Malta: Around Comino Boat Trip with Gozo Guided Jeep Tour

Two islands, one long, salty day. This tour pairs Gozo by open-top jeep with a boat outing around Comino, so you see far more than you could manage easily on your own. I especially like the back-road access to Gozo’s bays, villages, salt pans, and caves, plus the chance to swim at both Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon. The main catch is pace: the day covers a lot of ground, and transport delays can turn the advertised 6.5 hours into a much longer outing.

The strongest part is the human touch. Guides such as George, Sam, Mario, Johnny, Joe Vella, Steve, Sandro, and Peter have been praised for making the island tour funny, friendly, and personal. I also like that lunch, local wine, water, boat transport, and hotel pickup are bundled into the $101 price. Just expect a busy schedule, limited time at some stops, and possible changes if wind or sea conditions turn rough.

Key points before you book

• Gozo’s back roads by jeep: You reach small bays, viewpoints, villages, salt pans, and cave sites that are awkward to connect by public transport in one day.
• Two famous swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon each get about an hour, subject to weather and the day’s running order.
• A real island overview: Qala, Calypso Cave, Xwejni Salt Pans, Dwejra Bay, and Ta’ Pinu give you a broad look at Gozo.
• Lunch with local wine included: The buffet is served either on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant, depending on the schedule.
• Flexible boat route: The schooner passes Comino’s lagoons and sea caves, but rough weather can force a ferry or a changed order.
• Not a slow sightseeing day: The tour is best for active adults who want variety, not for anyone needing long, quiet stops.

Why this Gozo and Comino combination works

Gozo and Comino are close to Malta, but they offer very different moods. Gozo gives you villages, old stone, farming country, dramatic coast, and the feel of a separate island. Comino is about clear water, cliff walls, boat passages, and swimming.

This outing joins both in one package. That matters because arranging the same route yourself would mean juggling transfers, boat times, a rental vehicle or taxis on Gozo, lunch, and sea conditions. Here, an experienced driver handles the Gozo route, and the boat crew takes care of the coastal section.

The trade-off is control. You do not choose how long to linger at Qala or Dwejra Bay. You follow the guide’s timing, and the day can feel like a highlight reel. For a first visit to Malta, I think that is a fair bargain. You get an island orientation in one shot, then can return later to the place that caught your attention.

Pickup from Malta and the ride toward Gozo

Hotel pickup is offered from a large list of locations across Malta, including Sliema, St. Julian’s, Bugibba, Qawra, Mellieha, Valletta, and several resort areas. You are asked to wait outside the main entrance or at the assigned pickup point, so check that detail carefully before the morning begins.

The transfer to the boat or ferry takes about an hour. That sounds simple, but the wide pickup network means the actual morning can involve several collections. One useful warning from the day’s operation is that the boat may be identified by its name rather than the excursion company, so confirm what vessel or meeting point you should look for.

The schedule may also split the group in two. One half starts with the boat and lagoons while the other half begins the Gozo jeep route, then the groups change places. Starting with the boat can be a good thing, since the Blue Lagoon is often less crowded earlier in the day. It is not guaranteed, but the timing can make a real difference at this famous swimming stop.

The boat to Gozo and the Comino shoreline

When conditions allow, the sea portion uses a twin-masted schooner. That gives the transfer a more memorable feel than a plain ferry ride, with open views of the water and cliffs. In rough weather, the sailing section may be changed or replaced by a ferry, so treat the schooner as weather-dependent rather than guaranteed.

The boat route takes you around Comino and past the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and sea caves. You normally get swimming time at the lagoons, with masks and snorkels available free on board. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, and keep your camera protected from spray.

Crystal Lagoon is generally the quieter-looking stop of the two, framed by steep rock and clear water. Blue Lagoon is the famous one, and its bright water is impressive, but it is also the place where crowds and boats can make the setting feel less peaceful. About an hour at each stop gives you enough time for a swim and photographs, though not much time for a relaxed shore visit.

