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

Bring your swimsuit and arrive early. This full-day boat trip packs Malta’s clearest water, sea caves, cliff views, and a three-hour visit to Gozo into roughly seven hours. I especially like the mix of active fun and easy sightseeing, from jumping off the boat and using the 10-meter slide to simply sitting upstairs while Captain Kevin explains the coast.

I also like the price. At about $34 per person, the round-trip cruise covers a lot, though you should budget extra for the €5 Gozo minibus, optional speedboat ride, food, and equipment rental. The main drawback is crowding: upper-deck chairs are limited, and the boat leaves promptly at 10:00 AM, so a late arrival can cost you the best seats or the whole trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon swimming lasts about 1.5 hours, with time for swimming, snorkeling, beach access, jumping, or the boat’s long slide.
• Gozo gets a full three-hour stop, enough for Victoria and the Citadel if you use the optional €5 minibus.
• Captain Kevin provides live commentary, including stories about Malta’s coast, St. Paul, caves, and landmarks.
• Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early if you want an upper-deck chair or a place on the artificial grass seating area.
• The optional speedboat costs €15 in cash and takes you near caves and the Crystal Lagoon when available.
• The boat has food, drinks, shade, deck chairs, and a slide, but lunch, lockers, snorkel gear, and transfers cost extra.

What this Malta cruise does especially well

This is not a quiet little sailboat outing. It is a lively family-run boat day with music, commentary, sunbathing, swimming, and a steady stream of scenery. The boat leaves from Hornblower Cruises at Sirens Quay 24 in St. Pauls Bay, behind LOA restaurant, then follows Malta’s northern coast toward Comino and Gozo.

The route gives you several ways to enjoy the day. You can claim a chair on the upper deck, sit in the shade on the main deck, swim from the boat, walk to the small beach near the Blue Lagoon, or pay for an extra boat ride. That flexibility matters because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of day.

I like that the cruise is not only about getting to the Blue Lagoon. The route passes high cliffs, coves, rock formations, and sea caves before reaching Comino. Captain Kevin provides live explanations along the way, and the crew keeps the mood relaxed. Several visitors particularly liked his music choices, which tells you this is more cheerful excursion than formal historical tour.

The history is presented in short spoken updates rather than a full lecture. You will hear about the islands of St. Paul and the large statue connected with St. Paul’s shipwreck in Malta in 60 AD. If you want detailed history, bring your own guidebook or notes. If you want useful context while looking at the coast, the commentary does the job.

Boarding at St. Pauls Bay: the early arrival matters

The meeting point is easy to identify once you are in the right place: look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red. The address is Hornblower Cruises, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St. Pauls Bay, directly behind LOA restaurant.

I would arrive about an hour early, even though 45 minutes is the suggested minimum. The boat departs at 10:00 AM without waiting for late arrivals. Traffic can be heavy in Malta, parking is limited, and missed departures are not refunded.

The reason to arrive early is not only practical. Upper-deck seating is first come, first served, and the deck chairs are limited. The top deck is the best place for sun and open views, but it fills quickly. If you arrive late, you may still have a pleasant trip, but you could spend more of the day in a less desirable seat.

Local buses stop nearby at Parades, Bandieri, and Toni. If you drive, free white-box parking spaces are available along the road, with a small parking area near the stop. Check the exact meeting point before leaving your hotel, especially if using a taxi.

Malta’s northern coast and the first cave views

The first part of the cruise is scenic rather than stop-based. The boat moves along Malta’s northern coast, close enough for clear photographs of the cliffs and unusual rock formations. You pass coves, open water, and small inlets that are difficult to reach by land.

The boat enters or passes close to the Ahrax and Santa Maria caves. These are short photo opportunities, not long cave visits, so keep your camera ready. The Santa Maria Caves portion is listed at around five minutes, while other coastal views may last only a few minutes as the boat moves through.

You also pass Santa Maria Bay and other parts of Comino’s coastline. The appeal here is the view from the water. You get a better sense of the cliffs and caves than you would from a road, and the changing angle makes the trip feel like more than simple transportation.

Keep expectations sensible. The boat may approach caves closely, but conditions and boat traffic affect exactly how near it can go. This is sightseeing from the deck, not a caving expedition. Still, the short stops work well because the cruise includes so many different sights.

Blue Lagoon: 90 minutes for swimming and sun

The main swimming stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the water is famously clear and pale turquoise. You get about 1.5 hours here, enough for a proper swim without turning the entire day into a beach stop.

The boat remains at the lagoon, giving you several choices. You can jump directly into the water, use the 10-meter slide, swim from the boat, or walk to the small sandy beach. The upper deck is useful for sunbathing, while the main deck has shaded seating for anyone who needs a break from the heat.

The slide is one of the best parts for families and anyone who likes a little excitement. It is long enough to make the boat feel more like a floating water park, but you are never required to use it. A simple ladder access point also makes it possible to enjoy the water at your own pace.

Snorkeling is available, though mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned when you give the equipment back. Bring cash. You can also use your own equipment if you have it.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also the point where the trip may feel busiest. This boat carries a large group, and several other boats may be in the area. The water still makes the stop worthwhile, but do not expect a private cove.

