St Pauls: Gozo & Comino Islands, Blue Lagoon & Seacaves Tour

The best part of this full-day cruise is the variety packed into seven hours. You get clear water at Comino, two hours to explore Gozo, views of the Santa Maria Caves, and a final swim beside St Paul’s Islands, all from a traditional Maltese schooner.

I like the generous Gozo stop and the easygoing crew. Captain Matthew and the other crew member give you room to choose your own pace, instead of steering every minute of the day. The price is also strong at $34, especially with the boat ride, cave viewing, and several swim stops included.

The main catch is that Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the tour is not a good fit if you are prone to seasickness or have back problems. You must also arrange the free Comino entry ticket yourself before the trip.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat is easy to identify: Look for Mermaid, a red, white, and blue wooden boat at the L-Menqa Jetty.
• Blue Lagoon comes early: You get roughly one to one and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, walking, or jumping from the boat.
• Gozo gets the longest stop: Two hours at Mgarr Harbour gives you time for lunch, shopping, or a trip toward Victoria and the Cittadella.
• The crew keeps things relaxed: Captain Matthew and his crewmate allow free time at each stop rather than running a tightly controlled shore program.
• Cave viewing depends on conditions: Santa Maria Caves are seen from the water and may be skipped if the weather is poor.
• Bring cash and your own snorkel: Onboard toilets and a snack bar are available, but lunch and snorkel equipment are not included.

Why this $34 boat trip offers good value

At $34 per person, this is one of the more economical ways to see several of Malta’s best-known coastal sights in one day. You are not paying for a long guided walking tour or a polished luxury cruise. You are paying for transport by sea, several scenic stops, time to swim, and a useful two-hour visit to Gozo.

That distinction matters. The boat is the main experience, not just a ride between attractions. You spend much of the day on the water, passing cliffs, channels, caves, and small islands. If you enjoy sea views and want a simple way to link Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s, the fare makes sense.

The price does not include food, transport to the jetty, or snorkel equipment. You should also budget time and attention for the free government entry ticket required for Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The ticket itself costs nothing, but you must sign up before arrival through the official Blue Lagoon website.

Boarding at L-Menqa Jetty

Your meeting point is L-Menqa Jetty, where you should look for the Mermaid boat. It is painted red, white, and blue, which makes it easier to spot among other vessels.

Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat leaves at 10:00 sharp, so do not treat the boarding window as a casual suggestion. Transport to the jetty is not included, and you need to arrange your own way there.

The boat has a snack bar and toilet facilities, both useful on a seven-hour outing. Food is not included, so bring snacks and water or buy something onboard. The boat is not presented as a formal restaurant, and lunch at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour is likely the better choice if you want a proper meal.

The boat used for this outing is a traditional-style Maltese schooner. That gives the trip more character than a plain shuttle boat, though you should expect a working excursion boat rather than a luxury yacht. Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and cash.

Cruising toward Comino and Blue Lagoon

The first stretch is a sightseeing cruise toward Comino. The sea crossing gives you time to settle in, find a comfortable place onboard, and enjoy the coast before the first swim stop.

Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, and the water is the reason most people book this trip. You can swim and snorkel in the clear Mediterranean water, walk around Comino, or remain near the boat. The vessel stays at the dock, so the stop does not require a complicated transfer to shore.

You can also jump from the boat if conditions and your confidence allow it. If you prefer a gentler start, simply use the stop for a swim or a walk. The flexibility is useful because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of morning.

The stated timing varies slightly, with the schedule allowing about one to one and a half hours at Blue Lagoon. Treat this as a focused stop, not a full morning on Comino. You will have enough time to swim and look around, but not enough to wander across the island at leisure.

Blue Lagoon is also the part of the day most affected by popularity and weather. The water may be the star, but the area can feel busy during the main season. If you want quiet coves and long stretches of solitude, this is not that sort of outing. If you want a convenient swim in famous clear water, it delivers.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. The boat may provide the chance to borrow equipment with a €10 cash deposit, with €5 returned, but the included information also says snorkels are not provided. To avoid confusion, bring your own if you have one, and carry the required cash if you hope to use onboard equipment.

Two useful hours at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour

After Comino, the boat heads to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. This is the longest shore stop, with two hours to explore, eat, shop, or simply enjoy the harbor.

Mgarr is a practical arrival point rather than a fully programmed excursion. You are not being taken on a guided island-wide tour. That is good news if you value choice, but it means you need to make a plan before stepping off the boat.

The simplest option is to stay around the harbor. You will find places to eat and drink, and you can spend your time walking, shopping, or taking in the port views. This choice keeps the day calm and leaves no worry about missing the boat.

The more ambitious option is to travel toward Victoria, Gozo’s capital, to see the Cittadella. The fortified old center is the island’s major cultural sight, but the schedule is tight. Two hours must cover transport in both directions as well as time at the site, so check local transport carefully and avoid trying to fit in too much.

I like that Gozo gets a full two hours rather than a rushed photo stop. Still, you should decide in advance if you want lunch at Mgarr or a quick trip toward Victoria. Wandering without a plan could leave you with little time to enjoy either one.

This stop is also where the tour gives you the best taste of Gozitan daily life. Comino is mainly about water and scenery. Gozo adds food, streets, local shops, and a sense of place. The contrast makes the boat day feel more complete.

Santa Maria Caves from the water

Once you return to the boat, the cruise passes through the Comino Channel toward the Santa Maria Caves. Cave viewing is included at no extra cost, which adds a scenic element without requiring another excursion.

