St Pauls: Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the headline here: clear Mediterranean water, a boat-side swim, and an hour to enjoy one of Malta’s most famous spots. Then you get a useful taste of Gozo, a cave cruise, and a final stop at St. Paul’s Island, all in one seven-hour day.

I like the easy mix of water time and land time, especially the two hours in Gozo, which gives you more choice than a quick photo stop. I also like the old red, white, and blue Mermaid schooner, plus the relaxed crew. Captain Matthew is singled out for being professional and easygoing, and that matters on a long day at sea.

The tradeoff is pace. You have only one hour at Comino and two hours in Gozo, so this is a sampler rather than a thorough island tour. The sea caves depend on weather, and the boat may feel uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness or have back problems.

Key Points At A Glance

• Traditional boat: Travel aboard Mermaid, one of the few operating traditional Maltese schooner boats.
• Three island stops: Swim at Comino, explore Gozo, and finish at historic St. Paul’s Island.
• Gozo choice: Spend two hours at Mgarr Harbour, eat locally, shop, or take a bus toward Victoria and the Cittadella.
• Water access: Swim, snorkel, or jump from the boat at Comino and St. Paul’s Island.
• Practical onboard setup: A snack bar and toilets are available, with snacks and drinks sold separately.
• Good value at $34: The fare covers a full-day cruise and several stops, but not transport, lunch, snorkel hire, or Comino’s required entry ticket.

Why This Seven-Hour Cruise Works

For $34 per person, this is a lot of coastline and sea time in one outing. You are not paying for a long guided walking tour at each island. You are paying for transport by boat, several scenic cruises, access to swimming spots, and enough free time to make the day your own.

That distinction helps you decide if it fits. If you want a simple way to see Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island without arranging separate ferries, this is good value. If you want a slow visit to Gozo’s villages, museums, and churches, two hours will feel too short.

The boat leaves from the Mermaid Cruises meeting point at L-Menqa Jetty in Bugibba. Look for the red, white, and blue wooden boat named Mermaid. Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m., with departure at 10 a.m. sharp. I would arrive early because missing the boarding window would spoil the whole day.

The return is scheduled for 5 p.m. The full day has a clear rhythm: cruise, swim, land visit, cave viewing, another island stop, then the ride back.

On Board The Mermaid From Bugibba

The boat itself is part of the appeal. You are not simply being shuttled between ports on a plain ferry. Mermaid is described as one of the only operating traditional Maltese schooner boats, giving the trip a more local feel.

The setup is practical rather than luxurious. You have toilet facilities and a snack bar onboard, and the snacks are described as being offered at good prices. Lunch is not included, so you can buy something from the boat or plan to eat during the Gozo stop.

Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear, and some cash. Pack snacks if you prefer more choice. You will also want a dry bag or another way to protect phones and cameras, although that specific item is not required by the operator. The important point is that much of the day takes place around water.

The crew’s manner is another positive. Captain Matthew and the other crew member are described as professional and relaxed, with enough freedom for you to decide how to use each stop. That is useful on a cruise with several activities. You can swim when the water calls, walk when you have had enough sun, or simply sit and watch Malta pass by.

Blue Lagoon, Comino: One Hour In Clear Water

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The boat remains at the dock, so you can get into the water from the boat, jump in, snorkel, or go ashore and walk around the island.

The water is the reason people come here. It is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling, and the setting gives you that classic Mediterranean postcard moment. You have about an hour to enjoy it, or 1.5 hours in the detailed stop schedule, so check the exact timing given on your departure day.

That window is enough for a swim and a quick look around. It is not enough for an unhurried walk across Comino or a long stretch of quiet time. Blue Lagoon is famous, and the stop is designed to let you experience it efficiently before moving on.

There are snack bar and toilet facilities onboard. You can also jump from the boat if you are comfortable with that, but you should bring confidence in the water and listen to the crew’s instructions.

Snorkel equipment is not included. The tour offers the opportunity to snorkel with a €10 cash deposit, with €5 returned, but the wording is unusual enough that I would confirm the exact arrangement before relying on it. Bringing your own equipment may be simpler if you already have it.

One important step happens before the day begins: you must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get a free entry ticket for access to Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The tour price does not remove that requirement. Use the provided Blue Lagoon website link when booking and complete this before arriving at the jetty.

Gozo At Mgarr Harbour: Two Hours To Choose Your Own Visit

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. This is the longest land stop, with two hours for free time, shopping, sightseeing, walking, or swimming.

Mgarr gives you a straightforward introduction to Gozo. You can stay near the harbor, where bars and restaurants provide places to eat, or use local transport to reach Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The Cittadella is the suggested target if you want a stronger cultural and historic experience.

The choice depends on your priorities. Staying at the harbor is easier and leaves no worry about returning late to the boat. You can have lunch, look around, and enjoy the waterfront at a calm pace.

Taking a bus toward Victoria gives you a more memorable taste of Gozo, but two hours is a tight schedule once you include waiting and travel time. I would choose this only if you are comfortable keeping an eye on the clock. The boat will be waiting at Mgarr Harbour, but the tour does not promise extra time for late returns.

Gozo is the cultural part of the day. Comino is mainly about the water, while Gozo lets you see a working island setting, local food, shopping, and the chance to walk through the Cittadella. Still, do not expect to cover the whole island. This is a focused stop, not a complete Gozo tour.

