Blue water, caves, and two islands in one day. This Malta cruise strings together Comino scenery, a high-priority stop at the Blue Lagoon, and a Gozo break without the hassle of organizing ferries.

I really like the way the schedule is built around swimming time: about 1 hour 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, plus a 10-meter slide, snorkeling options, and space to flop on the sun deck. I also like the built-in choice for Gozo—either stay flexible in Mġarr Harbour or add the €5 shuttle that takes you toward Victoria for sightseeing.

One thing to plan for: it’s a short, busy day. The boat can feel crowded at peak times, top-deck seating is first-come, and several extras are paid cash-only on the spot.

Key takeaways before you go

• First priority mooring at Blue Lagoon means you get earlier water time before the day crowds build.
• 1.5 hours on Comino gives you real swim and snorkel time, not a quick drive-by.
• Optional €5 Gozo Victoria shuttle is a time-saver if you want the main sights without guesswork.
• Caves and coastline cruising is included, not tacked on, so you get value even if the water is calm.
• Bring your own towel and keep cash handy for rentals and optional speedboat rides.

St. Pauls Bay to Comino: what the morning actually feels like

You start at Bugibba Jetty (Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar) with a 10:00 am departure. From there, you cruise along Malta’s north coast toward St. Paul’s Bay, picking up dramatic sea views right away.

On the way, the boat passes key points like the St. Paul’s statue and St. Paul’s Island, plus stops for photo moments near the caves along the rugged coastline. You’re not stuck in one place for long stretches, either—you’re moving through the scenery, which makes the day feel like more than just two beach stops.

If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is one of those “reasonable sea day” itineraries. Still, remember you’re on open water, so take the usual precautions.

Comino cave cruising: you get the postcard parts without extra planning

A big reason people like this trip is that the boat tour part is part of the appeal. You go cruising past Comino’s coastline highlights and sea caves rather than only arriving to the islands and calling it a day.

As you approach Comino, you pass by landmarks like the Elephant’s Head, and cruise through areas including Santa Maria Cave and Santa Maria Bay, then St. Nicholas Bay and the Comino Hotel area. It’s the kind of route that helps you understand why Comino is famous for its scenery, even if you’re not the type to sit on a beach for hours.

There’s also a short cave moment on Malta’s side for great photos. If you like your sightseeing “in motion,” this part is a win.

Blue Lagoon stop: slide, snorkeling, and how to make 90 minutes count

This is the headline moment. After about an hour cruising, you arrive at the Blue Lagoon and the boat moors up to Comino so you can walk on and off the island. You get 1 hour 30 minutes—enough time to swim, snorkel, and still enjoy the atmosphere without rushing like a ferry-commute.

You’ll find the usual water-day essentials on the boat: toilets (male and female), shaded and sunny seating, and a lower air-conditioned deck. There’s also a cafeteria with hot and cold beverages, but food and drinks aren’t included in the tour price.

The star feature is the water slide: it’s a 10-meter slide into clear water. If you’re traveling with kids or you just like doing something active in your swimsuit, it’s the easiest way to turn a short stop into a memorable one.

Practical Blue Lagoon tips that actually matter

• Landing pass: you need a Blue Lagoon landing pass QR code. Download it from www.blcomino.com before you go.
• Deck chairs: limited chairs are first come, first served, so get there early to claim a good spot.
• Bring a towel: towels aren’t provided.
• Snorkeling gear: masks and snorkels can be rented onboard for €5, with a €10 refundable deposit. Lockers are also available for €2 plus a €10 refundable deposit.
• Life vests: available on request if you want extra comfort for swimming.

A personal scheduling caution: if you think you’ll do snorkeling gear + slide + a separate speedboat extra later, the time can feel tight. The best approach is to pick what you’ll do first and leave the rest as optional.

Gozo from Mġarr Harbour: free time or the €5 Victoria shuttle

After Comino, you head to Mġarr Harbour on Gozo and you get about 3 hours. This is where you can decide how structured your day should be.

If you don’t add anything, you can explore at your own pace from the harbour area—either walk around, relax, or use local transport like a bus or taxi to reach sights. If you want the main sights without planning, there’s an optional minibus/shuttle for €5 per person.

That €5 option includes:

• 1 hour 30 minutes in Victoria (Gozo’s capital)
• a 15-minute stop at a panoramic viewpoint
• travel time between these is counted inside the 3-hour Gozo window

One more detail that helps you plan: you can expect to pass Xlendi on the Gozo northwest side before heading back toward Malta.

Who the Gozo add-on suits

If Gozo is your “first time” stop and you want a compact hit of Victoria sights, the shuttle makes sense. If your priority is water time and you’d rather stretch the day in the harbour area or move slowly, skipping the shuttle keeps things simple.

