Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the balance: you get Gozo’s inland capital, Victoria, and Comino’s famous water in one outing, without spending the whole day on a giant party boat. Seahorse Cruises also takes you past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Crystal Lagoon, Smuggler’s Cove, and the Santa Maria caves.

I like the friendly crew and comfortable boat, and I like that the captain anchors away from the thickest Blue Lagoon crowd. The catch is time: 1.5 hours in Gozo is enough for a quick look, not a proper visit to the island.

Key points

• Captain Owen and a welcoming crew: Expect clear safety guidance, helpful service, and commentary in English and Italian.
• Victoria in just 1.5 hours: You can see a little of Gozo’s capital and browse for souvenirs, but you will need to keep moving.
• A quieter Blue Lagoon swim: The boat anchors away from the busiest area, giving you the choice of swimming from the vessel or going ashore.
• A smaller boat feel: Seahorse Cruises is less crowded than many large excursion boats, according to the supplied experience details.
• Sea caves on the return: Santa Maria caves and the Elephants Head rock formation provide a fine closing scene.
• Plan around the rules: Boarding closes at 10 AM, cash is accepted onboard, and you need a free Blue Lagoon QR code if you want to step ashore.

Why this Gozo and Comino cruise works well

Malta’s main island is compact, but its nearby islands feel different enough to justify a boat day. Gozo is calmer and more rural in character, while Comino is best known for bright water, rocky coves, and sea caves.

This trip gives you a taste of both. You are not signing up for a deep visit to Gozo, and you are not getting a long, empty beach afternoon at Comino. Instead, you get a well-packed day with scenic cruising, a short land visit, and time for swimming.

At $53 per person, the price is fair for what is included. You get the boat ride, transport from Gozo’s landing point to Victoria, the Blue Lagoon stop, commentary, and access to the vessel’s toilet, shower, sundeck, and swimming platform. Food and drinks cost extra, but onboard prices are described as reasonable.

I would choose this trip if you want to see the main coastal highlights in one booking. If your main goal is a full day in Victoria or a long swim at the Blue Lagoon, separate outings would give you more time.

Boarding at Bugibba Jetty before 10 AM

The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty in San Pawl il-Baħar. The vessel is the only sailing boat at the meeting point and is called Seahorse Cruises, so identifying it should be straightforward.

The stated start time is 10:30 AM, but boarding closes at 10 AM. Treat the earlier time as the real deadline. You will want time to find the jetty, check the boat, and settle in before departure.

This is a six-and-a-half-hour activity, returning to Bugibba at about 5 PM. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.

The boat has a sundeck, and the setup is suited to a relaxed day on the water. It also has an outdoor shower near the side ladder, a toilet, and a platform for entering the sea. A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit.

The coastal cruise past Malta’s northern sights

The first hour is scenic cruising rather than a formal stop. That is useful because the route gives you a wider view of Malta’s northern coast before the land visits begin.

You pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove Cave. The boat also passes Crystal Lagoon for a short photo and sightseeing stop. These places are best appreciated from the water, where the cliffs, openings in the rock, and clear shallows come together in one view.

Live commentary is offered in English and Italian. The amount of explanation can vary, so do not expect a detailed guided lecture at every site. The stronger part of the experience is the setting itself: you can sit on the sundeck, watch the coast, and let the boat do the work.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider sitting where the motion feels gentler and bring only what you need. The supplied information does not promise a fixed route in every condition. The captain may change the path, departure point, or return point because of wind, tides, or other conditions.

Victoria, Gozo: useful, but much too short for a full visit

Gozo is the first main stop. After the boat reaches the island, the tour provides transport by shuttle bus to Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

This arrangement saves you from figuring out local transport during a short stop. It also means your time is tightly controlled. You have about two hours in the itinerary, though several people found that 1.5 hours of actual free time was not enough to eat, shop, and see much of Victoria.

Use the time wisely. You can take photographs, see some of the historical sights, and browse the market for souvenirs such as fridge magnets. You will not have time to explore Gozo in depth, and this is not the right tour if you want a slow walk around the capital or a longer look at the island beyond Victoria.

I would treat this stop as an introduction. It lets you get off the boat, stretch your legs, and see a little of Gozo’s character. You can also decide if you want to return for a separate island visit later.

The shuttle transfer is part of the activity, but an extra €5 charge for the bus has been reported in the supplied trip details. Check the current terms before booking so the transport cost does not surprise you.

The Blue Lagoon stop and the new QR code rule

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the boat gives you about 1.5 hours here.

A useful feature of this cruise is the anchoring position. Seahorse Cruises aims to stop away from the thickest crowd, so you can swim directly from the boat in a calmer spot. You can also relax on deck, use the swimming platform, or snorkel with a mask borrowed against the €10 deposit.

You should understand the difference between staying onboard and stepping onto Comino. If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must arrange a free QR code under the Maltese authorities’ rules introduced on May 1, 2025. The specified booking window is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Check your ticket and arrange the code before the trip. The code is not a charge, but it is required for access ashore. If you simply want to swim from the boat, confirm the current instructions with the crew.

