Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Caves Tour

The best part of this seven-hour island cruise is how much Malta scenery you can cover in one day. You leave St. Paul’s Bay, pass sea caves and beaches, swim at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, then continue to Gozo. It is a busy day, but the route gives you a useful first look at Malta’s northern islands.

I like the early Blue Lagoon stop, when the boat aims to arrive before many other cruises. I also like the low price, about $36.28 per person, which includes the boat, cave views, time to swim, and use of the onboard slide. The main catch is time: you get a taste of Gozo, not a full island visit.

Arrive early if you want a top-deck lounger. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and popular seats go fast. Bring cash for the optional €5 Gozo shuttle and €15 speedboat ride, plus a towel, sunscreen, and a light layer for the breezy return trip.

Quick points before you book

• Blue Lagoon comes first: You get about 90 minutes at Comino for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking ashore.
• The boat is your base: Use its toilets, cafeteria, shaded seating, lockers, air-conditioned lower deck, and slide during the lagoon stop.
• Gozo is flexible but brief: You have about three hours around Mġarr Harbour, including transfer time, with an optional shuttle to Victoria.
• The €5 shuttle saves time: It includes about 90 minutes in Victoria and a short stop at a scenic viewpoint.
• Caves are part of the cruise: The route passes Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, Crystal Lagoon, and other rocky formations.
• Crowds affect comfort: Top-deck loungers are first come, first served, and the boat may feel packed in high season.

What this Malta boat tour really offers

This is an inexpensive full-day outing built around water views rather than a deep visit to any one place. You spend much of the day on the boat, with stops at Comino and Gozo. That makes it a good fit if you want an easy overview and a swim without arranging several separate trips.

The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay at 10:00 a.m. You make your own way there, so allow extra time if you are staying around Valletta. One person reported that the public bus from Valletta took a little over an hour, while a Bolt ride would be quicker but more expensive.

The advertised return is around 5:00 p.m. The full day includes sailing time, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Gozo visit, and the return route toward Malta. Keep your schedule clear, since this is not a short morning cruise.

Sailing past St. Paul’s Bay and Malta’s north coast

The opening stretch gives you a useful introduction to Malta from the water. The boat passes St. Paul’s Island, linked by tradition to the apostle’s shipwreck in 60 A.D. An 8.3-meter statue of St. Paul marks the island and makes a good early photo subject.

You also pass Malta’s largest sandy beach, Ghadira Bay, commonly called Mellieha Beach. The boat then heads toward Ahrax Cave and other coastal formations. The crew points out the sights as you go, so you get more than a silent transfer to Comino.

This part of the trip is scenic, but remember that you are viewing the coast from a moving boat. If you want the best photos, stay alert and keep your camera ready. The boat may slow near caves and rock formations, but it does not turn every sight into a long stop.

Comino’s caves and the route to Blue Lagoon

The north channel of Comino brings more rock scenery. You pass the formation known as the Elephant’s Head, then cruise near Santa Maria Cave, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel.

The route also includes Crystal Lagoon, a deeper bay favored by divers. It is close enough to Blue Lagoon to reach on foot in about eight minutes, but this tour’s main swimming stop is Blue Lagoon. The boat route lets you see these bays without arranging separate transport around Comino.

The optional speedboat ride is one way to get closer to the smaller coves and caves. It costs €15 per person and is paid separately. I would choose it only if you are happy to reduce your personal swimming time, since the Blue Lagoon stop is just 90 minutes and the schedule moves quickly.

Blue Lagoon: 90 minutes for swimming and photos

After about an hour of sailing, the boat moors at Blue Lagoon. The operator tries to arrive early, which matters because this famous patch of clear turquoise water becomes crowded later in the day.

You can swim from the boat, walk onto Comino, snorkel, sunbathe, or use the 10-meter slide. The boat remains available as your base, so you can return for shade, a drink, a restroom, or a seat before heading back into the water.

The boat has a top sun deck, free loungers, shaded and sunny seating on the main deck, and an air-conditioned lower deck. Loungers are limited and are claimed on a first-come basis. Arriving early helps, but even an early arrival may not guarantee a private lounger on a busy departure.

The water is the highlight for many people, but 90 minutes disappears quickly. You need to decide what matters most before you arrive. Swimming, snorkeling, walking ashore, using the slide, ordering food, and changing clothes can add up to more time than you have.

If you are not a strong swimmer, ask for a life vest. Life vests are available on request, and the boat provides a safer way to enjoy the water without needing to swim far from the vessel.

Bring your own towel. Towels are not supplied, and the boat does not sell sunscreen, so pack both before you leave Malta. The onboard cafeteria sells hot and cold drinks and food at reasonable prices, but these purchases are not included in the ticket.

You must also download the Blue Lagoon landing pass QR code from www.blcomino.com. This is separate from your cruise booking, so take care of it before the trip.

Gozo from Mġarr Harbour to Victoria

After Comino, the boat continues to Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. You have about three hours on Gozo, although that total includes the time needed for transfers between the port and sightseeing areas.

