Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour

Blue water, caves, and two islands in one day. This full-day boat trip from St. Paul’s Bay packs Malta’s northern coast, Comino, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Gozo into about seven hours. I like the low price of $36.28 and the generous time at the Blue Lagoon, where you can swim from the boat, walk onto Comino, or simply claim a sunny deck chair. The main compromise is clear: you see a lot, but Gozo gets only a taste rather than a full island visit.

I also like the lively boat atmosphere, useful onboard facilities, and the captain’s coastal commentary. The optional €5 shuttle to Victoria makes the Gozo stop far more useful, especially if you want to see the Citadel without spending most of your time finding transport. Still, the boat can feel crowded, top-deck chairs go quickly, and the Gozo transfer is not included in the headline price.

This is a practical choice for a first Malta visit or a short break. You get swimming, scenery, sea caves, and a quick look at Gozo without arranging several separate trips. Just bring cash, arrive early, and decide before you board whether you care more about swimming or seeing Victoria.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon stop: You get about 1 hour and 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking ashore, or using the boat’s 10-meter slide.
• Gozo in three hours: You can explore independently or pay €5 for a shuttle to Victoria and a scenic viewpoint.
• Coastal cave cruise: The boat passes St. Paul’s Islands, Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, Comino’s bays, and other rocky formations.
• Useful onboard base: Toilets, shaded seating, an air-conditioned lower deck, a cafeteria, limited lockers, and deck chairs are available.
• Come early for seats: The top deck is popular, and even arriving around 9:30 may not guarantee a lounger.
• Extra costs matter: Food, drinks, snorkel gear, lockers, the Gozo shuttle, and the optional speedboat cave trip cost extra.

Starting at Bugibba Jetty at 10 a.m.

The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay. You make your own way there, so allow extra time if you are staying around Valletta. A public bus from Valletta can take a little over an hour, while a taxi or ride-hailing service is quicker but costs more.

I would aim to arrive by 9:30 a.m. if you want a good seat. The upper deck fills quickly, and the best loungers are first come, first served. One party arrived nearly an hour early and still had to share a top-deck seat, so do not treat early arrival as a minor detail in high season.

The vessel is large, with room for up to 232 people. That capacity helps keep the fare low, but it also means the boat may feel busy, particularly around the Blue Lagoon and during boarding. The boat is comfortable enough for a day at sea, though it is not presented as a sleek, modern yacht.

You will find sunny and shaded seating on the main deck, a top sun deck, a lower air-conditioned area, male and female toilets, and a small number of lockers. Deck chairs are free, but supplies are limited. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since towels are not provided and sunscreen is not sold onboard.

Malta’s north coast and the story of St. Paul

The cruise begins along Malta’s north coast, with views of St. Paul’s Islands. A large statue marks the traditional site where St. Paul was shipwrecked in 60 A.D. It is an easy landmark to spot from the water and gives the opening part of the trip some historical flavor without turning the cruise into a formal lecture.

The captain and crew provide commentary as the boat moves along the coast. The exact amount of information can vary with the day and the conditions, but the narration helps you understand what you are passing instead of looking at a succession of unnamed rocks.

The boat also passes Ghadira Bay, Malta’s largest sandy beach, better known as Mellieha Beach. From the water, you get a useful sense of how different the sandy northern coastline is from Comino’s pale rock and clear coves.

Next comes Ahrax Cave and other coastal formations. The boat enters the larger sea caves during the cruise and slows for photographs. This is one of the strongest parts of the trip for anyone who enjoys scenery but does not want a demanding shore walk.

Comino’s caves, bays, and the north channel

Before reaching the Blue Lagoon, the boat cruises through Comino’s north channel. You pass the rock formation known as the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Cave, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel.

The route gives you more than the famous lagoon alone. The coves have a quieter, wilder feel from the water, and the cave entrances make good photo stops. The boat’s size means it cannot enter every narrow recess, but it does get close enough to show the rock walls and water inside the larger caves.

An optional speedboat ride costs €15 per person. It takes you closer to smaller caves and rocky inlets than the main vessel can manage. The extra ride is often a highlight for people who want a more active look at Comino, but the timing is tight.

You have only 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon. If you book the speedboat, want to snorkel, and plan to use the boat’s slide, you will need to choose your priorities. One practical approach is to swim first, then take the speedboat if time allows. Trying to fit everything in can leave you with only 10 or 15 minutes in the water, especially if you need to change before the Gozo stop.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, limited time

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason many people book this trip. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the boat’s mooring position gives you a base away from the most crowded part of the beach.

You can jump or slide directly from the boat, swim around the vessel, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on and off Comino. The 10-meter slide adds a bit of fun for confident swimmers, while life jackets are available on request if you need extra support.

The boat’s deck is often a better place to relax than the narrow beach area. You can return onboard for shade, a toilet, a drink, or a snack, then walk back onto the island. That flexibility is valuable because the Blue Lagoon can become crowded, even outside the peak summer season.

You need a free Blue Lagoon landing pass. Download the QR code from blcomino.com before the trip. This is easy to overlook, and having it ready on your phone saves time when you want to go ashore.

The water can remain warm enough for swimming in November, depending on the weather. In cooler months, bring layers. The sea breeze and lower afternoon sun can make the top deck feel chilly once you are wet.

