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

Comino looks unreal from the water. This 5-hour private charter connects Comino coves with the Blue Lagoon and keeps the sea time feeling efficient.

I love that it’s set up as a private boat for your group, so you can spend more time where the water is calmer and less where it’s crowded. I also love the included snorkeling gear and practical comfort perks like a sun deck canopy and an ice cooler.

One consideration is motion on the water, since you’ll cross open sea areas. If you’re prone to sea sickness, plan ahead before you go.

Key things to know before you book

• Private boat for up to 6 keeps the day flexible and more personal than a big-group speed tour.
• Blue Lagoon time from the boat means you can swim or snorkel whenever conditions feel right.
• Comino highlights are specific: Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, and Pigeon Rock are part of the route.
• Gozo adds real variety with Mgarr Harbour plus stops around Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches.
• Mdina gets a short spotlight with about 30 minutes to walk its ancient core.
• Blue Grotto finishes the story with a system of six caves and some of the clearest water in the Maltese islands.

Getting to the boat: Cirkewwa vs Mgarr Harbour

Your day starts with a clear choice, and it matters. If you’re on the Malta side, you meet at Cirkewwa, near the Kiosk in the Gozo Channel Terminal. If you’re starting from the Gozo side, you meet at Mgarr Harbour Terminal, close to Sicilia Bella Restaurant.

Why this matters: the meeting point sets the pace. You’ll spend more of your 5 hours cruising the water that matches your starting side, instead of wasting time getting to the other terminal. It also helps you avoid that stressful scramble that can happen when your plan depends on one fixed pickup spot.

Also note the simple timing rule. You’re strongly advised to arrive 30 minutes early so you don’t risk missing the departure. Once you’re late, they won’t extend the charter.

What 5 hours feels like on a private charter

Five hours on the sea sounds short, but this trip is built for momentum. The focus is not on long sightseeing lines or slow museum time. It’s on pairing sea views with a tight set of stops: caves and swimming in Comino, coastline sights in Gozo, a quick Mdina walk, and a Blue Grotto finale.

Here’s what you’ll get more of with a private boat:

• More time in the water at the spots the skipper thinks are best for the day.
• Less time waiting around for other groups.
• The ability to adjust how you spend the stop time (swim now, snorkel now, or just relax and watch).

The tradeoff is also real. Because it’s only 5 hours, you’ll have to accept short visits, not long stays. Mdina is only about 30 minutes, and you’re not going to do a full on-foot circuit.

Comino caves and coves: Cominotto Island, Roofless Cave, Pigeon Rock

Comino is the star of the middle of your trip, and you’ll feel that quickly after departure. The route is designed around the island’s small coves and caves, which is why this charter is so popular for people who want more than just one postcard stop.

Specific Comino sights in the plan include:

• Cominotto Island
• Roofless Cave
• Pigeon Rock

This matters for your planning because these names are tied to viewpoints and water access. You’re not just cruising past from far away. The day is set up so you can get in the water and experience why Comino is famous for its clear sea conditions.

One practical thought: cave areas and sheltered coves can be calm, but they can also have shifting light throughout the day. If you’re the type who loves photography, think about bringing a dry bag or keeping your phone secure while you move around on the boat.

Blue Lagoon swimming and snorkeling, right off the boat

The Blue Lagoon portion is the part most people remember, and it’s handled in a simple, efficient way. You can take a refreshing dip directly from the boat, and you’ll have included snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) for swimming and snorkeling in clear water.

You’ll also have the option to go more adventurous if conditions allow it. The charter description notes the possibility of cliff-jump thrills, but the skipper will always be the one to decide what’s safe based on sea and weather.

What I like about this setup for real life: you’re not forced into one rigid activity schedule. You can alternate between resting on the sun deck and getting back in the water. That flexibility is one of the reasons a private boat can feel better than a packed group tour.

Comfort details help too. There’s a sun deck area and a canopy for shadow, so you can avoid overheating while you wait for your next swim.

Gozo by boat: Mgarr Harbour, Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, Tal-Ħalfa

After Comino, you shift to Gozo, which adds variety without adding complexity. The route crosses the channel to explore Mgarr Harbour, then continues along scenic coastal areas including Hondoq Bay, Crow Rock, and Tal-Ħalfa Beaches.

Why this feels like good value: Gozo can be a full-day destination on its own, but on this charter you get a taste of several different coastlines from the water. You get the visual contrast between sheltered bays and more exposed viewpoints, and it’s easier to appreciate the shape of the island when you’re moving along it.

If you’re traveling with mixed interests, this section often works well. Even if someone in your group isn’t snorkeling, they still get something valuable: open-water views and coastline angles you can’t get from the roadside.

