Malta: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise with Sea Caves

The best part of this cruise is the range packed into one day: Victoria in Gozo, open-water swimming, the Blue Lagoon, and Comino’s sea caves. You see Malta from the water, then switch between town time and beach time without arranging several separate trips.

I like the practical mix of sightseeing and free time. You get two hours in Victoria, a 1.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon, and a boat with a sundeck, toilet, shower, and swim platform. I also like the smaller, more relaxed feel of the Seahorse, with Captain Owen and his crew providing commentary, music, food, and drinks onboard.

The main catch is that Victoria’s two hours are not enough for a slow visit to the Citadel and much more. The Blue Lagoon can also be crowded, and you need a free QR code to step ashore there between 13:30 and 17:30.

Key points at a glance

• A full island day from Bugibba: Cruise for 6.5 hours from Bugibba Jetty, returning at about 5 PM.
• Victoria gives you a taste of Gozo: Spend two hours in the island’s capital for photos, historic sights, shopping, and a self-guided walk.
• The boat is part of the experience: Use the sundeck, swim platform, shower, toilet, and onboard bar and food service.
• Blue Lagoon time is built in: Swim or snorkel for 1.5 hours, either from the boat or after walking ashore with the required QR code.
• The return route brings the scenery: See Santa Maria caves and the rock formation known as Elephants Head.
• Good value at $53: The price covers the cruise, Gozo shuttle transport to Victoria, commentary in English and Italian, and the main stops, but not lunch.

Why this cruise works as a Malta day out

Malta is compact, but its most famous water spots are not all in one place. Gozo and Comino sit north of the main island, so visiting both by boat saves you the trouble of piecing together ferries, buses, and beach transfers.

For $53, you get a long day on the water rather than a short harbor trip. The value comes from the combination: coastal views, transport to Victoria, time to swim, and a close look at the caves around Comino. Food and drinks cost extra, but you can buy them onboard, and the reported prices are reasonable.

I would think of this as an introduction to Gozo and Comino, not a slow, detailed tour of either island. The schedule gives you a useful first look and lets you decide where to return later.

Boarding the Seahorse at Bugibba Jetty

The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty at 10:30 AM, but boarding closes at 10 AM. Treat that cutoff seriously. The meeting point is on Dawret il Gzejjer San Pawl il-Baħar, and the vessel is the only sailing boat there called Seahorse Cruises.

The boat has a sundeck, toilet, shower near the side ladder, and a swim platform. That matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You can dry off after a swim, rinse off salt water, and move between sun and shade rather than spending the entire day on a beach.

Only cash is accepted onboard, so bring some. You can buy food and drinks during the cruise, but lunch is not included. Pack a towel, sun hat, sunscreen, beachwear, comfortable shoes, and cash. Food and drinks from outside, coolers, and party groups are not allowed.

Commentary is offered in English and Italian. The crew’s tone appears to be one of the pleasant parts of the trip. Captain Owen is specifically noted for being welcoming, while the crew handles explanations, music, bar service, and food.

The coastal cruise past St. Paul’s Island

The outward journey is not just transportation. As you leave Bugibba, you pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove Cave. The cruise also includes a look at Crystal Lagoon before the main stop in Gozo.

These are scenic views rather than long shore visits, so have your camera ready. The boat gives you a wider view of Malta’s rugged coast than you get from a road, with cliffs, coves, and pale rock showing how much of the island’s character comes from the sea.

The Crystal Lagoon stop is listed as a short visit and photo stop, about ten minutes. Do not expect a long swim there. Its value is the quick view and the chance to take photographs before the day’s longer stops.

Two hours in Victoria, Gozo

Gozo is the heart of the day. After the boat reaches the island, you transfer by shuttle bus to Victoria, Gozo’s capital city. The transport is included, which makes this stop far more useful than simply being dropped at a harbor with no plan.

You have about two hours for a self-guided visit. Use that time to walk through the city, take photographs, look at historic sights, and browse the market. The market is aimed partly at souvenir shopping, with fridge magnets and other small gifts available.

The schedule calls for sensible choices. If you want to see the Citadel properly, shop, eat, and wander the streets, two hours will feel short. One direct experience of the timing found that there was not enough time to visit the Citadel in depth. You can still get a good first impression, but you need to keep an eye on the clock.

I would make the Citadel your priority if historic views matter most. If you prefer an easy day with less walking, use the time for a short city stroll and market browsing. The point is not to conquer Victoria. It is to get your bearings and decide if Gozo deserves a longer return visit.

The Gozo stop also gives the day a useful change of pace. The first part is mainly coastal sightseeing from the boat. Victoria lets you stretch your legs, see a town, and experience a little of Gozo beyond the water.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and carefully regulated

In the afternoon, the cruise heads to Comino and the famous Blue Lagoon. You get about 1.5 hours here for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear, and the boat has a swim platform, so you can enter the sea without necessarily going ashore.

