St Pauls: Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but this is more than a quick swim stop. You spend a full day on the water, visit Gozo, pass the Santa Maria Caves, and finish at the quiet islands linked with St Paul. I especially like the chance to travel on the traditional wooden Mermaid boat and the generous two-hour break in Gozo.

I also like the easygoing format. Captain Matthew and the crew give you time and freedom at each stop instead of rushing everyone from one photo point to the next. The main drawback is that the day is long and exposed to sun, wind, and waves, so it is not a good match for anyone prone to seasickness or back trouble.

Key points at a glance

• Traditional Maltese boat: Look for the red, white, and blue wooden Mermaid at L-Menqa Jetty.
• Blue Lagoon swim: You get roughly one to one and a half hours at Comino for swimming, snorkeling, walking, or jumping from the boat.
• Two hours in Gozo: Use the time at Mgarr Harbour for lunch, shopping, or a bus trip toward Victoria and the Cittadella.
• Caves from the water: The boat passes the Santa Maria Caves, with viewing dependent on weather.
• Final St Paul’s stop: End with about 30 minutes for a swim, a walk, or a look at the statue of St Paul.
• Strong value at $34: The cruise, several stops, onboard toilets, and snack bar make this a low-cost way to see several Maltese islands in one day.

A full day aboard the Mermaid

This is a boat day first and an island tour second. From Bugibba, you board the Mermaid at L-Menqa Jetty and spend much of the day moving between Malta’s northern islands and coastal sights.

The boat is a traditional Maltese schooner, painted red, white, and blue. That gives the trip more character than a plain transfer vessel, while also making the meeting point easier to spot. Boarding begins at 9:30 in the morning and closes at 9:50. The boat leaves sharply at 10:00, so do not treat the boarding window as a suggestion.

You return to the jetty at about 5:00 in the afternoon. That makes this a seven-hour commitment, not a quick half-day outing. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, snacks, and some cash. The boat has toilets and a snack bar with reasonably priced food and drinks, but lunch is not included.

The mood is informal. The crew, including Captain Matthew, keeps the day relaxed and gives you room to choose how active you want to be. You can swim, walk, take photographs, eat, or simply sit back during the sailing stretches. That flexibility matters because the stops are short enough to feel organized but not so tightly managed that every minute is assigned.

The first sailing from Bugibba

The opening cruise lasts about an hour. It is a useful settling-in period, especially if you want to find a comfortable place on the boat, apply sunscreen, and learn where the snack bar and toilets are located.

The sea views are the main event during this stretch. You get a changing view of Malta’s coastline as the boat heads toward Comino. The cruise also helps explain the appeal of this outing: instead of arranging separate ferries, buses, and island visits, you use one boat as your base for the entire day.

There is a practical tradeoff. A traditional boat can feel more memorable than a modern ferry, but the open-water ride means you are exposed to sun and motion for long periods. If you are sensitive to waves, sit where the movement feels easiest and bring any usual seasickness remedy with you. The activity specifically warns that it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Blue Lagoon, Comino: beautiful water and limited time

The Blue Lagoon is the first major stop, and this is where you will want your swimwear ready. The water is clear and well suited to swimming and snorkeling. You may also jump or step from the boat, since the Mermaid remains docked in Comino rather than dropping you at a distant beach.

The timing needs a little attention. The stop is described as one hour in the main program, while the detailed stop schedule allows one and a half hours. Plan on roughly an hour to an hour and a half, rather than assuming you have a leisurely afternoon. That is enough for a swim, a short walk, and a few photographs, but not enough to explore every corner of Comino.

You can stay near the boat or walk on the island. The boat remains your base, with toilets and a snack bar available. That is handy because you do not need to carry every item ashore or search for facilities during a short stop.

Snorkeling equipment is not included as standard. The tour offers the opportunity to snorkel with a 10 euro cash deposit, with 5 euros returned. The wording is worth clarifying with the crew before taking equipment, so you know exactly what portion is a deposit and what portion is a fee.

There is also an administrative step that can easily catch you out. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to receive a free entry ticket for access to Comino’s Blue Lagoon. Arrange this before the day of the cruise rather than trying to sort it out while boarding.

The Blue Lagoon is the most popular part of the day, so expect the stop to feel more concentrated and active than St Paul’s Island later on. The value here is the direct access to the water. The limitation is time and the fact that the experience centers on swimming rather than a long, quiet walk.

Two hours at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour

After Comino, the boat heads to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. You have two hours here, which is the longest land-based break of the day and the best chance to eat a proper meal or see a little of Gozo beyond the water.

If you stay near the harbor, you can choose from bars and restaurants, walk around, shop, and watch the boats. This is the simplest option and leaves less risk of missing the Mermaid’s departure. Keep an eye on the return time because the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

You can also use local transport to reach Victoria, Gozo’s capital, and see the Cittadella. That option gives the stop more cultural interest, but it also makes the schedule tighter. Two hours can work for a quick visit, yet it is not enough for an unhurried tour of Victoria and the Cittadella. If you choose this plan, confirm the transport timing before setting off and leave a proper margin for getting back to Mgarr Harbour.

This stop is valuable because it breaks up the water-based rhythm. You are not simply looking at Gozo from offshore. You have time to walk through a harbor community, find food, and get a brief taste of Gozitan life.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The tour does not provide a guided sightseeing visit around Gozo. You are given free time, so you decide how much to see. That is excellent for independent visitors and less useful if you want detailed commentary at every landmark.

