Malta: Around Comino Cruise and Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch

Catch two islands in one long day. This tour combines a boat trip around Comino with a 4×4 tour of Gozo, making it useful if your Malta visit is short. I especially like the hour set aside for swimming at the Blue Lagoon and the chance to reach Gozo viewpoints, salt pans, and Dwejra Bay without arranging several separate trips. The main drawback is comfort: boats, jeeps, and hotel transfers can feel crowded.

The $81 price includes lunch, water, local wine, a driver-guide, hotel pickup from selected hotels, and the return boat ride to Malta. Guides such as George, Johnny, Nick, Grace, and Peter have made the day memorable for many people, with friendly service and good local explanations. Still, the quality of the transport and the exact running order can vary.

Plan for a full day, not a tidy six and a half hours. Some departures have taken roughly 8:00 am to 6:30 or 7:00 pm, and hotel pickup may involve a shared minibus or a nearby meeting point rather than a direct hotel collection. If you want to see both Gozo and Comino in one outing, that tradeoff may be worth it.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Maltese islands in one outing: You visit Gozo by jeep and Comino by boat, a useful arrangement for a short stay.
• The Blue Lagoon gets about one hour: You can swim, snorkel, use a pool noodle, or relax near the water.
• Gozo is seen from an open-air 4×4: Expect small jeeps, shared seating, bumpy roads, and several quick photo stops.
• Lunch is a light buffet: Food has included pasta, chicken, potatoes, salad, fruit, and vegetarian alternatives, with water and local wine.
• Transport is the weak link: Pickup times, vehicle condition, air conditioning, and crowding have not always been consistent.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may cancel the cruise, with an alternative date or a full refund offered.

What this Gozo and Comino day actually involves

This is a busy combination tour rather than a leisurely island holiday. You spend part of the day on the water, part of it riding in a jeep, and part of it stopping for short visits and photographs.

The broad plan is to reach Gozo by boat, tour the island in a 4×4, eat lunch, then continue by boat toward Comino for swimming at the Crystal Lagoon or Blue Lagoon before returning to Malta. The order can change. Some departures begin with the jeep tour, while others spend the first part on the boat.

That flexibility matters. You may not follow the listed stops in exactly the order shown, and the boat route can change with wind and sea conditions. The cruise may also be replaced by an all-day Gozo safari if weather prevents the water portion.

The group limit is listed as 65 people, but the day is divided between boats, jeeps, and guides. The jeep portion is intended to use smaller groups, though the vehicles may still carry six people in the rear section. This is not a private safari.

Starting at Mgarr Harbour and the Qala viewpoint

Once you reach Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, guides organize the jeep groups. This transfer can be quick and practical, but it is also where the pace of the day becomes clear. You are not settling into one vehicle for a slow scenic drive. You are moving from stop to stop, with limited time at each place.

Qala is one of the more rewarding early visits. At the Qala Belvedere, you get wide views toward Comino and Malta. This gives you an immediate sense of how close the islands are, and it is one of the better spots for photographs.

The Qala Parish Church adds a cultural stop to the outdoor scenery. You have time to admire the architecture and take pictures, but this is not a long guided visit. If you want detailed church history, you may need to ask your guide directly.

The benefit here is efficiency. You see a village, a church, and a sea view without spending time navigating Gozo’s roads yourself. The cost is that each stop lasts only about 30 minutes, so the day favors broad impressions over careful exploration.

Xagħra and the uncertain Calypso Cave visit

The route continues toward Xagħra and the Calypso Cave area. The site is valued for its coastal views and the chance to photograph the cliffs and water below.

You should keep your expectations in check. The attraction is mainly the setting and viewpoint, not a long underground tour. The itinerary allows about 30 minutes, which is enough for pictures and a look around but not enough for an extended visit.

The Ggantija Temples are not included in the tour price. An entrance fee applies if that site is added or visited, so do not assume the $81 covers it. The tour’s listed route focuses on viewpoints and coastal places instead.

