REVIEW · PRIVATE FERRY TRIPS
Comino Islands Private Boat Tour Ebsons Ferry
Comino’s best water and coastline fit into one relaxed private outing here, with time to swim at the Blue Lagoon, snorkel at the quieter Crystal Lagoon, and see caves and rock formations from the boat. Mario and Brendon are among the skippers associated with the trips, and the boat is set up for a small group of up to 10.
I like the private format, since you can ask for a quieter swimming spot instead of following a large group. I also like the useful extras: bottled water, a cooler with ice, Bluetooth speakers, and a SUP and snorkeling gear on request. The main catch is the €75 fuel surcharge, which is added per booking, and two hours is a short window for a full Comino outing.
- Blue Lagoon swimming stop: Spend about 45 minutes in Comino’s famous clear, shallow water.
- Crystal Lagoon snorkeling: Enjoy another 45-minute stop with deeper water, cliffs, and often fewer people.
- Santa Maria Caves: See natural sea-carved openings along Comino’s coast.
- Private group of up to 10: You share the boat only with your own party.
- Flexible onboard setup: Request snorkeling equipment, a SUP, Maltese platters, and other practical comforts.
- Skilled, attentive skippers: Mario, Brendon, and Brendon’s son are named in the available feedback.
A Small Boat Makes Comino Easier

The best thing about this trip is control. You are not simply being carried around Comino with a fixed crowd and a fixed pace. You have a private boat, a skipper, and a short route that puts the island’s most popular swimming areas within reach.
That matters most at the Blue Lagoon. It is Comino’s famous calling card, with shallow, clear turquoise water that is easy to enjoy even if you are not a strong swimmer. A private skipper can also help you look for a more comfortable place to stop, an especially useful option during a busy part of the day.
The tour price is listed at $216.29 for the whole group, up to 10 people. That works out well for a full group, but the separate €75 fuel surcharge changes the calculation. For two or three people, it is a more expensive outing than a shared boat. For a family or group of friends, the cost can become quite reasonable, especially if you value privacy and the freedom to set the mood.
The boat includes bottled water, a cooler with ice, and Bluetooth speakers. You can request snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddle board. These are small details, but they make a two-hour swim trip easier. You do not need to plan every minute around finding drinks or carrying extra beach gear.
Blue Lagoon: Clear Water and a Short Swim

The Blue Lagoon gets 45 minutes on the planned route. That is enough time for a swim, a little snorkeling, and a look around, but it is not a full beach day. Think of it as a focused stop rather than a place where you will settle in for hours.
The water is the main attraction. It is shallow and famously clear, with the pale seabed helping create the bright turquoise color. If you want easy swimming and photos from the boat, this is the natural first stop.
The tradeoff is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s best-known swimming site, so a quiet experience cannot be guaranteed. This is where the private setup earns its keep. Mario is specifically praised for taking a family to an ideal spot away from the crowds during an evening swim, so it is worth asking your skipper what conditions are like on the day.
Bring a swimsuit and be ready to get in quickly. With only 45 minutes here, you will get more from the stop if you already know whether you want to swim, snorkel, use the SUP, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the view.
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Crystal Lagoon: Better for Snorkeling

The Crystal Lagoon receives another 45 minutes. It offers a different kind of swim from the Blue Lagoon, with deeper water, dramatic cliffs, and generally a quieter feel.
If you want to snorkel, this may be the more interesting stop. The deeper water gives you more room to look below the surface, while the surrounding cliffs make the setting feel more enclosed and rugged. Snorkeling gear is available on request, so arrange it when you book or confirm it before departure.
The Crystal Lagoon is not necessarily the easiest choice for someone who prefers shallow water. If you are uncertain in deeper water, tell the skipper. The private format means your group can discuss what feels comfortable instead of being tied to a large boat’s schedule.
You should also make a simple choice before arriving: do you want to spend the full 45 minutes in the water, or save time for photos and the SUP? The stop is long enough for a proper swim, but the overall tour is still only about two hours.
Santa Maria Caves and Comino’s Cliffs
The Santa Maria Caves are given about five minutes. That sounds brief, and it is, but caves are often best seen from the water. The coastline here has natural openings carved into the rock, and a boat allows you to view them without turning the outing into a long walk or a separate excursion.
This part of the trip is mainly scenic. You may have time for photographs and a close look at the cave entrances, but do not expect an extended cave visit. The short stop also helps explain the route’s appeal: you get swimming, snorkeling, and coastal sights in a compact outing.
Along the way, the boat also passes a rock formation shaped like an elephant with its trunk reaching toward the sea. It is the sort of quick landmark that gives the cruise a little personality. The shape is best appreciated from the water, where the outline makes sense.
Another coastal highlight is a 17th-century watchtower on the cliffs of Comino. You see it from the boat, along with the surrounding sea views. Since the stop is not described as a landing, plan on a photograph and a view rather than a tower visit.
What the Boat Setup Means for You

