations across the Maltese islands, Outdoor Explorers Malta has a comprehensive snorkelling guide covering everything from technique to the best time of year.

The Two Best Snorkelling Spots on the Route — According to Someone Who Knows These Waters

After years of bringing guests to these locations, we get asked constantly: where is the single best place to snorkel on a short private boat trip around Comino? The honest answer is that it depends — but if we had to pick two spots that consistently blow people away, it’s these:

1. The Cominotto Reef

The reef around Cominotto is, in our experience, the single best snorkelling spot on the entire route. The reason is simple: because Cominotto is only accessible by private boat, it sees a fraction of the snorkel traffic that the Blue Lagoon does. The reef is healthier, the fish are more abundant, and the water over the shallow rocky sections has a clarity that makes you feel like you’re floating in glass.

You can reach Cominotto on the 2-hour tour — anchor just offshore and swim directly to the reef. For more on this remarkable little island, read our guide to Cominotto — Malta’s best kept secret.

2. Crystal Lagoon — South of Popeye Cave

The southern section of Crystal Lagoon, just beyond the entrance to Popeye Cave, is where the snorkelling gets genuinely special. The cave walls drop into the water and create a series of rocky ledges and overhangs that are packed with marine life. The light entering from above hits the water at an angle that makes everything below shimmer — it’s one of the most photographed spots in the area for good reason, both above and below the surface.

Curious about Crystal Lagoon itself? Our complete Crystal Lagoon Malta guide covers everything you need to know before you arrive.

What 2 Hours Gives You That Shorter Tours Don’t

We offer 1-hour and 1.5-hour tours, and they’re both excellent for what they are. But the 2-hour tour is different in one very specific way: it gives you time to actually be somewhere, rather than just pass through it.

30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon. Not 15. Not 20. Thirty minutes — enough to swim out, find your spot away from the crowd, put the snorkel gear on, explore the underwater landscape, come up for air, go back down, and still have time to float on your back and stare at the sky.

30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon. Same story. You’re not rushing back to the boat because the skipper needs to move on. You explore the cave entrance, snorkel the southern section, maybe spot a moray eel tucked into a crevice, and take the underwater photos properly.

And then there’s the extra time on the water — time your skipper uses to take you to more caves, to quieter sections of coastline, and in the right conditions, to one or two of Comino’s secret beaches. These aren’t on any tourist map. The only way to reach them is by private boat, and the only way to have time at them on a short charter is to book the 2-hour option.

Not sure whether 2 hours is the right length for your group? Our guide to how many hours to book for a private boat trip in Malta breaks it down honestly.

The Route — How Your 2 Hours Unfolds

Departing from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta, with free parking right next to the boat, here’s roughly how a 2-hour private tour plays out:

• 0–10 min: Depart Cirkewwa, cruise across to Crystal Lagoon
• 10–40 min: Swim and snorkel Crystal Lagoon — explore Popeye Cave, the southern reef, and the cave entrance
• 40–45 min: Short cruise to Blue Lagoon
• 45–75 min: Anchor at the Blue Lagoon in open water away from the shore crowds — swim, snorkel, float
• 75–110 min: Explore additional caves, secret beaches, and Cominotto reef (conditions and group pace depending)
• 110–120 min: Cruise back to Cirkewwa

The route is flexible — your skipper reads the group and adapts. If the Blue Lagoon is particularly beautiful on the day and everyone wants to stay longer, they’ll adjust. If the sea is glassy and there’s time to take a detour somewhere special, they’ll go there.

What Our Guests Say

“We had an amazing time. Zlatko our skipper was brilliant, made us feel very welcome and explained everything really well. Took some very good pictures for us too.” — Filip Dunaj, verified guest

“Boat trip was marvellous! Our skipper Clyde was so knowledgeable about the areas we visited — Comino and Gozo. Don’t hesitate to book.” — Caron Smyth, verified guest

“Our captain Zlatko went above and beyond to make sure we were having the best time. He was constantly checking in on us, helping us with anything we needed, and even took photos and videos so everyone in our group could be in the memories. Zlatko even let us DJ and play our own music, which made the experience even more fun and personal. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone.” — Jordan McGirr, verified guest

The skipper makes the trip. It’s something that comes up in almost every review we receive — not just the locations, but the person behind the wheel. Zlatko, Clyde, Justin, and the rest of the team are locals who love these waters and love sharing them. That’s not something you find on a ferry.

