Blue Lagoon: Full-Day Three Island Cruise: Malta, Gozo and Comino

The sea does most of the sightseeing here. This full-day cruise links Malta, Gozo, and Comino with stops at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Armier Bay, and Paradise Bay. I like the simple all-in-one format, especially the hotel pickup and buffet lunch. I also like the many chances to swim in clear water without arranging separate transport.

The trade-off is that this is more of a swimming day than a detailed sightseeing cruise. The boat can feel busy, and the seven-hour schedule can drag if you prefer short stops or shade over long swims. At $80.95 per person, it offers fair value for a first look at Malta’s coast, but it is not a quiet, small-group sailing trip.

Key points at a glance

• Four water stops: Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon give you several chances to swim.
• Hotel pickup included: The day begins at 8:00 am, with pickup and return transport included where offered.
• Cold buffet lunch: Expect bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, cold foods, water, and local wine.
• Captain Chris and crew: Past passengers especially praised the friendly crew and careful attention to safety.
• Not a sightseeing-heavy cruise: You will see coastal views and harbors, but most of the day centers on swimming.
• Crowds can vary: The advertised maximum is 65 people, and the boat may feel fuller after additional pickups or stops.

What this Malta boat day is really about

This cruise is built for people who want to cover a lot of water in one day. You set out from Mgarr Harbour and spend the day moving between Malta, Gozo, and Comino, with time to stop for swims and enjoy the view from a gullet-style boat.

I would think of it as a floating beach day with sightseeing along the way. You pass places such as Mgarr Harbor, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock, but the main attractions are the water stops rather than guided visits ashore.

That distinction matters. If you want churches, villages, museums, or a close look at Gozo’s inland sights, this is not the right format. If you have only a short stay in Malta and want to see several famous coastal spots without planning ferries and taxis, it makes much more sense.

The seven-hour length gives the day a relaxed rhythm, though it also means you should be comfortable spending most of a day on a boat. On hot days, the shaded section is useful. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and something dry to put on after swimming.

Starting at Mgarr Harbour at 8:00 am

The stated meeting point is Mgarr Harbour, Malta, with pickup and drop-off offered as part of the package. That is one of the strongest practical features. Getting to a harbor early can be a nuisance, especially if you are unfamiliar with the island, so included transport adds real value.

The day starts at 8:00 am. That is early enough to make the most of the daylight, but you should plan ahead for breakfast. Lunch comes later on the boat, so do not count on the buffet as your first meal of the day.

The exact feel of the departure depends on the number of people booked. The listed maximum is 65 travelers, so this is not a private outing. One account describes a boat that began with a small group and became more crowded after later stops. That suggests the space and atmosphere can change as the day progresses.

The boat itself receives good marks for its appearance and layout. There are pleasant places to sit, along with a shaded section for a break from the sun. Still, on a full summer day, space in the best seats may be limited. Arrive ready to share the boat rather than expecting a private corner.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water and the busiest stop

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and you get about an hour there. The natural pool sits between Comino and Cominotto, with a mix of sandy and rocky edges and nearby caves.

The water is the reason people come. It is clear, bright, and inviting for a swim or snorkel. From the boat, you get a fine view of the surrounding rock and the small-scale coastal setting that makes this part of Malta so famous.

An hour is enough for a proper swim, but some people may find the stop too long if they are not keen on getting in the water. The area is also likely to feel busy, especially during the high season. You should bring water shoes if you have them, since the shoreline is mostly rocky rather than a broad sandy beach.

The optional Caves Tour costs an additional 10 euros per person. It is not included in the cruise price, so decide before the day whether that extra activity interests you. The main cruise already includes access to the water stop, and the cave outing is an add-on rather than part of the standard fare.

Armier Bay for a quieter-looking stretch of sea

Armier Bay Beach receives about 30 minutes. It is known for clear blue water that resembles the famous Blue Lagoon, but the stop gives the day a different setting.

Thirty minutes is a useful amount of time for a quick swim and a look around. It is not enough for a long beach visit, so think of this as a short coastal pause rather than a full beach afternoon.

The value here is variety. Instead of spending every stop at the best-known location, the cruise gives you another stretch of Malta’s coast to compare. If you like swimming from one attractive bay to the next, this keeps the day moving.

If you prefer beach walks or time ashore, you may find the stop rushed. The schedule favors water access and views from the boat, not extended exploration on land.

Paradise Bay near Malta’s northern tip

Paradise Bay is another 30-minute stop. It lies near Mellieha Bay at Malta’s far northern point and is known for its striking beach setting.

This is a good place for a short swim, especially if you want to break up the longer stretches on the boat. The setting gives you another angle on Malta’s coast, with a beach-focused view rather than the narrow rock formations around Comino.

Again, thirty minutes passes quickly. You will have time to enjoy the water, but not much time for a leisurely beach routine. Keep your belongings organized, and listen for the crew’s instructions about returning to the boat.

The mix of one-hour and half-hour stops is sensible for a cruise aimed at first-time visitors. The longer stops give you time to swim properly, while the shorter ones add more scenery. Still, if you prefer a slow day at one beach, this schedule may feel overly structured.

