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

The best thing about this tour is how much of Malta you can see in one day without arranging separate ferries, buses, and boat trips. You’ll swim from the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, ride to Gozo’s capital, Victoria, and finish with a short stop at St. Paul’s Island.

I like the smaller boat, which can slip into coastal caves that larger vessels cannot reach. I also like the price: at $40, the boat ride, Gozo transfer, live English commentary, and three major stops make this a strong bargain. The tradeoff is time. Gozo gets only two hours, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded in summer.

Key points at a glance

• Three islands in seven hours: Malta, Gozo, and Comino are linked by boat, bus, and short shore stops.
• One hour at the Blue Lagoon: Swim from the boat, sunbathe, snorkel, or walk on Comino.
• Two hours in Victoria: Choose between the Cittadella, local markets, shopping, and a Gozitan meal.
• Small-boat cave access: Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves may be visited, depending on weather and sea conditions.
• Captain Matthew and his crew: Live English commentary and practical help keep the busy day organized.
• Bring cash and a towel: Food, drinks, and snorkel gear cost extra, and rented equipment requires a €10 cash deposit.

A full day from Bugibba to three Maltese islands

This is a sightseeing day built around variety rather than long visits. You start at Bugibba Jetty, spend much of the morning on the water, switch to a bus in Gozo, then return to the boat for more coastline and a final swim.

Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat leaves at 10:00 am sharp, so arrive early. Look for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid at the jetty.

The return to Bugibba is planned for about 5:00 pm. That gives you seven hours, but the day moves quickly. You’ll want to decide in advance whether your priority is swimming, seeing the Cittadella, eating in Victoria, or simply enjoying the boat ride.

The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, and live commentary is provided in English. Food and drinks are available to buy, but they are not included. Pack a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and some cash.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water and limited elbow room

The first major stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The boat anchors for about one hour, giving you time to swim from the boat, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on the island.

The water is the star here. It is clear enough to make the swim feel special even if you spend only a short time in it. From the boat, you avoid the need to find a beach spot, though you also need to be comfortable climbing down and back up for a swim.

You can rent snorkeling equipment, but it is not included. The stated security deposit is €10 in cash, so bring money if you want to hire gear. If you already own a mask, packing it may be simpler.

Set your expectations carefully. The Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, but fame brings crowds. In summer, the water and shoreline can feel busy, and debris left by other visitors may spoil parts of the setting. That is not something the boat crew can fully control.

One hour is enough for a refreshing swim and a few photographs. It is not enough for an unhurried beach day. I would treat this stop as a quick, scenic water break, not as a quiet stay on Comino.

Gozo and Victoria: make your two hours count

After Comino, the boat heads to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. From there, a bus takes you directly to Victoria, the island’s capital.

The bus transfer is useful because it removes the need to arrange your own ride from the harbour. It also lets you reach the center quickly, which matters when your total time on Gozo is limited.

Victoria gives you several sensible choices. You can climb toward the Cittadella, browse the markets, shop, or sit down for a Gozitan meal. You will not have time to do everything at a relaxed pace, so choose one main goal and keep an eye on the clock.

The Cittadella is the strongest choice if you want Gozo’s historic character. It gives you a clear sense of Victoria’s old defensive center and offers a worthwhile reason to spend your limited time on foot.

If food matters more, use the stop for a local restaurant. If you prefer an easy visit, stay near the markets and explore without trying to reach every corner of the city.

The main complaint about this section is simple: two hours can feel short. An extra 30 to 45 minutes would make the stop more comfortable, especially for anyone who wants both the Cittadella and a meal. The bus ride makes Gozo practical in a single day, but it also turns the visit into an introduction rather than a full exploration.

St. Paul’s Island: a short final stop

Back at the harbour, you rejoin the boat and continue toward St. Paul’s Island. The stop lasts about 30 minutes.

You can take one last swim to cool off, or walk up to see the statue of St. Paul. This is a brief visit, so think of it as a final pause rather than a major sightseeing stop.

The island adds a different mood to the day. After the noise and activity around the Blue Lagoon and the walking time in Victoria, it gives you a compact coastal stop with a religious landmark and open sea views.

You will need to move promptly here. Thirty minutes passes quickly, especially if you want both the swim and the walk to the statue. Pick one main activity and enjoy it instead of trying to rush through both.

Coastal caves that larger boats cannot reach

One of the more appealing parts of this trip is the chance to enter sea caves. Because the boat is smaller than many sightseeing vessels, it can approach places that larger boats may have to pass.

The exact caves depend on the weather and sea conditions. The route may include Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves, but the captain decides what is safe and practical on the day.

This is included at no extra charge. It also gives the cruise more character than a simple ride between ports. You get close views of the rock formations and a better sense of the Maltese coast from the water.

Do not treat cave access as guaranteed. The captain can alter or cancel parts of the trip if conditions are unsuitable. That flexibility is sensible on the sea, but it means the final route may differ from the planned outline.

What the smaller boat changes

The smaller boat is an important detail. It can make the ride feel less packed than a large ferry, and it allows the crew to get closer to the caves and coastline.

It may also feel more exposed to sun and motion. The boat has toilets and Wi-Fi, but this is still a day on the open sea, not a sheltered coach tour. If you are sensitive to heat or rough water, use sunscreen, drink water, and choose your seat with care.

The boat may be nearly full, especially during the summer season. Even so, the smaller format can feel more personal than a large cruise vessel. Captain Matthew is singled out in the trip information as a helpful guide who explains the day and keeps the schedule moving.

The commentary is in English. If you want a trip with constant guiding at every stop, remember that much of your time is free time. The commentary helps you understand the route, while the stops let you choose what to do.

Is $40 good value?

At $40 per person, this is good value if you want a broad introduction to Malta’s islands in one day. You are paying for the boat cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, transport from Mgarr Harbour to Victoria, the St. Paul’s Island stop, cave access when possible, and live English commentary.

The price is especially appealing if you would otherwise pay separately for transport to Gozo, a boat trip around Comino, and a coastal cruise. The tour also saves planning time, which is useful during a short Malta stay.

There are extra costs. Food and drinks are available for purchase but are not included. Snorkel equipment also costs extra and requires a €10 cash security deposit.

The value drops if your main goal is a long, peaceful stay in one place. You get only one hour at Comino, two hours in Victoria, and 30 minutes at St. Paul’s Island. This is a sampler, not a slow island holiday.

Who should book this boat and bus tour?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several Maltese highlights without renting a car or building your own transport plan. It suits first-time visitors, short-stay visitors, couples, families who enjoy swimming, and anyone who likes a full day with plenty of scenery.

It is also a good match if you want both water time and a cultural stop. You can swim in clear water, see the coast from a boat, walk around Victoria, and visit the Cittadella in one outing.

I would hesitate if your priority is serious sightseeing in Gozo. Two hours is not enough for a slow visit to Victoria, a substantial meal, and several historic sites. In that case, give Gozo a separate day.

The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, boat movement, swimming access, bus transfers, and walking in Victoria may all require physical ease.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive before boarding starts at 9:30 am. The boat leaves at 10:00 am and boarding closes at 9:50 am, leaving little room for delays.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Cash for food, drinks, and the €10 snorkel-equipment deposit
• Comfortable clothing for the boat and walking in Victoria

You also need to sign up through the Maltese Government website for a free entry ticket to Comino. Handle that before the morning of the trip so it does not become a last-minute problem.

Keep your schedule flexible. The captain may change the route or cancel the trip if weather or sea conditions are poor. Cave visits are also dependent on those conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Malta plans may change.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want maximum variety for $40 and accept that each stop will be short. The Blue Lagoon, Victoria, St. Paul’s Island, and the caves give you a well-rounded day, while the boat and bus connections remove much of the planning work.

Skip it if you want a quiet Comino swim, a full day in Gozo, or a detailed historical tour of Victoria. For everyone else, this is an efficient and fairly priced way to sample Malta’s coast and neighboring islands, especially when Captain Matthew and the crew keep the schedule clear and the boat route flexible.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am. The boat departs at 10:00 am sharp.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The planned return to Bugibba is around 5:00 pm.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get one hour at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on the island.

Is transportation to Victoria included?

Yes. After arriving at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, you take a bus to Victoria and return by bus after about two hours.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Can the caves always be visited?

No. Cave visits depend on weather and sea conditions. The captain may visit Crystal Lagoon or St. Mary’s caves when conditions allow.