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

The best thing about this Comino trip is its compact private route. In one hour, you see the island’s famous blue water, small coves, caves, and nearby Cominotto without committing half a day to a larger cruise. Captain Joe has earned praise for being friendly, helpful, and safety-minded, and one sunset trip created a particularly pleasant private setting.

I like the chance to reach shorelines that are awkward to visit from land, and I like that mask, snorkel, shade, a sun deck, and an ice cooler are provided. The main consideration is the short running time: you can see a lot, but this is a fast sampler rather than a slow day on the water. Also check the final cost carefully, since skipper and fuel charges are listed separately from the advertised $20 price.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon in one hour: You get the two best-known swimming areas on Comino in a tightly planned outing.
• Private boat access: A private group can reach small coves and shorelines that are less convenient from the main ferry routes.
• Five notable stops: The route includes Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave.
• A quick swim or snorkel is possible: Masks and snorkels are included, though the available water time depends on the skipper and sea conditions.
• Two useful departure points: You can meet at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa on Malta.
• Extra charges need attention: The listed $20 per person does not include the €36 skipper fee or €36 fuel charge.

Why this one-hour Comino trip works

Comino is small, but its best sights are spread along a rocky coast. A boat lets you string them together without walking in the heat or waiting for several separate departures. That is the real value here.

This is also a private outing, not a standard packed ferry ride. You have a boat with cozy seating, a sun deck, a shade canopy, safety equipment, WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. Those extras will not transform a one-hour trip into a full beach day, but they make the ride more comfortable while the boat moves between stops.

The English- and Maltese-speaking skipper provides live commentary about the places you pass. Captain Joe is specifically praised for explaining the sights clearly, helping passengers, and making them feel safe. That personal guidance matters on a short trip because you do not have much time to work out where you are or what you are seeing.

The tour is best understood as a high-speed introduction to Comino. You can take photographs, look into the caves, and possibly swim, but you should not expect long, unhurried time at every stop.

Setting off from Mgarr or Cirkewwa

You have two meeting points. From Gozo, the boat leaves near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at the Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, you meet near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal.

Arrive about 30 minutes before departure. That buffer is sensible because both areas can involve ferry traffic, cars, and last-minute confusion around the terminals. If you arrive late, the one-hour charter does not get extended, so punctuality directly affects the amount of time you have on the water.

The boat charter includes marina and port fees, lagoon access permits, taxes, and safety gear. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and some cash. Food and drinks are not included, so do not count on refreshments being supplied during the outing.

The skipper may adjust the departure time, route, or drop-off point when weather, tides, or sea conditions require it. That is worth accepting as part of a small-boat trip. The sea decides the schedule more firmly than a printed booking page does.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first look

Blue Lagoon is the natural headline. Its clear turquoise water and shallow-looking color make it one of Malta’s most recognizable coastal sights. From the boat, you get the broad view first, then a closer look at the rocky edges and swimming water.

This is the stop where many people will want to enter the sea. The supplied mask and snorkel make a quick look below the surface possible, and the lagoon is described as having active marine life. Still, keep your expectations in proportion to the clock. If the boat spends only a short period here, you may have time for a swim or snorkel, but not both at a relaxed pace.

A private boat offers a useful advantage at Blue Lagoon: you approach from the water rather than treating the lagoon as a simple ferry drop-off. You can see the shoreline from a different angle, and the skipper can position the boat according to conditions and the day’s route.

The drawback is that Blue Lagoon is Comino’s most famous stop, so it can feel less secluded than the other locations. If your ideal beach day means settling in with a book for several hours, this tour is not designed for that. If you want the signature view and a chance to get wet, it makes good use of limited time.

Crystal Lagoon: a quieter place for the water

Crystal Lagoon is the calmer counterpoint to Blue Lagoon. The water is clear, and the setting is described as more peaceful, making it a good place to slow down for a swim or simply sit under the canopy and take in the coast.

I like this part of the route because it gives the trip some variety. Blue Lagoon is the famous name, while Crystal Lagoon feels more suited to a quiet pause. You can compare the two instead of seeing only one postcard view and heading straight back.

The same time limit applies. The skipper controls the exact length of each stop, and weather or sea conditions can change the order. If swimming is your priority, tell the skipper early, while understanding that the itinerary may need to shift.

For people who do not want a long open-water excursion, Crystal Lagoon also makes the trip feel less one-dimensional. You are not only cruising past rock formations. You have another setting where the focus is the water itself.

Cominotto Island from the boat

Cominotto is a small islet close to Comino. Seeing it from the water gives you a clear sense of how compact this part of the Maltese coast is. It also adds a different view of Comino, rather than keeping the whole tour pointed toward the main island.

This stop is mainly about scenery and perspective. The supplied details do not promise a landing on Cominotto, so plan on viewing it from the boat unless the skipper says otherwise. That distinction matters if you are hoping to walk ashore or spend time on a beach.

The small-island setting is especially useful for photographs. With the sun deck and shaded seating available, you can choose between sitting out in the sun and staying protected while the boat turns toward the next stop.

Roofless Cave and its open ceiling

Roofless Cave, known in Maltese as L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, is one of the more unusual stops. Unlike a fully enclosed cave, it has an open ceiling, so you can see the sky above the rock. That opening changes the feel of the place and gives the cave a natural frame for photographs.

