From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The best thing about this $41 full-day cruise is the amount of Malta you see in one outing. You sail from Sliema past St. Julian’s, St. Paul’s Bay, Mellieha, and St. Paul’s Island, then get time on Gozo before finishing with a swim at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. I like the two-part plan: Gozo gives you inland sights and town life, while Comino supplies the clear water and boat views.

I also like the optional Gozo minibus, which saves you from sorting out local transport and gets you to Qala Belvedere and Victoria in a tight schedule. The crew’s running commentary is another plus, and several passengers singled out the captain and crew for keeping the day calm and organized. The catch is the sea: rough water can make the first crossing unpleasant, and bad weather may shorten or cancel the Blue Lagoon stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in one day: See Gozo’s harbor, Qala Belvedere, Victoria, and the Citadel, then continue to Comino.
• The minibus is worth considering: It makes the Gozo portion easier and leaves you more time for Victoria.
• Blue Lagoon time is limited: The planned stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes, but weather and sailing conditions can reduce it.
• The boat has useful extras: You get bathrooms, food and drinks for purchase, a water slide, and a submarine viewing area.
• Sea conditions matter: The tour runs rain or shine, but the captain can change the route or stopping points.
• Bring a towel and sturdy shoes: You will walk in Gozo and may want to swim or use the slide at Comino.

A full day from Sliema to Malta’s smaller islands

This is a boat tour first, with sightseeing stops built around the sailing. You meet at Sliema ferry terminal and look for the Luzzu Cruises boat MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. The day lasts about 7.5 hours, so expect a packed schedule rather than long, slow visits.

I see this as a useful first look at Gozo and Comino. It will not give you enough time to explore every corner of either island, but it does show you the main sights without arranging ferries, buses, and separate boat trips yourself. At the listed price of $41 per person, that convenience makes the outing good value, especially if you want scenery and swimming in one day.

The boat is locally operated by Water Taxi Limited. It has indoor and outdoor seating, bathrooms, a small bar and food service, and a water slide. The upper deck is the best place for coastline views, but it is also the most exposed to wind and sun. On cooler days, bring an extra layer. On warm days, claim shade when you can.

Sailing north past Malta’s bays

Once you leave Sliema, the cruise passes St. Julian’s Bay, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha. These are passing views rather than formal stops, so keep your camera ready and listen to the commentary while you are on the move.

The route gives you a helpful sense of Malta’s northern coast. You see the island from the water, where the limestone shoreline, bays, and small islands make more sense than they do from a road. The captain provides information about Sliema, Gozo, Comino, and the surrounding sights, and the commentary is one of the stronger parts of the experience.

The outward crossing can be rough. Wind made some departures uncomfortable, and several people needed the sick bags handed out by the crew. If you get seasick easily, this is the main reason to think twice. Sit near the middle of the boat, watch the horizon, and avoid reading during the crossing. The return journey may be smoother, but conditions can change quickly.

Mgarr Harbour and the choice on Gozo

The first major stop is Mgarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port. Here you choose between exploring on your own or joining the optional minibus. This choice matters because Gozo’s attractions are spread out, while your time on the island is limited.

The minibus option is the practical choice for most people. It takes you to Qala Belvedere for a photo stop, then continues to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. You avoid the trouble of finding transport and can spend your limited time seeing the places that make this island visit worthwhile.

If you choose to explore independently, you have more control over your pace. You can stay near the harbor or make your own way into town, but the tour schedule still controls when you must return to the boat. Anyone planning to wander far should keep a close eye on the meeting time.

There has been some confusion for passengers about the difference between the free-time option and the minibus option, so read the choices carefully during booking. If you want the simplest day, select the bus in advance. Several people found it gave them more time and less stress.

Qala Belvedere and the view over Gozo

Qala Belvedere is a short photo stop, not a long walk or a full sightseeing visit. Its appeal is the wide view across Gozo and toward the surrounding islands. This is where the minibus earns its keep: you get a scenic stop that would be awkward to reach during a short independent visit.

Bring your camera, but do not expect much time to linger. The stop is designed for photographs and a quick look before the bus continues. It is one of those small additions that makes the day feel more varied than a simple harbor-to-harbor cruise.

Victoria and the Citadel in a short window

Victoria is the main stop on Gozo, with roughly 80 minutes listed in the schedule and, on some departures, close to two hours. The town gives you a chance to walk, shop, stop for a drink, and visit the Citadel, the old fortified city above the town.

The Citadel is the main reason to use your time carefully. Head there first if you want to see the fortifications and views, then use any remaining minutes for food or shopping. Service at cafés can be slow, so ordering a full meal may leave little time for sightseeing.

This is not enough time for a relaxed exploration of Victoria. You will need to choose between the Citadel, a meal, and browsing the town. I would prioritize the Citadel and a quick snack. If Gozo is your main interest, book a separate full-day Gozo tour instead. This cruise gives you an efficient introduction, not a deep visit.

Sunday can also be a quiet time for shopping, with many shops closed. That is not a problem if you are visiting for the Citadel and town walk, but it matters if buying local goods is part of your plan.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and brief

After Gozo, you return to the boat and continue to Comino. The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the planned shore time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. The schedule also lists around 75 minutes, so check the exact timing given by the crew on your departure.

