Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Gozo Boat Tour

Four hours, three islands, and plenty of swimming. This Malta boat trip packs a lot into a half-day, with stops at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Gozo’s quiet Mgarr ix-Xini. I like the small motorboat, which can slip close to caves and rocky arches, and I like the generous swimming time built into the schedule. The main caution is that the fast boat can feel bumpy on open water, and this is not a good fit if you dislike motion or cannot swim.

The $53 price is fair for a small-group outing with snorkeling gear, a toilet, freshwater shower, sunshade, and several swim stops. I also like that the tour does more than ferry you to the famous Blue Lagoon. You see Smuggler’s Cave, Elephant Rock, Comino’s Window, Crystal Lagoon, and a peaceful bay on Gozo, though food, drinks, towels, and sunscreen cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Small motorboat, not a packed party vessel: The Nireus CL620 carries a limited group, generally up to 10 people, making it easier to move around and ask the skipper for help.
• Three useful swim stops: You get about 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 75 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and another 30 minutes at Mgarr ix-Xini.
• Caves are a major advantage: The boat can approach places larger vessels cannot, including Smuggler’s Cave and Comino’s smaller coastal caves.
• Blue Lagoon gets the longest break: This is your main chance to swim, snorkel, take photographs, and enjoy the turquoise water.
• Gozo adds a calmer final stop: Mgarr ix-Xini gives you time ashore, plus a café option for a drink or snack.
• Bring your own basics: Towels, sunscreen, water, snacks, and drinks are not included.

Why the small boat changes the experience

The biggest reason to choose this excursion is the boat itself. A small, fast motorboat feels very different from a large catamaran or a crowded sightseeing vessel. You sit closer to the water, reach the stops quickly, and can approach narrow cave entrances and rocky formations.

The boat is equipped with a teak deck, sunshade, swimming ladder, toilet, freshwater shower, electric windlass, snorkeling equipment, and a quality audio system. Those details matter during a four-hour outing. The shower lets you rinse off salt water, the ladder makes getting back aboard easier, and the shade gives you a break from Malta’s strong sun.

The small size also makes the trip more social. Skippers named Raymond, Ramon, and Romano received warm praise for being friendly, funny, helpful, and willing to take photographs. One skipper also allowed passengers to connect to Bluetooth music. These personal touches depend on the skipper and the day, but the setup gives you a better chance of getting individual attention than you would on a large boat.

There is a tradeoff. Small boats respond more sharply to the sea, especially between stops. The crossing can be bumpy, and the faster pace may not suit anyone prone to seasickness. Sit where you feel most stable, hold on when the boat accelerates, and consider taking any usual motion-sickness precautions before departure.

Leaving Qawra Slip Way for Malta’s northern coast

The meeting point is Qawra Slip Way in St Paul’s Bay. If you walk down, use the stairs beside Lungomare gelateria and continue toward the sea. By car or taxi, enter near the Cafe del Mar parking area, take the first right, and follow the road to the jetty.

Searching QAWRA SLIP WAY in Google Maps should bring you to the pickup and drop-off point. Allow enough time to find the jetty, since the instructions involve a short route down toward the water rather than a conventional street-side meeting point.

After a short safety briefing of about five minutes, the boat heads along Malta’s northern coast. The opening cruise takes around 15 minutes. This is when you settle into the ride, take in the limestone cliffs, and get a feel for how lively the boat is in open water.

Smuggler’s Cave, Comino’s Window, and Elephant Rock

The first sightseeing section includes Smuggler’s Cave, also called Ghar Ic-Comb in the schedule. You have about five minutes for a visit and photographs. The attraction is less about spending time ashore and more about seeing the cave from the water, where the pale rock and dark opening contrast with the sea.

The skipper then points out Comino’s Window and Elephant Rock. These are short photo stops, each listed at around five minutes. Comino’s Window is a natural opening in the limestone, while Elephant Rock is one of the island’s memorable coastal shapes.

Do not expect a long walking tour at these locations. Their value comes from the boat’s angle and access. You can photograph formations that are difficult to appreciate from inland paths, and the skipper can guide the boat close enough for a better view. The short timing also helps preserve the main purpose of the outing: swimming.

Crystal Lagoon gives you a quieter first swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first substantial stop, with about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and marine-life viewing. I consider this one of the most useful parts of the trip because it gives you time in the water before the busiest and most famous stop.

The lagoon is framed by rock and caves, and its clear water is suited to a quick snorkel. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, though bringing your own mask is sensible if you care about fit. The tour also has a swimming ladder and freshwater shower, which make repeated swims easier.

The 30-minute break is enough for a focused swim but not a leisurely beach session. You will want to change or apply sunscreen before boarding, since the boat soon moves on. One practical tip: keep your towel and dry clothing in a small waterproof bag. Towels are not supplied, and the deck may be wet from swimmers climbing aboard.

Several people specifically preferred Crystal Lagoon to the Blue Lagoon because it felt less crowded. That comparison depends on the date and time, but it explains why this stop can be a highlight. The famous lagoon attracts the attention, while Crystal Lagoon often offers the calmer water experience.

The Blue Lagoon earns the longest stop

The boat spends about 75 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, making it the centerpiece of the tour. This is enough time to swim, snorkel, take photographs, sit under the sunshade, and enjoy the setting without having to rush straight back aboard.

