Malta: Around Comino Boat Trip with Gozo Guided Jeep Tour

The best thing about this outing is that it joins two very different Malta experiences: a bumpy, scenic Gozo jeep tour and a swim-and-sail trip around Comino. In one long day, you see villages, salt pans, caves, bays, and the famous Blue Lagoon without arranging several separate rides.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the generous meal with local wine and water. I also like the way the tour reaches parts of Gozo that are awkward to visit without a car, including the Xwejni Salt Pans and the far western coast. The tradeoff is a tight schedule, with some stops lasting only 20 minutes and transport delays sometimes stretching the day well past the stated 6.5 hours.

Key points to know

• Two major Malta sights in one outing: Combine Gozo’s inland roads and coast with Comino’s famous swimming spots.
• The jeep section is the highlight for many people: Guides such as George, Mario, Sam, Johnny, and Joe Vella bring humor and local detail to the ride.
• Lunch is included: Expect a buffet with local wine and mineral water, served either on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant.
• Swimming time is built in: Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon each receive about an hour, depending on weather and the day’s order.
• The caves cost extra: A small-boat cave trip is about €10 per person, and the inland sea boat at Dwejra is also optional.
• Plan for a long day: Pickup can involve a one-hour transfer, ferry or schooner travel, group changes, and return traffic.

Why this Gozo and Comino combination works

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see either island. It can be good value if you want one booking to cover transport, a guided Gozo circuit, lunch, a boat cruise, and two swim stops.

You are paying for convenience as much as sightseeing. Gozo is spread out, and the jeep gets you to several distant points in a few hours. Comino’s shore is also much easier to appreciate from the water, where you can see the caves and lagoons without arranging another boat trip.

The day is active but not built around a long walk. You spend much of it sitting in a jeep, boat, ferry, or transfer vehicle. That suits you if you want broad coverage rather than a slow visit to one village or archaeological site.

The tour is sold as 6.5 hours, but allow extra time. Pickup routes, ferry connections, group transfers, and changing weather can push your return later. One party arrived nearly two hours after its expected return, while other departures ran close to schedule.

Starting the day from Malta

Pickup is offered from a large list of hotels and meeting points, from Sliema and St. Julian’s to Bugibba, Mellieha, Golden Sands, and other parts of Malta. You are asked to wait outside the main hotel entrance or at the stated pickup point.

This wide pickup network is useful, but it adds uncertainty to the morning. Several groups may be collected before you reach the boat or ferry, and the exact meeting details matter. Check your pickup point carefully, especially if your hotel has more than one entrance.

The transfer to the boat or Gozo connection can take about an hour. That is not sightseeing time, so do not schedule a tight dinner reservation for the evening. The return transfer is included, but delays can happen when the tour brings separate groups back to different parts of Malta.

Gozo by jeep: the most personal part of the tour

The Gozo circuit uses open or semi-open jeeps with a local driver who also acts as guide. The ride takes you through small towns and country roads, then out toward beaches, bays, caves, and the island’s western coast.

This is where the tour feels most useful. Gozo’s best-known places are scattered, and public transport is not a practical way to cover all of them in half a day. The jeep can reach viewpoints and coastal stops that would be difficult to combine on your own.

The guide makes a big difference. George received particular praise for his explanations and easy humor, while Mario was described as warm and funny. Sam handled a jeep problem by taking over with a back-road tour, and Johnny was appreciated for his friendly, lighthearted style. Other guides named during the day include Joe Vella, Steve, Sandro, Peter, and Jo.

Your guide will vary, so do not book for one particular person. The useful point is that the quality of the day depends heavily on the driver. A good guide keeps the short stops lively and gives context as you cross the island.

Qala and Bellevedere: a quick introduction to Gozo

After reaching Mgarr Harbour, the group may split into two parts. One group starts with the boat trip while the other takes the jeep tour, then the groups change places.

The first Gozo stops often include Bellevedere near Qala and the village of Qala itself. These provide broad views and a quick sense of Gozo’s character. You will have time for photos and a short explanation, not a long village visit.

That distinction matters. This is a sightseeing circuit, not a walking tour. You will see more places, but you will not have much time to browse, sit in a café, or explore a church interior.

Calypso Cave and the Xwejni Salt Pans

Calypso Cave near Xagħra is visited as a viewpoint and photo stop. The site is linked with the old story of Calypso and offers a dramatic look toward the coast. Access and viewing conditions can affect exactly what you see, so treat this as a short scenic stop rather than a cave exploration.

The Xwejni Salt Pans are more unusual. Shallow rectangular pans cut into the coast have been used for salt production, and the geometric pattern makes a fine contrast with the open sea. Your guide can explain how the pans work, but the visit is brief.

These are the sorts of places that make the jeep route worthwhile. They are not simply the island’s headline attractions. They show Gozo’s working coast and local traditions, giving the day more substance than a quick trip to a single beach.

Ta’ Pinu and Dwejra Bay

The jeep passes the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu rather than offering a full interior visit. You get a glimpse of one of Gozo’s best-known religious buildings, but you should not expect time for a proper church tour.

Dwejra Bay receives a longer stop, with time for photos and a short guided visit. The area is known for its striking rock formations and the Blue Hole, a popular site for swimming and underwater activity.

An optional boat trip at the inland sea is not included. It costs extra, and you should decide on the day based on time, weather, and your interest in another short boat ride. The jeep guide may also point out the area’s connection with the film location associated with The Count of Monte Cristo.

