Comino Splash & Dash: Private Blue/Crystal Lagoon Boat Tour

Comino’s best sights are packed into a short private boat trip, with time to swim at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon instead of spending the whole day waiting for crowded boat transfers. I like the direct access to caves and rocky inlets, and I like the freedom of a private group, where the skipper can adjust the route to sea conditions and your interests.

I also like the practical setup: shade, a sun deck, cozy seating, a cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, and snorkeling masks are included. The main catch is the price structure. The advertised $43 per person does not include the professional skipper or fuel, each listed at €52, so confirm the final total before booking.

Key points to know before you go

• Crystal Lagoon gets 30 minutes: This is your main swimming and snorkeling stop, with clear water and time to look for marine life.
• Blue Lagoon gets another 30 minutes: You visit the famous turquoise inlet near the end, when the boat returns toward the drop-off point.
• Mario may be your guide: He is specifically praised for his stories, friendly manner, and care in poor weather.
• You see Comino from the water: Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, Lantern Point, Daħlet il-Ħmara, and other coastal sites are viewed by boat.
• The outing is genuinely private: You travel with your own group rather than joining a large shared excursion.
• Weather can change the plan: The skipper may alter the route, timing, or landing points when the sea is rough or conditions shift.

What this two-hour Comino trip is really about

This is a compact sightseeing and swimming charter rather than a full-day island cruise. In two hours, you get a fast look at several of Comino’s best-known coastal sites, followed by two substantial swim stops.

That short length is useful if you are fitting Comino around a Malta or Gozo itinerary. You do not need to surrender an entire day to the water. The tradeoff is simple: the boat moves quickly from place to place, so you will not have long walks, extended time ashore, or a slow picnic at one secluded cove.

The private format makes the time more useful. You can sit with your own group, choose between sun and shade, and ask the guide questions as you go. If you want a quiet ride, use the seating area. If you want a better view, head to the sun deck when conditions allow.

The route leaves from either Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Ċirkewwa in Malta. At Mgarr, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the harbour terminal. At Ċirkewwa, meet near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. Arrive about 30 minutes early. A late arrival does not extend the charter.

The speedboat ride to Comino

The first transfer takes about 10 minutes by speedboat. That is enough time to get comfortable, check your safety gear, and take in the approach to Comino.

The boat includes cozy seating areas, a shade canopy, and a sun deck. Those details matter in Malta, where an open boat can become tiring quickly under strong sun. You also have an ice cooler and Bluetooth speaker, although food and drinks are not included.

Safety gear is provided, as are port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, and snorkeling equipment. You need to bring the basics yourself: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and cash.

The boat also has free WiFi, though the water views are likely to be more useful than your phone. The speaker is a nice touch for a private group, but keep the volume sensible around other boats and quiet coves.

Lantern Point and the first coastal views

Lantern Point is one of the early stops. The boat pauses for photographs and passes the point rather than giving you a long stay ashore.

Its appeal is mainly from the water. The area is known for underwater caves and marine life, so the stop gives you a preview of Comino’s rocky coast before the swimming sections begin. If you enjoy taking photographs, keep your camera ready because the boat’s position and light can change quickly.

Do not expect a long independent exploration here. This is a scenic stop built into a moving boat route. You see the cliffs and water from the boat, then continue toward the caves and lagoons.

Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, and Comino’s rock formations

Roofless Cave, also known as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more unusual sights on the route. Its open ceiling lets sunlight into the cave, creating a bright, exposed chamber instead of the fully enclosed feel of a typical sea cave.

The boat spends about 10 minutes in this area, with a guided explanation, photo time, and views along the coast. A guide such as Mario can add context and stories here, which helps turn a quick boat stop into something more memorable.

The route also passes Lovers Cave, Pigeon Rock, and other rock formations. Lovers Cave has an intimate, sheltered feel, while Pigeon Rock provides a bold, simple photo subject against the sea. These places are seen from the water, so do not plan on walking into every cave or climbing onto each rock.

Daħlet il-Ħmara adds another scenic inlet to the route. The value of these stops is variety. In a short time, you see open water, narrow inlets, sea caves, low rock shelves, and larger cliff faces. The boat keeps the sightseeing active, but it also means you should not expect a detailed geological or archaeological tour at each stop.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the first real swim

Crystal Lagoon is scheduled for about 30 minutes, making it one of the main reasons to book this trip. Here you have time to swim, snorkel, watch marine life, and enjoy the water without rushing straight back onto the boat.

Bring your own towel and sunscreen, but the boat provides a mask and snorkel. That saves you from packing extra equipment, though you may prefer your own mask if fit and comfort matter to you.

The lagoon is also a good place to use the boat’s shade canopy between swims. The private setup gives your group more room to settle into its own rhythm. You can swim for a while, climb back aboard, dry off, and then return to the water.

Sea conditions affect how enjoyable this stop feels. On a calm day, the clear water is the star. In rough weather, the skipper may shorten the stop or change the route. Patricia’s trip in poor weather still included careful attention to comfort and safety, but that kind of flexibility is a practical necessity rather than a promise of perfect conditions.

Cominotto offers a quieter change of view

Cominotto Island sits beside Comino and gives you a different angle on the surrounding coast. The boat allows about 20 minutes here for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing, and scenic views.

This stop is useful because you are not looking at Comino from only one direction. From the water near Cominotto, the relationship between the two islands becomes easier to appreciate. The surrounding cliffs and inlets also make good subjects for photographs.