You can explore independently by local bus or taxi, remain near the harbour, or pay €5 for the organized shuttle. The shuttle is paid on the day and requires cash. It takes you to Victoria, Gozo’s capital, for about 90 minutes, followed by a 15-minute stop at a panoramic viewpoint.

The shuttle is the practical choice if you want to see Victoria without losing much of your Gozo time. A public bus can take about half an hour to reach Victoria, and a taxi costs more. One useful detail: a separate €3 shuttle service may operate from the Gozo bus terminal toward the Citadel, which can save you from walking uphill and climbing stairs.

Victoria gives you time for a short visit, a meal, shopping, or a look around the Citadel area. But you will not see all of Gozo in 90 minutes. If Gozo is your main reason for visiting Malta, book a longer island tour instead.

The optional bus is not a full guided sightseeing tour in the usual sense. It is mainly a transfer with time in Victoria and a viewpoint stop. Some drivers may provide useful information, but you should not depend on a detailed presentation throughout the ride.

Pay attention to the return instructions. The boat runs on a fixed schedule, and being late can cause serious trouble. The crew cannot hold the vessel for passengers who miss the agreed pickup.

The speedboat add-on and the time tradeoff

The €15 speedboat ride is tempting because it brings you close to rocky coves and smaller caves around Comino. It is short, energetic, and gives you a different view from the main boat.

The catch is simple: you cannot comfortably fit every activity into 90 minutes. If you take the speedboat, swim, snorkel, walk ashore, and change before the Gozo departure, your water time may shrink to 10 or 15 minutes.

I would choose the speedboat if you have already seen Blue Lagoon or care most about caves and rock formations. If swimming is your priority, skip the add-on and use the entire stop in the lagoon.

Comfort, food, and seating on the boat

This is a functional excursion boat, not a luxury yacht. It has the facilities you need for a full day at sea, including toilets, a cafeteria, limited lockers, indoor air-conditioned seating, and open decks.

The boat may look older and can feel crowded when close to its maximum capacity. That is the tradeoff for the low price. You pay for a broad route and basic comfort, not quiet space or premium seating.

The crew is often praised for friendly service, coastal commentary, and a relaxed atmosphere. Captain Kevin is associated with the operation, and one particularly positive account highlighted the captain’s music choices and the crew’s explanations of the coastline. Expect a social boat ride rather than a formal lecture.

Food and drinks cost extra. Prices are described as reasonable, with options such as fries and drinks served in hollowed-out pineapples. Bring cash because some extras are cash only, and it is wise not to rely on card payment for every purchase.

A light sweater or hoodie is useful even on a warm day. The upper deck can feel chilly late in the afternoon when the sun is lower and the sea breeze picks up. Wear secure footwear and pack layers that are easy to carry.

Price and practical value at $36.28

At about $36.28 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to combine Malta, Comino, and Gozo in one day. The base price includes the main cruise, coastal sights, the Blue Lagoon stop, boat facilities, and the slide.

Your actual cost may rise if you add the €5 shuttle, €15 speedboat, snorkeling equipment, lockers, food, or drinks. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5 plus a €10 refundable deposit. Lockers cost €2 plus a €10 refundable deposit.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the boat as a swimming platform and want to see both islands without arranging ferries and local transport yourself. The value is weaker if you dislike crowds, need long time ashore, or want an in-depth Gozo visit.

The group limit can reach 232 people. That number explains the low fare and also explains the seating issue. Arrive well before 10:00 a.m., with around 9:30 a.m. being a sensible target, if you want a better chance at a top-deck seat.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to first-time visitors with one free day, families who want a simple plan, couples looking for a swim and a scenic boat ride, and anyone trying to keep costs down. It is also useful for a last-minute booking when the weather is good.

It suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy flexible free time. The Blue Lagoon has facilities nearby, but much of the experience depends on your own choices once the boat moors.

I would be cautious if you have small children who may struggle with uphill walking in Victoria, or if you need a highly structured guided tour. Check the shuttle details carefully, and consider staying around Mġarr Harbour if Victoria sounds too rushed.

The tour operates only in suitable weather. If poor weather cancels it, you can choose another date or request a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while changes or cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

Should you book the Hornblower Malta cruise?

Book it if you want maximum scenery for a modest price and are happy with a full boat, a fixed timetable, and short visits. The Blue Lagoon swim, Comino caves, and the boat ride itself make the day worthwhile, while the Gozo stop gives you a useful first taste of the island.

Skip it if your goal is a slow Gozo tour, a quiet beach day, or long snorkeling sessions. For the best version of this trip, arrive early, bring cash and a towel, download the landing pass, pack a layer, and choose in advance between the speedboat and extra swimming time.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours and returns to the meeting point at about 5:00 p.m.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

The boat stops at Blue Lagoon for about one hour and 30 minutes.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. You can swim from the boat at Blue Lagoon and use the onboard slide. Life vests are available on request.

Are towels included?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase from the onboard cafeteria.

How much does the Gozo shuttle cost?

The optional organized shuttle costs €5 per person and is paid on the day. It includes time in Victoria and a short panoramic viewpoint stop.

How much does the speedboat cave ride cost?

The optional speedboat ride costs €15 per person and is paid separately.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.