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

The best part of Malta’s Splendour Excursion is the freedom to shape a private boat day around the water. You can pause at a quiet cove, swim from the boat at the Blue Lagoon, search out Comino’s caves, or spend longer at the Crystal Lagoon instead of following a fixed group schedule. Captain Mario, Harry, and Joe have all earned praise for friendly, flexible service.

I like the chance to see several islands in five hours, from Comino and Gozo to Malta’s Blue Grotto. I also like the small-group setup: the boat is reserved for your party of up to six, with snorkelling gear, a shaded canopy, cooler, sun deck, and Bluetooth speaker already provided.

The main consideration is cost. The advertised price is $235 per group, but a professional skipper and fuel are each listed separately at €99, so check the final total before booking. The route also depends on sea and weather conditions, and the boat may not suit anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to six: You share the vessel only with your own group, making it easier to set the pace and choose quiet swimming spots.
• Comino is the main event: Expect caves, coves, Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Pigeon Rock, and the famous Blue Lagoon.
• Crystal Lagoon offers a strong swimming stop: You can swim or snorkel directly from the boat in clear water.
• The route reaches Gozo and Malta: Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, Tal-Ħalfa Beaches, Mdina, and the Blue Grotto are included in the stated plan.
• The skipper matters: Mario, Harry, and Joe are praised for humor, local information, flexibility, and care with safety.
• Bring your own refreshments: Food and drinks are not included, and neither is a barbecue.

A private way to see Malta’s busiest blue water

Malta’s northern waters can feel crowded, especially around the Blue Lagoon. A private charter gives you a better chance to enjoy the scenery without being tied to the movements of a large excursion boat. It does not guarantee an empty lagoon, but your skipper can adjust the timing and spend more time in smaller bays if that is what you want.

The boat holds up to six people, and the price applies to the whole boat rather than each passenger. That makes the value much better for a full group. For two people, the cost is harder to justify, especially once the skipper and fuel charges are added.

This is an active day on the water, but you are not required to swim at every stop. You can stay aboard, use the seating areas, listen to music through the Bluetooth speaker, or sit beneath the canopy when the sun becomes too strong. The mix of movement and downtime is one reason the five-hour length works well.

What the five-hour route covers

The route is designed to show you a broad sample of Malta’s coast and neighboring islands. It includes water time around Comino, a crossing toward Gozo, a stop at Mdina, and a final visit to the Blue Grotto.

That is a lot for five hours. You should think of this as a highlights tour rather than a slow, thorough visit to every place named. The skipper can change the order or shorten stops because of weather, tides, shallow water, or other sea conditions.

Comino’s caves, coves, and small islands

Comino is the heart of the excursion. Its coastline is marked by small inlets, rock formations, and sea caves that are best seen from the water. Instead of simply looking at the island from a distance, you travel close to its edges and pass through or near the caves when conditions allow.

The route may include Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Pigeon Rock. These are not long walking stops. Their appeal is the view from the boat, the changing color of the water, and the chance to pause for photographs or a swim.

Your skipper also provides information about the area and its past during the ride. That helps turn the coastline into more than a string of pretty views. Ask questions if you want context about Comino, local life, or the islands you pass.

The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, and it is easy to understand why. The water is clear, pale, and inviting, and you can enter it straight from the boat for a swim. If you prefer to stay dry, you can take a short stroll along the coast instead.

The trade-off is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is not a secret spot, and it can be busy. A private charter helps because you are not stuck with a large group schedule, but it cannot remove the crowds from the island.

The Crystal Lagoon is a particularly useful alternative. It is described as a favorite swimming spot, with clear water and a setting suited to snorkelling. If your priority is time in the sea rather than checking off famous names, tell the skipper you would like a longer stop here.

Snorkelling masks and snorkels are included, which saves you from packing your own set. One equipment issue was reported during a trip, although the guide worked to fix it. I would still bring personal gear if you already own comfortable equipment, but the supplied kit is a practical inclusion.

Cliff jumping is also possible for those who want it, but it is not something you should feel pressured to do. Ask the skipper about safe locations and current conditions first. The sea, not the itinerary, determines what is sensible on the day.

Gozo through the Mgarr Channel

The boat continues toward Gozo, the northernmost island in the Maltese archipelago. Crossing the channel gives you a different view of the islands and leads to Mgarr Harbour, a useful point of contrast after Comino’s wilder shore.

The listed route also includes Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches. These places add variety to the trip. You may find calmer water, different rock shapes, and more room to enjoy a swim away from the best-known lagoon.

The trip can begin from Gozo or Malta. From Gozo, the meeting point is near Sicilia Bella Restaurant at Mgarr Harbour Terminal. From Malta, it is close to Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. Arrive about 30 minutes early, especially if you need to reach the harbor through traffic or a busy terminal.

Mdina brings a change of pace

A stop at Mdina is unusual on a boat-focused outing. The ancient capital gives you about 30 minutes to walk among its old lanes, bastions, myths, and horse-drawn carriages. It is a quick taste rather than a full visit.

That short pause can be welcome after several hours of sun and water. You can stretch your legs, see the old city walls, and take in the quieter character of Mdina before returning to the coast.

Do not expect enough time for a detailed exploration. Thirty minutes disappears quickly, particularly if you want photographs or need to stay close to the meeting point. If Mdina is a major priority, you may prefer to visit it separately and use the entire charter for swimming and coastal sightseeing.

Blue Grotto closes the day with drama

The final stop is the Blue Grotto on Malta’s southern coast. This famous group of six caves is known for natural arches, bright water, and striking views from the coast and sea.

