From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Blue water, old forts, and one busy day.

This 7.5-hour cruise from Sliema gives you a broad taste of Malta’s northern islands without arranging several separate trips. I like the direct boat ride to Gozo, and I like the practical optional minibus, which takes you to Qala Belvedere and Victoria without wasting time finding local transport. The main drawback is the tight schedule, especially if rough seas delay the boat or you want a relaxed visit to both Gozo and Comino.

You can expect friendly staff, ongoing commentary from the captain, food and drinks for purchase, bathrooms, a water slide, and a boat with both indoor and outdoor seating. The day is well suited to first-time visitors who want coastline, island scenery, a fortified city, swimming, and caves in one outing, but it is not a good choice if you suffer badly from seasickness or need step-free access.

The day in six useful points

• Gozo without the transport puzzle: Choose the optional minibus to reach Qala Belvedere and Victoria efficiently from Mgarr Harbour.
• Victoria’s Citadel is the main cultural stop: You get roughly 80 to 120 minutes in the capital area, enough for a quick look at the old fortifications, a snack, and some shopping.
• Blue Lagoon time is weather dependent: The planned stop is about 75 to 90 minutes, but wind and delays can reduce swimming time or force a change of bay.
• The boat ride is part of the attraction: You pass St Julian’s Bay, Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, St Paul’s Island, and Mellieha before reaching Gozo.
• Comino is more than a swim stop: The route includes the Santa Maria caves, with a close approach for photographs when conditions allow.
• Register before going ashore: From May 1, 2025, you need a free Blue Lagoon QR code to leave the boat at Comino.

Why this cruise makes sense at $41

At about $41 per person, this is a strong-value way to link three major Malta sights in one day. You get the cruise from Sliema to Gozo, time on Gozo, the Comino stop, the caves, commentary, and use of the boat’s water slide. Food, drinks, and hotel transfers cost extra, and the minibus on Gozo is optional.

The value comes from the transport. Gozo is not simply a quick photo stop at the harbor. If you arrange separate buses or taxis, getting from Mgarr to Qala and then Victoria takes planning. The optional minibus turns that part into a guided loop, giving you a view from Qala Belvedere before dropping you near the Citadel.

I would pay for the Gozo minibus unless you already have a clear plan for Mgarr Harbour. It is especially useful if you want to see more than the port, have limited time, or are visiting Malta for only a few days. Several people who skipped organized transport wished they had more time or clearer directions, while those who chose it found the day easier to manage.

The price does not buy a quiet private outing. This is a shared boat excursion, and it can feel crowded, particularly in summer. Still, you are covering a lot of water and several major sights for a modest price. The strongest value is practical rather than luxurious.

Finding the boat at Sliema Ferry

The meeting point is at Sliema Ferry, where you should look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. The listed starting point is Luzzu Cruises, Ferries 4.

Arrive with enough time to identify the boat and listen for instructions. The boat and minibus departures matter. If you are late for either one, the schedule has little spare time. One useful habit is to note the return meeting time before you walk away from the group in Gozo.

There is no hotel pickup, so you must make your own way to Sliema. Bring comfortable shoes and a towel. You will want the shoes for Victoria and the towel if you swim at the Blue Lagoon or use the slide.

The northbound cruise from Sliema

The first part is not just a transfer. The boat heads north past St Julian’s Bay, Qawra, St Paul’s Bay, St Paul’s Island, and Mellieha. Commentary from the captain covers the islands and coastal landmarks, making the ride more useful than simply sitting on deck.

You can choose an outdoor seat for the best views, though the upper deck can be breezy and exposed. Indoor seating is helpful if the weather turns cool or the sea becomes rough. The boat has bathrooms and a small bar or food service, but food and drinks are not included, so budget for purchases if you do not bring your own provisions.

The sea is the big variable. Several departures have had rough outbound crossings, with some people feeling sick despite the crew handing out bags and warning passengers. The return ride can be much smoother, but there is no guarantee. If you are prone to seasickness, this is a serious concern, not a minor footnote.

Sit low and toward the center of the boat if motion bothers you, and avoid a heavy meal just before departure. The experience is not suitable for people with severe seasickness. The captain can change the route, timing, or stopping points when wind and sea conditions require it.

Mgarr Harbour and the choice on Gozo

Mgarr Harbour is Gozo’s main port, and it is where the day divides into two choices. You can explore independently, or take the optional minibus to Qala Belvedere and Victoria.

Going alone gives you freedom, but the available time is limited. You would need to arrange your own way from the harbor and return to the boat on schedule. That can work if you have a precise plan, but it is not the easiest option for a first visit.

The minibus is the sensible choice for most people. It lets you see a scenic viewpoint and the island capital without spending your short Gozo visit worrying about transport. The bus driver explains where to go and helps you understand the return plan, though you should still confirm the meeting time yourself. One report described a minibus leaving before the expected time, with another bus fortunately available, so keep your schedule firmly in mind.

The pace is brisk. This is an introduction to Gozo, not a complete island tour.

Qala Belvedere: a fast but worthwhile photo stop

Qala Belvedere is one of the prettiest views on the route. It gives you a broad look across the water and makes a useful first stop before Victoria. The stop is short, so have your camera ready before you leave the minibus.

This is a viewpoint rather than a long walk or a full attraction visit. You will have time for photographs and a quick look, not a slow afternoon with a café. That brevity is also why the minibus works well: you see the viewpoint without having to build your whole day around it.

