St Paul’s Bay: Comino, Blue Lagoon, Gozo, & Caves Boat Tour

Malta looks best from the water. This seven-hour cruise from St Paul’s Bay links Comino, Gozo, the Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, and St Paul’s Island in one busy but rewarding day. I especially like the small boat, which can feel more personal than the larger vessels nearby, and the friendly crew, including Matthew, Robbie, and Roppy, who have earned praise for clear information and a relaxed manner.

I also like the way the day mixes swimming with time on land. You can snorkel in clear water, walk around Gozo, see the statue and church ruins on St Paul’s Island, and pass close to coastal caves. The main drawback is time: Comino gets about an hour, Gozo about two hours, and St Paul’s Island only 30 minutes, so you will see a good sample rather than explore each place fully.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• The Blue Lagoon stop: Swim, snorkel, walk around Comino, or simply enjoy one of Malta’s most famous views.
• A smaller boat: The Mermaid can feel less crowded than some of the larger boats, though outdoor space may still be limited when the boat is full.
• Gozo in two hours: You have enough time for a walk, lunch, and a quick look at the island, especially if you arrange transport toward Victoria.
• Caves and coastal scenery: The route includes Santa Maria Caves and may include Crystal Lagoon Caves, depending on sea and weather conditions.
• Three chances to get in the water: The Blue Lagoon and St Paul’s Island offer proper swim or snorkel time, with additional water stops possible along the route.
• Strong value at $34: The fare covers the boat, crew, English commentary, toilets, and stops at both Comino and Gozo.

Starting at Bugibba with Mermaid Cruises

Your meeting point is Mermaid Cruises in Bugibba, in the St Paul’s Bay area. Look for the blue, white, and red boat named The Mermaid. Boarding begins at 9:30 AM and closes at 9:50 AM, so you should arrive early rather than treat the closing time as a suggested arrival.

The boat trip includes a captain, crew, onboard toilets, and live commentary in English. The tone appears to be casual rather than lecture-heavy. You get explanations as you pass the coast, then time to enjoy the ride without a constant stream of information.

The smaller boat is one of the tour’s biggest advantages. It may leave the harbor more easily than larger boats, and its size can help it get closer to some cave entrances. The trade-off is less open-air room. One useful tip is to claim a place near the front or on the upper deck if available. If the boat is crowded at first, conditions may feel easier once the top area is opened.

The boat sells drinks, and food is available for purchase, but neither is included. Bring cash for snacks, drinks, and optional extras. The crew has sometimes offered complimentary fruit, including pineapple, which adds a pleasant touch but should not be treated as part of the guaranteed package.

One hour of Malta’s coast before Comino

The first hour is a sightseeing cruise along the Maltese coast. This is not wasted transit. Malta’s shoreline is full of pale rock, ledges, openings, and sea-worn shapes that make more sense from a boat than from inland roads.

The captain may take the boat toward caves and rock formations before reaching Comino. Some departures have entered caves, while others have only passed them because of rough water. This is important: the advertised cave experience is dependent on the sea. You may get a close look or a passage into an opening, but no captain can safely promise every cave on every departure.

The ride also gives you time to settle into the day. Bring a hat and sunscreen, as much of the route is exposed. If you are prone to seasickness, sitting in the middle of the boat may be more comfortable than staying at the very front, though the provided details do not specify a dedicated sheltered section.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth seeing

The Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people. You get about an hour for a photo stop, a walk, swimming, and snorkeling. The water is famously clear, and this is the place to bring your swimwear, towel, mask, and enthusiasm for a quick dip.

The lagoon can be very busy, especially at popular times. Do not expect a quiet cove with only a few people around you. The appeal is the color and clarity of the water, along with the chance to swim in one of Malta’s most recognizable coastal spots. Even with crowds, the setting can be memorable.

An hour passes quickly. If you want to swim, change clothes, take pictures, and walk around, make a simple plan before leaving the boat. You may also purchase lunch on Comino, but fitting in a full meal and a relaxed swim within the stop can be difficult.

Entry to Comino requires a free ticket through the Maltese Government Website. You must sign up in advance, even though there is no charge. Take care of this before the cruise so you are not trying to sort it out at the landing point.

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 cash security deposit. You can also bring your own equipment. The tour does not include masks or snorkels, so do not assume gear will be waiting for you.

Two hours on Gozo, with Victoria as the smart target

After Comino, the boat makes a short sightseeing run to Gozo. You get around two hours on the island for photos, a walk, free time, and a look at local life.

Two hours is enough to get a taste of Gozo, not enough to cover the island properly. The most practical use of the stop is to focus on one area. Several people have used a paid transfer from Gozo Harbour to Victoria, also called the capital of Gozo, for about €6 per person. That can be a sensible choice if you want a quick look at the citadel area, a meal, and a few streets of the city rather than spending the entire stop near the harbor.

You need to watch the clock. Gozo is the stop most likely to leave you wishing for another hour. A quick lunch in a square and a short walk are realistic. A long meal, extensive shopping, and several major sights are not.

Still, Gozo adds something the swim stops cannot. You get to step onto an inhabited island and see more of the Gozitian character, rather than viewing Malta only from the deck. If you have just a few days in Malta, this boat trip gives you a useful first look at Gozo without arranging a separate ferry and day plan.

Santa Maria Caves and the return route

The return journey includes a sightseeing cruise of about 15 minutes before the boat reaches the Santa Maria Caves area. The boat may pass by or enter the caves, and you can expect scenic views and a photo opportunity for about 15 minutes.

