St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

Three Maltese islands, one busy day. This seven-hour boat and bus tour packs the Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s capital Victoria, St. Paul’s Island, and several coastal caves into one outing. I like the smaller boat, which feels more pleasant than a packed sightseeing vessel, and I like the price: $40 gives you transport between several major sights, live English commentary, and time to swim. The trade-off is simple: the schedule is tight, especially in Gozo.

The day works best if you want a broad taste of Malta rather than a slow visit to one place. You get beautiful water, a short look at Gozo’s old capital, and a final stop for swimming or a walk to St. Paul’s statue. Just remember that the Blue Lagoon can be crowded, the caves depend on the sea, and you need to arrive early at Bugibba Jetty.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts one hour: You can swim from the boat, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk around Comino, but the time passes quickly.
• Gozo gets two hours: A bus takes you from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria, where you must choose between the Cittadella, markets, shopping, and lunch.
• Captain Matthew may be your guide: He has been praised for explaining the schedule clearly and helping passengers make the most of the day.
• The smaller boat is a real advantage: It offers a more relaxed feel and can enter caves when sea conditions allow.
• St. Paul’s Island is a short final stop: You have 30 minutes for a swim or a walk to see the statue of St. Paul.
• Bring cash and your own beach gear: Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra, while rented equipment requires a €10 cash security deposit.

Starting at Bugibba Jetty at 9:30

Your day begins at Bugibba Jetty, where boarding starts at 9:30 a.m. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. sharp, and boarding closes at 9:50, so I would not treat the stated departure time as a suggestion.

Look for the Mermaid representatives, or find the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat at the jetty. The tour ends at the same place around 5:00 p.m., which makes this easy to fit into a Malta stay based around Bugibba or nearby areas.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, and the tour includes live commentary in English. Those are modest details, but they matter during a full day at sea. The commentary also helps turn the ride between stops into part of the sightseeing, with views toward Mellieha and the Maltese coastline.

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included. You should also be ready for sun exposure, wet steps, and a day that involves moving between boat, bus, shore, and water.

One hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, one of Malta’s most famous swimming spots. The water is clear enough to make the stop immediately appealing, and the main choice is yours: swim from the boat, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on the island.

I like the fact that the boat provides a direct swim option. You do not need to spend the whole stop searching for a beach, and you can get into the water without turning the visit into a long shore excursion. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on board or walk around during the one-hour break.

The main weakness is the clock. One hour is enough for a good swim, but not enough for a leisurely Comino visit. The Blue Lagoon is also crowded in summer, a problem caused by its popularity rather than by this particular tour. The water may look perfect, but the shore and nearby areas can feel less peaceful than the pictures suggest.

There is also an extra administrative step. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket for Comino. The ticket is free, but you should arrange it before the day rather than leave it until you are standing at the jetty.

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 cash security deposit. If you already have a mask and snorkel, bringing your own may save time. Either way, I would pack your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach.

Crossing to Gozo and heading for Victoria

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. This crossing gives you a different view of Malta’s northern coast and the island setting that makes this trip more than a simple beach outing.

At the harbour, you board a bus for Victoria, Gozo’s capital. The bus transfer is useful because it removes the need to arrange separate transport from the harbour. It also lets you reach the island’s main city without spending your short Gozo visit trying to find a taxi or local connection.

The bus is a practical part of the tour, but it also sets the rhythm. You are not touring all of Gozo. You are getting a compact introduction to Victoria, with enough time to see one main sight and perhaps eat or shop.

The transfer may suit you if you want a first look at Gozo without planning a full day. If Gozo is your main reason for visiting Malta, you will probably find the two-hour stop too brief.

Choosing between the Cittadella, markets, and lunch

Victoria gives you several reasonable choices, but you will not have time to do everything properly. The best-known option is the Cittadella, the historic fortified center above the city. It is the strongest pick if you want history, views, and a clear sense of Victoria’s character.

You could also spend time at the Victoria markets, browse local shops, or stop at a Gozitan restaurant. The choice depends on your priorities. I would choose the Cittadella if this is your first visit to Gozo and keep lunch simple. If you have already seen plenty of forts and churches in Malta, the markets and a local meal may make better use of your time.

Several people found that Gozo needed another 30 to 45 minutes. That is fair. The two hours include the bus trip from the harbour and back, so your time in Victoria is not two completely open hours. Keep an eye on the meeting time, since the boat cannot wait for late shoppers or anyone who has wandered too far into the city.

A private bus may be available for the Gozo section. If you value more direct transport or want a little more control, ask about that option when booking. The important point is to confirm what it costs and how it changes the schedule before you rely on it.

Caves along the Maltese coast

Once you return to Mgarr Harbour, the boat heads back toward Malta and continues along the coast. One of the most enjoyable parts of the route is the chance to enter coastal caves at no extra charge.

The exact caves depend on the weather and sea conditions. The boat may enter the Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves, but the captain has the final say. Rough water can mean the cave section is changed or skipped, so you should treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed centerpiece.

The smaller boat helps here. It can get into spaces that larger sightseeing boats may not reach, and the vessel’s size also contributes to the calmer feel praised by passengers. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not let photography distract you from watching the coastline.

