Malta: Gozo Comino and Blue Lagoon Boat Tour with Swim Stop

The best thing about this three-island cruise is its range. In one day, you pass Malta’s sea caves, stop on Gozo, circle Comino, and finish with a swim at the Blue Lagoon. It is a lot of scenery for $33, though much of the day is spent aboard a large boat rather than on land.

I like the close views of places such as Elephant Head Rock, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Caves. I also like the freedom on Gozo, where you can choose a bus tour, visit Victoria, or simply walk and relax. The main catch is that Gozo’s transport is not included, and three hours there can feel long if you do not arrange something ahead of time.

Key points to know before you book

• One boat day covers three Maltese islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino are joined in a single outing from Mellieħa Bay.
• Gozo is a free-time stop: You have about three hours, but transport from the harbor costs extra unless you book an optional tour.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 90 minutes: You can swim from the boat, use its ladder and diving platform, or go ashore into the crowded lagoon area.
• Cave visits are mainly scenic boat passes: The optional small speedboat cave trip costs about €15 and is widely considered a worthwhile extra.
• The boat is large and can feel busy: It offers a bar and onboard refreshments, but seating may not be available for everyone.
• Bring cash: Some card terminals and ATMs may not work or may not be available during the day.

A full day around Malta’s northern islands

This is a sightseeing cruise first and a beach day second. The boat leaves Mellieħa Bay at about 9:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m., giving you roughly six and a half hours on the water and islands.

The appeal is simple: you do not need to arrange separate ferries, buses, and boat trips to see the northern part of the Maltese archipelago. You get a broad sample in one day. The tradeoff is pace. You will see many places from the water, but you will not have long, quiet visits at most of them.

The meeting point is easy to find at Mellieħa Bay. Look for Starbucks and the provider’s office on the seafront, then go to the nearby Tunny Net Jetty for departure. Comfortable shoes still matter, even though this is a boat excursion. You will walk on Gozo and possibly over uneven ground near the water.

Coral Lagoon and the first sea views

Early in the cruise, the boat passes Coral Lagoon and Smugglers Caves. Coral Lagoon is a short photo stop, about five minutes, so think of it as a chance to point your camera at the cliffs and water rather than a proper visit.

The boat then continues past Comino sights including Santa Maria Tower and the World War II Santa Maria Battery. These landmarks help give the island some context. Comino is not only a place for clear water and swimming. Its defensive tower and battery reflect the island’s strategic position between Malta and Gozo.

You will also pass Poppy’s Caves and Lovers Caves. The boat takes you close enough for photographs and scenic views, but the exact amount of time beside each cave depends on the sailing schedule and conditions. If cave exploration is important to you, do not assume these passes replace a small-boat cave trip.

Three hours on Gozo: plan your time

Gozo is the longest land stop, with about three hours available. That sounds generous, but your experience depends entirely on how you use it.

The simplest option is free time. You can walk around the harbor area, find a place to sit, or arrange your own way toward Victoria, Gozo’s main town. The Citadel in Victoria is the main cultural sight associated with the stop, and it is the place to aim for if you want more than a harbor break.

Public transport may be available for a small extra charge, and one option described for the day is a bus to Victoria costing about €2.50 per person, with the return free within two hours. You should confirm the current arrangement on the day, but this can be a better fit than remaining near the dock for the entire stop.

The other choice is the optional open-top bus tour. It costs extra, and it lets you cover more of Gozo, including a stop at Rabat and a beach stop at Ramla Bay. This is useful if you want an overview without trying to organize island transport yourself.

The bus tour has limits. You may not get long at every stop, so it is better for seeing several places than for a relaxed visit. If you want time at the Citadel, a beach, and a leisurely meal, the schedule may feel tight. If you prefer to sit back and let the transport handle the route, the added cost can be worthwhile.

Gozo can feel surprisingly quiet around the harbor, especially if you have not arranged transport. I would not leave this part entirely unplanned. Decide before departure if you want free time, the open-top bus, or a small local transport option. Once you arrive, people may try to sell you additional tours, so knowing your plan helps you avoid making a rushed choice.

The optional cave boat is a smart extra

A small boat trip into the caves is not included in the $33 price. It is offered for an additional fee, reported at about €15, and you access it through the main boat.

This is one of the more useful add-ons because a smaller craft can enter places the larger vessel can only show from outside. The speedboat guide explains the caves, and the short ride gives you closer views of the rock formations and sea openings. The main cruise includes photo visits to Smugglers Caves, Poppy’s Caves, Lovers Caves, Crystal Lagoon caves, and Santa Maria Caves, but the optional trip makes those formations feel more like an experience than a passing scene.

The extra cost is not essential if you are watching every euro. Still, I would consider it if caves are a major reason you chose this outing. Several people praised the small-boat guide and the views, while the main vessel was not always accompanied by spoken explanations at every sight.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, serious crowds

The main swim stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon lasts about 90 minutes. You can swim and snorkel, sit in the sun, walk briefly on Comino, or admire the water from above.

The water is the star here. On a clear day, the lagoon has the bright, clean appearance that makes Malta’s northern coast famous. But the Blue Lagoon is also one of the busiest places in the area. In summer, the shore and swimming areas can be heavily crowded, and getting off the boat may mean joining a packed strip of beach.

For that reason, I would seriously consider swimming directly from the boat. The vessel has a ladder and diving platform, giving you access to the water without fighting for a patch of sand. Several people found this more pleasant than going ashore, and one passenger with a baby stayed on the boat and jumped into the water instead.

