Luxury RIB Tour in Gozo Coast, Blue Lagoon and Comino Caves

The best views often come from the water. This private RIB tour links Gozo, Comino, the Blue Lagoon, sea caves, reefs, and quiet swimming bays in about four hours. I like the freedom to adjust the route and the chance to reach places that larger boats cannot enter.

I also like the personal service from the GozoBlu team. Nigel handles communication, while skippers including Francesco and Mathew share local stories and steer toward calmer snorkelling spots. The main consideration is the extra €99 fuel charge, payable in cash, and the fact that even private access cannot make the Blue Lagoon empty during busy periods.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 10 people: Your group has the RIB to itself, which makes it easier to choose swimming stops and avoid the busiest spots.
• Blue Lagoon plus quieter coves: The route includes the famous lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and Hondoq Bay.
• Several boat-access caves: Lovers Cave, Santa Maria Caves, the cave without a roof, and other sea arches add variety beyond swimming.
• Strong local guidance: Francesco, Mathew, and Nigel are praised for clear communication, punctual service, island knowledge, and friendly care.
• Snorkelling equipment and water included: An ice cooler is also supplied, but fuel costs an additional €99 in cash.
• Best for active small groups: You should be comfortable boarding a boat, swimming, and handling a fast-moving half-day on the sea.

What the private RIB changes

A private RIB is a much better fit than a large sightseeing boat if you want choice. Your group can spend more time at a favourite cove, move on when a bay is crowded, or ask the skipper to find a quieter place for swimming.

The boat carries up to 10 people, so the price can be good value when shared among a full group. At the listed rate of $419.33 per group, the base cost works out to about $42 per person for 10 people, before the fuel charge. For a couple or small family, the per-person cost is much higher, but the privacy and flexibility become more valuable.

The RIB is described as comfortable, clean, well maintained, and fast. That speed matters here. Gozo and Comino have many small coves packed into a relatively short stretch of coast, and a boat lets you see far more than you could from one beach.

You receive bottled water, snorkelling equipment, and an ice cooler. Bring your own food if you need a full meal, since no meal is included in the stated price. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

St. Mary’s Tower and two unusual caves

The tour begins around Comino, where St. Mary’s Tower rises above the cliffs. Built by the Knights of St. John in the 17th century, the fort once guarded the channel between Malta and Gozo. Film fans may recognise it as the Château d’If prison in the 2002 film The Count of Monte Cristo.

The boat also enters Lovers Cave beneath the tower. This is a short stop, around 15 minutes, but the setting is special because the cave can only be reached from the sea. It is a peaceful place for photographs, especially if the water is calm.

Next comes L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf, which means the cave without a roof. A section of the cave ceiling has collapsed, leaving a large opening that lets sunlight fall onto the rocks and water below. The site is also called It-Tieqa or Taħt il-Ħnejja, and it appeared as Popeye’s Cave in the 1980s film Popeye.

These first stops show why the boat matters. You are not simply looking at the coast from offshore. The skipper can take you into the formations, giving you a view that is impossible from a road or walking path.

Crystal Lagoon, Cominotto Reef, and the P31

Crystal Lagoon is one of the strongest parts of the route. Its turquoise water, pale seabed, and high limestone cliffs give it a more enclosed feel than the Blue Lagoon. You have about 30 minutes here for swimming and snorkelling, with nearby caves to explore by boat or from the water.

The cliffs also attract people who enjoy jumping into the sea. That activity is optional, of course, and the range of heights means you can simply swim if that suits you better. The practical point is to avoid treating any cliff jump casually. Use the skipper’s advice and choose only an option that feels safe for you.

The route may also include the P31, a former Maltese patrol boat sunk in 2009 to create an artificial reef. It rests upright in 18 to 20 metres of water, with its highest point about 7 metres below the surface. In clear conditions, snorkellers and free swimmers can see the wreck from above.

This is a useful stop for anyone interested in underwater history without committing to a full scuba excursion. Schools of fish and smaller sea life now use the wreck, adding interest to what might otherwise be a simple swim.

Cominotto Reef, also called Anchor Reef, offers another underwater stop. The reef has drop-offs, overhangs, and swim-throughs, with depths ranging from 10 to 40 metres. Octopuses, moray eels, and colourful fish may be found around the rocks. Strong swimmers and experienced snorkellers will get the most from this area, while less confident swimmers can stay in shallower water.

Cominotto and the famous Blue Lagoon

Cominotto is the small uninhabited islet opposite Comino’s Blue Lagoon. It has clear water, rough cliffs, a small sandy beach, and swim-through caves. The setting has also appeared in Troy and Swept Away, which makes it an appealing photo stop even if you have no interest in film locations.

The Blue Lagoon receives 45 minutes in the stated route. Its white seabed and bright turquoise water explain its fame, but the same beauty attracts crowds. A private boat gives you a better chance of enjoying the lagoon from the water and moving toward a less congested section.

It is important to keep expectations sensible. A private boat does not guarantee solitude, especially in peak season. One of the useful details from the experience feedback is that even October can remain busy. GozoBlu’s skippers try to offset that by arriving early or steering toward quieter nearby water when the main lagoon is packed.

If your schedule allows, an early start is worth asking about. One booking described reaching the Blue Lagoon before the larger groups, which made the stop far more enjoyable. That timing advantage may be the difference between floating in open water and sharing a crowded swimming area.

Santa Marija Bay and Comino’s northern coast

Santa Marija Bay provides a calmer contrast to the Blue Lagoon. The water is shallow and clear, and the sandy beach gives the bay a softer feel. The stated stop lasts about 45 minutes, so this is one of the better places to slow down, swim, and rest on the boat.

