St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star of this day, with clear water, a boat-side swim, and an hour to enjoy the island. You also get a useful taste of Gozo by bus, rather than spending the whole day on one boat route.

I like the smaller boat, which gives you a better view of the coast and makes the cave visit possible when the sea is calm. I also like the mix of swimming, sightseeing, and free time in Victoria. The main drawback is the clock: two hours in Gozo can feel short, and the Blue Lagoon may be crowded in summer.

• Swim from the boat at Comino: You get one hour for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or a short walk.
• Visit Victoria by bus: Two hours in Gozo includes transport from Mgarr Harbour to the island’s capital.
• Enter coastal caves: The smaller boat can enter caves at Comino or along the coast when weather and sea conditions permit.
• Stop at St. Paul’s Island: You have 30 minutes for another swim or a walk to the statue of St. Paul.
• Cruise with live commentary: Captain Matthew and the crew explain the route in English while you travel between stops.
• Pay $40 for a full day: Food, drinks, and snorkeling gear cost extra, but the main boat, bus, and scheduled stops are included.

A Seven-Hour Maltese Day on Water and Land

This is a good choice if you want to see several Maltese highlights without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boat trips. You leave from Bugibba Jetty at 10:00 am and return around 5:00 pm, with the day divided between the sea, Gozo, and two swimming stops.

The schedule is active, but not complicated. You board between 9:30 and 9:50 am, then settle onto the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat. From there, the route heads north past Mellieha and along the Maltese coast.

I would treat this as a sampler rather than a slow, in-depth tour. You will not have time to explore every corner of Victoria or linger for hours at each swimming stop. In return, you get a broad look at the islands in one reasonably priced day.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, and live commentary is provided in English. Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included, so bringing some cash is sensible. You should also carry sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel.

The Bugibba Departure and Coastal Cruise

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty. Look for Mermaid representatives, or check for the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid. Boarding closes at 9:50 am, so arriving early matters. This is not the kind of outing where you want to arrive at the last minute with a towel still drying in your hotel bathroom.

The first part of the day is a scenic cruise. You pass Mellieha and see the Maltese coastline from the water, a view you simply do not get from a road tour. The boat gives you time to watch the shore change as you head toward Comino.

Captain Matthew has been praised for explaining the day’s plan clearly and helping passengers make the most of the stops. That is useful here because the schedule moves quickly. You need to know when to swim, when to return aboard, and when to prepare for the bus ride in Gozo.

The boat is smaller than many large excursion boats. That can make the ride more pleasant and gives the crew a chance to bring you into caves when conditions allow. A smaller boat can also feel fuller on a popular sailing day, but the boat has been described as nearly full rather than uncomfortably packed.

One Hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino. You get about one hour here, and the boat provides access to the water. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on the island if you prefer to stay dry.

The water is the reason to come. It is clear enough to make a simple swim feel special, and the bright sea around the boat gives you one of Malta’s most recognizable views. If you want to swim, change into your suit before arrival and keep your towel easy to reach.

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 cash security deposit. You can also bring your own equipment, but no gear is included in the price. If you plan to rent, carry cash rather than assuming a card will cover the deposit.

You should set realistic expectations about the Blue Lagoon. Its beauty draws many boats and visitors, especially in summer. The stop still gives you a worthwhile swim, but it is not a quiet, private cove. Some parts of the island may also show litter left by careless visitors, which can take the shine off an otherwise beautiful setting.

The tour’s one-hour stop is a practical compromise. You get enough time for a proper swim and a little sun, but not enough to wander at a leisurely pace. I would choose one main goal before you arrive: swim, snorkel, or walk. Trying to do all three will make the hour disappear.

Comino now requires visitors to sign up through the Maltese government website and obtain a free entry ticket. Check this requirement before the morning of the tour. It is an easy detail to overlook, and the ticket is separate from the $40 boat fare.

Gozo by Bus, with Two Hours in Victoria

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. You then board a bus to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The bus transfer saves you from arranging your own transport and lets you head straight into the main city rather than figuring out a route from the harbour.

Two hours in Victoria is enough for a focused visit. You can head toward the historic Cittadella, look through the markets, or stop at a local Gozitan restaurant. You will need to pick your priority, especially if you want time for food and sightseeing.

The Cittadella is the strongest choice if you want the most memorable cultural stop. It gives your short visit a sense of place and offers a look at Gozo’s history from within Victoria. If shopping matters more to you, the markets make a practical alternative. A meal gives you a chance to try local food, but sitting down for a long lunch will reduce your sightseeing time.

Several people have found the Gozo portion too short, with an extra 30 to 45 minutes feeling useful. I agree that this is the tour’s clearest time pressure. The bus ride is convenient, but it also means your Gozo visit has a fixed start and end.

If the operator offers a private bus option, it may be worth considering if you want a more direct and personal visit to Victoria. Confirm the extra cost and details before booking. The standard plan is designed for convenience, not a long independent exploration of Gozo.

For the best use of the two hours, I would walk toward the Cittadella first, then use any remaining time for the markets or a quick bite. Do not spend most of the stop browsing near the bus if your main goal is to see Victoria.

