Malta: Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon Cruise – swim & sightsee

The best part of this seven-hour island cruise is the mix of water time and sightseeing. You can swim from the boat in the Blue Lagoon, slide into the sea, photograph Comino’s caves, and still have time to visit Gozo’s Citadel and capital, Victoria. Captain Kevin keeps the trip moving with commentary and a lively playlist.

I like the family-run feel and the practical extras: a 10-meter waterslide, swim ladders, shaded seating, toilets, lockers, and reasonably priced food and drinks. I also like that the boat moors in a less crowded part of the Blue Lagoon rather than simply dropping you at the busiest shore. The main drawback is the early rush for upper-deck chairs, plus the fact that three hours on Gozo can feel short if you want a proper meal and serious sightseeing.

Key points at a glance

• Blue Lagoon swimming: You get about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, floating, or using the waterslide.
• Cave views by boat: The route passes Santa Maria Caves, Ahrax Caves, Crystal Lagoon, and several rock formations.
• Gozo in one stop: You have around three hours, with an optional €5 shuttle to Victoria and Qala Belvedere.
• Captain Kevin’s running commentary: The trip includes local stories, sightseeing notes, and a cheerful music selection.
• Comfort aboard: Expect deck chairs, limited shaded seating, a snack bar, toilets, lockers, and pineapple cocktails.
• Extra costs to plan for: Bring cash for the Gozo shuttle, optional €15 speedboat ride, snorkel rental, lockers, and food.

Why this Malta boat trip works so well

At $28 per person, this is a strong-value way to see several of Malta’s best coastal sights in one day. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The price covers the full cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Gozo visit, the coastal route, and the boat’s swimming features.

The trip suits people who want a relaxed day with plenty of choice. You can spend your time swimming, sit under shade, order a drink, walk around Gozo, or simply watch the coastline pass by. Families can use the ladders and slide, couples can settle on deck with a cocktail, and active visitors can add snorkeling or the speedboat ride.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared, lively excursion rather than a quiet private charter. Upper-deck chairs are limited and claimed early. The boat also has a fun holiday atmosphere, with music and a snack bar, so people seeking silence should choose a smaller, calmer sailing.

Arrive early for the best deck space

The meeting point is Hornblower Cruises Malta. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. Boarding opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 9:45 AM, so I would arrive about an hour early, especially in summer. Malta traffic can be heavy, parking near the departure point is limited, and there is no refund for a missed departure.

Arriving early matters for another reason. Upper-deck chairs are first come, first served, and they fill quickly. If you want a sunbed-style chair, aim for 8:30 to 9:00 rather than cutting it close. You can still enjoy the cruise without one, but a good chair makes the long ride more comfortable.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. You may want cash for the €5 Gozo shuttle, the €15 speedboat ride into the caves, and small onboard purchases. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted.

Malta’s northern coast and the first cave views

The cruise begins along Malta’s northern coastline, where cliffs, coves, and unusual rock shapes provide an easy start to the day. Captain Kevin gives live commentary as the boat passes St. Paul’s Islands and the statue marking the Apostle Paul’s shipwreck in 60 A.D.

This part is mainly scenic, but it gives you useful context before the swimming begins. Keep your camera ready as the boat approaches the Ahrax and Santa Maria caves. The captain brings the boat close enough for photographs, something you cannot get from a road or ordinary beach visit.

The boat also passes Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Elephant’s Head rock formation. These short viewing stops are not long walks or formal visits. Their value is the angle from the water, with the crew positioning the boat for pictures and pointing out features along the route.

The commentary is one of the nicer touches. Captain Kevin and the crew keep it informal and entertaining, rather than turning the trip into a long lecture. The music adds to the holiday mood, though the lively playlist may not suit anyone hoping for a quiet morning.

The Blue Lagoon: swim from the boat or go ashore

The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat moors for about 1.5 hours. The water is clear and turquoise, and you can enter directly from the boat using swim ladders, jump points, or the 10-meter waterslide.

You can also use buoyancy aids if you are not a confident swimmer. These require a deposit. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or rent a set for €5 with a €15 deposit, of which €10 is refunded.

The boat’s mooring spot is described as less crowded than the main shoreline. That does not mean the lagoon is empty, especially during peak summer, but it gives you a more comfortable base than arriving at the busiest stretch of beach. You can swim around the boat, snorkel, sit in the sun, or stay aboard with a cold drink.

You may also step ashore to visit the sandy beach and island paths. The important choice is how you want to use the stop. If you plan to take the optional speedboat ride into the smaller caves, that will reduce your swimming time. The speedboat costs €15 in cash and depends on availability. It is a fun add-on for cave views, but people with health conditions should note that the ride can be bumpy.

The Blue Lagoon is the strongest part of the day for most visitors who come mainly for the sea. The water, slide, ladders, and easy access make it more than a photo stop. You have enough time for a proper swim, but not enough to treat it as a full beach day.

Pineapple cocktails, shade, and practical comfort

Hornblower is set up for a full day at sea. The main deck provides shaded seating, while the upper deck offers more sun and better views. Deck chairs are limited, so early arrival is important if you want one.

The snack bar sells drinks, food, ice cream, and cocktails. The pineapple cocktail is the signature order, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic versions available. Food and drinks are not included, but prices are described as reasonable, which helps keep the total cost under control.

