Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Comino & Sea Caves

The best reason to book this Malta boat trip is its small 48-person boat, which can slip into sea caves that larger vessels must admire from outside. You get Blue Lagoon swimming, Gozo harbor views, and a look at St. Paul’s Islands without spending the day on a huge, packed ferry.

I like the useful balance of free time and guided transport. You can swim, walk, or simply sit by the water at Comino, then choose how to handle your short visit to Gozo. I also like the low price, onboard restroom, Wi-Fi, and crew help with optional transport on Gozo.

The main catch is the schedule. Gozo receives only a limited stop, the Blue Lagoon can be intensely crowded, and the boat leaves on time. This is a scenic beach-and-caves outing, not a history tour, and weather can change the plan.

Key points before you book

• Small boat access: The boat can enter Comino’s caves when weather and sea conditions allow.
• Three island highlights: The route includes Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, and St. Paul’s Islands.
• Free time matters: You can swim and walk independently instead of following a tightly managed shore tour.
• Gozo is only a taste: An optional bus transfer can take you toward the island’s center, but you will not see all of Gozo in two hours.
• Bring water shoes: Rocky entries, hot ground, and limited shade make sturdy sandals useful.
• Watch the clock: Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, and late arrivals can miss the boat.
• Weather controls the route: Cave visits and even the full trip depend on safe sea conditions.

Why the smaller boat changes the day

Malta’s most popular sea sights are not quiet secrets. Blue Lagoon is famous because the water is clear and bright, but fame brings crowds, boats, snack stands, and very little shade. The smaller Mermaid boat does not remove those pressures, yet it gives you a more personal way to reach the islands and lets you see cave entrances at close range.

The group limit of 48 is a real advantage compared with the largest excursion boats. You still share the deck with other people, but the boat is less overwhelming, and crew instructions are easier to hear. Several parts of the day also feel more flexible because you are not locked into a full island coach tour.

This is best understood as a water day with short land visits. The captain can point out coastal features and explain the meeting times, but the focus is swimming, sea views, and caves. If you want detailed stories about Malta’s saints, military past, or archaeology, choose a dedicated history tour instead.

The price of about $36.20 per person is strong value for five and a half hours on the water. You receive the cruise, cave entry when conditions permit, Wi-Fi, and a restroom. You still pay for lunch, drinks, and any optional transport or equipment, so the final cost depends on how much you add.

Starting at Bugibba’s L-Menqa Jetty

Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure at L-Menqa Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in Bugibba. Treat that boarding time as real, not as a suggestion. The boat has left people behind when they arrived after the stated closing time, and the crew does not hold the departure for late arrivals.

This matters especially if you are coming from Valletta or another part of Malta. Road delays can be serious, and a driver may not be able to make up lost time. Build in extra time and arrive early enough to find the jetty, check in, and settle on board without rushing.

The activity ends back at the same Bugibba meeting point. There is no hotel pickup listed, so you need to arrange your own way to the jetty. The location is near public transport, but the practical details of your morning transfer are your responsibility.

Once aboard, you will find toilets and shared Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi is useful for sending a photo or checking a message without using mobile data, but it is not a private high-speed connection. It is shared through the captain’s connection, so ask the crew if you need access.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and exposed

The boat follows Malta’s coast toward Comino, with views of rocky shores and the island’s sea caves along the way. Because the vessel is smaller, it can enter caves at no extra cost when weather permits. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long cave stop. The cave visits are part of the cruise rather than a separate guided walk.

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon, with about an hour at Comino. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, or walk on the island. The exact balance depends on where the boat docks and on the conditions that day.

The water is the star here. It is clear enough for swimming and casual snorkeling, and children often enjoy the easy appeal of jumping from the boat. Snorkeling gear is not included, though equipment can be rented with a cash deposit. Check the rental terms carefully, since part of the deposit may be retained as a rental charge.

Do not picture a peaceful, empty cove. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s busiest sights, especially in hot summer weather. There is little or no shade, and the exposed rock can become fiercely hot. Wear sandals or water shoes, carry sun protection, and avoid walking far in bare feet.

You have a choice at this stop. Stay near the first swimming area for convenience, or walk farther along the path in search of a less crowded spot. The second option can provide more breathing room, but the heat and uneven ground may make the short hour feel shorter.

A snack bar on board sells food and drinks, and the boat has toilet facilities. Lunch is not included. You can buy something on the boat or wait for food at Gozo, but do not assume a full meal is part of the fare.

Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour and a short taste of island life

After roughly an hour at Comino, you return to the boat and cruise to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. The approach is one of the prettier parts of the route, so keep your camera ready as the boat enters the harbor. Gozo’s hills, buildings, and harbor setting give you a different feel from Comino’s swimming coves.

You get about two hours on Gozo, with freedom to decide how to use the time. You can remain around the harbor, find lunch, or take optional transport toward the center of the island. The crew can help arrange a bus service for an additional fee.

