From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

A day trip that strings together Gozo and Comino by boat is a smart way to see Malta’s best-water scenery without overplanning. You get scenic cruising past St Paul’s Island and Mellieha, then a real chance to time your photos and swim in the Blue Lagoon area.

I especially like the built-in structure for first-time visitors, with time in Victoria around the Citadel plus a viewpoint stop at Qala Belvedere. Second, I like that the cruise feels practical, not just scenic, with optional mini-bus transport on Gozo so you can actually make the most of your limited hours.

The main drawback to plan around is weather and sea conditions. The crossing to Gozo can get rough in wind, and that can shorten or change your Blue Lagoon time, plus the tour is not suitable if you get seasick easily.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• Boat-first format: you start with a cruise from Sliema ferry area to Gozo, with multiple coastal pass-bys along the way
• Two styles of Gozo sightseeing: go independent from Mgarr Harbour or add the optional mini-bus to reach Qala Belvedere and Victoria
• Iconic swim stop: about 75 minutes at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, but conditions can reduce time or change docking
• QR code rule for 2025: from 01/05/25 you need a free QR code to get off at Blue Lagoon
• Citadel views without the stress: Victoria stop is set up for sightseeing and shopping around the fort area
• Small fun bonus included: use of a water slide on board is part of the package

Why This Gozo and Comino Cruise Feels Like the Best Shortcut

This tour works because it gives you a full-islands day with built-in transportation, and it does it without making you feel like you need a car. You’re not just hopping from one place to another, you’re also getting a rolling “coastline view” intermission as the boat heads north, which is part of the fun of Malta.

The big attractions are well chosen for a time-limited trip: Gozo for viewpoints and the fortified feel of Victoria’s Citadel area, and Comino for the Blue Lagoon swim-and-snorkel stop. That combination is hard to beat if you want the Malta experience, not just a list of locations.

And since food and drinks are not included, you can treat the land time like a chance to snack and reset, rather than spending your entire day buying meals onboard.

Finding Luzzu Cruises and Getting on the Right Vessel

You meet at the Luzzu Cruises location. For this experience, you should look for Luzzu Cruises boats Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley.

Plan to arrive early and keep an eye on staff instructions. One practical lesson from real-world departures is that timing matters when you split between the bus option and the self-guided option on Gozo. If you are choosing the mini-bus in Victoria, you’ll want to be ready to reassemble quickly when it’s time to return to the boat.

Also, this tour runs rain or shine. That sounds standard, but it matters on open water. Bring a plan for cool or windy weather even in warmer months, because Comino can feel chillier once the boat wind hits.

The Northbound Boat Ride: Coastal Pass-Bys That Actually Set the Mood

After departure from the Sliema ferry area (the tour includes a cruise from Sliema directly to Gozo), you’ll spend time moving along the north coast. The itinerary includes pass-bys at St Julian’s Bay, Qawra in St Paul’s Bay, St Paul’s Island, and Mellieha.

What I like about this phase is that you get Malta’s coast in motion, not just snapshots from a single viewpoint. It’s also a good moment to get your bearings before you hit Gozo and need to focus on directions, timing, and where the buses meet.

If you’re prone to seasickness, treat this portion seriously. Some groups report the outbound journey can be rough due to high winds, while the return can be smoother. The crew has a track record of handling it professionally, including handing out sick bags when needed, but prevention is still better than cleanup.

Practical tip: if the sea looks choppy, a seat toward the middle of the boat and on the deck can help some people, but you should go by what usually works for you.

Gozo Morning at Mgarr Harbour: Choose Self-Guided or the Mini-Bus

You arrive at Mgarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbour, and that is where your Gozo options split.

Option A: Explore Mgarr and Gozo at your own pace

If you skip the bus option, you still get time to wander around and get a feel for Gozo first. This can be a good choice if you’re comfortable moving at your own speed and you want to be flexible.

Just know the trade-off: you’re limited by the tour’s planned schedule, so you’ll have less control over reaching both Qala Belvedere and Victoria efficiently.

Option B: The optional mini-bus to Qala Belvedere and Victoria

If you want to see the highlights without rushing, this is the option that typically makes the day feel smooth. The bus takes you for a photo stop at Qala Belvedere and then on to Victoria, where you can see the Citadel area.

One name that popped up in real-life accounts is Carmen, a mini-bus driver who helped rescue the flow when timing went sideways for a group. That kind of experience matters, because Gozo is not huge, but your day still depends on meeting times lining up with the boat.

Qala Belvedere and Victoria: The Views and the Citadel Feel

This is the part of the tour that adds meaning beyond a quick island stop.

Qala Belvedere viewpoint stop

Qala Belvedere is one of Gozo’s most scenic vantage points, and the tour includes a photo stop there. If you like taking pictures but hate driving yourself around unfamiliar roads, this stop gives you a concentrated “wow moment” without extra planning.

The key is to treat it as a photo window, not a long hike. You’ll get the viewpoint, then you’ll shift to Victoria.

Victoria and the Citadel area

Victoria is Gozo’s capital, and the tour gives you self-guided sightseeing time here, including shopping. You’re also set up to see the Citadel, the old fortified city area.

In practice, this stop is enough time to do the essentials: walk around, take in the fort area views, and grab a snack or something small to bring home. Some people also point out food service can be slow on Gozo, so if you have a must-do plan at the Citadel, give yourself buffer time.

If your day falls on a Sunday, keep expectations realistic for shopping. One note from real departures is that many shops in Gozo are closed on Sundays, so prioritize sightseeing and photos over retail.

