3-Hour Half Day Private Boat Trip Malta — The Complete Comino & Cominotto Circuit for €289
Ask anyone who has spent time on the water around Malta which tour they’d recommend — and the answer is almost always the same. Not the quick one-hour dash to the Blue Lagoon. Not the full day that leaves you sun-baked and exhausted. The three-hour half day private boat trip. Every single time.
It’s our most booked tour, and once you understand what it covers, it’s easy to see why. In three hours aboard Gaia, our custom-built luxury powerboat, you’ll complete a full circuit of Comino and Cominotto — visiting the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, the Santa Marija Caves, Elephant Rock, Kissing Elephants cove, Neptune’s Dog secret cove, the P31 wartime wreck, and more. You’ll have three or four proper swim stops along the way, and your skipper will tailor every minute of the route to your group.
All of this for €289 for up to 6 people. No hidden extras. Nothing held back. Just the best of Comino, privately, at your own pace.
Book the 3-hour half day private boat tour here — or read on to find out exactly what you’re getting into.
Why Three Hours Is the Sweet Spot
We run tours from one hour to a full day, and after years of taking guests out on these waters, we can say this with confidence: three hours is the perfect balance.
One hour is great for a quick taste. Two hours gives you proper swim time at the main lagoons. But three hours? Three hours is where everything clicks. It’s enough time to go all the way around both Comino and Cominotto, stop wherever catches your eye, swim three or four times, snorkel the best reefs, explore caves, discover secret spots — and still be back at Cirkewwa before lunch if you want to be.
It’s not exhausting. It’s not rushed. It’s the tour where guests regularly turn to their skipper at the end and say they wish they’d booked longer — not because three hours wasn’t enough, but because they loved it so much they didn’t want it to end.
Wondering how this compares to other durations? Our honest guide to how many hours to book for a private boat trip in Malta breaks it all down.
Every Stop on the Route — What to Expect
This is what sets the 3-hour tour apart from shorter options. You’re not just visiting the Blue Lagoon — you’re completing a full circuit of some of the most remarkable coastline in the Mediterranean, stopping at locations that most tourists in Malta never see.
🌊 Blue Lagoon
The iconic centrepiece of any Comino visit — and on a private boat, a completely different experience from the ferry version. You anchor in open water, away from the crowded shoreline, in some of the clearest, most vivid turquoise water in the Mediterranean. Swim directly off the boat, snorkel in peace, and take the photos that every Malta visitor comes here for — without 200 strangers in the frame.
For everything you need to know about visiting the Blue Lagoon, see our complete Blue Lagoon Malta guide 2026.
💎 Crystal Lagoon
Just a few minutes from the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon is deeper, quieter, and in many ways more beautiful. The southern section beyond Popeye Cave is one of the best snorkelling spots on the entire route — rocky ledges packed with damselfish, wrasse, parrotfish, and sea bream, with light filtering down through the cave entrance above. If you only snorkel once on this tour, snorkel here.
Read our complete Crystal Lagoon guide here.
🏝️ Santa Marija Bay
One of Comino’s most beautiful and underrated spots. Santa Marija Bay is a secluded white-sand beach with shallow, impossibly clear water — the kind of place that looks like it belongs in the Maldives rather than the middle of the Mediterranean.
The shallow water makes it perfect for families with young children, nervous swimmers, and anyone who wants to wade in gently rather than jump off the side of a boat. The snorkelling here is gentle and beginner-friendly, and the bay is calm, quiet, and genuinely beautiful.
For more on this remarkable spot, see our guide to Santa Marija Bay, Comino.
🐟 San Niklaw Bay
Most visitors to Malta have never heard of San Niklaw Bay — and that’s exactly what makes it special. This is two small, hidden coves with calm, pool-like blue water and an almost complete absence of other boats or tourists.
The snorkelling here is exceptional. There’s a gorgeous gorge with underwater caves where you’ll find sea bream, grouper, wrasse, and octopus moving through the rocky channels. The water is so calm and clear it feels almost surreal — like snorkelling in a natural aquarium. This is one of those spots that guests specifically mention in their reviews as the moment they realised this tour was something genuinely special.
🕳️ Santa Marija Caves
A free diver’s paradise. The Santa Marija Caves are a network of underwater tunnels and air pockets carved into the limestone — the kind of formation that takes your breath away whether you’re a confident diver or someone experiencing a sea cave for the very first time.
Sea bream fill the cave entrances in numbers that are hard to believe until you see it yourself. For more on Comino’s cave network, see our detailed guide to Comino’s caves and Outdoor Explorers Malta’s cave adventure guide.
🐘 Elephant Rock
One of Comino’s most photographed natural landmarks — a dramatic rock formation that, from the right angle, looks exactly like an elephant’s head rising from the sea. In Maltese it’s called Id-Darsa, and it was famously used as a filming location for The Count of Monte Cristo — the same coastline that brought a Hollywood production to these waters.
