Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Comino & Sea Caves

The best reason to choose this Malta boat trip is the smaller vessel, which can slip into sea caves that larger boats must pass. You get the Blue Lagoon, Gozo, Comino, and St. Paul’s Islands in about five and a half hours, with time to swim and walk ashore rather than simply circle the islands.

I like the chance to enter the caves at no extra cost, and I like the free time built into the day. The onboard Wi-Fi, restroom, snack bar, and optional Gozo bus transfer also make this an easy outing. The tradeoff is that Gozo gets only a short visit, and the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat access: The Mermaid can enter sea caves that are off-limits to larger excursion boats, weather permitting.
• Four Maltese highlights: The route includes Comino, Gozo, the Blue Lagoon, and St. Paul’s Islands.
• Group capped at 48: This is smaller than many large party-style boats, though it can still feel busy on a hot summer day.
• Free time, not a guided island tour: You explore independently, with optional transport into Gozo available for a small fee.
• Practical onboard comforts: Wi-Fi, toilets, drinks for purchase, and a snack bar help on a five-and-a-half-hour outing.
• Strict timing matters: The boat keeps to its schedule and may leave without late arrivals.

Why the small Mermaid boat matters

At $36.20 per person, this is priced as an affordable island-hopping outing rather than a full guided tour of Malta. You are paying for the boat route, swimming opportunities, cave access, and time at several major sights. Lunch, snorkeling gear, and the optional Gozo transport cost extra.

The boat carries a maximum of 48 people. That is not a private cruise, but it is a much more manageable size than the huge boats that gather around the Blue Lagoon. The smaller hull also gives the cruise its main practical advantage: it can go into the caves near Comino, including the Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves when conditions allow.

The crew keeps the day moving and gives instructions for each stop. You should not book this expecting a full historical commentary, though. This is mainly a sea, swimming, and sightseeing trip. If your main interest is Malta’s past, a Valletta harbor cruise would be a better fit.

Starting at Bugibba’s L-Menqa Jetty

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure at L-Menqa Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in Bugibba, officially San Pawl il-Baħar. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

Arrive early. This point matters more than it may seem. The boat runs on a tight schedule, and the captain does not hold departure for late arrivals. Traffic and road closures can affect the journey to Bugibba, especially if you are coming from Valletta or another part of Malta. Build in extra time, not just the 30 minutes requested for boarding.

The boat has a maximum of 48 passengers, and the crew has been praised for keeping the schedule and giving clear instructions. That efficiency is useful, but it also means you must listen carefully to the stated return times at each stop. If you wander too far from the boat, a beautiful swim can become a costly taxi problem.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and short on shade

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. The water is clear, bright, and inviting, and you get about an hour at Comino before continuing to Gozo. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, or walk around the island.

The setting is striking, but do not expect a quiet beach. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular stops, and it can be packed in summer. There is also very little natural shade around the main swimming areas. Bring sun protection, water, and sandals or sturdy swim shoes. You will be walking over uneven ground and rocky edges, not a soft, broad beach.

One useful option is to stay near the boat or swim from its side rather than joining the thickest crowd on shore. The crew can also point you toward less crowded places farther along the path, though your one-hour stop limits how far you can go.

The boat has a snack bar where you can buy food and drinks, plus a restroom. That is convenient, but lunch is not included. If you prefer a proper meal, plan to purchase food during the day, particularly at Gozo.

The Blue Lagoon works best if you treat it as a swim stop, not a peaceful beach afternoon. Get in the water, take your photographs, and enjoy the color before the crowds and heat wear you down.

Entering Comino’s sea caves by boat

The cave section is one of the tour’s strongest features. Because the Mermaid is smaller than many boats on the same route, it can enter the caves and bring you close to the rock walls and openings. This gives you better angles for photographs and a more immediate sense of the coastline.

Cave access depends on weather and sea conditions. The included entry is not a guarantee that every cave listed will be visited on every departure. On the return route, the boat may use either Crystal Lagoon Caves or St. Mary’s Caves, depending on the weather.

Expect a sightseeing pass rather than a long cave stop. The boat enters, slows for views and photographs, then continues. Keep your camera ready, but also look up from the screen. A smaller boat can make the cave walls feel close, and the experience is easy to miss if you spend the whole time framing selfies.

The sea can be rough, and crew instructions are important. At least one account describes a captain speaking firmly when passengers moved around in windy conditions. That may not feel gentle, but on a small boat, staying seated when asked is part of enjoying the trip safely.

Gozo at Mgarr Harbour: useful freedom, limited time

After Comino, the boat cruises to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. The approach is a fine photo moment, with the harbor and steep island scenery opening ahead of you. You get about two hours for Gozo, which is enough for a taste of the island but not enough for a full tour.

This is an important distinction. You are not being taken on a guided circuit of Gozo’s churches, villages, and viewpoints. You are given time ashore and allowed to decide how to use it. That makes the trip a good match for independent visitors who want to choose their own pace.

The optional bus transfer into the center of Gozo can help you make better use of the stop. It is available for a small additional charge, and you should confirm the price and arrangements with the crew. Without transport, your practical range may be limited to the harbor area and nearby surroundings.

You can also buy lunch on Gozo. Since the Blue Lagoon stop is short and the onboard snack bar is basic, Gozo may be your best chance for a more substantial meal. Keep an eye on the time, though. The boat will be ready at the stated hour, and the schedule leaves little room for delays.