The exact amount of swimming or sightseeing depends on the sea and the skipper’s judgment. The itinerary lists several activities, but two hours is still a tight schedule. Think of Cominotto as a flexible stop rather than a guaranteed long beach visit.

Blue Lagoon closes the route with the famous water

The final major stop is Blue Lagoon, with another 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and photographs. This is the place most people picture when they think of Comino, with bright turquoise water and a famous setting between the islands.

Visiting near the end works well. You have already seen quieter coves and caves, so Blue Lagoon becomes the big final water stop rather than the entire point of the outing. You can compare its busy reputation with the more sheltered places visited earlier.

Blue Lagoon can be very popular, and the private boat does not turn the area into a private beach. It does, however, let you arrive by water and use the available time without standing in a public boarding queue. The boat’s separate access arrangement is especially useful if you want to save time.

You should also keep your expectations realistic. A 30-minute stop is enough for a swim and photographs, but not for a long, leisurely beach day. If your main goal is to lounge beside Blue Lagoon for several hours, choose a longer charter or plan additional time separately.

The private boat and what the extras mean

The boat’s included equipment makes this more comfortable than a bare transfer. You have:

• Cozy seating
• A sun deck
• A shade canopy
• Safety gear
• An ice cooler
• Bluetooth speaker
• Free WiFi
• Mask and snorkel
• Port and marina fees
• Lagoon access permits
• Taxes

Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a cooler for fishing are not included. An ice cooler is provided, but do not assume that refreshments are supplied. Bring what you need, subject to the operator’s rules.

The private format is most valuable for families, couples, and small groups with different priorities. One person can take photographs while another swims. You can also ask for more explanation at a cave or request a quieter pace when conditions and timing permit.

The boat is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the experience requires getting on and off a boat, swimming if you want the full benefit, and handling a moving marine environment. Since accessibility details are not provided, ask the operator directly if you have mobility concerns.

The real price: check the final total

The advertised price is $43 per person, which looks attractive for a private two-hour boat trip. But two additional charges are listed separately: a professional skipper at €52 and fuel consumption at €52.

That means the headline price is not the full cost. The skipper and fuel charges may be fixed amounts for the charter, but the supplied information does not clearly explain how they are allocated or whether they change with group size. Confirm this before paying, especially if you are booking for only two people.

The value improves as your group grows because fixed boat costs can be divided among more people. For a small private group, you are paying for time saved, direct access to the lagoons, and control over the boat rather than simply paying for a seat on a shared trip.

The included permits, marina fees, taxes, shade, snorkeling gear, and safety equipment also reduce surprise expenses. Still, I would compare the final all-in quote with a standard shared boat trip before deciding.

Guides, weather, and the human side of the trip

The guide can make a major difference on a short tour. Mario is specifically praised for sharing stories and insights, and for being friendly and attentive. Those qualities matter because the route includes many quick stops. A good guide gives meaning to what you are seeing instead of simply naming each cave and moving on.

English and Maltese are available. If you want detailed commentary, ask at the start how much explanation is planned during the ride.

Weather is the main factor outside your control. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of sea conditions. The route, departure point, disembarkation point, and timing can also change.

This is not merely fine print. A calm lagoon day and a windy day can feel like two different experiences. The skipper’s authority to change the route protects safety, but it also means you should treat every stop as conditional. Keep your schedule flexible, especially if you have a ferry, flight, or dinner reservation soon afterward.

The overall rating is 5 from 7 verified bookings, and the praise centers on the guide, the views, and the atmosphere. The most useful takeaway is not the number itself. It is that personal service appears to be a strong part of the experience, particularly when conditions are not ideal.

Who should book the Comino Splash and Dash

This trip suits you if you want:

• A short boat outing rather than a full-day charter
• Swimming and snorkeling at two famous lagoons
• A private group setting
• A fast look at caves, inlets, and rock formations
• Pickup from either Gozo or northern Malta
• A guide who can add stories and adjust the route

It is less suitable if you want long periods on land, a quiet private beach, a full meal, or a detailed historical tour. The historical element comes mainly through Comino’s coastal sights and guide commentary, not through extended visits to monuments.

It also may not suit you if you want a fixed route regardless of weather. The skipper has broad discretion to protect passengers and the boat, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your priority is seeing a lot of Comino in two hours, with real time for swimming and the comfort of a private boat. The mix of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Cominotto, Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave, Lantern Point, and other coastal sights gives you a broad sample of the island without committing a whole day.

Before booking, ask for the exact all-in price, including the €52 skipper charge and €52 fuel charge. If that total works for your group, this is a practical way to see Comino, especially from Gozo or Ċirkewwa. Arrive early, bring sun protection and cash, and leave room in your schedule for weather-related changes.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

You can depart from Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Ċirkewwa in Malta. In Mgarr, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. In Ċirkewwa, meet near the kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

How long is the tour?

The charter lasts two hours. The speedboat ride to the Comino area takes about 10 minutes, followed by sightseeing and swimming stops before returning to the selected drop-off point.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private group experience, so you share the boat only with your own group rather than joining a standard large-group excursion.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The professional skipper is listed separately at €52, and fuel consumption is also listed separately at €52. Food and drinks are not included. Confirm the complete price before booking.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter because of weather, tides, or sea conditions. The route, timing, and departure or drop-off points may also change.