From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Three islands, one long day, plenty of sea air. This $41 cruise from Sliema packs Gozo, Comino, Victoria, Qala Belvedere, the Blue Lagoon, and Comino’s caves into about seven and a half hours. I like the easy mix of sightseeing and swimming, and I like that you can add a mini bus on Gozo instead of trying to arrange island transport yourself. The main catch is simple: the sea can be rough, and time at each stop is limited.

The crew gets frequent praise for being friendly, calm, and helpful. The captain provides a running commentary as you pass St. Julian’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha. If you get seasick easily, though, this is not the right day trip for you. The boat travels a fair distance, and bad weather can change the route or shorten a stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Gozo is the first major stop: You can explore from Mgarr Harbour on your own or pay for the optional mini bus to Qala Belvedere and Victoria.
• The Victoria stop is short but useful: Around 80 to 120 minutes gives you time for the Citadel, a walk, a drink, or a quick meal, but not a leisurely city visit.
• Blue Lagoon time is planned for about 75 to 90 minutes: It is enough for a swim and some sun, though busy conditions can make the stop feel rushed.
• The boat includes a water slide: It is a fun extra when weather and sea conditions allow, but it may not operate on windy days.
• You need a free Blue Lagoon QR code: From May 1, 2025, anyone getting off the boat at the Blue Lagoon must register in advance.
• Weather matters more than the schedule: The captain may alter the route, landing point, or activities for safety.

Leaving Sliema for Malta’s northern islands

The meeting point is at the Sliema ferry area. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. The starting point is central and easy to reach from Sliema, and one visitor staying near St. Julian’s found the ferry terminal walkable from there.

Once aboard, you cruise north along Malta’s coast. The boat passes St. Julian’s Bay, Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha. These are not walking stops, but they make the outward journey part of the sightseeing rather than dead travel time.

The captain gives information about the islands and coastal landmarks as you go. This ongoing commentary is one of the tour’s better features. It gives you a sense of where you are and adds context without forcing you into a formal lecture.

The boat has toilets, a small bar, food service, and upper-deck seating. The top deck is the place to be for views and fresh air, but it also gives you the most motion when the sea is rough. The lower areas may feel steadier, especially if you are prone to seasickness.

Bring a towel and comfortable shoes. Food and drinks are not included, so budget for those separately. One useful warning from the boat experience: snacks and drinks are convenient, but prices at the Blue Lagoon can feel high for what you receive.

Gozo begins at Mgarr Harbour

Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour is your first proper stop. From here, you have two choices.

You can stay near the port and explore on your own. This gives you more freedom, but it also means you must manage your own transport and keep a close eye on the return time. Gozo has much more to offer than can fit into a few hours, so independent exploration works best if you already know exactly where you want to go.

The easier choice is the optional mini bus. It takes you to Qala Belvedere and then Victoria, Gozo’s capital. I would choose this option for a first visit. The bus keeps the day moving and removes the worry of finding a taxi, local bus, or route across the island.

A small point matters here: make sure you understand which Gozo option you selected during booking. Some people have found the choice between free time and bus transport unclear. Confirm it before departure, and listen carefully for the meeting time when you arrive.

Qala Belvedere gives you the big Gozo view

The Qala Belvedere stop is brief, but it earns its place. From this viewpoint, you get broad views toward the sea and the surrounding islands. It is a photo stop, not a long walk or a full sightseeing visit.

That short pause works well in a tightly planned day. You step off the bus, take in the view, and get back on without spending the best part of your Gozo time on transport. Bring your phone or camera ready, since the stop is designed for quick photographs.

The tradeoff is that you will not have time to linger. If you prefer slow walks, quiet viewpoints, and long stops, a dedicated Gozo excursion will suit you better.

Victoria and the Citadel in roughly 80 minutes

Victoria is the most substantial Gozo stop. The mini bus drops you in the capital, where you can walk toward the Citadel, the old fortified city above Victoria.

The Citadel is the key sight here. Its walls and elevated position give you strong views across Gozo, while the streets inside offer a compact taste of the island’s capital. You can also shop, stop for coffee, or grab something to eat.

Time is the issue. The listed schedule gives about 80 minutes, though some departures allow close to two hours. That sounds generous until you add walking, finding the Citadel, ordering food, and getting back to the bus. Service at cafés and restaurants can be slow, so do not plan a long meal if seeing the Citadel matters to you.

I would visit the Citadel first, then use any remaining minutes for a drink or quick browse. This order protects you from missing the return bus. One bus driver, Carmen, received special praise for being kind and helpful, but the general rule remains the same: return early and do not rely on catching the next vehicle.

The optional bus is especially good value in this part of the trip. You see two important Gozo locations without spending your short stop trying to organize transport. The downside is less freedom and a firm schedule.

Returning to Comino for the Blue Lagoon

After Gozo, you reboard the Luzzu Cruises vessel and continue to Comino. The main event is the Blue Lagoon, with about 75 to 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking around the shore.