Comino Afternoon: Blue Lagoon Time, Swimsuits Ready

After Gozo, you reboard the Luzzu Cruises vessel and head to Comino. Your Blue Lagoon stop is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

The practical reality of Blue Lagoon docking and access

From 01/05/25, if you want to get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon, you need to register for a free QR code. The link is provided after booking, and the tickets are mandatory to get ashore in 2025.

This is the kind of detail that can save you stress. If you show up without registering, you might be limited in what you can do during the stop, even though you technically arrived at the Blue Lagoon.

Swimming and snorkeling expectations

The stop is designed for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling. Bring a towel, and wear shoes that can handle wet boardwalks and rocky edges.

Crowds can build around the most famous spots, and in some conditions the first minutes can feel chaotic. The upside is that once you settle, you usually get the classic Comino experience: clear water, easy floating, and great photo angles from the shore or from the water.

One important consideration: weather can affect your time. If the sea is rough or wind is strong, you may lose swim time, shorten the stop, or even dock somewhere else instead of right at the Blue Lagoon. One example mentioned is a different docking area such as St Mary’s bay when conditions didn’t allow the usual stop.

Comino Caves and the Santa Maria Caves Photo Stop

After Blue Lagoon, the tour includes a visit to the Crystal Caves of Comino and then a return cruise.

There’s also a quick photo stop listed at Santa Maria Caves, around 10 minutes. This is not long enough to do a full exploration, but it gives you a “frame the coast” moment for photos.

Think of this section as the tour’s bonus reel. You already planned your day around Victoria and the Blue Lagoon, so these cave moments feel like a bonus, not a replacement.

If you want maximum time in one place, two separate trips can make more sense. But for a single-day taste, this mix keeps variety high.

Boat Comfort, the Water Slide, and the Seasickness Issue

Let’s talk reality. You’re on the water, so you have to respect motion.

Sea conditions can change your day

Some departures report a rough outbound crossing, especially when high winds are involved. The crew is part of what keeps things comfortable, because they help people who feel unwell. Still, if you get seasick easily, skip this tour or talk to a travel health professional about prevention.

Also, the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That matters because boarding, walking on decks, and transfers to buses or shore areas may be difficult.

Water slide: included, but not guaranteed in all conditions

The package includes use of the water slide. That can be a fun, silly break from the serious sightseeing.

However, one practical note from real groups is that the slide might not be used in certain conditions. If wind and waves are up, it may be unsafe or just not worth the hassle. Don’t build your day around the assumption that it will definitely run every time.

On-board basics you should plan for

The tour is a full day, but food and drinks are not included. So you’ll want a strategy for staying fueled. Either budget for snacks and drinks onboard if they’re available, or plan to purchase what you need during the Victoria time on Gozo.

Price, Value, and What You’re Really Paying For

At about $41 per person, the real value is not just the low headline price. It’s the bundle.

You’re paying for:

• the ferry-style cruise from Sliema to Gozo and back
• access to key stops on Gozo (Mgarr Harbour, Victoria, and the Qala Belvedere photo stop, if you choose the bus)
• the Comino Blue Lagoon stop with time for swimming
• Crystal Caves of Comino
• the water slide inclusion
• a full-day itinerary that compresses multiple sights into one outing

For many visitors, the biggest “value” is time saved. Getting Gozo and Comino together in one day is efficient, especially if you don’t want to manage schedules, transfers, or parking.

Where value changes for you is your choice on Gozo. If you include the mini-bus option, your day is typically less stressful and more packed with views. If you skip it, you might save money or keep freedom, but you could spend more time figuring out logistics than seeing highlights.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This is a good match if you:

• want a first-timer friendly day that includes both Gozo and Comino
• like seeing viewpoints like Qala Belvedere and the Citadel area in Victoria
• want to swim in the Blue Lagoon without setting up separate transport
• prefer guided timing while still having self-guided time for wandering

It may not be a good match if you:

• get seasick easily (the crossing can be rough, and that risk is part of the deal)
• have mobility limitations that make boats, steps, and transfers hard
• need long, unhurried time at each site. This tour is structured. If you want more hours in Victoria or more time at Blue Lagoon, you’ll likely want a separate day trip focused on one island

Should You Book This Gozo and Comino Cruise from Sliema?

Yes, if you want the highest chance of seeing Malta’s headline scenery in one day, with a schedule that keeps things moving and gives you time to enjoy the water. The Victoria plus Citadel pairing and the Blue Lagoon swim stop are the core wins, and the optional mini-bus makes the Gozo portion feel efficient.

Before booking, do two quick checks:

• Are you okay with possible rough water and the fact that Blue Lagoon time can shrink in wind?
• If you plan to get ashore at Blue Lagoon in 2025, make sure you register for the free QR code so you’re not blocked at the shoreline step.

If those boxes work for you, this is a strong value way to experience Gozo and Comino without a car or complicated planning.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Luzzu Cruises. Look for the boat Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley.

How long is the tour and how much time is there at the Blue Lagoon?

The duration is about 7.5 hours. The Blue Lagoon stop is listed at about 75 minutes.

Is transportation on Gozo included?

Transportation on Gozo is optional. The tour offers an optional mini-bus option on Gozo after Mgarr Harbour.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon in 2025?

Yes. From 01/05/25, if you want to get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon, you must register to obtain a free QR code. The QR code is mandatory to get on shore in 2025.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and a towel.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable if I get seasick?

No. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Will the tour run in bad weather?

It runs rain or shine, but the captain may alter or cancel parts of the excursion based on prevailing weather conditions.