Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino, and Gozo Boat Tour

The best part of this Malta boat trip is its size. Instead of joining a packed excursion boat, you ride a fast Nireus CL620 carrying a small group, often around eight to 10 people. That lets the skipper enter caves, pause for photos, and keep the day feeling personal. Crystal Lagoon is a special treat, with 30 minutes for swimming and snorkeling before the longer stop at Blue Lagoon.

I like the mix of scenery and water time, especially the chance to visit Comino’s Window, Elephant Rock, and the caves before settling into the lagoons. I also like the practical boat setup: shade, a freshwater shower, toilet, swimming ladder, and snorkeling gear. The tradeoff is that a small, fast boat can feel bumpy across open water, and this tour is not suited to non-swimmers, young children, pregnant women, or anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before booking

• Small motorboat rather than a crowded day boat: The stated group limit is 10, giving you more room and easier access to narrow caves.
• Three useful water stops: You get 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 75 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and another 30 minutes at Mgarr ix-Xini.
• A lively ride: The Nireus CL620 is quick, and the open-water crossings can be choppy.
• Good onboard facilities: You have a sunshade, freshwater shower, toilet, ladder, teak deck, and snorkeling equipment.
• Skipper-led experience: English-speaking skippers such as Raymond and Ramon are praised for taking photos, explaining sights, and keeping the mood relaxed.
• Strong value at $53: The price is higher than a large excursion boat in some cases, but the smaller group and access to tight coastal spots make the difference meaningful.

Why this four-hour Malta boat trip works

Malta’s best swimming spots are scattered around the coastlines of Malta, Comino, and Gozo. Seeing them efficiently by road is difficult, and large boats cannot always get close to caves or narrow inlets. This half-day trip solves that problem with a compact motorboat and a route that keeps moving.

You leave from Qawra Slip Way in St Paul’s Bay. The meeting point is reached by stairs beside Lungomare gelateria if you walk down to the jetty. By car or taxi, enter near the Cafe del Mar parking area, take the first right, and follow the road to the water. Searching for Qawra Slip Way on Google Maps should take you to the pickup point.

After a five-minute safety briefing, you head along Malta’s northern coast. The first 15 minutes are a scenic cruise, so you get time to settle in, feel the speed of the boat, and take in the limestone coast before the first sights appear.

The exact pace depends on sea conditions and the skipper, but the design is sensible. You are not spending all four hours at one crowded lagoon. You get short scenic stops, two main swimming lagoons, and a quieter bay on Gozo.

Smuggler’s Cave and Malta’s northern coast

The first sightseeing stretch takes you toward Ghar Ic-Comb and Smuggler’s Cave. The coast here is marked by pale limestone cliffs and clear water, with the boat providing a close view that is difficult to get from land.

The stop at Ghar Ic-Comb is brief, about five minutes, so think of it as a photo opportunity rather than a full visit ashore. The same applies to Elephant Rock, another five-minute stop. These pauses break up the cruise and give you a chance to photograph unusual rock shapes before the swimming begins.

This is where a small boat earns its keep. A compact vessel can approach coastal formations and cave entrances more closely than larger excursion boats. The skipper may guide the boat gently through or near the caves, depending on conditions. You should expect sightseeing from the boat, not a long walk or a formal archaeological tour.

The early part of the trip also sets the tone. This is an active outing with a little speed, not a slow harbor cruise. If you enjoy wind, spray, and quick movement, that adds to the fun. If you need a very smooth ride, sit toward the middle of the boat and keep in mind that open-water crossings may be bumpy.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter swim stop

Crystal Lagoon is the first major water stop, with about 30 minutes to swim, snorkel, and look for marine life. Its enclosed setting and clear water make it a good place to get comfortable in the sea before the longer Blue Lagoon stop.

I like the order of these stops. You see some of the coast first, then have an early swim, rather than waiting until late in the tour to get into the water. The lagoon also tends to feel more relaxed than Blue Lagoon, which is the most famous stop on the route and can draw large crowds.

