Malta: Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the mix of clear-water swimming and island sightseeing in one long day. You cruise past Malta’s cliffs and caves, stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, then have three hours to see Gozo, with Captain Kevin or guides such as Brahim keeping the trip lively and informative.

I like the generous time in Gozo and the range of ways to enjoy the boat: sun deck, shaded seating, swimming, snorkeling, and a 10-meter slide. I also like the fair $34 price, though the boat can fill quickly, and the upper-deck chairs go to early arrivals.

Key things to know before you book

• Arrive one hour early: The boat leaves at 10:00 AM and does not wait for late arrivals. Early arrival is the best way to claim an upper-deck chair.
• Blue Lagoon time is active: You get about 1.5 hours for swimming and snorkeling, with a small beach, a slide, and jumps from the boat.
• Gozo is not just a quick photo stop: You have three hours, enough for Victoria, lunch, shopping, and a walk around the Citadel if you use the optional minibus.
• Bring cash for extras: The Gozo minibus costs €5, the optional speedboat costs €15, and snorkeling equipment has a €5 rental fee plus a refundable deposit.
• The boat has a family-day-out feel: Captain Kevin’s commentary, music, snacks, hot food, and friendly crew make the long cruise easygoing.
• Expect a full boat in high season: Deck chairs are limited, lockers are limited, and this is not a quiet private cruise.

What this seven-hour Malta cruise is really like

This is a full day on the water, not a short sightseeing trip with a quick swim attached. You leave from Hornblower Cruises at Sirens Quay in St Pauls Bay and return there after visiting Comino and Gozo.

The boat is family-run, and that personal touch shows in the way the crew handles boarding, swimming access, and optional activities. Captain Kevin provides live commentary as you pass Malta’s northern coast, while guides and crew members help with the practical details.

The mood is relaxed and social. Music plays on board, the bar sells drinks and snacks, and hot food is available to buy. You can sit in the sun, use the shaded main deck, or spend much of the day in the water.

The tradeoff is space. This is a popular outing with a rating of 4.6 from more than 5,000 ratings, so you should not expect an empty deck or a quiet boat. If you want the best upper-deck position, arrive 45 minutes to an hour early. Several people arrived about 30 minutes early and found only the last seats available.

Boarding at St Pauls Bay

The meeting point is Hornblower Cruises, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay, directly behind LOA restaurant. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red.

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. This matters because traffic can be heavy around Malta, and the operator does not delay the departure for late arrivals. Free parking may be available in white roadside spaces and in a small parking area near the stop, but spaces are limited.

If you use the local bus, the Parades, Bandieri, and Toni stops are within walking distance. I would not cut this close. Arriving early reduces parking stress and gives you time to find the correct boat, store your things, and settle on the upper deck.

Upper-deck chairs are limited and assigned on a first-come basis. They are deck chairs rather than padded loungers, but they are still the preferred place for open views and sun. The main deck has shaded seating, which may suit you better if you do not want constant sun.

Malta’s northern coast, St Paul’s Islands, and the caves

Once underway, the cruise follows Malta’s northern coast. You pass close to high rocky cliffs, coves, natural rock formations, and sea caves, giving you repeated chances to take pictures from the water.

One important sight is St Paul’s Islands, connected with the tradition that St Paul was shipwrecked in Malta in AD 60. The large statue of St Paul is easy to spot from the boat and gives the route a useful historical marker.

The boat passes near the Ahrax and Santa Maria caves. Depending on the conditions and the route that day, you may get close views of the entrances and rock walls. These are mainly photo and sightseeing stops, so do not expect a long shore visit at every cave.

Captain Kevin provides live commentary about the places you pass. The information is woven into the cruise rather than delivered as a formal lecture, and the crew keeps the atmosphere light with music and conversation. If you want every historical detail, bring a small notebook or use your phone, since one useful improvement would be having the information available in a printed guide.

Blue Lagoon: 90 minutes for swimming and snorkeling

The main water stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where the boat stays for about 1.5 hours. The water is clear and turquoise, and the setting is the kind of place that makes swimming feel less like an activity and more like the reason you came to Malta.

You can enter from the boat or walk to the small sandy beach. The boat also has a 10-meter slide, which is a major hit with families and anyone who wants more than a quiet swim. You can jump from the boat, slide into the water, or simply sit on deck and watch.

Snorkeling equipment can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned when you bring the equipment back. Bring your own mask if you have one, but do not forget a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, especially during the busiest part of the season. Staying on the boat gives you a more comfortable base than trying to find a place along the shore. The upper deck is useful here, since you can dry off in the sun and still keep an eye on the water.

There is also an optional speedboat ride for €15, payable in cash. It depends on availability and is bought from the representative on site. The ride takes you closer to caves and around parts of the coast, but prepare to get wet. It is not essential to enjoy the cruise, but it is a good add-on if you want a faster, more active look at Comino.

Three hours on Gozo, with Victoria as the practical target

After Comino, the cruise continues to Gozo. You have three hours of free time, which is much more useful than a rushed hour-long stop.

You can explore independently, shop, walk, find lunch, or pay €5 in cash for the local minibus transfer to Victoria. I think the minibus is good value because it saves time and makes it easier to reach Gozo’s capital without sorting out local transport on your own.