Crystal Lagoon and the south channel

The route also includes a cruise past Crystal Lagoon as the boat approaches Comino’s southern channel. Crystal Lagoon is known for deeper water and is especially popular with scuba divers.

It is also reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon in about eight minutes, but the schedule does not give you a separate long stop there. Think of this as a scenic pass rather than a second swimming session. If Crystal Lagoon is your main goal, a trip focused more heavily on Comino may suit you better.

Still, seeing both lagoons in one outing helps explain why Comino is so popular. The Blue Lagoon is bright, open, and busy, while Crystal Lagoon feels more enclosed and dramatic from the water.

Three hours at Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour

After Comino, the boat heads to Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. You have three hours on Gozo, but that period includes transport time, so the usable sightseeing time is shorter.

You can explore independently by local bus or taxi, stay around the harbour, or pay €5 per person for the organised shuttle. The shuttle is booked and paid for on the day, and cash is the safest choice for all optional extras.

The shuttle takes you to Victoria, Gozo’s capital, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. It also includes a 15-minute stop at a panoramic viewpoint. Victoria gives you time to walk, shop, eat, or visit the Citadel area, but 90 minutes passes quickly.

The €5 shuttle is good value if this is your only chance to see Gozo. It saves you from arranging transport at the port and reduces the risk of spending your whole stop waiting for a bus or taxi. A local bus can take about half an hour to Victoria, so the organised transfer may preserve valuable sightseeing time.

One practical warning: a small €3 public shuttle from the Gozo port to the Citadel may also be available. If you prefer independent travel, ask locally about that service. It can save you a long uphill walk and a climb up stairs, especially with young children or anyone who finds hills difficult.

Gozo’s organised transfer is a shuttle, not a private guided tour. The driver may offer some information, but the main benefit is transport. If you want detailed history or a relaxed day exploring the island, three hours will feel too short.

What the return cruise is like

After the Gozo stop, the boat returns to Malta, arriving back at the meeting point around 5 p.m. The return journey gives you another chance to sit on deck and watch the coast, but it also makes this a long day.

The schedule is handled closely. You need to be punctual at the boat and shuttle meeting points. If you miss the departure, the rest of the day becomes your problem, so keep an eye on the time rather than relying on a nearby cafe or beach clock.

Onboard food and drinks are available at reasonable prices. Hot and cold drinks, fries, and other simple food are sold, and pineapple drinks are a popular choice. Food and drinks are not included, so budget a little extra if you do not want to carry your own supplies.

The staff are generally friendly and accommodating. Captain Kevin is named in the company’s correspondence, and Paul has been praised as a helpful Gozo driver. The crew also creates a relaxed atmosphere with music, which some people enjoy and others may find less appealing than a quiet sightseeing boat.

What the price really gets you

At $36.28 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to combine Comino and Gozo in one day. You get the boat ride, cave viewing, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Comino coastline, the Gozo port visit, and the return journey.

The value is strongest if you want a broad introduction rather than a detailed exploration. Booking separate transport to Comino, a dedicated Blue Lagoon boat, and a Gozo excursion would likely take more planning and cost more. Here, you trade personal space and flexibility for convenience.

Keep these possible extras in mind:

• Gozo shuttle to Victoria: €5 per person
• Optional speedboat cave trip: €15 per person
• Snorkel rental: €5, plus a €10 refundable deposit
• Locker: €2, plus a €10 refundable deposit
• Food and drinks: extra
• Towels: not provided

Bring cash, particularly for the Gozo shuttle, snorkel rental, locker deposit, and speedboat. The boat does not include snorkeling equipment, though you can bring your own.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want to see Malta’s northern waters, Comino, and a small portion of Gozo without booking several excursions. Families can benefit from the slide, easy access to toilets, and the ability to return to the boat for shade.

It also suits confident swimmers, casual snorkelers, photographers, and anyone who enjoys a social boat atmosphere. The life jackets are helpful if you are not a strong swimmer, but you should still be comfortable around open water and boat ladders.

This may not suit you if you dislike crowds, want a quiet sailing experience, or hope to explore Gozo in depth. The boat can be busy, top-deck seating is limited, and the Blue Lagoon stop is not long enough for every activity.

The experience is also weather dependent. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or request a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m. The boat returns to the meeting point around 5 p.m., for a total duration of about seven hours.

How long do I spend at the Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon on Comino.

Is the Blue Lagoon landing pass included?

The landing pass itself is free, but you need to download the QR code from blcomino.com before going ashore.

Is the Gozo bus tour included in the ticket?

No. The optional shuttle costs €5 per person and is booked and paid for on the day. It visits Victoria and a panoramic viewpoint.

Are food, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Food and drinks are sold onboard. Towels are not provided, and snorkel rental costs €5 plus a €10 refundable deposit.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund. The tour may also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book this Comino and Gozo tour?

Book it if you want strong value and a wide snapshot of Malta’s northern islands. The Blue Lagoon swim, cave cruise, and optional Victoria shuttle give you plenty to do for the price, and the boat works well as a floating base.

I would add the €5 Gozo shuttle if seeing Victoria matters to you, and I would consider the €15 speedboat only if you are willing to shorten your swimming time. Arrive early, bring cash, pack a towel and layers, and download the landing pass before leaving.

Skip it if you want a peaceful boat, long beach time, or a serious Gozo sightseeing day. For everyone else, this is an affordable, good-humored way to experience Malta by sea.