An optional speedboat ride costs €15 in cash and depends on availability. It takes you around the lagoon and toward caves and the Crystal Lagoon. Be prepared to get thoroughly wet. The speedboat is a good extra for anyone who wants more movement and close-up views, but it is not needed to enjoy the main cruise.

The three-hour Gozo stop and the €5 minibus choice

After Comino, the boat continues to Gozo. You get about three hours of free time, which is a useful amount of time for a short introduction to the island. The catch is transport. The harbor is not the same as central Victoria, so walking alone is not the most efficient use of your stop.

For €5, paid in cash, you can take the local minibus transfer to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. I consider this one of the better extras because it saves time and gets you to the area most visitors want to see. The bus transfer is especially useful if your main goal is the Citadel, shopping, lunch, or a walk through central Victoria.

Victoria gives you a chance to leave the boat behind and stretch your legs. You can use the time for photographs, a meal, shopping, and a self-guided walk. The Citadel is the obvious target if you want historic views, but you need to manage the clock carefully. Three hours sounds generous until you include the transfer, lunch, and the walk uphill toward the main sights.

You can also explore Gozo independently rather than taking the minibus. That option gives you more control, but the included cruise does not provide a private vehicle or a full island tour. If you want to see several distant parts of Gozo, this excursion will feel limited. If you want a convenient taste of Victoria during a Malta holiday, it works well.

Some route descriptions include scenic views around Xlendi Bay, but the central free-time experience is based in Gozo, with Victoria as the practical focus. Treat the cruise-by views as bonuses rather than planning your day around a long Xlendi visit.

The return through Comino’s southern channel

The return route gives you a second look at Comino from the south. The boat passes the Crystal Lagoon, sea caves, and St. Mary’s Tower before heading back toward Malta.

The Crystal Lagoon is especially photogenic, with steep rock around clear water. Depending on the day’s timing and conditions, you may see it from the boat or from the optional speedboat rather than stop for a full swim. Some departures have enough time for a closer look, while others keep moving to stay on schedule.

St. Mary’s Tower gives the final stretch of the cruise a strong landmark. You may have a short photo opportunity or see it while passing. It is a satisfying way to finish the route because the return is not simply a straight trip back to St. Pauls Bay.

The boat then returns to the original Hornblower meeting point. The full activity lasts about seven hours, but exact timing can vary with conditions and the pace of the day.

Food, equipment, and what to pack

Lunch is not included, but food and drinks are available on board at what several people found to be reasonable prices. You can also bring cash for the optional services and small purchases in Gozo.

Pack for both a boat day and a walking stop:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A light cover-up for the ride back
• Your own mask and snorkel, if you have them

Lockers are available for €2, but supplies are limited. Do not assume you can store every valuable item. Keep your phone in a waterproof case if you plan to use the slide or jump from the boat.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, so check your mobility needs before reserving.

Is the $34 price good value?

At around $34 per person, the basic price is strong for a seven-hour day that includes round-trip cruising, the Blue Lagoon, Gozo, cave views, live commentary, deck access, and the slide. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Comino and Gozo.

The real cost rises if you add everything. The Gozo minibus is €5, the speedboat is €15, snorkeling has a rental fee and deposit, lockers cost €2, and lunch is extra. Even so, the base trip covers enough that you can keep spending under control.

I would pay for the Gozo minibus unless you have a clear independent plan. I would choose the speedboat only if you enjoy fast rides and do not mind getting soaked. The slide, swimming, views, and commentary are already included, so you do not need every add-on for a full day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and first-time Malta visitors who want to see Comino and Gozo without managing several transport connections. It suits people who like a mix of swimming, sun, sightseeing, music, and casual commentary.

It is also a good pick if you have only a short stay in Malta. In one day, you see caves and cliffs from the water, swim at the Blue Lagoon, and get time in Gozo.

I would think twice if you dislike crowds, need a quiet boat, or want a detailed guided tour of Gozo. Three hours is enough for Victoria, but not enough to explore the entire island at a relaxed pace. You also need to accept an early arrival and a fixed schedule.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly and helpful. Captain Kevin keeps the trip entertaining, while crew members such as Brahim have been singled out for warm service. That personal touch helps the long day feel easy rather than mechanical.

Should you book the Hornblower Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want the best variety for a modest price. The Blue Lagoon is the star, but the caves, slide, Gozo stop, upper deck, and return route make the day more rounded than a simple lagoon transfer.

Arrive early, carry cash, reserve your energy for the Gozo walk, and decide in advance whether the €5 minibus suits you. If you claim a good seat, enjoy the water, and keep your expectations realistic about crowds, this is a fun and practical way to see Malta’s northern islands.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

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

What time does the boat depart?

The boat departs promptly at 10:00 AM. You should arrive 45 to 60 minutes early, especially if you want an upper-deck seat.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The cruise includes a 1.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling. You can also use the 10-meter slide or walk to the small beach.

Is the Gozo minibus included?

No. The optional transfer to Victoria costs €5 and must be paid in cash. You can also explore independently during the three-hour Gozo stop.

How much does the optional speedboat cost?

The speedboat costs €15 in cash and depends on availability. It may take you near caves and the Crystal Lagoon, and you should expect to get wet.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board. Snorkel rental, lockers, and the Gozo minibus also cost extra.