REVIEW · MALTA
Gozo with bus including Blue Lagoon Comino & Sea Caves
Book on Viator →Operated by Mermaid Cruises · Bookable on Viator
A small boat, big Maltese views. This Blue Lagoon and Gozo day trip gives you Comino sea-cave access plus real time in Gozo’s capital, Victoria, without making you figure out ferry logistics. I especially like how the plan mixes swimming-and-photos time with a bus-based sightseeing stop, so the day stays fun even if you’re not the type who loves transit. The main thing to watch is the pacing: with only about 30 minutes on St Paul’s Island, you’ll want to move fast if you’re chasing the statue viewpoint.
You start from Bugibba Jetty (boarding about 30 minutes before departure) and you’ll be back at the same spot at the end. It’s a roughly 5.5-hour outing that’s weather-dependent, but when it runs, you’re looking at classic limestone coast scenery, cave cruising, and at least one proper chance to get in the water.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Price and value: why this day costs $42.05
- Meeting at Bugibba Jetty: the one detail that controls your whole day
- The Comino Blue Lagoon stop: 1 hour to swim, snorkel, and take photos
- Gozo by bus: Victoria Markets and the Citadella area
- St Paul’s Island: 30 minutes can be a sprint
- Sea caves on the way back: scenery without the full stop time
- Boat comfort and practical details that make or break a day
- Snorkels, shoes, and what to pack for a smooth day
- Who this tour is best for
- Booking call: should you choose this Blue Lagoon and Gozo day?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- How long is the Blue Lagoon Comino & Gozo with bus tour?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- Do I need to get a ticket to access Comino?
- Is lunch included?
- Are snorkels included or available to rent?
- What’s included on board the boat?
- How much time do you get at Comino and Gozo?
- Do you stop for St Paul’s Island too?
- Is the tour limited to a small group?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key things to know before you go
- Small-boat sea cave access: the boat is set up to enter the caves at no extra charge.
- Comino time is short but punchy: about 1 hour at Comino for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.
- Gozo is a smart taste of Victoria: a bus meets you at the harbour for markets and the Citadella area.
- Return cruise includes cave views: you’ll cruise past caves on the way back to Malta, depending on weather.
- St Paul’s Island is time-limited: you’ve got about 30 minutes for the island and statue area.
- Limit of about 48 people: the group stays modest, which usually helps with getting on and off smoothly.
Price and value: why this day costs $42.05
At $42.05 per person for an approximately 5 hours 30 minutes day, this is priced like a proper value combo, not like a “mostly standing around” sightseeing day. What helps is that you’re paying for more than one thing at once: a boat cruise with access to sea caves, time on Comino, time on Gozo (with a bus to Victoria), and a short stop connected to St Paul’s Island.
Here’s the trade-off to understand up front: this is not a long, slow island-hopping experience. It’s a fast-moving day built around a few set windows:
- Comino gets about 1 hour
- Gozo (Victoria area) gets about 2 hours
- St Paul’s Island gets about 30 minutes
That tight schedule is exactly why the price feels reasonable. You’re not paying for a full-day buffet of time; you’re paying for a focused route.
A separate thing to budget for (and it’s an important one) is that you must sign up with the Maltese Government using PN BLCOMINO to get an entry ticket to access the Island of Comino. The ticket is described as free to purchase, but it’s still a required step.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Malta.
Meeting at Bugibba Jetty: the one detail that controls your whole day
Your day begins at Bugibba Jetty, with boarding starting about 30 minutes before departure. That early boarding window matters because this tour leaves sharp—so if you roll in late, you’ll feel it.
If you’re staying in areas like Valletta, plan extra time for the drive to Bugibba. The practical takeaway: treat the jetty like the start of your “day trip commute,” not like a casual meet point. It’s easy to underestimate how long it takes to get there when you’re also trying to grab coffee, check directions, and get everyone together.
Once you’re on board, you’ve got some comfort built in: WiFi on board and a restroom. Those small touches matter more than you’d think once you’re out on the water.
The Comino Blue Lagoon stop: 1 hour to swim, snorkel, and take photos
Comino is the headline. You’ll cruise to the first stop with great coastal views, then dock at the famous Blue Lagoon area.
Two things make this stop feel worth it:
- Cave access from a smaller boat. The smaller vessel can enter the caves at no extra charge, which means you’re not just watching from the outside.
- Water time is built in. Once docked at Comino, you can swim, snorkel, and even jump in from the boat. There’s also an option to explore Comino on foot, though with only about an hour, you’ll be choosing between “quick swim” and “quick stroll.”
What to expect on the ground: food and drinks are available via an onboard snack bar (for the cruise portion), and at Comino you’ll find quick food options. Seating tends to be limited—think more take-and-eat than hangout.
What I’d consider as a drawback: expect crowds around the Blue Lagoon itself, even with a smaller boat. The upside is that you’re also getting off to Gozo afterward, so your day doesn’t get stuck in one busy spot all by itself.
Practical tip: wear tennis shoes or grippy footwear. Getting on and off at Comino can involve ramps that move with the water, and paths can be narrow and uneven. If you hate surprises underfoot, this is your moment to plan for them.
Gozo by bus: Victoria Markets and the Citadella area
After Comino, the next anchor is Gozo. You’ll arrive at Mgarr Harbour, and the harbour approach is one of the “hold your camera up” moments, since you can spot the island and surrounding coastline as the boat moves in.
