St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

Three Maltese islands, one full day. This $40 boat-and-bus tour packs the Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s capital, coastal caves, and St. Paul’s Island into about seven hours. I especially like the smaller boat, which can enter caves that larger vessels cannot, and the easy bus transfer from Gozo’s harbor to Victoria. The main catch is time: one hour at Comino and two hours in Victoria feel brisk, especially if you want to see the Cittadella properly.

The crew earns strong marks for being friendly and helpful, with Captain Matthew singled out for explaining the plan clearly and making the most of the day. I also like that food, drinks, Wi-Fi, toilets, and live English commentary are available onboard, though Gozo can feel rushed and the Blue Lagoon is often crowded in summer.

Key points at a glance

• A 10:00 am departure from Bugibba Jetty: Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am, so arriving early matters.
• One hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon: You can swim from the boat, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk on the island.
• Two hours in Victoria, Gozo: The bus takes you directly from Mgarr Harbour to the capital, where you can visit the Cittadella, shop, or eat.
• A smaller boat with cave access: Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves may be entered when sea and weather conditions allow.
• Thirty minutes at St. Paul’s Island: Use the stop for a final swim or walk up to the statue of St. Paul.
• A good-value introduction to Malta’s islands: The tradeoff is a tightly timed day rather than a slow, in-depth visit.

Starting at Bugibba Jetty at 9:30 am

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty, where you look for Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid. Boarding starts at 9:30 am, and the boat leaves sharply at 10:00 am. The boarding window closes at 9:50 am, so I would not treat this as a casual stroll-up departure.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and cash. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but they are not included in the price. Snorkeling equipment can also be rented, with a €10 cash security deposit.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, which make a long day at sea easier. Live commentary is provided in English, giving you some context as the boat passes the Maltese coast and heads north toward Comino. The trip is not just a transfer between swimming spots. The cruise itself is part of the experience, with views toward Mellieha, the surrounding islands, and the rocky coastline.

The boat is described as smaller than average, and that matters. A smaller vessel can feel more pleasant than a large, packed excursion boat, especially when it enters coastal caves. It may still be nearly full on a popular sailing, but the available feedback suggests it generally does not feel uncomfortably crowded.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water and a busy hour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the first major stop. The boat remains there for one hour, giving you time to swim from the vessel, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around the island.

The water is the star. It is remarkably clear, and this is the stop most likely to provide the classic postcard moment. If swimming is your priority, you can get into the water directly from the boat rather than spending time looking for a beach.

That one-hour limit keeps the day moving, but it also sets firm boundaries. You will not have time for a long walk around Comino, a relaxed meal, and an extended swim. I would decide before arrival how you want to spend the hour. Swimmers should get ready quickly. If you prefer photographs and a short walk, stay aware of the return-to-boat time.

The Blue Lagoon can be very crowded in summer. That is not something the tour operator can fully control, since the lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular stops. The water may look peaceful in photographs, but the setting can feel busy, with many boats and people sharing the area. There has also been concern about rubbish left by visitors, so do your part by keeping all belongings and waste with you.

Comino now requires visitors to sign up through the Maltese Government website and obtain an entry ticket. The ticket is free to purchase, but it is still a required step. Check the current entry instructions before your day out, since this rule affects access to the island itself.

Gozo and Victoria: the day’s cultural stop

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. From there, you board a bus directly to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The bus connection is useful because it removes the need to arrange your own transport between the harbor and the city.

You get two hours in Victoria. That is enough for a focused visit, but not enough to treat the capital as a full-day destination. I would choose one main goal rather than trying to do everything.

The Cittadella is the clearest choice for history and views. This fortified center gives you the strongest sense of Gozo’s past and is repeatedly described as a must-see part of the stop. Allow yourself enough time to walk through it without spending the entire visit taking photographs.

If shopping is more your style, Victoria’s markets offer a chance to browse local goods. You can also sit down for a meal at a Gozitan restaurant, though a full restaurant stop will reduce your sightseeing time. Since food is not included in the tour, this is a practical place to buy something if you did not bring snacks.

The two-hour visit is the most common point of hesitation. Several people would have preferred another 30 to 45 minutes in Gozo. That extra time would make the Cittadella, market browsing, and lunch easier to combine. As it is, the visit works best as an introduction to Victoria rather than a thorough exploration of Gozo.

Some departures may offer a private bus for the Gozo portion at an additional cost. The available information specifically suggests this can be worth considering if you want to see as much as possible. Ask about the arrangement before booking or at the start of the tour, since the exact availability and price are not provided here.

Coastal caves and the Maltese shoreline

After returning to Mgarr Harbour, you rejoin the boat and continue toward St. Paul’s Islands. Along the way, the crew may take the smaller vessel into impressive coastal caves.

The exact cave visit depends on sea and weather conditions. The route may include Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves around Comino. This is an important distinction: cave entry is included at no extra charge, but it is not guaranteed in every sailing.

Entering a cave by boat gives the trip a different character from simply viewing Malta’s coast from offshore. You get close to the limestone formations and see parts of the shoreline that are easy to miss from a larger vessel. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not let photographs distract you from instructions around the boat.