The cave section is one of the reasons the smaller boat matters. A compact vessel can sometimes approach formations that are less accessible to larger craft. But the sea decides what happens. Rough water can prevent the boat from entering, and a stop may become a pass-by viewing instead.

The same applies to the Crystal Lagoon Caves. The route may include those formations instead of Santa Maria Caves, depending on conditions. Keep your expectations flexible. The coastline itself is the dependable part, while entering a particular cave is not.

This section is short, so have your camera ready before the boat arrives. The best views may last only a few minutes. If you prefer simply to sit back, the crew’s English commentary helps you understand what you are seeing without turning the trip into a formal classroom tour.

St Paul’s Island and the final swim

The final major stop is St Paul’s Island, with about 30 minutes for photos, a walk, and another swim or snorkel. This is a compact stop, but it gives the day a useful finish because you can get back into the water after the longer return ride.

You can also walk uphill to the well-known statue of St Paul and the ancient church ruins. That walk is worthwhile if you care more about a quick cultural sight than another swim. With only half an hour, you probably cannot do both at a leisurely pace.

The island connects the cruise to Malta’s Christian story. According to local tradition, St Paul was shipwrecked here, and the statue marks that association. The tour does not present the island as a full historical visit, but the statue and ruins give you something meaningful to see beyond rock and sea.

After St Paul’s Island, the boat makes another short sightseeing run before returning to Mermaid Cruises in Bugibba. The full route lasts about seven hours, including the boat rides and shore stops.

What the $34 fare really buys you

At $34 per person, this is a strong value if you want several Maltese highlights in one day. The fare includes the boat trip, captain and crew, English commentary, toilets, and stops at Comino and Gozo. You are not paying separately for a ferry to each island or arranging your own coastal cruise.

The price works best for visitors with limited time. In one day, you can swim at the Blue Lagoon, walk on Gozo, see caves from the water, and visit St Paul’s Island. Organizing all of that independently would take more planning and would likely involve separate transport costs.

The low price also comes with limits. Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra. Transport into Victoria on Gozo is not included. You should also account for the time pressure at each stop and the possibility that rough weather changes the route.

The boat has onboard drinks at market prices, and the crew may offer fruit during the cruise. That is a nice bonus, but bring cash for anything you want to buy. The value is in the route and the access, not in a package of included meals or equipment.

How to make the day work better

Arrive before boarding opens at 9:30 AM. The boat is named clearly, but missing the 9:50 AM boarding cutoff would create an avoidable problem.

Pack lightly. A sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, cash, and a small towel are the core items. Keep valuables in a secure bag, especially when you leave the boat to swim. The crew has been praised for allowing bags to remain onboard during swims, but you are still responsible for your belongings.

Use your time on shore carefully:

• At Comino, choose swimming or a longer walk before you start taking photos.
• On Gozo, consider the paid transfer to Victoria if seeing the capital matters to you.
• At St Paul’s Island, decide in advance between the statue and church ruins or another swim.
• On the cave section, stay alert for the captain’s instructions because conditions can change quickly.

The captain can cancel or alter the trip for weather and sea conditions. That is not a flaw in the operation. It is the sensible rule for a boat route around exposed islands and caves. The same conditions may shorten a swim stop or prevent entry into a cave.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also be comfortable boarding a boat, stepping ashore, walking on uneven ground, and getting in and out of the water if you plan to swim.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you have only a few days in Malta and want a broad sample of the islands without hiring separate transport. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, photographers, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys a day on the water more than a tightly scripted land tour.

It is also a good choice for budget-conscious visitors. The crew has been praised for friendliness, punctual running, safety, helpful advice, and clear explanations. Names such as Matthew, Robbie, and Roppy have been singled out for making the day feel easy and well managed.

I would be more cautious if your priority is quiet water, long walks, or detailed sightseeing on Gozo. The Blue Lagoon may be crowded, Gozo time is limited, and the cave route depends on weather. This is a highlights cruise, not a slow island exploration.

The experience suits you best if you can accept a little bustle in exchange for variety. The smaller boat helps, but it does not turn the Blue Lagoon into a private cove. Outdoor space can feel tight when everyone is onboard.

Should you book the Mermaid cruise?

Book it if you want excellent coverage for $34 and enjoy mixing swimming, coastal views, and short island visits. The schedule gives you a practical taste of Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island, while the friendly crew and smaller boat add comfort that many low-cost cruises lack.

Skip it if you want a full day on Gozo, guaranteed cave entry, or a peaceful Blue Lagoon experience. For most short stays in Malta, though, this is an easy way to see a lot in one day. Arrive early, register for the free Comino ticket, bring cash and sun protection, and treat the timetable as a guide rather than a promise carved in stone.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Mermaid Cruises in Bugibba, in St Paul’s Bay. Look for the blue, white, and red boat named The Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 AM and closes at 9:50 AM. You should arrive early enough to find the boat and board before the cutoff.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours and returns to the same meeting point in Bugibba.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase onboard and at stops.

Do I need a ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government Website for a Comino entry ticket. The ticket is free.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 cash security deposit. You may also bring your own equipment.

Can the boat enter the caves?

The caves viewed or entered depend on weather and sea conditions. The boat may visit Santa Maria Caves or Crystal Lagoon Caves, or pass by them if conditions are unsuitable.