Comino’s Best in a Flash: Caves, Coves & Beaches Boat Tour

Comino’s best sights come quickly on this private one-hour boat trip. You’ll pass through the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, pause near Cominotto, and see Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave without spending the day on a large group boat. The short route is packed with scenery, so arrive ready to move.

I like the direct access to quiet shorelines and the freedom of a private boat. I also like that masks and snorkels are provided, so a swim does not require extra planning. The skipper fee and fuel fee are not included, though, and the one-hour schedule leaves little room for lingering at every stop.

Key points at a glance

• Two launch points: Meet near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, or near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal in Malta.
• Five notable sights: Visit the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave.
• Private setting: You share the boat only with your own group, with a skipper speaking English or Maltese.
• Swim-ready boat: Snorkeling gear, an ice cooler, shade canopy, sun deck, and safety equipment are included.
• Extra charges matter: A professional skipper costs €36, and fuel consumption costs €36.
• Weather controls the route: The skipper can change the timing, route, or stops when sea and weather conditions require it.

A fast route through Comino’s best water

This outing is designed for travelers who want to see Comino from the sea but do not want to commit to a half-day charter. In sixty minutes, you get a brisk circuit of the island’s most recognizable coastal sights, with time for a quick swim or snorkel if conditions and timing allow.

The private format changes the feel of the trip. You are not tied to a large sightseeing group, and the skipper can tailor the route within the limits of the weather and the one-hour schedule. That makes this a good choice for a couple, family, or small group with one free hour between ferries, beach time, or other plans.

The tradeoff is simple: this is a sampler, not a full Comino day. You can see several places, but you should not expect long stays at each one. If your main goal is a slow afternoon in the water, choose a longer charter. If you want the highlights in a compact package, this route makes sense.

Starting from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can board from either side of the channel. From Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, meet near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Both meeting points make practical sense if you are already using the ferry system. Mgarr works well for a day based in Gozo, while Cirkewwa is useful if you are staying on Malta and heading north. The exact route and departure time should be confirmed when booking, since availability controls the starting times.

Arrive 30 minutes early. This is not the sort of activity where arriving at the last minute is wise. Traffic, ferry delays, or difficulty finding the meeting point can cost you valuable time, and lateness does not extend the charter.

The boat has a separate entrance for the activity, helping you avoid a standard queue. That does not remove the need to arrive early, but it can make the start more orderly.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first stop

The Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction. Its clear turquoise water gives the first part of the trip an immediate visual payoff, and the lagoon is a natural place for a swim or snorkel.

The boat provides a useful advantage here. You can approach by water and access the area without relying only on the main beach entry. You also have snorkeling equipment included, so you can spend your time looking beneath the surface instead of arranging gear on shore.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sun protection, sunglasses, and hat. The boat has a sun deck and shade canopy, so you can choose between open sun and shelter during the ride.

The one-hour limit is most noticeable at the Blue Lagoon. It is tempting to stay longer once you are in the water, but the route still has several stops ahead. Treat this as a chance for a short swim and a look around, not as your main beach session.

Crystal Lagoon for a calmer swim

Crystal Lagoon offers a different mood. It is described as a peaceful area with clear water, making it a good contrast to the more famous Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, or simply enjoy the view from the boat.

I like having both lagoons on the same route because they give the trip more variety. You are not spending the whole hour circling one attraction. The first lagoon supplies the famous Comino scene, while the second gives you a quieter pause.

The amount of time available at Crystal Lagoon depends on the sea, the skipper’s judgment, and how long the earlier stops take. If swimming is your priority, tell the skipper early. The skipper can adjust the route when conditions allow, though there is no promise that every stop will receive equal time.

Cominotto Island from the water

Cominotto is a small islet close to Comino. Seeing it from the boat gives you a useful sense of the coast’s shape and provides a fresh angle on the main island.

This stop is mainly about views rather than a long shore visit. The tour description does not promise a landing on Cominotto, so plan to see it from the water. That is still worthwhile on a compact cruise, since it breaks up the lagoon stops and adds another coastal feature to the route.

You can use the boat’s Bluetooth speaker or WiFi if needed, but I would keep your attention on the surroundings. The water, rock formations, and changing viewpoints are the real reason to take this trip.

Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave

Roofless Cave, known in Maltese as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more unusual stops. Its open ceiling lets you see the sky above, creating a striking frame for photographs and a memorable natural feature in a short itinerary.

The name tells you what makes it different from a typical cave. You are not entering a dark enclosed tunnel. Instead, the opening overhead gives the place a sense of air and light. It is a good spot to keep your camera ready, though you should protect phones and cameras around the boat and water.

Lovers Cave adds a smaller, more intimate finish. It is presented as a secluded place suited to couples, but it can also be an interesting final viewpoint for any private group. Like Cominotto, the available information does not guarantee a shore landing, so expect the skipper to show you the cave from the boat unless conditions permit something different.

Together, these two stops give the trip more character than a simple lagoon transfer. You see natural formations with names and stories attached to them, not just a string of beaches.

