St Julians: Powerboat Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon

Two islands, one fast day on the water. This trip packs Gozo, Comino, and the Blue Lagoon into one energetic outing from St Julians. I like the direct powerboat ride to Gozo, which takes about 30 minutes, and the generous free time: two hours in Gozo and three hours at the Blue Lagoon. The main drawback is that you are on a nonprivate speedboat for the whole trip, so the ride can feel rough if you have back trouble or dislike being seated for long stretches.

I also like the simple plan. You do not spend the day changing between buses and ferries. You leave from St George’s Bay, explore Gozo on your own, swim at the Blue Lagoon, see Comino’s caves from the water, and return by late afternoon. Still, the Blue Lagoon access pass is now essential, and a late arrival at the meeting point can mean losing your ticket.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast route from St George’s Bay: The powerboat reaches Gozo in about 30 minutes, making this a useful choice when you want three Maltese islands in one day.

• Two hours in Gozo: You get free time rather than a guided sightseeing program, so you can choose your own short walk, café stop, or harbor wander.

• Three hours at the Blue Lagoon: The longest stop is set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing in Comino’s famous clear water.

• Caves viewed from the boat: The trip includes a cruise past Comino’s caves before the return to St George’s Bay.

• Strict meeting rules: Arrive at least 15 minutes early, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

Why this powerboat day works so well

Malta is compact on a map, but its islands are separated by water, and transport time can eat up a holiday. This outing solves that problem with a fast boat that runs directly from St George’s Bay to Gozo, then links Gozo with Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

At $78 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to reach one beach. It becomes better value if you genuinely want all three stops in one day. The cost covers the boat transfers, free time in Gozo and at the Blue Lagoon, and the Comino cave visit. Food, drinks, and sightseeing in Gozo are extra.

I see this as a transport-and-swimming day rather than a traditional guided tour. That distinction matters. You get the efficient route and the fun of a speedboat, but you do not get a guide explaining Gozo’s villages, churches, or history during your two-hour stop.

Leaving from St George’s Bay

The meeting point is at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay. Finding the boat is straightforward once you are in the right place: walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Give yourself more time than you think you need. You must be at the base at least 15 minutes before departure, and the boat will not wait for late arrivals. If you miss it, the ticket is lost, so this is not the moment for a last-minute coffee run.

The boat is shared, not private. You remain seated for the entire ride, including the fast sections between islands. Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear already packed or worn under your clothes. There is no mention of food or drink being included, so plan to buy or carry what you need within the rules of the operator.

The fast ride to Gozo

The first crossing takes roughly 30 to 35 minutes. The attraction here is speed. Rather than taking a slower ferry route and losing more of your day to transport, you head toward Gozo aboard what the company describes as Malta’s fastest powerboat.

That speed comes with a tradeoff. A powerboat ride is more exposed and active than a large ferry crossing. You should expect to stay seated and follow the crew’s instructions. This is not a good fit for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone with a pre-existing medical condition that could make a fast boat ride unsafe.

One French customer compared the ride to a good amusement-park attraction. That gives you a useful picture of the mood: lively and entertaining, but not a quiet cruise. The boat ride itself is part of the experience, not just a way to get from one beach to another.

Two free hours to make your own Gozo visit

On arrival, you have about two hours of free time in Gozo. No sightseeing tour is included, so you are responsible for deciding how to use the stop and getting back to the harbor on time.

This freedom is useful if you already know what you want to see or simply want a short taste of the island. You might spend time around the harbor, find a place for a drink, or take a brief walk. With only two hours, keep your plans close and simple. A visit that depends on several connections or a distant attraction could leave you watching the clock instead of enjoying Gozo.

The boat is scheduled to pick you up from Gozo Harbour at 1:00 p.m. That fixed departure is important. You are not joining a flexible ferry service where you can casually take the next boat. Treat the Gozo stop as a compact break, not a full island tour.

I like this arrangement for repeat visitors and independent-minded people. You can use the time your own way instead of following a guide with a flag. It is less suitable if your main goal is an in-depth introduction to Gozo, since sightseeing there is not part of the package.

Crossing from Gozo to the Blue Lagoon

After the Gozo pickup, the powerboat heads toward Comino and the Blue Lagoon. The crossing is listed at about 10 minutes, so the next stop comes quickly.

This short ride gives you a change of scene. Gozo offers free time and dry land, while the Blue Lagoon is the day’s main water stop. The schedule allows three hours there, which is long enough to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and take a break without immediately having to board again.

The Blue Lagoon is also the part of the trip that requires the most planning. Under a government policy issued on April 29, 2025, everyone visiting the Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. You need a valid pass with correct details.

This pass is separate from the boat booking. Do not assume that paying $78 automatically grants access to the lagoon. If your pass is missing or has incorrect information, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon and will instead be redirected to nearby Santa Maria Bay.