Bring your own towel, sunscreen, drinking water, and snacks. Snorkeling equipment is included, but the tour does not include food, drinks, towels, or sunscreen. The boat has a freshwater shower, which is useful after swimming, especially if you want to rinse salt from your face and hair before the ride continues.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You can swim and snorkel, but you will not have time for a long, leisurely session on shore. The boat includes a swimming ladder, making it easier to get back onboard. If you are not a confident swimmer, pay attention to the safety briefing and ask the skipper about available flotation support. One couple who could not swim comfortably used life vests and a float with help from their skipper, but the tour is still officially not suitable for non-swimmers.

Blue Lagoon: the main event

Blue Lagoon receives the longest stop, 75 minutes. This is the main reason many people book the excursion, and the time allows you to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and take photos without feeling rushed.

The water is famous for its intense turquoise color and sandy bottom. The setting is beautiful, but you should not expect solitude. Blue Lagoon is one of Comino’s best-known sights, and its popularity means it can feel much busier than Crystal Lagoon or Mgarr ix-Xini.

That contrast is useful. Crystal Lagoon gives you a calmer swim, while Blue Lagoon delivers the classic Comino scene. You get enough time to enjoy it, but the experience is still shared with other boats and visitors in the area.

The skipper can point out good photo angles and help with pictures. Several skippers, including Raymond and Ramon, are praised for taking photos, helping people feel comfortable, and keeping the group involved. Some also allow passengers to connect to the boat’s Bluetooth audio system, though the music should stay considerate of everyone onboard.

You may want to save your most important photographs for this stop. The turquoise water, pale rock, and boat views create the most recognizable images of the day. Wear sunglasses, but secure them well because the boat moves quickly between stops.

Comino Window, Elephant Rock, and cave views

Comino is more than one lagoon. The route includes the natural limestone arch known as the Window, along with Elephant Rock and Comino’s caves. These features give you a better sense of the island’s rough coastline than you would get by spending the whole trip at Blue Lagoon.

The Window is best viewed from the water, where the open sea frames the arch. Elephant Rock is another quick photo stop, and the boat’s position gives you a clean view without requiring a long hike.

The caves are among the most useful reasons to choose this tour over a large boat. The Nireus CL620 is small enough to approach narrow coastal spaces, and the skipper can maneuver carefully near the rock walls. Conditions matter, so the exact approach may change with wind and waves. Still, you get a closer look at the cliffs and sea caves than a standard large-boat cruise usually provides.

These stops are short, but they add variety. You are not simply moving from one swimming area to another. You see arches, cliffs, rock formations, and cave openings along the way.

Mgarr ix-Xini on Gozo

After Comino, the boat heads toward Gozo and Mgarr ix-Xini. This is a secluded bay surrounded by rugged cliffs and green vegetation, with calm water that suits another swim or snorkel.

You get about 30 minutes here. The stop is also a chance to go ashore and buy a drink or snack, something that is not included in the tour price. The bay gives you a quieter finish than Blue Lagoon, and it can feel like a welcome change after the busier central part of the day.

The water time here is flexible in spirit. You can swim, snorkel, walk briefly, or simply have a drink and enjoy the surroundings. If your group is eager to keep swimming, the stop provides another chance. If you are ready for a pause, you can remain close to shore and take in the bay.

Some optional activities, such as jet ski use, may be available here at an extra cost. Do not count on this as part of the $53 price. The included experience is the boat trip, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling equipment, and onboard facilities.

What the Nireus CL620 is like

The boat is described as a sleek, fully licensed Nireus CL620 motorboat with a teak deck. It has a sunshade, electric windlass, toilet, freshwater shower, audio system, snorkeling gear, and swimming ladder.

Those features matter more than they might on paper. A sunshade gives you a break from Malta’s strong sun, especially during the 75-minute Blue Lagoon stop. The shower helps after swimming, while the toilet means you do not need to wait until the boat returns to Qawra.

The boat is fast, which is part of the attraction. Several people particularly enjoyed the speed and the feeling of a lively ride. The downside is comfort. Small motorboats transmit more movement than large vessels, and the open-water sections can bounce in stronger conditions.