If you are hoping for long walks on Gozo, this tour will feel rushed. If you want a taste of the island and a few strong views, the stop does its job.

Victoria and the Citadel in about 80 minutes

Victoria, also called Rabat, is Gozo’s capital. The central draw is the Citadel, the old fortified city rising above the town. You can walk through the area, take photographs, shop, and stop for a coffee or beer if service is quick.

The planned visit is around 80 minutes, though some departures provide closer to two hours. That sounds generous until you add walking, ordering food, finding the Citadel, and getting back to the minibus. Food service can be slow, so do not sit down for a long meal if seeing the fortifications is your priority.

I would head toward the Citadel first, then use any remaining time for food or shopping. The fortifications offer the most distinctive part of the stop, while the town gives you a short taste of everyday Gozo. Shops may close on Sundays, so do not make Sunday shopping your main reason for choosing this outing.

The Citadel stop is one reason I recommend the bus option. It gives you enough structure to reach the important area, but you still have some time to explore on your own. The tradeoff is that you cannot stay longer if Victoria captures your interest.

Returning to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, you board the boat again and continue to Comino. The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, with about 75 to 90 minutes planned for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking around the shore.

The water is the star here. On a calm, sunny day, the color is striking, and the stop can be the most memorable part of the trip. The boat’s slide adds a playful touch, especially for children and anyone who wants more than a simple swim from the shore.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of the day. It can feel chaotic when several boats arrive, and the shore may be crowded. Some people prefer the view from the boat to the experience on land. If you want photographs without the crowd, take them before rushing ashore, and consider swimming from the boat if that is allowed under the day’s conditions.

From May 1, 2025, you must register for a free QR code if you plan to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The link is provided after booking. Keep the code available, since it is required to get ashore and can prevent delays.

Do not assume the full 90 minutes is guaranteed. Strong wind can make swimming unsafe, and rough conditions can slow the route from Gozo. One recent departure had only about 45 minutes at the lagoon because the sea made the crossing longer. Another could not stop there and used St Mary’s Bay instead, which was calmer but much less exciting.

The Santa Maria caves on the way back

The final scenic feature is the Santa Maria cave area of Comino. The boat passes close to the caves for about ten minutes, allowing photographs and a look at the rock formations from the water.

This stop depends heavily on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment. When the water is calm, the boat can get close enough to make the caves a real highlight. It is not a land visit, so you will not walk inside or spend a long time there.

The short stop works well after the Blue Lagoon. You can dry off, settle into a seat, and watch the cliffs and openings along the shore before the return run to Sliema. Dolphin sightings are possible, but they are not part of the advertised plan and should be treated as luck rather than an expectation.

How the weather changes the experience

This cruise runs in rain or shine, but the captain can alter or cancel the excursion, or change pickup and drop-off points, according to conditions. That flexibility is necessary around Malta’s exposed coast, but it means you should not treat the printed timing as a promise.

Wind affects three things at once: comfort on the boat, swimming at Comino, and the total time available at each stop. A rough crossing can leave you tired before Gozo, while a calm day may let you enjoy the upper deck and the coast in comfort.

Summer usually offers the best chance of swimming, but it also brings the biggest crowds at the Blue Lagoon. Cooler months can make the upper deck pleasant for sightseeing but less inviting for a swim. In winter, you may still enjoy the boat and the views, though the water stop may not be the main attraction.

The crew’s attitude matters here. The captain provides warnings and commentary, and staff help people who feel unwell. One particularly helpful minibus driver, Carmen, was praised for turning a difficult day with seasickness into a much better one. That kind of practical help can make a real difference when the water turns rough.

Who should book this day out?

I would choose this cruise if you want a broad introduction to Malta’s islands and prefer one organized day to several separate bookings. It suits couples, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who wants a mix of scenery, a town visit, swimming, and a boat ride.

You will probably enjoy it most if you are comfortable with a full schedule and can accept that weather controls the final shape of the day. The children’s appeal is clear: the boat, slide, caves, and Blue Lagoon provide plenty of variety.

I would not choose it if your main goal is an in-depth visit to Gozo. You get a quick look at Qala and Victoria, not time for the island’s many other sights. I would also skip it if you need long, unhurried meals, dislike crowded swimming spots, have mobility limitations, or become seriously seasick.

The tour is conducted in English, and commentary is continuous enough to give the route context without turning the day into a formal lecture. The crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, helpful, and well organized. That is important on a trip with several transfers and firm departure times.

My booking verdict

Book it if you want the most scenery and variety for roughly $41, and add the Gozo minibus unless you already know exactly how you will reach Victoria. Bring a towel, comfortable shoes, water, and patience for a busy Blue Lagoon.

Skip it in favor of separate Gozo and Comino days if you want more time in each place. For most first visits, though, this is a practical way to see three islands in one long, lively day, with enough free time to make the outing feel more than a simple boat transfer.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about 7.5 hours, including the boat journey, the Gozo visit, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Comino caves, and the return to Sliema.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Luzzu Cruises at Sliema Ferry, Ferries 4. Look for the MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

Is transport around Gozo included?

Transport on Gozo is optional. You can explore independently or choose the minibus option, which goes to Qala Belvedere and Victoria.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop is about 75 to 90 minutes. Weather, sea conditions, and delays on the route can reduce the available time or require a different stop.

Do I need a ticket to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need to register for a free QR code before leaving the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The registration link is provided after booking.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although food service and a bar are available on the boat.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments or seasickness?

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or those prone to seasickness. The captain may also change the route or stops because of weather conditions.