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

The real draw here is simple: one boat trip covers Malta’s best-known sea stops without forcing you to arrange separate ferries, buses, and beach visits. You get a swim at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, two hours at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, a look at the Santa Maria Caves, and a final stop at St Paul’s Island.

I like the traditional Maltese schooner and the generous time in Gozo. The crew, including Captain Matthew, keeps the mood easygoing, and you have room to choose between swimming, walking, eating, or sightseeing. The main drawback is the schedule: one hour at Comino is short, while two hours in Gozo may feel rushed if you want to reach Victoria and the Cittadella.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon swim: You get about an hour at Comino for swimming, snorkeling, jumping from the boat, or walking ashore.
• Traditional boat: Mermaid is a red, white, and blue wooden Maltese schooner, one of the few of its kind still operating.
• Gozo time: Two hours at Mgarr Harbour gives you a choice between a harbor lunch and a quick trip toward Victoria.
• Sea caves: The boat passes the Santa Maria Caves at no added cost, but cave viewing depends on the weather.
• St Paul’s Island: A final 30-minute stop offers another swim or a walk around the historic, uninhabited island.
• Simple value: At $34 per person, the cruise bundles the boat ride, three major stops, toilets, and an onboard snack bar.

A full day on Malta’s northern waters

This is a day for making the most of Malta’s compact island group. From Bugibba, Mermaid heads out across the water toward Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island, giving you a broad look at the coast as you go.

The attraction is not a formal guided tour packed with lectures. It is a relaxed boat day with a live English-speaking guide, scenic cruising, and time to decide how active you want to be. You can swim, walk, eat, take photos, or simply sit aboard and watch the islands pass.

The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. sharp and returns to the jetty at about 5:00 p.m. That makes it a substantial seven-hour outing, so plan it as one of your main Malta activities rather than something to squeeze between other plans.

Finding Mermaid at the Bugibba jetty

Look for the red, white, and blue wooden boat named Mermaid at the L-Menqa Jetty. Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m., so arriving early matters. The boat will not wait for late arrivals after its 10:00 departure.

Transport to the jetty is not included. You need to make your own way there, and the meeting point is also where the day ends. Bring cash, water, sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. Snacks are sensible too, even though the boat has a snack bar and toilet facilities.

The boat’s traditional design adds character before the cruise even starts. You are not simply stepping onto a large modern ferry. You are traveling on a wooden Maltese schooner, which gives the outing a more local feel and makes the boat itself part of the experience.

The first cruise toward Comino

The opening sightseeing cruise takes about an hour. This gives you time to settle in, find a place to sit, and get your first views of Malta’s northern coast and open water.

The boat is a practical base for the day. You can return to it for the toilet, buy something from the snack bar, and keep your belongings aboard while you swim or walk. Food is not included, so you should not count on the cruise as a full lunch service.

The crew sets the tone here. Captain Matthew and the other crew member are described as professional and relaxed, a useful combination for a day when the schedule includes several stops. You get guidance when needed, but the structure leaves you plenty of freedom at each location.

Blue Lagoon, Comino: beautiful water and limited time

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. You have roughly one hour to enjoy the area, with options to swim, snorkel, jump from the boat, or walk around the island.

The water is the star. On a clear day, the lagoon offers the bright, transparent Mediterranean water that makes Comino one of Malta’s most popular stops. From the boat, you can get straight into the sea rather than spend time looking for a beach.

That arrangement suits confident swimmers and anyone who wants a quick, refreshing swim. You can also explore on foot if you prefer to stay dry. The boat remains docked at Comino, so you have a fixed place to return to rather than needing to organize your own transport back.

One hour goes quickly. If you want a long swim, a proper walk, and time for photos, you will need to choose your priorities. This is a taste of Comino, not a full island visit.

There is also an important practical step. You must register through the Maltese Government website to obtain a free entry ticket for Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The required registration is handled through blcomino.com. Do this before the morning of the cruise, since forgetting it could create a problem at the first stop.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. The activity provides an opportunity to snorkel with a 10 euro cash deposit and 5 euros returned, while the supplied details also state that snorkels are not included. To avoid confusion, bring your own snorkel if you have one, and carry cash in case you plan to use equipment connected with the cruise.

Two hours at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo

After Comino, Mermaid continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. You get two hours here, which is the longest time spent off the boat during the day.

Gozo has a different pace from the more heavily visited parts of Malta, and Mgarr gives you a first look at the island’s harbor life. You can walk along the waterfront, find a bar or restaurant, shop, or take a swim if conditions suit you.

If your aim is a relaxed Gozitan lunch, staying near the harbor makes sense. You will have enough time to eat without worrying about a long transfer back to the boat. This is the easiest choice for a low-stress afternoon.

If you want to see more of Gozo, you can take a bus toward Victoria and visit the Cittadella. That option offers more history and a stronger sense of the island beyond the harbor, but two hours is tight. You need to allow time for the journey in both directions and be back at Mgarr before the boat departs.

I would choose one plan rather than trying to do everything. Stay at Mgarr if you value a calm meal and waterfront walk. Head toward Victoria only if seeing the Cittadella matters more to you than a leisurely lunch.

The boat waits at the harbor while you explore, which makes the stop straightforward. Still, keep an eye on the time. The return trip to Mermaid is your responsibility, and the boat’s schedule continues to the next stop.