Santa Maria Caves from the sea

Back on the boat, the route passes through the Comino Channel and by the Santa Maria Caves. This is a short scenic section, listed at about 15 minutes, with time for photographs and views from the water.

The caves are one of those sights best treated as a bonus rather than the central reason to book. Weather and sea conditions control whether the boat can view them properly. If wind or waves make access unsafe, this part may be shortened or changed.

You will get more from the caves if you have your camera ready before the boat approaches. The stop is not a long land visit, and the boat may pass through or beside the formations rather than giving you a lengthy exploration on foot.

That limitation is balanced by convenience. You do not pay an extra admission fee for the cave viewing, and you do not need to arrange another boat trip. It is folded into the day’s route.

St Paul’s Island for the final swim

The last major stop is St Paul’s Island, a historical site with a statue of St Paul. The program includes a cruise around the island and about 30 minutes to stop, walk, take photographs, or swim.

This is a quieter finish than the Blue Lagoon. The island has no inhabitants, so the stop gives you a more open and secluded feeling after the busier parts of the day. You can take one last swim, walk around, or simply stand and look across the water before the return cruise.

Do not expect a long historical tour here. The stop is brief and lightly structured. Its appeal is the setting, the statue, and the chance to freshen up before the final run to Malta.

The timing also works well. After a morning swim and a Gozo break, the final water stop gives you a last chance to get wet before sitting through the return sailing. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the time for photographs instead.

What the $34 price really gives you

At $34 per person, this is a strong value if you want several coastal stops in one day. The fare covers the full-day cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Gozo visit, St Paul’s Islands, the cave viewing, onboard toilets, and access to the snack bar.

You still need to budget for lunch, drinks, and transport to L-Menqa Jetty. Snorkeling equipment has its own cash requirement, and the Blue Lagoon entry ticket is free but must be obtained through the government website. Those extras are modest, but knowing about them in advance prevents an unpleasant surprise.

The value is less clear if your main goal is a long visit to Gozo. Two hours gives you a taste of Mgarr Harbour and perhaps a quick trip toward Victoria, but not a full island tour. In that case, a dedicated Gozo day would offer more time and depth.

For a single day that combines swimming, a boat ride, a little free time in Gozo, caves, and St Paul’s Island, the price is hard to fault. You are paying for access and range rather than an elaborate guided program.

Comfort, timing, and what to bring

The Mermaid has toilet facilities and a snack bar, which makes a seven-hour boat day much easier. You can buy refreshments onboard, but bringing your own snacks and water is still sensible. Lunch is not included, so you should either plan to eat at Mgarr Harbour or carry something with you.

Wear swimwear under your clothes if possible. The Blue Lagoon comes early, and changing on a moving boat may be less convenient than arriving ready. A towel, hat, sunscreen, and cash belong in your day bag.

Bring protection from the sun even if the morning begins cool. The program includes several open-water stretches and outdoor stops. A phone or camera should be protected from spray, especially near the caves and during swimming.

The boat can be affected by weather. Cave viewing is specifically weather dependent, and rough conditions may also make the trip uncomfortable. Anyone with back problems or a tendency toward seasickness should choose another type of outing.

The meeting point is L-Menqa Jetty. Look for the red, white, and blue wooden Mermaid. Transport to the jetty is not included, so arrange your own way there and arrive with time to spare before the 9:50 boarding cutoff.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see several Maltese coastal sights without arranging separate transport. It suits swimmers, casual sightseers, couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who like free time rather than a tightly scripted guided walk.

It is also a good pick if you care about the boat ride itself. The traditional schooner gives the day a distinctly Maltese touch, and the crew’s relaxed approach lets you set your own pace at each stop. Captain Matthew and the other crew member are described as professional and easygoing, which fits the informal style of the outing.

You may want another option if you want a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon is only one part of a packed schedule, and the boat returns to the water several times. You should also skip it if you need extensive accessibility support, have back problems, or become seasick easily.

Should you book the Mermaid cruise?

Book this tour if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, a traditional boat, several short stops, and a taste of Gozo for a low price. The strongest features are the friendly crew, the freedom at each location, the two-hour Gozo break, and the variety packed into seven hours.

Do not book it expecting a full Gozo tour or a long, private swim at the Blue Lagoon. The schedule is fixed, the cave visit depends on weather, and you must arrange your own transport to the jetty and free Comino entry ticket.

For an affordable introduction to Comino, Gozo, the caves, and St Paul’s Island, this is a sensible choice. Pack carefully, arrive early, and treat the day as an active boat outing rather than a slow island retreat.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts about seven hours. Boarding begins at 9:30 AM, the boat departs at 10:00 AM, and it returns to the jetty at about 5:00 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is L-Menqa Jetty in Bugibba. Look for the red, white, and blue wooden boat named Mermaid.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can eat at bars and restaurants around Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, buy food from the onboard snack bar, or bring snacks.

Do I need a ticket for Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to receive a free entry ticket for access to the Blue Lagoon area.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels are not included as standard. The tour offers snorkeling equipment with a 10 euro cash deposit, with 5 euros returned.

Are the sea caves always visited?

No. Viewing the caves depends on weather and sea conditions. The Santa Maria Caves are generally viewed during a short scenic boat passage.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers reserve now and pay later booking.