Full Day Cruise to Gozo & Blue Lagoon with visit to Rabat

The best part of this full-day outing is the three-part mix of sea views, Gozo, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon. You cruise Malta’s northern coast, ride into Victoria, then finish in clear turquoise water. It gives you a broad taste of the islands without arranging separate ferries and buses.

I like the views of St. Paul’s Island and Mellieha from the boat, and I like that transport to Victoria and Qala Belvedere is handled for you. The 75-minute stop in Victoria is enough to reach the Cittadella and grab a snack, but not enough for a relaxed visit to Gozo.

The main catch is the schedule. This is a busy boat outing, not a quiet island tour, and the Blue Lagoon can feel crowded. You also need a free Comino walking ticket for visits from May 1, 2025 onward, or you may be limited to swimming beside the boat.

Key points to know before booking

• 75 minutes in Victoria: You can climb to the Cittadella and look around, but you will need to keep an eye on the clock.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires a free ticket: Choose the 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm slot at blcomino.com and bring the QR code.
• The $41 fare covers the basics: Cruise transport, commentary, the Gozo bus, and onboard facilities are included. Food, drinks, and snorkel equipment are not.
• Meet at Sliema Ferries by 10:00 am: Look for the yellow Malta Sightseeing Booth opposite McDonald’s. The boat leaves at 10:30 am.
• The boat is wheelchair accessible: Families with babies should still think carefully about the small onboard toilet, crowds, and the practicalities of the Blue Lagoon stop.
• Optional extras may cost more: A top-deck sunbed has been reported at EUR 10, and speedboat rides and snorkel equipment may be offered during the day.

A full day from Sliema to Gozo and Comino

This eight-hour trip is designed for convenience. You arrive at the Sliema meeting point, board a sightseeing boat, and let the operator handle the transfers between Malta, Gozo, Victoria, and Comino.

At 10:00 am, meet at Sliema Ferries opposite McDonald’s. The yellow Malta Sightseeing Booth is the landmark to look for. The boat leaves at 10:30 am, so do not treat the meeting time as an approximate suggestion. Confusion around pickup and meeting instructions has caused stress for some people, and the safest plan is to arrive early and confirm the boat location before departure.

The host and audio commentary are in English. Commentary continues during the cruise, giving you context as the boat follows Malta’s northern coast. This is useful if you want more than a transfer, though you should expect sightseeing narration rather than a personal, small-group guide.

The boat has onboard facilities, but space and comfort can vary. One small toilet has been reported, so use facilities before departure if possible. If you want a spot away from the strongest sun or wind, arrive early and take a little time choosing your seat.

Malta’s northern coast by boat

The first stretch is about seeing Malta from the water. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island and Mellieha, with the shoreline changing from built-up areas to open coastal views.

This part gives you a useful sense of Malta’s geography. From the sea, you can see how close the northern islands are to one another, and you get a different view of Mellieha than you would from a road. The boat ride also makes the transfer itself part of the day rather than wasted travel time.

Bring a light layer even in warm weather. Wind can make the outward journey feel cold, especially in spring. Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen belong in your day bag. A hat and a cover-up are also practical, although they are not listed as required items.

The boat can get busy. Some seating may be near the engine, where noise and smell are less pleasant, and upper-deck seating may involve an added charge. A top-level sunbed has been offered for about EUR 10, so do not assume every outdoor seat is included in the basic fare.

If you prefer a calm, private cruise, this is not the right format. If you want a practical way to see the coast while moving toward Gozo, it works well.

Victoria, Gozo: a short visit with a clear target

After arriving on Gozo, you board a bus to Victoria, the island’s capital, also known as Rabat. Transport to Victoria and Qala Belvedere is included, which saves you the trouble of arranging local connections during a short stop.

You have 75 minutes of free time in Victoria. That is enough for a focused visit, but you need to choose your priority. The Cittadella is the obvious target. It sits above the city and offers a compact area to explore, with high viewpoints over Gozo.

The walk up to the Cittadella takes some of your available time. You may manage the climb, a quick look around, and a snack, but you will not have time to explore Victoria at a slow pace. Wear shoes with a firm grip, especially if the surface is warm or uneven.

I would head directly toward the Cittadella rather than browsing shops first. If the climb is not suitable for you, use the time around central Victoria instead, but keep the meeting instructions close at hand.

This stop is one of the weaker parts of the day for anyone hoping for a real Gozo tour. You are dropped near the center and given free time, rather than joining a guided walk through the capital. There is also no promise of a visit to the former Azure Window site, so do not book this trip expecting that sight.

Still, the stop has value. You get a brief look at Gozo’s capital and its fortified center without paying for a separate land excursion. For a first taste of Gozo, that can be enough. For a deeper visit, plan a separate full day on the island.

Qala Belvedere and the return to the boat

The included transportation also refers to Qala Belvedere, a viewpoint area on Gozo. The exact amount of time available at each point depends on the day’s operation and boat schedule, so treat this as part of the organized transfer rather than a long independent stop.

The bus system is useful, but it can feel tight when many people are returning at once. Allow extra patience during boarding and follow the staff’s instructions. The boat cannot wait indefinitely for late passengers, and the day’s later Blue Lagoon stop depends on keeping the group moving.