We cruise past Elephant Rock rather than stopping — but the view from the water is spectacular, and the snorkelling nearby is excellent for more advanced swimmers due to the depth and occasional current. A brilliant photo stop from the boat.
💋 Kissing Elephants
This is one of the most extraordinary secret spots in the entire Maltese archipelago — and accessible only by private boat. Kissing Elephants is a double rock formation that, seen from the water, looks exactly like two elephants touching trunks. The water here is exceptionally blue and calm, and there’s a natural arch that Gaia can pass directly underneath — one of those moments that guests remember long after the tour is over.
The cliff diving here is some of the best on the route — multiple levels, clear water underneath, and a completely private setting. The snorkelling is also excellent. This is the kind of spot that doesn’t appear on any tourist map and can’t be reached on any group tour. It’s genuinely exclusive to private charter guests.
Find out more about cliff diving in Malta at our dedicated cliff diving guide.
🌊 Neptune’s Dog Secret Cove
The name alone tells you this isn’t somewhere you’ll find on a tourist itinerary. Neptune’s Dog is a hidden sea cave cove that very few people visiting Malta ever discover — tucked into the coastline and only reachable from the water. The colour of the sea here is a deep, vivid blue, and there are multiple cave entrances to explore from the boat.
This is the kind of place that makes guests go quiet. Not because there’s nothing to say — but because the view tends to do the talking.
⚓ P31 — The WW2 Wreck (Optional for Free Divers)
For guests with free diving experience, the P31 is one of Malta’s most fascinating underwater sites. This is the wreck of a German WWII minesweeper, later converted to a patrol boat, that was deliberately scuttled off the Comino coastline to create an artificial reef and underwater playground.
The top of the wreck sits at 10 metres depth, with the seabed at 18 metres — well within free diving range for experienced swimmers. Over the decades since scuttling, the wreck has been colonised by marine life, making it a genuine underwater ecosystem. It’s an optional stop on the 3-hour tour — if you have free diving experience and want to include it, just let your skipper know when you book.
Going All the Way Around — What It Actually Feels Like
There’s something that happens when you complete a full circuit of Comino and Cominotto on a private boat that doesn’t happen on any other tour. You get a genuine sense of these islands — not just their famous turquoise lagoon, but their wild coastline, their dramatic limestone cliffs, their hidden coves and secret beaches that have no names on any map.
Gaia was custom-built for exactly this kind of exploration. Her hull is designed to navigate shallow reefs, get close to cave entrances, and anchor in spots that bigger boats simply can’t reach. That’s what makes the difference between a 3-hour private circuit and anything else available in Malta — you don’t just pass through these places, you actually get into them
The moment most guests remember? It varies. Some say it’s the first time the Blue Lagoon comes into view from the water. Others say it’s floating in the dead calm of San Niklaw Bay with nobody else around. A lot say it’s passing under the arch at Kissing Elephants. But almost everyone agrees: it’s the moment they realise how much of Comino exists beyond that one famous photo.
What Our Guests Say
“If we come back, we’ll only book with Justin and I Malta Boat Trips. He’s completely trustworthy, knows what he’s doing, has everything under control, and is one of the most warm and welcoming people we’ve ever met!” — Kerstin S, Local Guide, verified guest
“We had a 3-hour private tour. Janet and Sam go above and beyond with communication and information. Our skipper Pedro has lived his whole life on Malta and Gozo so not much he doesn’t know. All of this made for a literally perfect afternoon. No hesitation whatsoever to recommend.” — Joanne Austin, verified guest
“A very nice experience with Upie as a guide. In two hours I was able to see the most beautiful places in Comino. A big thank you for his kindness and professionalism. I highly recommend this beautiful excursion.” — Laurent Hillard, Local Guide, verified guest
The skippers make this tour. Justin, Pedro, Upie, Zlatko, Clyde — these are people who have spent their lives on these waters and genuinely love sharing them. That knowledge, that warmth, and that personal touch is something you will not find on any ferry or group boat in Malta.
Everything Included in Your €289 Tour
Your €289 covers the entire private boat for up to 6 people. Groups larger than 6 pay just €10 per additional person — up to 20 passengers on the same boat. Everything below is included, with absolutely nothing hidden:
- Professional local skipper — fully licensed, English-speaking, with expert knowledge of every stop on the route
- Snorkelling 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 extra support in the water
- Cool box with ice — bring your own drinks and food and keep them cold throughout
- Cushioned seating and shade — Gaia is a luxury custom-built open powerboat, not a standard charter vessel
- Swim ladder — for easy re-boarding after every swim stop
- All fuel, permits & insurance — every permit required to access all locations on the route is handled by the team
- Phone photography — your skipper will take photos and videos on your phone at every major stop. It’s the thing guests mention most in reviews
- Fully flexible route — the itinerary is tailored to your group. Want to spend longer at San Niklaw? Done. Want to skip a stop and add cliff diving? Easy
For a full breakdown of private boat inclusions, see our guide to what’s included in a private boat rental in Malta.
