Best Boat Trips From Malta to Comino and Gozo

The single best thing about Maltese summer is that the water is genuinely a 20-minute drive from almost anywhere on the island, and a boat trip to Comino or Gozo is far more accessible than most people assume. You don't need a license for most rental boats, and splitting the cost across a group of 4-6 brings it down to less than a night out.

Blue Lagoon, Comino — the obvious first trip

Everyone's seen the photos, and they're accurate — the water really is that colour. It gets crowded by midday in peak summer, so the move is either an early departure (7-8am) or a later one (after 4pm) when the day-trip crowds thin out.

How to get there: rent a boat from Marfa or Ċirkewwa (30-45 minutes to Comino), or take the ferry if you're not driving.

Good for: groups, first-timers, anyone who wants the classic Malta photo.

Crystal Lagoon, Comino — Blue Lagoon's quieter sibling

Right next to the Blue Lagoon but consistently less crowded. If the main lagoon is packed when you arrive, this is the move.

Santa Marija Caves, Comino

A short boat ride around the island reveals a series of sea caves worth swimming into, especially with snorkel gear. Most half-day rentals include time to explore these alongside the main lagoons.

Wied il-Għasri and Dwejra, Gozo

Gozo's coastline is rockier and more dramatic than Comino's. Dwejra — former home of the Azure Window before it collapsed — still has striking rock formations and a genuinely good boat-accessible cave system nearby.

Xlendi Bay, Gozo

A calmer, more sheltered bay good for a group that wants swimming and lunch rather than a full day of exploring by boat. Several small boat rental spots operate right from the bay.

Renting a boat: what it actually costs

A standard 5-6 person day boat (no license required, engine under a certain horsepower) typically runs €150-250 for a half day in peak season, and less outside July-August. Split across 5 people, that's €30-50 each for a full day on the water — genuinely comparable to a night out, and far more memorable.

What to check before booking:

• License-free vs licensed boats (most rentals aimed at tourists and groups are license-free)
• Fuel included or extra
• Life jackets provided (always required by law)
• Cancellation policy for bad weather

Planning a group trip

The logistics of a boat trip — splitting cost, coordinating who's actually free, finding enough people to make the split worthwhile — are exactly the kind of thing that falls apart in a group chat with 15 maybes. Post the plan on ClassifiedMalta's Sea & Water category instead: set the date, the split, and the spots available, and let people who are actually free and interested respond. Every member is at least Tier 1 verified, so you're coordinating with real people, not ghosts.

Best months to go

June through September for warm water and reliable weather. May and October can work for a calmer, less crowded trip if you don't mind slightly cooler water — Comino in particular is far quieter in shoulder season and arguably just as beautiful.