This is a short sightseeing stop rather than a full cave visit. The boat tour focuses on viewing and exploring the formation from the water, and the route can change if conditions are not suitable. You will want your camera ready before the boat approaches.

The cave also adds a small piece of Comino’s natural and cultural character to a route otherwise centered on swimming. It is the sort of feature that helps a quick boat ride feel like more than a transfer between two blue-water stops.

Lovers Cave and the final close-up

Lovers Cave is presented as a secluded, romantic place. Couples may especially enjoy this stop, but the appeal is broader: it is another chance to see the coast from a close angle and to photograph a darker, more enclosed rock setting after the open views of the lagoons.

Do not expect a private beach visit or a long stop here. The one-hour schedule means the skipper must keep the boat moving. Think of Lovers Cave as a final atmospheric scene, not a destination where you will set up for the afternoon.

The route is well suited to people who want several distinct sights in a short period. Blue Lagoon supplies the famous color, Crystal Lagoon the quieter water, Cominotto the island view, Roofless Cave the unusual rock formation, and Lovers Cave the intimate finish.

What the private boat adds

The word private matters here. You are not simply joining a large sightseeing ferry and following a fixed public route. Your group has its own boat, and the skipper can adjust the route, timing, and departure or disembarkation point when legitimate conditions require it.

That does not mean you control every minute. The skipper has final authority when weather, tides, or sea conditions make a change necessary. Still, the format allows a more personal conversation and a better chance to ask about the sights as you pass them.

The boat has comfortable seating, a sun deck, and a shade canopy. You also get safety equipment, a cooler for ice, free WiFi, and a Bluetooth speaker. Snorkeling equipment is limited to a mask and snorkel, so bring any specialized equipment you need rather than assuming a full kit is available.

The private format suits couples, families, and small groups that want to avoid a crowded outing. It is also useful if different people in your group have different priorities, since some can sit in the shade while others use the sun deck.

Price, extra fees, and real value

The advertised price is $20 per person, which looks inexpensive for a private boat. But the cost needs a closer look. The listed inclusions do not cover a professional skipper at €36 or fuel consumption at €36, so you should confirm how those charges apply to your booking before paying.

There is also an important wording issue: the information says both $20 per person and that rates are per boat, not per passenger. Do not assume the displayed amount is the final price for your whole group. Ask for the complete total, including the skipper and fuel, and clarify the boat’s capacity and pricing basis.

Once you know the final figure, judge the value by your group size. A private boat can be good value for several people sharing the cost, especially when compared with paying separate fares for a larger public excursion. For one or two people, the extra fees may make the trip less of a bargain.

The included lagoon permits, port fees, taxes, snorkeling mask and snorkel, ice cooler, and safety gear reduce the chance of small add-on charges during the trip. Food, drinks, barbecue equipment, fishing gear, and a fishing cooler are not included.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this tour if you have only a short window and want to see Comino’s main coastal sights efficiently. It is also a good fit if you value a private group, direct access from Malta or Gozo, and the option of a quick swim without spending a full day at sea.

Couples may appreciate Lovers Cave and the private setting, especially for a sunset departure if available. Families and friends can make good use of the seating, shade, and flexible feel, though they should be ready for a brisk schedule.

I would hesitate if your main goal is extended swimming, sunbathing, or snorkeling. One hour is enough to sample the coves, not enough to linger at all five stops. I would also avoid booking until the full price is clear, since the separate skipper and fuel charges can change the value calculation.

The perfect conditions are calm seas and a group that arrives early, brings swimwear, and agrees on priorities. Tell the skipper whether swimming, photography, or seeing every listed sight matters most, while allowing room for weather-related changes.

Practical details before you go

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

The tour has an English- or Maltese-speaking live guide and operates as a private group. The skipper can postpone, cancel, or modify the charter if the weather or sea is unsafe, and can change the route or departure point when tides or other valid conditions require it.

Arrive 30 minutes early at Mgarr or Cirkewwa. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, pack a towel and sunscreen, and bring cash for anything you may need to buy separately. Since there is no food or drink included, plan ahead rather than expecting a boat snack service.

Should you book Comino’s Best in a Flash?

Book it if you want a short, private look at Comino’s best-known water and cave sights. Captain Joe’s friendly, reassuring approach is a plus, and the combination of Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto, Roofless Cave, and Lovers Cave gives you plenty of variety in 60 minutes.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day or a long snorkeling session. Most importantly, confirm whether the $20 price is per person or per boat and add the €36 skipper fee and €36 fuel charge before deciding. With that total understood, this is a practical choice for a small group that values speed, privacy, and a quick swim.

FAQ

How long is the Comino boat tour?

The private boat tour lasts one hour.

Where does the boat depart?

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

Which places are included on the route?

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

Is the boat private?

Yes. The activity is operated as a private group boat charter.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

You can swim or snorkel during the trip when time and sea conditions allow. A mask and snorkel are included.

Are a skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

The listed information excludes the professional skipper fee of €36 and fuel consumption charge of €36. Confirm how these fees apply to your booking and ask for the total price.

What should I bring?

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

What languages are available?

The live tour guide and skipper service are available in English and Maltese.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.