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

The best part of this Malta boat and bus tour is the variety packed into one day. You swim from the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, ride into Gozo’s capital Victoria, pass the coast by sea, and finish with a stop at St. Paul’s Island. It is a brisk tour, but it gives you a useful first look at three very different places.

I like the smaller boat, which makes the cruise feel less cramped than a large ferry. I also like the route: one hour at Comino, two hours in Gozo, and a final 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Island. The main drawback is time. Gozo deserves longer, and the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded in summer.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon stop: You get one hour to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around Comino, with swimming from the boat.
• Victoria by bus: Two hours in Gozo includes transport from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria, giving you time for the Cittadella, markets, or lunch.
• Smaller boat: The vessel is the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat at Bugibba Jetty, with toilets and Wi-Fi.
• Sea caves: The boat can enter caves around Comino, including Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves, when sea conditions permit.
• St. Paul’s Island: A short final stop allows time for a swim or a walk to the statue of St. Paul.
• Good value at $40: Food, drinks, and snorkeling gear cost extra, but the price covers the cruise, bus transfer in Gozo, commentary, and all listed stops.

One day, three Maltese islands

This outing is built for you if you want to see a lot of Malta’s northern islands without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boat trips. It is not a slow, stay-in-one-place excursion. Think of it as a moving tour with three short chapters: water at Comino, town time in Gozo, and a final coastal stop at St. Paul’s Island.

Boarding begins at 9:30 am at Bugibba Jetty, and the boat leaves sharply at 10:00 am. You must be on board by 9:50 am, so do not treat the published boarding time as a suggestion. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat at the jetty.

The cruise returns to Bugibba at about 5:00 pm. That makes the total day roughly seven hours, including the boat ride, the bus transfer, and the stops. English live commentary is included, so you get some explanation along the way rather than simply being transported from place to place.

Cruising north from Bugibba

The opening cruise takes you north along Malta’s coast, past Mellieha and the surrounding archipelago. This is one of the reasons I prefer this tour to a standard point-to-point ferry. You are not only getting to Comino and Gozo, you are seeing the coast from the water.

The boat is smaller than many excursion vessels. That can mean fewer people on board than you might find on a large ferry, although it can still be nearly full during popular dates. The smaller size also matters when the captain takes you toward the caves, since the boat can enter spaces that larger vessels cannot.

On board, you have toilet facilities and Wi-Fi. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to buy. I would still bring cash, especially because snorkeling equipment can be rented with a €10 cash security deposit.

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. There is little point in planning this as a fully dressed sightseeing day. The strongest parts of the tour are outdoors, and the sun can be fierce on the water.

Blue Lagoon, Comino: beautiful water and heavy crowds

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. You have one hour here, and the main activity is swimming from the boat into the clear water. You can also snorkel, sunbathe, or explore the island on foot.

The water is the star. Even with a busy setting, the color and clarity make this a memorable stop. If swimming is important to you, this hour gives you enough time to get in, enjoy the water, and dry off before the boat moves on.

There is a practical catch. The Blue Lagoon is crowded in summer, and the island itself has limited things to do beyond enjoying the water and shore. You may also see litter or debris left by other visitors. That is not a fault of this boat company, but it does affect the experience and is worth knowing before you book.

Swimming is from the boat, so this is not the same as being dropped on a quiet beach. You should be comfortable climbing in and out of the water. Snorkeling gear is not included, though you can rent it for an additional charge and a €10 cash deposit.

Before arriving, you must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket for Comino. The ticket is free, but it is still a required step. Take care of it before the morning of the trip so your time at the lagoon is not complicated by paperwork.

Gozo by bus and Victoria on foot

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. From there, you board a bus directly to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The bus transfer is useful because it saves you from arranging a separate taxi or local connection, and it puts the main town within reach during a short visit.

You have two hours in Victoria. That sounds generous until you account for getting off the bus, walking through town, and choosing what matters most to you. I would pick one main goal rather than trying to do everything.

The Cittadella is the obvious choice if you want the strongest historical stop. This fortified area gives you a sense of Gozo’s past and provides some of the best views over the island. You can also spend your time at the Victoria markets, where a stroll and a little shopping fit neatly into the schedule.

Food is another option. A local Gozitan restaurant can turn the stop into a proper lunch, but do not linger too long if you want time for the Cittadella. With only two hours, Victoria is more of an introduction than a full visit.

This is the part of the trip most likely to leave you wishing for more. Several people found that Gozo needed at least another 30 to 45 minutes. I agree with the basic point: the bus transfer is convenient, but the fixed schedule limits how much of Victoria you can see.

Still, the visit works well if your goal is to get a taste of Gozo rather than explore the whole island. You can see the capital, visit its main fortress, have a quick meal, and return to the harbour without planning a separate day.