The boat swim also makes the 90-minute stop more efficient. You can get in, cool off, climb back aboard, and still enjoy the views. If you want a traditional beach experience, you can go ashore, but do not expect much peace during the busiest months.

Some people wished the Blue Lagoon stop were longer. I think 90 minutes is enough for a focused swim, especially after a full day of sightseeing, but it will feel short if you want to snorkel slowly, walk around, sunbathe, and find food. Bring your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Snorkeling equipment is available for a small charge, but it is not included.

The lagoon can also be less appealing outside the warm season. In November, the water may be too cold for a comfortable swim, and crowd levels can still be high. If swimming is your main goal, check the season and weather before booking.

The return route past Comino’s landmarks

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads back toward Malta and continues the scenic route around Comino. Elephant Head Rock is one of the memorable photo stops. Its unusual shape is best appreciated from the water, where you can frame the rock against the sea.

The return also includes views of shearwater birds and Santa Maria Caves. These are not long shore visits. They are part of the slow sightseeing rhythm of the cruise, so keep your camera ready and listen for any announcement from the crew.

One limitation is the amount of commentary. The cruise shows many locations, but spoken information may be limited. You may hear little or nothing about the history of a cave or the purpose of a landmark. If you like detailed guiding, bring a little background reading or use the route as a visual introduction before exploring Malta and Gozo on another day.

The crew has been described as friendly and welcoming, and the captain brings the boat close to several sights when conditions allow. On one outing, the boat paused briefly after dolphins were spotted nearby. Wildlife sightings cannot be promised, but it is a pleasant reminder that the trip is not only about fixed landmarks.

What the $33 price really covers

At $33 per person, this is a strong value for a six-and-a-half-hour boat outing. The fare includes the three-island cruise, the Gozo stop, the Blue Lagoon swim stop, and scenic passes by a long list of caves and rock formations.

The price does not include everything you might want to do. You pay extra for Gozo’s open-top bus, the small cave boat, and snorkeling equipment. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, and prices have been described as reasonable, but you should bring cash because card machines and ATMs may not be dependable.

The best value comes if you are happy to treat the day as a sampler. You see a lot, avoid planning several separate connections, and get a proper swim stop. The value drops if you expect a detailed guided tour, a quiet beach, or extensive time in Gozo without paying for additional transport.

Music is part of the atmosphere, and the boat has a bar or refreshment service. This gives the day more of a relaxed excursion feel than a formal historical tour. Families can enjoy the open water and swimming, though the boat may feel crowded at peak times.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you have limited time in Malta and want to see the northern islands in one outing. It also suits anyone who prefers a scenic boat day over piecing together ferries and buses.

It works well for:

• First-time visitors wanting a broad view of Malta, Gozo, and Comino
• People who enjoy swimming from a boat
• Families looking for a straightforward day with minimal planning
• Anyone interested in sea caves and rock formations
• Budget-conscious visitors who want many sights for a modest price

I would be more cautious if you want long, quiet visits on land. Gozo’s three-hour stop needs planning, and the Blue Lagoon can be packed. The boat is wheelchair accessible according to the activity information, but the same information says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and does not allow electric wheelchairs. Contact the provider before booking if mobility is a concern.

You should also think twice if you dislike large boats, limited seating, or a busy summer swimming area. One passenger found the vessel larger and slower than expected, with not enough seats for everyone. That is useful to know: this is not a small, fast private cruise.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive with comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and beachwear. Cash is important for optional activities and onboard purchases.

If you want the Gozo bus or cave boat, ask about them early. The Gozo stop is much more rewarding when you know how you will spend it, and the small cave boat can be the highlight for anyone drawn to the coast.

Use the boat’s swimming access at the Blue Lagoon if the shore looks packed. You will avoid a crowded beach and still get the clear water that makes the stop worthwhile.

Keep valuables and fragile items secure. Glass objects, fireworks, explosive substances, and jumping outside the designated swimming setup are not allowed. Follow the crew’s instructions around the boat, ladders, and water.

The meeting point is on the Mellieħa Bay seafront near Starbucks and the provider’s office. The host language is English, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your plans depend on weather.

Should you book the Gozo, Comino, and Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value overview of Malta’s northern coast with a real swim stop and the option to add a cave ride. The cruise covers a great deal in one day, and the boat access at the Blue Lagoon can be better than squeezing onto the crowded shore.

Before you commit, make two decisions. First, plan how you will use your three hours on Gozo. Second, decide if the optional cave boat is worth the extra fee. If you do both, the day should feel full rather than disorganized.

Skip it if your priority is a peaceful Blue Lagoon visit, a long independent stay in Victoria, or detailed historical guiding. For most people with only a short time in Malta, though, the mix of sea views, Gozo, Comino caves, and swimming makes $33 a sensible buy.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Mellieħa Bay. Look for Starbucks and the Oh Yeah Malta Cruises and Water Sports office on the seafront, near the Tunny Net Jetty.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about 6.5 hours. It leaves at approximately 9:30 a.m. and returns to Mellieħa Bay at around 4 p.m.

How much time is spent on Gozo?

You have approximately three hours on Gozo. You can use the time for free exploration or pay extra for an open-top bus tour or other local transport.

Is transport around Gozo included?

No. Gozo transport is not included in the basic price. An optional open-top bus tour is available for an additional charge, and a local bus option to Victoria may also be available for a small fee.

Is swimming equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment costs extra. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Can I swim from the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat has a ladder and diving platform, so you can swim from the vessel during the 90-minute Blue Lagoon stop. You may also go ashore and swim from the lagoon area.