Malta: Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon Cruise – swim & sightsee

Clear water, caves, and a pineapple cocktail. This $28 Hornblower cruise packs Malta, Comino, and Gozo into one lively seven-hour day at sea. I like the 1.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop, which gives you real time to swim and use the 10-meter slide, and I like the friendly family-run crew, especially Captain Kevin’s commentary and music. The main catch is that top-deck chairs fill very early, while the three-hour Gozo stop can feel rushed if you want a proper meal and a close look at Victoria.

This is not a quiet yacht trip. It is a cheerful, social boat day with swimming ladders, deck chairs, shade, a snack bar, and plenty of optional spending. You can stay aboard, head onto Comino, take the €15 speedboat into smaller caves, or pay €5 for the Gozo shuttle. The tour works best if you decide in advance how much time you want in the water and how much you want to see on land.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon gets a full 1.5 hours: Swim from the boat, use the slide, snorkel, or walk ashore to the beach.
• Captain Kevin sets the tone: Expect live commentary, local stories, a lively playlist, and the famous pineapple cocktails.
• Gozo is included, but Victoria needs the €5 shuttle: The bus saves time and takes you toward the Citadel and the island capital.
• Top-deck seating is first come, first served: Boarding opens at 8:30 AM, and early arrival matters if you want a sunbed.
• The €28 fare covers a lot: You get the cruise, sightseeing, cave views, swimming access, and Gozo time, but food, drinks, rentals, and optional rides cost extra.
• The boat suits active families and social groups: It is less appealing if you want silence, a small boat, or a slow independent visit around Gozo.

What this Malta cruise is really like

The Hornblower cruise begins at the company’s large white-and-blue boat, marked with Hornblower in red. The vessel is built for a full day on the water rather than a short harbor ride, with upper and main decks, shaded areas, toilets, a snack bar, ladders into the sea, and limited deck chairs.

The mood is informal and upbeat. Captain Kevin and the crew keep up a stream of commentary while music plays across the deck. Several people particularly enjoyed the playlist and the crew’s easy manner, while the pineapple cocktails have become part of the boat’s character. You can order alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions, along with food, soft drinks, ice cream, and other refreshments.

I would not book this expecting a refined sailing experience. Seating can feel tight, especially upstairs, and one person complained about an unpleasant smell on the top deck. Another found the toilets and general boat appearance below expectations. Still, the strong point is value: for $28, you get a long cruise, several scenic passages, a proper swim stop, and time on Gozo.

Start early for the best place on deck

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. Boarding opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 9:45 AM, so you should aim to arrive 45 minutes to an hour early. This is not just cautious advice about missing the boat. It also gives you the best chance of finding an upper-deck chair or sunbed.

The upper deck fills quickly, sometimes soon after boarding begins. If you want a chair for the day, arriving around 8:30 AM is the safest plan. You can still enjoy the trip from the main deck, where shaded seating is available, but the best spots are limited and cannot be reserved.

Allow extra time to reach the departure point. Malta traffic can be heavy in peak season, and parking close to the boat is limited. There are no refunds for a late arrival or missed departure, and the boat does not wait for stragglers.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash. You will need cash for the €5 Gozo shuttle, the €15 speedboat ride, mask and snorkel rental, lockers, and any other purchases. Towels and swimwear are not supplied.

Malta’s northern coast sets up the day

Once the boat leaves, the first part of the trip is a scenic run along Malta’s northern coast. You pass dramatic cliffs, coves, and unusual rock formations, with Captain Kevin pointing out the sights and adding local stories.

The route includes St. Paul’s Islands and the statue connected with the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck in 60 A.D. This is a useful introduction to Malta’s long connection with the sea, and the live commentary gives the cruise more purpose than simply moving from one swimming stop to another.

The boat then approaches the Ahrax and Santa Maria caves. The captain brings the vessel close enough for photographs, so keep your camera ready rather than putting it away between stops. These are short viewing pauses, not extended cave visits, but seeing the openings from the water is one of the pleasures of taking a boat instead of relying only on roads and walking paths.

Comino brings caves, bays, and the first big photo stops

The route continues through Comino’s north channel. You pass Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, and St. Nicholas Bay, with time for photographs and short views from the deck.

Comino is best understood from the water. Its coastline is full of pale rock, narrow inlets, and sea caves that are difficult to appreciate from land. The boat’s route lets you see several of these features without spending your day hiking from cove to cove.

An optional speedboat ride costs €15 and takes you farther into the smaller Comino caves. It is separate from the main cruise, subject to availability, and paid locally. People who took it especially liked the close-up cave views, but the ride can be bumpy because the smaller boat moves quickly over the water. If you have a health condition that makes rough movement difficult, skip this extra.

The Blue Lagoon is the main event

The boat’s 1.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon is the heart of the day. Rather than simply dropping you at a crowded beach, the Hornblower moors in a quieter area and lets you use the boat as your base.

You can enter the clear turquoise water from the swimming ladders, jump from the boat, or use the 10-meter slide. The slide is a favorite with children and adults, and it gives the stop a playful edge that a standard sightseeing boat lacks. Buoyancy aids are available for a deposit, which helps less confident swimmers enjoy the water.

You can also snorkel from the boat. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or rent a set for €5 with a €15 deposit, with €10 returned. Several people used the clear water to look for fish and sea life, so a waterproof camera or GoPro is useful if you have one.

If you prefer not to jump or slide, you can stay on deck, swim in through the ladders, or go ashore to the beach and island paths. The boat has toilets, lockers, and a snack bar, though lockers are limited and cost €2 with a €10 deposit, of which €8 is returned.

