St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

The clearest highlight is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, where you get an hour to swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk ashore. I like the easy mix of boat time and land visits, plus the smaller vessel can enter sea caves that larger boats may have to admire from outside. The fare is also a strong point: $40 covers seven hours, a Gozo bus transfer, commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, and several scenic stops.

The trade-off is time. Two hours in Victoria can feel tight, and the 30-minute stop at St. Paul’s Island is brief. The Blue Lagoon can also be very crowded in summer, and swimming and cave visits depend on sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• One boat links three Maltese highlights: Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island all fit into one day.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts one hour: Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and cash for any extras.
• Victoria gets two hours: You can visit the Cittadella, browse markets, or eat at a local restaurant, but you will need to choose.
• The smaller boat can enter caves: Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves may be included when weather and sea conditions permit.
• Captain Matthew and the crew keep the day moving: English commentary helps explain the route and timing.
• The $40 price includes useful basics: Food, drinks, and snorkel hire cost extra, but the main transport and stops are covered.

A full day from Bugibba to three islands

This is a sightseeing day built around the sea. You leave Bugibba Jetty by boat, reach Comino first, transfer to a bus at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, then return to the water for St. Paul’s Island and the ride back to Bugibba.

Boarding starts at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat leaves at 10 am sharp, so this is not the morning to arrive casually. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat at the jetty.

The tour ends back at Bugibba at about 5 pm. That gives you a useful full-day outing without requiring separate ferry bookings or local transport planning. You are not getting a slow, in-depth tour of each island. You are getting a well-packed first look at several of Malta’s best-known coastal sights.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, and live commentary is provided in English. Those details matter on a seven-hour trip. You can stay on board between stops, listen to the route information, and avoid having to find facilities every time the boat moves.

Coastal views on the way to Comino

The opening cruise heads north past Mellieha and along Malta’s coastline. This is one of the better parts of the day for simply sitting back and looking out over the water.

The route gives you a broad view of the Maltese archipelago before the first stop. Keep your camera ready as the boat approaches Comino, but remember that the most useful items are practical ones: a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel.

You can buy food and drinks on board, but they are not included. I would bring some cash even if you plan to purchase lunch later in Victoria. Cash is also needed if you rent snorkel equipment, which requires a €10 security deposit.

One hour at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the tour’s main swimming stop. You get one hour to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around Comino before the boat continues to Gozo.

The water is famous for its clear appearance, and this is the place to use your towel and swimwear. You can enter the water from the boat, making the stop feel more like a proper sea outing than a standard harbor cruise. If you would rather stay dry, you can remain on board or explore the island on foot.

There is a practical catch. The Blue Lagoon is popular, especially in summer, and the area may feel crowded. That is not something this particular boat controls. The hour is long enough for a good swim, but not long enough for a relaxed half-day at the lagoon.

You must also sign up through the Maltese Government website for a free entry ticket to access Comino. Handle this before the morning of the trip. The tour information makes clear that the ticket is free to obtain, but access still requires that step.

Snorkel equipment is available to rent, though it is not included. If you already own a mask and snorkel, bring them. If not, ask about rental arrangements and carry the €10 deposit in cash.

Gozo by bus, with two hours in Victoria

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. From there, you board a bus directly to Victoria, Gozo’s capital.

The bus transfer saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi or local connection, and it keeps the schedule simple. Once in Victoria, you have about two hours to decide how to spend your time.

The best use of that time is likely the Cittadella, the fortified old center above Victoria. It is the most important historical stop offered on the land portion, and it gives you a stronger sense of Gozo than a quick market visit alone.

You can also browse the Victoria markets or stop at a Gozitan restaurant. The choice is yours, but two hours goes quickly. If you want to see the Cittadella and eat, keep an eye on the clock. A leisurely meal, shopping, and sightseeing all together may be too much.

Some people find the Gozo portion too short, and I think that is the main weakness of the schedule. An extra 30 to 45 minutes would make Victoria feel less rushed. Still, the bus transfer and focused stop are useful if your Malta holiday does not include a separate Gozo day.

The tour may offer a private bus option for the Gozo portion. The supplied details describe this as something worth considering, but they do not give a separate price or guarantee its availability. Ask before departure if that matters to you.

Entering Malta’s sea caves

Back at Mgarr Harbour, you return to the boat and continue along the coast. This section adds something that is easy to miss on a standard island transfer: the boat can enter caves when the sea allows.

The exact cave visit is weather-dependent. You might enter Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s Caves, depending on conditions. The smaller boat is useful here because it can get into spaces that may not suit a larger vessel.

