Malta: Around Comino Boat Trip with Gozo Guided Jeep Tour

Gozo and Comino make a fine double act. This 6.5-hour excursion combines a guided jeep ride across Gozo with swimming stops at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus lunch, wine, and coastal cave views. I like the easy way it covers a lot of ground without asking you to arrange ferries, taxis, and separate boat trips. I also like the personal touch supplied by drivers such as George, Mario, Johnny, Joe Vella, and Peter, who have been praised for making the island’s back roads and viewpoints come alive.

The main drawback is the pace. You see many places, but often for only 20 minutes, and delays can eat into the sightseeing time. Weather can also change the boat plan, and the day may run longer than expected when hotel pickups and group transfers take extra time.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• Gozo by jeep: Reach bays, viewpoints, salt pans, caves, and villages that are awkward to visit by public transport.
• Two famous swimming stops: The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon each receive about an hour, subject to weather and the day’s running order.
• Lunch with drinks included: The buffet includes local wine and mineral water, either on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo.
• A useful island overview: Qala, Calypso Cave, Xwejni Salt Pans, Dwejra Bay, and Ta’ Pinu fit into one compact tour.
• Boat access to Comino’s caves: The boat passes sea caves and offers an optional small-boat cave trip for €10 per person.
• Good value for a busy holiday: At $101 per person, transport, a guide, lunch, wine, lagoon stops, and the Gozo ferry are bundled together.

Why this combination works well

Gozo deserves more than a quick look from the ferry. It is quieter and more rural than Malta, with dry stone walls, old villages, broad sea views, and odd little corners that are easy to miss if you stay near the main harbor. A jeep is a practical way to connect these scattered sights in one day.

Comino provides the other half of the appeal. Its lagoons are famous for clear water and dramatic rock walls, but visiting them independently can involve ferry schedules, queues, and crowded shorelines. Here, the boat carries you around the coast and gives you time to swim from the vessel or near the lagoons.

The format is especially useful if you have only a few days in Malta. You will not get a slow, deeply focused visit to any one place. You will get a broad first look at two islands, with the hard transport work handled for you.

Pickup from Malta and the crossing to Gozo

Pickup is offered from a long list of hotels and meeting points, stretching from Sliema, St. Julian’s, and Valletta to Bugibba, Mellieha, and the northern resorts. You are expected to wait outside the main hotel entrance or at the confirmed pickup point.

Allow patience at the start. The vehicle transfer can take about an hour, and several groups may be collected before you reach the boat. One useful tip is to confirm the exact pickup point and look for the boat’s name, not only the excursion company name. A change in meeting location caused confusion for one group, and combined transfers have also led to late returns.

The crossing to Gozo may be by schooner or ferry, depending on the conditions and the day’s arrangement. The twin-masted schooner is the more scenic option, but rough seas or strong winds can force a change. That is not a failure of the tour. It is simply part of touring small islands in open water.

Once the group reaches Gozo, it is commonly divided in two. One group starts with the boat and lagoons, while the other begins the jeep route. The groups then switch. This helps the operator manage the boats and jeeps, but it means your order may differ from the one described here.

Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon swimming stops

Crystal Lagoon is usually one of the first major stops when the boat schedule begins. The water is the star here, and you have roughly an hour for swimming, photographs, or simply sitting aboard and enjoying the cliffs.

Masks and snorkels are available free on the boat. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and pack a hat for the exposed deck. If the water feels too cold, you can still enjoy the view, but be aware that a lagoon stop may feel long if you do not plan to swim.

The Blue Lagoon follows, or comes earlier, depending on the group rotation. You get another period of about an hour. The bright water and pale rock make it one of Comino’s signature sights, but popularity is part of the package. Morning visits can be more comfortable, before the busiest part of the day, so the group that starts with the boat may have an advantage.

The boat does not always allow an easy walk onto Comino. In some arrangements, you remain aboard rather than wading to shore. That is important if you expect a beach visit. This is mainly a boat-based lagoon experience, with swimming and views rather than a long island walk.

The Comino caves and the Count of Monte Cristo location

The coastal cruise continues past Comino’s caves, including a long cave below the fortress area. The setting was used in filming The Count of Monte Cristo, which adds a fun bit of film history to the rock scenery.

There is also an optional trip through a cliff tunnel by dinghy. It costs €10 per person and is not included in the tour price. The boat also visits the topless cave, a chamber whose roof has fallen away. These short cave visits are a pleasant bonus, but they should not be confused with a full caving excursion.

Weather controls this section closely. Wind and rough water can alter the route, reduce time in the lagoons, or replace the schooner with a ferry. Some groups have had the schedule changed to avoid heavy winds, which can actually produce a better lagoon visit with fewer boats around.

Gozo by jeep: the island’s best selling point

The jeep tour is the part I would value most if you want to understand Gozo quickly. Your driver is also your guide, and the open-air vehicle gets you between viewpoints and small stops without the hassle of finding parking or waiting for buses.

The quality depends partly on your driver. George has been praised for combining island history with a friendly manner. Mario was described as funny and kind, while Johnny, Joe Vella, Peter, Sandro, Steve, and guides called Sam have also received strong praise for keeping the ride enjoyable. One guide, Sam, reportedly stepped in when a jeep was not ready and turned a potential problem into a memorable back-road tour.