Santa Maria Caves by boat

Back aboard, the cruise moves through the Comino Channel and passes the Santa Maria Caves. The cave section lasts about 15 minutes and works mainly as a scenic and photo stop.

You see the caves from the water rather than stopping for a long shore visit. That makes this part easy to enjoy after your time in Gozo, especially if you want a quieter stretch between active stops.

Cave viewing depends on weather and sea conditions. If the water is rough or access is not safe, the route may change. Treat the caves as a welcome extra rather than the main reason to book the cruise.

The short visit also means you should have your camera ready. There is no long pause to set up a complicated photo, and conditions can change as the boat moves through the channel.

St Paul’s Island for one last swim

The last major stop is St Paul’s Island, a historic island with no inhabitants. You have about 30 minutes to swim, walk, take photos, and see the statue of St Paul.

This is a fitting final stop because it gives you another chance to get into the water before returning to Malta. After a day in the sun, the swim can feel like a useful reset rather than just another attraction.

The island also offers a quieter contrast to the popular Blue Lagoon. You can walk around and enjoy the setting without needing a long visit. Thirty minutes is enough for a short look and a quick swim, but not enough for a detailed exploration.

If you are tired by this point, staying aboard is also reasonable. You can enjoy the view from the boat and avoid rushing around on shore. The stop is flexible enough to suit both active swimmers and people who simply want a final scenic pause.

The sightseeing cruise around St Paul’s Island lasts about an hour in the schedule, with the shore stop itself listed as 30 minutes. Use this time to watch the coastline and let the day wind down before the final return to the jetty.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this cruise offers strong value if you want several Maltese highlights in one day. The price includes the full-day boat trip, stops at Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island, the sea cave viewing, an English-speaking guide, and onboard toilets and snack facilities.

You are also paying for convenience. A self-planned day would require coordinating transport to Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island, while this cruise links them in a single route. You avoid buying separate boat tickets and do not need to solve the return journey from each stop.

The price does not include lunch, transport to the L-Menqa Jetty, or snorkels. Those are modest extras, but they matter when you compare the total cost of the day. Bring your own food if you want to keep spending down, or plan to buy lunch at Mgarr Harbour.

The boat’s snack bar has good prices, according to the supplied tour details, but it is still wise to bring water and at least a small snack. Seven hours outside, with swimming and sun, can make you hungrier than expected.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later add useful flexibility. You should still check the current starting time and availability before booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a broad introduction to Malta’s northern islands in one day. It works especially well for people who like being on the water, want time for swimming, and prefer a relaxed schedule over a tightly scripted walking tour.

Families with older children may appreciate the easy mix of swimming, short walks, boat views, and snack breaks. Confident swimmers will get the most from the Blue Lagoon and St Paul’s Island stops, though you should bring suitable swimwear and take care near the boat and shoreline.

This is also a good choice if you want to see Gozo but do not want to arrange a full day of buses and ferries. The two-hour stop gives you a useful sample of Mgarr, with the possibility of reaching Victoria if you plan carefully.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness or have back problems. This is a long day on a boat, and the tour data specifically lists both conditions as reasons the activity may not suit you.

You should also avoid booking it if your main goal is a deep visit to Gozo. Two hours is enough for a harbor stop or a quick Victoria outing, not a proper tour of the island.

Small details that make the day easier

A few simple choices can improve the experience:

• Arrive before 9:30 a.m. so you are not searching for Mermaid as boarding closes at 9:50.
• Complete the free Blue Lagoon entry registration before departure.
• Carry cash for the snorkeling arrangement, snacks, and lunch.
• Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, water, and swimwear.
• Pack a light snack even if you expect to buy food aboard or in Gozo.
• Keep your belongings tidy and do not litter.
• If you want Victoria and the Cittadella, plan your bus timing before leaving Mgarr Harbour.
• Treat the sea caves as weather dependent, not guaranteed.

The crew gives you freedom at each location, which is one of the strongest parts of the outing. You are not required to join a fixed activity every time the boat stops. You can swim at one place, walk at another, and rest aboard when you need a break.

Should you book Mermaid’s island cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced day that combines Malta’s best-known water stop, a taste of Gozo, sea caves, and St Paul’s Island. The traditional schooner, relaxed crew, and choice of activities give the cruise more character than a simple point-to-point ferry.

Skip it if you dislike long boat days, need extensive time in Gozo, or want a quiet beach with no schedule. The Blue Lagoon is brief, the caves depend on conditions, and the day moves on at a fixed pace.

For $34, the value is strongest when you see the cruise as a sampler of the Maltese islands. You get a lot of scenery and three distinct stops in seven hours, with enough freedom to shape the day around swimming, food, or sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the 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 10:00 a.m. sharp and returns to the jetty at about 5:00 p.m.

Do I need a ticket to visit Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get a free entry ticket for the Island of Comino. The supplied booking information directs you to blcomino.com.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you can buy food at the snack bar aboard Mermaid or find bars and restaurants at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Are snorkeling masks included?

No, snorkels are not included. The cruise provides an opportunity to snorkel with a 10 euro cash deposit and 5 euros returned, so carry cash if you plan to use the available arrangement.

Are the sea caves always visited?

No. Viewing the Santa Maria Caves depends on weather and sea conditions. The cave section is planned as a scenic and photo stop of about 15 minutes.