That rule can affect the day in a major way, so check the official access requirements before you go. The boat operator can transport you to the area, but lagoon entry depends on your valid reservation.

Three hours in Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon stop is built around free time. You can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe for approximately three hours. Bring your towel and sunscreen, and wear suitable beachwear so you are ready to use the water as soon as you arrive.

Three hours is a good amount of time for people who want a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop. You can take your time, dry off, and enjoy the water before the return pickup. It also gives you room to do very little, which can be welcome after the active Gozo stop and speedboat crossings.

The practical downside is that the Blue Lagoon is the most tightly controlled part of the day. Your access pass must be correct, and your return time matters. The scheduled pickup is around 4:00 p.m., with the boat returning to St George’s Bay at about 4:45 p.m.

One customer had a serious timing problem after being told a different departure time and waiting when the boat did not appear as expected. The wider lesson is simple: confirm the pickup time clearly with the crew, stay near the meeting area as departure approaches, and do not wander off for one last swim. The experience has mostly been praised for its driver and smooth handling, but boat schedules are worth treating carefully.

Seeing Comino’s caves from the water

Before heading back, the powerboat visits the caves in Comino. This is a boat-based viewing stop, not a long cave walk or land excursion.

The caves add variety to the afternoon. Instead of spending every minute at the beach, you get a short look at Comino’s rocky shoreline from the water before the final run home. Since the crossing back is listed at about 25 minutes, you can expect the cave visit to fit into the return portion of the schedule.

Do not book this trip expecting a detailed cave tour. The included experience is a visit by boat. Its value is the change of scenery and the chance to see parts of Comino that are best viewed from the sea.

The return to St George’s Bay

The boat is due back at the original base around 4:45 p.m. That makes this a full but manageable day, with the main activities finished before evening.

The final ride may be the point when you feel the speed most. You have already spent time in the sun and water, so keep your towel handy and protect yourself from the sun. Since passengers must remain seated, this is not a boat where you can move around freely to stretch your legs.

The return time works well if you have dinner plans in St Julians. It also leaves the evening open for a relaxed meal or another activity, though you should allow for possible changes in sea conditions or boat timing.

What the $78 price really covers

The price makes the most sense when you value time. You are paying for a fast connection between St Julians, Gozo, Comino, and the Blue Lagoon, along with several hours of free beach time.

The inclusions are:

• Transfer from St George’s Bay to Gozo
• Transfer from Gozo to the Blue Lagoon
• Return transfer to St George’s Bay
• Two hours of free time in Gozo
• Three hours of free time at the Blue Lagoon
• A visit to Comino’s caves

You need to budget separately for food and drinks. You also need to arrange and pay attention to the Blue Lagoon access reservation. Sightseeing in Gozo is not included, so any local transport, entrance fees, or activities there are your responsibility.

I would not call this the best value for someone who only wants a short boat ride and a swim. For someone trying to see Gozo and Comino in one day without organizing several separate transfers, the price is more reasonable.

Who should choose this trip

I would choose this outing if you want a lively day on the water and prefer free time over a guided schedule. It suits confident swimmers, sunbathers, snorkelers, couples, and families with older children who can manage a fast shared boat ride.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older, and children under 5 are not suitable for the experience. Pregnant women cannot join. The operator also excludes people with back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

You should also be comfortable making your own plans in Gozo. If you want a guide, a full island tour, or a detailed explanation of each stop, this is probably too independent. If you want to swim, sit in the sun, and move quickly between islands, it fits much better.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Arrive early at the black gate and follow the yellow line on the jetty.
• Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.
• Confirm the Blue Lagoon pickup time before leaving the boat.
• Get your official Blue Lagoon pass before the day of travel.
• Keep your Gozo plans close to the harbor.
• Do not count on the boat waiting if you arrive late.
• Remember that the boat is shared and passengers remain seated during rides.
• Check the conditions that exclude you from the activity before booking.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Malta schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino powerboat?

Book it if you want to cover Gozo, Comino, and the Blue Lagoon in one day without arranging separate transport. The speedboat makes the schedule possible, and the two long free-time blocks give you room to explore Gozo briefly and enjoy the water properly.

Skip it if you need a quiet ferry, a guided tour, or a fully predictable timetable. The ride is active, the boat is shared, and the Blue Lagoon now requires its own valid access pass. For the right person, though, $78 buys an efficient and enjoyable island-hopping day, with a good balance of speed, swimming, and independent time.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

It is a one-day experience. The boat leaves St George’s Bay, reaches Gozo in about 30 to 35 minutes, spends two hours there, visits the Blue Lagoon for about three hours, and returns to St George’s Bay around 4:45 p.m.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Is food or drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Do I need a separate pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Under the policy issued on April 29, 2025, you must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website and hold a valid pass with correct details. Without one, you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay.

Is the boat private?

No. The powerboat is shared, and passengers must remain seated for the entire ride.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.