Mdina stop: 30 minutes of walls, myths, and horse-drawn rides

On the return to Malta, you’ll have a stop at Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital. You get about 30 minutes to explore. It’s a short window, but it’s enough to walk a few lanes and get your bearings quickly.

What you can expect to notice in that short time:

• Myths and stories tied to the city
• Horse-drawn carriages
• Towering bastions and strong fortification feel

Because you only have half an hour, I’d treat Mdina like a snapshot. Do one simple loop, spend more time looking outward over the walls, and don’t try to cram in everything. The point is to get the atmosphere and then move on.

Blue Grotto finale: a network of six caves with clear water

The last major moment is the Blue Grotto, in the southern reaches of Mdina. Here, you’ll see natural arches and blue water visuals shaped by a network of six caves.

The charter description emphasizes that the Blue Grotto has some of the clearest waters found across the Maltese islands. In practice, that matters because clearer water improves both what you see above and what you might spot while swimming or snorkeling, depending on conditions.

There’s also a practical bonus. The tour notes a skip-the-line experience through a separate entrance, which can save time when you’re trying to fit a scenic stop at the end of a day.

Skipper quality, flexibility, and the little comfort details

This trip lives and dies on how the skipper handles water conditions, and the operator builds that flexibility into the experience. The skipper has the authority to cancel, postpone, change, or modify the route based on weather and sea conditions. They can also adjust where you leave and return if tides or shallows require it.

That’s not just legal fine print. On boats, it’s how you protect the day. If conditions change, you don’t want someone sticking to an unsafe plan out of stubbornness.

I also like the human element that keeps showing up in the data. Names such as Mario, Harry, and Joe come up as examples of skippers who were fun, attentive, and accommodating. One person even described having equipment issues resolved quickly on the water. The common thread: the skipper’s role isn’t only navigation, it’s keeping everyone comfortable, safe, and enjoying the day.

Comfort and convenience are baked in:

• Safety equipment provided
• Free WiFi on board
• Bluetooth speaker for music if you want it
• Ice cooler to keep things chilled
• Canopy for shadow

Those details are small, but they change the vibe from survival-mode boating to relaxed cruising.

Food, drinks, and what you should plan to bring

Food and drink are not included. The same goes for party food, party beverages, and BBQ items. If you want a proper meal, plan to bring something simple or arrange it around your day elsewhere.

Water time can also make you hungry faster than you expect. Even though the charter is “just” 5 hours, you’re typically moving, sun exposure is higher, and snorkeling adds an active element.

What to bring (based on the tour info):

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

The cash note might sound old-school, but in Malta it’s common for small purchases. You’ll thank yourself for having it.

Price and value: $235 per boat up to 6, plus optional add-ons

The headline price is $235 per group up to 6, which is per boat, not per passenger. That’s the key way to think about value.

Now the balance sheet has a few extra line items listed separately:

• Professional skipper (€99)
• Fuel consumption (€99)

Those two fees are listed under not included, so you should expect them as part of the real total. The rest of the core operating pieces are included, like marina and port fees, taxes, lagoon permits, and snorkeling equipment.

Is it worth it? For many groups, yes, because a private boat lets you reduce tradeoffs:

• You’re not paying for a seat on a packed tour bus or shared speed boat.
• You’re spending money on access to multiple zones in a short time: Comino, Gozo, Mdina, and Blue Grotto.
• You get included snorkel gear and comfort basics that reduce what you need to pack.

Where it might not be worth it is if you’re traveling solo or as a couple. The price is per boat, so the math improves as you fill the boat up to the group limit.

Who this charter suits best (and who should reconsider)

This is a great fit if you want:

• A private, water-based day with caves, coves, and swimming time
• Snorkeling without renting gear
• A “best of” Malta mini-route that still feels active

It’s less ideal if:

• You get sea sick easily, since open-water parts are part of the loop
• You want long, slow city wandering (Mdina is about 30 minutes)
• You expect food and drinks included (they are not)

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys being on the move, seeing the coastline from the sea, and then hopping off for a short landmark hit, this charter matches your style.

Should you book Malta’s Splendour Excursion?

I’d book it if your goal is a private Comino and Gozo boat day that hits the major water highlights without dragging out your schedule. The included snorkeling gear, the private boat setup, and the specific sights on Comino and Gozo make the experience feel focused.

Hold off if motion is a big issue for you, because the day is truly about being out on the water for several hours. Also, budget for the separate skipper and fuel fees, and plan your own food and drinks.

If you go in with those expectations, you’ll end the day with exactly what people usually hope for: clear water time around Comino, a quick taste of Mdina’s atmosphere, and a Blue Grotto finish with six caves and standout views.