Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Blue water, old towns, and a tidy boat. This 6.5-hour cruise packs Malta’s two smaller islands into one useful day, with a scenic ride from Bugibba, a short visit to Victoria on Gozo, and a swim at the Blue Lagoon. I especially like the smaller Seahorse Cruises boat, which feels calmer than the big party boats, and the chance to swim from the boat away from the thickest Blue Lagoon crowds. The main catch is time: Gozo gets only about 1.5 to 2 hours, so you will see Victoria, not the whole island.

You also get an onboard toilet, shower, sundeck, diving platform, food and drinks for purchase, and snorkeling equipment with a €10 deposit. The crew, particularly Captain Owen, receives repeated praise for being friendly, careful, and welcoming. At $53 per person, this is good value if you want coast, swimming, and a quick taste of Gozo in one outing, but less suitable if your main goal is a serious day of sightseeing on Gozo.

Key points before you book

• Boarding closes at 10 AM: Arrive at Bugibba Jetty early, even though the cruise begins around 10:30 AM.
• Victoria is a short stop: You have time for the capital’s main sights and market, but not a broad tour of Gozo.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs a QR code: Book the free 13:30 to 17:30 time slot if you plan to step off the boat.
• The boat avoids the thickest crowds: Seahorse Cruises anchors away from the busiest area, giving you a quieter place to swim.
• Food and drinks cost extra: The boat sells refreshments, and only cash is accepted onboard.
• Not designed for limited mobility: Boarding, the side ladder, and the swimming platform make this a poor choice for anyone with mobility impairments.

What this Malta cruise actually offers

This is not a deep Gozo sightseeing tour or a luxury yacht charter. It is a full-day boat outing that combines Malta’s coast, a short land visit, and a proper swim stop.

You leave from Bugibba Jetty and cruise north past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Smuggler’s Cove Cave, and other rocky coastal views. The boat then takes you to Gozo, where a shuttle bus carries you inland to Victoria, the island’s capital. Later, you return to the boat and continue to Comino for 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon.

On the way back to Bugibba, the boat passes Santa Maria Caves and the rock formation known as the Elephants Head. The whole route takes about 6.5 hours, returning around 5 PM.

I see the appeal. Malta has plenty of separate land and boat outings, but this one gives you the broad coastal picture in a single day. You will not spend long enough at every stop to become an expert, but you will come away with a good sense of Malta’s island setting.

Starting at Bugibba Jetty before 10 AM

The meeting point is at Dawret il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, at Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Seahorse Cruises vessel, described as the only sailing boat at the meeting point.

Pay close attention to the boarding time. The cruise is listed as starting at 10:30 AM, but boarding closes at 10 AM. That means you should treat 10 AM as the real deadline. Do not arrive at 10:20 and expect a relaxed check-in.

The crew provides live commentary in English and Italian. The route is scenic from the start, so keep your camera ready, but do not expect a nonstop guided lecture. One person found the explanations limited, especially during the Gozo stop, so I would treat the commentary as useful background rather than a full guided tour.

The boat has a sundeck and enough facilities to make a half-day at sea comfortable. It also has a toilet, a side shower, and a swimming platform. Several families and couples praised the boat for feeling clean, comfortable, and less crowded than larger vessels.

The coastal cruise past Malta’s northern sights

The first hour is spent cruising along Malta’s rugged coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Smuggler’s Cove Cave, and the Crystal Lagoon area.

This part of the outing matters because the boat lets you see the coast from the angle it was meant to be seen: from the water. Malta’s shore is full of pale rock, sharp corners, small inlets, and caves that are difficult to appreciate from a road.

The Crystal Lagoon stop is listed as a short photo and sightseeing stop, around 10 minutes. Think of it as a chance to point your camera toward the water and rocks, not a long swim break. The same applies to the cave views. You will see attractive coastal formations, but the schedule keeps moving.

If you enjoy sitting on deck with a cold drink and watching the coast pass, this first stretch is a strong part of the trip. If you get seasick, sit where the movement feels mildest and bring only what you need. The boat is smaller than the biggest excursion vessels, which many people like, but a smaller boat can still move with the sea.

Victoria, Gozo: useful, but too short for a full island visit

After the cruise to Gozo, you transfer to a shuttle bus for Victoria, the island’s capital. The transport to Victoria is included, which saves you from arranging a separate taxi or bus connection.

Your free time in Victoria lasts about two hours, though some descriptions refer to roughly 1.5 hours once transport and practical timing are counted. Either way, you should plan for a compact visit.

You can take photos, look around the historic center, visit the market, and buy small souvenirs such as fridge magnets. The stop gives you a taste of Gozo’s character, but it is not enough for a proper tour of the island’s villages, churches, bays, or countryside.

I would decide in advance what matters most. If you want photos and a quick walk, Victoria works well. If you want to sit down for a leisurely meal, shop at length, and see several sights, the clock will feel tight. One useful suggestion from the experience is to keep lunch simple, since eating and sightseeing in the same short window can become a race.

The shuttle is convenient, but one person noted an extra charge of €5 per person for the bus. The current activity details say transport to Victoria is included, so check the terms attached to your booking if the price matters to you. This is exactly the sort of small detail worth confirming before you board.

Gozo deserves more time than this cruise allows. That is not a flaw if you want a sampler, but it is a real limitation if Gozo is your main reason for visiting. I would choose this boat for variety, not for an in-depth island day.

Blue Lagoon: the day’s main event

The cruise then heads to Comino and anchors for 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon. This is the part most people will be waiting for.

