Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The best part of this boat trip is the way it combines Gozo and Comino in one day without packing you onto a giant party vessel. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island and Mellieha Bay, spend time in Victoria, then swim from the boat in the Blue Lagoon’s clear water before entering the Santa Maria Caves.

I like the friendly, attentive crew and the smaller Seahorse boat, which gives the day a calmer feel. I also like the onboard shower, toilet, sun deck, food service, and jump platform. The tradeoff is time: one and a half hours in Gozo is enough for a quick look at Victoria, but not enough for a full island visit.

Key points

• A smaller boat with a relaxed feel: Seahorse Cruises avoids the packed, high-volume atmosphere of the largest vessels.
• Two islands in one outing: You see Gozo and Comino without arranging separate transport.
• A quieter Blue Lagoon stop: The boat anchors away from the thickest crowds, while you can still swim in the famous turquoise water.
• A short Victoria visit: You get about two hours in Gozo’s capital, including time for photos, sights, and the market.
• Useful onboard facilities: There is a toilet, shower by the side ladder, sun deck, snorkel masks, and food and drinks for purchase.
• A practical early start: Boarding closes at 10:00 AM for the 10:30 AM departure from Bugibba Jetty.

Why this Gozo and Comino cruise works well

At $53 per person, this is a sensible way to see two of Malta’s most popular nearby islands in a single outing. The price covers the boat, commentary in English and Italian, transport to Victoria, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the scenic return past the caves.

You are not paying for a full guided tour of Gozo. You are paying for transport, coastal views, a swim stop, and a short independent visit to Victoria. That distinction matters. If you want a detailed look at Gozo’s villages, churches, and countryside, choose a separate Gozo day trip. If you want a pleasant boat day with a taste of the island, this format gives you good value.

The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises and is easy to identify at Dawret il-Gzejjer by Bugibba Jetty. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, even though the boat leaves at 10:30, so do not treat the later departure time as your arrival time. Give yourself room to find the jetty and board without rushing.

The boat has a more personal feel than the biggest excursion vessels. Captain Owen is frequently described as warm and attentive, and the crew places clear attention on safety and comfort. The result is a trip that suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want conversation and service without a loud party atmosphere.

The morning cruise past Malta’s northern coast

Once you leave Bugibba, the boat turns the journey itself into part of the experience. You pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, and Smuggler’s Cove Cave on the way toward Gozo. The first sightseeing cruise takes about an hour, so you have time to settle in, look for coastal details, and find a good place on the sun deck.

The rocky Maltese coast is best seen from the water. Coves and cliffs that can seem disconnected from land begin to make sense as you move past them by boat. The crew provides live commentary in English and Italian, though the amount of explanation can vary. If your main aim is historical detail, do not expect a full lecture. The strength here is the view and the easy pace.

The boat also passes the Crystal Lagoon area for a short photo and sightseeing stop. The stop is listed at about ten minutes, so think of it as a chance to take in the water and rock formations rather than a proper swimming visit.

Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and comfortable shoes. Malta’s sun can be strong, and the open deck gives you little shade unless you find a covered area. Cash is important because only cash is accepted onboard.

Two hours in Victoria, Gozo

After the cruise, you transfer to a shuttle bus for Victoria, Gozo’s capital. This is a self-guided stop, giving you roughly two hours to walk, take photographs, see the historic center, and browse the market.

Victoria is useful as a first taste of Gozo because several sights and everyday details are gathered in one place. You can get your bearings quickly, look around the streets, and shop for simple souvenirs such as fridge magnets. The stop also breaks up the boat ride with time on land.

The weakness is the clock. Once you account for the shuttle transfer, finding your way around, and perhaps stopping for food, the available sightseeing time disappears quickly. A short visit works for a taste of Victoria, but it will frustrate you if you want to explore Gozo properly.

I would make a simple plan before you arrive. Decide if you want photographs, the market, or a quick look at the historical sights. Trying to do everything at a leisurely pace is unlikely in this time window. Food is available to buy on the boat, so you may prefer to save your Victoria time for walking rather than sitting down to eat.

There is also an extra transport charge noted in one account of the shuttle, €5 per person. Check the current arrangements when booking or boarding, since the supplied tour details include transport to Victoria but do not clearly state that this fee applies to every departure.

Swimming from the boat at the Blue Lagoon

The afternoon highlight is a one-and-a-half-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon on Comino. You can remain onboard and sunbathe, or use the side ladder and platform to enter the water. A shower near the ladder is handy after swimming, and snorkel masks are available with a €10 deposit.

The boat anchors away from the thickest crowds, which is one of the smartest features of the outing. You still reach the famous clear, turquoise water, but you are not forced into the busiest patch directly beside the shore. This gives the swimming stop a calmer feel than a shore-based visit at the height of summer.

Do not assume that the boat’s quiet anchorage means the whole Blue Lagoon area will be quiet. Comino is a major attraction, and the water near the main landing points can be busy. From the boat, though, you can choose a less hectic place to swim and return to the sun deck when you have had enough.

