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

Comino’s best scenery is often seen from the water, and this two-hour private speedboat trip gives you a quick, focused look at its lagoons, caves and rocky coves. You can swim and snorkel at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, then pass close to places such as Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave and Lantern Point.

I like the private format, which gives your group its own boat rather than placing you in a large shared excursion. I also like the practical setup: shade, a sun deck, a cooler, WiFi and snorkeling masks are supplied. The main catch is important: the advertised $43 price does not include the professional skipper or fuel, each listed at €52.

Key points to know

• Two swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon each receive about 30 minutes, with another 20 minutes at Cominotto.
• A private boat, not a private skipper-inclusive fare: The boat is reserved for your group, but skipper and fuel charges are extra.
• Several caves in a short window: Roofless Cave, Lovers Cave and other rock formations are viewed from the water, with limited time for each.
• Two pickup choices: Meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or near the Gozo Channel terminal at Cirkewwa.
• Mario may be your guide: He has been praised for his stories, friendly manner and care in rough weather.
• Weather controls the day: The skipper can change the route, departure point or timing if sea conditions make the planned route unsafe.

What a two-hour private Comino tour really gives you

This is a compact boat outing rather than a full-day island cruise. In two hours, you get a fast tour of Comino’s most famous water spots, a few scenic cave visits and time to swim.

That short length is useful if you are staying on Malta or Gozo and want to fit Comino into a busy day. It also suits people who prefer not to spend hours at sea. The trade-off is that the boat keeps moving often, and the schedule leaves little room for a long swim, an extended snorkel or a leisurely shore visit.

The boat includes cozy seating, a sun deck, a shade canopy and safety equipment. A Bluetooth speaker and free WiFi are also provided. Snorkeling gear means you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, though you should still bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

Because this is a private group, you do not have to share the boat with strangers. That matters most for families, couples and small groups that want control over their time. It does not mean the sea conditions are under your control, however. The skipper may shorten, reorder or alter the route when weather, tides or waves require it.

From Mgarr or Cirkewwa to the Comino coast

You can start from either of two places. In Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. On Malta, meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

The speedboat ride to the first sightseeing area takes about 10 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes early. That extra time is especially sensible at a busy ferry terminal, where finding the correct meeting point can take longer than expected. If you arrive late, the two-hour charter does not get extended.

The starting point you choose should match the rest of your day. Cirkewwa is handy if you are already in northern Malta or connecting with the Gozo Channel ferry. Mgarr works well if you are staying in Gozo. Pickup and drop-off use the same two areas.

The boat has an ice cooler, but food and drinks are not included. Barbecue equipment, fishing gear and a separate fishing cooler are also not part of the package. Bring your own refreshments if needed, but confirm how they should be stored before departure.

Lantern Point and Comino’s rocky edge

Lantern Point is one of the early scenic stops. You will typically pass by for about five minutes, with time for photographs and a look at the rocky shoreline.

Lantern Point is known as a scuba site, with underwater caves and marine life below the surface. On this short tour, the point is mainly a view from the boat rather than a full underwater session. That distinction matters if you are booking specifically for scuba. The included activity is swimming and snorkeling, not a guided scuba outing.

The boat format works well here because you can see the cliffs and waterline from a low angle. The skipper can position the boat for photographs, though the exact approach depends on sea conditions and other boats in the area.

Roofless Cave and the island’s unusual formations

The Roofless Cave, known in Maltese as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more unusual stops. Its open ceiling lets daylight into the cave, giving it a very different feel from a fully enclosed sea cave.

You should expect about 10 minutes here for a guided look, photographs and views from the water. The stop is scenic rather than an extended land visit. You may pass through or close to the opening depending on the sea and the skipper’s judgment.

Other rock formations appear along the route, including Pigeon Rock and the inlet called Daħlet il-Ħmara. These stops help show why a boat is useful on Comino. Some of the island’s most interesting corners are easier to appreciate from the sea than from a walking path, and a boat can reach narrow shorelines that are not practical to approach on foot.

Lovers Cave is another photogenic stop. The name suggests a romantic setting, but the tour does not promise a private landing or a long stay. Treat it as a short scenic visit, particularly if several other boats are moving through the same area.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the best swim time

Crystal Lagoon receives about 30 minutes, including free time for swimming, snorkeling and looking for marine life. This is one of the most useful parts of the trip because it gives you a proper water break instead of only passing by scenic points.

The lagoon is known for clear water and a quieter feel than Blue Lagoon. You can use the supplied mask and snorkel, or simply swim and enjoy the view from the boat. The 30-minute stop is enough for a refreshing dip, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If you want to spend most of your day in the water, a longer charter would make more sense.

The private setup can make this stop easier. Your group can use the boat’s seating and shade, then return to the water without having to follow a large group ashore. Still, there is no promise that the water will be calm on your chosen day. Wind can affect visibility and swimming comfort.

Cominotto offers a different view of Comino

The boat continues to Cominotto, where you receive about 20 minutes for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling and photographs. The small island gives you a fresh angle back toward Comino and the surrounding sea.

This stop is less about ticking off a famous beach and more about seeing the area’s rocky profile from another position. You may find the views especially useful for photographs, since the boat can show both the island and the open water around it.