The schedule allows around 15 minutes for this section. Expect a photo stop and views from the boat rather than an extended cave visit. The crew may pass close enough for you to see the openings and rock formations, but you should not expect to walk inside or spend a long time exploring.

This portion depends on the weather. Wind and sea conditions can change the route, so cave viewing is not guaranteed. That is worth keeping in mind if the caves are your main reason for booking. They are best treated as a bonus within a broader coastal cruise.

Have your camera ready, but also look away from the screen now and then. The channel itself is part of the attraction, with open water, rocky coast, and changing views as the boat moves between the islands.

A final stop at St Paul’s Islands

The last major stop is St Paul’s Islands, a place linked with the story of St Paul’s arrival in Malta. The boat makes a sightseeing cruise around the area before stopping for about 30 minutes.

This is a short, peaceful finish to a fairly active day. You can take a final swim, walk around the small island area, or see the statue of St Paul. There are no inhabitants, so the stop feels more remote than the earlier harbor and Blue Lagoon visits.

The 30-minute stop is enough for a quick swim or a short walk, but not both at a leisurely pace. Decide what matters most to you once the boat arrives. If you have already spent plenty of time in the water, the statue and views offer a quieter way to use the final stop.

The timing also makes sense physically. After a morning at Blue Lagoon and two hours in Gozo, a brief swim can refresh you before the ride back. You should still keep an eye on the clock and return to the boat promptly.

The return cruise takes you back to the jetty at about 5:00 p.m. The day begins and ends at the same meeting point, which simplifies planning if you have dinner or another activity afterward.

What the crew adds to the day

The human side of this trip is one of its strongest points. Captain Matthew and the other crew member are described as professional and relaxed, and that combination suits a day built around swimming and free time.

You are given room to decide how to use each stop. That means you can swim, walk, eat, shop, or simply sit and watch the coast without being pushed through a fixed sequence of activities. For many people, that freedom is more valuable than a constant stream of commentary.

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, but this is not primarily a lecture-based sightseeing trip. Expect guidance about the route and stops, with the boat and the islands providing most of the entertainment.

If you want detailed historical explanations at every site, you may find the format light. If you want a friendly crew, clear stops, and an easy day on the water, the approach works well.

Comfort, weather, and what to pack

A boat day rewards simple preparation. Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, water, snacks, and cash. A light cover-up can also be useful after swimming, though it is not specifically required.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. The trip spends many hours on the water, and conditions can change. The experience is also unsuitable for people with back problems.

Wear something that can get wet, particularly if you plan to jump from the boat or sit near the swimming areas. Keep valuables secure and do not litter. The boat has a snack bar and toilet, but you should not assume a full lunch service.

Weather affects more than comfort. It can change cave viewing and the feel of the open-water cruise. The Blue Lagoon and St Paul’s stops still depend on safe conditions, so maintain a little flexibility in your expectations.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This tour suits you if you want to see several islands in one day without arranging separate ferries, taxis, and boat trips. It works particularly well for first-time visitors to Malta who want a broad sample of the coast.

It is also a good match for families and groups with different interests, provided everyone is comfortable on a boat. One person can swim while another walks, eats, or enjoys the view. The free time at Gozo is especially helpful for groups that do not all want the same activity.

Independent-minded visitors should appreciate the loose structure. You are not locked into a long guided walk at every stop. Instead, you get clear time blocks and decide how to spend them.

You may want a different experience if you dislike busy swimming areas, need lots of shade, or want a quiet luxury cruise. The day includes several popular sights, and Blue Lagoon is famous precisely because many people want to visit it.

Small details that make a big difference

Arrive early enough to be settled before the 9:50 a.m. boarding cutoff. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. sharp, and missing the departure would undermine the whole day.

Arrange the Comino entry ticket before you go. It is free through the Maltese Government system, but the requirement is easy to overlook. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone.

Bring cash for the snack bar, possible snorkel equipment, and purchases at Gozo. The snorkel arrangement includes a €10 cash deposit and a €5 return, according to the tour details, so do not rely only on a bank card.

If you want to see Victoria and the Cittadella, make that choice early. Two hours sounds generous until transport time is deducted. Staying at Mgarr Harbour is the safer option if you want a relaxed lunch and no risk of rushing back.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta schedule is still changing, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and your own comfort with a full day at sea.

Should you book the Mermaid cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, varied day that combines Blue Lagoon swimming, Gozo free time, sea caves, and St Paul’s Islands. The traditional boat, friendly crew, and flexible stops give the trip more personality than a basic point-to-point ferry.

I would especially recommend it to first-time Malta visitors and anyone who wants a broad coastal overview without paying for several separate activities. Captain Matthew’s relaxed style and the freedom at each stop are useful advantages.

Think twice if you are prone to seasickness, have back problems, or want a quiet, uncrowded beach day. Also arrange the Comino ticket, bring cash, and decide how you will use your two hours in Gozo before boarding. With those details handled, $34 buys a full and varied day on Malta’s water.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from L-Menqa Jetty. Look for the red, white, and blue wooden boat named Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat departs at 10:00 a.m. sharp and returns to the jetty at about 5:00 p.m.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can bring snacks, use the onboard snack bar, or eat at one of the bars and restaurants near Mgarr Harbour in Gozo.

Do I need a ticket for Comino’s Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to receive the free entry ticket for Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The booking information provides the official link: https://blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/

Are snorkels provided?

Snorkels are not included. The boat offers an opportunity to use snorkeling equipment with a €10 cash deposit, with €5 returned, so bring cash or your own snorkel.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.