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

The best part of this three-island cruise is the amount of coastline you cover in one day. From Mellieħa Bay, you pass Coral Lagoon, Smugglers Caves, Comino’s towers and sea caves, then get time on Gozo before stopping for a swim at the Blue Lagoon.

I like the excellent sightseeing value for $33, and I like that the Blue Lagoon stop includes access to the boat’s ladder and diving platform. You can swim without fighting for a patch of crowded shoreline. The main catch is Gozo: three hours can feel long without paying for extra transport, and the Blue Lagoon itself can be very crowded in summer.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one day: See Malta, Gozo, and Comino from the water without arranging separate ferries or tours.
• Gozo time is flexible: Spend about three hours walking independently, book the optional open-top bus, or add a small boat cave tour.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 90 minutes: Swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or remain on board and enter the water from the boat.
• Many coastal sights are sea-only: The route includes Crystal Lagoon, Poppy’s Caves, Lovers Caves, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Head Rock.
• Extra costs matter: Gozo transport, the cave boat, snorkel equipment, and food and drinks are not included.
• Summer crowds are real: The boat can offer a better swimming position than the packed Blue Lagoon shore.

Why this six-and-a-half-hour cruise works

This is a sightseeing day with a swim stop, not a quiet sailing trip. You leave Mellieħa Bay at about 9:30 in the morning and return around 4:00 in the afternoon, giving you a broad look at the Maltese archipelago from the sea.

For $33 per person, the basic package covers the boat, the Gozo stop, the coastal viewing route, and 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon. That is a fair price if you want to see a lot without hiring a car, booking several boat transfers, or planning your own route between islands.

I would choose this trip for a first visit, especially if your time in Malta is limited. You get the major names in one outing, though you should expect some time spent simply sitting on the boat. One passenger found the large boat slower than expected and noted that seating could be tight, so this is not the right choice if you want a fast, intimate speedboat ride.

The English-speaking host keeps the outing accessible to international visitors. Still, the sightseeing is not heavily narrated. If you want detailed explanations of every cave and fort, bring your own guidebook or use a phone guide when you have a signal. The optional small boat cave excursion has received stronger praise for its guide and explanations than the main cruise itself.

Finding the boat at Mellieħa Bay

The meeting point is on the seafront at Mellieħa Bay. Look for Starbucks and the Oh Yeah Malta office nearby. This is a useful landmark, since the bay can be busy and a clear meeting point saves time in the morning.

Bring cash. The tour information warns that card machines and ATMs may not always work or be available, and you may want cash for the optional Gozo transport, the cave boat, snacks, or drinks.

Wear shoes you can walk in, though you will also want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Pack beachwear that is easy to manage on a boat. Glass objects, fireworks, explosives, and jumping from places not intended for swimming are not allowed.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also marked unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and electric wheelchairs are not accepted. If you need step-free access or help boarding, confirm the practical details before booking.

The morning route past Coral Lagoon and Comino

The boat begins with a coastal sightseeing run rather than heading straight to Gozo. Coral Lagoon is one of the early photo stops, followed by views of Smugglers Caves. The boat also passes Santa Maria Tower and the World War II Santa Maria Battery, giving you a quick look at Comino’s defensive history.

These stops are mainly viewed from the water. You should think of them as scenic pauses for photographs, not long shore visits. That arrangement works well for caves and rock formations that are difficult to reach by land, but it means you will not have much time to study each place.

The route continues toward Crystal Lagoon, Poppy’s Caves, and Lovers Caves. Their appeal is the shape and color of the water, the rock walls, and the close-up view from a boat. The captain brings the vessel as close as practical for photographs, which is one reason this trip offers good value for its price.

You may wish the boat had more spoken information at each stop. The main route does not appear to provide detailed commentary on every sight, so the experience is strongest for people who enjoy views, photographs, and a gentle cruise more than a formal history lesson.

Three hours on Gozo: plan this part carefully

Gozo is the day’s biggest question mark. You have roughly three hours on the island, with time to walk around, explore independently, or pay for an optional tour. The itinerary highlights Victoria’s Citadel and a possible stop at a red-sand beach, but your included ticket does not provide a full guided island tour.

If you simply remain near the harbor, you may run out of things to do well before your boat leaves. One practical option is the public bus to Victoria, also called Rabat in the tour information. The bus costs about 2.50 euros per person, and the return is free within two hours according to the supplied trip details.

The Citadel is the most worthwhile target if you want a taste of Gozo’s capital. Allow time for the ride, finding your way around, and returning to the boat. Three hours sounds generous, but it shrinks quickly once transport is included.

The optional open-top bus is easier if you want broader coverage without arranging your own route. It can take you toward places such as Ramla Bay and includes a beach stop on some versions of the outing. The tradeoff is speed. You see more of Gozo, but stops can feel brief, and you may not have enough time at each place for a proper visit.

I would choose the bus if this is your only Gozo visit. I would skip it and use your own plan if you mainly want Victoria and the Citadel. Check the extra price on the day, since neither Gozo transport nor the bus is part of the $33 base fare.