You may also pay €10 per person for a small dinghy trip through a cliff tunnel. This optional ride includes a visit to the topless cave, where the roof has fallen away, and a long cave beneath Comino’s fortress area. The cave section is a nice extra for anyone who enjoys being on the water, but it is not included in the tour price.

Mgarr Harbour and the start of Gozo by jeep

Mgarr Harbour is Gozo’s main arrival point and your gateway to the island tour. After a short guided visit, you board the open-top jeeps. The vehicles are the practical reason to choose this excursion: they let you cover distant corners of Gozo without arranging separate taxis.

The ride is not a private safari. You share the jeep, and the driver sets the route. Still, the guides can make a large difference. George was praised for his island knowledge and easy humor, while Sam was singled out for rescuing a disrupted jeep arrangement and creating a memorable back-road tour. Johnny, Mario, Joe Vella, Steve, Sandro, and Peter also received strong praise for warmth, jokes, information, and care with the group.

Expect a moving introduction rather than a specialist archaeology tour. The drivers explain the places you pass, stop for photographs, and point out the island’s character. If you want to ask about a stop, do it early. The schedule is tight, and the more time spent at one place, the less remains for another.

Bellevedere at Qala and the village of Qala

Your first Gozo viewpoints include Bellevedere at Qala and the village of Qala. These stops help you get your bearings, with views across the island and toward the surrounding sea. They are short, usually around 20 minutes each, so think photographs and a quick look rather than a full village walk.

Qala is useful because it shows a more ordinary side of Gozo. The tour is not only about famous swimming spots. You also get a sense of local streets, stone buildings, church-centered village life, and the island’s broad coastal setting.

The limited time is the clear drawback. If you enjoy sitting in a village square or exploring church interiors, this schedule will feel rushed. If you want a quick visual introduction, the stop does its job.

Calypso Cave and Gozo’s eastern coast

Calypso Cave near Xagħra is included as a photo stop and guided visit. The site is linked with the story of Calypso from Homer’s Odyssey, though the main value here is the coastal outlook and the chance to hear the guide explain the location.

Do not expect a long cave walk. The itinerary allows about 20 minutes, and the stop is best treated as a viewpoint. It gives the jeep route a touch of legend without taking up a large part of the day.

Nearby, the scenery changes again as you reach the Xwejni Salt Pans near Żebbuġ. These shallow stone pans have been used for salt production, and their geometric pattern makes an excellent photograph. The stop also gives you a look at an old working tradition rather than another purely scenic viewpoint.

Ta’ Pinu, Dwejra Bay, and the western finish

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu is passed rather than entered. The church’s isolated position makes it easy to spot from the road, but entrance is not part of this half-day jeep portion. If Ta’ Pinu is high on your list, you would need a separate visit.

Dwejra Bay gets a short guided stop, often around 20 minutes. This is one of Gozo’s most dramatic coastal areas, with weathered rock, open sea, and the famous Blue Hole nearby. The tour can also offer an optional boat trip on the inland sea at Dwejra Bay, but that costs extra.

Dwejra is a good example of the tour’s strengths and limits. You reach a major Gozo sight without having to plan the transport, but you may wish for more time. Strong guides help here. Peter and Steve were praised for keeping the route lively and informative, while one guide handled a group member’s fall with care. That sort of attentiveness matters on uneven coastal ground.

Lunch at Mariblu or aboard the boat

Lunch is included and usually comes as a buffet with local wine and mineral water. It may be served at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo or aboard the boat, depending on which half of the group is on which section first.

The food has drawn mixed but mostly positive reactions. Several people found it plentiful and tasty, while one called it ordinary. A pescatarian meal was accommodated, which is useful if you have a dietary need, but you should still raise it when booking or at the start of the day.

