Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The best part of this outing is the mix: a short taste of Victoria, Gozo, a swim in the bright waters around Comino, and a cruise past caves and Malta’s rugged coast. You get several classic island sights without spending the whole day on one crowded beach.

I like the smaller Seahorse boat, which gives the trip a calmer feel than the large party boats. I also like the practical setup: a sundeck, toilet, shower by the side ladder, onboard food and drinks, and a platform for jumping into the sea. Captain Owen and his crew are often praised for being friendly and attentive.

The trade-off is time. Gozo gets about two hours, while the Blue Lagoon stop lasts 1.5 hours, so you can see the highlights but cannot properly explore either place. If Victoria is your main goal, this may feel rushed.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Owen and a friendly crew: The staff are known for clear safety instructions, helpful service, and a warm welcome.
• A quieter Blue Lagoon stop: The boat anchors away from the thickest crowds, giving you a more relaxed place to swim.
• Victoria in two hours: You can see Gozo’s capital and shop for souvenirs, but you will need to keep moving.
• A well-equipped boat: Expect a sundeck, toilet, shower, diving platform, and snorkeling masks with a €10 deposit.
• Caves on the return trip: Santa Maria Caves and the Elephants Head rock formation add a strong scenic finish.
• Good value at $53: The price covers transport to Gozo, the cruise, commentary, and the Blue Lagoon stop, but not lunch.

Why this cruise works well for a first Malta visit

Malta is small on a map, but its islands are easy to underestimate. Gozo has a different pace and feel from the main island, while Comino is known for clear water, narrow sea passages, and the famous Blue Lagoon. Seeing both in one outing is efficient if you have limited time.

This is not a quiet private charter. It is a shared boat trip with a fixed schedule. Still, the Seahorse is smaller than many of the big excursion boats used around Malta, and that matters. You get room to sit in the sun, watch the coast, and move around without feeling packed into a floating nightclub.

The trip lasts about 6.5 hours, from a 10:30 AM departure at Bugibba Jetty to a return around 5 PM. Boarding closes at 10 AM, not 10:30, so arrive early. The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises and is described as the only sailing boat at the meeting point, which should make it easier to identify.

The price is $53 per person. I consider that fair for a day that combines transport, several scenic cruise sections, a Gozo visit, a Comino swim stop, and onboard facilities. You will still need money for food and drinks, and only cash is accepted onboard. Bring enough for lunch, snacks, and any optional extras.

Leaving Bugibba and following Malta’s northern coast

The boat leaves Bugibba and spends the opening hour on the water. This is not wasted travel time. The cruise passes St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove Cave, giving you a broad introduction to Malta’s northern shore.

The coast is best enjoyed from the open deck. Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable shoes. A hat can also be useful, though it is not listed as a requirement. You may spend much of the day exposed to the sun, especially if you want a good seat on the sundeck.

Live commentary is provided in English and Italian. The commentary adds useful context, but do not expect a full guided tour at every stop. One piece of practical feedback is that explanations can be limited once you reach Gozo, so you should be comfortable exploring Victoria on your own.

Gozo and Victoria: a useful but brief introduction

Gozo is the first main stop. Once you arrive, transport is provided to Victoria, the island’s capital. This saves you from arranging local transport and makes the stop possible within the tight schedule.

You have about two hours in Victoria. That is enough to take photographs, walk around the central sights, and browse the market for souvenirs such as fridge magnets. It is not enough for a leisurely tour of Gozo, a long meal, and a wide look around the island.

I would treat this as an introduction rather than a full Gozo visit. Use the time carefully. If you want photos and a quick look at the capital, the stop works well. If you want to explore several villages, visit more historic sites, or sit down for a slow lunch, you will probably wish for longer.

The transfer to Victoria is included, but one practical detail matters: the shuttle ride is part of the schedule, so your two hours are not two hours of wandering anywhere on Gozo. Stay aware of the meeting instructions and return time. Missing the bus could cause a serious problem because the boat continues without waiting indefinitely.

The stop suits people who want variety. You get off the boat, see a different island, and walk through an urban center before returning to the water. Families can manage it, and the tour is described as suitable for all ages, though anyone with mobility limitations should know that it is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

The Blue Lagoon with room to swim

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the 1.5-hour stop gives you time to swim, snorkel, sit on the boat, or enjoy the sun.

The useful difference here is where Seahorse anchors. The boat drops anchor away from the thickest crowd, so you can swim in clearer water without being right in the middle of the busiest shore area. This does not make the Blue Lagoon empty. Comino is one of Malta’s most popular stops, especially in summer. It simply gives you another way to enjoy it.

The boat has a diving platform and a side ladder, making entry into the water straightforward for confident swimmers. A shower near the ladder lets you rinse off afterward. A toilet is also available onboard, which is a small but important comfort during a long day at sea.

Snorkeling masks are available with a €10 deposit. You should still bring your own equipment if you prefer a particular fit, but the included option makes it easier to try the water without packing extra gear.

There is an important rule for 2025 onward. If you plan to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must reserve a free QR code time slot from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Check your ticket details and arrange this before the trip. The QR code is not included automatically, and the new Maltese regulations require it for access ashore.

