Malta’s Splendour Excursion – Trips in Blue Grotto & Comino

Comino’s caves and the Blue Lagoon are the stars here, but the real advantage is having a boat for just your own group. You can swim, snorkel, stop at quiet coves, or linger over a view instead of following a fixed crowd-led schedule.

I like the flexible route and the chance to reach spots that feel calmer than the main Blue Lagoon area. I also like the friendly, personal service from skippers such as Mario and Harry, who explain the islands and adjust the outing to your wishes. The main drawback is cost: the advertised $235 covers the boat for up to six people, but the skipper and fuel add €198, and food and drinks are extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to six: The price applies to the whole boat, not each person, so the value improves sharply with a full group.
• Five hours on the water: You have enough time for several swimming stops, Comino’s caves, Gozo’s coast, and the Blue Grotto.
• A flexible day: You can ask to spend more time in quiet bays, swimming areas, or scenic spots, subject to sea and weather conditions.
• Skippers make the difference: Mario, Harry, and Joe are praised for humor, local information, patience, and careful handling of the group.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food, drinks, barbecue supplies, and a barbecue are not included.
• Expect open-water motion: One review specifically warns that this is not ideal if you are sensitive to seasickness.

The big appeal: your own boat around Malta’s clearest water

This is a sightseeing trip with plenty of time in the water. You are not simply passing Comino from a ferry window. You can stop beside caves, swim from the boat, use the supplied mask and snorkel, and ask the skipper to seek out quieter places.

That private setup changes the mood. A standard ferry gets you to the Blue Lagoon, but it cannot offer the same freedom to move on when the area feels busy or stay longer when you find a calm cove. Here, your group can shape the day within the limits of five hours, the weather, and the skipper’s safety decisions.

The boat includes comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, an ice cooler, Bluetooth audio, WiFi, safety equipment, and lagoon permits. Those extras are useful, but do not mistake the cooler for a stocked bar. You need to bring your own lunch and drinks.

The trip has earned a 4.9 rating from 32 bookings, with especially strong praise for the skippers. Mario is described as considerate, funny, and well informed. Harry is praised for finding more private bays and keeping the mood light. Joe receives similar praise for safety, kindness, photos, and thoughtful care during a rainy outing.

Comino’s caves, coves, and the Blue Lagoon

Comino is the main event. Its coast is packed with small inlets, rock formations, and sea caves, and the boat gives you a much better view of them than a walk along the island’s interior.

Your skipper will point out features such as Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Pigeon Rock. These stops are less about ticking off formal attractions and more about seeing how the pale rock, bright water, and changing sunlight work together from the sea.

The Blue Lagoon is the famous stop. You can swim straight from the boat, snorkel with the supplied mask and snorkel, or walk along the shore. The water is the obvious draw, though the lagoon can be the least peaceful part of the route because it is so well known. The private boat helps because you can enjoy the water without being tied to a crowded beach area for the entire visit.

I would ask your skipper early in the trip how much time you want at the Blue Lagoon. If your priority is the classic Comino scene, stay and swim. If you prefer quieter water, ask to spend more time at smaller coves and around the Crystal Lagoon.

The Crystal Lagoon is another favored swimming stop. It offers the same clear-water appeal with a different setting, and many people will prefer it for a swim from the boat. You may also have the option of cliff jumping, but only do this if the skipper confirms that conditions and the specific spot are safe. Sea depth, tides, and rocks matter more than bravado.

Snorkelling and swimming: what the five hours feel like

The water time is the heart of this excursion. You can use the onboard mask and snorkel at selected stops, and the route is designed around places where swimming and viewing the coast make sense.

This is not a specialist snorkelling expedition with a large supply of equipment or an instructor-led marine program. One person had a problem with the snorkelling equipment, though the guide tried to sort it out. I would bring your own mask if you own one and care about a perfect fit, while still using the included gear as a useful convenience.

A towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen belong in your day bag. The sun deck is pleasant for people who want to dry off and watch the coast, while the canopy gives you a break from direct sun. You should still plan for strong exposure on the water.

Motion is the one practical concern. A small private boat can feel more lively than a large ferry, and one outing was described as unsuitable for anyone sensitive to seasickness. If that sounds like you, eat lightly beforehand, sit where the boat feels most stable, and ask the operator about conditions before departure.

Gozo through Mgarr Harbour and Hondoq Bay

The route crosses to Gozo, Malta’s northern island, and passes through the Channel toward Mgarr Harbour. This gives you a different view of the archipelago, with the busy parts of Malta giving way to open water, rocky coast, and small bays.

The planned route includes Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches. These are useful places for a slower look at Gozo from sea level. You may stop to swim or simply cruise past, depending on your preferences and the day’s timing.

Mgarr Harbour is especially good for getting your bearings. It is Gozo’s main arrival point, and seeing it from the boat gives the crossing a clear sense of place. If you are staying on Gozo, pickup is at the Mgarr departure area near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the harbour terminal. If you are starting from Malta, the meeting point is near the Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The two pickup choices make this trip practical for people staying on either island. They also mean you should check your meeting point carefully and arrive 30 minutes early. A late arrival does not extend the five-hour charter.

Mdina: a short land-based pause in an otherwise nautical day

The itinerary includes a stop at Mdina, Malta’s old capital, with about 30 minutes to look around. The city is known for its high bastions, narrow streets, myths, and horse-drawn carriages.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick sense of the place, not a full visit. You can walk, take in the old stone setting, and enjoy the elevated views from the fortifications, but you will not have time for a detailed exploration of every lane or attraction.