The water is the star here. On calm, sunny days, you can swim, sunbathe, snorkel, or use the boat’s slide. The slide is a simple but enjoyable extra, especially for children and anyone who prefers a quick splash to a quiet swim. The boat also has a submarine viewing area, which adds something to do between swims.

Do not expect a peaceful beach afternoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and it can feel crowded and chaotic when everyone arrives at once. The clearest views may actually be from the boat, before you go ashore. If you want to swim, move promptly once the boat stops and use your time well.

Some departures have lost swimming time because of rough seas or delayed sailing. In poor conditions, the captain may use another bay or cancel the Blue Lagoon stop altogether. St. Mary’s Bay can be a safe alternative, but it is less exciting if you had been expecting the famous lagoon.

From May 1, 2025, anyone getting off at the Blue Lagoon must register for a free QR code. The booking provider supplies the registration link after purchase. Do this before the day of the cruise, since the code is checked before you go ashore and delays can eat into your swimming time.

Comino’s caves on the return route

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat cruises past the Santa Maria Caves, also called the Crystal Caves of Comino. This is a photo stop of about 10 minutes rather than a shore visit.

The captain may bring the boat close to the cave openings, giving you a better view than you would get from a distant ferry. The caves are especially good for photographs when the water is calm and the boat can approach safely. The stop depends on sea conditions, so it can be altered if wind or waves make the route unsafe.

The return cruise to Sliema completes the loop. Keep an eye out for more coastal views, and do not rush below deck if the weather is clear. One departure even had dolphins near the boat, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

What the crew and boat do well

The crew receives some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. The captain provides steady commentary and gives warnings when the sea is rough. Staff hand out sick bags when needed and generally help passengers who are uncomfortable.

The crew includes people from different backgrounds, and their friendly manner is part of the appeal. A driver named Carmen was especially helpful to one passenger who became seasick. You should not expect a private guide assigned to your group, but you do get information from the captain and practical help from the boat staff.

The vessel is clean and equipped with bathrooms, food and drink service, and the slide. Cocktails and other drinks are available at extra cost, though prices at the Blue Lagoon and on the boat may feel high for what you receive. Bring your own water if you want to control spending, but remember that food and drinks are not included.

The main organizational weakness is timing around transport. Most minibus transfers run well, but one passenger reported that a driver left before the stated meeting time and had to board another minibus. Treat every return time as firm and arrive early.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this cruise if you want a broad taste of the Maltese islands without planning several separate outings. It works especially well for first-time visitors, families who want a swim and a boat slide, and anyone who prefers having transport arranged.

The optional bus also suits you if you want to see Gozo’s main sights without navigating unfamiliar roads. It is less suitable if your main goal is a long walk through Victoria, a relaxed afternoon on Gozo, or several hours of quiet swimming.

People prone to seasickness should be cautious. The tour is not suitable for those with mobility impairments, and the combination of boat boarding, minibus transfers, walking, and swimming requires a reasonable level of mobility.

The tour runs rain or shine, but the captain can change the route, departure point, or stops based on weather. That flexibility protects safety, but it means you should not book this as a guarantee of a specific swimming experience.

Is the $41 price good value?

At $41, the price is strong for a 7.5-hour outing that includes the cruise, Gozo stop, Comino stop, cave visit, and use of the slide. The optional Gozo minibus costs extra if it is not selected with your booking, but it is the add-on I would consider most carefully.

You are paying for transport, views, and access to several places in one day. You are not paying for meals, drinks, hotel transfers, or a private guide. The value is best when you use the day as an overview of Gozo and Comino rather than expecting long visits at each stop.

A separate Gozo tour and a separate Comino cruise would give you more time in each place, but would cost more and require more planning. For a compact introduction, this package does a lot for the money.

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

Book it if you want maximum variety in one day: a coastal cruise, Gozo’s viewpoints and Citadel, Comino’s caves, and time in clear water. Choose the minibus option, arrive early for every departure, and register for the Blue Lagoon QR code before you go.

Skip it if rough seas usually make you ill or if you want to explore Gozo at a slow pace. The schedule is efficient but tight, and weather can shorten the best part of the day. For everyone else, this is a practical, good-value way to see the islands from the water and get a first taste of Gozo and Comino.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is at the Sliema ferry terminal. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about 7.5 hours. Departure times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is transport around Gozo included?

Transport on Gozo is optional. You can explore independently or select the minibus option during checkout.

What does the Gozo minibus visit?

The minibus takes you to Qala Belvedere for a photo stop and then to Victoria, where you can visit the Citadel, walk, shop, and explore independently.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The planned Blue Lagoon stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes, although the schedule also lists approximately 75 minutes. Weather and sailing conditions can affect the actual time.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, anyone getting off the boat at the Blue Lagoon must register for a free QR code. The registration link is provided after booking.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though food and drink service is available on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes for walking in Gozo and a towel if you plan to swim or use the water slide. The tour runs in rain or sunshine, and the captain may change the route because of weather conditions.