Sliema Cruise to Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon in Beautiful Malta

The best thing about this trip is how much of Malta it covers in one day. You cruise past St Julian’s, St George’s Bay, Bugibba, and Mellieha, then reach Gozo and Comino without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boat rides.

I like the wide coastal views and the cheerful, capable crew. I also like the mix of free time in Victoria, a photo stop at Qala Belvedere, and a proper swim stop at the Blue Lagoon. The main catch is time: Gozo can feel rushed, while the Blue Lagoon gets 90 minutes in summer but is often crowded.

Key points to know before you book

• Two islands in one day: A practical choice if you have only a few days in Malta.
• Gozo by bus: See Qala Belvedere, Xlendi Bay, and Victoria, with time for the Citadel or local market.
• Blue Lagoon stop: Swim, sunbathe, or snorkel for 90 minutes from April to October and 60 minutes from November to March.
• Large sightseeing boat: Facilities include toilets, a bar, sun deck, swimming ladders, and a waterslide.
• Bring a plan for Victoria: The Citadel is worth prioritizing because the stop is limited.
• Arrange the landing pass early: You may need to obtain the Blue Lagoon landing pass and select an afternoon time slot before departure.

A full day from Sliema to Malta’s sister islands

This is a sightseeing cruise first and a guided island tour second. The boat is the main setting, with the Gozo bus section and Blue Lagoon stop filling out the day.

At about $48.06 per person, the price is strong for a 7-hour-30-minute outing. You get the boat crossing, English commentary, land transport on Gozo, several coastal views, time in Victoria, a Comino stop, and the return cruise. You pay extra for food, drinks, and snorkeling gear, but the basic cost covers the major parts of the day.

The scale matters. The boat can carry up to 200 people, so this is not a quiet little sailing trip. It feels more like a well-run day cruise with plenty of room to sit, stand on the sun deck, or watch the coast from the rail. The crew generally keeps the schedule moving, though boarding can feel untidy as wristbands and Blue Lagoon landing information are sorted out.

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the 10 a.m. departure at Luzzu Cruises, Ferries 4, Triq Ix-Xatt, in Sliema. I would arrive closer to 45 minutes early. That gives you time to find the correct berth, receive your wristband, and deal with the landing pass before the boat leaves.

Cruising Malta’s northern coast

Once away from Sliema, the boat passes St Julian’s Bay and St George’s Bay before heading north. You also pass Bugibba and Mellieha. The onboard English commentary points out coastal sights and gives the crossing some context.

This is one of the trip’s strongest parts. You see Malta from the water, where the island’s bays, harbor towns, and rocky shoreline make better sense than they do from a road. Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole crossing staring at it. The views change quickly, and the best photo angle may be on either side of the boat.

The ride is not always calm. On a clear day, the open water feels relaxing and the views stretch far. In rough weather, the crossing can become rocky. The provider requires good weather and may cancel for safety, but conditions can still change during the day. Bring a light layer because the boat can feel cool when it is moving, even in warm weather.

The onboard bar sells food and drinks. Snorkeling equipment is available for €5 per set. Since food and drinks are not included, you should budget for them or bring your own only if permitted by the operator. The boat also has toilets, which is useful during a long day with several hours on the water.

Gozo: Qala Belvedere, Xlendi Bay, and Victoria

Gozo is the more rewarding island stop for anyone interested in scenery, villages, and historic buildings. The boat moors in Gozo’s main harbor, where you board land transport for the island portion.

The route includes a photo stop at Qala Belvedere. This gives you a quick high point from which to look across the island and surrounding water. It is a good camera stop, but do not expect a long walk or a full sightseeing visit.

The advertised route also includes a photo stop at Xlendi Bay. Xlendi is one of Gozo’s prettiest coastal spots, and the bay makes a natural pause before the main visit to Victoria. Because the stop is brief, you will need to move quickly if you want a few photographs and a good look at the water.

The main Gozo stop is Victoria, the island’s capital. You have about an hour to visit the Citadel, browse the market, get something to eat, or walk around independently. I would head directly to the Citadel. It is the clearest use of limited time, and the fortified hilltop gives you the strongest sense of Gozo’s character.

This is also where the tour’s limits show. The bus section is not a detailed guided tour of Gozo. Depending on the driver and the day’s traffic, you may receive little commentary once you leave the boat. Some visitors find the vehicle basic, and unclear instructions about where to wait or how to reach the Citadel can cost valuable minutes.

Treat Victoria as self-guided time. Before leaving Sliema, note the return time and ask exactly where the bus will collect you. If you want lunch, keep it simple. A long café stop can leave too little time for the Citadel, which is the most worthwhile sight in the city.

You may also be able to stay at Gozo’s port rather than take the bus route, or choose to remain on Comino instead of visiting Gozo. Those alternatives may suit you if you want more time in one place, but the full itinerary is the better choice if your goal is to sample both islands.

Blue Lagoon: stunning water, heavy crowds

After Gozo, the boat continues to Comino and anchors near the Blue Lagoon. From April through October, the stop lasts 90 minutes. From November through March, it lasts 60 minutes.

The water is the star here. It is clear, bright, and inviting, with a color that looks almost unreal in photographs. You can swim, sunbathe, or snorkel, and the boat’s swimming ladders and waterslide are available while it is anchored.