Crystal Lagoon, the final major swim

Crystal Lagoon is on Comino’s western side, between Malta and Gozo, and the cruise allows about an hour here. Like Blue Lagoon, it is a natural setting for swimming and snorkeling.

The attraction is the clear water and the enclosed feel of the lagoon. You get another substantial swim rather than a quick photo stop. This makes the cruise particularly appealing if you want several chances to enter the sea instead of spending the whole day seated.

The repeated swim stops also explain why this tour suits active passengers. You should have a moderate level of physical fitness, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The activity is not described as a difficult excursion, but climbing in and out of the water, moving around the boat, and handling a full day in the sun require some energy.

The order and exact timing may vary with sea conditions and the captain’s decisions. One severe complaint describes a windy day that caused discomfort for some passengers. The captain reportedly offered to alter the route for anyone feeling unwell, but rough water can still affect the experience. If you are prone to seasickness, take that possibility seriously.

What lunch and drinks are like on board

Lunch is included, along with water and local wine. The buffet is described as a light cold meal, with examples including bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and assorted cold foods and fillings.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is practical boat food, not a restaurant lunch. Several accounts found it good or adequate, while others thought it was plain. The cold format makes sense in Malta’s heat and allows the crew to serve a range of foods without making the meal too heavy.

The range can be useful if you are traveling with different tastes or food concerns. You can select a modest plate and return to swimming, rather than losing a large part of the day to lunch.

Water and local wine are included. Other drinks must be purchased separately. One highly pleased account especially praised the steady supply of white wine, though you should still pace yourself carefully in the sun. Alcohol, heat, and swimming are not a clever combination in large amounts.

If you need a special diet, the provided information does not promise a specific menu or allergy service. Ask before booking if that is important to you.

The crew and the feel on the water

Captain Chris and the crew receive some of the warmest praise. Their friendliness, safety checks, and effort to keep people comfortable are recurring strengths of the experience.

That personal touch can make a difference on a long boat day. A good crew helps explain when to swim, when to return, and how to move around the boat safely. It also matters when the weather changes or someone feels unwell.

The boat has a relaxed, social atmosphere rather than a formal sightseeing presentation. You may find pleasant places to sit, and there is shade when you need a break. The mood can be cheerful, especially when people are enjoying the swim stops and included wine.

The main weakness is capacity. The advertised maximum is 65 people, and the boat itself is licensed for more. That does not mean every departure will be full, but you should not book this expecting a small group of 10 or 15. One account was unhappy after discovering a much larger group than expected, while another found the boat comfortable despite increased numbers.

The fairest conclusion is simple: group size varies, and the experience works best when you accept a shared-boat setting.

Is $80.95 good value?

At $80.95 per person, the price covers a lot: hotel pickup and return transport, a seven-hour cruise, four principal swim stops, buffet lunch, water, and local wine.

That is a reasonable package if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to the harbor, a boat trip, lunch, and visits to several coastal sites. It is especially useful for a first visit, when you may not yet know how to connect Malta, Gozo, and Comino efficiently.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a quiet boat, gourmet food, or a detailed island tour. You are paying for access to several attractive swimming areas and the convenience of having the day arranged for you.

The optional Caves Tour adds 10 euros per person. Since it is not included, factor that into the final cost if you want the extra visit.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 49 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with some real variation. Most of the praise centers on the crew, swimming locations, pickup service, and pleasant day out. The lower scores focus on crowding, a plain lunch, drinks not always arriving quickly, and rough conditions. Those are useful warnings, not reasons to dismiss the tour.

Practical advice before you book

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Water shoes are sensible because Blue Lagoon is mostly rocky and other swimming areas may also have uneven edges.

Take a light cover-up for the boat ride. You may be in full sun for long periods, and the shaded area can become especially valuable during the hottest part of the day.

Bring cash or another payment method for drinks beyond water and local wine, plus the optional 10-euro Caves Tour. The provided information does not state how other purchases are handled, so it is wise to be prepared.

Keep your expectations focused on swimming. You will pass attractive coastal sights and see parts of all three islands from the water, but this is not a guided cultural tour of Malta and Gozo.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a simple way to see Malta’s famous water stops. It is also a strong choice if you have limited time, like swimming, and appreciate having transport and lunch included.

Families can consider it, provided children stay with an adult and everyone is comfortable with a full day on a boat. Couples and friends looking for an easy coastal day should also find plenty to enjoy.

I would hesitate if you want a peaceful, intimate sailing trip or a serious sightseeing program. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or do not enjoy sitting in the sun between swims.

Final verdict: book it for the water, not the sightseeing

This is a useful, good-value day for seeing Malta’s coast from the water. The best parts are the clear swimming areas, the number of stops, the friendly crew, and the convenience of hotel pickup, lunch, and return transport in one price.

Book it if you want a lively swimming cruise and a broad first taste of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Skip it if you want a small boat, long visits ashore, or a polished culinary experience. The honest selling point is simple: you get several beautiful places to swim without having to organize the day yourself.

FAQ

How long is the three-island cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately seven hours.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at Mgarr Harbour, Malta, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included where pickup is offered.

What food and drinks are included?

A buffet lunch, water, and local wine are included. Other drinks must be purchased separately.

Is the Caves Tour included?

No. The optional Caves Tour costs 10 euros per person and is not included in the overall price.