Families may prefer Santa Marija Bay because the water is gentle and the atmosphere is quieter. The Santa Marija Chapel, dating from 1618, adds a small cultural detail to the stop. You may see it from the water or combine the visit with time on the beach, depending on the day’s route.

San Niklaw Bay is another quiet northern-coast option. It is surrounded by rough cliffs and Mediterranean plants, with clear water for swimming and snorkelling. The bay is accessible by boat or walking trail, but arriving by RIB gives you the easiest way to enjoy it without committing to a longer walk.

The Għemieri Window and Elephant Rock are mainly viewing stops. Għemieri Window is a natural limestone arch shaped by wind and sea. Elephant Rock is a larger rock formation that resembles an elephant lowering its trunk into the water.

These formations are good reminders to keep your camera ready. The RIB offers changing angles as it passes, and the surrounding water and cliffs create strong photographs without requiring a long shore visit.

Santa Maria Caves and the crossing to Gozo

The Santa Maria Caves are among the most atmospheric parts of the outing. The skipper takes the boat into a network of narrow passages and rock chambers, where reflected light turns the water blue and green.

This is a short stop of about 15 minutes, so do not expect a long cave expedition. The value comes from the boat handling and the close view of the rock walls. Calm weather makes the experience more comfortable, while rough water may affect how far the boat can enter.

After the Comino caves, the route reaches the southeastern coast of Gozo. Ħalfa Rock, or Ġebla tal-Ħalfa, is a small uninhabited islet near Qala. Its name means oath in Maltese and relates to a local story about the Ottoman admiral Dragut, who supposedly swore revenge there after a failed raid.

You may pass the rock or stop for a swim and snorkel. The water around it is described as clean and calm, which makes it a pleasant break from the more famous sites.

Hondoq Bay is another worthwhile Gozo stop. The sheltered cove has sand, smooth pebbles, clear shallow water, and small caves along the rocky edges. It is a good choice for a quick swim, a relaxed photo stop, or an easy snorkel.

The bay also looks across toward Comino, giving you a useful change of viewpoint. Instead of seeing Gozo only as a backdrop from Comino, you begin to understand how closely the two islands sit together.

Mġarr Harbour and the Gozo coastline

Mġarr Harbour is Gozo’s main port and a scenic point of orientation. Ferries, fishing boats, and private yachts share the water, while Lourdes Chapel and Fort Chambray rise above the harbour.

The harbour is not a swimming stop, but it adds context to the trip. You see the working side of Gozo, not only its beaches and caves. Cafés and restaurants line the waterfront, though the four-hour outing does not appear to include time for a meal there.

The boat may also pass Xatt l-Aħmar, meaning Red Shore. This quiet bay is known for calm water, rocky edges, and underwater wrecks including the MV Karwela, MV Cominoland, and MV Xlendi. Those wrecks are used by scuba divers, while you may simply view the coast from the boat or enjoy a swim if conditions allow.

Because the route contains so many possible stops, the skipper’s judgment matters. A four-hour trip cannot provide a long visit at every location. You should think of this as a fast coastal sampler with several anchor points, not a full exploration of every bay and wreck.

The guides and level of service

The strongest part of the service is the communication before and after the outing. Nigel is praised for arranging details through WhatsApp and keeping in touch. Francesco is described as friendly, punctual, and generous with suggestions for the rest of a Malta trip.

Mathew also receives praise for adjusting the route and sharing stories about Comino and Gozo. One particularly thoughtful detail involved a lost blue earplug that sank roughly 20 feet. Nigel went into the water and recovered it, an example of the attentive service that can make a private tour feel personal rather than commercial.

The skippers are also willing to ask what you have already seen and avoid repeating it. That is useful if you have taken a previous boat trip and want new coves instead of another pass through the same familiar sights.

The boats are described as clean, comfortable, fancy, and well maintained. Those details matter on a four-hour trip, particularly if your group includes older family members or anyone who prefers a more comfortable ride.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this outing for a family group, a group of friends, or a couple marking a special day. It is especially good for people who value privacy, swimming time, photographs, and the freedom to adjust the route.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to the Gozo and Comino coast. The skippers can point out film sites, forts, local stories, caves, reefs, and working harbours in one outing.

You may want a different experience if you prefer a slow beach day, a land-based cultural tour, or a long scuba session at one wreck. The number of stops means the pace can feel busy, and the famous Blue Lagoon may still be crowded.

The $419.33 group price is strongest when shared among several people. Add the €99 cash fuel payment before comparing it with other boat trips. With a full group, the cost is reasonable for a private vessel, equipment, water, a cooler, and a skipper who can change the route. With only two people, the same price requires a more deliberate decision.

Should you book GozoBlu?

Book it if you want a private, flexible day on the water and plan to swim or snorkel. The most convincing reasons are the clean RIB, the local skippers, the many cave and bay options, and the ability to move away from crowds.

Ask about the start time if the Blue Lagoon is a priority, and remember to bring cash for the €99 fuel cost. If you want the best value, fill as many of the 10 available places as possible.

I would not choose it simply to tick off the Blue Lagoon. Choose it for the full coastal experience: St. Mary’s Tower, Cominotto, caves, reefs, Santa Marija Bay, Hondoq Bay, and the chance to see Gozo from the sea.

FAQ

How long does the private RIB tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private boat can accommodate one group of up to 10 people.

What is included in the tour price?

Bottled water, snorkelling equipment, and use of an ice cooler are included.

Is fuel included?

No. Fuel costs an additional €99 and must be paid in cash to the skipper.

Does the tour visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Blue Lagoon is included, with approximately 45 minutes scheduled there.

Is this suitable for most participants?

The tour information says most people can participate. The experience includes boating, swimming, and snorkelling stops, so you should be comfortable with those activities.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.