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

Comino’s best scenery is packed into two hours here, with a private speedboat carrying you from famous lagoons to small caves and rocky viewpoints that are hard to reach from land. The water around Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon is the main event, but the short stops at Roofless Cave, Lantern Point, Lovers Cave, and Pigeon Rock give the trip more shape than a simple swim outing.

I like the way the boat lets you reach secluded shorelines without waiting in a large public-boat queue. I also like the flexible feel of a private group, plus the practical touches: a sun deck, canopy, cooler, WiFi, Bluetooth speaker, and mask-and-snorkel gear. Mario has earned special praise for his stories, friendly manner, and care in rough weather.

The catch is cost clarity. The advertised price is $43 per person, but a professional skipper and fuel are each listed separately at €52. That can change the real price considerably, especially for a small group, so check the final total before booking.

Key things to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon both get swimming time, with about 30 minutes planned at each.
• Mario may be your guide, and the tour operates in English or Maltese.
• The private boat saves time, but two hours is still a quick visit to Comino.
• Roofless Cave and Lovers Cave add character beyond the usual lagoon stops.
• The itinerary can change with sea conditions, tides, weather, or the skipper’s judgment.
• Skipper and fuel costs are separate, so calculate the full group price rather than relying only on the headline fare.

Why this short Comino trip works

Comino is small, but its coast is full of cut-in bays, sea caves, rock shelves, and water in shades that change with depth and sunlight. A land visit can get you to Blue Lagoon, but it will not give you the same view of the cliffs or the same access to the caves.

This outing is built around that coastal perspective. You sit close to the water, move quickly between points, and stop where swimming or sightseeing makes sense. You are not spending half the day on a boat, which is useful if you also want time for Gozo, Malta, or a meal back at the harbor.

The private format matters most if you want control over the mood. You can use the shade canopy, sit on the deck, listen to music through the Bluetooth speaker, or keep things quiet while taking in the coast. It is a better fit for a couple, family, or small group that prefers its own space to a crowded excursion boat.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The trip lasts only two hours, and the boat must cover several points. You get a series of focused stops rather than long, unhurried time at every bay.

Starting from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You can meet the boat at either of two locations. In Gozo, the departure point is Mgarr Harbour, near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the harbor terminal. In Malta, meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure. That buffer is sensible because the boat will not wait beyond the agreed start time, and a late arrival does not add time to the charter. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and cash.

The boat is a speedboat, so the ride between stops is part of the experience. The listed transfer from the departure point takes about 10 minutes. You also get cozy seating, a sun deck, shade, safety equipment, and port and marina fees included in the package.

A separate professional skipper is listed at €52, as is fuel consumption. The wording does not explain whether those amounts are shared across the group or applied in another way, so ask before paying. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are not supplied. An ice cooler is provided, but you should bring your own refreshments.

Lantern Point and Comino’s rocky coast

After leaving the harbor, the route heads toward Lantern Point, a well-known spot for underwater caves and marine life. This is primarily a photo stop and pass-by, planned for about five minutes.

You may not get a long swim here, but that is not really the point. Lantern Point helps you see how varied Comino’s coast is. From the boat, look for openings in the rock and changes in the water color near the cliffs. The crew can point out the main features while you stay aboard.

The quick timing is both a strength and a limitation. You cover more of the coast, but you will not have time to explore every opening or linger at every viewpoint. If your priority is underwater exploration at one particular site, tell the skipper early and ask what conditions allow.

Roofless Cave and the island’s natural drama

The Roofless Cave, known in Maltese as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more memorable stops. Its open ceiling lets daylight enter from above, giving the cave a bright, unusual character instead of the enclosed feel of a normal sea cave.

About 10 minutes are set aside for a guided look, photos, and scenic views. You should expect to see the cave from the boat and hear about its features rather than take part in a long land walk. The name itself tells you what makes it special: this is a natural opening shaped by rock and sea, with sky overhead.

The tour also passes other coastal formations and caves, including Lovers Cave and Pigeon Rock. Lovers Cave has a quieter, more secluded feel and may appeal to couples, while Pigeon Rock is a striking stone formation that gives the coast another visual marker.

These stops are useful because they break up the swimming. You get a little geology, a little local character, and plenty of photo opportunities between the two main lagoons.

Thirty minutes at Crystal Lagoon

Crystal Lagoon is the first major water stop and one of the best reasons to choose a boat tour. The scheduled break is about 30 minutes, with time for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and simply sitting in the water.

The name is well chosen. The lagoon is known for exceptionally clear water, and the enclosed setting can feel calmer than the open coast when conditions are good. You receive a mask and snorkel, so you do not need to rent basic equipment separately.

Use the first few minutes to get comfortable and check the sea conditions. Then choose your priority. If you want to see underwater life, use the mask and snorkel. If you mainly want a cool swim, stay near the boat and enjoy the clear water without trying to pack in too much.

A half-hour goes quickly. There is time for a proper swim, but not for a long snorkeling session followed by a leisurely rest. The skipper may also shorten or change the stop if wind, waves, or other conditions make the lagoon less suitable.

Cominotto Island from the water

The boat then heads to Cominotto, the small island beside Comino. About 20 minutes are allowed here for sightseeing, scenic views, swimming, snorkeling, and time on the water.

Cominotto gives you a fresh angle back toward Comino and the surrounding coast. It is a good place to take photographs because the boat can show you shapes and inlets you would miss from a single beach.

