Reviewed · GOZO ISLAND HOPPING
Malta Gozo & Comino: Boat Tour Best Price w/inclusions 2hrs
Crystal-clear water in just two hours is the whole point. This private charter ties together Malta, Comino, and Gozo with swim stops at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, then continues along the Gozo side for caves and coastline time. I like how the Crystal Lagoon snorkeling time is built around clear sea bottoms and sea life, and I also like the owner-operator captain approach that keeps the whole outing relaxed and personal.
One thing to plan for is the extra €85 fuel fee you pay upon departure, plus swim towels and sunblock are not included.
In This Review
- Key Things That Make This Boat Tour Worth Your Time
- Why A 2-Hour Charter Works So Well Here
- Choosing Ċirkewwa Or Mgarr Harbour: Your First Time-Saver
- Crystal Lagoon: The Quick Stop That Sets The Mood
- Blue Lagoon Plus Comino Land Time: Swim, Then Breathe
- The Gozo Side: Secluded Bay Swimming And A Natural Clay Spa
- Santa Maria Bay And Santa Maria Caves: Finish With Another Water Dose
- What’s Included (And What’s Not), So You Can Budget Fairly
- Captain And Tone Of The Trip: Friendly, English Speaking, No Rush
- Who This Trip Is Perfect For, And Who Might Prefer Something Else
- Tips To Make Your Two Hours Feel Longer
- Should You Book This Malta Gozo And Comino Boat Tour?
Key Things That Make This Boat Tour Worth Your Time
- Two pickup options in Malta: Ċirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour, so you can match the route to where you’re staying
- Short swim blocks, well spaced: Crystal Lagoon (30 min) and Blue Lagoon (30 min), plus additional water time later
- Snorkeling gear included: noodles and snorkels are provided, so you avoid last-minute rental hassles
- Gozo clay spa fun: you can experience a natural clay spa from a natural clay shoreline
- Caves and cliff-side scenery: Santa Maria Caves are part of the loop
- Comfort perks on board: Bluetooth connection and charging ports, plus a cooler with ice
Why A 2-Hour Charter Works So Well Here
Malta and its smaller islands reward quick movement. If you try to do everything by yourself, you can lose time to transport, parking, and figuring out where the best water actually is. This format makes a lot of sense for most people: you get multiple swim stops in a tight window, plus time for photos and a short land break.
The other reason I like this setup is group size. It’s a private group charter capped at up to 7 people per trip. That means you’re not stuck waiting behind a crowd for everyone to find their swim legs. You can also keep your stuff organized, and you get a more “captain-led” rhythm.
Also, the included gear and basics help you travel light. Water, soft drinks, a cooler with ice, swim noodles, and snorkels are part of the package, so you do not have to pack half the beach store.
The flip side is simple: it’s only 2 hours. You will have fun, but you will not have the slow, do-everything-all-day feeling of a long cruise. Come with a plan to prioritize swimming, not wandering.
More Boat Trips in Gozo
Choosing Ċirkewwa Or Mgarr Harbour: Your First Time-Saver
You can start from either Ċirkewwa or Mgarr Harbour. That matters more than it sounds, because the Malta side of your trip depends on where you’re based. If you’re staying near the northern coast, Ċirkewwa can be the more natural start. If your lodging is closer to the other side, Mgarr Harbour can save you time.
Once you arrive, expect a short safety briefing. Then the day moves quickly, with the first main water stop happening soon after pickup.
Practical tip: plan to be early. With a charter, you want the “first ten minutes” to go smoothly so the captain can focus on the route and the swim schedule.
Crystal Lagoon: The Quick Stop That Sets The Mood
Crystal Lagoon is your first real swim and snorkeling moment, with about 30 minutes to enjoy the water. This is where the trip earns its reputation for clear conditions and that magical feeling of looking down into very shallow, bright water.