The schedule can feel rushed here. If the group loses time at a ferry crossing or pickup, Dwejra and the other stops may be shortened. That is the main weakness of trying to cover so much Gozo in one half-day circuit.

Lunch with local wine and water

Lunch is included and is usually a buffet with pasta, rice, salad, bread, and other prepared dishes. It may be served aboard the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo, depending on the order of the day.

The meal is more than a minor inclusion because it saves you from finding food during a crowded, tightly timed excursion. Local wine and mineral water are included, though extra drinks, tea, and coffee are not.

Food quality can vary with the setting and the day. Some people found the buffet plentiful and tasty, while one person considered it ordinary. If you have dietary needs, mention them when booking or at the start of the tour. Pescatarian requests were accommodated during one outing.

Unlimited wine sounds generous, but pace yourself. You still have boat travel, sun, swimming, and a return transfer ahead. Water and sun protection matter more than squeezing every possible glass into lunch.

Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon by schooner

The boat section uses a twin-masted schooner when conditions allow. A schooner is a pleasant way to approach Comino, with more room to look out at the cliffs and coves than you get from a standard ferry.

The Crystal Lagoon is usually one of the swimming stops. Its clear water and enclosed setting make it a strong place for a swim, snorkel, or photos from the boat. Masks and snorkels are available free on board, although the amount of equipment and exact swimming setup can vary.

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. The water is famously clear, and you generally receive around an hour for swimming or taking photographs. In the morning, the lagoon may feel more manageable before the largest crowds arrive, so an itinerary that begins with the boat section can be an advantage.

Do not assume you will walk ashore at Comino. Depending on where the boat anchors, you may remain on board and enter the water from the boat. That is excellent for swimming, but less useful if your priority is walking around the island.

The boat can become crowded, especially when several tour groups are combined. You may spend some time waiting for the other half of the group to finish its jeep circuit. The swimming stops are the reward, but the day is not continuous sailing.

Comino’s caves and the return to Malta

The return cruise passes Comino’s sea caves, including a long cave below the fortress area and the so-called topless cave, where the roof has collapsed. The scenery is best seen from the water, and the boat crew may take the smaller dinghy through a cave tunnel.

The dinghy cave trip costs about €10 per person. It is optional, so bring some cash or confirm the payment method if you want to join. The cave ride adds a closer look at the cliffs, but you can still enjoy the main cruise without buying it.

Weather controls this part of the experience. Wind and rough seas can change the route, cancel the schooner crossing, or replace it with a regular ferry. One outing lost its sailing section because of weather but continued with the Gozo jeep tour. Another changed the order of activities to avoid heavy wind and found quieter lagoons as a result.

That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not book this tour solely for the schooner. Book it for the combined Gozo and Comino program, with the boat route treated as weather-dependent.

What to bring and who should skip it

Wear comfortable shoes for uneven ground and bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, and camera. A light cover-up can also be useful after swimming, though it is not specifically listed as required.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women. The jeeps, boats, transfers, and short but uneven sightseeing stops make the day physically demanding even without long walks.

The trip suits couples, families with children over the stated age requirements, and groups of friends who want variety. Children must be able to prove they are under 12, and a passport copy is required for that age verification.

It is less suitable if you want a relaxed beach day, a long visit to Gozo’s towns, or a precise finish time. It is also not ideal if you dislike boats, hot sun, bumpy roads, or changing plans.

Is $101 a fair price?

I think the price is reasonable for the amount included, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange a Gozo vehicle, a guide, lunch, and a separate Comino cruise. The included hotel transfer and round-trip Gozo ferry tickets, when required, add real value.

The calculation changes if you mainly want to swim at the Blue Lagoon. A simpler boat trip may give you more time on the water and less time sitting in transfers. Likewise, if you already have a rental car and plan to visit Gozo independently, you may prefer to spend your money on a slower itinerary.

The strongest value comes from the range: Qala, Calypso Cave, salt pans, Ta’ Pinu, Dwejra, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and the Comino caves all appear in one day. The cost is your limited time at each place.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and reserve-now-pay-later terms make the booking less risky. Still, confirm the pickup details and leave your evening open.

Should you book this Gozo and Comino tour?

Book it if you want a broad first look at Gozo and Comino without driving, planning ferry connections, or finding lunch. The jeep tour, friendly local drivers, included buffet, and two swimming stops give the day plenty of variety.

Skip it if you want slow sightseeing or a guaranteed sailing route. For the best chance of enjoying the lagoons, accept a morning boat rotation when offered, bring swim gear even if the weather looks uncertain, and allow the entire evening for the return.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 6.5 hours, but the full day can run longer because of hotel pickups, transfers, ferry connections, group changes, traffic, and weather adjustments.

What is included in the lunch?

Lunch is a buffet and includes local wine and mineral water. It may be served on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo. Extra drinks, tea, and coffee are not included.

Are swimming stops included?

Yes. The tour includes swimming time at a Gozo bay during the summer season and visits Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, subject to weather and the day’s schedule.

Are masks and snorkels provided?

Masks and snorkels are available free on board the boat.

Does the tour include a cave trip?

The main boat cruise passes Comino’s sea caves. A smaller dinghy trip through a cave tunnel costs about €10 per person and is not included.

Is the Ġgantija Temples entrance included?

No. Entrance to the Ġgantija Temples is not included, and the half-day jeep route does not include a temple visit.

Can the boat trip be changed by weather?

Yes. The boat route is subject to weather conditions. Strong wind or rough seas can lead to a different boat, a ferry crossing, a changed order, or cancellation of the sailing section.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments.