Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The turquoise water is the star here, but the best part is the way this trip combines Gozo and Comino in one day without putting you on a giant party boat. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Crystal Lagoon, and the Santa Maria caves, then swim from the boat near the Blue Lagoon.

I like the friendly, hands-on crew, especially Captain Owen, and the smaller boat, which many passengers found more comfortable than the larger vessels nearby. I also like the value: at $53 per person, you get transport to Victoria, a full coastal cruise, a swimming stop, onboard facilities, and access to snorkeling equipment with a deposit.

The main catch is time. Gozo gets about two hours, including transport to Victoria, and the Blue Lagoon stop lasts 1.5 hours. That is enough for a taste of both islands, but not enough for a relaxed Gozo sightseeing day.

Key points to know before boarding

• Boarding closes at 10 AM: The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty, and arriving after the cutoff may mean missing the trip.
• Captain Owen and a personable crew: The staff are known for clear safety instructions, friendly service, and practical help throughout the day.
• A smaller boat with useful facilities: You get a toilet, outdoor shower, sundeck, bar, snacks, and a platform for entering the sea.
• Victoria is a short stop: Transport to Gozo’s capital is included, but your free time is limited, so choose sightseeing or shopping before you arrive.
• The Blue Lagoon requires planning: To get off the boat, you need a free QR code for the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot.
• Cash matters: Only cash is accepted onboard, and food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

What the $53 price really gets you

At $53, this is a fairly priced way to see Malta’s northern islands from the water. You are not paying only for a short harbor cruise. The day includes the boat trip from Bugibba, the coastal views, a Gozo stop, transport to Victoria, a Blue Lagoon visit, the return cruise, and views of the Santa Maria caves.

The value is strongest if you want variety. In one outing, you get sightseeing, a town visit, swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and sea caves. Booking separate trips for Gozo and Comino would give you more time at each place, but would cost more and require more planning.

Food and drinks cost extra, though onboard prices have been described as reasonable. Bring cash for snacks, drinks, and anything else you may want during the six-and-a-half-hour day. You cannot bring food, drinks, a cooler, luggage, or large bags onto the boat, so pack lightly.

Snorkeling equipment is available with a €10 deposit. You should still bring your own mask if you prefer a better fit, but the included arrangement is useful for a casual swim.

Bugibba Jetty and the first hour at sea

The meeting point is Dawret il-Gzejjer at Bugibba Jetty in San Pawl il-Baħar. Look for the Seahorse Cruises vessel, described as the only sailing boat at the meeting point. Boarding closes at 10 AM, even though the tour begins at 10:30 AM, so do not treat 10 AM as an approximate arrival time.

The opening cruise gives you a useful introduction to Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove Cave before reaching the Gozo area. The boat provides live commentary in English and Italian, so you get some explanation while the coast moves past rather than simply sitting on the water.

This early stretch is also a good time to settle into the boat. Find your preferred spot on the sundeck, check where the toilet and shower are, and listen to the safety instructions. One passenger specifically appreciated the captain’s careful health and safety briefing, which is reassuring when the trip includes swimming from the vessel.

The boat has a diving platform, though I would think of it mainly as a convenient way to enter the water. The shower near the side ladder is handy after swimming, and the toilet means you do not have to wait for the next port.

Crystal Lagoon and the northern island views

Crystal Lagoon is a short stop of about 10 minutes, mainly for photographs and scenery. Do not expect a long swim here. Its value is the view from the boat, especially if you want photographs of the clear water and rocky coast without giving up time in Gozo or at the Blue Lagoon.

The cruise format gives you a better sense of Malta’s coast than a land-based day trip. You see coves and rock formations that are difficult to reach by road, and you avoid spending the morning changing buses or searching for parking. Keep your camera ready, since the boat continues moving and the best angle may last only a moment.

The route can change because of weather, tides, or other operating conditions. That is normal for a boat trip, but it is worth remembering if you have your heart set on one exact cave or swimming spot.

Gozo and Victoria: a useful taste, not a full island tour

Gozo is the first main stop. When the boat arrives, staff direct you to a shuttle bus for Victoria, Gozo’s capital. Transport to Victoria is included, which saves you the trouble of arranging your own connection from the landing point.

Victoria gives you a compact introduction to Gozo. You can take photographs, see historic sights, walk around the town, and browse the market for souvenirs such as fridge magnets and other small items. It is a good stop for first-time visitors who want to say they have seen Gozo without devoting a full day to the island.

The weakness is the schedule. You have about two hours listed for the Victoria stop, but some of that time is taken by the shuttle transfer. In practice, you should expect a quick visit rather than an unhurried exploration. One passenger wanted more time in Victoria, and another felt there was not enough time to eat and sightsee.

My advice is to decide before arrival what matters most. If you want photographs and a short walk, Victoria works well. If shopping is your priority, head directly to the market. If you want a proper meal, the clock may feel tight, especially since the boat returns to Bugibba at about 5 PM.

You will not get a full picture of Gozo’s countryside or smaller towns on this trip. For that, choose a dedicated Gozo tour. Here, Gozo is one part of a wider sea day, and that tradeoff is clear.