What makes this stop especially appealing is the mix of activities you can do in a short time. You’re not limited to just floating around. You can snorkel, explore the caves and cliff edges in the area, and take photos. The text about mesmerizing sea bottoms and sea life matters here, because crystal-clear water changes the snorkeling experience from “I see something” to “I can actually look.”
One more useful detail: swim noodles and snorkels are included. So you can arrive with the confidence that you won’t spend your best minutes negotiating equipment.
Potential drawback to keep in mind: 30 minutes disappears fast once you’re in the water. If you’re bringing underwater gear or want extra time on photos, do your quick checks before you go in. Treat this like the opening set, not the final exam.
Blue Lagoon Plus Comino Land Time: Swim, Then Breathe
After Crystal Lagoon, you head to Blue Lagoon for another swim and snorkeling block, again about 30 minutes. This stop keeps the water-focused vibe going, with free time for photos and sightseeing right around the swim window.
Then there’s a chance to get onto land and explore Comino briefly. That land break is valuable because boat days can become nothing but rocking and salt. Even a short stroll can reset your head and help you appreciate what the water views look like from a different angle.
How to use the land time well: keep it simple. Focus on one or two photo spots and stretch your legs. The schedule is tight, so it’s not the time for a long walk. If you try to see everything, you’ll spend your limited time rushing back on board.
This is also a good moment to handle basics like rehydrating, wiping down sandy feet, and getting your sunscreen sorted if you bring it. Sunblock is not included, so if you’re sun-sensitive, pack it early.
The Gozo Side: Secluded Bay Swimming And A Natural Clay Spa
Once you shift over to Gozo, the vibe changes from scenic “look at the water” to “hang out in a calmer corner.” The plan includes a short Gozo photo stop, then time in a secluded bay where you can swim, paddle board, and snorkel.
Here’s the stand-out element: a natural clay spa experience from the natural clay shoreline. That’s not a typical add-on you see on every Mediterranean boat trip. It gives you something different to do besides the usual swim-and-snorkel loop.
Even if you do not want to make it a full routine, it’s still a fun, low-pressure activity. Think of it as a quirky local twist. Bring a swimsuit you do not mind getting a little messier than usual, and keep a towel handy since swim towels are not part of the included setup.
What I like about this portion for practical travelers is that you’re not forced into one activity. If you want to snorkel, you can. If you want a slower paddle-board moment, you can. And if you want to just relax on the boat, the schedule is structured so you’re still getting water time later.
More of Gozo, by boat and by road:
- Gozo All Inclusive Chauffeured Tuk Tuk Day Tour – Blue Lagoon★ 4.5 · 1,625 reviews
- Gozo: City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour★ 4.2 · 1,117 reviews
- From Malta: Gozo Jeep Tour with Lunch and Transfers★ 4.5 · 718 reviews
- Malta: Gozo Full Day Buggy Tour with lunch and Comino Stop★ 4.5 · 469 reviews
- Quad Bikes Rental in Gozo (With GPS Map Included)★ 4.6 · 375 reviews
Santa Maria Bay And Santa Maria Caves: Finish With Another Water Dose
After the Gozo bay break, the tour continues to Santa Maria Bay for another swim stop, with about 20 minutes of free time plus swimming and snorkeling. This is the second-to-last main water moment, so it’s a good time to do a final gear check and enjoy the water when you’re less rushed than in the first stop.
Then comes the Santa Maria Caves section for photo stop and sightseeing time, about 10 minutes. Short? Yes. But caves and cliffside shapes can be hard to appreciate from land at all. Getting close enough to see the forms and angles makes the final stretch more than just another “we stopped near water” moment.
For readers who like visual variety, this end section adds contrast. You get open-water snorkeling earlier, then more structured cave scenery at the finish. It’s also a nice way to remember the trip even after the salt and tan have faded.
One small consideration: with two short swim blocks late in the schedule, you will likely want to prioritize either snorkeling or soaking, not both. Decide what will make you happiest in the limited minutes.
