Malta: Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise

Clear water, cliffs, and two islands in one day. This family-run cruise from St Pauls Bay gives you a lively way to see Malta from the sea, with stops at the Blue Lagoon and Gozo. I especially like the live commentary from Captain Kevin and the crew, plus the 10-meter slide for a bit of old-fashioned fun.

I also like the generous three hours on Gozo, enough time for Victoria and the Citadel if you take the optional bus. The main drawback is crowding: upper-deck chairs are limited, and the boat leaves promptly at 10:00 AM, so you need to arrive early.

Key points at a glance

• A full seven-hour sea day: You cruise Malta’s northern coast, Comino, Gozo, and the south channel of Comino.
• Blue Lagoon swimming time: You get about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, sliding, or simply sitting by the water.
• Gozo made easier: A €5 cash minibus transfer takes you toward Victoria, saving time and effort.
• Best views from the top: Upper-deck seating is first come, first served, so arrive 45 minutes to an hour early.
• Extra fun costs extra: The speedboat ride is €15 cash, while mask and snorkel rental costs €5 with a refundable deposit.
• A proper family outing: The boat has shade, a bar and snacks, deck chairs, a slide, and plenty to keep children and adults occupied.

Why this cruise works well for a Malta day

Malta is compact, but seeing Malta, Comino, and Gozo in one day by land can involve buses, ferries, waiting, and plenty of route planning. This cruise removes much of that work. You board once in St Pauls Bay and let the crew handle the island-hopping.

The price is about $34 per person, which is strong value for a seven-hour outing. Round-trip sailing, the Blue Lagoon stop, Gozo time, the slide, and the coastal sightseeing are included. You still need to budget for food, the Gozo bus, possible snorkeling equipment, lockers, and the optional speedboat, but the basic fare covers the main experience.

I would not treat this as a quiet small-boat excursion. It is a social, activity-filled boat day. Music, commentary, swimming, sunbathing, and a steady flow of people create a cheerful holiday mood. If you want a private skipper and a peaceful cove, choose something smaller. If you want to pack several famous sights into one affordable day, this is a sensible choice.

Boarding at St Pauls Bay

The meeting point is Hornblower Cruises at Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay. The boat sits behind LOA restaurant, and you should look for the large white and blue vessel with Hornblower written in red on the side.

The boat departs at 10:00 AM sharp. The company advises arriving at least 45 minutes to an hour ahead, and that advice matters. Traffic can be heavy, parking is limited, and late arrivals do not receive a refund if they miss the departure.

Arriving early has another reward: the upper deck. Deck chairs are limited, and the best spots go quickly. One useful approach is to arrive around 8:30 to 9:00 AM if sitting upstairs matters to you. The upper deck has deck chairs and artificial grass areas, while the main deck offers shaded seating.

If you use a local bus, Parades, Bandieri, and Toni are all within walking distance. If you drive, free parking may be available in white road markings or in a small parking area near the stop, but availability is not guaranteed.

Malta’s northern coast from the water

The cruise begins with a scenic run along Malta’s northern coast. Keep your camera ready for high rocky cliffs, coves, unusual rock shapes, and sea caves. The boat passes close enough for photographs, and this early section helps you see how rugged Malta’s coastline can be beyond its towns and roads.

The route also passes the islands of St Paul and the large statue of St Paul. The statue recalls the traditional account of St Paul’s shipwreck in Malta in AD 60, an important story in the island’s Christian identity.

Captain Kevin provides live commentary as you go. His style seems to be a major part of the day, mixing information about the coast and Malta’s past with music and a relaxed atmosphere. You should not expect a formal lecture, but you do get useful context while the views are in front of you.

The boat also enters or passes near the Ahrax and Santa Maria caves. These are brief sightseeing sections rather than long cave visits, so think of them as photo opportunities from the water. That is still valuable, since the shape of the coast is easier to appreciate from a boat than from an inland road.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth using well

The main swimming stop lasts around 1.5 hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The water is famously clear, and the pale seabed gives it the bright turquoise color people come to see. You can swim from the boat, walk to the small sandy beach, snorkel, or stay on deck and enjoy the view.

The boat itself is part of the attraction. You can sunbathe upstairs, sit in the shade on the main deck, or use the 10-meter slide into the water. Children and adults who enjoy active outings will likely get the most from this stop.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear in an easy-to-reach bag. You do not want to bury your swimming clothes under a daypack while the boat is already moored.

The Blue Lagoon can be extremely popular, and the stop is not designed for a long, peaceful beach session. Your time is limited, so decide early whether you want to swim, use the slide, snorkel, or walk ashore. Trying to do everything can make 90 minutes feel short.

A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned when the equipment comes back. Lockers cost €2 and are limited. Carry cash for these extras, as well as for the speedboat.

The optional speedboat around Comino

The optional speedboat ride costs €15 and is paid in cash to the representative on site. Availability can vary, so it is not part of the guaranteed basic package.

If you choose it, expect a faster and wetter look at the caves and the Crystal Lagoon. You may be taken through sea caves and along striking parts of Comino’s coast, but bring a way to protect your phone and expect to get soaked.