The stop is not described as a long shore excursion, so plan on a boat-based visit rather than an extended walk around the island. That is helpful if you prefer to keep moving, but less suitable if you want to spend the morning ashore.

For me, this is where the private format earns its keep. A small group can make better use of a short stop, moving from sightseeing to snorkeling without the delays that often come with a larger boat. You still need to accept the skipper’s timing, but the outing should feel less rigid than a mass excursion.

Blue Lagoon, the grand finale

Blue Lagoon gets roughly 30 minutes, matching Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling time. This is Comino’s most famous water stop, known for its turquoise color and easy appeal.

It is also the stop most likely to feel busy, although the boat lets you approach from the water rather than deal with a long walk to the shoreline. The private boat does not make the lagoon empty, but it does give you a better way to see the water and cliffs without being tied to a public boat’s schedule.

You can swim, snorkel, watch for marine life, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. If you have never seen Blue Lagoon, this is enough time to appreciate its color and take a swim. If you want a long, quiet beach session, two hours split between several sites will feel rushed.

The order of the lagoons may be adjusted. The skipper can change the route, departure point, or stop duration because of wind, tides, sea conditions, or other legitimate reasons. That flexibility is important in Malta, where a calm bay and a choppy bay can be very different on the same day.

What the skipper adds

The guide can make or break a compact boat outing. Mario is specifically praised for sharing stories and insights, keeping the atmosphere pleasant, and taking care of passengers when weather conditions turned poor.

That last point is worth noting. A skipper’s job is not just to steer between photo stops. The skipper decides when it is safe to enter a lagoon, how close to approach a cave, and when a route needs to change. On this trip, the skipper has authority to postpone, cancel, or modify the charter when the sea is not suitable.

You should see that as a safety feature, not a promise that every named stop will happen exactly as printed. If conditions are bad, a good boat trip may look different from the planned route. The itinerary might be shortened, rearranged, or moved to a more sheltered area.

The tour operates in English and Maltese. If you want more local explanation, ask questions during the scenic passages rather than waiting until a short stop. With only two hours, conversation during the ride helps you get more from the trip.

Boat comforts and what you need to bring

The boat includes several details that are easy to overlook when comparing options. A canopy gives you relief from direct sun, while the sun deck offers a place to stretch out between stops. Safety gear is included, and lagoon access permits, taxes, and port and marina fees are covered.

There is free WiFi and a Bluetooth speaker. Those features matter less than the skipper and the sea, but they can help if your group wants music or needs to stay connected. The ice cooler is useful for your own drinks and snacks.

You need to bring the basics yourself:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Cash
• Food and drinks, if wanted

Barbecue equipment and fishing gear are not included. Do not assume this is a fishing charter or a catered boat trip. It is a sightseeing and swimming excursion.

Is $43 per person good value?

At $43 per person, the headline price looks attractive for a private two-hour boat outing around Comino. You are paying for a speedboat, a private group setting, snorkeling equipment, lagoon access, safety gear, and a route that reaches several coastal features in a short time.

The separate €52 skipper charge and €52 fuel charge change the calculation. If you are booking with several people and those costs are divided across the group, the added amount may be reasonable. For one or two people, the final price may be much higher per person than the advertised figure.

I would compare the complete cost, not just the first number. Ask whether the skipper and fuel fees are fixed for the boat, how they are divided, and what currency will be charged. Also confirm the meeting point and starting time before the day of departure.

Value depends on your priorities. You get good value if you want private use of the boat, several named sights, two lagoon swims, and a short schedule. You get less value if you want a full-day cruise, a meal, long time ashore, or a large amount of snorkeling time at one site.

Who should book this boat tour?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and small groups that want a private outing without committing an entire day. It is especially useful if you are staying in Malta or Gozo and want to fit Comino into a busy schedule.

It also suits people who care more about access and scenery than a formal historical tour. The historical side of Comino appears through place names, caves, and the island’s coastal character, but the main focus is water, rock, and swimming.

You should think twice if you dislike speedboat travel, need a slow pace, or want guaranteed access to every stop. The skipper controls the route, and sea conditions can change the plan. Anyone booking mainly for a long Blue Lagoon swim may prefer an option with more time at one place.

The private format is also worth discussing with your group. If everyone wants the same balance of swimming, sightseeing, and music, it can be a pleasant way to use two hours. If one person wants snorkeling while another wants a quiet ride, agree on priorities before departure.

Final verdict: a smart short visit to Comino

Book this tour if you want to see several of Comino’s coastal highlights in one compact outing and value having your own boat. Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Cominotto, Roofless Cave, and the smaller rock formations give you a varied taste of the island rather than a single beach stop.

Before booking, get the full price in writing and accept that weather may change the plan. With those points clear, this is a practical choice for a private swim-and-sightseeing trip, especially if Mario is guiding your boat. It is not a leisurely day on the water, but it makes two hours count.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Splash & Dash tour last?

The boat tour lasts two hours.

Where can I meet the boat?

You can meet in Gozo at Mgarr Harbour near Sicilia Bella Restaurant, or in Malta near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group.

Which lagoons do I visit?

The route includes Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, with time for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and viewing marine life.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Is a professional skipper included in the advertised price?

No. A professional skipper is listed separately at €52.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed separately at €52.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Maltese.

Can the itinerary change because of weather?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, so bring them if you want refreshments during the trip.