Malta: Gozo, Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The best part of this $53 boat trip is its mix of places: you see Gozo’s capital, swim near the Blue Lagoon, and pass through Comino’s caves without booking separate excursions. The smaller Seahorse Cruises boat also gives the day a calmer feel than the biggest party boats.

I like the well-planned route and the crew’s friendly, hands-on service. I also like that the boat anchors away from the thickest Blue Lagoon crowds, giving you the option to swim from the vessel rather than fight for space at the shore. The main drawback is time: Victoria and the Blue Lagoon each get only about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Key points to know

• Captain Owen and his crew give the trip a personal feel, with clear safety instructions and helpful service.
• Victoria gets two hours, enough for a quick look at the capital but not a full Gozo visit.
• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts 1.5 hours, with swimming from the boat or time ashore if you arrange the required QR code.
• Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant’s Head provide some of the day’s best photo views.
• Food and drinks are sold onboard, and cash is required for purchases.
• The smaller boat can feel more relaxed than the large sightseeing vessels, though conditions and capacity can vary.

A six-and-a-half-hour route from Bugibba

This is a full half-day at sea, running from Bugibba Jetty at about 10:30 AM until 5:00 PM. The boat is called Seahorse Cruises, and it is the only sailing vessel at the stated meeting point on Dawret il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar.

The schedule matters. Boarding closes at 10:00 AM, even though the cruise begins later, so do not treat 10:00 as a casual suggestion. Arrive early enough to find the jetty, identify the boat, and board without a last-minute dash.

The first hour is spent cruising along Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Smuggler’s Cove Cave, and the Crystal Lagoon area. These are scenic views from the water rather than long shore visits, so keep your camera ready and do not expect time to explore each place on foot.

The route can change because of wind, tides, sea conditions, or other operating concerns. That is normal for a boat trip around exposed islands, but it is worth remembering if one particular cove or cave is the main reason you are booking.

The boat, crew, and onboard setup

Seahorse Cruises uses a smaller, attractive boat with a sundeck, toilet, outdoor shower near the side ladder, and a swim platform. There is also a snack and drinks service, though purchases onboard are cash only. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, so bring money in euros.

The boat’s size is one of its biggest strengths. You get a more personal setting than on the very largest vessels, and the crew can usually move around the boat to help with boarding, swimming, and questions. Captain Owen is repeatedly singled out for being warm and attentive, while the wider crew is praised for friendly service and good organisation.

That said, smaller does not mean private. On busy summer dates, the boat can still feel full, and one account describes more people boarding for the return journey. Your experience depends partly on the day’s passenger load.

A live guide provides commentary in English and Italian. Do not expect a long guided lecture at every stop. The main value is knowing what you are passing and receiving basic information while the boat handles the route. At Victoria, you explore independently rather than joining a detailed walking tour.

Bring comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, luggage, coolers, and outside food or drinks are not allowed. A snorkeling mask can be borrowed with a €10 deposit, giving you an easy way to look beneath the water without packing your own equipment.

Gozo begins with Victoria and a tight two-hour visit

Gozo is Malta’s quieter sister island, and the first major stop is Victoria, its capital. A shuttle bus takes you from the boat to Victoria, so you are not left to arrange island transport on your own.

You get about two hours here for photographs, a self-guided wander, and a quick look at the historical sights. The central market also sells small souvenirs such as fridge magnets. This is a useful introduction to Gozo, especially if you are staying in Malta and want to see another island without arranging a separate ferry and taxi plan.

Still, two hours disappears quickly. You need to allow time for the shuttle transfer, find your way around, and return when instructed. If you want museums, a long meal, or a careful visit to several historic sites, this stop will feel rushed.

This is the clearest trade-off in the whole excursion. The cruise gives you a taste of Victoria while also reaching Comino, but it cannot give you a full Gozo day. One useful approach is to treat Victoria as a short orientation stop: take in the views, walk through the market, and choose one compact area rather than trying to cover the entire capital.

Food is available onboard, but you may prefer to use Victoria for a quick snack if the timing allows. Do not count on a leisurely lunch, since the schedule must get you back to the boat and onward to Comino.

Blue Lagoon time: swimming from the boat or going ashore

The Blue Lagoon is the main event for many people. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard and enjoy the view from the deck.

The boat’s anchoring position is a real advantage. It is described as being away from the thickest crowds, so you can enter the water from the swim platform without immediately joining the packed shore area. For many people, this is more relaxing than trying to claim a tiny patch of coastline at the lagoon itself.

The platform is useful for confident swimmers, but you should be comfortable entering open water and climbing back up the ladder. The crew provides a nearby shower for rinsing off salt water. A toilet is also available onboard, which makes the long day more comfortable.

There is an important new rule. If you want to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must arrange a free QR code under Maltese regulations introduced on May 1, 2025. The required booking window is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Check your ticket for the exact instructions before departure, since having the boat ticket alone does not automatically mean you can step ashore.

The 1.5-hour stop is enough for a swim and a little time in the sun. It is not enough for a relaxed beach afternoon, a full snorkel session, and a long walk around Comino. If swimming is your priority, go straight to the water rather than spending too long taking photos at the start.

Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant’s Head

After Comino, the boat cruises back toward Bugibba and enters the Santa Maria Caves area. The cave visit is brief, around 10 minutes, but the setting is dramatic. You pass beneath rocky openings and see the Elephant’s Head, a distinctive rock formation shaped by the sea.

This is a sightseeing pass, not a long cave expedition. Conditions determine how closely the vessel can approach and how much of the cave system you see. Keep your phone or camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid blocking the view for others.

Some people choose to buy an optional speedboat ride onboard, which adds an extra burst of action and offers closer cave views. It is not part of the $53 price, so consider it an add-on rather than an expected feature. If you prefer a quiet return, staying on the main boat is perfectly reasonable.

The final hour is a scenic cruise back to Bugibba. After the more active swimming stop, this gives you time to dry off, sit on the sundeck, and watch Malta’s rocky coast slide past.

Is $53 good value?

At $53 per person, the trip offers a useful amount for the money: transport by boat, the Gozo transfer to Victoria, the Comino stop, cave sightseeing, live commentary, and access to basic facilities. You also get a full route that would be awkward to reproduce independently in a single day.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A separate Gozo visit gives you more time on the island, while a dedicated Blue Lagoon boat trip may give you longer at the water. This cruise combines both, so you accept shorter stops in exchange for seeing more.

Food and drinks cost extra, as does the optional speedboat ride. The snorkeling mask requires a €10 deposit. These are modest practical details, but they matter if you are trying to keep the day within a strict budget.

The free cancellation period is up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered when you book. The operator also reserves the right to alter the route or timing because of weather and sea conditions.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing if you want an easy introduction to Gozo and Comino without spending time arranging ferries, buses, and separate boat tours. Families, couples, and first-time visitors to Malta can get a good sense of the northern islands in one day.

It suits you especially well if you value a friendly crew, a comfortable boat, and time in the water more than long historical visits. The swim platform, shower, toilet, and onboard snack service make the day simple.

You may prefer separate trips if your main goal is to explore Victoria in depth. Two hours is not enough for a slow visit, and the Blue Lagoon stop is also limited. The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, since boarding, the shuttle transfer, and the swim ladder require physical movement.

The sea can also make the day tiring. If you are prone to motion sickness, the boat’s smaller size may feel more comfortable than a giant vessel, but no boat is immune to rough water. Check the forecast and accept that the captain may change the route.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive before the 10:00 AM boarding cutoff. The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty, and the boat is Seahorse Cruises, so look for the named vessel rather than assuming every boat at the waterfront is part of this trip.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Keep your belongings compact because large bags and luggage are not allowed. A dry bag or small waterproof pouch is useful for phones near the swim platform, though the supplied information does not promise storage facilities.

Carry cash for onboard food and drinks, the snorkeling deposit, and any optional purchase. Do not rely on card payment onboard.

If you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon, arrange the free QR code in advance for the 1:30 to 5:30 PM window. If you are happy swimming from the boat, confirm the day’s instructions with the crew.

At Victoria, decide beforehand what matters most: photos, the market, or historical sights. At the Blue Lagoon, swim early in the stop if the water is your priority. These small choices help you avoid feeling rushed.

Should you book the Seahorse Cruises trip?

Book it if you want one well-organised day that combines Gozo, Comino, swimming, caves, and coastal views. The friendly crew, attractive smaller boat, fair onboard prices, and calm anchoring spot make it a strong choice at $53.

Skip it if you want a full day in Gozo, a long beach stay, or a detailed guided tour of Victoria. You will see a lot, but you will not linger.

For most people who want a broad taste of Malta’s northern islands, this is good value. Just arrive early, plan for a short Victoria stop, arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code if you want to go ashore, and treat the day as a scenic sampler rather than an in-depth island visit.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. The vessel is called Seahorse Cruises.

What time does boarding close?

Boarding closes at 10:00 AM. The cruise departs at about 10:30 AM and returns to Bugibba Jetty around 5:00 PM.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts about 6.5 hours.

How much time do you get in Victoria, Gozo?

You get approximately two hours in Victoria for free time, photographs, sightseeing, and a self-guided visit.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the boat, or spend time ashore if you have the required QR code.

Do you 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 time slot is 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM under the regulations stated for May 1, 2025 onward.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

A snorkeling mask is available with a €10 deposit. The boat also has a swim platform and a shower near the side ladder.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but they are not included in the ticket price. Only cash is accepted onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

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