Comino: Mystic Caves, Blue and Crystal Lagoon Boat Cruise

Comino’s best scenery arrives quickly on this one-hour private cruise, with clear water, sea caves, and cliff views packed into a small loop around the island. You can stop to swim near the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, then glide past Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Cominotto Island, and Pigeon Rock.

I like the boat’s private setting, which gives you more say over the pace than a large shared excursion. I also like the practical touches: shade, a cooler, Bluetooth music, and masks and snorkels are all provided. The main caution is the price structure: the advertised cost is $19 per person, but the skipper and fuel are listed separately at €39 each, so confirm the full total before booking.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon swimming stop: Use the clear water for a quick swim and snorkel, conditions permitting.
• Several famous caves in one hour: Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave are viewed from the boat, along with smaller sea caves.
• Cominotto and Pigeon Rock: The route includes striking coastal landmarks that are easy to miss from land.
• Private boat comforts: You get shaded seating, a sun deck, snorkeling gear, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, and Wi-Fi.
• Skippers who shape the experience: Mario receives repeated praise for his friendly service, while Joe is described as funny and informative.
• Weather controls the plan: The skipper can change the route, timing, or departure point when sea conditions, tides, or weather require it.

What this Comino boat trip is really like

This is not a full-day cruise. It is a short, focused outing built around Comino’s coast and lagoons. In one hour, you get a taste of the island from the water, with time for a swim if conditions and the skipper’s schedule allow.

That short duration can be a strength. You can fit the trip into a busy day in Malta or Gozo without giving up half a day. It also works well as a private add-on before or after other plans. The tradeoff is simple: you will see several sights, but you will not have long at each one.

The boat leaves from either Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta. At Mgarr, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. At Cirkewwa, meet by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. Arrive about 30 minutes early. That matters here because a late arrival does not extend your one-hour charter.

Starting from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

Your starting point affects how easy this is to add to your day. Cirkewwa is the main ferry area at the northern end of Malta, while Mgarr is Gozo’s harbour. If you are already on Gozo, Mgarr is the natural choice. If you are staying on Malta, Cirkewwa may be more convenient.

The boat operator can adjust the departure time to suit sea conditions and the needs of the trip. Keep your schedule a little loose rather than arranging a tight connection immediately afterward.

The meeting instructions are fairly clear, but do not treat the harbour as a place to arrive at the last minute. Allow time for traffic, finding the terminal, and locating the boat. Bring cash, along with swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The lagoons are the main event. The Blue Lagoon is famous for pale, clear water and a sheltered setting between rocky shores. From the boat, you get a better view of the water than you would from a crowded patch of shoreline, and a swim gives you the quickest way to enjoy it.

The Crystal Lagoon is another appealing stop, especially for looking into the water and using the supplied mask and snorkel. The trip is not presented as a specialist snorkeling excursion, so keep your expectations sensible. You will have a chance to see underwater scenery and marine life, but the total time is limited.

The skipper decides how long the boat remains in each area. Wind, waves, traffic on the water, and local conditions can all change the plan. On a calm day, a short swim can feel like the perfect reset. On a rough day, the skipper may shorten or alter the water stop for safety.

A practical point: bring your own towel and swimwear. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but food and drinks are not. The onboard cooler keeps your beverages cold, but you must provide the beverages.

Cominotto Island from the water

Cominotto Island sits near Comino and adds a quieter, more rugged note to the route. You see its rocky shoreline and surrounding water from the boat, rather than spending time ashore.

This is one reason the private format works well. The skipper can point out the island and frame the view without forcing you through a fixed group routine. Still, one hour leaves no room for a long stop on Cominotto, so think of it as a scenic pass rather than an island visit.

The boat’s position on the water also gives you changing views of Comino’s cliffs and small coves. Have your camera ready, but protect phones and cameras around the spray. The trip includes attractive photo opportunities, yet the boat is still a working vessel moving along the coast, not a stationary picture platform.

Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock

The cave portion gives the cruise its character. Roofless Cave is an open natural formation that can be viewed from the boat. Lovers Cave has a more intimate feel, although the experience here is still a pass-by visit rather than a long cave exploration on foot.

The skipper can bring you close enough to appreciate the shapes in the rock and the cool shade near the entrances. You may find the caves look different depending on the sun and sea conditions. Clear water around the rock walls adds to the effect.

Pigeon Rock is another memorable coastal landmark along the route. Together, the caves, rock formations, and narrow coastal views make the cruise feel more varied than a simple ride to one swimming spot.

