From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Malta’s best views come from the water. This 7.5-hour cruise packs Gozo’s harbor, Qala Belvedere, Victoria, the Citadel, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, and the Santa Maria Caves into one well-priced day. I especially like the excellent coastal views and the choice between exploring Gozo alone or taking the optional minibus. The crew also earns frequent praise for clear commentary and friendly help.

The catch is time. You see several major sights, but you do not get a full day on Gozo or Comino. Rough seas can also make the trip unpleasant for anyone prone to seasickness, and bad weather may shorten or change the Blue Lagoon stop.

Key details before you book

• Price: About $41 per person, with food and drinks extra
• Duration: Approximately 7.5 hours from Sliema and back
• Best value choice: Add the optional Gozo minibus to reach Qala Belvedere and Victoria without arranging transport yourself
• Main swimming stop: Around 75 to 90 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, depending on conditions
• Boat: Look for the Luzzu Cruises vessel MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley at Sliema Ferry, Ferries 4
• Important for 2025 onward: You need a free QR code registration to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon

Starting from Sliema Ferry

The day begins at the Luzzu Cruises departure point near Sliema Ferry. Look for the MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Once aboard, the boat heads north along Malta’s coast. The early cruise passes St. Julian’s Bay, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha. These are pass-by views rather than formal stops, but they help you see how Malta’s built-up shore gives way to open sea and rugged coastal formations.

The boat is equipped with toilets, a bar, food service, and a water slide. You can usually choose between sitting inside, finding a place outdoors, or heading to the upper deck for better views. On cooler days, the top deck can still be pleasant, though you should bring a layer. In warm weather, sun protection matters more than extra clothing.

The captain provides commentary during the cruise, with information about Sliema, Gozo, Comino, and the coastal sights. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because the long boat rides become more than simple transport. The commentary also helps you understand the route without needing to study a map beforehand.

Arriving at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo

The first major stop is Mgarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. This is where you choose how to spend your time.

You can explore independently, but the optional minibus is the practical choice if you want to see more than the harbor area. The bus takes you to Qala Belvedere for a photo stop and then to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. Several people who skipped independent planning found the bus made the day easier and helped them fit in the main sights.

The transport is not simply a transfer into town. It is a sightseeing route, with a driver pointing out places along the way. Carmen, one of the minibus drivers praised for her kindness and help, was particularly helpful to someone feeling seasick. That small detail matters on a long day when a calm and attentive driver can change the whole mood.

The main caution is timing. You need to be back at the agreed meeting point when instructed. One minibus once left before the expected return time, although the affected passengers managed to board another vehicle. The safe approach is simple: listen carefully to the return instructions and arrive early.

Qala Belvedere and Gozo’s wide coastal views

Qala Belvedere is a short photo stop, not a long walk or a full sightseeing visit. Its value is the view. From this high point, you can look across the water toward Comino and Malta, making it one of the best quick stops for photographs on the day.

Because the stop is brief, have your camera ready before getting off the minibus. You will not have much time to wander around looking for the perfect angle. The appeal here is the broad view and the chance to see the three-island setting from above.

This is also where the minibus earns its extra cost. Reaching a viewpoint like this independently would require more planning and transport, while the organized route gets you there during the same short Gozo visit.

Victoria and the Citadel in about 80 minutes

The bus continues to Victoria, also called Rabat, the capital of Gozo. The scheduled visit lasts about 80 minutes, though some departures have allowed closer to two hours. That is enough for a brisk look around, a coffee, perhaps a quick meal, and a visit to the Citadel, but not enough for a slow exploration of every corner.

The Citadel is Victoria’s old fortified city and the main reason to choose this stop. It gives you a compact taste of Gozo’s historic center, with stone walls, elevated views, and streets worth exploring on foot. The route is self-guided, so the boat crew and bus driver do not lead you through every sight.

Plan your priorities before you arrive. If the Citadel matters most, go there first. Food service can be slow, and spending the entire stop waiting for a meal may leave you rushing through the fortifications. A quick snack or drink is often the wiser choice if you want to see the town properly.

Gozo’s shops may also have limited opening hours on Sundays. If shopping is important to you, take this into account when choosing your day. The Victoria stop is better suited to sightseeing than a serious shopping trip.

The main drawback is that Gozo gets only a short introduction. I like this arrangement for a first look at the island, especially when you have only one day in Malta. If you want quiet villages, long walks, or several historic sites, you need a separate Gozo day.

Returning to the boat and heading for Comino

After Victoria, the minibus returns to Mgarr Harbour, where you rejoin the cruise vessel. The transfers are generally tightly timed, which keeps the full itinerary moving. That efficiency is useful, but it also means the excursion does not leave much room for delays.

The afternoon route continues toward Comino. From the boat, you see the island’s rocky shores and clear water before reaching the Blue Lagoon. The approach is one of the most scenic moments of the day, especially when the sea is calm and the light is strong.

The boat includes a water slide, which is a fun extra for children and adults who want more than a quiet swim. It may not operate in rough conditions, so do not treat it as a guaranteed part of the day. The same applies to swimming itself. Strong wind can make the Blue Lagoon unsafe or uncomfortable, and the captain may choose another bay or change the stop.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful, crowded, and weather-dependent

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours in the planned schedule, with the detailed timing listed at roughly 75 minutes. That gives you enough time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and a little walking, but it is not a long beach day.

