St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

Blue water, old walls, and a small boat. This seven-hour trip packs three Maltese highlights into one day, combining a coastal cruise with a bus ride into Gozo. I like the smaller boat, which makes the ride pleasant and gives it access to coastal caves, and I like the friendly, helpful crew, including Captain Matthew on some departures. The main catch is simple: time in Gozo feels short, especially if you want both the Cittadella and a relaxed meal.

You board at Bugibba Jetty from 9:30 to 9:50 a.m., then leave sharply at 10. The day includes one hour at Comino, two hours in Victoria, and 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Island before returning around 5 p.m. It is good value at $40 per person, but it is a sightseeing sampler rather than a slow, stay-put beach day.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts one hour, with time to swim from the boat, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk around Comino.
• Gozo is handled by boat and bus, with a direct ride from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria, the island’s capital.
• The Cittadella is the best use of your Gozo time, but fitting it, shopping, and lunch into two hours requires a plan.
• The smaller boat can enter coastal caves, including Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves when sea conditions allow.
• St. Paul’s Island gives you a final swim and a view of the statue of St. Paul, but the stop lasts only 30 minutes.
• You need cash for extras, including food, drinks, and the €10 security deposit for rented snorkeling equipment.

What this St. Paul’s Bay boat tour gets right

This is a smart choice if you want to see several Maltese islands without arranging separate ferries, buses, and harbor transfers. From Bugibba, the boat carries you north along the coast, then the included bus takes you inland on Gozo. That combination saves effort and gives the day a useful change of pace.

I especially like the balance between time on the water and time ashore. The cruise is not just transport between stops. You get views of Mellieha and the Maltese archipelago, plus a chance to enter caves that larger boats may have to pass by. The bus ride to Victoria also means you do not lose much of your Gozo stop figuring out local transport.

The tradeoff is the packed schedule. You can swim, see a major Gozo sight, and photograph the coast in one day, but you cannot explore each place at length. If you prefer long beach hours or a full day in Victoria, choose a slower tour. If your Malta visit is short, this trip gives you a useful first look.

Boarding at Bugibba Jetty before 10 a.m.

Look for the Mermaid representatives at Bugibba Jetty, or find the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid. Boarding starts at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50, so do not treat the 10 a.m. departure as a loose suggestion. Arriving early gives you time to find the correct boat and settle in without a rushed start.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, and live commentary is provided in English. The crew is an important part of the day. Captain Matthew has been praised for explaining the plan clearly and helping people make the most of limited time. That matters on a trip with several moving parts, since a clear schedule helps you decide what to do at each stop.

The boat is smaller than many standard sightseeing vessels. That can mean a more pleasant ride and a better chance of entering the caves, though seating space may feel tighter when the boat is nearly full. It is worth bringing a sun hat, towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash. Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included.

Cruising past Mellieha and the Maltese coast

The first part of the day is a coastal cruise toward Comino. You pass Mellieha and see sections of the Maltese archipelago from the water, a useful perspective that you do not get from a road tour. Keep your camera ready, since the boat continues to offer coastal views throughout the day.

This is also where the boat’s size helps. The route includes entry into caves when weather and sea conditions permit. The exact caves may be Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves, and the captain decides based on conditions. That uncertainty is worth understanding before you book: cave access is a bonus, not a guarantee.

The ride gives you time to settle into the day, but the sea can make the trip tiring for some people. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and you should expect movement between the boat, the harbor, the bus, and the shore. Practical footwear and a light bag will make the changes easier.

One hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the visual star of the day. Its clear water is excellent for a swim, and you can enter directly from the boat. You can also sunbathe, snorkel, or walk around Comino during the one-hour stop.

The water may look almost unreal, but the setting can be very busy in summer. That is not something the boat operator controls. The best approach is to treat this as a refreshing swim stop rather than expecting a quiet island beach. Since your time is limited, have your swimwear and towel ready before the boat arrives.

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 cash security deposit. You can also bring your own equipment, but only the rental option is specified for this trip. Food and drinks cost extra, so carry cash if you want something during the day.

A practical point is easy to miss: you must sign up through the Maltese Government website for an entry ticket to Comino. The ticket is free to purchase, but you still need to complete that step. Handle it before the morning of the tour so it does not become a last-minute problem.

Comino itself has limited sightseeing time on this schedule. The stop works best for swimming, sun, and a short walk. If you want a long look at the island, a quiet cove, or a proper lunch break, you will probably find one hour too brief.

Two hours in Victoria, Gozo

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. Here you board a bus directly to Victoria, the island’s capital. This included transfer is one of the tour’s strongest practical features. You do not have to arrange a separate taxi or work out a local bus route during a short stop.

You have two hours in Victoria. I would make the Cittadella your first priority. Its historic walls and elevated position give you a strong introduction to Gozo, and the site is the clearest way to use a short visit. If you have already seen the Cittadella, you could spend the time at the Victoria markets or stop at a local Gozitan restaurant instead.