This add-on is best for people who enjoy a short burst of speed and close-up coastal views. It is less suitable if you want to remain dry, protect a carefully chosen outfit, or avoid transferring between boats. The crew has been praised for helping older passengers with boarding, but you should still consider your comfort with stepping in and out of a smaller boat.

Three hours on Gozo

After Comino, the cruise continues to Gozo for roughly three hours. This is the part of the day where planning helps most.

You can explore independently, but the optional minibus transfer is usually the practical choice if your goal is Victoria. It costs €5 in cash, paid when boarding the transfer. The ride helps you reach Victoria quickly, giving you more useful time on the island instead of trying to work out local transport during a short stop.

Victoria is Gozo’s capital, and the Citadel is the obvious target if you want history, views, and a compact walk. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours in Victoria in the stated route, with additional sightseeing around Gozo and a brief stop at Xlendi Bay. Use your time for a walk, photographs, shopping, or lunch.

Several people find the bus worth the small charge because it is faster and more convenient. I agree, especially on a first visit or if you want to see the Citadel. The tradeoff is independence. You will follow the group’s timing rather than choosing your own Gozo route.

Xlendi Bay appears as a short scenic stop of about 20 minutes. That is enough for a look and a few photographs, but not enough for a full visit. Treat it as a quick coastal glimpse, not a second major island stop.

The boat does not include lunch, but food, snacks, and drinks are available for purchase on board. You may also find food in Victoria, though the short schedule means you should not spend too much time searching for a restaurant.

The return through Comino’s south channel

The return route brings you past the Crystal Lagoon, more sea caves, and St Mary’s Tower. These are mainly scenic and photographic passages, not extended stops.

The Crystal Lagoon is a particularly good reason to keep your camera ready. Its clear water and enclosed coastal setting make it one of Comino’s most attractive views. You may not get a swimming stop there, and swimming conditions or the season can affect what is possible. The Blue Lagoon is the dependable swimming portion of the day.

St Mary’s Tower gives the final route a historic marker. It is one of the sights you can see from the water, along with the rock walls and caves around Comino. The cruise then returns to the same Hornblower meeting point in St Pauls Bay.

Life aboard the Hornblower boat

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this outing. Captain Kevin is frequently singled out for his commentary, humor, and music choices, while crew members such as Brahim and Life have also made a warm impression.

The tone is friendly rather than formal. You get information about the places you pass, but the day is just as much about relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the boat. The bar serves reasonably priced drinks and snacks, with some hot food available.

The upper deck is the prize spot for sun and views, but deck chairs are not sun loungers, and there are not enough for everyone. Arrive early if you want one. Otherwise, the shaded main deck is a useful fallback, especially during the hotter hours.

The slide is a genuine feature, not a decorative extra. At 10 meters, it gives the Blue Lagoon stop some energy and makes the cruise more than a sightseeing transfer. If you prefer to avoid the slide, you can swim, sit in the shade, or walk to the beach.

What to bring and what to budget

Pack light, but make sure the essentials are accessible:

• Towel and beachwear
• Sunscreen
• Cash for the €5 Gozo bus
• Cash for the €15 speedboat, if available
• Money for food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a locker
• Waterproof protection for phones and cameras

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, so anyone with mobility concerns should check the boarding arrangements before booking.

The advertised price is good, but the final cost depends on how many extras you choose. A couple who adds the bus, food, drinks, snorkeling rental, and speedboat will spend more than the headline fare. Still, you are paying for a full day of transport, coast viewing, two islands, and water activities, so the basic package offers solid value.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it for families, couples, first-time visitors to Malta, and anyone who wants an easy way to combine Comino and Gozo. It also suits you if you enjoy a busy day with several different activities rather than one long beach stop.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, need a flexible schedule, or want extensive time in Gozo. Three hours is useful, but it is not enough for a broad tour of the island. The Blue Lagoon stop is also brief, so serious snorkelers may want a dedicated boat trip instead.

The cruise earns its strong reputation through organization, friendly staff, clear instructions, and a good mix of sightseeing and fun. The main things to accept are the early arrival, limited top-deck seating, cash-only extras, and a fixed timetable.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want good value and a full day at sea without arranging several separate connections. Arrive early, take the €5 bus to Victoria, and consider the speedboat if you enjoy getting wet and seeing Comino from a smaller craft.

Skip it if your ideal day means solitude, slow exploration, or a long stay on one island. For most first visits, though, this is an efficient and enjoyable introduction to Malta’s northern coast, Comino’s clear water, and Gozo’s capital.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Hornblower Cruises, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay, behind LOA restaurant. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. It will not wait for late arrivals, so you should arrive 45 minutes to an hour early.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours and returns to the original meeting point in St Pauls Bay.

How long do you get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about 1.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, using the slide, walking to the beach, or relaxing on board.

Is Gozo included in the cruise?

Yes. The cruise includes about three hours of free time on Gozo. You can explore independently or pay €5 cash for the optional minibus transfer toward Victoria.

Is the Gozo bus included in the price?

No. The minibus or bus transfer costs €5 and must be paid in cash on the day.

How much does the optional speedboat cost?

The speedboat costs €15, subject to availability, and must be paid in cash to the representative on site.

Can you rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent. You pay a €15 deposit and receive €10 back when the equipment is returned.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but hot food, snacks, and drinks are available to purchase on board.