The water is the main attraction. On a calm, sunny day, the lagoon is an excellent place for a swim, and the boat’s slide adds a playful touch. Bring a towel, swimsuit, and comfortable shoes. Snorkeling is included as an activity, but bring your own equipment if you prefer not to rely on what may be available locally.

You should also set realistic expectations about crowds. The Blue Lagoon is famous, and the shore can feel chaotic when many boats and people arrive together. The water may be more enjoyable from the boat than from the busiest part of the shoreline. Some visitors prefer swimming directly from the vessel, where the views can be better and the access is quicker.

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to get off the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon must register for a free QR code. The booking provider sends the registration link after purchase. This is not an optional extra. You need the code to go ashore, and checking it can cause delays if you have not registered in advance.

Bad weather is the biggest uncertainty. On windy days, the boat may shorten the Blue Lagoon stop, prevent swimming, or use St. Mary’s Bay instead. An alternative bay can feel quiet and less exciting, so book this trip for the islands and the cruise as a whole, not only for a guaranteed swim.

Cruising past the Santa Maria Caves

After Comino, the boat passes the Santa Maria Caves, also called the Crystal Caves in the tour description. This is a short photo stop of about 10 minutes, not an inland cave visit.

The captain may bring the vessel close to the openings, giving you a good chance to photograph the rock formations from the water. The approach is often a highlight of the return journey. The ride back to Sliema can be smoother than the outward crossing, although the sea always has the final word.

Keep your camera ready and do not wait until the last minute. The boat may pause only briefly before continuing toward Malta.

How rough is the boat ride?

Sea conditions vary greatly. Several departures have had a rough crossing to Gozo, with passengers becoming seasick despite warnings and assistance from the crew. Sick bags are available, and the crew is described as calm and helpful, but that does not make a choppy ride pleasant.

If you are mildly sensitive to motion, sit in a central area of the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid a heavy meal before departure. If you get severely seasick, this is not the right excursion for you. The activity specifically excludes people prone to seasickness, and that warning deserves attention.

The captain can alter or cancel the route, as well as change the departure or return point, according to weather conditions. The tour runs in rain or sunshine, but the exact experience depends on the sea.

Is the $41 price good value?

At about $41 per person, this is strong value if you want a broad introduction to Malta’s three main islands. The price covers the long cruise, the Gozo stop, the Blue Lagoon visit, the Comino cave cruise, and the boat’s water slide. You also receive ongoing commentary and the convenience of coordinated transfers.

The optional Gozo minibus is the add-on I would prioritize. It turns Mgarr Harbour into a useful sightseeing stop instead of leaving you to work out transport on your own. You see Qala Belvedere and Victoria in the time available, which is difficult to arrange independently during a single day.

Food and drinks are not included. There is service on the boat, but you should budget separately. One cocktail-related complaint described drinks at the Blue Lagoon as expensive for the amount of alcohol, so do not assume every onboard or shore purchase is a bargain.

The price is less attractive if your goal is deep exploration. Gozo deserves more than a short visit, and Comino can feel rushed when the weather delays the route. Still, for a first overview, the combination is hard to beat at this price.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see a lot in one day and prefer someone else to coordinate the transport. It suits first-time Malta visitors, families, couples, and anyone who enjoys boat rides as much as the stops themselves.

The trip is especially good for you if:

• You want both Gozo and Comino without booking separate excursions
• You enjoy coastal scenery and commentary during long crossings
• You are happy with short, focused sightseeing stops
• You want the option to swim and use a boat slide
• You prefer a minibus route over arranging Gozo transport yourself

I would look elsewhere if you want a slow Gozo visit, a quiet beach day, or guaranteed swimming. It is also a poor fit if rough water causes serious seasickness or if mobility limitations make boarding buses and boats difficult.

Final booking advice

Book this cruise for variety, scenery, and value, not for unlimited time at any one place. Add the Gozo minibus, register for the Blue Lagoon QR code as soon as you receive the link, and arrive early for every boat and bus departure.

If the forecast looks calm, the Blue Lagoon can provide the memorable swimming stop advertised. If the wind is strong, enjoy the cruise, Victoria, and the cave views, while accepting that the water portion may change. For most visitors with one free day, this is a well-organized way to meet Gozo and Comino without spending a fortune.

FAQ

How long is the Gozo, Comino, and Blue Lagoon cruise?

The experience lasts approximately 7.5 hours, including the cruise from Sliema, the Gozo visit, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Santa Maria Caves, and the return to Sliema.

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferry, Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

Is transport around Gozo included?

Optional transportation is available on Gozo. You can either explore independently or choose the minibus option during checkout.

What does the Gozo minibus visit?

The minibus takes you to Qala Belvedere for a photo stop and then to Victoria, where you can walk around, shop, sightsee, and visit the Citadel.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The planned stop is approximately 1.5 hours. The detailed schedule lists about 75 minutes, and weather or sailing conditions can affect the actual time.

Do I need a QR code to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need to register for a free QR code if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The registration link is provided after booking.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although food and drink service is available on the boat.

Can the tour change because of bad weather?

Yes. The captain may alter or cancel the excursion, or change the pick-up and drop-off location, according to prevailing weather conditions. The trip operates in rain or sunshine.