The vehicle route is a whistle-stop tour, not a private exploration. You may stop at each location for around 20 minutes, which is enough for photographs and a short explanation but not enough for a long walk or museum visit.

Qala and Bellevedere: an early taste of Gozo

The first Gozo stops may include Mgarr Harbour, the island’s arrival point, followed by Bellevedere near Qala. From the viewpoint, you can look across the surrounding islands and coastal water. It is a useful place to get your bearings, especially if this is your first visit to Gozo.

Qala itself offers a village setting and a chance to see Gozo away from the main tourist waterfront. The stop is short, so listen closely to the guide and keep an eye on the time. If you want a relaxed village wander, you would need a separate visit.

Calypso Cave and Xwejni Salt Pans

Calypso Cave near Xagħra is visited mainly as a viewpoint and photo stop. Its name connects it with the Homeric story of Calypso, though the practical appeal today is the view and the rugged setting. Access and visibility can vary, so do not expect a long cave walk.

At Xwejni Salt Pans, the tour shows a very different side of Gozo. Shallow rectangular pans cut into the coast have been used for salt production, and the geometric shapes contrast with the rough rock around them. This is one of the more distinctive stops on the route, especially for photography.

You will spend about 20 minutes here. The stop works best when your guide explains how the pans fit into local life rather than treating them as just another photograph. The exact amount of time available can shrink if the group is late.

Ta’ Pinu and Dwejra Bay

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu is normally passed rather than visited inside. Its position and architecture make it worth seeing from the vehicle, but you should not expect time for a proper church visit.

Dwejra Bay receives a longer stop, with time for photographs, a short guided visit, and a break. The area is known for bold coastal rock formations and clear water. An optional boat trip on the inland sea is available at an extra charge, so budget separately if that interests you.

The tour does not include entry to the Ġgantija Temples. This matters because the temples are one of Gozo’s major archaeological attractions, but fitting them into this route would make an already busy day even tighter. If Ġgantija is a priority, choose a tour built around the temples or plan a separate visit.

Lunch on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant

Lunch is a freshly prepared buffet, served either aboard the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo. Typical included items described for the buffet include pasta, rice, salad, and bread, with local wine and mineral water available.

The meal is generous enough to keep the day moving, and wine is included rather than sold as an expensive add-on. Extra drinks, tea, and coffee are not included. Food quality can feel ordinary to some people, but the convenience is hard to dismiss when you are switching between a jeep group and a boat group.

If you have dietary needs, tell the operator in advance. A pescatarian request was accommodated, but the supplied information does not promise a full range of special menus.

Is $101 good value?

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see one Gozo village or one Comino lagoon. It is good value if you want a packed day with several separate costs rolled together.

The price covers return transport from selected Malta locations, the Gozo crossing when required, experienced drivers, multilingual commentary, the jeep tour, lunch, local wine, mineral water, lagoon swimming stops, and the return boat route around Comino. Arranging those pieces independently could take more time and may not save much money.

The value drops if you dislike group schedules, do not want to swim, or prefer spending half a day at one archaeological site. It also drops if delays leave you with rushed stops. Think of this as an efficient introduction, not a leisurely custom tour.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see both Gozo and Comino in one day. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage boats, jeeps, sun, and a long series of transfers.

It is a particularly good match for people who want scenery without hiring a car. The drivers handle the roads, and you can focus on the views and explanations. It also suits swimmers who want two lagoon stops rather than one quick photo from a ferry.

I would hesitate if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, or have significant mobility limitations, since the activity is not suitable for those conditions. I would also think twice if you need a fixed return time. The advertised duration is 6.5 hours, but actual days have run later because of pickups, group transfers, and weather changes.

Wear comfortable shoes, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, and a sun hat. Children under 12 must prove their age, and a copy of a passport is required in that case.

My verdict: a strong first look at two islands

Book this if you want the broadest possible taste of Gozo and Comino without arranging the pieces yourself. The jeep tour and lagoon swimming are the strongest reasons to go, and the drivers can make the difference between a routine outing and a genuinely enjoyable one.

Skip it if your ideal day means lingering at one village, visiting Ġgantija in depth, or returning at an exact hour. For most visitors with limited time, though, $101 buys a lot: island views, local stops, a substantial boat ride, lunch, wine, and two famous swimming areas. Just leave your schedule flexible and accept that the day moves at group-tour speed.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The stated duration is 6.5 hours, but the actual return time can be later because of hotel pickups, group transfers, and weather-related changes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is available from many listed hotels and meeting points across Malta. You should wait outside the main hotel entrance or at the pickup point provided by the local partner.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet served either on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo. Local wine and mineral water are included.

Are the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. The boat route includes visits to both lagoons, with swimming and photo time, subject to weather conditions.

Are masks and snorkels provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are available free on board the boat.

Does the tour include the Comino cave trip?

The boat passes Comino’s caves, but the optional dinghy trip through a cliff tunnel costs €10 per person and is not included.

Is the Ġgantija Temples entrance included?

No. Admission to the Ġgantija Temples is not included, and the temples are not part of the half-day jeep tour.