This is important because the Blue Lagoon is both the star attraction and the busiest part of the day. Its turquoise water is genuinely appealing, but high-season crowds can take some of the calm out of the scene. One practical response is to swim from the boat, where you have a little more space and can avoid adding another walk to a packed beach.

If you want to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore, you need a free QR code under Malta’s rules in effect from May 1, 2025. Book a time slot for 13:30 to 17:30 at blcomino.com. No QR code is needed if you remain on the boat.

That extra step is easy to miss, so arrange it before departure. The cruise does not provide the QR code for you. The tour is still usable without it because you can stay onboard, swim, snorkel, and use the boat’s facilities.

A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit. Bring your own equipment if you prefer, but the included arrangement is useful for a casual swim. The sea can be the most memorable part of the day, especially if you want active time rather than constant sightseeing.

Santa Maria caves and Elephants Head on the way home

The return journey takes you past Comino’s Santa Maria caves. The boat enters the caves for a short visit and photo stop, with about ten minutes listed for this part of the route.

You should think of this as a scenic boat passage rather than a long cave walk. The attraction is the view from the water, the rock shapes, and the chance to see the cave openings at close range. The Elephants Head rock formation is the most distinctive feature named for this section.

This final stop works well after the Blue Lagoon. You have already had time for swimming, so the afternoon finishes with scenery rather than another demanding activity. The boat then returns to Bugibba Jetty at about 5 PM.

How much time do you really spend on the boat?

A large part of the day is spent cruising, which is both the strength and the limitation of this experience. You are not simply being driven between stops. The route itself includes coastal views, St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Smuggler’s Cove Cave, Crystal Lagoon, and the Comino caves.

If you enjoy sitting in the sun, taking photographs, and watching the coast pass by, the pace should feel pleasant. The sundeck and swim platform give you ways to make the boat time your own. You can sunbathe, read, listen to the onboard music, or swim when the boat is stopped.

If you want continuous sightseeing on land, this may feel slow. Victoria is the only substantial town visit, and both the Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria caves are short stops. The cruise suits you best if the sea journey is part of the attraction, not merely a means of transport.

Food, equipment, and comfort onboard

Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are sold onboard. Bring cash because card payment is not accepted. The available information does not specify a full menu, so I would treat the onboard food as convenient rather than plan a special meal around it.

The included facilities are useful for a day involving swimming. There is a toilet, a shower near the side ladder, a sundeck, and a swim platform. These details make the cruise more comfortable than a basic boat transfer.

The mask arrangement requires a €10 deposit. Keep cash available for that as well as for food and drinks. A towel and sunscreen are essential, since the day includes open sun, swimming, and time on deck.

The tour is suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users. The boat, side ladder, shuttle transfer, and shore access at the stops require you to manage those movements independently.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, I consider this a good-value way to sample Gozo and Comino in one day. You are paying for a 6.5-hour cruise, a stop in Victoria, shuttle transport on Gozo, commentary in two languages, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the coastal route past the caves.

The price is especially useful if you have limited time in Malta. Booking separate transport to Gozo, arranging a visit to Victoria, finding a way to Comino, and organizing swimming stops could cost more and take more effort.

The compromises are clear. Lunch is extra, the Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and Victoria does not allow enough time for a thorough visit to every sight. This is a sampler, not a private boat charter or a detailed walking tour of Gozo.

The cruise earns its value through variety. For one fare, you get town, sea, caves, swimming, and a practical first look at two islands.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it if you want to see the main features of Gozo and Comino without changing hotels or arranging several connections. It also suits families and mixed groups, since people can choose between swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, photography, and walking.

It is a good choice for first-time visitors who want ideas for later in the week. The two-hour Victoria stop gives you enough time to see the city and decide if a longer Gozo visit belongs in your plans.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon is popular and can feel crowded, while the schedule means you cannot linger at one place for most of the day. Likewise, anyone hoping for a long Citadel visit should plan a separate Gozo outing.

Book only if you can accept the early boarding cutoff, the cash-only boat, and the QR code rule for stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. If you can, this is a friendly, active day with a lot of scenery for the money.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret il Gzejjer San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The vessel is the Seahorse Cruises sailing boat.

What time does boarding close?

Boarding closes at 10 AM. The cruise begins at 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding cutoff.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts about 6.5 hours and returns to Bugibba Jetty at approximately 5 PM.

Is transport to Victoria included?

Yes. Shuttle transport to Victoria on Gozo is included after the boat reaches the island.

How much time is provided in Victoria?

You have about two hours for free time, sightseeing, photographs, shopping, and a self-guided visit.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours and includes time for swimming and snorkeling.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon under the rule in effect from May 1, 2025. You can get it at blcomino.com and select a time slot from 13:30 to 17:30. You do not need one if you stay on the boat.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, but lunch is not included. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.