Malta: Gozo Comino and Blue Lagoon Boat Tour with Swim Stop

The best thing about this trip is the sheer amount of coastline you cover in one day. From Mellieħa Bay, you pass Coral Lagoon, Smugglers Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Comino’s sea caves, then have time ashore in Gozo before a swim at the Blue Lagoon. I like the mix of sightseeing and free time, and I like that the boat has a ladder and platform, so you can swim from the vessel instead of fighting for a patch of shore.

The two parts I especially like are the optional small-boat ride into the caves, which costs about €15, and the practical 90-minute swim stop. The main drawback is Gozo: the harbor area offers little on its own, so you may want to pay for an optional bus tour or arrange transport rather than spend the whole three hours there on foot.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands in one day: Travel from Mellieħa Bay around Malta, Gozo, and Comino without arranging separate ferries or taxis.
• Gozo is a flexible stop: You get roughly three hours, but transport to Victoria or other sights is not included.
• The cave boat is worth considering: A small speedboat can take you close to sea caves that the main vessel cannot enter, for an extra charge of about €15.
• The Blue Lagoon swim is from the boat or shore: The water is beautiful, but the shore can be extremely crowded in summer.
• The boat ride is the main event: Expect a large vessel, scenic cruising, music, and a bar, but not a fast sightseeing boat or a fully narrated tour.
• Value is strongest in high season: At $33 per person, this covers a long day of coastal sightseeing and a swim stop, though optional add-ons raise the final cost.

A full day on Malta’s northern waters

This 6.5-hour outing starts at 9:30 from Mellieħa Bay, near Starbucks and the Oh Yeah Malta office on the seafront. You return to the Tunny Net Jetty at about 4:00 in the afternoon.

That timing makes this an efficient choice if you are staying in northern Malta or want one busy day rather than several separate outings. You see a large slice of the archipelago from the water, with the boat doing the hard work while you sit back, take photographs, and move between stops.

The trip is not built around long explanations from a guide. There are few or no regular announcements about the history of each cave and rock, so you should treat it as a scenic boat excursion rather than a guided history tour. Bring your own curiosity, and use the free time in Gozo to add the cultural side of the day.

The boat has a bar where food and drinks are available for purchase. Cash is sensible because card machines and ATMs may not work or may not be available. One practical point: some passengers found the vessel fairly large and slow, with seating not always sufficient for everyone. If you want a small, quick boat with constant commentary, this is not that sort of trip.

Passing Coral Lagoon and the first sea caves

Soon after leaving Mellieħa Bay, the boat passes Coral Lagoon and Smugglers Caves. Coral Lagoon is a quick photo stop, listed at about five minutes, so think of it as a view from the boat rather than a chance to get ashore.

The route then threads past some of Comino’s most interesting coastal features. Santa Maria Tower and the World War II Santa Maria Battery add a little history to the views, while the caves provide the more dramatic scenery. From the deck, you can photograph openings in the cliffs, pale rock, and clear water that would be difficult to reach by land.

The boat also visits Crystal Lagoon, Poppy’s Caves, and Lovers Caves. These stops are mainly scenic and photographic. The main vessel can show you the entrances, but it cannot give you the same close view as the optional small boat.

That extra cave trip is one of the strongest additions to the day. It costs about €15, and it takes you into the caves at a much closer range. The small-boat guide explains what you are seeing, and the ride adds speed and movement to a day that otherwise spends a lot of time on a larger vessel.

If caves are a major reason you are booking, budget for this add-on. If you prefer to keep the cost down, the main boat still passes the key sights, but your view will be more distant.

Three hours in Gozo, with a choice to make

Gozo is the longest stop, lasting about three hours, though the precise schedule is described in slightly different ways as roughly two hours and 45 minutes to just over three hours. You can spend this time on your own, take an optional open-top bus tour, or arrange a separate local trip.

The important detail is that transport around Gozo is not included. The boat brings you to the island, but the harbor is not the same as Victoria’s Citadel, and walking from the port to the main sights is not a sensible use of a short, hot afternoon.

If you want to see Victoria and the Citadel, plan an onward ride. A local bus option to Victoria has been available for a small fee, around €2.50 in one reported arrangement, with a return included within two hours. The open-top bus costs extra and may include stops such as Rabat and Ramla Bay, depending on the option offered that day.

The bus is useful because Gozo’s attractions are spread out. You can cover more ground and reach a beach, but the tradeoff is time. Short stops can feel rushed, especially if you want to explore the Citadel properly or sit down for a meal.

The free-time option works best if you have already seen Gozo or simply want a slower break. You can walk around the harbor area, find refreshments, and enjoy a quiet pause between boat rides. Still, there is limited sightseeing immediately around the landing point, so arriving without a plan can leave you wondering how to fill the time.

I would choose the optional transport if this is your only visit to Gozo. The open-top bus is not a substitute for a full island tour, but it gives the stop a purpose and lets you see more than the port.

What makes Gozo worth the extra effort

Gozo gives this excursion more variety than a straight Comino cruise. The island’s Citadel in Victoria offers a change from sea views, with old walls, town streets, and wide views across the island. The optional bus may also take you toward Ramla Bay, giving you the chance to see a sandy beach and, depending on the timing, take a quick swim.

At the same time, you should keep your expectations in check. Three hours sounds generous, but it disappears quickly once you wait for transport, walk through town, and stop for food. You will not get a relaxed, in-depth Gozo visit.

