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

Comino’s best scenery is found from the water, where pale cliffs, small caves and clear swimming spots appear one after another. This private five-hour charter lets you set the pace instead of following a large group from one crowded stop to the next.

I like the freedom to ask for quieter bays, and I like the mix of swimming, snorkeling, short coastal visits and local stories. A sunset departure can be especially lovely. The catch is the real price: the advertised $235 covers the boat for up to six, but the skipper and fuel each add €99, and the sea can force route changes.

Key Points At A Glance

• Private boat for up to six: You get the boat to yourselves, with seating, a sun deck, canopy, cooler, speaker and WiFi.
• Blue Lagoon with flexibility: Swim from the boat, walk along the shore, or spend less time there if crowds are heavy.
• Quiet coves near Comino: Ask about smaller bays, caves and snorkeling areas instead of staying only at the famous stops.
• Gozo by sea: The route can include Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches.
• Skippers shape the day: Mario, Harry and Joe have led past trips, with a reputation for humor, care and flexible routing.
• Extra costs matter: Skipper and fuel are not included, so check the full total before booking.

What A Five-Hour Charter Really Feels Like

This is not a standard sightseeing cruise where every minute is fixed. You book a private boat, then work with the skipper to balance scenery, swimming, snorkeling and time on shore.

That matters in Malta. The Blue Lagoon may be the famous stop, but it is not always the calmest or quietest place to spend your whole afternoon. A private boat gives you a better chance to see it, then move on to a less crowded cove when the mood changes.

The five-hour length is useful for a first look at the islands. You can cover a good stretch of Comino, see parts of Gozo, and finish near Malta’s Blue Grotto. Still, the route described includes many places, so you should treat it as a flexible outline rather than a promise that you will have long stops everywhere.

Your skipper has the final say on weather, tides, shallow water and sea conditions. That is a sensible safety rule, but it also means the exact route, departure point and order of stops may change.

Setting Out From Cirkewwa Or Mgarr Harbour

There are two meeting areas. From Malta, the departure point is near the Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. From Gozo, meet close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mgarr Harbour departure area.

Arrive about 30 minutes early. The boat will not wait to add lost time later, so traffic and ferry-terminal delays are worth allowing for. You should also confirm the correct meeting point when booking, since Cirkewwa and Mgarr are on different islands.

The boat comes with comfortable seating, a sun deck, a canopy for shade, safety equipment, an ice cooler, Bluetooth speaker and free WiFi. Snorkel masks and snorkels are supplied, along with the permits needed for the lagoons.

Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, sunscreen and cash. Food and drinks are not included. Party food, party drinks and barbecue supplies are also extra, and the barbecue itself is not included. If you want a food-focused outing, settle those details before departure rather than assuming the cooler means catering.

Comino’s Caves And The Blue Lagoon

Comino is the heart of the outing. From the boat, you can see the island’s rough coastline, small beaches and openings in the cliffs that are easy to miss from land.

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Its clear, shallow-looking water is a natural choice for swimming, snorkeling and photos. You can jump in from the boat, or take a short walk along the coast if you want a change from the deck.

The main issue is popularity. The Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but fame brings crowds. A private charter does not make the lagoon private. Its real benefit is that you can enjoy the water, then ask your skipper to move to another area instead of waiting out the noise and congestion.

The route may also include Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave and Pigeon Rock. These places add variety to the ride. You are not simply looking at one lagoon from the same angle for five hours. You get cliff views, rock formations and short passages through narrow coastal sections.

If snorkeling is important to you, say so early. One past departure had a small issue with the equipment, though the skipper worked to fix it. That is a reminder to check your mask before leaving the harbor and mention any problem at once.

For confident swimmers, the boat makes it easy to enter clear water away from a beach. If you prefer easy access, ask where the boat will stop and whether a shore visit is better. The itinerary can be adjusted, but sea conditions and the skipper’s judgment control the final choice.

Crystal Lagoon And The Smaller Swimming Stops

Crystal Lagoon is another favorite swimming area, and it may suit you better than the Blue Lagoon if you want a shorter stop with a more natural setting. You can swim, snorkel or simply sit on deck while the skipper explains the surrounding coast.

The value here is the chance to avoid treating Malta’s most famous place as the only place worth seeing. Comino has several coves and caves, and the scenery changes quickly as the boat turns along the shore.

Ask for a slower route if photography matters. Bright water, pale rock and cave entrances look different as the sun shifts. A morning trip will have a different feel from an afternoon departure, while an outing ending around sunset can give you warm views on the return to harbor.

The boat also carries a Bluetooth speaker, which may appeal to a group hoping for a relaxed private atmosphere. Keep the volume sensible near other boats and quiet coves. The strongest part of the trip is still the sea and the coast, not a party setup.

Crossing To Gozo And Mgarr Harbour

The charter can cross to Gozo through the channel and visit Mgarr Harbour. This gives the outing a wider view of the Maltese islands rather than keeping you around Comino alone.

Mgarr is Gozo’s main harbor and a useful visual change after the open water around Comino. You may also pass Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches. These stops are best understood as coastal viewpoints and possible swimming areas, not guaranteed long visits at every location.

Gozo adds interest for anyone who wants to compare the islands from the water. The route can show you beaches and cliffs that would take more effort to reach by road. It also lets you ask the skipper about places to eat and drink, a useful perk if you are planning the rest of your day.