Caves, coastline, and the St. Paul’s stop

Back at Mgarr Harbour, you continue by boat toward St. Paul’s Island. Along the way, the captain may take the boat into sea caves around Comino. The exact caves depend on the weather and sea conditions, with Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves among the possible options.

This is a particularly good feature for a smaller boat. Entering a cave gives you a close view of the rock formations and the changing light on the water. It is also a part of the tour that cannot be guaranteed, so treat it as a welcome bonus rather than the central reason to book.

The captain can alter the route or cancel the trip if conditions are unsafe. That applies to the caves and the general itinerary. On a calm day, this section adds a sense of exploration to the cruise. On a rough day, the cave visit may be skipped.

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, where you have about 30 minutes. You can take one last swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul. This is a short stop, but it breaks up the ride back to Bugibba and gives you a final chance to get off the boat.

Do not expect a long visit here. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick walk or swim, not both at a leisurely pace. If the statue matters to you, head there first and swim afterward only if time and conditions allow.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is good value if you want transport and several sights bundled into one day. The price includes the full boat cruise, one hour at Comino, two hours in Gozo, the bus ride from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria, 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Island, live English commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, and the chance to enter the caves when conditions allow.

You are also paying for convenience. Planning these stops independently would mean working out boat schedules, getting to Gozo, arranging the Victoria transfer, and finding a separate coastal cruise. This tour removes most of that planning.

The price does not include food, drinks, or snorkeling equipment. Bring cash for purchases and for the €10 security deposit if you rent snorkeling gear. The Comino entry ticket is free, but you must register for it through the Maltese Government website.

Value depends on your touring style. If you want two or three hours in one place, this is not the right format. If you want a broad sample of Malta’s northern islands and coastline in one day, the price is easy to justify.

The pace, comfort, and practical limits

This is a busy day, but not a frantic one. You have clear blocks of time at each stop, and the bus takes you straight from Gozo’s harbour to Victoria. The trouble is that every block has a firm limit, so you need to watch the clock.

The smaller boat helps with comfort, though it does not mean the tour will always feel private or quiet. It can be almost full, especially when the Blue Lagoon is at its busiest. The benefit is that a smaller vessel can get close to the caves and coastline.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage boat boarding, moving around the vessel, getting onto the bus, and possibly climbing in and out of the water. The Blue Lagoon stop is especially important to consider if you have difficulty with ladders or uneven surfaces.

Captain Matthew has been praised for explaining the day’s plan clearly and helping passengers make the most of the schedule. A private bus can reportedly be arranged for the Gozo section, which may be worth asking about if you want a more tailored visit. Do not assume it is part of the standard $40 fare.

The crew is another strong point. Friendly, helpful service matters on a day with several transfers, especially when you are moving from boat to bus and back again. The most positive comments focus on the captain’s attitude, the clear organization, and the sense that the crew tried to show as much as possible.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want an overview of Comino, Gozo, and the coastal sights without renting a car or planning separate transport. It also suits swimmers, sunbathers, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys being on the water.

It is a good fit if your priorities are the Blue Lagoon, a quick look at Victoria, and scenic cruising. The itinerary gives you enough time to swim at Comino, visit the Cittadella if you plan carefully, and stop at St. Paul’s Island.

I would be cautious if Gozo is your main reason for visiting. Two hours in Victoria is useful, but it is not enough for a relaxed exploration of the capital and wider island. In that case, book a dedicated Gozo day and choose this tour only if the boat experience matters more than a detailed land visit.

Also think carefully about the season. Summer brings the clearest swimming conditions but heavier crowds at the Blue Lagoon. Sea conditions can affect the caves and other parts of the route at any time.

Should you book the Mermaid boat tour?

Book it if you want a well-priced sampler of Malta’s northern coast with swimming, sightseeing, and a bus connection to Victoria all in one day. The strongest reasons are the range of stops, the smaller boat, the friendly crew, and the chance to enter sea caves when conditions cooperate.

Skip it if you dislike fixed schedules or want a quiet, unhurried day on Gozo. The tour gives you a lot for $40, but the tradeoff is limited time, especially in Victoria. Arrive early, register for the free Comino entry ticket, bring cash and swim gear, and choose your priority at each stop before the boat departs.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

What time should I arrive?

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

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts about seven hours and normally returns to Bugibba at around 5:00 pm.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

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

Is the Blue Lagoon entry ticket included?

You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to obtain an entry ticket for Comino. The ticket is free, but it is required.

How do I reach Victoria in Gozo?

The boat arrives at Mgarr Harbour, and a bus takes you directly to Victoria. The Gozo portion lasts two hours, including the bus transfer.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is not included. It is available to rent with a €10 security deposit in cash.

Can the boat enter the caves every day?

The caves are weather and sea-dependent. Possible locations include Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves, and the captain can alter the route according to conditions.