Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour

The Blue Lagoon swim is the star here. You cruise from St. Paul’s Bay along Malta’s rocky north coast, pass sea caves and sandy beaches, then moor beside Comino for 90 minutes. You can jump from the boat, use the 10-meter slide, walk onto the island, or simply claim a deck chair and watch the water.

I like two things in particular: this trip covers Comino and Gozo in one day for about $36.28, and it makes good use of the boat as your base, with toilets, shaded seating, a café, lockers, and sun decks. The main catch is time. Gozo gets three hours including transport, so you will see a slice of the island, not the whole thing. The boat can also feel crowded, and the best loungers go quickly.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon: You get about 90 minutes at Comino, with swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and a boat slide.
• Gozo choice: Explore independently, or pay €5 cash for the shuttle to Victoria and a viewpoint.
• Coastal sightseeing: The cruise passes St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, Ghadira Bay, and other rocky formations.
• Optional speedboat: A €15 cash extra takes you closer to Comino’s smaller caves, but it may leave too little time for a proper swim.
• Boat setup: Expect a practical older vessel with upper sun decks, shade, air conditioning, toilets, lockers, and a café.
• Best practical tip: Arrive early for a top-deck lounger, bring cash and a towel, and download the Blue Lagoon landing pass before departure.

Why this full-day cruise works well

This is a sightseeing day built around water, not a formal island tour. You spend much of the time on deck, moving between Malta, Comino, and Gozo while the crew points out coastal sights. It is a good fit if you have limited time and want a taste of several places without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boat trips.

The advertised price of $36.28 is strong value for roughly seven hours, especially because it includes the main cruise, the cave route, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the Gozo crossing. Food, drinks, rentals, and transfers are extra, but the base fare still covers the major transport for the day.

The tradeoff is that this is not a small, quiet sailing boat. The maximum group size is 232 people, and the vessel can feel busy in high season. One part of the experience is about finding your preferred place on board, then making the most of it.

Leaving St. Paul’s Bay at 10 a.m.

You make your own way to Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The meeting point is at Dawret Il-Gzejjer, and the boat is scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. If you are coming from Valletta, allow plenty of time. One report puts the bus journey at a little over an hour, while a taxi or Bolt ride costs more but may be easier.

Get there early if you want a top-deck chair. The upper deck has the best views and open-air sunbathing, but loungers are limited and assigned on a first-come basis. Arriving around 9:30 may help, though on busy departures you may still need to share or choose a seat elsewhere.

The boat has several seating areas. You will find sunny and shaded seats on the main deck, an air-conditioned lower deck, toilets, a café, and a small number of lockers. The arrangement is practical rather than polished. One honest criticism is that the vessel is older and may feel crowded, particularly when everyone is moving around before departure or returning from a swim.

Malta’s north coast, caves, and St. Paul’s Island

The cruise begins with views of St. Paul’s Islands and the statue marking the traditional site where St. Paul was shipwrecked in 60 AD. The statue is about 8.3 meters high, so it is easy to spot from the water and gives the opening stretch some historical context.

The boat then follows Malta’s rugged northern coast. You pass Ghadira Bay, also known as Mellieha Beach, described as the largest sandy beach on Malta, before entering Ahrax Cave for a close look and photographs.

The route continues through Comino’s north channel. Along the way, the boat passes the rock formation called the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Cave, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel. This part is especially worthwhile if you like seeing coastlines from the water. Several formations are hard to appreciate from land, and the boat gives you a clear angle for photographs.

The crew provides information as you go. Captain Kevin is mentioned by name in the feedback, along with praise for the commentary and the music on board. Expect an informal presentation rather than a formal guided lecture. The main pleasure is the changing view: pale rock, narrow openings, small bays, and clear water.

What to expect at the Blue Lagoon

After about an hour of cruising, the boat reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The aim is to arrive before many other boats, though the lagoon is still a popular stop and can become crowded later in the day.

The boat remains your base for the 90-minute visit. You can swim directly from it, use the slide, sit on the upper deck, or walk on and off the boat to explore the island. This arrangement is useful because you can return for shade, a drink, a toilet, or a place to leave your things instead of spending the entire stop on the shore.

The water is the main attraction. It is clear and turquoise, and swimming from the boat gives you a better sense of the lagoon than simply taking photographs from land. Life vests are available on request, which is helpful if you are not a strong swimmer. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €10 refundable deposit.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not supplied, and the café does not sell sunscreen, so pack both before you leave. You may also want a waterproof pouch for valuables. Lockers cost €2 with a €10 refundable deposit, but the number is limited.

The 90-minute stop sounds generous until you add changing, walking, snorkeling, and perhaps an optional speedboat ride. If swimming is your priority, use the time carefully. One practical approach is to swim first, then take photographs and explore the shore. If you add the speedboat, you may have only 10 to 15 minutes in the water.

A landing pass is required for Comino. You should download the QR code from www.blcomino.com before the trip rather than trying to sort it out at the lagoon.

Crystal Lagoon and the optional speedboat

Crystal Lagoon is passed during the route through Comino’s southern channel. It is known for deeper water and is popular with divers. The bay can also be reached on foot from the Blue Lagoon in about eight minutes, but this cruise does not present it as a separate long swimming stop.

There is an optional speedboat ride to the smaller caves for €15 per person. Payment is cash only according to the tour details, although one account notes that the speedboat accepted card or cash, so carrying cash is still the safer choice.