Santa Maria Caves: A Scenic Cruise Through The Comino Channel

Once you return to the boat, you cruise through the Comino Channel and pass the Santa Maria Caves. The cave section takes about 15 minutes and includes scenic views and photo opportunities.

This is a pleasant contrast to the earlier swimming stop. You stay aboard while the crew takes you past the rock formations, so it requires little effort and gives you another way to see Comino’s coast.

Cave viewing is weather dependent. Wind and sea conditions can change the route, so treat this as a welcome extra rather than the central reason to book. If the caves cannot be visited, the rest of the cruise still includes the Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island.

Have your camera ready, but keep it secure. A moving boat, spray, and bright sunlight are not kind to loose phones.

St. Paul’s Island: A Quiet Final Swim

The last major stop is the historical islands of St. Paul’s, followed by about 30 minutes on St. Paul’s Island itself. You can walk around, take photographs, swim, or see the statue of St. Paul.

This stop has a different mood from the Blue Lagoon. It is presented as a secluded island with no inhabitants, making it a peaceful way to finish the water activities before heading back to Bugibba.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You can choose one main activity, such as a short walk and photographs or a quick swim. Trying to do everything may leave you rushing.

The stop also gives you a final chance to cool off after the Gozo visit. If you prefer not to swim, simply taking in the island and the surrounding sea is enough. The boat then makes the short return cruise to the jetty, arriving around 5 p.m.

What The $34 Price Really Covers

At $34, the tour is priced as a budget-friendly full-day outing. It includes the cruise, stops at Blue Lagoon, Mgarr Harbour, and St. Paul’s Island, plus the cave viewing when weather allows.

That is strong value if you want several destinations without paying for separate boat trips. The traditional schooner, onboard toilets, snack bar, and live English-speaking guide add practical value, too.

You should budget beyond the advertised fare. Transport to L-Menqa Jetty is not included, and neither is lunch. Snorkels are not included as standard. You also need the free Comino entry ticket from the government website, and you should carry cash for snacks, food, and any equipment arrangement.

The price works best for people who see the boat as the main attraction. You receive a broad look at the islands, but not a detailed guided tour of Gozo or a long stay at any one beach.

Timing, Comfort, And Who Will Enjoy It Most

The early start and fixed return time make this easy to plan, but the schedule is not flexible. Boarding closes at 9:50 a.m., departure is at 10 a.m., and the boat returns at 5 p.m. Set aside the whole day.

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families who want swimming, views, and a little independent exploring. It also suits visitors with limited time in Malta who want to combine three major island areas in one trip.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, motion, or tightly timed stops. The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with back problems. The sea can be the star of the day, but it can also make the ride tiring.

Pack light and keep essentials close. Your hat, towel, swimwear, sunscreen, water, and cash matter more than extra clothing. Snacks are allowed, but littering is not, so take care of wrappers and bottles.

There is a live English-speaking guide, but the experience gives you plenty of free time rather than constant commentary. That is a strength if you prefer to set your own pace. It may disappoint you if you want detailed interpretation at every stop.

How To Get The Most From The Day

Reserve the Comino entry ticket before the morning of the cruise. This is the most important practical step because access to the Blue Lagoon requires it, even though the ticket is free.

Arrive before boarding opens at 9:30 a.m. Find the Mermaid boat by its red, white, and blue wooden design, then settle in before the 9:50 a.m. cutoff.

At Comino, decide in advance how you want to use the hour. If swimming is your priority, change before the boat arrives and keep your towel ready. If you want to walk, wear shoes that are suitable for uneven ground.

At Gozo, choose either a relaxed harbor visit or a faster trip toward Victoria and the Cittadella. I would not try to fit both into two hours. A simple plan will make the stop more enjoyable and reduce the risk of missing the boat.

For lunch, use the restaurants and bars around Mgarr Harbour, buy food onboard, or bring snacks. Since lunch is not included, do not assume a meal will be provided.

Finally, treat the caves as weather dependent and keep your schedule flexible. The Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island are the reliable anchors of the day.

Should You Book The Mermaid Cruise?

Book this tour if you want good-value island coverage, swimming, short walks, and a traditional Maltese boat in one day. The friendly, relaxed crew, including Captain Matthew, adds to the appeal, and the mix of water and free time keeps the outing from feeling like a nonstop sightseeing ride.

Skip it if you want a detailed Gozo visit, dislike fixed schedules, or are easily affected by rough seas. You will spend many hours on the boat, and the key stops are brief.

For most visitors who want an affordable first look at Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island, the $34 fare is sensible. Just arrange the Comino ticket, bring cash and sun protection, and accept that this is a highlights cruise rather than a slow island escape.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and ends at the Mermaid Cruises meeting point at L-Menqa Jetty in Bugibba. Look for the red, white, and blue wooden boat named Mermaid.

What time does the boat depart and return?

Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat departs at 10 a.m. sharp and is scheduled to return to the jetty at 5 p.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can buy food from the snack bar onboard, eat at a bar or restaurant around Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, or bring snacks.

Do I need a ticket for Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get the required free entry ticket for access to Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

Are snorkels included?

No. Snorkels are not included. The cruise offers a snorkeling option with a €10 cash deposit, with €5 returned.

Is the tour suitable for people with seasickness or back problems?

The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or people with back problems. Caves are also visited only when weather conditions allow.