This is a useful distinction for planning. If ancient temples are your main reason for visiting Gozo, a dedicated archaeological outing may suit you better. If you want a quick taste of the island’s coast and villages, this stop fits the wider plan.

Marsalforn and the Xwejni Salt Pans

The jeep passes through Marsalforn before reaching the Xwejni Salt Pans. The salt pans are among Gozo’s most distinctive sights, with shallow stone basins cut into the coast.

Here, seawater evaporates naturally, leaving salt behind. The geometric patterns make the area especially good for photos, and the stop gives you a glimpse of a working tradition rather than another viewpoint built only for sightseeing.

About 25 minutes is scheduled here. That is enough to understand the place and take pictures, but not enough for an in-depth lesson on salt production. Your guide may explain the process, and the experience is better when you pay attention to the practical details instead of treating the pans as a quick photo backdrop.

The jeep ride between stops can be part of the fun, but it is also a clear weakness for some people. Older vehicles, cramped rear seating, and bumpy roads may be uncomfortable, particularly for young children or anyone with back problems. You should view the 4×4 as basic transport with an adventurous feel, not a polished safari vehicle.

Ta’ Pinu and the road toward Dwejra Bay

Ta’ Pinu National Shrine is usually an exterior stop or pass-by. The church sits on a hill and is easy to recognize, with open views over the surrounding countryside.

You get roughly 25 minutes to admire the building and take photographs. The stop works well for visitors who want to see one of Gozo’s major religious landmarks without committing to a long church visit.

Dwejra Bay is one of the strongest parts of the Gozo route. The area has dramatic rock formations, the Inland Sea, and a quieter coastal setting than the Blue Lagoon. You may have time to walk around or consider a small boat trip through the Inland Sea, though that option should not be treated as guaranteed.

Only about 20 minutes is listed for Dwejra. That is short, especially if you want to see the area properly. Still, the stop gives you a worthwhile look at one of Gozo’s most recognizable coastal sites. If this is the part of Gozo you most want to explore, a separate full-day tour would allow far more time.

Lunch at Mariblu Guesthouse

Lunch is served at Mariblu Guesthouse for some tour schedules. On other schedules, it is served aboard the boat, depending on which part of the tour you do first.

The meal is a light buffet, not a formal Maltese feast. Food described during the day has included tomato pasta, chicken thighs, potatoes, salad, and watermelon. Vegetarian diners have been offered omelets, and the meal is intended to refuel you rather than become the centerpiece of the outing.

Water and local wine are included. The wine is functional rather than memorable, but the free drinks are useful on a warm day. The one-hour lunch break gives you a chance to sit down after the jeep ride and before the swimming portion.

The lunch adds real value to the $81 price, especially because buying food and drinks independently near major coastal sights can be costly. Just book this tour for a filling included meal, not for fine dining.

The Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon swim stop

The Comino portion is the main reason many people choose this tour. The Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon offer clear water, rocky shorelines, and a chance to swim in the Mediterranean rather than simply look at it from the deck.

The schedule allows about one hour for swimming at the lagoon. You can use the time to swim, snorkel, float, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, though availability and any deposit requirement should be confirmed when you board. Some departures have provided pool noodles, which are useful for relaxing in deeper water.

The boat may stop in the water rather than pull directly onto a beach. You may need to climb down or use a ladder, so this is not ideal for anyone who is uncomfortable with open-water boarding. Children must remain with an adult, and close supervision is important around the boat and swim area.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but it is not always peaceful. Boats and swimmers can make the area feel crowded, particularly during busy periods. The one-hour stop gives you enough time to enjoy the water, but not a full beach day.

The Crystal Lagoon is sometimes treated as a separate swim stop in the schedule. In practice, the exact arrangement depends on the boat and weather. The supplied plan also includes a boat ride past the caves at Santa Marija, with about 10 minutes for coastal views and photographs.