The main limitation is time. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you change, order a drink, take photos, and swim. If the Blue Lagoon is your priority, avoid spending too long shopping or waiting for optional activities. You may also choose to remain near Comino instead of taking the Gozo portion, depending on the day’s arrangements and your preference.

Gozo offers a useful but brisk change of pace

After Comino, the boat continues to Gozo, where you get around three hours of free time. This is enough for a taste of the island, but you will need to plan. Gozo is too large to explore fully in that window, especially if you want lunch, shopping, and a detailed visit to Victoria.

The optional shuttle costs €5 in cash. I think it is worthwhile for most people because it saves time and takes you toward Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The ride also includes a photo stop at Qala Belvedere, a viewpoint with broad views across the island and surrounding sea.

Without the shuttle, you can remain around Mgarr Harbour or make your own arrangements. That gives you more independence, but local transport may take more time, leaving less for sightseeing. The shuttle is the practical choice if your main goal is the Citadel and a quick look at the capital.

Victoria’s Citadel is the main cultural stop. You can walk through the historic fortifications, visit the area around the old center, browse shops, and look across Gozo from the high position. The planned Victoria portion lasts about 1.5 hours, which is enough to see the Citadel and get your bearings, but not enough for a slow meal and extensive browsing.

This is where the tour’s central tradeoff becomes clear. Gozo adds variety and gives you a glimpse of island life away from the water, but several people preferred spending longer at the Blue Lagoon. If you have already planned a separate Gozo visit, staying with Comino and swimming may be more satisfying. If you are short on time in Malta and want to see both islands in one day, the Gozo stop is valuable despite its brisk pace.

The return route saves more scenery for the end

Back aboard, the cruise passes Mgarr Harbour and returns through Comino’s south channel. The route includes the Crystal Lagoon, more sea caves, and St. Mary’s Tower.

The Crystal Lagoon is a photo stop rather than another long swimming session, and it is weather permitting. Keep your camera ready as the boat passes. The pale rock, bright water, and cave openings create some of the day’s best pictures, especially from the upper deck.

St. Mary’s Tower provides a final Comino landmark before the boat heads back to Malta. The return trip gives you time to sit with a drink, listen to music, and let the crew handle the sightseeing. After a swim, a shuttle ride, and several hours in the sun, the relaxed cruise home is welcome.

Food, drinks, and optional costs

The low ticket price is one of the tour’s strongest features, but you should budget for extras. Lunch and drinks are not included, though the onboard snack bar sells food, cocktails, soft drinks, and ice cream. Several people found the prices reasonable and liked the quality of the food.

The pineapple cocktail is the signature order. You can choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic version, and the presentation makes it a fun holiday treat rather than just another drink from a bar.

Your possible extra costs include:

• €5 for the optional Gozo shuttle
• €15 for the speedboat ride into smaller caves
• €5 for mask and snorkel rental, plus a €15 deposit
• €2 for a locker, plus a €10 deposit
• A deposit for buoyancy aids
• Food, drinks, and cocktails

The extras can add up for a family, but none are compulsory. You can bring your own snorkel, use the boat’s swimming access without the speedboat, and explore Gozo independently. At the base fare, the cruise remains strong value because it combines transport, sightseeing, and the main Blue Lagoon stop.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups who want a social day with plenty of choices. Children have the slide and swimming access, while adults can enjoy the views, drinks, music, and easy sightseeing. You do not need to organize separate transport to Comino and Gozo.

It is also a good fit if you want to see a lot in one day. You get Malta’s northern coast, Comino’s bays and caves, the Blue Lagoon, Gozo, Victoria, Qala Belvedere, the Crystal Lagoon, and St. Mary’s Tower without changing hotels or planning several connections.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, loud music, limited seating, or a fixed schedule. The upper deck can fill fast, and the boat is not designed for solitude. You should also think twice if your main goal is a long, unhurried day in Gozo, because three hours, including transport, is only enough for a quick visit.

The cruise has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Still, the practical details matter more than the booking flexibility: check your boarding time, arrive early, and bring cash.

Should you book the Hornblower cruise?

Book it if you want excellent value and a full day of sea views, swimming, and island sightseeing. The Blue Lagoon stop is long enough to feel worthwhile, the slide adds real fun, and Captain Kevin’s commentary and music give the trip a friendly character.

Choose the €5 shuttle if Victoria and the Citadel matter to you. Choose the €15 speedboat if cave views are a priority. But if you have already seen Gozo or would rather spend every available minute in clear water, use the Gozo time as your chance to stay closer to Comino.

Arrive early, claim your preferred seat, pack a towel and sunscreen, and treat the $28 fare as the starting price rather than the whole day’s budget. With those expectations, this is an easy, good-value way to see Malta’s northern islands.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. Boarding opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 9:45 AM.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Hornblower Cruises Malta. Look for the large white-and-blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

How much time do you get at the Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled swimming and snorkeling stop at the Blue Lagoon lasts 1.5 hours.

Can you use the waterslide more than once?

Yes. The 10-meter waterslide, swimming ladders, and sea access are available for unlimited use during the stop, at your own risk.

Is the Gozo shuttle included?

No. The optional shuttle costs €5 and is paid in cash. It takes you toward Victoria and includes a photo stop at Qala Belvedere.

Does the tour include lunch and drinks?

No. Food, drinks, ice cream, and cocktails are available to purchase at the onboard snack bar.

Can you rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5, with a €15 deposit. €10 of the deposit is refunded.

Is the speedboat cave ride included?

No. The optional speedboat ride costs €15 in cash and is subject to availability.