The buffet format suits this kind of schedule. You can eat without waiting for a full restaurant service, and unlimited local wine and water add value to the $101 price. Tea, coffee, extra drinks, and other purchases are not included.

If the boat is carrying lunch, expect a simple spread rather than a special dining event. Pasta, rice, salad, and bread have been served, with enough food for a solid midday meal. I would bring a small snack only if you are sensitive to long gaps between meals, since the exact running order can shift.

Timing, weather, and the real pace of the day

The stated duration is 6.5 hours, but you should leave more room in your day. Pickup routes, ferry or boat connections, group changes, and delays can stretch the outing. One reported day returned close to 6 p.m. after a schedule expected to finish earlier, while another group lost about 1.5 hours waiting at the ferry area.

That does not mean every departure will run late. It does mean you should avoid booking a tight dinner reservation or an important evening activity. The tour company may combine several groups, and a late arrival at one part can make the stops feel compressed.

Weather has an even bigger effect. Wind can cancel the schooner, change the route, or alter the order of Gozo and Comino. In cooler weather, the lagoon stops may involve more sitting and admiring the water than swimming. The sea has been reported at around 15 degrees Celsius on one cooler outing, so pack swimwear but do not assume you will want a long swim.

Is $101 fair value?

At $101 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day of transport and variety. The package includes hotel pickup and return, Gozo transport by jeep, an experienced multilingual driver, lunch, local wine, mineral water, boat or ferry connections, and the Comino coastal route.

The value is strongest for anyone staying away from the ferry ports or without a car. You avoid paying separately for a taxi network on Gozo, a boat outing, lunch, and multiple transfers. You also get local drivers who can adjust the route when weather changes.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet Blue Lagoon swim. In that case, a simpler boat trip may suit you better. It is also not ideal if you want long visits at museums or Ġgantija Temples, since museum entrances and the optional temples ticket are not included. Ġgantija is not part of this half-day jeep route.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this for a first Malta holiday, especially if you have only one day available for Gozo and Comino. It is also a good fit for couples and groups who enjoy a busy outing, swimming, short walks, photographs, and a bit of boat motion.

Families with older children may like the variety, but children under 12 must prove their age with a passport copy. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people with mobility impairments. Comfortable shoes are essential because some viewpoints and coastal areas may have uneven ground.

You should skip it if your priority is slow travel. The jeep route moves quickly, the stops are brief, and the boat plan can change. You should also think twice if you dislike open water, crowded lagoons, or long transfers.

FAQ

How long does the Gozo and Comino tour last?

The advertised duration is 6.5 hours. Actual timing can change because of pickup routes, ferry connections, group transfers, and weather, so keep your evening schedule flexible.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return transport are included from a large selection of hotels and listed meeting points across Malta. Wait outside the main hotel entrance or at the pickup point provided by the local partner.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, German, Italian, Maltese, French, Polish, Hungarian, and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a buffet, local wine, and mineral water. It may be served on the boat or at Mariblu Restaurant on Gozo.

Are the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. The return boat route passes the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, with swimming stops subject to weather conditions and the day’s schedule.

Are masks and snorkels provided?

Masks and snorkels are available free on board the boat.

Does the tour include the Comino cave trip?

No. The optional dinghy trip through the caves costs €10 per person. The optional boat ride at the inland sea in Dwejra Bay also costs extra.

Is Ġgantija Temples included?

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

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety in one day: Gozo’s villages and coast, a buffet lunch, two lagoon stops, and a boat ride around Comino. The best part is the combination of practical transport and personable jeep guides. A good driver, such as George, Sam, Mario, or Joe Vella, can turn a hurried route into a lively introduction to Gozo.

Do not book it expecting a relaxed beach day or a carefully paced cultural tour. The schedule is ambitious, the sea may change the plan, and some stops are brief. For most first-time visitors with limited time, though, the $101 cost buys a useful and enjoyable snapshot of Malta’s two smaller islands, with enough swimming and scenery to make the long day worthwhile.