This part also shows why the smaller boat is a real advantage. Large cruise boats may be limited to open-water viewing, while a smaller vessel has a better chance of entering narrow coastal spaces. If caves are a major reason for booking, remember that the captain has the final say based on conditions.

The cruise offers an appealing mix of stops. Comino is mainly about clear water, Victoria provides a taste of Gozo’s culture, and the caves add a close-up look at Malta’s rocky shore. None of these sections is meant to be exhaustive. Together, they provide a broad sample of the islands in one day.

Thirty minutes at St. Paul’s Island

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, where the boat docks for about 30 minutes. You can use the time for one last swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul.

This is a short stop, so choose your plan before leaving the boat. A swim is the simplest option if you are already dressed and have kept your towel handy. If you want to see the statue, head up promptly and leave enough time to return safely.

St. Paul’s Island feels like a quieter finish than the Blue Lagoon. It gives you a final chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the sea before the return cruise. Do not expect a long visit or a detailed tour of the island. The value is in the brief stop, the view, and the chance to end the day outside rather than sitting on the boat all the way back.

The boat returns to Bugibba Harbour at about 5:00 pm. That makes this a substantial day, but not an evening excursion. You still have the night free for dinner or a walk around Bugibba.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want to combine several Maltese highlights without arranging ferries, buses, and coastal sightseeing separately. The price covers the boat cruise, the Gozo bus transfer to Victoria, the three scheduled stops, English commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, and cave entry when conditions allow.

It does not cover food, drinks, or snorkeling equipment. Those extras are easy to understand, but they can increase your total cost. Bringing water and snacks may help you keep the day affordable, though cash is still useful for purchases and the snorkeling-equipment deposit.

The strongest value comes from the range of places covered. In one outing, you see Comino, Gozo, St. Paul’s Island, and sections of the Maltese coast. You also avoid the work of planning your own route between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria.

The price is less attractive if you want lots of free time at each location. A slower Gozo visit alone would give you more time for the Cittadella and local food. This tour is built for variety, not depth.

The rating of 4.5 from 114 reviews fits that balance. The most praised features are the friendly crew, the helpful captain, the smaller boat, the beautiful sights, and the overall value. The clearest criticism is also consistent: Gozo needs more time, and the schedule can feel tiring because each stop has a firm limit.

Who will enjoy this seven-hour outing?

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a practical first look at Malta’s islands and enjoy switching between swimming, sightseeing, and cruising. It suits couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who do not want to rent transport or organize several separate bookings.

It is especially useful when you have limited time in Malta. The trip lets you sample Gozo without committing a full day to the island, while still adding Comino’s water and St. Paul’s coastline.

You should think twice if your main goal is a relaxed beach day. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts only one hour, and the crowds can reduce the peaceful feel. Likewise, if you want a serious historical visit to Gozo, two hours in Victoria may leave you wanting more.

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also be comfortable with a full day that includes boat movement, bus travel, swimming, walking, and quick transitions between stops.

Captain Matthew received special praise for explaining the day’s plan and helping the group see as much as possible. The wider crew is also described as friendly and helpful. That personal service matters on a tightly timed outing, since clear instructions make each transfer less stressful.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive before the 9:30 am boarding time, rather than aiming for the 10:00 am departure. You need to find the Mermaid boat or the representatives, and boarding closes at 9:50 am.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel, sunscreen, and cash easy to reach. You may want dry clothing for the return journey, but the provided information does not specify changing facilities, so pack with simple boat-day practicality in mind.

Plan your priorities for Victoria before you arrive. Choose the Cittadella, the markets, or a meal as your main activity. Trying to fit all three into two hours is possible only as a quick visit.

Complete the required Comino entry-ticket registration through the Maltese Government website before the tour. The ticket is free, but overlooking this step could complicate access.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible. The captain may alter or cancel the trip because of weather, and cave access depends on sea conditions. That is a sensible safety rule, not a flaw, but it means you should not treat every listed cave as guaranteed.

Should you book the Gozo, Comino, and St. Paul’s tour?

Book it if variety and value matter more to you than long visits. The Blue Lagoon, Victoria, coastal caves, and St. Paul’s Island create a well-rounded day, and the $40 price is fair for the transport and number of sights included.

I would be happiest booking this tour early in a Malta stay, when I wanted a broad introduction to the islands. I would choose another plan if I had already seen Comino or wanted to spend a full day exploring Gozo’s Cittadella and restaurants.

The best strategy is simple: arrive early, secure the Comino ticket, pack for swimming, and pick one priority in Victoria. With those expectations, this is a friendly, energetic way to see a lot of Malta in one day without spending a fortune.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white and blue boat named Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat departs at 10:00 am sharp.

How long is the tour?

The full activity lasts about seven hours and returns to Bugibba at approximately 5:00 pm.

How much time is spent at the Blue Lagoon?

You get one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking around the island.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented, with a €10 cash security deposit.

Can the boat enter the caves every time?

No. Cave visits depend on weather and sea conditions. The route may include Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves.