St. Paul’s Bay: Gozo, Comino & St. Paul’s Bus & Boat Tour

The best thing about this tour is the way it links three very different Maltese stops in one day. You’ll swim from a boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, ride inland to Gozo’s capital, Victoria, then return to the water for caves and St. Paul’s Island. It is a lot of Malta in seven hours, with little wasted time.

I like the smaller Mermaid boat, which makes the cruise feel less packed than a large ferry. I also like the easy Gozo transfer: the bus takes you from Mgarr Harbour straight to Victoria, so you can spend your limited time at the Cittadella, markets, or a local restaurant instead of sorting out transport.

The trade-off is time. One hour at Comino, two hours in Victoria, and 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Island give you a useful taste, but not a leisurely visit. If you want a proper day on Gozo, book a dedicated Gozo tour instead.

Key points

• Blue Lagoon from the boat: You get one hour for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or a short walk on Comino.
• Victoria by direct bus: Two hours on Gozo lets you choose between the Cittadella, markets, and a Gozitan meal.
• Caves included: The smaller boat can enter Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves when sea and weather conditions permit.
• St. Paul’s Island finish: A 30-minute stop gives you time for one last swim or a walk up to the statue of St. Paul.
• Captain Matthew and crew: Live English commentary and helpful day-to-day guidance are part of the cruise.
• Good value at $40: The price includes the boat, Gozo bus transfer, cave visit, and all three stops, but not food, drinks, or rented snorkeling gear.

What this seven-hour Malta tour actually covers

This is a sightseeing day built around the sea. You board the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat at Bugibba Jetty, cruise north along Malta’s coast, stop at Comino, continue to Gozo, and return by boat to St. Paul’s Island before reaching Bugibba again around 5 p.m.

The route gives you variety. You are not spending the full day on a boat, nor are you locked into a land-only bus route. You get swimming time, a short city visit, coastal views, cave access when possible, and a final island stop.

That variety is the main reason the tour earns a strong rating of 4.5 from 114 reviews. It is also why the schedule feels tight. Each stop serves a different purpose, but none is long enough for a slow, unplanned visit.

Captain Matthew has been specifically praised for explaining the day’s plan and helping the group see as much as possible. The crew provides live commentary in English, and the boat has toilets and Wi-Fi. Those are modest comforts, but useful on a full day that mixes sun, salt water, and bus travel.

Boarding at Bugibba Jetty

Boarding begins at 9:30 a.m., and it closes at 9:50 a.m. The boat leaves sharply at 10:00 a.m., so you should not treat the boarding window as a suggestion. Look for the Mermaid representatives, or find the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid at the jetty.

The meeting point is also the return point. That makes the tour easy to manage if you are staying near Bugibba, since you do not need to arrange a separate pickup after the cruise.

Bring a sun hat, towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but they are not included. Snorkeling equipment can be rented, with a €10 cash security deposit, so bring small notes or coins if you plan to use it.

You also need a free Comino entry ticket from the Maltese Government website. This is an important step to handle before the morning of the tour. The tour price does not replace that requirement.

Cruising north past Mellieha and Malta’s coast

Once the boat leaves Bugibba, the first part of the day is a coastal cruise toward Comino. You pass Mellieha and see sections of the Maltese archipelago from the water. This gives you a helpful sense of how close the islands are, and how much of Malta’s character comes from its shoreline.

The cruise is not simply transport between stops. The coastline and the approach to Comino are part of the experience, with commentary from the crew filling in the route. If you want the best chance of enjoying the views, keep your phone and camera ready, but do not forget the practical basics: strong sun and wind can make a boat ride tiring.

The boat is smaller than many large sightseeing vessels. That is a plus for seeing the coast and entering caves, and the available feedback suggests it feels pleasant even when nearly full. The downside is that a smaller boat can feel busier on a popular summer day, especially once everyone is moving around for photographs or preparing to swim.

One hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The first main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where you have one hour. You can swim from the boat, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk on Comino. The water is the visual star of the day, with the bright, clear color that makes this part of Malta so popular.

Swimming directly from the boat is the key detail. You do not need to spend your short stop searching for a beach spot, and you can get into the water quickly. If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment or rent it from the boat for a €10 cash deposit.

The Blue Lagoon is also the busiest stop. The tour cannot control the crowds around Comino, and the lagoon can feel crowded in summer. You may also notice litter and debris left by other visitors. That does not erase the beauty of the water, but it is worth setting your expectations correctly. This is a famous swimming stop, not a quiet cove.

With only one hour, decide in advance what matters most. If swimming is your priority, change quickly and use the boat access. If you want photographs, take them early, then enjoy the water. If you want to walk around Comino, you will need to accept less swimming time.

The stop works best as a refreshing break rather than a full island visit. You get the essential experience of Comino, but not a slow exploration of the island.

Two hours in Victoria on Gozo

After Comino, the boat continues to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. From there, you board a bus directly to Victoria, Gozo’s capital. This transfer is one of the practical strengths of the tour. Gozo has plenty to see, but a short visit can lose time if you are working out local transport on your own.

You have two hours in Victoria. The most important sight is the Cittadella, the fortified historic center above the city. It gives you the strongest sense of Gozo’s past and offers a clear reason to spend your limited time walking uphill rather than simply browsing shops.

You can also visit the Victoria markets or stop for a meal at a Gozitan restaurant. Choose one main plan. Trying to fit in the Cittadella, shopping, and a full restaurant meal could leave you rushing back to the bus.

The Cittadella is worth paying extra attention to if an optional local or private bus arrangement is offered. One review specifically described it as a must-see and recommended paying extra for it. The supplied tour details do not state the exact price or format of that upgrade, so confirm the arrangement before committing.

Two hours is enough for a first look, but it is not enough for a complete Gozo visit. Several people found the Gozo portion short and suggested another 30 to 45 minutes would improve it. I agree. If Gozo is your main reason for visiting Malta, this tour will leave you wanting more.

Still, the stop has real value. You see an inland city after a morning on the water, get a brief taste of Gozitan food and daily life, and visit a major historic site without booking a separate ferry and bus plan.

Returning to the sea and entering the caves

The bus takes you back to Mgarr Harbour after your time in Victoria. You then rejoin the boat for the coastal portion of the return route. This is where the smaller vessel becomes especially useful.

The crew can take you into magnificent coastal caves, including Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves, depending on weather and sea conditions. Cave access is included at no extra charge, but it is never guaranteed. The captain can alter the route for safety, and the sea determines which caves are possible.

This part of the trip gives you a different view of Comino. From inside or near the caves, the coastline feels more enclosed and dramatic than it does from open water. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and do not let photography distract you from the boat’s movement.

The weather rule matters. If conditions are poor, the caves may be viewed only from outside or skipped. That is not a flaw in the booking so much as a normal limit of a small boat operating along exposed coast. The captain has the final say on what is safe.

Thirty minutes at St. Paul’s Island

The final stop is St. Paul’s Island, also called St. Paul’s Islands in the tour information. You have about 30 minutes before the boat returns to Bugibba.

This is a short, simple stop. You can take one last swim or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul. It is not another long sightseeing visit, and the time goes quickly once you leave the boat.

I like the order of this stop. After Comino’s busy lagoon and Gozo’s city streets, St. Paul’s Island gives you a quieter final pause. You can cool off in the water, stretch your legs, and take photographs before the ride home.

Do not expect a full island walk in 30 minutes. Treat it as a final coastal break, not a major historical tour.

Is $40 good value for Malta?

At $40 per person, this is strong value if you want to combine transport and sightseeing. The cost covers the boat cruise, one hour at Comino, two hours in Gozo, the bus between Mgarr Harbour and Victoria, the St. Paul’s Island stop, live English commentary, and cave access when possible.

You would pay separately for transport and boat trips if you tried to build a similar day yourself. The direct bus transfer also saves planning time, which matters when you have only two hours in Victoria.

The price does not include food, drinks, or snorkeling equipment. You also need to arrange the free Comino entry ticket. Those are small extra steps, but they should be part of your budget and morning plan.

The value is best for a first visit to Malta or for anyone who wants a broad sample of the islands. You see more than you would on a single-location cruise, but you give up time at each place.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an active day with swimming, a boat ride, a little history, and several photo stops. It suits people who prefer a ready-made plan and do not want to organize ferries, buses, and coastal visits separately.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants to see Gozo without dedicating a full day to it. The bus takes you straight to Victoria, and two hours is enough to visit one key sight if you keep moving.

You may want another option if you have mobility limitations. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the day includes boat boarding, a bus transfer, swimming access, and walking in Victoria.

It may also disappoint you if you want peace and quiet. The Blue Lagoon is popular, the schedule is active, and the boat can be nearly full. You should also skip it if your main goal is a detailed Gozo visit, since the island portion is deliberately brief.

Practical advice for getting the most from the day

Arrive before the 9:50 a.m. boarding cutoff. The boat leaves at 10:00 a.m. sharp, and missing the departure would undermine the whole schedule.

Bring swimwear under easy-to-remove clothing, plus a towel and strong sunscreen. You have two swim opportunities, at Comino and St. Paul’s Island, so dry clothes or a light cover-up can make the return ride more comfortable.

Carry cash for food, drinks, and the snorkeling equipment deposit. The deposit is €10, and the tour does not include meals or drinks.

Plan your Gozo stop before arrival. If you want the Cittadella, go there first. If you prefer food and markets, head toward those instead. Two hours sounds generous until you include the bus transfer and walking.

Finally, keep your schedule flexible for weather. The captain may change the route, and the caves depend on sea conditions. The same weather that changes cave access can also affect swimming and the general feel of the cruise.

Should you book the Mermaid Gozo and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want good value and broad coverage in one Malta day. The Blue Lagoon, Victoria, the caves, and St. Paul’s Island offer a satisfying mix, and the helpful crew, direct Gozo bus, and smaller boat add practical advantages.

Do not book it expecting a slow holiday cruise or a full Gozo tour. The day is tightly timed, Comino can be crowded, and Victoria deserves more than two hours. For a first taste of Malta’s islands at $40, though, this is an efficient and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours. It boards at 9:30 a.m., closes boarding at 9:50 a.m., departs at 10:00 a.m., and returns to Bugibba at about 5:00 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat.

Is the return point the same as the meeting point?

Yes. The activity ends back at the Bugibba meeting point.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking on the island.

Is swimming equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, with a €10 security deposit payable in cash.

How long do I spend in Gozo?

You spend two hours in Gozo, including the bus transfer from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria and the return trip to the harbour.

Can I visit the Cittadella in Victoria?

Yes. The Cittadella is one of the recommended ways to use your time in Victoria. You can also visit the markets or eat at a local Gozitan restaurant.

Will the boat enter the caves?

The boat can enter Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves when weather and sea conditions allow. The captain may change or cancel the cave portion for safety.

Do I need a Comino entry ticket?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get a free entry ticket for Comino.