Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour

The best part of this cruise is its two-islands-in-one-day plan. You get Malta’s rocky north coast, Comino’s clear water, sea caves, and a taste of Gozo without arranging several separate trips. The Blue Lagoon stop gives you 90 minutes to swim, snorkel, use the boat slide, or simply sit on deck.

I like the fair starting price and the useful onboard setup: toilets, shade, a café, lockers, and deck chairs. I also like the choice on Gozo. You can pay €5 for a shuttle to Victoria and a viewpoint, or make your own plans. The main tradeoff is space and time. This is a large boat, with up to 232 people, and the Gozo stop is long enough for a taste, not a full island visit.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon stop: You get about 1 hour and 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and the boat’s 10-meter slide.
• Gozo choice: Spend three hours around Mġarr Harbour, use local transport, or pay €5 for the organized Victoria shuttle.
• Cave viewing from the water: The route passes Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, and other coastal formations.
• Top-deck seats go quickly: Arrive early if you want a deck chair or the best open-air views.
• Extras need planning: The speedboat cave trip costs €15, while snorkel hire and lockers require cash plus refundable deposits.
• Good value for active visitors: At about $36.28 per person, the cruise covers Malta, Comino, and Gozo in one day, but food, drinks, and add-ons cost extra.

A full day from Bugibba to the Blue Lagoon

You meet the boat at Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay for a 10 a.m. departure. You must make your own way there, which matters if you are staying in Valletta or the Three Cities. A bus from Valletta can take a little over an hour, according to one reported journey, while a taxi or ride-hailing service costs more but saves time.

The boat first follows Malta’s north coast. The pace is part sightseeing cruise and part transport, so you are not simply rushing straight to Comino. The crew points out coastal sites as you go, with commentary about the bays, islands, and rocky shore.

If you want a good seat, arrive early. The upper deck has free loungers, but they are first come, first served. Even arriving close to an hour before sailing may not guarantee a private lounger on a busy departure. The main deck offers both sunny and shaded seating, and the lower deck has air conditioning.

The boat is comfortable in a practical rather than polished way. It is not a modern luxury yacht, and on full days it can feel crowded. Still, you have the basic things that make a long day at sea easier: toilets, a café, some lockers, shaded seating, and room to move between the decks.

St. Paul’s Islands and Malta’s northern coast

One of the first sights is St. Paul’s Island, linked by tradition to the shipwreck of St. Paul in 60 A.D. A large statue of the saint, about 8.3 meters high, marks the spot. You see it from the boat rather than stopping ashore, so this is a quick visual introduction rather than a historical visit.

The cruise continues past Ghadira Bay, also called Mellieħa Beach, described as the largest sandy beach on the Maltese islands. The contrast is pleasant: a broad beach on one side, then the hard, pale rock and sea-cut walls that define much of Malta’s northern coast.

The boat enters Ahrax Cave and continues toward Comino through the north channel. Along the way, you pass the rock formation called the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Cave, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the former Comino Hotel area.

These passages are some of the best parts for photography. The boat lets you see angles of the coast that are hard to reach on foot. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long stop at every site. The boat enters or passes the caves for views and pictures before moving on.

The Blue Lagoon stop, swimming, and the boat slide

After roughly an hour of cruising, the boat reaches Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The goal is to arrive early, before the area becomes even more crowded. That timing can help, but the Blue Lagoon is still one of Malta’s most popular sights, so do not expect solitude.

You have 90 minutes here. The boat moors by the island, and you can walk on and off as needed. This flexibility is useful. You can swim from the boat in clear turquoise water, walk to the shore, look for a place on land, or stay aboard and use the boat as your base.

I would use the boat itself if you want easy access to shade, toilets, drinks, or a changing space. The upper deck is good for sunbathing, while the main deck gives you a break from the heat. The 10-meter slide is a fun extra for confident swimmers, and life vests are available on request.

You need to bring a towel. Towels are not provided, and you should bring sun protection as well. Sunscreen is not sold onboard, so pack it before leaving your accommodation.

Snorkeling is possible, but your time is limited. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5, plus a €10 refundable deposit. If you also want the optional speedboat ride, fitting both into the 90-minute stop becomes difficult. You may end up with only a short swim before needing to change and return to the boat.

The speedboat costs €15 per person and offers a closer look at Comino’s rocky coves and smaller caves. It is a worthwhile add-on if you care more about seeing the coastline than spending a long time in the water. You can pay for this extra by cash or card, while some other extras are cash only.

The landing pass for Comino is not included. You need to download the free QR code from www.blcomino.com before arrival. This is an easy step, but do it ahead of time so you are not trying to sort it out on the boat.

Crystal Lagoon and the route around Comino

The cruise also passes the Crystal Lagoon, a bay known for deeper water and its appeal to divers. You do not get the same extended swimming stop here, but the boat gives you a view from the water.

The Crystal Lagoon is close enough to the Blue Lagoon to reach on foot in about eight minutes, according to the tour information. That makes the area more flexible for people who want to walk around Comino during the stop, though the Blue Lagoon schedule still limits how long you can spend away from the boat.

The route through Comino is a strong reason to choose this trip over a simple point-to-point ferry. You see several bays and caves in addition to having time to swim. The drawback is that the sights are viewed as part of a moving cruise, so anyone wanting a quiet, detailed visit to Comino should choose a longer beach-based option instead.