The route description includes sailing and scenic views here, but the amount of time spent swimming or moving depends on the skipper and the conditions. The tour is flexible enough to adjust its order when necessary, but that also means the exact rhythm of your stop may vary.

Blue Lagoon is the grand finale

Blue Lagoon gets about 30 minutes for a break, photographs, swimming, snorkeling and marine-life viewing. Its bright turquoise water is the signature sight of Comino, and this is the stop most people will be waiting for.

A private boat helps you reach the lagoon without joining a queue for a larger excursion boat. The separate entrance and lagoon access permits are included, which saves time during a short outing. You should not mistake skip-the-line access for an empty lagoon, though. Blue Lagoon is famous, and the surrounding water can be busy.

That busy setting is the main contrast with Crystal Lagoon. Blue Lagoon delivers the classic Comino view, while Crystal Lagoon may feel better suited to a calm swim. Having both in the same tour gives you a useful comparison rather than relying on only one stop.

The tour ends with a return to Mgarr or Cirkewwa. Since Blue Lagoon is the final major stop, keep track of the time and be ready to leave when the skipper calls the group back. The boat cannot extend the charter for late arrivals or lingering swimmers.

Mario, the guide, and what the guiding adds

Mario is the named skipper associated with several strong comments about the experience. He has been praised for sharing stories and local insights, for creating a friendly atmosphere and for taking care of passengers when the weather turned poor.

That personal guiding matters on a short boat tour. Without explanation, caves and rock points can blur together. A guide who identifies Lantern Point, Roofless Cave and the smaller formations gives the route more shape and helps you understand what you are looking at.

The available guide languages are English and Maltese. You should confirm the skipper assigned to your departure if having a particular guide is important to you. Mario’s name appears in the available experience details, but a specific skipper cannot be guaranteed for every booking.

The weather note deserves attention. One passenger described a day with poor meteorological conditions and said Mario made sure everyone was okay. That is encouraging, but it also underlines the need to respect the skipper’s decisions. The skipper can cancel, postpone or change the charter, route and departure or drop-off point when the sea is unsafe.

Is the $43 price good value?

At first glance, $43 per person looks like a modest price for a private Comino boat tour. The real cost requires a closer look because the professional skipper is listed separately at €52, and fuel is another €52.

Those extra charges may be fixed rather than per person, but you should confirm the final total before booking. The value improves as your group grows because the skipper and fuel amounts can be divided among more people. For a couple, the add-ons could change the calculation considerably. For a larger private group, the same charges may feel much more reasonable.

You are paying for more than a boat ride. The package includes marina and port fees, taxes, lagoon access permits, safety equipment, snorkeling gear, shade, a sun deck, a cooler and private use of the boat. The separate skipper and fuel charges are the one point that can make the advertised price feel less complete.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. Still, ask for the full price, group capacity and any final payment details before committing. The supplied information does not state the maximum number of passengers, so that is worth confirming if you are booking for a large party.

Who will enjoy this Comino boat trip most

I would consider this tour a good match for:

• Couples wanting a private boat and a scenic stop at Lovers Cave.
• Families that prefer a short outing with shade and easy access to swimming.
• Small groups splitting the skipper and fuel costs.
• Visitors based in northern Malta or Gozo who want a two-hour activity.
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who want two lagoon stops.
• Photographers looking for caves, rocky points and changing views of Comino.

I would be more cautious if you want a full-day beach visit, a long snorkeling session or extensive time on land. This route is quick. It shows many places, but it does not let you linger at each one.

It may also be a poor fit for anyone who needs a fixed itinerary. The skipper has authority to change the route, timing and landing points because weather and sea conditions can shift quickly. That flexibility protects safety, but it means the advertised order is not guaranteed.

Practical advice before you go

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat. Bring cash, particularly because food and drinks are not provided and the activity information specifically recommends having it.

Do not forget that a boat’s sun deck can make the sun feel stronger than it does on shore. Use sunscreen before departure and reapply after swimming. The canopy offers shade, but space and shade preferences may vary within your group.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the correct harbour meeting point. Check whether you are departing from Mgarr or Cirkewwa, since choosing the wrong terminal could cost valuable time.

Finally, read the price details carefully. The boat, permits, taxes and equipment are included, but skipper and fuel are listed as €52 each. That is the single most important budgeting point.

Should you book it?

Book this Comino Splash and Dash tour if you want a private, efficient introduction to Comino with two proper lagoon stops and a guide who can add stories along the way. Mario’s friendly approach and calm handling of unsettled weather are useful strengths, though the assigned skipper may vary.

Think twice if you want a slow beach day or if the extra skipper and fuel charges push the final cost beyond your budget. For a small group that values privacy, easy swimming access and a short route packed with caves and viewpoints, it can be a sensible choice. Just confirm the total price and keep your schedule flexible.

FAQ

How long is the Comino Splash and Dash tour?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

Where does the boat depart?

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

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group and includes private use of the boat.

Which lagoons can I swim in?

The route includes swimming and snorkeling stops at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. Cominotto also includes free time for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The professional skipper is listed at €52, and fuel consumption is also listed at €52. Confirm how these charges apply to your group before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and cash.

Can the route change because of weather?

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