Blue Lagoon: Full-Day Three Island Cruise: Malta, Gozo and Comino

Crystal waters make this day easy to remember. This cruise links Malta, Gozo, and Comino with several swim stops, a buffet lunch, hotel pickup, and views of places that are difficult to connect by land in one day. I like the mix of Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus the useful hotel transport. The main caution is that this is a swimming-focused boat day, not a detailed sightseeing tour.

You should also expect a fairly full boat. The stated maximum is 65 people, and the boat may feel more crowded as passengers join after early stops. In hot weather, the seven-hour schedule can feel long, though shaded seating is available.

Key points to know before booking

• Four water stops: Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon provide several chances to swim.
• Lunch is included: Expect a cold buffet with bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted fillings, plus water and local wine.
• Hotel pickup helps: Transport is included, but the cruise begins and ends at Mgarr Harbour.
• A swimming day first: You will see Malta, Gozo, and Comino from the water, but the focus is not on walking tours or historic sights.
• Groups can be sizable: The official maximum is 65 people, and the vessel is licensed for more, so this is not a private outing.
• Optional caves trip: A caves tour costs an extra €10 per person.

A full day on Malta’s water

At about $80.95 per person, this cruise bundles together the parts that often cost extra on a day by the sea: hotel pickup, return transport, lunch, water, local wine, and access to several bathing spots. That makes the price reasonable if you want a simple, all-in-one day and do not want to piece together ferries, buses, beach visits, and meals yourself.

The cruise starts at 8:00 a.m. at Mgarr Harbour and lasts about seven hours. Pickup is offered, which can save you the trouble of reaching Gozo’s main harbor on your own. Check the exact pickup arrangement when booking, since the listed meeting point remains Mgarr Harbour.

The boat follows a route around all three Maltese islands. You may pass Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock along the way. These views give the day some sightseeing value, but the stops are built around swimming and relaxing rather than long visits ashore.

That distinction matters. If you want an organized introduction to Malta’s churches, old towns, and archaeological sites, choose a land tour instead. If you want clear water, a boat seat, and several chances to get wet without changing hotels or carrying beach gear between locations, this cruise fits much better.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, busy setting

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto. It is a broad natural pool, partly sandy but mostly rocky, with caves around the edges. The water is the star here, and the setting explains why this is often the main reason people book a Comino cruise.

You have about an hour at the Blue Lagoon. That is enough time for a swim, a look around the rocky edges, or a little snorkeling if you bring your own equipment. The hour can pass quickly if you want to do all three.

The tradeoff is the same one that comes with any famous bathing place: beauty and popularity arrive together. This tour does not promise a quiet cove. The boat itself can also feel more crowded than the early part of the day, since passengers may join later in the route.

Wear secure water shoes if you have them. The lagoon is mostly rocky, and comfortable footwear will make entering and leaving the water easier. A towel, sun protection, and a cover-up are also sensible, since the day includes repeated movement between sun, shade, and water.

Armier Bay: a shorter pause near Malta

Armier Bay is scheduled for 30 minutes. The sea here is crystal blue and resembles the water around Blue Lagoon, so this stop works as a shorter swim or a chance to enjoy the view without committing to another long beach visit.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim, but not much more. You will want to be ready before the boat stops, especially if you prefer to spend time in the water rather than queue for a ladder or gather your belongings.

This stop also shows how the day is paced. The cruise gives you several separate water experiences instead of one long stay at a single beach. Some people will appreciate the variety. Others may find the scheduled stops too long or too repetitive, especially if they are not keen swimmers.

Paradise Bay: Malta’s northern beach

Paradise Bay sits near Malta’s far northern point, close to Mellieha Bay. It is described as one of the island’s most attractive beaches, and the 30-minute stop gives you another chance to swim in clear water while taking in the northern coast.

The short timing keeps the cruise moving, but it also limits what you can do. Think of Paradise Bay as a scenic pause, not a full beach afternoon. You will not have time for a long walk, a leisurely meal ashore, or an extended search for a quiet patch of sand.

For a first visit, the stop is useful because it adds a different view of Malta to the Comino waters. You see the islands from several angles, and the boat ride between stops becomes part of the experience rather than simple transport.

Crystal Lagoon: a calmer final water scene

Crystal Lagoon lies on Comino’s western side, between Comino, Gozo, and Malta. The cruise allows about an hour here, giving you another substantial period for swimming and snorkeling.

This is one of the strongest parts of the schedule for people who enjoy being in the water. You can compare it with Blue Lagoon, take another swim, or stay on deck if you have had enough sun. The western position also adds a different coastal view from the more familiar Blue Lagoon setting.

The repeated swim stops are a real strength, but they also explain why the cruise may disappoint anyone expecting a sightseeing-heavy itinerary. You will see plenty from the boat, but the schedule does not include a dedicated walking visit in Gozo or a guided tour of Malta’s towns.