Everything Included in Your €199 Private Boat Tour

Your €199 covers the entire private boat for up to 6 people. No hidden extras, no fuel surcharges, no surprises. Here’s everything that’s included:

• Professional local skipper — fully licensed, English-speaking, with deep knowledge of the islands, their history, and the best spots to anchor
• Snorkelling gear — masks and fins for the whole group, ready to use at every swim stop
• Life jackets, pool noodles & floaties — on board for less confident swimmers, children, and anyone who wants a little extra support in the water
• Cool box with ice — bring your own drinks and snacks and they’ll stay cold throughout
• Cushioned seating — Gaia is a custom-built luxury open powerboat, not a hard plastic charter vessel
• Shade on board — essential in peak summer when the Maltese sun is relentless
• All fuel — fully covered, no surprises
• All permits & insurance — every permit required to access the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Comino’s cave areas is handled by the team
• Phone photography — your skipper will grab your phone at every major stop and get the shots you’d never manage yourself

Travelling in a bigger group? No problem. The base price of €199 covers up to 6 passengers. For groups larger than 6, there’s a small supplement of €10 per additional person — so 7 people is €209, 8 people is €219, and so on. We can accommodate up to 20 passengers on the same boat, making this one of the most flexible private charters in Malta.

For a full breakdown of everything a private boat typically includes in Malta, see our guide to what’s included in a private boat rental.

Is 2 Hours the Sweet Spot? Our Honest Answer

We get asked this a lot. Is 2 hours enough? Is it too much? Should I go for 3 hours instead?

Here’s our honest opinion, from people who run these tours every day: 2 hours is the sweet spot for most groups. It gives you enough time to actually experience the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon — not just pass through them — plus extra stops, more caves, and a slower pace. You leave feeling like you’ve genuinely seen Comino, rather than just ticked a box.

It’s not exhausting. Nobody gets overtired. Children are fine. And you still have the rest of your day in Malta free to explore on land.

If you’re a serious snorkeller who wants to spend real time underwater, or a group that wants to add Gozo to the route, then a 3 or 4-hour tour starts to make sense. But for most couples, families, and groups visiting Malta — 2 hours is exactly right.

Not sure? Compare all the options in our guide to private boat vs ferry vs group tour in Malta.

While You’re in the Area

If the group wants to keep the adventure going after the boat trip, our sister company Outdoor Explorers Malta runs guided snorkelling tours, kayaking, and coastal hiking around Malta and Gozo — brilliant for getting even deeper into the island’s natural side.

And for those who want to add some speed to the day, Malta Jet Ski Rental operates from the same area at Cirkewwa. Jet ski safaris, rentals, and watersports — a great way to extend the morning or afternoon on the water.

How to Book

The 2-hour private boat tour is priced at €199 for the whole boat — up to 8 people, everything included, no hidden extras. The tour runs all year round, weather permitting.

Book the 2-hour private boat tour here →

Frequently Asked Questions — 2-Hour Private Boat Trip Malta

Is 2 hours enough to see the Blue Lagoon properly? Yes — and more than enough if you’re on a private boat. You’ll have around 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon to swim and snorkel, which is genuinely plenty of time to explore the water properly. The advantage of a private boat is that you anchor away from the crowded shore area, in deeper, clearer water. For more, see our Blue Lagoon Malta complete guide.

Do I need snorkelling experience?

No experience needed at all. The snorkelling on this tour is suitable for complete beginners. The water is calm, the visibility is exceptional, and the marine life comes to you. Your skipper will show you how to use the gear if needed.

What fish will I see?

In the waters around the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Cominotto reef you’re likely to see sea bream, saddle bream, parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish, grey mullet, painted comber, and if you’re lucky — moray eel, grouper, octopus, and starfish. The Cominotto reef and the southern section of Crystal Lagoon tend to have the richest marine life.

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. 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.

How is this different from the 1-hour or 1.5-hour tour? The key difference is time in the water and number of stops. The 2-hour tour gives you approximately 30 minutes at each main lagoon — compared to 10–20 minutes on shorter tours — plus more caves, the Cominotto reef, and potentially a secret beach. If snorkelling is a priority, the 2-hour tour is the one to book. See our full comparison: how many hours to book for a private boat trip in Malta.

Can children do this tour? Absolutely. The 2-hour tour is one of our most popular options for families. The private setting means no crowds, no noise, and a skipper who gives your family their full attention. Life jackets and floaties are on board for younger children. For more: guide to private boat trips for families in Malta.

Where do we depart from? All tours depart from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta. There’s free parking right next to the departure point. Once you book, the team will send you full meeting point details.

Can I bring food and drinks on board? Yes — and we’d encourage it! There’s a cool box with ice on board to keep everything cold. Just pack what you need and enjoy it on the water.

How do I book? Book the 2-hour private boat tour directly online here and get instant confirmation. If you have questions first, the team is also available via the contact page.