Here’s where the bus part earns its keep. A bus is waiting to take you to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. In Victoria you can:
- check out the Victoria Markets
- visit the Cittadella area (a 15th-century stronghold)
- eat at local Gozitan restaurants
You’ll have about 2 hours on Gozo before returning to the harbour.
Is 2 hours enough? It depends on how you travel. If you want a paced walk and good photos, you’ll feel satisfied. If you’re hoping for long museum time, two hours is more like a quick orientation plus a couple of highlights.
One choice I like for this stop: aim for the walk up to the Citadella, because it’s often the viewpoint people remember. Even if you skip museums, you’ll still get the best of Victoria’s hilltop feel.
St Paul’s Island: 30 minutes can be a sprint
St Paul’s Island is part of what makes this tour feel like more than just a beach-and-boat day. The experience includes time connected to St Paul’s statue and the surrounding views.
But here’s the key reality check: you’ve only got about 30 minutes for the St Paul’s Island segment. If the plan includes a trek up to the statue viewpoint, you’ll want to treat this as a “go, see, shoot photos, come back” window, not a leisurely stroll.
This is also the reason I’d recommend setting expectations before you board. If you show up thinking you’ll have time for a long climb plus slow sightseeing, you might feel rushed. If you go in knowing it’s a photo-and-views stop, it works.
Also, keep an eye out for St Paul’s Island from earlier during the day. Even before you land there, you can sometimes see it from the jetty area when the boat passes.
Sea caves on the way back: scenery without the full stop time
On the return down to Malta, the boat cruises past caves, described as either St Mary’s caves or Crystal Lagoon caves, depending on weather.
This matters because it gives you a “second wave” of scenery after you’ve already done Comino. Even if you’re a little tired by then, the cave cruising is a way to end the day with visual payoff—without pulling you back off the boat for a full extra excursion.
It’s also a good reminder to bring your water-friendly layers. You’re on the water twice, and the return cruise can feel cooler if clouds roll in.
Boat comfort and practical details that make or break a day
This tour runs on a smaller boat, usually a plus for the cave experience. In a group of up to about 48 people, you’re not stuck in a huge cattle-call situation. That can mean better viewing, more freedom to move around, and quicker returns when the boat docks.
On comfort, the basics are covered:
- restroom on board
- WiFi on board
- drinks available to purchase
One note from real-world experience: on-water boarding can be bumpy. The waterline and ramps can shift, especially at Comino, so keep your stance steady. Grip matters more than fashion here.
Also, food is not included as a meal. You can buy snacks and drinks onboard, but plan to grab lunch elsewhere only if you have time and budget.
Snorkels, shoes, and what to pack for a smooth day
The tour doesn’t include snorkel rentals, though snorkels can be rented with a cash deposit required. If you want your own gear, you can bring it, but you don’t need to overpack. The biggest “must” is comfort on your feet.
My pack list for a day like this:
- grippy shoes (not flip-flops)
- a light layer (the sea breeze shows up fast)
- a small towel or quick-dry item (for after swimming)
- a phone that can handle water spray
- cash for any snorkel deposit and for food/drinks if you plan to buy them
If you burn easily, bring sun protection too. You’re outside for multiple legs of the day—Comino and the cruising portions.
Who this tour is best for
This is a good fit if you want a classic Malta highlight day without ferry planning or multiple transfers. You’ll like it most if you:
- want Comino’s Blue Lagoon but don’t want to spend the whole day there
- like the idea of a short Gozo taste through Victoria, including markets and the Citadella area
- enjoy sea-cave views and want at least one real chance to get in the water
It may not feel ideal if you’re the type who wants slow travel and lots of time in one place. The whole schedule is built around compact blocks. You can feel that when you’re on St Paul’s Island and when you’re in Gozo.
Booking call: should you choose this Blue Lagoon and Gozo day?
I’d book this tour if you want good value and a balanced mix of water time and land time—Comino for swimming and photos, Gozo for Victoria on a bus, and extra cave views on the way back. The small-boat setup and included cave access make it feel more direct than bigger multi-stop days.
I’d think twice if you know you want a long, unhurried hike on St Paul’s Island or you’re hoping for deep Gozo museum time. With about 1 hour on Comino, 2 hours on Gozo, and 30 minutes on St Paul’s Island, it’s a “hit the highlights” format.
If you book, do one thing that improves your odds of a great day: show up early at Bugibba Jetty and wear shoes you’re comfortable stepping onto and off with changing ramp conditions.
FAQ
FAQ
How long is the Blue Lagoon Comino & Gozo with bus tour?
It runs for approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.
Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Bugibba Jetty (Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta) and ends back at the same meeting point.
Do I need to get a ticket to access Comino?
Yes. You must sign up with the Maltese Government using PN BLCOMINO to get an entry ticket for access to the Island of Comino (it’s free to purchase).
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch is not included.
Are snorkels included or available to rent?
Snorkels are not included, but you can rent them with a cash deposit required.
What’s included on board the boat?
The tour includes a restroom on board and WiFi on board.
How much time do you get at Comino and Gozo?
You get about 1 hour at Comino and about 2 hours on Gozo.
Do you stop for St Paul’s Island too?
Yes. The schedule includes about 30 minutes at St Paul’s Islands.
Is the tour limited to a small group?
Yes. There is a maximum of 48 travelers.
What happens if weather is bad?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