Coastal Caves and the Return Toward St. Paul’s Island

Once you return to Mgarr Harbour, the boat continues along the coast. This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the route because you are not simply being transported from one stop to the next. The coastline becomes part of the tour.

The smaller boat may enter impressive caves at no extra charge. Depending on conditions, the crew may visit Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves around Comino. This portion depends on the wind, waves, and safe access to the cave openings.

That weather qualification matters. You should see cave entry as a welcome possibility, not a guaranteed feature. The captain can alter the route or cancel parts of the trip when sea conditions make them unsafe.

Have your camera ready during this section. The boat lets you view Malta’s coast from close range, and the cave entrances provide a different perspective from the open-water stops. If you are prone to seasickness, keep your medication or other usual precautions in mind, since the day includes several hours on the water.

Live commentary adds context during the cruise, though the supplied information confirms English only. If you do not understand English comfortably, the sightseeing value will still be there, but you may miss much of the explanation.

Thirty Minutes at St. Paul’s Island

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, where you have about 30 minutes. You can take one last swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul.

This is a short, simple stop, and that is part of its appeal. After the Blue Lagoon and Gozo, you get a final chance to stretch your legs, cool off, and take photographs before the boat returns to Bugibba.

Do not expect a long visit. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick walk or swim, not both at a slow pace. If you have already spent the day in the water, the statue and short walk may be the better choice. If you still want to swim, this is your last scheduled chance.

The stop also breaks up the return journey. You are not confined to your seat until 5:00 pm, and the view back toward Bugibba gives the day a pleasant finish.

What the $40 Price Really Covers

At $40 per person, this is strong value if you want transportation between several places and are happy with a fast-moving schedule. The fare covers the boat cruise, the one-hour Comino stop, the bus transfer and two-hour Gozo visit, the St. Paul’s Island stop, live English commentary, toilets, Wi-Fi, and cave entry when conditions permit.

The price does not cover food, drinks, or snorkeling equipment. You should budget for anything you want to buy aboard the boat or in Victoria. The €10 cash deposit for rented snorkeling gear is returned according to the rental arrangement, but you need to have it available.

The value comes from combining locations that would be awkward to arrange independently in one day. You get Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island without booking separate boat transport and a Gozo transfer.

The tradeoff is depth. A dedicated Gozo tour could give you more time on the island, while a dedicated Comino outing might allow a longer swim. This tour makes sense if variety matters more than lingering.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 114 ratings, which fits the pattern of the outing: strong marks for the friendly crew, clear organization, boat size, scenery, and price, with the main reservations focused on limited time in Gozo and crowds at the Blue Lagoon.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most

I would recommend this to you if you want a first look at Malta’s northern islands and prefer an organized day. It suits people who enjoy a mix of boat scenery, swimming, a little city exploration, and short walks.

It is also useful if you are staying near Bugibba and want a full day without handling several transport connections. Families and couples who want varied activities may find the changing pace keeps the day interesting.

You should think twice if your priority is a quiet beach, extended time in Victoria, or a slow cultural visit. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat, bus, swimming, and walking stops require you to move between different settings.

The day can also feel tiring. You leave in the morning, spend several hours on the water, visit Gozo by bus, and finish with another stop. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and protect yourself from the sun.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

Arrive at Bugibba before boarding opens at 9:30 am. Boarding closes at 9:50 am, and the boat departs at 10:00 am sharp.

Bring:

• A sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
• Swimwear and a towel
• Cash for food, drinks, snorkeling deposit, and other purchases
• A camera or phone with enough battery
• Comfortable shoes for Victoria and St. Paul’s Island

I would keep your towel, sunscreen, and cash in a small day bag rather than buried under clothing. You will use them repeatedly.

Plan your Gozo stop before the boat reaches Mgarr. Choose the Cittadella, the markets, or a meal as your main goal. The two-hour visit passes quickly once bus transfers are included.

The captain can change the route because of weather. Cave entry is also dependent on sea conditions, so keep your expectations flexible. The Blue Lagoon entry ticket must be obtained through the Maltese government website, and it is free.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still changing, but the weather remains the main factor on a boat day.

Should You Book the Gozo, Comino, and St. Paul’s Tour?

Book it if you want Malta’s biggest northern highlights in one day for $40. The Blue Lagoon swim, Gozo bus transfer, coastal caves, and friendly crew give you plenty for the price.

Skip it if you want a relaxed day with long stops. Gozo deserves more than two hours, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded. For most people seeking variety and good value, though, this is a practical introduction to Malta’s islands. Arrive early, bring cash, secure the Comino ticket, and choose your Victoria priority before you board.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Bugibba Jetty. Look for Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat departs at 10:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours and returns to Bugibba at around 5:00 pm.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, and a €10 security deposit in cash is required.

Do I need a ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese government website to obtain a free entry ticket for Comino.

Can the boat enter the caves in all weather?

No. Cave visits and entry depend on the weather and sea conditions. The captain may also alter or cancel parts of the route for safety.