Lunch on board: useful, filling, and not restaurant dining

Lunch is served on the boat as a cold buffet. Details provided include bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted fillings. Water and local wine are included, while drinks other than those must be purchased.

This is practical food for a day in the sun. A cold meal avoids the weight of hot food during warm weather, and the range of simple choices may help people with different tastes or food concerns. The meal is described as hearty by the tour, but you should set your expectations at picnic buffet level rather than restaurant quality.

Some people will find the lunch perfectly adequate, especially when the priority is getting back into the water. Others may think it is plain or not especially memorable. I would bring a small personal snack only if you know you need something beyond a basic cold buffet, since the supplied information does not promise a wider menu.

The local wine is a pleasant inclusion for adults who want a relaxed drink with lunch. Still, do not assume every beverage is included. Water and local wine are covered, while other drinks cost extra.

The boat, crew, and group size

The boat is described as gullet style, with pleasant seating and a shaded section. That shade matters. A seven-hour day on open water can be tiring in strong heat, and having somewhere to escape the sun makes the trip more comfortable.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise in the supplied comments. Captain Chris is singled out as friendly, and the crew is described as attentive to safety and enjoyment. That personal service can make a large-group cruise feel more relaxed.

You should not book this expecting a tiny sailing party. The official information gives a maximum of 65 people, while a response from the operator notes that the vessel is licensed for up to 99. One comment also describes a change from roughly 13 people early in the day to a more crowded boat after additional stops.

The practical lesson is simple: the boat may not feel equally spacious from start to finish. Arrive ready to share deck space, and claim a shaded or comfortable seat early if that matters to you. The vessel itself is described positively, but the experience depends partly on how full the sailing is.

Weather, motion, and comfort

The cruise requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. That is important because wind affects both the comfort of the ride and the safety of the swim schedule.

A report of a windy day included concerns about motion and passengers leaving early. The operator said the captain checked with the group and offered to alter the route for anyone feeling unwell. You should still think carefully if you are prone to seasickness, since no full-day boat trip can promise perfectly calm water.

The tour requires moderate physical fitness. You will likely need to move around the boat, manage a swim stop, and get in and out of the water. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Hot weather is another factor. One positive account still described the day as long in high temperatures, with the shaded area offering an important break. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water-friendly footwear, and something to cover your shoulders.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this day to a first-time visitor who wants a broad view of Malta’s surrounding waters without arranging several separate outings. It is especially useful if you are short on time and want Gozo, Comino, and Malta included in one schedule.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy swimming and snorkeling more than museum visits
• Like moving between several beaches and coves
• Appreciate lunch and transport being included
• Prefer a relaxed boat day to a demanding land itinerary
• Are comfortable sharing space with a moderate-size group

I would hesitate if your main goal is to explore Gozo on foot. The tour passes and cruises around the islands, but the listed stops are water-based. You also may not enjoy it if you dislike long days in the sun, crowded boats, or cold buffet meals.

The cruise is also less suitable for anyone wanting a private or quiet sailing experience. Even with a pleasant crew, a vessel that can carry a sizable group will not offer the silence or personal space of a small charter.

Is $80.95 good value?

The price works because several ordinary trip costs are rolled together. Hotel pickup and drop-off, a buffet lunch, water, local wine, and a full day on the water are included. For someone who would otherwise need to arrange transport to Gozo, pay for a boat trip, buy lunch, and organize beach visits, the package is convenient and fairly priced.

The value is weaker if you plan to spend the day at one beach or can reach the coast easily on your own. You are paying for variety and transport, not for a luxury vessel or a private guide.

Also budget for the optional caves tour if that interests you. It costs €10 per person and is not part of the advertised price. Drinks other than water and local wine require additional payment.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and bad weather is handled with either another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want a straightforward, water-centered day with several swim stops and transport included. The strongest reasons are the clear waters at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, the scenic route around three islands, the friendly service associated with Captain Chris and the crew, and the convenience of lunch and pickup.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, a small group, or serious sightseeing in Gozo and Malta. The boat can become crowded, the lunch is simple, and the day may feel long in hot or windy weather.

For the right kind of day, this is a useful way to see Malta from the sea. Bring swim gear, sun protection, realistic expectations about the buffet and group size, and a willingness to spend much of the day around the water.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours and begins at 8:00 a.m.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Mgarr Harbour in Malta and ends back at the same meeting point.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, although the listed meeting point is Mgarr Harbour.

Which stops are included?

The scheduled stops are Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay Beach, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon. The cruise also travels around Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water and local wine. Other drinks must be purchased separately.

Does the tour include the caves trip?

No. The optional caves tour costs €10 per person and is not included in the main price.