The water is famous for its strong turquoise color and sandy seabed. On a clear day, this is the postcard moment of the trip. It is also the place where you should expect the most activity. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known attractions, so the quiet, private-bay feeling found at Crystal Lagoon may not be repeated here.

That longer stop makes the tour more than a quick photo cruise. You can actually get into the water and stay there for a while. Non-swimmers should take the activity’s restrictions seriously, however. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should not rely on the boat’s flotation equipment as a replacement for swimming ability.

The captain may provide floats or life vests, as one skipper did for two passengers who were worried about swimming. Still, the official guidance says the activity is unsuitable for non-swimmers. If you are comfortable only in shallow water, ask the operator about conditions before booking rather than assuming the lagoon will make the outing easy.

Gozo’s Mgarr ix-Xini brings a calmer finish

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat cruises toward Gozo and the bay of Mgarr ix-Xini. The ride takes about 15 minutes, followed by roughly 30 minutes at the bay.

Mgarr ix-Xini feels like a useful change of pace. Instead of another famous lagoon, you get a more sheltered setting surrounded by rocky cliffs and greenery. You can swim or snorkel in calmer water, spend time ashore, or buy a drink and snack at the café.

This stop is particularly helpful if you want a short break from constant swimming. You can stretch your legs, dry off, and enjoy a drink before the final cruise. The timing is still limited, so do not plan on a full meal or a long exploration of Gozo.

The final return to Qawra takes about 30 minutes. By then, you will have spent much of the morning or afternoon in the sun, so keep drinking water and use the shade when available. The sound system may add a relaxed, social mood on the ride back, depending on the skipper and group.

What $53 buys you

At $53 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Blue Lagoon. Large boats can sometimes offer a lower price per person, and they may carry far more people. The comparison is not quite like for like, though.

Here, the price includes a four-hour trip on a licensed Nireus CL620 motorboat, snorkeling equipment, the skipper, multiple coastal sightseeing stops, three swimming opportunities, a freshwater shower, toilet, sunshade, and swimming ladder. You also get access to smaller caves and rock formations that a large vessel may not be able to reach.

I see the value in the smaller group rather than in the onboard extras alone. If you dislike being herded from one stop to another, the reduced capacity is worth paying for. A small boat also makes it easier for the skipper to take photographs, answer questions, point out photo spots, and adjust the feel of the trip to the group.

The value is weaker if your priority is a full beach day. You do not get food, drinks, towels, or sunscreen, and the stops are timed. Bring water and snacks, or plan to buy something at Mgarr ix-Xini. A towel is essential after three water stops.

The tour information describes the group as limited to 10 people, while another description gives a maximum of 11. Confirm the final capacity when booking if the group size is a deciding factor.

Who will enjoy this Malta boat trip most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a compact introduction to Malta, Comino, and Gozo from the water. It works well for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who prefer swimming and scenery over a formal cultural tour.

It is also a good choice if you want several different settings in one outing. You see caves, rock formations, two lagoons, and a Gozo bay rather than spending all four hours in one location.

The tour is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people over 95, non-swimmers, or anyone prone to seasickness. Children over six may enjoy the speed and swimming, but parents should be comfortable with the open-water setting and the boat’s movement.

You should also choose another activity if you want a slow cruise with little motion. This is a fast motorboat, not a floating lounge. The speed is part of the fun, but it can make the crossings choppy.

Practical packing advice for the four-hour outing

Pack lightly, but do not arrive unprepared. You should bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A reusable bottle of water
• Snacks, since food is not included
• A camera or phone in a waterproof pouch
• Dry clothes if you dislike staying damp on the ride back

Wear something that stays secure in wind and keep loose items tucked away. The boat has a sunshade, but you will still spend plenty of time in direct sun around the lagoons.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is conducted in English, and the skipper provides guidance about the stops and the boat.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability before building the rest of your day around the tour.

Should you book this boat tour?

Book it if you want a small, lively boat, strong swimming stops, and access to coastal places larger vessels cannot reach. The Blue Lagoon is the headline, but Crystal Lagoon and Mgarr ix-Xini help make the route feel varied rather than repetitive.

The $53 cost is reasonable for the group size and equipment, especially if you value personal attention. I would choose it over a large boat when the difference in price fits your budget.

Skip it if you are prone to seasickness, cannot swim, need a full beach day, or prefer a slow and quiet cruise. For everyone else, this is a well-packed way to see Malta’s northern coast, Comino, and a small slice of Gozo in four hours.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Qawra Slip Way in St Paul’s Bay. Search for QAWRA SLIP WAY on Google Maps to find the pickup and drop-off point.

How do I reach the Qawra jetty on foot?

Take the stairs beside Lungomare gelateria and walk toward the sea. The jetty and boat are located at the waterfront.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours, including the cruises, sightseeing stops, swimming breaks, and the return to Qawra.

What swimming stops are included?

The tour stops at Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, and Mgarr ix-Xini in Gozo. Crystal Lagoon and Mgarr ix-Xini each have about 30 minutes, while the Blue Lagoon has about 75 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a swimming ladder and freshwater shower.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring snacks and water, and a café is available at Mgarr ix-Xini for drinks and snacks.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided, so bring your own towel along with swimwear and sunscreen.

Is the boat suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people prone to seasickness, or people over 95.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.