The 1.5-hour stop is enough for a swim and some sun, but it is not a long beach session. The area can be crowded, especially in summer, even when your boat anchors away from the busiest section. You should also remember that the Blue Lagoon is a rocky, exposed place, not a broad sandy beach.

This is where the boat’s facilities matter. You can avoid hauling beach gear ashore, rinse off with the shower, and return to the sundeck when you have had enough water. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, and cash is required.

Santa Maria caves and the Elephants Head rock

The return cruise includes a short look at Santa Maria caves. The boat enters or passes near the caves, depending on sea conditions, giving you a chance to see the openings and rock shapes from the water.

The Elephants Head formation is the memorable detail here. Its outline resembles an elephant’s head, and it makes a good final photo stop after the Blue Lagoon.

The stated cave visit lasts about 10 minutes, so keep your camera ready. This is a quick scenic passage, not a cave expedition. One supplied experience detail also mentions an optional speedboat cave trip sold onboard. That costs extra, and you should ask the crew for current pricing and conditions if the added ride interests you.

What the boat experience feels like

Seahorse Cruises uses a smaller boat than many of the large vessels operating around Malta. That does not mean you will have an empty deck, especially in the busy season, but the supplied experiences repeatedly describe the boat as less crowded and more relaxed than bigger alternatives.

The vessel has the practical features you need for a water day: a toilet, sundeck, outdoor shower, snorkeling equipment, food and drinks, and a swimming platform. Several supplied experiences also praise the boat’s clean condition and its attractive appearance.

The tone is friendly rather than formal. Captain Owen is specifically praised in the supplied details for caring about the people onboard, and the crew is described as attentive, welcoming, and helpful. Safety instructions are given before the trip, which is important when the day includes swimming from a boat.

Do not expect luxury yacht service at $53. This is a practical sightseeing cruise with a pleasant boat, not a private charter. The value comes from combining several places and paying one moderate price.

Food, drinks, and what to pack

Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. The supplied details describe the prices as reasonable, but only cash is accepted. Bring enough money for refreshments and any optional extras.

Outside food and drinks are listed as not allowed, so do not plan on bringing a picnic or cooler. You can bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable shoes. Comfortable footwear matters in Victoria and around the rocky shore areas.

Pack light. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and deck space is more useful when you are not carrying a heavy day bag. A small essential bag is the sensible choice, subject to the operator’s current rules.

A dry cover for your phone could be useful around the swimming platform, although the supplied information does not list one as included. You should also apply sunscreen before boarding and reapply during the day, since much of the trip is spent in open sun.

Who should book this cruise?

This outing suits you if you want:

• A single trip covering Gozo and Comino
• A swim at the Blue Lagoon without spending the whole day ashore
• A smaller boat atmosphere rather than a large party vessel
• Easy transport to Victoria
• A mix of sightseeing, swimming, sun, and coastal views
• A family-friendly activity that works for different ages

It is less suitable if you have mobility impairments, since the activity involves boarding a boat, moving around a vessel, using a side ladder or swimming platform, and transferring by shuttle bus.

It is also not ideal if your priority is one destination. Gozo deserves more than a quick stop if you want to see beyond Victoria. The Blue Lagoon deserves more time if you want a long swim and an unhurried afternoon.

The tour can also feel busy because it packs several experiences into one day. One supplied experience specifically wished for more time in Victoria, while another noted that larger groups could board the boat later in the day. That is worth keeping in mind if you prefer a quiet, slow schedule.

My verdict on the $53 price

At $53, this is good value for a six-and-a-half-hour outing, especially if you would otherwise book separate transport and boat trips. The price covers the main cruise, Victoria transfer, Blue Lagoon stop, commentary, and useful onboard facilities.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want an overview. You get a feel for Gozo, a proper look at Comino’s famous water, and several coastal sights without arranging the details yourself.

The value is weaker if you measure the trip by time spent ashore. Victoria is brief, and the Blue Lagoon stop is limited to 1.5 hours. Food, drinks, the mask deposit, the optional cave speedboat, and possibly the Victoria shuttle fee add to the final cost.

Should you book Seahorse Cruises?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-organized boat day with good coastal scenery and a manageable price. The smaller-boat feel, helpful crew, clean facilities, and quieter swimming position make this a sensible choice among Malta’s many Blue Lagoon outings.

Skip it if you want a full Gozo visit, a long stay at Comino, or complete freedom to set your own timetable. For most people seeking a broad taste of Malta’s sister islands, though, this is a practical and enjoyable choice. Arrive early, bring cash, arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to go ashore, and treat Victoria as a preview rather than the main visit.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. Look for the Seahorse Cruises sailing boat.

What time does boarding close?

Boarding closes at 10 AM. The stated departure time is 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding deadline.

How long is the activity?

The cruise lasts about 6.5 hours and is scheduled to return to Bugibba Jetty at about 5 PM.

How much time is spent in Victoria, Gozo?

The itinerary allows about two hours for the Victoria stop, though the actual free time may be around 1.5 hours. This includes time for sightseeing and shopping.

Can I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can swim from the boat, use the diving platform, or snorkel during the 1.5-hour stop. A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The required time slot is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM under the stated regulations.

What languages are used during the cruise?

Live commentary is available in English and Italian.