This portion gives the trip a welcome change of pace. The Blue Lagoon is about swimming and open water. The caves provide a closer look at the rock formations along the coast, even if the route changes from day to day.

Thirty minutes at St. Paul’s Island

The last stop is St. Paul’s Island, where the boat docks for about 30 minutes. You can take one final swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul.

This is a short, quiet finish after the more popular Blue Lagoon and the structured Gozo stop. The island is described as secluded, but do not expect a long walk or a full island tour in half an hour. Think of it as a final pause, a quick photo stop, and another chance to get into the water.

The stop works especially well if you still have energy for a swim. If you are tired after Comino and Victoria, the time can be used simply to stretch your legs and look around. The statue gives the visit a clear point of interest, while the surrounding water provides the main reason to stay close to the shore.

After 30 minutes, the boat returns to Bugibba Jetty, arriving at roughly 5:00 p.m.

What the $40 price really includes

At $40 per person, this is strong value if you want to see several parts of the Maltese islands in one day. You are paying for the boat route, the Gozo bus transfer to Victoria, live English commentary, the cave visit when conditions permit, and stops at Comino and St. Paul’s Island.

The price is especially appealing when compared with the effort of organizing separate transport to Comino, Gozo, and St. Paul’s Island. You also avoid spending time working out how to connect Mgarr Harbour with Victoria.

Still, the tour is not an all-inclusive day. You pay separately for food, drinks, and rented snorkeling equipment. The Gozo portion also asks you to accept a quick look instead of a full visit. If you want a relaxed lunch, extended shopping, or careful sightseeing at the Cittadella, you may prefer a dedicated Gozo tour.

The strongest value comes from the range of sights. In one day, you get swimming, coastal views, caves, a bus ride through Gozo, a historic capital, and St. Paul’s Island. It is less valuable if you dislike fixed schedules or would rather spend three hours at one place.

The crew and the feel of the boat

The crew receives particularly warm praise for being friendly and helpful. Captain Matthew has been singled out for explaining the day’s plan and helping passengers see as much as possible. That matters on a tightly timed outing, since clear instructions make the transfers less stressful.

The boat is smaller than average, which appears to be one of the tour’s best practical features. It can still become nearly full, but the smaller size has been described as pleasant rather than overcrowded. It also supports the cave section, weather permitting.

You should expect a shared tour, not a private cruise. The schedule is fixed, and your choices at each stop are limited by the next departure. In return, you get an organized route and a crew that helps keep the day moving.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you are visiting Malta for a limited time and want to cover several headline sights without arranging separate transport. It suits swimmers, first-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys a full day with a clear plan.

It is also a good choice if you like being on the water. The boat ride is not just a transfer between stops. You spend much of the day viewing the coast, entering caves if conditions allow, and moving through the Maltese islands by sea.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long, quiet visit to Gozo. Two hours, including bus transfers, is not enough for a thorough visit to Victoria and the Cittadella. You should also reconsider if you have mobility limitations, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

The trip can feel tiring. That is the price of fitting three island stops and a bus transfer into seven hours. Wear practical shoes, keep your belongings light, and do not plan an ambitious evening immediately afterward.

Weather, safety, and useful planning tips

The captain can cancel or alter the trip because of weather. Sea conditions also decide which caves the boat can enter. This flexibility is necessary, but it means you should avoid treating every part of the advertised route as guaranteed.

Arrive before the boarding cutoff. Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m., with departure at 10:00 a.m. sharp. The red, white, and blue boat and Mermaid representatives should make the meeting point easier to find.

For the best use of your time, decide before departure what matters most at each stop:

• At Comino, choose swimming or walking rather than trying to do both at length.
• In Victoria, pick the Cittadella, markets, or lunch before you arrive.
• At St. Paul’s Island, decide if you want the statue, a final swim, or both.

Carry cash for purchases and the snorkeling deposit. Keep sunscreen available throughout the day, not just before boarding. The sun, water, and open boat can make the afternoon feel hotter than expected.

Should you book the St. Paul’s Bay tour?

Book it if you want good value and variety in one well-organized day. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, the smaller boat makes the ride more comfortable, the cave entry adds something special, and the Gozo bus transfer saves planning time. Captain Matthew and the crew also appear to make the tight schedule easier to manage.

Skip it if you want a slow Gozo visit, a quiet Blue Lagoon experience, or plenty of time at each sight. The tour is a sampler, not a deep visit. For most first-time visitors with only one free day, though, $40 is a sensible way to see a lot of Malta from both the road and the sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding starts at 9:30 a.m. and closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat departs at 10:00 a.m. sharp.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours and returns to Bugibba Jetty at about 5:00 p.m.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?

You have one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking around the island.

How long is the Gozo visit?

The Gozo section lasts two hours, including the bus ride from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria and the return journey.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented, and a €10 cash security deposit is required.

Can the boat enter the caves?

The boat can enter caves at no extra charge, but the exact caves and entry depend on the weather and sea conditions.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The captain may cancel or alter the trip according to weather conditions. Sea conditions also affect the cave portion of the route.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.