Blue Lagoon: Full-Day Three Island Cruise: Malta, Gozo and Comino

Three islands, one swim-heavy day. This full-day cruise links Malta, Gozo, and Comino with four clear-water stops, a buffet lunch, and views of harbors, bays, caves, and rocky coast. It is an efficient way to see several parts of the islands when your Malta visit is short.

I like the hotel pickup and return transport, which removes the fuss of reaching the harbor early. I also like the mix of swimming, cruising, lunch, water, and local wine included in the $80.95 price. The main catch is that this is a fairly large boat experience, with up to 65 people, and it is built more around swimming than detailed sightseeing.

Quick points before you book

• Four chances to swim: Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon each bring a different setting for a dip.
• A full seven-hour outing: The 8:00 am start gives you a long day on the water, with enough time to visit several bays.
• Lunch is simple and cold: Expect bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted fillings rather than a hot restaurant meal.
• Transport is part of the value: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with water and local wine.
• Not a small private boat: The maximum group size is 65, and one stop can become busier as more people join.
• The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop: Its bright water, rocky edges, sandy patches, and nearby caves make it the most famous part of the route.

What kind of boat day is this?

Think of this as a relaxed swimming cruise with sightseeing along the way. You will pass attractive coastal points around Malta, Gozo, and Comino, but the heart of the day is getting into the sea rather than walking through towns or visiting museums.

That distinction matters. If you want a close look at Gozo’s villages, churches, or countryside, this is not the right format. You may see Mgarr Harbor and the coast from the water, but most of your time is spent aboard or at beaches and swimming spots.

The boat is described as gullet-style, with seating and a shaded area. That shaded section matters in Malta’s summer heat. A long day in direct sun can become tiring, especially when you are wet, salty, and surrounded by bright water.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise. Captain Chris is singled out for being friendly, and the staff are described as attentive to safety and the general mood on board. That helps turn a basic boat transfer into a more pleasant day out.

Still, expectations are important. The boat can feel crowded, particularly after additional passengers join along the route. The listed maximum is 65 people, while the boat itself is licensed for 99. You should not book this expecting the quiet feel of a private charter.

Leaving from Mgarr Harbour at 8:00 am

The stated meeting point is Mgarr Harbour, Malta, with pickup available from hotels. The early start is useful because it gives the boat time to reach several parts of the coast before the day slips away.

If you use the pickup service, confirm the meeting details carefully when booking. The transfer is one of the tour’s practical strengths, particularly if you are staying away from Mgarr or do not want to arrange local transport before breakfast.

The cruise begins with views of the coast and harbor areas. Mgarr Harbour is associated with Gozo, and the route also takes in sights such as Anchor Bay and Elephant Rock. These are passing views rather than extended stops, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a guided shore visit at every landmark.

The scenery is the reward during the sailing sections. The coast is a mix of pale rock, small inlets, open sea, and low islands. You can sit back, watch the shoreline change, and use the quiet stretches between stops to dry off and rest.

Blue Lagoon: the most famous hour

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and Cominotto. It is a broad natural pool with a mix of sandy and rocky edges, plus caves nearby. The water is the reason this stop draws so much attention, and the setting makes it an obvious centerpiece for a Malta boat day.

You get about an hour here. That is enough time for a proper swim, some snorkeling, and a look at the caves if conditions allow. The bottom is not uniformly sandy, so water shoes may be useful, although they are not listed as a tour requirement.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest part of the day. Its fame brings many boats and beachgoers, and you should expect a social, active setting rather than a secluded swim. Still, seeing the pale water from the boat and then entering it yourself is a strong part of the experience.

The tour’s optional Caves Tour costs an extra 10 euros per person. It is not included in the main price, so budget for it only if the additional cave visit appeals to you. Ask the crew what the add-on includes before paying, since the core cruise already passes coastal caves.

Armier Bay: a quieter-looking change of scene

Armier Bay Beach receives about 30 minutes. Its water is also crystal blue and is compared with the Blue Lagoon, but the setting gives you a change from Comino’s headline stop.

Thirty minutes is a short visit, so treat Armier Bay as a quick swim or a chance to sit on the beach rather than a full beach afternoon. The shorter stop also helps keep the day moving across several locations.

This is where the route’s variety works well. You are not simply anchored at one famous place all day. You get repeated chances to swim, but the coast and mood shift from one bay to the next.

If you prefer long, unhurried stops, the schedule may feel uneven. One person found that the stops lasted too long, especially at the Blue Lagoon, while another found the day long in hot weather. That tells you the pacing will suit people who enjoy a slow boat day more than people who want constant sightseeing.

Paradise Bay at Malta’s northern tip

Paradise Bay Beach is near Mellieha Bay at Malta’s far northern point. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and offers another chance to swim in a beach setting.

The name is not subtle, but the location does provide a scenic final-style beach stop. It is useful for a quick swim, a little sun, and views of Malta’s northern coast.

Again, the timetable is designed for variety rather than depth. You will not have hours to explore the beach or surrounding area. Bring what you need for a fast change between swimming and sitting, and keep personal items secure on the boat.

Paradise Bay is also a reminder that the cruise is not only about Comino. The three-island theme gives you a broad coastal overview, even though the most memorable moments may still come from the water rather than from land.