I would not choose this trip as your only Gozo visit if you want to see the island properly. For that, book a separate full-day Gozo excursion or arrange your own transport. For a first look, a meal, and a walk around Mgarr, the two-hour stop is worthwhile.

St. Paul’s Islands and the final swim

The route also includes St. Paul’s Islands, home to the well-known statue of St. Paul. The stop is brief, often around 25 minutes according to the available trip details, so you need to choose between walking toward the monument and taking a swim.

That short pause can feel rushed. You will not have time for an extensive visit or much explanation of the site. The boat crew’s focus is the coast and swimming rather than religious or historical background. If the statue matters to you, go directly there and take your photographs before returning to the boat.

The final swim near St. Paul’s Islands is a pleasant way to finish the day. It gives you another chance to get in the water after the main Blue Lagoon stop, and it breaks up the sightseeing with something simple and active.

The precise order and cave route can change with weather. Strong wind has led to adjustments such as a bus transfer to another part of the island and a different sailing plan. The company has also canceled departures in poor weather and offered either another date or a refund. That is frustrating if your Malta schedule is tight, but a small boat should not operate in unsafe conditions.

What the onboard comforts are really worth

The included restroom is useful on a five-and-a-half-hour cruise, especially for families and anyone who does not want to wait for facilities ashore. Drinks are available to buy onboard, and the snack bar provides basic food options.

Wi-Fi is included, but expect shared access rather than a strong private connection. It uses the captain’s shared data, so it may be enough for messages and occasional posts, but I would not plan on heavy streaming or reliable work access. Download anything important before boarding and keep your phone in airplane mode if you want to avoid roaming charges.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent it with a cash deposit, but the deposit arrangement deserves attention. The supplied details note that a deposit is required, and one account indicates that part of the payment may be retained as a rental charge rather than returned in full. Ask the crew to explain the exact cost before taking the equipment.

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them. That avoids the deposit question and saves time at the swimming stop.

The staff, safety, and service style

The crew is frequently described as friendly, helpful, and good at giving practical suggestions. They can advise you on swimming spots, arrange transport on Gozo, and help families, including those traveling with a baby. The captain and crew member also give clear meeting times and keep the boat moving.

The service style is direct. On a boat carrying up to 48 people, safety instructions may be delivered loudly, especially in wind. Do not confuse a firm safety command with a sightseeing commentary, and do not move around while the crew is telling you to remain seated.

There have also been complaints about rude communication and missed departures. The company’s response is equally direct: the boat leaves on time for passengers who arrived for boarding. This is a case where you should protect yourself by arriving early, staying aware of the boat, and returning before the announced time.

A small group does not mean personal guiding. You may get useful advice, but this is not a tour where a guide walks you through Malta’s history at every stop. I see that as a benefit if you prefer independence, and a weakness if you want stories and detailed interpretation.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would recommend the Mermaid cruise if you want to combine several coastal highlights in one day without paying for a large luxury excursion. It suits solo visitors, couples, families, and people who prefer a little freedom at each stop.

You will get the most from it if you:

• Enjoy swimming and coastal scenery.
• Prefer a boat capped at 48 people rather than a very large vessel.
• Want cave access and photo opportunities.
• Are comfortable exploring Gozo on your own.
• Can keep track of strict departure times.
• Do not need a full historical explanation at every sight.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet Blue Lagoon beach day. It is also a poor match if you want several hours to tour Gozo, detailed commentary, or a fully included lunch and equipment package.

The activity is listed as suitable for most participants, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transport, but the meeting point still requires careful planning if you are staying far from Bugibba.

Value at $36.20 per person

At $36.20, the price is strong for a route that combines Comino, Gozo, St. Paul’s Islands, swimming, and cave access. The value comes from the number of places covered and the chance to use a smaller boat without paying a private charter rate.

You should budget extra for food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and the optional Gozo bus. Those costs do not ruin the deal, but they mean the advertised fare is not the full day’s spending.

I also think the size of the boat adds real value. Large boats may carry more people, but the Mermaid’s smaller scale gives you a better chance of seeing the caves properly and finding space onboard. The Blue Lagoon itself will still be crowded, so do not expect the boat size to transform the whole experience into a secluded outing.

Should you book the Mermaid cruise?

Book this trip if you want good coastal coverage for a modest price, especially if cave access and swimming matter more to you than history. Arrive early at Bugibba, bring sun protection and water shoes, carry cash for optional extras, and treat Gozo as a short introduction rather than a full island visit.

Choose another tour if you want a quiet beach, a long Gozo stay, or detailed commentary about St. Paul’s Islands and Malta’s past. For the right kind of day, this is a practical, active way to see the islands, with a smaller boat and enough free time to keep the outing from feeling like a nonstop bus tour on water.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at L-Menqa Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in Bugibba, San Pawl il-Baħar. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Comino and the Blue Lagoon, Gozo at Mgarr Harbour, St. Paul’s Islands, and sea caves near Comino.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased from the snack bar onboard, and you can also buy lunch during the Gozo stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, subject to a cash deposit and additional charges.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

Yes. Wi-Fi is included onboard, using shared data from the captain, so the connection may be limited.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather makes the trip unsafe, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Changes or cancellations made by you must be completed at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.