What the private boat includes

The boat is set up for a short, comfortable outing rather than a bare transport run. You get cozy seating, a sun deck, and a shade canopy. That combination matters in Malta, where you may want relief from direct sun after swimming.

Safety gear is included, as are port and marina fees, lagoon access permits, and taxes. An ice cooler is also provided. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own refreshments if you want them, and check what you plan to store in the cooler.

The boat also lists free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker. These are pleasant extras, but they should not be the reason you book. On a one-hour cruise, the main value is the private access, the route, and the chance to swim. The speaker may suit a relaxed group, while the WiFi is more useful for a quick practical need than for entertainment.

Snorkeling equipment includes a mask and snorkel. You still need to bring swimwear and a towel. Fishing gear, barbecue equipment, and an additional cooler are not included.

The skipper shapes the experience

A professional skipper is required, but the stated €36 skipper charge is separate from the advertised price. Fuel consumption is also listed at €36. Confirm the full amount before paying, especially because the rates are described as being per boat rather than per passenger.

The skipper handles more than steering. The skipper can alter the route, stops, departure time, or disembarkation point when weather, tides, or sea conditions make that necessary. That flexibility is important around exposed coastal water, but it also means the advertised sequence should not be treated as fixed.

Captain Joe is specifically associated with a warm, safety-focused trip. If he is assigned to your departure, you can expect a friendly skipper who explains the sights and helps you feel at ease. The tour is offered in English and Maltese.

A previous departure also took place around sunset, creating a more private and relaxed atmosphere. Sunset timing is not guaranteed, and you should check available start times rather than assume an evening cruise is offered.

Is $20 a good value?

The advertised price is $20 per person, but the extra €36 skipper charge and €36 fuel charge deserve careful attention. Since the rates are also described as per boat, you should clarify how the final total is calculated for your group before booking.

For a full private boat, the value improves as your group grows. Two people may find the added charges significant, while a larger private group can spread the cost across more passengers. The inclusions help: you are not paying separately for port and marina fees, lagoon permits, taxes, safety gear, or snorkeling masks and snorkels.

The price is also buying time. A one-hour private circuit can be useful if you are fitting Comino between other plans. You avoid committing to a longer charter and can still see the main coastal sights from the water.

I would not choose it purely as a cheap beach transfer. The trip is better understood as a short private sightseeing cruise with a swim opportunity. Ask for the complete boat total, fuel arrangement, and skipper cost before you decide.

Who will enjoy this one-hour cruise?

This outing suits you if you want:

• A private setting rather than a large shared boat
• A quick look at Comino’s main coastal sights
• A swim or snorkel without arranging equipment
• A flexible option from Malta or Gozo
• A short activity for couples, families, or small groups
• A boat with both shade and open sun space

It is especially useful for couples who want a secluded hour near Lovers Cave, and for small groups that value their own boat. The private format also helps if your party has different preferences, since some people can sit under the canopy while others use the sun deck.

You may want a longer outing if you care most about extended swimming, a slow lunch on the water, or time at several beaches. This tour covers a lot, but its pace is brisk.

Practical advice before you board

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep sun protection within reach. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a towel are specifically recommended. Bring cash as well, since it is listed among the items to carry.

Do not count on buying food or drinks as part of the trip. Those are not included, and barbecue equipment is also excluded. You can plan around the ice cooler, but confirm what refreshments you may bring.

Allow extra time for reaching Mgarr or Cirkewwa. The operator asks you to arrive half an hour before departure, and the charter will not run longer if you arrive late.

Finally, keep your plans flexible. The skipper may cancel, postpone, or modify the trip because of weather or sea conditions. A route change is not necessarily a failure of the experience. Around Comino, safe water conditions matter more than following a printed sequence exactly.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want Comino’s main sights in one private hour, with a chance to swim and the comfort of your own boat. The Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave give the route plenty of variety, while snorkeling gear and shade make preparation easy.

Think twice if you want a long beach day or dislike extra charges that sit outside the headline price. Confirm the full cost, arrive early, and accept that weather may change the route.

For a small group splitting the boat cost, this can be a smart and efficient way to see Comino from the water. Captain Joe’s friendly approach and the strong five-star feedback add confidence, but the real decision comes down to your schedule and your appetite for a fast-paced coastal circuit.

FAQ

How long is the Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts one hour.

Where does the boat depart?

It departs from Mgarr in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta. The Mgarr meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. The Cirkewwa meeting point is near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is for a private group.

Which languages does the guide speak?

The live tour guide or skipper speaks English and Maltese.

What places does the route visit?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are part of the experience when conditions and timing allow. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

No. The professional skipper costs €36, and fuel consumption costs €36. Confirm the final boat price before booking.

What should I bring?

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

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. Lateness will not extend the charter.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The skipper can cancel, postpone, or modify the charter and can adjust the route, itinerary, departure point, or disembarkation point because of weather, tides, sea conditions, or other valid reasons.