Also, if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who dislikes steep walking, Victoria can mean hills. The shuttle option reduces how much you have to figure out on the fly.

Crystal Lagoon: a quieter stop with a diver’s reputation

Late in the day as you cruise back through Comino’s south channel, you arrive at Crystal Lagoon. It’s noted as being more popular with divers because the water is deeper.

The really useful part for you: Crystal Lagoon is also accessible from the Blue Lagoon area by foot—about an 8-minute walk. That means if you’re still feeling energetic during your Blue Lagoon window, it’s an easy way to explore another look at Comino’s water without changing the plan of the day.

For some people, Crystal Lagoon is where you find a calmer vibe than the main Blue Lagoon mooring. If you like comparing water colors, this extra perspective is worth having.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

At about $36.28 per person, this tour is cheap for the amount of water time and sightseeing you get. The money covers:

• Comino sea caves cruising (included)
• a serious Blue Lagoon swimming stop (included)
• the onboard slide and water-day facilities (included)
• optional access to limited deck seating and use of the boat as your base

Then there are the extras—this is where you want to budget so the day stays smooth. Cash is required for some add-ons, and the total can creep if you try everything.

Common paid extras you might consider:

• Blue Lagoon landing pass QR code: free, but you must download it
• Mask/snorkel rental: €5 (+€10 refundable deposit)
• Lockers: €2 (+€10 refundable deposit)
• Speedboat ride to small caves: €15 per person, cash only
• Gozo shuttle/minibus to Victoria: €5 per person, paid on the day

Food and drinks on board are also available at reasonable prices, but they’re not part of the tour fare.

My rule of thumb: if you want a simple, no-surprises day, keep it to the included cruise + Blue Lagoon swim, and just add the €5 Gozo shuttle if Victoria is a priority.

Comfort, crowding, and timing realities on a big-day cruise

This is one of those Malta itineraries that hits multiple islands in one go. That’s great for value, but it can mean the boat feels lively and can get crowded—especially for the top deck where the best sun views and seating tend to go fast.

The upside is that you still get plenty of ways to enjoy the day: sunny deck, shaded main deck, and even an air-conditioned lower deck for breaks from sea breeze. The toilets are onboard, and there are limited lockers for gear.

If you’re visiting in cooler months, bring a layer. The afternoon sun can be lower, and the sea breeze can make the top deck feel chilly even when the water is swimmable.

And if you’re sensitive to time pressure, aim to arrive early at the meeting area. Top-deck seating can disappear quickly, and waiting until the last minute makes the day feel more rushed than it needs to.

Who should book this Malta Comino and Gozo cruise

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• a quick taste of both islands without ferry planning
• real swimming time at the Blue Lagoon
• included cave cruising along Malta and Comino coastlines
• a flexible Gozo stop with an easy optional way to reach Victoria

It may feel less perfect if:

• Gozo is the main event and you want a deeper day there (this itinerary gives a taste, not a long stay)
• you hate any schedule tightness (your Blue Lagoon time is limited, and adding multiple extras can reduce swim time)

For anyone who’s mainly chasing the water and the clearest swimming, staying focused on Blue Lagoon activities is usually the best payoff. For first-timers who want to see Victoria without sorting out transport, the €5 shuttle is a smart shortcut.

Should you book?

Yes—if your idea of a great Malta day is a fast, scenic combo: caves cruising, an early-feeling Blue Lagoon swim, and a structured taste of Gozo. The price-to-experience ratio is hard to beat, and the included cave route is meaningful, not filler.

If you’re the kind of traveler who needs lots of time in one place (especially on Gozo), you might enjoy a longer-stay option instead. But if you want maximum variety in about seven hours, this is a solid choice—just plan for crowding and bring cash for the add-ons you actually care about.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Bugibba Jetty (Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta) and ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the cruise depart?

The start time is 10:00 am and the return is listed as 17:00.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon and Gozo?

You get about 1 hour 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon on Comino, and about 3 hours in Gozo at Mġarr Harbour.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard at reasonable prices, but they are not included in the tour price.

What extra costs should I expect?

A Blue Lagoon landing pass QR code is required (downloaded from www.blcomino.com). Optional add-ons can include €5 for the Gozo shuttle, €15 for a speedboat ride to small caves, €5 mask/snorkel rental with a refundable deposit, and €2 lockers with a refundable deposit. Food and drinks onboard cost extra.

Do I need a landing pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You need the Blue Lagoon Landing Pass and you should download the QR code from www.blcomino.com.

What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?

The tour is subject to favorable weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.