This stop also makes the outing unusual. Most boat trips focus only on the coast and islands, while this one tries to add a brief taste of Malta’s inland past. The tradeoff is time. Every minute spent in Mdina is a minute not spent swimming or visiting another cove.

I would treat Mdina as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. If your group cares most about water, tell the skipper. If this is your only chance to see Mdina, the short stop gives you a useful first look.

The Blue Grotto closes the day with dramatic rock and light

The final major sight is the Blue Grotto on Malta’s southern coast. It is a group of six caves known for natural arches, clear water, and strong reflections when the light is right.

From the boat, the Blue Grotto is best appreciated as a coastal scene. You can look into the caves and see the color shift with the sun, while the arches give the stop a strong visual finish. The experience depends on weather and sea conditions, so the skipper may change the route or timing if needed.

Do not confuse this with a guaranteed cave tour by a separate small boat. The information provided describes visiting the Blue Grotto by charter and viewing its caves and arches. Your skipper has final say over the route, and the outing may be altered because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other safety concerns.

The Blue Grotto also makes a good late-day stop because the light can become especially attractive near sunset. One October group chose a 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. schedule and found the return trip at sunset a highlight. Ask about departure times if golden evening light matters to you, though the operator may adjust the time to suit sea conditions.

The skipper is central to the experience

A private boat is only as good as the person handling it. Here, the strongest praise is directed at the skippers, not just the scenery.

Mario is mentioned for his local information, warmth, and ability to make the day feel personal. Harry receives praise for listening to requests for quiet bays, sharing jokes, and explaining the islands. Joe is described as attentive, safety-minded, and helpful, even lending a raincoat during wet weather and taking photos for the group.

That matters because a flexible itinerary needs someone who can read both the group and the sea. You can request more swimming, more caves, quieter coves, or more sightseeing, but the skipper decides what is safe and realistic.

The tour operates in Maltese and English. If you enjoy asking questions about Malta, Gozo, the coast, and local life, you will get more from the outing than someone who wants a silent ride.

Price, group size, and what you really pay

The advertised rate is $235 per group of up to six. That is not a per-person fare. For six people, the base price works out to about $39 per person, before the extra costs. For two people, the same boat becomes much less economical.

The skipper costs €99, and fuel is another €99. Those charges bring the actual expense well above the headline price, so calculate the full amount before booking. Food, drinks, party supplies, barbecue items, a barbecue, fishing equipment, and a fishing cooler are also excluded.

Still, the comparison is not simply private boat versus cheap ferry. You are paying for control over the route, a smaller group, the chance to stop in quiet places, swimming access, snorkelling equipment, and five hours of use. If your group can fill the boat and values privacy, the price can make sense. If you are alone or a couple on a tight budget, a shared cruise may offer better value.

The boat is described as comfortable for four people, though one group thought it could have been a little larger. Six is the maximum, not necessarily the most spacious arrangement. For six adults carrying towels, food, and bags, expect a snug fit.

Timing, weather, and what can change

The five-hour duration is long enough for a broad sample of Malta’s coast, but the route includes many possible stops. You cannot give every cave, beach, island, and historic site the same attention.

The skipper can cancel, postpone, change, or shorten the charter if the weather or sea becomes unsuitable. The route, departure point, and disembarkation location can also change because of tides, shallows, or other valid safety reasons. That flexibility protects you, but it means you should not treat every named stop as guaranteed.

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled start. Bring cash as well as your sun and swim gear. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if the forecast is uncertain.

Who should book this private cruise?

I would choose this for a family or group of friends that wants one flexible day on the water rather than several separate activities. It suits swimmers, snorkellers, photographers, and people who enjoy stopping for views without a fixed group schedule.

It is also a good option if you are short on time. In five hours, you can see Comino, part of Gozo, the Blue Grotto, and a quick piece of Mdina. You will not know every corner of the islands, but you will get a strong overview.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, suffer badly from seasickness, or want a quiet, fully planned land tour. I would also avoid assuming that the headline rate is the final price. Add the skipper and fuel before deciding.

Should you book Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

Book it if you can fill most of the boat, want control over the route, and see swimming in Comino’s clear water as the main point of your Malta visit. The skippers are a major strength, and the mix of caves, coves, Gozo, Mdina, and the Blue Grotto gives you plenty for one half-day.

Skip it if you want the lowest possible fare or a guaranteed, minute-by-minute schedule. The extra charges are real, six people may feel close together, and the sea can force changes.

For the best value, gather four to six people, bring your own drinks and food, ask for quieter bays, and consider a late afternoon departure if sunset matters to you. That is when this private charter becomes more than transport: it becomes your group’s own view of Malta from the water.

FAQ

How long is the Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

The private boat charter lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability and may be adjusted by the skipper to suit conditions and the group’s needs.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private boat for up to six people. The rate applies to the boat, not to each passenger.

What is included in the boat charter?

The charter includes the private boat, seating, a sun deck, safety equipment, port and marina fees, taxes, a canopy, ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi, snorkelling mask and snorkel, and lagoon permits.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The professional skipper is listed at €99, and fuel consumption is listed at €99. Food and drinks are also separate.

Where are the meeting points?

From Gozo, meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mgarr Harbour departure area. From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The skipper can alter the route, stops, timing, or departure and arrival locations because of weather, sea conditions, tides, shallow water, or other legitimate safety reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. You should also bring any food and drinks you want because they are not included.