The boat is described as clean and in very good condition, with a comfortable setup for a private outing. That is important on a trip built around swimming. You will spend as much time aboard as in the water, particularly during the short cruise between stops.
The cooler and ice are practical. Bottled water is included, so you have a basic drink supply without adding another errand before boarding. Bluetooth speakers let your group bring its own soundtrack, though you should still keep the volume suitable for the skipper and the setting.
A SUP is available on request. This can add another way to enjoy the lagoons, but availability should be arranged before the trip rather than assumed. The same applies to snorkeling equipment. The service includes use of gear upon request, not automatic gear for every booking.
Traditional Maltese platters can also be arranged, but they are not part of the standard package. They cost €10 per person and are included only if requested. If sharing local food is important to your group, sort this out ahead of time.
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Mario, Brendon, and the Personal Service

The strongest part of the human side of this experience is the skipper service. Mario is repeatedly associated with the trips, and the available accounts describe him as professional, patient, friendly, and attentive to different needs. One family especially appreciated being shown caves and areas not included on earlier boat charters.
Brendon and his son are also named as hosts for one outing, with an emphasis on accommodating service and beautiful stops. You should not assume a particular skipper unless your booking confirms it, but these names give you a useful sense of the operation’s personal scale.
A private boat works best when you speak up. Tell the skipper if your group wants more swimming time, a quieter place, extra cave views, or a slower scenic ride. The route lists the main stops, but the strongest feature is the ability to shape the experience within the available two hours.
This is also a good choice for a birthday, family outing, or small gathering. One birthday trip included a family and was praised for the skipper’s kindness and attention to their needs. Another outing was arranged as a sunset private tour, showing that the boat can suit a special occasion as well as a daytime swim.
Is Two Hours Enough?

Two hours is enough for a taste of Comino, not a complete day at sea. The two main swimming stops take about 90 minutes altogether, leaving the rest for the ride, caves, landmarks, and changes between locations.
That timing works if you want a compact outing before or after other plans in Malta. It also suits people who want to see the Blue Lagoon without giving up most of the day. You will need to keep moving, though. A long swim at each lagoon, a full SUP session, snorkeling, and relaxed sightseeing may not all fit comfortably.
If your group includes children, older family members, or people who do not want to spend hours on a boat, the short duration can be a plus. If you want a full-day coastal adventure, this tour may feel limited.
The private boat also helps the short schedule feel less rushed. You do not have to wait for a large group to board or follow a long series of stops that do not interest you. Still, ask about the exact departure time and meeting details when you book, especially if you have another activity afterward.
Who Gets the Best Value

I would choose this trip for a group of friends, a family, or a couple who wants privacy and swimming time more than a formal sightseeing tour. A group of six to 10 people can spread the base price across more people, making the outing more attractive despite the €75 fuel charge.
It suits you particularly well if you want:
- A private boat rather than a shared excursion
- Two focused swimming stops
- Snorkeling and SUP options
- A skipper who can adjust the experience to your group
- A clean, comfortable boat with water and a cooler
- A short trip that fits into a busy Malta schedule
I would think twice if your main aim is a long visit to Comino’s shore, an extended cave tour, or a low-cost outing for one or two people. The fuel surcharge is fixed per booking, and the two-hour limit leaves little room for delays or extra stops.
The tour is listed as suitable for most people, allows service animals, and is near public transportation. Those points help with planning, but the supplied details do not explain boat boarding arrangements or specific accessibility features. If anyone in your group has mobility needs, ask the provider before booking.
Weather, Booking, and Cancellation

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is normally received at booking, though bookings made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.
I would book earlier if you want a particular date or skipper. Last-minute confirmation is possible, but it is not guaranteed. Since this is a private activity, the whole group participates together, which makes advance planning more important if several people must coordinate.
Should You Book Ebsons Comino Private Boat Tours?
Book it if you want a small, private Comino outing built around swimming, snorkeling, and personal service. The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon give you two different water settings, while the caves, elephant-shaped rock, and watchtower add interest between swims.
The value is strongest for a group close to the 10-person limit. You get a private boat, drinks, ice, and optional equipment, but remember to add the €75 fuel surcharge and any Maltese platters at €10 per person. Two hours is enough for a lively introduction to Comino, not a leisurely full-day charter.
Ask for the snorkeling gear, SUP, or food in advance, and tell the skipper what matters most to your group. If you do that, this is a practical way to see Comino from the water without giving up the freedom that makes a private tour worthwhile.
FAQ
How long is the Comino private boat tour?
The tour lasts approximately two hours.
How many people can join the private boat tour?
The booking is for one private group of up to 10 people.
What places are included on the route?
The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, an elephant-shaped rock formation, and a 17th-century watchtower viewed from the boat.
How long is the stop at the Blue Lagoon?
The planned stop at the Blue Lagoon lasts about 45 minutes.
How long is the stop at Crystal Lagoon?
The planned stop at Crystal Lagoon lasts about 45 minutes.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Snorkeling equipment is available upon request.
Is a stand-up paddle board available?
A SUP is available upon request.
Is food included?
Traditional Maltese platters are not part of the standard package. They can be requested for €10 per person.
Is there an additional fuel charge?
Yes. A €75 fuel surcharge applies per booking.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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