What’s Included (And What’s Not), So You Can Budget Fairly
The pricing is listed as $177 per group up to 7 people for about 2 hours. That can be a strong value because the trip is private and includes the basics that many tours charge extra for.
Included items:
- Water and soft drink
- Cooler and ice
- Skipper fee included, plus taxes and port and marina fees
- Bluetooth connection and charging ports
- Swim noodles and snorkels
- 1 bottle of Prosecco
Not included:
- €85 fuel fee paid upon departure
- Swim towels
- Sunblock
- Adult beverages available for purchase if you advise prior to the trip
Here’s my practical way to think about it: the charter gives you convenience up front. You do not need to bring snorkel gear or improvise flotation. You also get onboard comfort touches, like the option to connect via Bluetooth and charge devices, which can matter if you’re the type who wants a reliable phone battery for photos.
The main cost surprise to watch is the €85 fuel fee, since it’s separate from the published price. Once you factor that in, the trip still tends to work best for people who want a private format and are willing to plan for the essentials they do not provide, like towels and sunblock.
Captain And Tone Of The Trip: Friendly, English Speaking, No Rush
A boat tour lives or dies on the captain’s style. Here, the notes emphasize an English speaking captain who’s very friendly and local. It also says the owner operator runs the trip in a way that feels unrushed and personalized.
That matters because Malta coastal routes can shift depending on conditions. When the captain is confident and communicative, the schedule feels smooth even when the sea throws little curveballs.
There’s also an example of flexibility from a recent weather cancellation, where the trip was postponed to the next day. That kind of problem-solving is reassuring if you’re traveling during a season where plans sometimes change.
You should still expect a fast pace because it is a two-hour charter. But the tone sounds more like helpful guidance than strict timing.
Who This Trip Is Perfect For, And Who Might Prefer Something Else
This charter is best for you if you:
- Want multiple swim opportunities without committing to a half-day or full-day itinerary
- Like snorkeling but do not want to pack gear or pay for rentals
- Appreciate a private group vibe for up to 7 people
- Enjoy short stops with strong scenery rather than long time ashore
You might want a different option if you:
- Want long, leisurely beach time rather than quick swim blocks
- Are planning to spend most of the day on land exploring, because the land moments are limited
- Do not like extra fees due at departure, since the fuel fee is not included
Tips To Make Your Two Hours Feel Longer
Bring what you need for a comfortable swim. Swim towels and sunblock are not included, so pack them. Even if you think you will only swim briefly, you will likely spend time in the water at several stops.
Wear something you can move in easily. Because you’re hopping between boat and swim points, comfort beats fashion.
Also, protect your phone. You will have charging ports on board, which is nice, but you still want a waterproof plan for photos and messages. If you’re relying on your phone for underwater shots, keep the timing tight.
Finally, if you want to snorkel over a shipwreck, treat that as a priority activity during your swim time. The highlight calls out that shipwreck snorkeling opportunity, and it can be the kind of moment that makes the whole trip worth it.
Should You Book This Malta Gozo And Comino Boat Tour?
Book it if you want an efficient, private way to hit the best-known water spots around Comino and Gozo in just 2 hours, with snorkeling gear included and a captain who runs the outing with an unrushed, friendly tone. The mix of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, a secluded Gozo bay, Santa Maria Bay, and cave scenery gives you variety without wasting half your vacation on logistics.
Think twice if you need long beach time or if extra costs like the €85 fuel fee and the need for your own towel and sunblock would feel annoying. But for most people who prioritize swimming, clear-water snorkeling, and caves, this one is a smart fit.
Just landed: new Gozo pages
Gozo Island Hopping, compared.

Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour
Read our review →
Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise
Read our review →
Full-Day Gozo UTV Tour with Lunch and Boat Ride
Read our review →
Boat Trip to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and Caves
Read our review →
Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Boat & Bus Tour
Read our review →
Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in