The water is the star here. On a calm, sunny day, the color is striking, and the boat’s water slide adds a bit of family fun. You can also swim directly from the boat when conditions permit. Some people find the view from the boat better than the crowded shore, so do not assume you must get off immediately.

The Blue Lagoon can be hectic, especially in summer. The short stop feels more manageable in quieter months, while peak-season crowds can make changing, walking, and finding a comfortable spot less pleasant. The water may look inviting, but strong wind can cancel swimming or require the captain to use another bay.

From May 1, 2025, you must register for a free QR code if you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The registration link is provided after booking. This is not an optional extra. Keep the code ready, since it is checked before you get off or board again.

A practical approach is to bring swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel where you can reach it, and avoid carrying anything you cannot keep dry. Comfortable shoes also help if you choose to walk rather than spend the entire stop in the water.

Comino’s caves and the cruise home

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes the Santa Maria Caves, also called the Crystal Caves of Comino. The stop lasts around ten minutes and is mainly for photographs from the vessel.

This is a quick but memorable part of the route. The captain may bring the boat close to the cave openings, giving you a better angle than you might expect from a standard cruise. It is not a cave tour on foot, so keep your expectations realistic. You will see the formations from the water, take pictures, and move on.

The return trip to Sliema can be smoother than the outbound crossing, but that depends entirely on the weather. Several departures have faced rough water in one direction and calm conditions in the other. The crew hands out sick bags and gives warnings when conditions are difficult, but no staff member can remove the motion from the sea.

The captain may also change the route or cancel a stop if conditions become unsafe. This tour runs rain or shine, but the advertised sequence is not a guarantee in poor weather. That flexibility is sensible, though it can mean less time at the Blue Lagoon or an alternative stop such as St. Mary’s Bay.

What the $41 price really buys you

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value introduction to Malta’s northern islands. You get a full-day cruise, the crossing to Gozo, a stop in Victoria, Qala Belvedere if you choose the bus, Comino’s Blue Lagoon, the caves, commentary, and use of the water slide when operating.

The value comes from covering three islands in one outing. Booking separate transport to Gozo, arranging a visit to Victoria, and then finding a boat to Comino would take more planning and could cost more. The cruise also gives you a long view of Malta’s coastline, which is hard to reproduce from the road.

You are paying for breadth, not depth. Gozo gets only a taste, Victoria gets a short visit, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon can feel crowded. If your main goal is a relaxed day on Gozo, this is too compressed. If your goal is to see the main island sights efficiently and enjoy time on the water, the price is convincing.

The optional Gozo bus improves the value for most first-time visitors. It saves time and takes you directly to the two planned sights. Independent visitors may prefer to skip it, but only if they are comfortable managing their own route and return timing.

The best season and the real weather warning

Summer brings the best chance of warm swimming, but it also brings the busiest Blue Lagoon conditions. Spring and autumn can offer a more comfortable sightseeing day, though the sea may still become rough and swimming is never guaranteed.

Winter departures can be pleasant for sitting on the upper deck and seeing the coast, but bring an extra layer. Recent cold-weather outings still had good views, yet nobody should book this trip assuming beach weather outside the warm season.

Wind is the deciding factor. It can affect the crossing, the slide, swimming, and the choice of landing point. If you are severely prone to seasickness, skip this tour. If you only occasionally feel unwell, sit in a steadier part of the boat, look toward the horizon, and follow the crew’s instructions.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a convenient first look at Gozo and Comino without renting a car or arranging several separate trips. Families may especially like the slide, the boat setting, and the combination of sightseeing and swimming.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who enjoy a full schedule and do not mind moving on when the clock says so. The English-speaking host and regular commentary make the day easy to follow.

I would hesitate if you have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it includes boat boarding, bus transfers, walking, and swimming access. It is also a poor match for anyone who needs long, quiet stops or becomes very ill on boats.

Pack comfortable shoes, a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and money for food and drinks. Most important, keep the Gozo and boat meeting times visible on your phone.

Should you book the Sliema to Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value sampler of Malta’s islands and accept that each stop is brief. Choose the optional Gozo mini bus for the simplest day, visit the Citadel before stopping for food, and register for the Blue Lagoon QR code before arrival.

Skip it if you want a slow Gozo visit, dislike crowded swimming spots, or are strongly affected by rough seas. For everyone else, this is an efficient, scenic day with a friendly crew, useful commentary, and enough variety to make the long schedule worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about 7.5 hours, including the cruise from Sliema, the Gozo visit, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Comino caves, and the return journey.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the Sliema ferry area at Luzzu Cruises. Look for MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

Is transport around Gozo included?

Gozo transport is optional. You can explore independently or choose the mini bus option, which visits Qala Belvedere and Victoria.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, with the detailed schedule listing about 75 minutes. Weather and sea conditions can shorten or change this stop.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The registration link is provided after booking.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although food service and a small bar are available on the boat.