The Blue Grotto works well at the end of the route because it provides a scenic finish after the swimming stops. You see a different side of Malta here, with large rock openings and broad coastal views rather than only small coves.

The timing can be especially appealing later in the day. One October departure from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. finished with a sunset view from the boat. Sunset is not guaranteed, of course, but an afternoon charter gives you a chance to finish in warm evening light.

Skippers who shape the experience

A private charter is only as good as the person at the helm. Here, the skipper is not just handling the boat. He also decides how closely conditions allow you to approach caves, where it is sensible to stop, and how the five hours are divided.

Mario is praised for being considerate, accommodating, funny, and well informed. He also helped point out places to eat and drink. Harry is described as especially good at finding quieter bays and keeping the mood light while answering questions about the islands and life in Malta.

Joe is praised for careful attention, humor, and safety. He also took photographs during one outing and helped keep a group comfortable during wet weather. Those details matter on a private trip because they show the sort of personal service you can expect from a good skipper.

The route is flexible, but flexibility has limits. The skipper can change the itinerary, departure point, or disembarkation location if weather, tides, shallows, or other legitimate concerns make the original plan unsuitable. The skipper also has the final say on cancelling or postponing the trip.

Boat comfort and what is included

The boat has comfortable seating areas, a sun deck, and a canopy for shade. That gives you several ways to spend the day. You can sit forward for views, find shade during the hottest part of the afternoon, or use the deck when you want more sun.

Safety equipment, marina and port fees, taxes, lagoon permits, and free WiFi are included. There is also an ice cooler and a Bluetooth speaker. The cooler is useful for your own drinks and food, but it is not a stocked bar.

Snorkelling equipment includes a mask and snorkel. Food, drinks, party supplies, barbecue food, barbecue drinks, the barbecue itself, fishing equipment, and a fishing cooler are extra or unavailable within the base package. Plan a simple picnic and bring enough water for five hours.

Your packing list should include swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and cash. A dry layer or raincoat is sensible too, since conditions can change and one skipper lent his own raincoat to help keep a passenger dry.

Price and the real value for a group

The advertised rate is $235 per group of up to six. That is not a per-person fare, so six people can make the base rate quite attractive compared with six individual tickets on a private or small-group boat.

You must also account for the listed €99 professional skipper fee and €99 fuel charge. Because the pricing is shown in more than one currency, confirm how the final amount will be calculated before you pay. This is the single most important price detail.

For a full group that wants privacy, the ability to request quieter bays, and a route covering several islands, the extra cost can make sense. You are paying for control and personal space, not only transportation.

For a couple or a small group on a tight budget, a shared boat may be better value. This charter becomes most convincing when you care about choosing your stops, avoiding a fixed group program, or celebrating a special occasion.

Who should book this charter?

I would recommend it to people who love being on the water and want a private day with swimming, snorkelling, caves, and coastal views. Families or friend groups of up to six can share the cost and make good use of the flexible route.

It also suits visitors with limited time. One five-hour outing can connect Comino, Gozo, Malta’s coast, Mdina, and the Blue Grotto. You will not see each place in depth, but you can get a broad sense of the islands.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a fully fixed schedule, or are sensitive to motion sickness. One direct warning from the experience is worth taking seriously: this is a boat day, and the sea can make the ride uncomfortable.

You should also be comfortable with an itinerary that may change. Weather and sea conditions control the route, and arriving late does not extend the charter. Plan to reach the meeting point 30 minutes early.

Booking advice and cancellation

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible, which is useful when arranging a Malta trip around changing weather.

The charter operates in Maltese and English and is for a private group. Pickup is included from the stated meeting points at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo or Cirkewwa in Malta.

Check the start time when booking. Five hours can produce a very different feel depending on the departure hour. An afternoon trip may give you sunset views, while an earlier start may suit you better if swimming and snorkelling are your main goals.

Should you book Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

Book it if you want a private boat, can fill most of the six seats, and value a skipper who can adjust the route. The strongest reasons are the access to Comino’s caves and smaller bays, the swimming time at the Blue and Crystal Lagoons, and the chance to combine several Maltese highlights in one outing.

Skip it if the extra skipper and fuel fees push the price beyond your comfort zone, or if you would rather spend a whole day slowly exploring one island. Also skip it if you are prone to seasickness.

For the right group, this is a lively and flexible way to see Malta from the water. Ask for your priorities at the start, bring your own food and drinks, and use the private format to spend less time following a schedule and more time in the places you actually want to enjoy.

FAQ

How long is Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

The private boat charter lasts five hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to six people.

What islands does the route visit?

The stated route includes Comino, Gozo, and Malta. It also includes coastal stops and views around Cominotto Island and other small formations.

Does the trip visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can swim from the boat at the Blue Lagoon or take a walk along the coast.

Can I snorkel during the excursion?

Yes. Mask and snorkel equipment are included, and the itinerary includes snorkelling and swimming stops.

Is the Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. The route includes a visit to Crystal Lagoon, described as a popular swimming location.

Does the excursion include the Blue Grotto?

Yes. The trip finishes with a visit to Malta’s Blue Grotto and its network of six caves.

Is Mdina part of the tour?

Yes. The itinerary includes about 30 minutes in Mdina, the ancient capital of Malta.

Are the skipper and fuel included in the advertised price?

The supplied pricing lists a professional skipper at €99 and fuel consumption at €99 separately from the advertised group price. Confirm the final total before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, so you should also plan refreshments for the five-hour trip.