Crystal Lagoon: clear water and rocky edges

Crystal Lagoon lies on Comino’s western side, between Malta and Gozo. You get about an hour here, making it one of the longer swimming stops along with the Blue Lagoon.

The setting is more rugged and enclosed than a standard beach. Rocky edges and open water make it well suited to swimming and snorkeling, provided sea conditions are comfortable. The clear water is the main attraction, not shops, monuments, or organized shore activities.

The two one-hour lagoon stops give the day its rhythm. You sail, anchor, swim, eat, and sail again. For someone who wants a classic Maltese sea day, that rhythm is the point.

For someone who gets seasick, dislikes repeated boat boarding, or prefers land-based touring, it may become tiring. One very negative account described a difficult day in hot, windy conditions, while the operator said the captain offered to alter the route for anyone feeling unwell. Weather can change the character of this experience quickly, so check the forecast and be realistic about your comfort on open water.

Lunch, water, and local wine

A buffet lunch is included. The food is described as a light cold spread with bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted fillings. Some people find it good and varied, while others consider it merely adequate.

That range makes sense. This is boat catering, not a meal at a Maltese restaurant. The cold format is practical in hot weather and may work well after swimming, but you should not book the cruise for gourmet food.

I see the lunch as a useful part of the price rather than the main attraction. It saves you from arranging food during a seven-hour outing, and you can eat without leaving the boat. If you have food allergies or special dietary needs, ask before booking, since the supplied information does not promise specific alternatives.

Water and local wine are included. Other drinks must be purchased. One positive account particularly enjoyed the steady supply of white wine, but you should pace yourself carefully in the sun and remember that the day includes swimming and boat travel.

A shaded part of the boat is available for a break from the sun. Use it. Malta’s heat can make a pleasant cruise feel punishing if you stay exposed all day.

Is $80.95 good value?

At $80.95 per person, the price covers a lot: approximately seven hours, hotel pickup and drop-off, the cruise, four swim stops, buffet lunch, water, and local wine. If you would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, and a boat trip, the package offers solid value.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Malta’s coast. In one day, you get Comino’s lagoons, Malta’s northern beaches, coastal views connected with Gozo, and several hours on the water.

The value is weaker if you want a small group or a tailored route. A group of up to 65 means less personal space, and the boat may become more crowded after additional passengers come aboard. You are paying for convenience and coverage, not privacy.

The food also affects how you judge the price. A cold buffet is enough to keep the day practical, but it will not feel like a special dining experience. If you bring a few snacks, you can make the day more comfortable without expecting the lunch to carry the tour.

The optional Caves Tour adds 10 euros per person. Since it is not part of the advertised price, decide in advance if you want it and bring extra money if needed.

Heat, swimming, and group size

You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour is not presented as a strenuous activity, but you should be comfortable moving around a boat, entering the water, and managing several swim stops.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The supplied details do not give a minimum age or specific accessibility information, so families should ask the provider before booking if anyone has mobility concerns or needs extra assistance.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a cover-up. You might also find water shoes helpful at rocky edges. These are practical suggestions for the conditions described, not items listed as included.

The group size deserves plain talk. The tour is capped at 65 people, which is smaller than the boat’s full license of 99 but still far from an intimate sailing trip. Seating may feel fine at the start and tighter later, especially if more people join after early stops.

That does not ruin the experience for everyone. Several high ratings focus on the pleasant crew, attractive swim stops, and enjoyable day on the water. Just choose it for the route and the convenience, not for personal space.

Weather can change the whole day

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Wind matters even when the sun is shining. Rougher water can make the ride uncomfortable, and a hot day can make a long cruise feel exhausting. The captain may adjust the route if conditions or passenger comfort require it, but the precise order and feel of the day can depend on the sea.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, so watch both the forecast and the local cancellation deadline.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple way to reach several coastal locations in one day
• Plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling
• Hotel pickup and return transport
• A relaxed boat day with lunch already arranged
• A first look at Malta, Gozo, and Comino without planning separate excursions

I would be more cautious if you want:

• A quiet or private boat
• Detailed guided sightseeing on land
• A hot lunch or high-end dining
• Short, fast-moving stops
• A guaranteed calm sea

The cruise works especially well as a first full day in Malta. It helps you see which bays and islands deserve a longer visit later. It is less useful for someone who has already explored the coast and now wants a deep look at Gozo’s inland sights.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, repeated swims, a generous amount of time at sea, and the ease of having transport and lunch included. The strongest parts are the four swim stops, the scenic sailing, Captain Chris and the friendly crew, and the practical all-in-one price.

Skip it if you want a small-group sailing trip or a carefully guided sightseeing circuit. The boat can be crowded, the lunch is simple, and the schedule may feel slow when a stop lasts an hour.

For most first-time visitors who are short on time, I think the convenience makes $80.95 reasonable. Go in expecting a swimming cruise with coastal views, not a private charter or a cultural tour, and you will be making the right booking for the day.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour start?

The stated starting point is Mgarr Harbour, Malta, at 8:00 am. Hotel pickup is also offered.

Which swimming locations are included?

The route includes Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay Beach, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included. It is described as a light cold buffet with items such as bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted fillings.

Are drinks included?

Water and local wine are included. Drinks other than water and local wine must be purchased separately.

Is the Caves Tour included?

No. The optional Caves Tour costs 10 euros per person and is not included in the main price.