Why Private Beats Every Other Option
There are other ways to see Comino. The ferry, the big group boats, the shared tours. And they all have one thing in common: you’re not in control.
- No strangers on your boat — 100% private, exclusively your group
- You swim from the boat — not from a crowded beach where you have to leave your bags unattended
- You anchor in the best water — away from shore crowds, in deeper, clearer, quieter spots
- Your skipper adapts to you — not to a fixed schedule shared with 40 other people
- You access spots others don’t — Kissing Elephants, Neptune’s Dog, San Niklaw Bay, the P31 wreck — none of these are on the ferry route
Read the full comparison: private boat vs ferry vs group tour in Malta 2026.
More to Explore
After your tour, our sister company Outdoor Explorers Malta runs guided snorkelling, kayaking, and coastal hiking around Malta and Gozo — perfect for continuing the adventure on land and in the water. Their guide to the best boat trips in Malta 2026 is also worth a read when planning your trip.
And if the group wants more speed after the boat trip, Malta Jet Ski Rental operates from the same area at Cirkewwa — jet ski safaris, rentals, and watersports just minutes away.
Also worth reading before you go: Uncovering Comino and Cominotto — history and culture guide | 5 secrets to enjoying the Blue Lagoon without the crowds | Top 7 reasons to book a private boat instead of a group tour
How to Book
The 3-hour half day private boat tour is priced at €289 for up to 6 people. Groups larger than 6 pay €10 per additional person — up to 20 passengers on the same boat. All inclusions as listed above, with no hidden extras.
The tour runs all year round, weather permitting. Malta gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, and even in the quieter months the sea around Comino is often glassy and perfect. If weather ever forces a cancellation, you’ll always be offered a full reschedule or refund.
👉 Book the 3-hour half day private boat tour here — instant online confirmation.
Questions? Contact the team directly here.
Frequently Asked Questions — 3-Hour Half Day Private Boat Trip Malta
Why is the 3-hour tour your most popular?
It’s the perfect balance. Three hours gives you enough time to complete a full circuit of Comino and Cominotto, swim and snorkel three or four times, explore caves and secret spots, and still have the rest of the day free. It’s not too long, not too short — it’s exactly right for most groups.
What’s the difference between this and the 2-hour tour?
The 2-hour tour focuses on the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and the main cave area. The 3-hour tour goes all the way around both islands — adding Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Marija Caves, Elephant Rock, Kissing Elephants, Neptune’s Dog, and the P31 wreck as optional stops. You also get more swim time at each location. See our full comparison at how many hours to book for a private boat trip in Malta.
What is the P31 and do I need diving experience?
The P31 is a German WWII minesweeper that was deliberately scuttled off Comino to create an artificial reef. The top of the wreck sits at 10 metres depth, with the seabed at 18 metres. This stop is optional and recommended for guests with free diving experience. If you’re not a free diver, your skipper will take you to other nearby spots while the divers explore.
What is Kissing Elephants and why can’t I find it online?
Kissing Elephants is a secret rock formation accessible only by private boat — two rocks that look like elephants touching trunks, with an arch that our boat can pass underneath. It doesn’t appear on tourist maps or standard tour itineraries, which is precisely what makes it special. It’s one of the exclusive stops only available to private charter guests.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Absolutely. This is one of the most family-friendly tours we offer. Santa Marija Bay in particular is perfect for young children — shallow, white-sand, and completely calm. Life jackets, pool noodles, and floaties are on board. For more, see our guide to private boat trips for families in Malta.
What if I’m not a confident swimmer?
Not a problem. We carry life jackets, pool noodles, and floaties on board so everyone can enjoy the water safely. And if you’d prefer to stay on the boat entirely, the views from deck across the Comino coastline are genuinely stunning. Every member of your group will have a brilliant time, swimmer or not.
Can the route be changed on the day?
Yes — that’s one of the key advantages of a private charter. The route is a guide, not a fixed schedule. If you want to spend longer somewhere, your skipper will make it work. If conditions make a particular stop less ideal on the day, they’ll find something equally good. The tour is genuinely tailored to your group.
How many people can come?
The base price of €289 covers up to 6 people. For groups larger than 6, there’s a supplement of €10 per additional person — so 7 people is €299, 8 people is €309, 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.
Where do we depart from and is there parking?
All tours depart from Cirkewwa Ferry Terminal in the north of Malta — the closest point on the island to Comino. Free parking is available right next to the departure point. Once booked, the team will send you full meeting point details.
How do I book?
Book the 3-hour half day private boat tour directly online here for instant confirmation. Alternatively, contact the team here with any questions and they’ll come back to you quickly.