There is also an optional small boat trip into the caves. It costs about 15 euros according to one detailed account, though prices can change. This add-on is particularly appealing because the smaller boat can enter spaces the main vessel cannot, and its guide provides more explanation. If sea caves are your main reason for booking, budget for this extra.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, crowded shore

The Blue Lagoon receives about 90 minutes. That is enough for a swim and some time in the sun, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. You can snorkel, take a short walk on Comino, or simply enjoy the view.

In peak summer, expect heavy crowds. The shoreline can be packed, and finding a comfortable place to sit may be frustrating. Several people found the better move was to stay on the boat, use the ladder, and swim from the vessel rather than squeeze onto the beach.

That boat-based swim is one of the trip’s smartest features. You get direct access to clear water and can avoid the worst of the shore crowd. The boat also gives you a higher view of the lagoon, which makes for good photographs.

The water temperature depends on the season. A November trip may be too cold for some swimmers, while summer visitors may wish the 90-minute stop lasted longer. You should bring your own snorkel gear or rent equipment for a small charge. Food and drinks are available on board, and prices have been described as reasonable, but they are not included.

Do not expect the Blue Lagoon to feel secluded. Its fame is the problem. If you want a peaceful swim, this stop may disappoint. If you treat it as a quick, scenic swim from the boat, it works much better.

The return past Elephant Head Rock and Santa Maria Caves

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat continues around Comino on the way back to Malta. Elephant Head Rock is a memorable formation and another useful photo stop. You may also see shearwater birds in the area, adding a small wildlife element to the route.

The return includes Santa Maria Caves, another group of sea-accessible formations. As with the morning stops, the boat lets you see places that would be difficult to reach on foot, but the visit is mainly scenic rather than a shore excursion.

This final section gives you time to settle into the ride and review the photographs from the day. Depending on the sea and the boat’s pace, you arrive back at the Tunny Net Jetty in Mellieħa Bay at about 4:00 p.m.

The schedule has generally been praised for staying on time. That matters because a late return can disrupt dinner plans or an evening transfer, especially if you are staying outside Mellieħa.

Boat comfort, swimming, and family considerations

The main boat is large enough for a substantial group, which helps explain the low price. It is not a private cruise, and seating may be limited at busy times. If you care about a good seat, arrive with enough time to board rather than cutting it close.

Music may play during the ride, giving the trip a holiday feel. That will suit you if you want a relaxed day on the water. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, the sound level may be less welcome.

The boat has a bar or refreshment service, and food and drinks can be bought during the day. Bring water anyway, since sun exposure adds up quickly between stops. A hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses are not optional extras in practice.

Families can enjoy the wide range of activities: sightseeing for adults, a swim stop for children who are comfortable in open water, and optional tours for anyone who wants more structure. One family completed the trip with a baby and found it manageable, but you should still consider the long boat ride, sun, boarding arrangements, and limited shore time.

The experience is best for people who are comfortable with stairs, boat movement, and swimming from a vessel. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments according to the supplied restrictions, despite the separate accessibility note, so ask the provider for a clear answer if this affects you.

Who gets the most from the $33 price

The price is strongest when you use the boat as your main sightseeing platform. For $33, you see Malta’s northern coast, Gozo, and Comino, with several cave and rock formations included. You also receive a proper Gozo stop and a Blue Lagoon swim.

The value becomes less obvious if you expect a guided Gozo tour, a quiet beach, or a premium speedboat. Those are not part of the base package. You may spend extra on the open-top bus, public transport, the cave boat, snorkel equipment, and refreshments.

I would set aside some cash for at least one add-on. The cave boat seems the most distinctive, since it gets into the formations from a different angle and includes more direct explanation. The Gozo bus makes sense if you want to see beyond the harbor and Citadel without working out local transport.

Avoid judging the trip only by the Blue Lagoon. The lagoon can be crowded, and the best part may be the full coastal circuit: Coral Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Tower, the caves, Elephant Head Rock, and the views between islands.

Should you book this Malta boat tour?

Book it if you want a big sightseeing day at a low base price, enjoy being on the water, and like having choices rather than a tightly guided schedule. It is especially useful for a first Malta visit or a short holiday when you want to sample Gozo and Comino in one outing.

Think twice if you want long, meaningful time in Gozo, detailed historical commentary, or a peaceful Blue Lagoon beach experience. In that case, a dedicated Gozo tour or a quieter boat trip may suit you better.

My practical plan would be simple: arrive early at Mellieħa Bay, carry cash, bring all your swim gear, use the boat’s swimming platform if the lagoon shore is packed, and decide in advance whether the Gozo bus or cave boat is worth the extra fee. With those expectations, this is a well-priced way to see a lot of Malta’s coast in one day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Mellieħa Bay. Look for Starbucks and the Oh Yeah Malta office on the seafront.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours. It departs at approximately 9:30 a.m. and returns to Mellieħa Bay around 4:00 p.m.

How much time do I get on Gozo?

You receive about three hours on Gozo. You can use the time independently or pay for optional transport or a tour.

Is the Gozo bus tour included?

No. The open-top bus tour is optional and costs extra. You may also explore independently or use local transport.

Is swimming equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available for a small additional charge. You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.