This is not a guaranteed cave expedition. The captain can change the route or cancel parts of the trip for safety. Treat the caves as a valuable bonus rather than the one reason to book.

The ride also gives you another look at Gozo and Comino from the water. That perspective helps connect the islands into one place rather than making them feel like separate stops on a checklist.

A short stop at St. Paul’s Island

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, where you have about 30 minutes. You can take one last swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul.

Half an hour is enough for a quick look and a refreshing swim, but not for a long walk or a leisurely visit. If you have already spent the day in the water, this stop works well as a final break before the return cruise. If you prefer historic sights to swimming, head toward the statue as soon as you arrive.

The island is described as secluded, which gives this stop a different feel from the crowded Blue Lagoon. Still, do not expect a long, quiet afternoon there. The boat needs to return to Bugibba, and the schedule allows only a short pause.

What the $40 fare really covers

At $40 per person, this is good value if you want transport between multiple islands without organizing each leg yourself. You get the boat journey, the one-hour Comino stop, the Gozo bus transfer, two hours in Victoria, the St. Paul’s Island stop, English commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, and cave access when conditions permit.

That price is especially useful for a first Malta visit. Booking separate transport to Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island could take more planning, while this trip connects them in a single day.

The low fare does not mean every expense is covered. Food and drinks cost extra. Snorkel hire costs extra and requires a €10 cash deposit. You should also plan to pay for any meal in Victoria yourself.

The value depends on your expectations. If you want a relaxed beach day, the schedule moves too often. If you want a detailed tour of Gozo, two hours in Victoria will not be enough. If you want to see several headline sights and keep your costs down, the arrangement makes good sense.

Timing, comfort, and the small-boat difference

This is a seven-hour outing, so comfort matters. Toilets on board are useful, especially with the time spent between Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Wi-Fi is included, though the most important comfort feature is having a place to sit between stops.

The smaller boat is one of the better details of the experience. It can feel less packed than a larger cruise vessel, and it is better suited to entering coastal caves. The trade-off is that a small boat may still feel busy when the tour is near capacity, particularly during the popular summer period.

You should be comfortable with stairs, boat boarding, and getting in and out at the stops. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Swimming is optional, but the day is clearly designed for people who can manage a boat-based outing and short walks ashore.

Wear a sun hat and apply sunscreen before boarding. Bring swimwear, a towel, and cash. These are not minor extras in Malta’s bright, open conditions. The boat offers shade or seating details are not specified, so pack for a day exposed to sun and sea air.

Weather can change the plan

The captain may alter or cancel the trip according to weather conditions. Cave entry is also dependent on the sea, so the route is not fixed in every detail.

That flexibility is sensible for a boat tour, but it means you should not book this as a guaranteed visit to every cave. Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island are the planned stops, while the exact cave section can change.

The schedule is also active rather than leisurely. You swim at Comino, transfer to a bus, walk around Victoria, return to the boat, possibly enter caves, and stop again at St. Paul’s Island. It is rewarding, but it can be tiring. Build in a quiet evening afterward.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Malta for the first time and want to cover several major sights in one day. It suits couples, families, and independent visitors who prefer a ready-made route over several separate bookings.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants a balance of water and history. You get swimming and coastal scenery, but also the Cittadella, Victoria’s markets, and the statue at St. Paul’s Island.

You may want another plan if your priority is a long swim at Comino, a full day on Gozo, or a slow meal in Victoria. People with mobility limitations should also look elsewhere because the activity is not suitable for them.

English is the only listed tour language. If you are comfortable following live commentary in English, Captain Matthew and the crew help explain the day and keep the transfers organized.

Should you book this Malta boat and bus tour?

Book it if you value variety, simple transport, and a low price more than long visits at each stop. The Blue Lagoon swim, Victoria visit, cave entry, and St. Paul’s Island stop create a full picture of Malta’s northern islands in one day.

Skip it if you want a calm beach outing or detailed time in Gozo. The strongest plan is to arrive early at Bugibba, secure your Comino entry ticket in advance, bring cash and swim gear, and decide before arrival whether the Cittadella, markets, or lunch matters most to you.

At $40, this is a practical introduction to the islands. It will not replace a dedicated Gozo day, but it can show you exactly which places deserve more time on a return visit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat departs at 10 am sharp.

How long do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking around the island.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase but are not included in the tour price.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, but it is not included. Rental requires a €10 security deposit in cash.

Is the Comino entry ticket included?

You must sign up through the Maltese Government website for a free entry ticket to access Comino.