Do not expect a guided archaeological tour or a long explanation at every formation. This is primarily a scenic boat trip, with commentary from the skipper as the route unfolds. Past passengers particularly value skippers who add local information, and Mario is repeatedly singled out for his friendly manner and ability to make the ride comfortable. Joe is also praised for being funny and informative.

The private boat and onboard comforts

The private group setup is the biggest difference between this and a basic water taxi. You have cozy seating, a shaded canopy, and a sun deck. That gives you a choice between shelter from the sun and a more open position for photos.

The Bluetooth speaker is a fun touch for a birthday or small celebration. One birthday outing used personal music during the trip, which shows how the boat can feel more personal than a standard sightseeing ride. Keep the volume reasonable so you can still hear the skipper and enjoy the coast.

The ice cooler is useful, but it is not a stocked bar. Food and beverages are excluded, as are barbecue equipment and fishing gear. Wi-Fi is included, although the main attraction is the view and the water rather than staying connected.

Safety equipment is provided, including life vests. The skipper remains in charge of the route and water stops. Follow instructions closely, especially around the caves and when entering or leaving the water.

Is $19 a good value?

At first glance, $19 per person for a private one-hour boat trip looks like an excellent deal. You get access to several famous Comino sights, swimming time, snorkeling equipment, shade, and a boat reserved for your group.

But read the cost details carefully. The experience information lists the experienced skipper at €39 and fuel at €39 as not included. It does not make clear from the supplied details whether those are flat charges for the charter or amounts charged per person, so ask before paying. Your real cost may be much higher than the headline price.

Value also depends on your group size. A private boat can make good sense for a family or group of friends splitting the additional charges. For one or two people, a shared cruise may offer a lower total cost, though it will not give you the same privacy or control.

I would judge this trip by the final all-in price, not the $19 starting figure. If the added skipper and fuel charges are spread across a small group, the outing can still be a pleasant and fairly priced way to see Comino.

Who will enjoy this most?

This suits you if you want a short private outing rather than a full-day cruise. It is especially useful for couples, families, and friends who want to set their own mood, play music, and swim without joining a large group.

It also fits a birthday or small celebration. The shaded seating and Bluetooth speaker make that possible without turning the boat into a formal party vessel.

You should choose something longer if you want substantial snorkeling time, a meal at sea, fishing, or a relaxed stay at several beaches. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, and fishing gear are not included, and one hour moves quickly.

The trip can work for people who do not want to swim, too. The caves, cliffs, Cominotto Island, and Pigeon Rock can be seen from the boat. Still, swimming is a central part of the experience, so pack accordingly.

Weather, timing, and what to pack

The skipper can cancel, reschedule, or change the route when weather, tides, or sea conditions make the planned trip unsuitable. Departure and disembarkation points can also change. That flexibility is sensible on the water, but it means you should avoid placing an important fixed booking immediately afterward.

The skipper may also adjust your preferred start time to find better conditions. Keep an eye on messages from the operator and remain reachable on the day.

Pack lightly:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Cash
• A phone or camera for photos
• Any food or drinks you want for the hour

Snorkeling masks and snorkels are provided, along with safety gear. The canopy offers shade, but you should still protect yourself from the sun, especially if you spend time on the sun deck.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Malta plans may shift.

The tour is offered in English and Maltese. It is a private group experience, and the booking includes port and marina charges, lagoon access permits, taxes, and Wi-Fi. The skipper and fuel are listed separately, so confirm those charges before finalizing the reservation.

Should you book this Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a compact, private look at Comino’s lagoons and caves, especially if you are traveling with a small group and value a friendly skipper. Mario and Joe are names worth requesting if the operator allows it, though availability is not guaranteed.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private boat, the quick swim in clear water, the number of coastal sights covered in an hour, and the easy comforts onboard. The main reason to hesitate is the extra cost for the skipper and fuel, plus the limited time.

I would choose this as a one-hour Comino sampler, not as your only sea day in Malta. Check the final price, arrive early, pack for swimming, and leave room in your schedule for weather changes. If those details suit you, this is a neat, efficient way to see the island from its best side, the water.

FAQ

How long is the Comino boat tour?

The private boat tour lasts one hour.

Where does the boat depart from?

Departures are available from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo and Cirkewwa in Malta. At Mgarr, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. At Cirkewwa, meet by the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

What sights are included in the route?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other sea caves.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included, along with safety gear and life vests.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The experienced skipper and fuel are listed separately at €39 each. Confirm how these charges apply to your booking before you pay.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Maltese.

Can the trip be changed because of bad weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, reschedule, or change the route, departure time, or disembarkation point because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other valid reasons.