The transfer generally allows you to use the three-hour stop efficiently, with about 1.5 hours in Victoria. That is enough for a walk, photographs, lunch, and a visit toward the Citadel, though you will need to watch the clock.

Victoria gives you a change of pace after the swimming stop. Instead of water and open deck, you get streets, shops, cafés, and views from the city’s historic center. The stop is self-guided, so you choose your own pace. If you want a detailed guided tour of Gozo, this cruise will not provide that level of structure.

Some people prefer to skip the minibus and explore near the port on their own. That can work if you want a slower outing, but the €5 transfer is the more practical choice if Victoria and the Citadel are your priorities.

The itinerary also includes scenic views connected with Xlendi Bay. Treat this as a passing sight or photo opportunity rather than a guaranteed long visit. The schedule has several points where the boat cruises past coastal sights, so the main value is seeing Gozo from the water and using Victoria for your land time.

The return route through Crystal Lagoon and St Mary’s Tower

After your Gozo stop, the boat returns toward Malta through the southern channel of Comino. This gives you a second view of Comino and adds several scenic points that you may not have seen on the way out.

The route passes Crystal Lagoon, known for clear water and sea caves. The cruise may stop for photographs, but the Blue Lagoon is the planned swimming stop. Do not book this expecting a second long swim at Crystal Lagoon.

You also pass St Mary’s Tower, one of Comino’s best-known landmarks. From the boat, it provides a strong final photo stop before the cruise heads back toward St Pauls Bay.

The return trip is a good time to sit in the shade, buy a drink, review your photos, or simply let the crew handle the navigation. By this point, you have had a full day of sun, water, walking, and sightseeing, so the relaxed ride back is welcome.

Food, drinks, lockers, and the extra costs

The $34 base price is strong value for a seven-hour cruise with transport by boat, a Blue Lagoon stop, and three hours on Gozo. It is especially good for people who want to combine two islands without arranging separate ferries, buses, and swimming plans.

Lunch is not included, but hot food, snacks, and drinks are available on board at reasonable prices. You can also bring cash for the optional activities and small purchases on Gozo.

Budget for these possible extras:

• €5 for the Gozo minibus, paid in cash
• €15 for the optional Blue Lagoon speedboat, paid in cash if available
• €5 to rent a mask and snorkel, plus a €15 deposit with €10 returned
• €2 for a locker, with limited availability

The trip can remain inexpensive if you bring your own snorkeling gear and explore Gozo independently. If you add the minibus, speedboat, food, drinks, and equipment rental, the final cost will be higher than the advertised fare.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, first-time Malta visitors, and anyone who wants a busy day with plenty of variety. The slide, swimming, music, and open deck keep children and active adults occupied, while the Gozo stop adds enough sightseeing to prevent the day from becoming only a beach outing.

It is also a good choice if you have limited time in Malta. You see the northern coast, Comino, Blue Lagoon, Gozo, Victoria, Crystal Lagoon, and St Mary’s Tower without planning each connection yourself.

The cruise is less suitable if you want a private boat, a slow and silent voyage, or a detailed guided tour at every stop. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone who dislikes strong sun, crowds, or a fixed schedule should think carefully before booking.

The crew’s helpful attitude is one of the strongest features. Staff have assisted older passengers with boarding the optional speedboat, and guides such as Brahim have been singled out for being friendly and attentive. Still, you should tell the crew if you need help and allow extra time for getting on and off the boat.

Practical tips for a better day

• Arrive by 9:00 AM: This gives you the best chance of an upper-deck chair and leaves room for traffic or parking problems.
• Pack a towel and dry clothes: The slide and speedboat can leave you soaked, even if you planned only a quick swim.
• Carry cash: The optional minibus, speedboat, snorkeling rental, food, and lockers are easiest to pay for with cash.
• Bring sun protection: The upper deck has strong exposure, and the swim stop can make you forget how much sun you are getting.
• Decide your Gozo plan early: If you want Victoria, pay for the minibus when boarding rather than losing time figuring out transport later.
• Do not count on a locker: Availability is limited, so bring only what you can keep secure and close to you.
• Keep the return time in mind: Gozo is self-guided, and the boat will leave according to its schedule.

Should you book the Hornblower Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a high-value, full-day Malta outing with swimming, coastal scenery, a fun boat, and a useful block of time in Gozo. The combination is the main selling point: you can slide into Blue Lagoon, hear stories about Malta’s coast, take a speedboat if you wish, then walk through Victoria before returning by sea.

Skip it if you want a private experience or dislike busy boats and fixed departure times. For most people, though, the $34 starting price covers a lot of Malta in seven hours. Arrive early, bring cash, and treat the optional minibus as the easiest way to make the most of Gozo.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Hornblower Cruises at Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay. The boat is behind LOA restaurant, and you should look for the large white and blue Hornblower boat.

What time does the boat depart?

The boat departs at 10:00 AM. It leaves promptly and does not wait for late arrivals, so arriving 45 minutes to one hour early is recommended.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, use the 10-meter slide, sit on the boat, or walk to the small sandy beach.

Is the Gozo minibus included?

No. The optional minibus transfer costs €5 and must be paid in cash. It takes you toward Victoria, Gozo’s capital, and helps you use the three-hour Gozo stop efficiently.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Lunch is not included, but hot food, snacks, and drinks are available to purchase on board.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.