The Blue Lagoon: swimming from the boat

The afternoon brings the main event for many people: about 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon on Comino. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the boat anchors away from the most crowded area. That position can make the stop feel calmer, especially if you stay near the boat rather than heading toward the shore.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or remain onboard. The diving platform makes entering the sea easy for confident swimmers, while the nearby ladder and shower simplify getting back aboard. If you would rather not swim, the sundeck still gives you a good place to enjoy the water and the rocky surroundings.

There is an important rule here. If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must arrange a free QR code and book the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot. The QR code requirement began under Maltese regulations on May 1, 2025. Check your ticket details before departure, since arriving without the code could limit your options at the lagoon.

The boat’s location is a real advantage, but do not expect an empty Blue Lagoon. Comino is one of Malta’s most popular stops, and the shore area can be crowded. The quieter choice is to stay with the boat, swim from the platform, and use the vessel as your base.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. The sun can feel strong on the open deck, and the water stop is a poor place to discover that you forgot protection for your skin or feet.

Santa Maria caves and the return to Bugibba

On the way back, the boat enters the Santa Maria caves for a short sightseeing stop of about 10 minutes. This is a photo opportunity and a chance to see the cave openings from close range. The route also includes the Elephant’s Head, a striking rock shape named for its outline.

Some passengers have paid extra onboard for a speedboat trip through the caves. That option is not part of the stated $53 price, so ask the crew about the cost before agreeing. It may appeal to you if you want a closer, faster look at the cave formations, but you do not need it to enjoy the main cruise.

The return ride takes about an hour. After swimming and walking around Victoria, you may be ready for a quiet seat, a drink, or a snack from the onboard service. The boat is scheduled to return to Bugibba Jetty at 5 PM, though the captain can alter the route or timing when conditions require it.

The boat, crew, and overall feel

The boat is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. It is smaller than many of the large excursion boats operating around Comino, but it still has the facilities you need for a full day at sea. You get a sundeck, toilet, outdoor shower, swimming platform, and food and drink service.

The smaller setting does not mean a private cruise. Capacity can vary, and one passenger found the boat busier on the return journey when additional groups came aboard. Still, the general feel is more personal than a large party vessel.

Captain Owen receives repeated praise for his manner with passengers. He welcomes people individually, gives safety instructions, and stays involved in the day rather than disappearing into the wheelhouse. The crew are described as attentive, friendly, and easy to approach.

The onboard commentary is in English and Italian. It is useful for basic orientation and safety, though you should not expect a detailed guided tour of every historic sight in Victoria. Gozo is largely self-guided once you reach town, so you are responsible for managing your short free time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want to cover several of Malta’s best-known coastal sights in one day. It suits couples, families, and mixed-age groups because you can choose between swimming, sightseeing, shopping, relaxing, and staying onboard.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want both Gozo and Comino in one outing.
• You prefer a smaller boat to a large party vessel.
• You enjoy swimming directly from a boat.
• You want onboard food, drinks, a toilet, and a shower.
• You are comfortable with a quick visit to Victoria.
• You want a simple day with transport and stops arranged for you.

I would choose another option if Gozo is your main goal. Two hours, including the shuttle to Victoria, is not enough for a careful visit to the island. A dedicated Gozo tour would give you more time for the capital, villages, viewpoints, and countryside.

This trip is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting on and off the boat, using the shuttle, and entering the water by ladder or platform can be difficult.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Arrive early at Bugibba Jetty. Boarding closes at 10 AM, so plan to be at the meeting point before then. Bring only what you need because large bags, luggage, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.

Pack:

• Comfortable shoes
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• A phone or camera
• Your Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to leave the boat there

Only cash is accepted onboard, and lunch is not included. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but you should not assume that card payment is possible.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather, tides, and other conditions can lead the captain or operator to change the route, start point, or end point, so keep some flexibility in your plans.

Should you book Seahorse Cruises?

Book this cruise if you want an easy, good-value sea day with a friendly crew, a comfortable smaller boat, a Blue Lagoon swim, and a short taste of Gozo. The combination is the real strength. You get plenty of variety without arranging separate transport between Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

Do not book it expecting a full Gozo visit or a quiet, empty Blue Lagoon. The schedule is busy, and both major stops come with time limits. For most people, though, $53 is a sensible price for a well-organized day that includes some of Malta’s most memorable coastal scenery.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises.

What time does boarding close?

Boarding closes at 10 AM. The tour begins at 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding cutoff.

How long is the cruise?

The complete experience lasts about 6.5 hours, with a scheduled return to Bugibba Jetty at 5 PM.

Is transport to Victoria included?

Yes. Transport to Victoria, the capital of Gozo, is included in the activity.

How much time is available in Victoria?

The Gozo stop is listed as about two hours, including the visit to Victoria and related transport. Free time is self-guided.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or remain onboard.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The required booking time is 13:30 to 17:30.

What is included onboard?

The cruise includes live commentary in English and Italian, a toilet, shower, sundeck, swimming platform, transport to Victoria, and snorkeling equipment with a €10 deposit. Food and drinks cost extra.