There is one important rule for 2025 onward. If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must reserve a free QR code and select the 13:30 to 17:30 time slot. The code is required under Maltese regulations from May 1, 2025. The tour can still work well if you plan to swim directly from the boat, but check your ticket carefully if stepping ashore matters to you.

The Blue Lagoon stop is long enough for a proper swim and some time in the sun, but not a full afternoon. If you want hours on Comino’s shore, this is not the right format. If you want a convenient swim with facilities close by, it is a strong part of the day.

Santa Maria Caves and the return to Bugibba

After Comino, the boat begins the return journey to Bugibba. The ride back takes about an hour, with a short visit to the Santa Maria Caves along the way.

The boat enters the caves so you can see the rock formations from the water. One of the most memorable sights is the Elephants Head, a striking shape formed in the rock. This is a photo stop rather than a long cave expedition, so keep your camera ready and listen for the crew’s instructions.

Some departures may offer an optional speedboat ride inside the caves for an added charge. This is not part of the basic $53 price, so ask about the cost before agreeing. It can add excitement, but the main cruise already provides a good view of the cave area.

The return to Bugibba is scheduled for around 17:00. By then, you have had a full day on the water, a brief land visit, a swim, and several coastal sights. It is a fairly active schedule, but it avoids the pressure of changing boats or arranging separate island transport.

What the boat provides onboard

The facilities make a difference because six and a half hours is a long time to spend at sea. You have access to:

• A sun deck
• A toilet
• A shower near the side ladder
• A swimming and jump platform
• Snorkel masks with a €10 deposit
• Food and drinks for purchase
• Live commentary in English and Italian

The food and drinks are not included, but onboard prices are described as reasonable. Only cash is accepted, so bring enough for refreshments and any optional extras. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed.

That packing rule is worth taking seriously. Bring only what you need for the day: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, cash, and perhaps a small personal bag if permitted by the crew. Large luggage has no place on this type of boat.

The boat is suitable for all ages, but it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to manage boarding, the side ladder, the shuttle arrangements, and movement around the vessel. Anyone who plans to swim should also be comfortable using the ladder and platform.

How much time do you really get?

The advertised duration is six and a half hours, but the day is divided into several short pieces. The schedule works roughly like this:

• About one hour cruising toward Gozo
• About ten minutes near the Crystal Lagoon
• About two hours in Victoria
• About one and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon
• About one hour cruising back
• About ten minutes at the Santa Maria Caves

This structure gives you variety, but it also explains the main complaint: Gozo can feel rushed. The boat ride, Comino swim, and caves all compete for the same limited hours.

I would book this if you want a broad sample of Malta’s northern waters. I would not book it as your only Gozo experience if you care most about seeing the island itself. For many people, the compromise is worthwhile because the Blue Lagoon and the boat ride are the real focus.

The schedule is also sensitive to wind, tides, and weather. The captain and provider can alter the route, starting point, or ending point when conditions require it. That is normal for a sea trip, but you should keep your plans flexible afterward.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

This cruise suits you if you want:

• A single outing that includes Gozo and Comino
• A swim in clear water without arranging your own boat
• A smaller vessel instead of a very large excursion boat
• Time to sunbathe, snorkel, and enjoy the coast
• Friendly service and simple onboard facilities
• A family-friendly day with a clear structure

It is less suitable if you want a long, detailed visit to Victoria, a quiet shore at the Blue Lagoon, or a fully guided historical tour. It also may not suit you if you dislike boats, need step-free access, or prefer to carry a large day bag.

The strongest part of the experience is the mix. You can move from coastal sightseeing to Gozo’s streets, then from the island back to the sea for a swim. The day never becomes a single long activity.

Should you book Seahorse Cruises Malta?

At $53, I consider this good value for a relaxed introduction to Gozo, Comino, and Malta’s northern coast. The smaller boat, attentive crew, useful facilities, and anchorage away from the worst Blue Lagoon crowds make it more appealing than a bare-bones ferry ride.

Book it if you want a scenic boat day with a swim and a quick look at Victoria. Choose a longer Gozo tour instead if Victoria is your main goal. Arrive before the 10:00 AM boarding cutoff, bring cash and sun protection, and arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step ashore. Those small details will help you enjoy the day rather than spend it solving avoidable problems.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises.

What time does boarding close?

Boarding closes at 10:00 AM. The scheduled departure is 10:30 AM.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about six and a half hours, returning to Bugibba at approximately 17:00.

Which languages are available?

Live commentary is available in English and Italian.

How long do you spend in Victoria, Gozo?

The Victoria stop lasts about two hours and is self-guided. You can use the time for photographs, historical sights, and the market.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

You have about one and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing onboard.

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 booking time is 13:30 to 17:30.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit.

Can I buy food and drinks onboard?

Yes. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard. Only cash is accepted.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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