This section depends heavily on timing. If your group wants a long swim at Comino, the Gozo portion may be shorter. If you care more about seeing the coastline, tell the skipper before the boat leaves.

Mdina And The Blue Grotto: Check The Timing

The described route also includes a return to Malta, a stop at Mdina for about 30 minutes, and a final visit to the Blue Grotto. Mdina is the old capital, known for its narrow streets, high bastions, horse-drawn carriages and stories of local legends.

Thirty minutes is enough to walk a little and get a sense of the place. It is not enough for a full visit to Mdina’s museums or a slow meal. I would treat it as a quick orientation stop, especially if the main purpose of your booking is the boat.

The Blue Grotto is a group of six sea caves in southern Malta. From the water, you can see natural arches and unusually clear water around the rock. It is a strong final scene, particularly when the light is low and the cliffs take on warmer colors.

There is a practical concern here: fitting Comino, Gozo, Mdina and Blue Grotto into five hours leaves little room for long stops. The skipper may alter the plan because of weather, tides, shallow water or the needs of your group. Before booking, ask how your preferred route can fit the available time. If you want a relaxed swim-heavy day, visiting every listed point may not be realistic.

Guides Who Shape The Experience

A good skipper matters more on a private charter than on a fixed group cruise. You are relying on that person to read the sea, explain what you are seeing and adjust the pace without wasting time.

Mario has been praised for local explanations, food suggestions and attentive service. Harry has been especially good at following requests for quieter bays, while keeping the mood light and explaining the islands. Joe has been described as careful and considerate, with a strong focus on safety and comfort.

Those names come from past departures, not a guarantee that one of them will be assigned to you. Your skipper speaks Maltese and English, and the private format gives you a natural chance to ask questions about Malta, Gozo and Comino.

The best approach is to arrive with two or three priorities. For example, you might say that you want one long swim, several caves, a quiet bay and a quick look at the Blue Lagoon. That gives the skipper something useful to work with.

Price, Extras And What You Get For The Money

The listed price is $235 per group of up to six, not per person. That sounds attractive for a full private boat, especially for six people. But the skipper costs €99 and fuel costs another €99, and both are excluded.

That brings the known cost to $235 plus €198, before any food, drinks or optional equipment. Currency conversion will affect the final figure, so check the total in your booking currency. If your group has only two people, the per-person value is much weaker. For four to six people, the private format makes more financial sense.

You are paying for control as much as transport. A standard boat tour may cost less, but you generally accept its route, timing and group size. Here, you can ask for a quieter bay, spend longer snorkeling, skip a stop or build the day around swimming.

The included equipment is useful but basic: mask and snorkel, cooler, shade, seating, safety gear and lagoon permits. Food, drinks, barbecue supplies, fishing equipment and a fishing cooler are not included. Bring provisions if you want them, and ask first about what can be stored safely.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would choose this for a family or group of friends who want a private day on the water and do not want to follow a fixed crowd. Six people is the maximum, and a smaller group can spread out more comfortably.

It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, caves and changing scenery. It also works well for a short Malta visit because five hours can connect Comino, Gozo and southern Malta in one outing.

It is less suitable if you get seasick. One past passenger specifically warned about this, and a private boat does not remove the motion of the sea. It may also disappoint you if you want a long, detailed visit to Mdina, since the stated stop there is only about 30 minutes.

Families should be comfortable with swimming from a boat and changing plans. The skipper can help with safety decisions, but adults remain responsible for children in the water.

Practical Booking Advice

Choose your priorities before you arrive. The more places you request, the less time you will have for each one. If the Blue Lagoon and snorkeling matter most, say that clearly. If you prefer a scenic ride with short stops at many caves, say that instead.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel that can dry quickly. Sunscreen, sunglasses and cash are specifically recommended. Food and drinks are your responsibility unless you arrange something separately.

The charter has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather remains the main uncertainty. The skipper may cancel, postpone or change the route if conditions are unsafe, and departure or drop-off points can change for legitimate sea-related reasons.

Should You Book Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

Book it if you value a private boat, flexible routing and time in the water more than the lowest possible price. The strongest parts are the small group, the chance to seek quieter coves, and the mix of Comino, Gozo and Blue Grotto scenery.

Before paying, confirm the full cost with the €99 skipper fee and €99 fuel fee included. Also ask how the skipper plans to handle your priorities within five hours, since the full list of stops is ambitious.

For up to six people who want a personal day at sea, this is a strong choice. For two people on a tight budget, or for anyone who dislikes boat motion, a simpler land-based plan may be wiser.

FAQ

How long is the 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.

Where does the boat depart?

The Malta meeting point is near Cirkewwa Kiosk at the Gozo Channel Terminal. The Gozo meeting point is close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant in the Mgarr Harbour departure area.

Is a skipper included in the listed price?

No. The professional skipper fee is €99, listed separately from the group price.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel consumption is listed as an additional €99.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are included.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

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

Does the boat visit Gozo?

The route can include Gozo, Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches.

Is food included?

No. Food, drinks, party items and barbecue supplies are not included. The barbecue itself is also not included.

What should I bring?

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

Can the itinerary change?

Yes. The skipper can change the route, timing or meeting points because of weather, sea conditions, tides, shallow water or other legitimate safety concerns.