The distinction between staying aboard and getting off the boat matters. This cruise can anchor away from the main crowd, which is appealing if your priority is swimming. If you want to walk around Comino or use the shore, you need the QR code and should expect a more crowded setting.

Santa Maria Caves and the Elephants Head

After Comino, the boat cruises back toward Bugibba and enters the Santa Maria Caves. This section lasts about ten minutes, so think of it as a scenic pass rather than a long cave visit.

The rock formations are the attraction. The Elephants Head is a memorable natural shape, and the boat gives you a good angle for photographs as it passes. Have your camera ready before entering the caves, because the window for photos is short.

This return section helps round out the day. The outward cruise introduces Malta’s coast, the middle of the trip gives you Gozo and swimming, and the journey home adds Comino’s rocky shoreline and caves. You are not simply being transported between two stops.

Life onboard the Seahorse

The boat’s facilities are one reason this cruise earns its price. You have a sundeck, a toilet, a side-ladder shower, and a platform for entering the sea. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and the pricing is described as reasonable.

Bring cash. Card payment is not accepted onboard. Lunch is not included, so plan to buy something from the boat or eat before departure. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and food and drinks brought onboard are not allowed according to the tour information, so pack light.

The atmosphere appears to be more relaxed than the biggest boats in the area. You should still expect a shared group, especially on a popular summer route. The boat may also pick up or carry people connected with other tours, and capacity can feel fuller during some sections of the day.

Crew service is a strong point. Captain Owen is specifically praised for creating a welcoming atmosphere, and the crew is described as attentive, friendly, and helpful. Safety instructions are also given, which matters on a trip involving open water and swimming.

Do not expect the formal service of a luxury yacht. The appeal is a comfortable, practical boat with a personal crew and enough space to enjoy the coast.

The timing: what you can and cannot fit in

The schedule is well planned for variety:

• About one hour cruising from Bugibba
• A brief scenic stop near the Crystal Lagoon area
• About two hours in Victoria, Gozo
• About 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon
• About one hour cruising back
• Around ten minutes at Santa Maria Caves

The schedule gives you a good first look at two islands, but it does not allow much flexibility. The Gozo stop is the main pressure point. Two hours sounds generous until you account for shuttle transport, walking, photographs, shopping, and any food stop.

At the Blue Lagoon, 1.5 hours is enough for a swim and a rinse, but not for a slow beach day. If you want to spend most of your holiday at the water, book a dedicated Comino outing instead. If you want to combine swimming with sightseeing, this timing is sensible.

Weather, tides, and other operating conditions can change the route, start point, or end point. The captain and activity provider can alter or cancel the trip when conditions require it. That is normal for a boat excursion, so avoid placing an important flight or fixed evening plan too close to the expected 5 PM return.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a single, efficient day on the water. It suits first-time Malta visitors, families, couples, and anyone who wants Gozo and Comino without arranging several separate transfers.

It is especially useful if you enjoy swimming but also want sightseeing. You can spend time in a Gozo town, then change pace with a sea stop and a cave cruise.

Families should find the range of activities helpful. Children and adults can choose between sitting on deck, buying refreshments, snorkeling, and using the swimming platform. Keep in mind that the sea entry is best for confident swimmers, and the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

I would be more cautious about booking it if your main goal is a detailed Gozo visit. A separate Gozo day trip would give you more time for Victoria and the rest of the island. I would also choose another option if you dislike fixed schedules, shared boats, or busy summer sea stops.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at Bugibba Jetty before 10 AM. Boarding closes at that time even though the advertised departure is 10:30 AM.

Wear comfortable shoes for Victoria and bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Keep your belongings compact because large bags and luggage are not allowed.

Reserve the free Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step ashore. Choose the required 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM window and check your ticket for the exact instructions.

If you want a good view, spend part of the cruise on the sundeck, but save some energy for Victoria and the swim. The day includes several changes of activity, and the sun can make the schedule feel more tiring than the clock suggests.

The cruise has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans may shift, but weather can still affect the trip on the day.

Is the $53 cruise worth booking?

At $53, this is a strong choice for a compact Malta island tour. You receive the boat journey, English and Italian commentary, transport to Victoria, a Blue Lagoon stop, cave viewing, snorkeling equipment with a deposit, and useful onboard facilities.

The value depends on your priorities. Book it if you want variety, a smaller boat, friendly service, and a quieter swimming position away from the main Blue Lagoon crowd. Skip it if you want a full day exploring Gozo or several hours on land at Comino.

My practical verdict is simple: book this as an introduction to Gozo and Comino, not as a complete tour of either island. Arrive early, reserve the Blue Lagoon QR code, bring cash, and accept that the short stops are the price of seeing so much in one day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The boat is called Seahorse Cruises.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding closes at 10 AM. The advertised tour departure is 10:30 AM, so arrive before the boarding deadline.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts about 6.5 hours, with an expected return to Bugibba around 5 PM.

Is transport to Victoria in Gozo included?

Yes. Transport to Victoria is included as part of the Gozo stop.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code if you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The required time slot is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but lunch is not included. Only cash is accepted onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and food and drinks are not allowed.