The speedboat is a good add-on if you want to get close to rocky coves and see parts of Comino that the larger boat cannot enter. It is a short, lively ride with views of unusual rock formations and film locations. The drawback is simple: you cannot do everything comfortably during a 90-minute stop. Pick the speedboat if the caves matter more to you. Skip it if your main goal is a relaxed swim and time on the island.

Three hours around Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour

After Comino, the boat crosses to Gozo’s main port, Mġarr Harbour. You have about three hours on Gozo, but that figure includes the time needed to travel between the harbour, Victoria, and the viewpoint if you take the organized shuttle.

You have three basic choices:

• Stay near Mġarr Harbour and explore at your own pace.
• Use local public transport or a taxi.
• Pay €5 for the organized minibus transfer to Victoria and a panoramic viewpoint.

The €5 shuttle is the sensible choice if you want to see Gozo’s capital during this short stop. It includes about 90 minutes in Victoria, where you can walk toward the Citadel, shop, eat, or look around the town. The second stop is a 15-minute viewpoint for photographs.

The shuttle is paid for on the day, and the tour information says to bring cash. It saves time compared with figuring out a local bus from the port. A public bus to Victoria can take around half an hour, which is a significant portion of a three-hour visit. There is also a local €3 shuttle service from the port to the Citadel, but you will need to find it yourself and account for its schedule.

Do not expect an in-depth Gozo tour. The organized transfer is mainly transportation with stops, and the amount of commentary can vary by driver. Paul is mentioned positively as a Gozo driver, but you should think of this option as a quick introduction rather than a full guided visit.

Victoria’s Citadel and streets are worth seeing, but the approach includes an uphill walk and stairs. If that is difficult for you, ask about the local shuttle or choose a gentler plan near the harbour. The tour is described as suitable for most people, but it is not a dedicated mobility-focused excursion.

Food, drinks, cash, and comfort on board

The café sells hot and cold drinks and simple food at what the supplied information describes as reasonable prices. Pineapple drinks are one popular option, with refills reportedly costing about €6. You can also buy fries and other casual food.

Food and drinks are not included in the fare. Bring cash for the €5 Gozo shuttle, the €15 speedboat, rentals, and lockers. It is wise to carry a card as well, but cash is essential for the listed optional extras.

The boat has shade and air conditioning, yet the open deck can become chilly later in the day. In autumn and winter, bring layers. Even on a warm day, the wind across the water may make the return trip cool, especially after swimming.

The boat has a lively atmosphere, with music and friendly staff. That can make the long day feel easygoing, but it also means this is not the right choice if you want a silent or intimate cruise. Come for the scenery, the water, and the relaxed group setting.

Timing, crowds, and the return to Malta

The schedule is tightly planned. You leave St. Paul’s Bay at 10 a.m., spend about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, continue to Gozo for around three hours, and return to Malta at about 5 p.m.

Punctuality matters. If you leave Victoria late, you risk missing the shuttle back to Mġarr Harbour and the boat’s departure. Keep track of the meeting time yourself, especially if you explore independently.

The trip can be very enjoyable even outside the main summer months. Swimming may still be possible in November when the weather is warm, though conditions vary. The tour runs only in suitable weather, and a cancellation caused by poor conditions offers either another date or a full refund.

The cruise is long enough to feel like a full day out. That is a benefit if you want maximum sightseeing for the price, but a drawback if you prefer a short boat trip. One person found the day too long and chose a different ferry back, so consider your energy and your interest in spending hours on the water.

Who should book this Comino and Gozo cruise?

I would choose this tour if you want to combine boat scenery, a Blue Lagoon swim, and a quick Gozo visit without paying for separate transport. It is especially useful on a short Malta stay, when seeing both islands matters more than exploring one of them in depth.

It suits swimmers, families with older children, couples, and anyone who enjoys a social day on the water. Life vests are available, and most people can take part, but parents should watch the timing and the boat edges around the slide and swimming area.

I would choose another option if your priority is a quiet boat, a long Gozo visit, or several hours at the Blue Lagoon. A Comino-only trip may suit you better if you want more swimming and less transit. Likewise, anyone keen to see Gozo’s villages, churches, and countryside should plan a separate day on Gozo.

The rating of 4.6 from 1,923 ratings, with 91 percent recommending the experience, fits the overall picture: strong value, friendly staff, attractive scenery, and a few predictable compromises around crowds, boat age, and limited time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, active introduction to Malta’s northern coast, Comino, and Gozo in one day. Arrive early, bring a towel and layers, download the landing pass, and carry cash for extras.

The key decision is how you want to use the Blue Lagoon stop. Choose swimming and snorkeling for a relaxed visit. Choose the speedboat for closer cave views. Take the €5 Gozo shuttle if Victoria is important to you, but understand that the island visit will be brief.

For about $36.28, the tour gives you a lot of scenery and transport in one package. It is not intimate or slow, but it is an efficient way to see three of Malta’s most popular coastal highlights.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. Departure is scheduled for 10 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about seven hours and returns to the meeting point at approximately 5 p.m.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about one hour and 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, use the boat slide, or walk onto Comino.

Is the Gozo bus tour included?

No. The optional shuttle costs €5 per person and is paid for on the day. It includes time in Victoria and a short stop at a panoramic viewpoint.

Are food, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Food and drinks are sold on board. Towels are not provided. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5 plus a €10 refundable deposit, and lockers cost €2 plus a €10 refundable deposit.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour is subject to suitable weather conditions. If it is canceled because of poor weather, 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.