Boat comfort, jeep seating, and the guides

The boat is the more enjoyable part for many people, especially on calm days. You get views of Comino’s coastline, time in the water, and a return cruise with the possibility of seeing caves and grottoes.

Crowding is the chief concern. Some departures have had standing passengers or limited room, while others have felt comfortable. Ask about the boat being used on your date if space matters to you. The company has used different boats, and the capacity may not match the feel you expect from a relaxed private cruise.

The guides can make a major difference. George has been praised for his explanations and organization, while Johnny has been described as friendly and attentive. Nick, Grace, and Peter have also received warm comments for their care and island knowledge.

The tour may operate with a multilingual guide. That can be useful for mixed-language groups, but it also means your explanations may be shorter if several languages are being used. Confirm your preferred language when booking, and listen for the guide’s instructions at every vehicle and boat change.

Pickup, timing, and the real cost of convenience

Free hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels, but this phrase needs a little caution. Some pickups use nearby meeting points, and shared transfers may collect people from several hotels before reaching the port.

That can add a long start to the morning. A few departures have involved a nearly two-hour transfer before the boat, while others have been on time and straightforward. Vehicles have also varied, with reports of older buses, weak air conditioning, and occasional breakdowns.

The published duration is about 6 hours and 30 minutes, but you should leave most of the day open. Actual days have run from around 8:00 or 8:30 am until 6:30 or 7:00 pm. Confirm the pickup time directly, especially if your ticket shows a different boat departure time.

At $81, the value is strongest when you use every part of the package: transport, boat rides, Gozo touring, lunch, drinks, and swimming. It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet cruise or a thorough Gozo visit. A private driver, separate ferry tickets, and meals could cost more, but they would give you better control over time and comfort.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this trip if you have only a few days in Malta and want a broad taste of Gozo and Comino. It gives you coastal views, village scenery, salt pans, a shrine, Dwejra Bay, lunch, and time in the water without requiring several bookings.

It suits active couples, friends, and families with older children who can handle a long day and basic transport. Children under 10 may find the jeep uncomfortable, and the boat requires careful supervision near the water.

I would skip it if you dislike crowds, need reliable air conditioning, want long visits at each sight, or have mobility concerns related to boarding boats and riding on rough roads. For a slower trip, spend a full day on Gozo and choose a separate Comino boat outing.

Book at least 24 hours before departure if you need flexibility, since cancellations inside that window are not refundable. Poor weather or low numbers can cancel the outing, with another date or a refund offered.

My recommendation

This is a useful, good-value sampler of Malta’s northern islands, with the Blue Lagoon swim and boat scenery providing the strongest moments. The Gozo jeep ride adds access to places that are awkward to combine by public transport, and the included lunch keeps the price reasonable.

The tradeoff is comfort and depth. You will see a lot, but quickly, and transport can be crowded or poorly maintained. I would book it for variety and convenience, not luxury. If you accept a long day, shared vehicles, and short stops, this tour can make a memorable island day. If you want Gozo to feel unhurried, give the island more time on its own.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes, but some departures have lasted from about 8:00 or 8:30 am until 6:30 or 7:00 pm because of transfers and the full schedule.

What is the tour starting time?

The listed start time is 8:00 am. Your exact pickup time may differ, so confirm the time and meeting location before departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from selected hotels. Some passengers may be directed to a nearby pickup point instead of receiving collection directly at their hotel.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A light buffet lunch is included. It may be served at Mariblu Guesthouse or aboard the boat, depending on the order of your tour.

Are drinks included with lunch?

Water and local wine are included with lunch. The minimum drinking age is 17.

How much time is available for swimming?

The schedule provides about one hour at the Crystal Lagoon or Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, or relax during the stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is listed as included. Availability may vary by boat, so confirm the arrangements when you board.

Is the Ggantija Temples entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the Ggantija Temples is not included in the tour price.

Can the boat trip be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel the tour or the cruise portion, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour requires moderate physical fitness, and young children should be watched closely around the boat, swim stops, and jeep.