This is where the trip’s organized nature becomes both its strength and its limitation. You do not need to navigate Gozo’s buses, but you also do not control the pace. Keep your ticket, phone, and meeting details easy to reach, not buried under beach gear.

Comino’s Blue Lagoon in the afternoon

The final major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The water is the reason many people choose this trip. It is clear and turquoise, and you can swim, snorkel, or relax near the beach before returning to Malta.

The experience is not a quiet beach escape. The lagoon is a popular place, and the boat-based arrival means you share the water and shoreline with other visitors. Even so, the color of the water makes this the visual highlight of the day.

You should bring your own towel and swimwear. Snorkeling equipment is not included, though it may be rented. Food and drinks are also excluded, so pack something suitable or budget for purchases onboard and at the stops.

Be realistic about the beach. The Blue Lagoon works best if you are comfortable swimming from or near the boat and managing your belongings in a busy setting. It is less appealing if you need a quiet, spacious beach or easy room for a stroller.

Since May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. Go to blcomino.com before the trip, select the 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm time slot, and save the QR code on your phone. Comino officials scan it on arrival. Without that code, you can still swim next to the boat, but you will not be allowed to walk on the island.

That rule matters. Do not assume the boat booking itself gives you permission to step ashore. The extra ticket is free, but it is your responsibility to arrange it before departure.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a reasonable way to combine three places in one day. The fare includes the cruise to Gozo and Comino, English commentary, bus transportation to Victoria, transport connected with Qala Belvedere, and onboard facilities.

The value is strongest if you want transport arranged for you. Booking separate boat and land connections would take more planning, and a self-guided day could become awkward when you are trying to match ferry times with a short stop in Victoria.

The price is less attractive if you expect a fully guided Gozo tour, a meal, or a quiet premium cruise. You are paying for transport and access to a popular route, not for a private guide or a long cultural visit.

Extra charges also deserve attention. Upper-deck sunbeds may cost EUR 10. Snorkel gear can be rented, and additional water activities may be promoted during the trip. Drinks are not included in the published inclusions. Earlier arrangements involving free drinks have not always been available, so do not plan your refreshments around an assumed drink package.

Bring water and a snack if you want predictable choices. The schedule is long, and the official fare does not cover food.

Timing, comfort, and the practical details

The advertised duration is eight hours, with departure at 10:30 am and a return to Malta in the evening. Boat and transfer times can shift, so avoid booking a tight evening connection after the cruise.

You may find the day relaxing once underway, but it is not always smooth. Boarding, bus transfers, and returning to the boat all involve groups moving at once. Some departures have run late, and the return has not always been exactly at the expected time.

The trip is wheelchair accessible, which is an important advantage. Accessibility at each stop can still depend on the bus, the route to the Cittadella, the boat’s boarding arrangements, and the shore conditions. If you use a wheelchair, confirm the practical details with the operator before booking.

Families with babies should think about the pace and facilities. The Blue Lagoon can be difficult with very young children, particularly if you need space, shade, or a simple beach setup. The small onboard toilet is another reason to plan carefully.

For everyone else, the basic packing list is simple:

• Comfortable walking shoes for Victoria
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Water and food if you do not want to buy them
• A light layer for the windy boat ride
• Your Comino QR code

The activity is listed with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Malta schedule may change, but they do not remove the need to meet the boat on time.

Who should book this Malta cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a broad first look at Malta’s northern islands and prefer one organized day over several separate bookings. It suits couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who are happy to explore Victoria on their own for a short period.

It is especially useful if the Blue Lagoon is your main goal and Gozo is a welcome extra. You get the famous water stop plus a look at Victoria, rather than spending the entire day in one place.

I would hesitate if your main purpose is to understand Gozo in depth. Seventy-five minutes is simply too short for a relaxed city visit, a proper meal, and wider exploration. I would also look elsewhere if you dislike crowded boats, optional sales, shared bus transfers, or fixed return times.

The overall rating of 3.3 from 425 bookings reflects that mixed experience. The day can be enjoyable and well organized, but expectations matter. Think of it as a scenic island transfer with a swimming stop, not a slow cultural tour.

Should you book it?

Book this $41 cruise if you want good geographic coverage in one day: Malta’s north coast, Victoria’s Cittadella, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon. Arrive early, bring food and a warm layer, arrange the free Comino ticket, and treat the Gozo stop as a quick introduction.

Skip it if you want plenty of time on Gozo, a quiet beach, or an all-inclusive boat day. The strongest reason to book is convenience and the Blue Lagoon. The weakest point is the short, tightly managed visit to Victoria.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts eight hours, with the boat leaving Sliema at 10:30 am and returning to Malta in the evening.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at 10:00 am at Sliema Ferries, opposite McDonald’s. Look for the yellow Malta Sightseeing Booth.

What places does the cruise visit?

The route includes Malta’s northern coast, St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha, Gozo, Victoria, Qala Belvedere, and Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

How much free time is provided in Victoria?

You have 75 minutes of free time in Victoria, including time to explore near the Cittadella.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it may be available to rent.

Do I need a ticket to visit Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. Order it at blcomino.com, select the 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm slot, and keep the QR code for scanning on arrival.

What happens if I do not have the Comino QR code?

You will not be allowed to walk on Comino, but you can still swim next to the boat.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The trip includes boat and bus transfers, so you should confirm the specific arrangements with the operator if you need accessibility support.