Malta: Gozo Comino and Blue Lagoon Boat Tour with Swim Stop

See three Maltese islands in one day. This boat trip packs Malta, Gozo, and Comino into 6.5 hours, with sea caves, coastal views, a Gozo stop, and a 90-minute swim at the Blue Lagoon. I like the excellent coverage for $33 and the chance to reach caves and rock formations that are difficult to visit by land. I also like the boat’s diving platform, which lets you swim away from the thickest crowds at the lagoon. The main drawback is simple: Gozo time can feel long without an optional tour, while the Blue Lagoon can feel short and crowded in high season.

The boat leaves Mellieħa Bay at 9:30 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. The day is easy to understand, but it is not a quiet cruise. You spend a good part of the time on a large boat, and not every stop includes a spoken explanation. Bring cash for optional extras, food, drinks, and equipment, and expect the best value if you add the cave boat or Gozo transport.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands in one outing: You see Malta, Gozo, and Comino without arranging separate ferries or buses.
• Gozo is mostly free time: You get about three hours, but transport beyond the harbor is not included.
• The cave boat costs extra: A small boat tour into the caves has been available for about €15 and is one of the strongest add-ons.
• The Blue Lagoon swim lasts 90 minutes: You can swim from the shore or use the main boat’s ladder and platform.
• Crowds shape the experience: Summer weekends can make the Blue Lagoon and Gozo transport very busy.
• Meet by the Starbucks in Mellieħa Bay: The provider’s office is on the seafront near the Tunny Net Jetty.

What this $33 boat tour really gives you

At $33 per person, this is a sightseeing-and-swimming day rather than a luxury cruise. The fare covers the three-island boat ride, the Gozo stop, several coastal photo visits, and the Blue Lagoon swim stop. Food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, the Gozo open-top bus, and the optional cave trip cost extra.

I think the price works well if you want a broad introduction to the Maltese islands. You see far more coastline than you could manage on foot, and the boat reaches places such as Poppy’s Caves, Lovers Caves, and Santa Maria Caves. You also avoid the work of piecing together buses, ferries, and local boat rides.

The tradeoff is time. Gozo gets roughly three hours, but that includes your arrival, getting oriented, and arranging any transport. The Blue Lagoon gets 1.5 hours, enough for a swim and a short walk, but not enough for a relaxed beach day. This is a sampler with swimming, not a slow island holiday.

Starting at Mellieħa Bay at 9:30 a.m.

You meet at Mellieħa Bay, near Starbucks and the activity provider’s seafront office. The boat returns to the Tunny Net Jetty around 4 p.m., giving you a full morning and afternoon on the water.

Bring your swimsuit under comfortable clothes, plus a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Comfortable shoes help during the Gozo stop and any short walk on Comino. I would also bring cash. Card machines and ATMs may not work or may not be available, especially when you are away from the main resort areas.

The boat is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but the experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That apparent contradiction matters. Boarding may be possible, yet getting around at stops, using ladders, entering the water, and handling uneven ground can be difficult.

Coral Lagoon and the northern coast

Soon after leaving Mellieħa Bay, the boat passes Coral Lagoon and Smugglers Caves. Coral Lagoon receives only a short photo stop, about five minutes, so think of it as a quick look from the boat rather than time to explore.

The coastal sightseeing continues past Santa Maria Tower and the World War II Santa Maria Battery. These landmarks give the cruise more substance than a simple ride to a swimming spot. You see how Malta’s small islands combine pale rock, defensive structures, and sheltered inlets within a compact stretch of sea.

The boat also visits Crystal Lagoon, Poppy’s Caves, and Lovers Caves. Some of these spots are best appreciated from the water, since the view depends on the angle of the boat and the shape of the cliffs. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a long stop at each one.

One weakness is the lack of regular commentary. You may hear where the boat is going, but detailed history or geology is not guaranteed. If you care about the story behind each site, ask the crew when you can, or read up before leaving. The views are strong enough on their own, but a little explanation would make the cruise more useful.

Gozo: three hours with an important catch

Gozo is the first major stop, with about three hours for free time. The boat docks near the harbor, and from there you can walk around, arrange a local tour, or pay for an optional open-top bus. You can also use local transport to reach Victoria, known locally as Rabat, and the City Citadel.

The Citadel is the most obvious choice if you want a meaningful Gozo visit. Its high position gives you broad views, and the old fortified center provides a sense of the island beyond the harbor. Gozo is smaller and quieter than Malta, but the tour’s short visit does not leave much room for wandering far.

This is where planning makes a big difference. If you simply get off the boat and stay near the port, three hours may feel excessive. Some people find little to do immediately around the harbor, while local operators offer bus tours as soon as you arrive. Do not feel pressured to buy the first option presented. Decide before arrival if you prefer the Citadel, a beach stop, an open-top bus, or unstructured time.

The optional open-top bus has received good marks for showing more of Gozo, with stops that can include Victoria and a beach. It does cost extra, and the schedule may feel rushed. You may not get enough time at every stop, especially if you want photographs, a walk, and a swim.

Another option is a cave trip by small boat. This is separate from the main cruise and has commonly been offered for around €15. The speedboat takes you closer to the sea caves and gives you a better view of the rock openings than the larger vessel can provide. If you want one paid extra, I would choose this before buying snacks or souvenirs.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shore

After Gozo, the boat heads to the Blue Lagoon on Comino for a 90-minute swimming and snorkeling stop. The water is the star here, with clear conditions that make it easy to understand why the lagoon is Malta’s best-known swim stop.