I would choose this trip if you enjoy a bit of excitement and want to get close to the coast. I would choose a larger, slower boat if you value maximum stability, more room to move around, or a quieter ride.

The value of a small group at $53

At $53 per person, this is not necessarily the cheapest way to see Comino. Large excursion boats can sometimes charge less, but they also carry many more people and may not enter the same cave areas.

Here, the money buys time efficiency and a more personal setup. The tour covers three islands or coastal areas in four hours, includes three separate swim opportunities, and supplies snorkeling gear and useful boat facilities. You also avoid spending the whole day on a huge vessel with limited contact with the skipper.

The group is advertised as limited to 10 participants. The small-group format means you can hear the skipper more easily, get help with photos, and avoid the feeling of being herded from one stop to the next. It also means space is limited. You should not expect a wide deck, a private cabin, or the freedom to spread out as you might on a large catamaran.

For me, the strongest value comes from access. The boat can visit caves and coastal points that larger vessels may skip. If your priority is simply sitting in the sun, a cheaper boat might do. If you want scenery, swimming, and close coastal exploration in one half-day, $53 is fair.

Who should book this trip

This tour suits adults, older children, couples, and small groups of friends who want several swimming spots without giving up a full day. Children must be at least six years old, and the boat’s fast pace will appeal to people who enjoy an active outing.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the water with a swimming ladder. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people prone to seasickness, children under six, or anyone over 95 years old.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera. Keep your belongings secure on the boat, especially during faster sections. There is shade, but not every seat will have the same protection throughout the trip.

The English-speaking skipper provides directions and information during the cruise. Raymond and Ramon are among the names associated with the guiding, and the experience depends partly on the day’s skipper and sea conditions. You can expect a friendly, informal atmosphere rather than a formal lecture.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure before booking.

Should you book the Qawra boat tour?

Book it if you want a compact, active half-day with fast cruising, cave views, three swim stops, and a small group. The strongest reasons are the 75 minutes at Blue Lagoon, the quieter Crystal Lagoon stop, the visit to Mgarr ix-Xini, and the boat’s ability to approach narrow coastal areas.

Think twice if you dislike choppy water, need a very stable vessel, or want a quiet beach day with no timetable. Blue Lagoon will not be empty, and the short stops at Ghar Ic-Comb and Elephant Rock are mainly for viewing and photos.

For most visitors staying near St Paul’s Bay, this is a well-priced way to see the coast, Comino, and part of Gozo without spending an entire day onboard. The small group and capable skippers make it a better choice than a large boat if you care about personal attention and close-up coastal views.

FAQ

Where does the Malta boat tour leave from?

The tour starts and ends at Qawra Slip Way in St Paul’s Bay. On foot, use the stairs beside Lungomare gelateria and walk toward the sea. By car or taxi, enter near the Cafe del Mar parking area, take the first right, and follow the road to the jetty.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts four hours, including the safety briefing, sightseeing cruises, photo stops, swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore at Mgarr ix-Xini.

How many people are on the boat?

The activity is described as a small-group tour limited to 10 participants. The small boat format provides more personal space and easier contact with the skipper than a large excursion vessel.

What places does the tour visit?

The route includes Smuggler’s Cave, Ghar Ic-Comb, Comino’s caves, the Window, Elephant Rock, Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Mgarr ix-Xini on Gozo.

How much swimming time do I get?

You have about 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, 75 minutes at Blue Lagoon, and another 30 minutes at Mgarr ix-Xini. Swimming and snorkeling are also possible during the designated stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a swimming ladder for getting in and out of the water.

Does the boat have shade and a toilet?

Yes. The boat has a sunshade and toilet, as well as a freshwater shower, teak deck, electric windlass, and audio system.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring your own snacks and water, and you can buy a drink or snack during the stop at Mgarr ix-Xini.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snacks, and a camera. Towels and sunscreen are not supplied onboard.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, non-swimmers, people prone to seasickness, or people over 95 years old.