That option is useful, but keep your expectations sensible. Two hours is enough for a quick taste of Gozo, not a full island tour. You will not have time to cover every major sight, village, and church at a relaxed pace. If Gozo is your priority, book a separate full-day visit.

The free-time format suits independent people who dislike being marched from one stop to the next. You can set your own pace and decide whether a swim, a meal, or a short walk matters most. It also works well for families and for people who want a broad introduction to the islands rather than one intensive land excursion.

The trade-off is limited interpretation. The crew can give practical directions, but this is not designed around Gozo’s culture or history. If you want stories and context at every stop, you may find the experience too quiet on the information side.

The Comino Channel, caves, and St. Paul’s Islands

On the return toward Malta, the boat passes through the Comino Channel. Depending on weather and sea conditions, the route may include the Crystal Lagoon caves or St. Mary’s caves. This second cave section gives the day another close look at Comino’s rocky coastline and adds variety after the longer swim stop.

The cave route is weather dependent. A small boat can reach places that larger boats cannot, but size does not cancel out wind, waves, or safety concerns. Strong conditions can force the captain to alter the route, transfer the group by bus, or cancel the trip altogether.

The day may also include a stop near St. Paul’s Islands, with time for a swim and a look at the monument. Some schedules allow only around 25 minutes here, so think of it as a quick final stop rather than a long island visit. You may have enough time to swim or walk to the statue, but probably not both at a leisurely pace.

This is also the part of the outing where timing becomes important. The crew keeps a firm schedule so the boat can reach each destination and return to Bugibba on time. Clear departure instructions are helpful, but you must follow them. If you wander too far or lose track of the meeting time, the boat may leave without you.

What the crew does well, and where the service varies

The crew’s strongest role is practical. They manage the route, explain meeting times, help with optional Gozo transport, serve drinks, and suggest good places for swimming and photographs. A friendly captain and crew mate can make a big difference on a long day at sea, especially when you are traveling alone or with children.

The boat staff also take sea safety seriously. In rough conditions, the captain may raise his voice so instructions can be heard over wind and water. That can feel abrupt, but sitting down and following directions is important on a moving boat.

Service is not always polished. Some people have found the captain’s manner too blunt, especially when safety instructions were repeated. If you prefer a softly narrated cruise with constant commentary, this may not be your ideal choice. The tone is more operational than theatrical.

You should also know that the company may cancel or change the route for poor weather. That is frustrating when it affects a tightly planned holiday, but a small boat should not go out in unsafe conditions. If the trip is canceled for weather or because the minimum group size is not reached, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from this $36.20 trip?

I would choose this cruise if I wanted to see several Malta highlights in one day without paying for a large, crowded vessel. It gives you a broad sample of Comino, Gozo, and the coast, with enough free time to swim and make your own choices.

It is a particularly good match for:

• Solo people who want a clear schedule and an easy way to see several islands.
• Families who value a restroom, onboard snacks, and a manageable group size.
• Swimmers who care more about clear water and boat access than long guided commentary.
• Independent people who want time ashore without a full coach itinerary.
• Budget-conscious visitors comparing the cost of separate ferries and boat trips.

I would hesitate if you want a complete Gozo tour, detailed historical explanation, or a quiet beach. The Blue Lagoon is crowded, summer sun is intense, and Gozo’s two-hour visit will leave you wanting more if the island is your main goal.

The boat is suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. Still, swimming, boat boarding, hot rock, and uneven paths are part of the day. Consider your own comfort with those conditions before booking.

Practical packing advice for the islands

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, drinking water, and sturdy sandals or water shoes. The rocks can be uncomfortable, and hot ground around the Blue Lagoon is no place for bare feet.

Pack a small amount of cash if you may rent snorkeling equipment or buy food and drinks. Lunch is not included, and the onboard snack bar is a convenience rather than a full meal plan.

Keep your belongings compact. You will want your hands free when boarding, walking on Comino, or moving around the boat. A waterproof phone pouch is useful for swimming and cave photographs, though it is not listed as an included item.

Most importantly, keep track of departure times. The crew runs a tight schedule, and punctuality protects your time at each stop. Arrive early at Bugibba, listen carefully to the instructions, and return to the boat before the stated meeting time.

Should you book Mermaid Cruises?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes swimming in clear water, close views of sea caves, a short stop on Gozo, and a smaller boat at a low price. The combination is hard to beat for $36.20, especially with Wi-Fi, a restroom, and free time built into the route.

Skip it if your main aim is history, a complete tour of Gozo, or a peaceful Blue Lagoon experience. For most people who want a practical, scenic introduction to Malta’s northern islands, I would consider it a good-value choice, provided you accept the crowds, the heat, the strict timing, and the possibility of weather changes.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start and finish?

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

How long does the tour last?

The trip lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, though food and drinks are available to purchase from the onboard snack bar. You can also buy food during the Gozo stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a cash deposit required.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

Yes. Wi-Fi is included, but it is shared through the captain’s connection. Ask the crew if you need access.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour may be canceled or the route may change if conditions are unsafe. You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.