The catch is that two hours disappears quickly. The bus ride, walking, sightseeing, and any food stop all come from the same allowance. Many people will want at least another 30 to 45 minutes here, particularly if the Cittadella is important to them. You can enjoy Victoria, but you need to choose rather than attempt everything.

A good plan is to decide on the boat which of these matters most:

• The Cittadella and its views
• Shopping at the Victoria markets
• A meal at a Gozitan restaurant

The bus returns you to Mgarr Harbour after two hours. The return transfer is convenient, but it also fixes your departure time. Watch the clock and get back to the agreed meeting point early. Missing the bus would create a serious problem on a tightly timed day.

Caves and the route back toward St. Paul’s Island

Once you return to the harbor, you rejoin the boat and continue along the coast. This part of the cruise is more than a ride home, since the route includes the possibility of entering one of Comino’s impressive cave areas. The captain may choose Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves depending on wind and sea conditions.

The smaller vessel is especially useful here. It can get closer to the caves than a large boat, making this one of the more distinctive features of the trip. Still, sea conditions control the final decision. If the caves cannot be entered, that is a safety call rather than a missing part of the paid service.

This stretch is a good time for photographs. The boat offers views of the Maltese coast from angles you cannot reach by road, and the live commentary helps put the route into context. The tour does not promise a long guided talk at every site, so think of the commentary as helpful orientation rather than a full history lecture.

Thirty minutes at St. Paul’s Island

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, where you have about 30 minutes. You can take one last swim to freshen up or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul. After a full day in the sun, a short stop can feel just right, though anyone hoping for a longer walk will find the timing tight.

This stop adds a quieter finish to the day. Comino is known for its water, Gozo for Victoria and the Cittadella, while St. Paul’s Island gives you a brief look at a smaller, more secluded place connected with Malta’s Christian tradition.

Keep your belongings together and be ready to return to the boat on time. Thirty minutes is enough for a swim or a short walk, not both at a leisurely pace. The boat then returns to Bugibba, arriving around 5 p.m., where the tour ends at the same jetty.

Is $40 good value for a full day?

At $40 per person, this is strong value if you want transport and several major stops in one booking. The price covers the boat cruise, the Gozo bus transfer, English commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, the Comino stop, the Victoria stop, the St. Paul’s Island stop, and cave entry when conditions allow.

The cost is especially reasonable for the amount of transport involved. You would otherwise need to organize a boat, a route to Gozo, transport from Mgarr to Victoria, and a return connection. The included bus removes much of that planning.

You should budget extra for food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. The €10 security deposit for rented gear must be paid in cash. The tour also requires the free Comino entry ticket, so the advertised price is not the only thing to prepare for, even though the main transport and sightseeing package is well priced.

The value drops slightly if your main goal is a long visit in Gozo. You are paying for breadth, not depth. For a first day in Malta, that is a fair trade. For a repeat visit focused on Victoria, booking a dedicated Gozo day would give you more breathing room.

Who should book this boat and bus day?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward overview of Malta’s northern islands. It suits people who enjoy moving between swimming, sightseeing, and coastal views rather than spending the whole day in one place.

It is also a good fit if you are staying around St. Paul’s Bay or Bugibba and want a tour that starts and finishes nearby. The schedule is clear, the transport is handled, and the English-speaking crew keeps the day organized.

You may want another option if you dislike fixed schedules, need extra mobility support, or want a quiet Blue Lagoon visit. The boat can become nearly full, the lagoon can be crowded, and the three stops all have firm time limits.

Weather is another factor. The captain can change or cancel the trip when conditions require it. Cave access is also weather and sea dependent, so book this for the overall cruise and island combination, not for one guaranteed cave or swim.

Should you book the St. Paul’s Bay tour?

Book it if you want good-value variety in a single day. The Blue Lagoon supplies the swim, Victoria supplies the culture and old walls, and St. Paul’s Island gives you a short final stop before the ride home. The friendly crew, smaller boat, included Gozo bus, and possible cave entry make the $40 price easy to justify.

Skip it if your priority is slow exploration. Gozo deserves more than two hours, and the Blue Lagoon is not a peaceful retreat during busy summer periods. For everyone else, this is a practical first taste of three Maltese highlights, with enough sea time to make the transfers part of the fun.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty. Look for Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat departs sharply at 10 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours and returns to Bugibba at approximately 5 p.m.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?

You have one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking around the island.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 security deposit in cash.

Do I need a ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website for an entry ticket to Comino. The ticket is free to purchase.

How do you get from Gozo’s harbor to Victoria?

A bus takes you directly from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria and returns you to the harbor after the two-hour stop.

How much time do you get in Victoria?

You have two hours in Victoria, including time to visit the Cittadella, shop at the markets, or eat at a local Gozitan restaurant.

Can the boat enter the caves every time?

No. Cave access depends on weather and sea conditions. The boat may enter Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves when conditions permit.