There is an important practical detail: the boat may not be directly beside the lagoon’s main swimming area. You may need to walk between the boat and the lagoon, which reduces your actual swim time. In winter, one hour is enough for photographs and a brisk walk, but it is tight if you want to explore, swim, and return without rushing.

The Blue Lagoon is also one of Malta’s busiest sights. Its beauty is real, but the setting can feel crowded and commercial. If you imagine a silent cove with only a few swimmers, adjust that picture. You are visiting a famous stop shared by many boats.

Storage is another concern. The boat is your base, but you should not assume that there will be secure storage for personal items while you swim away from it. Keep valuables to a minimum and organize your belongings before leaving your seat. Water shoes are a smart idea because the shore can be rocky and sharp.

If you want to snorkel, rent a set from the onboard bar for €5. You can also use the ladders or waterslide from the boat, which may be easier than walking to a crowded shore. For many people, the boat’s swimming area is the simpler option, though it is limited by nearby vessels and the boat’s position.

The Blue Lagoon landing pass deserves attention. The tour information says you can obtain it and choose an afternoon slot. Instructions sent before departure should be read carefully and followed before you reach the terminal. The landing pass issue has caused confusion at boarding, so do not leave it until the last few minutes.

Comino Caves and the ride home

On the return journey, the boat makes a photo stop to view the Comino Caves, including the Santa Marija Caves area. You do not need to plan a separate cave excursion, since the cruise provides a water-level look as part of the route.

This is a short sightseeing moment rather than a long visit ashore. The caves are best appreciated from the boat, so keep your camera ready and listen for the commentary. The changing rock shapes and clear water make this one of the more memorable final views of the day.

The boat then returns to Sliema, ending at the original meeting point. The schedule is usually tightly managed, which matters because a late bus return from Gozo could affect the Blue Lagoon stop and the final crossing. Confirm times at each stop instead of relying only on memory.

What the boat offers during the day

You can spend the crossing inside, on the sundeck, or near the rail. The boat has bathroom facilities and an onboard bar, so you are not entirely dependent on shore stops for basic needs.

The waterslide adds a playful touch, especially for families. Swimming ladders make it easy to enter the water when the boat is anchored. These features help turn a long sightseeing cruise into a more active day, but they are not always useful in rough seas or cool weather.

The English commentary is strongest during the coastal cruise. It helps you identify the bays and towns you pass, although the Gozo land portion may feel more like transport than a fully narrated tour. If detailed guiding is important to you, consider this a self-guided visit to Victoria with included bus transport, not a deep historical tour of Gozo.

The crew is one of the more dependable parts of the experience. The staff are described as friendly, professional, and helpful, and departures and stops are generally handled on time. That matters on a route with several moving parts.

Is the $48 price good value?

For a full day, the price is hard to criticize. A separate ferry to Gozo, local transport, a Comino boat trip, and a return journey could cost more and require much more planning. Here, the major transport is bundled into one straightforward outing.

The value is best if you want a broad introduction to Malta’s islands. You see Gozo, Comino, the Blue Lagoon, the Comino Caves, and much of Malta’s northern coast without changing hotels or arranging connections.

The value drops if you want depth. Victoria receives only about an hour, the Gozo bus portion may provide limited explanation, and the Blue Lagoon stop is short for anyone who wants a serious swim. Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra, and the Blue Lagoon landing pass requires advance attention.

The 4.2 rating from 705 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with clear limits. People especially appreciate the scenery, friendly crew, reliable timing, and the amount covered for the price. The repeated weak points are the rushed Gozo visit, the basic bus experience, the crowded lagoon, and occasional confusion at boarding.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you have only a few days in Malta and want to cover the main island highlights in one outing. It suits families, couples, and first-time visitors who prefer an organized day with free time rather than a tightly scripted walking tour.

It also works well if you enjoy being on the water. The coastal views are a major part of the experience, and the boat gives you a simple way to see Malta from a different angle.

I would hesitate if your main goal is to explore Gozo properly. You will need a longer independent visit to see more than Victoria and a couple of viewpoints. I would also hesitate if you dislike large groups, crowded swimming spots, or time limits.

The trip is less suitable for a solo swimmer carrying valuables, since there is no stated storage arrangement away from the boat. If you plan to swim, bring only what you can keep close and consider using the boat’s ladders rather than walking far from your belongings.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want the option of a full refund. The activity depends on suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Final call: a smart sampler, not a deep Gozo tour

Book this cruise if you want maximum coverage for a reasonable price. You will get striking coastal views, a glimpse of Gozo, time at Victoria’s Citadel, a swim stop in famous Blue Lagoon water, and a look at Comino’s caves.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat, a long Gozo visit, or a carefully guided historical tour. The smartest way to enjoy it is to arrive early, arrange the Blue Lagoon landing pass in advance, dress for changing temperatures at sea, wear water shoes, and go straight to the Citadel when you reach Victoria.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from Luzzu Cruises, Ferries 4, Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema SLM 1023, Malta. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How long is the experience?

The cruise and island visit last approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

How much time is provided at the Blue Lagoon?

The stop lasts 90 minutes from April through October. From November through March, the stop lasts 60 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be hired onboard for €5 per set.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase at the onboard bar but are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.