You have three choices. You can get off the boat and find a place along the shore, take a short walk on Comino, or stay on the boat and enter the water from the ladder or platform. The third option may be the smartest during summer. The shore can be packed, and fighting for a small patch of space can take away from the fun.

Several people have found the boat-side swim better than the beach area. You still get the lagoon’s clear water, but you skip some of the crowding. The platform also makes entering and leaving the water straightforward for confident swimmers.

The 90-minute stop is enough for a good swim and a little sun, but it can pass quickly. One guest wanted more time here, and I understand why. If swimming is your main reason for booking, you may wish the Gozo stop were shorter and the Blue Lagoon stop longer. The current schedule favors variety over extended water time.

Conditions also depend heavily on the calendar. In summer, weekends, and peak midday hours, the Blue Lagoon can be seriously crowded. In cooler months, the water may be too cold for some swimmers, though the boat ride and scenery remain worthwhile. The lagoon is lovely, but the setting is not private or peaceful.

The return route past Elephant Head Rock

After the swim, the boat leaves the Blue Lagoon and continues around Comino. You pass Elephant Head Rock and may see shearwater birds in the area. The route then includes Santa Maria Caves before heading back toward Mellieħa Bay.

Elephant Head Rock is a quick photo subject rather than a formal stop. Its shape is easiest to appreciate from the water, and the boat gives you a useful angle for photographs. Santa Maria Caves add another set of coastal formations to an already full day.

The return journey is a chance to sit down, dry off, and review the photographs. Refreshments are available on board, and prices have been described as reasonable. Still, I would bring water and a snack so you are not dependent on the bar, especially if you have dietary needs.

Wildlife sightings are not part of the advertised schedule, but dolphins have occasionally been spotted from the boat. Treat that as luck, not a promise. The reliable reward is the changing view of cliffs, caves, towers, and open water.

The optional extras worth paying for

The tour keeps its headline price low by separating several extras. That is fair, but you should know your likely total before boarding.

The cave boat is the best upgrade for many people. At roughly €15 when offered, it gets into smaller caves and provides a more intimate view of Comino’s shoreline. The guide on the small boat may also explain the formations more clearly than the main cruise crew.

The Gozo open-top bus is useful if you want to reach Victoria, the Citadel, or a beach without figuring out local transport. It also helps fill the long Gozo stop. The downside is a fixed route and limited time at each stop.

A cheaper local bus option may get you to Victoria, with one account noting a €2.50 fare and a return arrangement within two hours. Prices and terms can change, so confirm locally before relying on that option. The point is that you do not have to buy the first tour offered at the harbor.

Snorkeling equipment costs extra. You can bring your own gear, but the provided information does not promise rental quality or availability. Food and drinks are sold on board, and cash remains useful.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would choose this trip if you have limited time in Malta and want to see a lot in one outing. It suits people who like boat scenery, short stops, swimming, and the option to add activities as the day develops.

Families may appreciate the simple format, though parents should keep an eye on children around ladders, platforms, and busy harbor areas. Confident swimmers will get the most from the Blue Lagoon stop, especially if they stay on the boat and use the water access there.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet cruise, detailed guiding, or a long, leisurely visit to Gozo. It is also a poor match for someone who dislikes crowds or expects the Blue Lagoon to feel secluded. The boat is relatively large and can feel crowded, with limited seating at busy times.

Practical booking advice

Choose a weekday if your schedule allows. Weekend crowding can affect both the Blue Lagoon and Gozo transport. The optional cave boat may be the highlight, so keep some cash available.

Check the weather and water temperature before booking if swimming matters to you. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host language is English.

Do not bring glass objects, fireworks, explosives, or electric wheelchairs. Jumping is also listed among prohibited activities, so use the proper ladder or access points rather than improvising from the boat.

Should you book the Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want maximum scenery for a low starting price. The trip covers three islands, several sea caves, Gozo, and a Blue Lagoon swim without complicated planning. The boat-side swimming option is especially useful when the shore is packed.

I would add the cave boat if available, and I would arrange a Gozo transport option only if you want to see Victoria or a beach. If your dream is a peaceful lagoon, a long swim, or a slow day in Gozo, choose a smaller or more specialized outing instead. For a first look at Malta’s coast, though, this is a practical and good-value day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Mellieħa Bay. Look for Starbucks and the activity provider’s office on the seafront near the Tunny Net Jetty.

What time does the boat leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The boat returns to Mellieħa Bay at approximately 4 p.m., for a total duration of about 6.5 hours.

How long do I spend in Gozo?

You have approximately three hours in Gozo, with the stated Gozo stop lasting about 2 hours and 45 minutes in some tour details. The time is used for free exploration or an optional local tour.

Is transport around Gozo included?

No. Gozo transport is not included in the main ticket. You can explore independently or pay for the optional open-top bus tour or other local transport.

How long is the Blue Lagoon swim stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 1.5 hours, or 90 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, relax, walk briefly on Comino, or enter the water from the main boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available for a small extra charge.

Is the cave boat included?

No. The cave boat is optional and costs extra. It has been offered at approximately €15, though the price can change.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. Food and drinks are available on board, but cash is recommended because card terminals and ATMs may not work or be available.