The water is clear and turquoise, and the boat has a diving platform for jumping or climbing into the sea. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay on deck. Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit, which is returned according to the provider’s terms.

A smart detail is the boat’s anchoring position. Seahorse Cruises aims to stop away from the thickest crowds, so you can swim from the boat without being packed into the main swimming area. That does not make Comino empty, especially in summer, but it can make the water stop feel calmer.

You can also get off at the Blue Lagoon, but there is an important current rule. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping off the boat needs a free QR code and a reserved time slot. For this trip, book the 13:30 to 17:30 slot. Check your ticket for the exact instructions before departure.

The QR code is easy to overlook because it is free. Do not assume that free means automatic. If you plan to walk ashore, arrange it ahead of time. If you are happy swimming from the boat, confirm how the rule applies to your plans before the day begins.

The 1.5-hour stop is long enough for a good swim and some sun. It is not long enough for a relaxed beach afternoon, lunch, and a full walk around Comino. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. You should also bring cash, since onboard purchases are cash only.

Santa Maria Caves and the Elephants Head

The return cruise includes a pass through or near the Santa Maria Caves, followed by views of the Elephants Head rock formation. This is a short sightseeing section, around 10 minutes, with photo opportunities rather than an extended cave tour.

The caves are one of the reasons a boat trip works better than a standard coach outing. You can approach the rocky openings from the water and see how the cliffs, shadows, and sea fit together. The Elephants Head is the sort of formation that makes sense once you see it from the right angle, so keep your camera ready.

Some visitors choose to buy an additional speedboat cave trip onboard. That is not included in the $53 price, so consider it an optional extra rather than part of the basic experience. You already see the caves from the cruise, while the speedboat option is for anyone wanting a faster, more dramatic ride.

After the caves, the boat returns to Bugibba around 5 PM. The timing makes this a manageable one-day activity, especially if you want an evening free for dinner or a stroll through town.

Boat comfort, crew, and onboard food

The strongest part of this outing is the crew. Captain Owen is repeatedly praised for being friendly and attentive, and the staff are described as welcoming, helpful, and careful with safety instructions.

That personal approach matters on a boat. Clear instructions around the swimming platform, a friendly hand when boarding, and staff who pay attention can make the day feel much easier, especially for families. The crew also provides commentary in English and Italian.

The boat is often described as clean, attractive, and less crowded than the larger vessels serving the same waters. That is a major reason to choose this operator. You still share the outing with other people, but the atmosphere is more relaxed than a large party boat.

Food and drinks are available to buy onboard. Prices have been described as fair, and service as quick. Do not bring your own food, drinks, cooler, luggage, or large bags under the current rules. Bring a small day bag with your towel, sunscreen, cash, and swimwear.

Is $53 good value?

At $53 per person, I consider this a strong value for a combined Gozo and Comino outing. The price covers the boat ride, coastal sightseeing, the Gozo stop, transport to Victoria, the 1.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop, and access to the boat’s main facilities.

You are also paying for convenience. Instead of arranging separate transport to Gozo, a Victoria visit, and a Comino boat trip, you handle it in one booking. The crew, toilet, shower, sundeck, and swimming platform add practical value.

The price looks less attractive if you want a long Gozo visit. A separate Gozo tour would give you more time to see the island, while a dedicated Blue Lagoon trip might offer longer swimming time. Here, you trade depth for variety.

Remember to budget for lunch, drinks, and any optional speedboat ride. The snorkeling mask requires a €10 deposit, and only cash is accepted onboard. Those are small costs, but they are easy to forget if you arrive without euros.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want to see Malta from the water and sample both Gozo and Comino. It also suits you if you prefer a smaller, calmer boat to a large excursion vessel.

The trip is good for swimmers and casual snorkelers. The platform makes entering the water simple, and you can stay onboard if you would rather sunbathe and watch. The tour is suitable for all ages, but swimming ability and comfort around a boat still matter.

I would not choose it if you have limited mobility. The boat, side ladder, swimming platform, shuttle transfer, and shore access may be difficult. It is also not the best match for anyone who wants a slow, detailed tour of Victoria or a full day exploring Gozo.

Weather and tides can change the route, starting point, or return arrangements. The captain and operator can alter or cancel the trip when conditions require it, so keep a little flexibility in your plans.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want one well-organized day combining coastal views, Gozo, Comino, and a Blue Lagoon swim. The friendly crew, clean smaller boat, and quieter anchoring spot give it an edge over larger, more crowded outings.

Skip it if Gozo deserves your full attention. The Victoria stop is a sampler, not a complete island visit, and the 1.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop is enough for swimming but not for a leisurely beach day.

For most people, $53 is fair value. Arrive before 10 AM, bring cash and swim gear, arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to go ashore, and keep your Gozo expectations realistic. Do that, and this is a practical way to see a lot of Malta’s northern islands without spending a fortune.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. Look for the Seahorse Cruises boat.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding closes at 10 AM. The cruise is listed as beginning around 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding deadline rather than relying on the later start time.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about 6.5 hours and returns to Bugibba around 5 PM.

Is transport to Victoria included?

Yes, transport to Victoria on Gozo is included in the activity details. Check your booking information for any current shuttle charge or special condition.

How long do I have in Victoria?

You have approximately 1.5 to 2 hours in Victoria, depending on the timing of the transfer and stop.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for 1.5 hours.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. Book the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot and check your ticket for the details.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit. Bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen.

Can I buy food and drinks onboard?

Yes, food and drinks are available to purchase onboard. Only cash is accepted.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the boat access, side ladder, platform, and shore transfers.