This is a sampler. I see it as a good introduction for someone with limited time in Malta, not the best choice for someone who wants to explore Gozo slowly. If Gozo is your priority, spend a separate day there by ferry, bus, or car.

The Blue Lagoon swim stop

After Gozo, the boat heads to the Blue Lagoon for about 90 minutes. This is the most anticipated part of the day, and it is easy to see why. The water is clear, the surrounding rock is striking, and the boat gives you a good view of the lagoon before you get wet.

You have several choices. Walk ashore and try to find space among the crowds, stay on the boat and use its ladder, or jump from the boat’s platform into the water. The last option is often the most comfortable in peak season. The shore can become packed, while the water beside the boat gives you room to swim without carrying your towel through the crowd.

The boat’s swim access is a real advantage. You can climb down a ladder directly into the sea, then return to the deck to dry off. Bring your own snorkel gear or rent equipment for a small charge. The water is the attraction, but the bottom line is that this is not a quiet lagoon experience in July or August.

The 90-minute stop is enough for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, and some time in the sun. A few people would prefer longer, especially if they want to walk around the island as well. I think the timing is reasonable for a multi-stop day, but it will feel short if swimming is your main goal.

In cooler months, the water may be too cold for some people. The lagoon can also remain busy outside summer, particularly on weekends. If you want the best chance of a calmer experience, a weekday or shoulder-season departure is the safer choice, though the water may be less inviting.

The return route past Elephant Head Rock

The return journey is not simply a trip back to Mellieħa Bay. The boat passes Elephant Head Rock on Comino, looks for shearwater birds, and visits Santa Maria Caves again from the sea.

Elephant Head Rock is a memorable photo subject, with its unusual profile rising from the water. The bird sightings are not guaranteed, but shearwaters are part of the coastal character of Comino. Santa Maria Caves give you another chance to photograph the cliffs and openings if you missed them earlier.

This final section is best enjoyed from the deck. You may see dolphins, as happened during one trip, but wildlife sightings are never something to book the tour around. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a dedicated wildlife cruise.

The boat arrives back at Mellieħa Bay at about 4:00. You have had a long day on the water, so this is not a quick half-day outing. Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and some cash will make the day easier.

How good is the $33 value?

At $33 per person, the base price is strong for a 6.5-hour excursion. You get the boat cruise, the three-island route, multiple cave and rock views, a substantial Gozo stop, and a 90-minute Blue Lagoon swim.

The cost becomes less simple once you add extras. The Gozo bus or local transport costs more, the small cave boat costs about €15, snorkeling gear is extra, and food and drinks are sold separately. You should compare the total with a shorter private boat trip before booking, especially if you already plan to visit Gozo independently.

For a first visit to Malta, the value is easiest to see. One ticket handles the main transport, coastal views, and swimming, and you do not have to organize separate boat connections. For a repeat visit, the appeal depends on how much you enjoy being on a larger boat for several hours.

A 4.5 rating from 445 bookings fits the experience well. The strongest points are organization, friendly crew, the number of sights included, and the Blue Lagoon swim. The weaker points are the crowded lagoon, limited information about the sights, and the need to pay extra to make the most of Gozo.

Practical details that affect your day

Meet on the Mellieħa Bay seafront, near Starbucks, and look for the Oh Yeah Malta office. English is the listed operating language.

The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty boarding, walking, or managing a ladder, confirm the exact arrangements before paying.

The tour is not suitable for jumping outside the designated swim access, and glass objects, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed. Those rules are easy to follow, but remember that the boat’s swim platform is different from jumping from rocks or other unsafe points.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule depends on weather or transport.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad first look at Malta’s northern coast, Comino, and Gozo in one day. It suits couples, families, and short-stay visitors who value variety more than a slow, carefully guided visit.

It is also a good fit if swimming matters. The boat platform and ladder offer a better option than squeezing onto the Blue Lagoon shore, and 90 minutes gives you enough time to enjoy the water without turning the whole day into a beach stop.

You may want another excursion if you dislike large boats, need detailed commentary, or want a peaceful Blue Lagoon visit. It is also not ideal if you want a serious Gozo tour. The optional bus helps, but its stops can feel brief, and the free-time option requires planning.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, well-packed day with plenty of sea views, a flexible Gozo stop, and a guaranteed swim break. I would add the small cave boat if the extra fee fits your budget, and I would arrange Gozo transport in advance rather than expect much at the harbor.

Skip it if your main goal is solitude, a quiet lagoon, or a detailed visit to Gozo. In that case, choose separate trips and spend more time at each place. For most short visits, though, $33 buys a useful introduction to three islands, and the boat’s swim access makes the crowded Blue Lagoon easier to enjoy.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

It starts at Mellieħa Bay. Meet near Starbucks on the seafront, where you will find the Oh Yeah Malta office.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The boat departs at 9:30 and returns to Mellieħa Bay at about 4:00, for a total duration of roughly 6.5 hours.

How long do I have in Gozo?

You have approximately three hours in Gozo, described in the schedule as about two hours and 45 minutes to just over three hours. Transport around Gozo is not included.

Is the Gozo bus tour included?

No. The optional open-top bus tour costs extra. You can also choose free time on Gozo or arrange another local transport option.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available for a small additional charge. You may also bring your own equipment.

How long is the Blue Lagoon swim stop?

The swim and snorkeling stop at the Blue Lagoon lasts about 90 minutes. You can swim from the shore or use the boat’s ladder and platform.