There are toilets and lockers onboard. Lockers cost €2 with a €10 deposit, and €8 is refunded, subject to availability. One useful caution: some passengers found the toilets and certain seating areas less impressive than the scenery. The boat is designed for fun and practicality, not luxury yacht polish.

The crew is another strong point. Captain Kevin and Captain Louis are friendly and informative, and the staff help organize the Gozo transfer and explain the day’s options. The mood is casual, with music, drinks, and plenty of movement around the decks.

Gozo: three hours, but choose your priorities

After Comino, the boat continues to Gozo for around three hours of free time. This gives you a useful taste of Malta’s sister island, but you need to plan carefully.

The optional shuttle costs €5 in cash and takes you toward Victoria, Gozo’s capital, with a photo stop at Qala Belvedere. For most people, the shuttle is worth paying for. Public transport can take more time, and walking from the harbor would leave too little time for the main sights.

In Victoria, you can visit the Citadel, browse local shops, walk through the streets, and stop for food. The Citadel is the main cultural stop, while Qala Belvedere provides broad views across the island. The shuttle lets you see more than you would by remaining around Mgarr Harbour.

Still, three hours goes quickly. If you want lunch, shopping, the Citadel, and relaxed wandering, you may feel pressed. Several people prefer to stay close to the harbor, where you can eat and have a slower visit. Others find Gozo less rewarding than the Blue Lagoon and would rather remain on the boat for more swimming.

This is the key decision of the tour. Choose Gozo if you want a short introduction to the island and its capital. Choose extra Comino time, if offered by the crew, if your main goal is swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the sea.

The return route through Crystal Lagoon

Back aboard, the boat passes Mgarr Harbour and returns through Comino’s south channel. This route includes the Crystal Lagoon, additional caves, and St. Mary’s Tower.

The Crystal Lagoon is mainly a photo stop, and it depends on weather and sea conditions. You will see it from the boat rather than spend a long period swimming there. The return route gives you a second set of views after the more active Blue Lagoon and Gozo portions of the day.

St. Mary’s Tower provides a final landmark before the boat heads back to Malta. The captain continues the commentary, pointing out coastal features and giving you time to take pictures. If you sit near the front or on the upper deck, you will have the best open views, though those spaces fill early.

By this stage, the value of the cruise becomes clear. You have not simply visited one lagoon. You have seen caves from the sea, crossed between Malta’s islands, visited Gozo, and had a proper swim.

Costs, extras, and the real value

The $28 base price is reasonable for a seven-hour excursion, especially when you compare it with the cost and planning involved in arranging Malta, Comino, and Gozo separately.

Plan for these additional expenses:

• €5 for the optional shuttle to Victoria and Qala Belvedere
• €15 for the optional speedboat cave ride
• €5 for mask and snorkel rental, plus a €15 deposit
• €2 for a locker, plus a €10 deposit
• Food, ice cream, cocktails, and other drinks onboard

You do not need to buy every extra. Bring your own snorkel, keep your belongings with you, and skip the speedboat if you would rather maximize swimming time. The shuttle is the one extra I would seriously consider because it saves time and lets you see Victoria efficiently.

The tour also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Check the current start time when booking, since the cruise lasts seven hours but departure details can change.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want a broad look at Malta’s northern islands in one day. It works especially well if you like having choices rather than following a tightly controlled guided walk.

It is a good fit for swimmers and casual sightseers. You can use the slide, ladders, and snorkeling area, but you can also stay dry, sit in the shade, and watch the coast. Buoyancy aids are available for a deposit, though anyone with limited mobility or a medical concern should consider the boat’s steps, ladders, and optional bumpy speedboat ride before booking.

I would think twice if your goal is a quiet sailing, a luxury vessel, or a full day devoted only to Gozo. The upper deck can feel crowded, seating is not guaranteed, and the three-hour Gozo visit is more of an introduction than a thorough island tour.

Final verdict: book it if you want variety

Book this Hornblower cruise if you want swimming, caves, music, a waterslide, cocktails, and a quick look at Gozo for one modest price. The Blue Lagoon is the star, while Captain Kevin’s commentary, the friendly crew, and the well-timed route make the long day easy to enjoy.

Arrive early for a top-deck chair, bring cash, and decide in advance whether Gozo or extra time in Comino matters more to you. If you make that choice clearly, this is one of the more useful ways to fit Malta’s best sea scenery into a single day.

FAQ

How long is the Hornblower cruise?

The cruise lasts about seven hours.

What time does the boat depart?

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. Boarding opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 9:45 AM.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at Hornblower Cruises Malta and look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

How long do I swim at the Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours.

Can I use a waterslide?

Yes. The boat has a 10-meter waterslide, swim ladders, and sea access. Use of these facilities is at your own risk.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. You can bring your own equipment or rent a mask and snorkel for €5 with a €15 deposit. €10 of the deposit is refunded.

How much does the Gozo shuttle cost?

The optional shuttle to Victoria and Qala Belvedere costs €5 in cash.

Is food available on the boat?

Yes. The snack bar sells food, drinks, ice cream, and cocktails, but these are not included in the tour price.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. You may need cash for optional activities, rentals, lockers, and purchases onboard.