Three hours on Gozo, with or without the shuttle

After Comino, the boat heads to Mġarr Harbour on Gozo. You get about three hours on Gozo, although travel time within that period is included.

You have two main choices. You can stay around the harbor, use local buses or a taxi, or pay €5 per person for the organized shuttle. The shuttle is paid for on the day, and cash is the safest option.

The shuttle takes you to Victoria, Gozo’s capital, for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. You then have roughly 15 minutes at a panoramic viewpoint, according to the tour details. This arrangement is efficient if your goal is to see Victoria and get a quick look at the island beyond the port.

Victoria gives you a chance to walk, shop, eat, and see the Citadel area. The stop is short, so you need to keep an eye on the meeting time. You are not getting a full guided tour of Gozo. The shuttle is mainly a way to reach the center without spending much of your limited time on public transport.

If you travel with small children, anyone with limited mobility, or anyone who dislikes uphill walking, ask about transport options before setting off. A separate €3 port shuttle to the Citadel has also been noted, which may save you from a steep walk. The organized €5 transfer is the simpler choice for a first visit, but it is still a transfer service, not a private car or a full sightseeing coach tour.

Independent exploration can work if you already know what you want to see and are comfortable watching the clock. Local transport may be cheaper, but it can use up much of your three-hour stop. A taxi gives you more control but adds cost.

The Gozo portion creates the clearest choice in this tour. If swimming is your main reason for booking, stay focused on the Blue Lagoon and use Gozo as a short shore break. If this is your only chance to see Gozo, pay for the shuttle and accept that the Blue Lagoon swimming time remains limited.

The return cruise and onboard costs

The boat returns to Malta at about 5 p.m., making the total day roughly seven hours. That is a long outing, but it gives you a lot for the base price.

The café sells hot and cold drinks and simple food at what is described as reasonable pricing. Food and drinks are not included, so budget for them. Some menu items, such as fries and pineapple drinks, have been singled out as good-value purchases, but prices can change.

Bring cash for the €5 Gozo shuttle, the €15 speedboat if paying that way, snorkel rental, and lockers. The locker fee is €2 plus a €10 refundable deposit. A small amount of spare cash makes the day easier.

The sea breeze can make the return trip cool, even after a warm morning. In autumn and winter, bring layers. The upper deck may feel chilly later in the afternoon when the sun is lower.

What the $36.28 price really gets you

At about $36.28 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to combine Malta’s northern coast, Comino, the Blue Lagoon, and Gozo. You would pay more and spend extra time arranging transport if you booked separate boat trips and island transfers.

The value comes from coverage rather than depth. You see many places in one day, but you do not get long, guided visits at each one. The base fare includes the cruise, cave viewing, Blue Lagoon stop, boat facilities, and access to deck areas. It does not include meals, drinks, snorkel equipment, lockers, the landing pass, the speedboat, or the Gozo shuttle.

For a first Malta visit, that tradeoff makes sense. You get a clear overview and can decide which island deserves a longer return visit. For repeat visitors who already know Comino and want a slow day, the schedule may feel too packed.

The activity has a 4.6 rating from 1,923 reviews, with 91 percent recommending it. The strongest praise centers on the Blue Lagoon, the friendly crew, smooth timing, clear commentary, and low price. The most serious complaints concern crowded seating, an older boat, confusion around the Gozo transfer, and the limited time for both swimming and optional activities.

That mix tells you exactly what to expect. Book it for the route and the access, not for luxury.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this tour if you want a simple, active introduction to Comino and Gozo. It suits couples, families with older children, and short-stay visitors who want to see several Maltese highlights without spending days on transport planning.

It also works well for people who enjoy being on the water. You can swim, snorkel, use the slide, take photographs, listen to the commentary, or simply sit in the sun. Life vests are available if you are not a strong swimmer.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need a quiet beach day, or want detailed sightseeing in Victoria. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and good seats require an early arrival. Gozo is also too brief for a complete island tour.

The tour is offered in English, includes mobile ticketing, and is subject to good weather. If rough conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino and Gozo cruise?

Yes, if you want strong value and a broad taste of Malta’s northern islands. The Blue Lagoon swim, cave route, and Gozo stop give you a full day without a high base price.

Arrive early for seating, bring a towel, sunscreen, layers, and cash, and decide before boarding whether swimming, the speedboat, or Victoria matters most. You cannot do everything at length during the same 90-minute Blue Lagoon stop.

Choose the €5 Gozo shuttle if this is your only visit to Gozo and you want to reach Victoria with less fuss. Skip it if your priority is water time. With those expectations in place, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see a lot of Malta from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gżejjer, in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta.

What time does the tour start and finish?

The scheduled departure is 10 a.m. The boat returns to Malta at about 5 p.m., for a total duration of roughly seven hours.

How long do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about 1 hour and 30 minutes at the Blue Lagoon.

Is the Gozo bus tour included?

No. The organized shuttle costs €5 per person and is paid for on the day. It includes about 1 hour and 30 minutes in Victoria and a short stop at a panoramic viewpoint.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard café.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose an alternative date or receive a full refund if the tour is canceled because of poor weather.