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

This tour is interesting because it mixes sea views with inland sightseeing in one smooth day. You start with a boat cruise from Bugibba, then switch gears to a bus ride around Gozo, with swimming time at Comino and a walk on St Paul’s Island.

Two things I especially like are the chance to spend real time in the Blue Lagoon after boarding at Bugibba Jetty, and the way the day includes cave access without making you pay extra for it. One possible drawback is that the stops are time boxed, so if you want a long linger in Victoria or a slower pace everywhere, you may feel a little rushed.

Key Things You’ll Remember From This Bus and Boat Day

• A full day with two modes of transport, boat for the big coastline views and bus for Gozo’s capital
• Live English commentary, with the captain explaining what you are seeing (including a captain named Matthew)
• Blue Lagoon time from the boat, with about an hour to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on Comino
• Caves are part of the plan, and entry is included, but which caves you see depends on weather and sea conditions
• St Paul’s Island is short but scenic, about 30 minutes for a last swim or the statue viewpoint

Price and what you actually get for about $40

For around $40 per person and roughly 7 hours on the move, this is a value play. You are paying for boat cruising, live English guide talk, onboard basics like WiFi and toilets, plus bus transport on Gozo. You also get scheduled time at three different places, with caves entry included.

What is not included matters. Food and drinks are on your own, and you will need to plan around bringing cash. Snorkeling gear is also not included, though rental is available with a 10 euro security deposit in cash. If you already like to travel light and are happy to buy a simple snack once you are on Gozo, this price can feel fair.

Meeting at Bugibba Jetty, boarding windows, and getting ready

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty near the Mermaid team, or you can look for the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid. Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am, and the boat leaves at 10:00 am sharp. That tight boarding window is the part I would treat seriously, because a late arrival can mean you miss the departure.

Once you are onboard, expect a smaller boat than you might imagine for a big island day. That can be a plus, because it tends to keep the group from feeling packed in every moment. You also get live English commentary, so the cruise is not just sitting there while the coast slides by.

Before you go, pack for sun and water. The basics are spelled out for a reason: sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Bring a towel because Comino and the later island stops are built around swimming and hanging out by the water.

The morning cruise up the coast to Comino

After departure, you cruise north with views of Malta’s coastline. The route takes you past places like Mellieha and through the Maltese archipelago, so even before you reach Comino, you are not staring at the same thing twice. This is one of the reasons I like this format: you get a guided “travel through the scenery” moment, not just check-in, swim, repeat.

You should also think of this cruise as your time to get oriented. If it is your first time in the area, watching the coastline helps you understand how the islands relate to each other. The captain’s commentary is where that starts to make sense, including the kind of helpful explanations you get from a captain named Matthew.

You are heading for the day’s main swimming stop next, so keep your body ready for warm water and sun.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: your one-hour swim window

Comino is where people come for the Blue Lagoon, and the tour gives you time that feels practical. After reaching Comino, you get about 1 hour for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or exploring on foot. The timing is built to let you do the water part while it is still worth your effort, rather than turning the lagoon stop into a long logistics problem.

The lagoon can be crowded during peak season, and that affects your experience more than the tour does. If you want the “camera clear water” look, you can still get it, just know you will be sharing space with other swimmers. Also, you may see some mess left behind by tourists in the waterline areas. I would go in with a calm attitude and keep your own space clean, since you cannot fix it all in an hour.

On the practical side, your tour is structured so you can make a decision quickly when you arrive. If swimming is your priority, focus on that first and do minimal wandering later. If you want a break from the water, use your hour to walk and soak in the view, then come back for a short swim.

Snorkeling gear and sea reality

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but rentals are available for a 10 euro deposit in cash. If you do not want to deal with gear, you can still have a great time with a simple swim. For many people, the included time is about getting in the water and enjoying how clear it looks, without needing fancy snorkeling setup.

Cave entry along the Maltese coastline, and why weather controls the best options

One of the tour’s strongest selling points is that it includes caves. You get a chance to enter caves for free, and the boat being smaller helps with access. The catch is simple and honest: which caves you see depends on weather and sea conditions.

You might visit caves such as Crystal Lagoon or St Mary’s caves, with the selection changing based on what the water and wind allow that day. That matters because caves are not a museum exhibit you can schedule no matter what. When the sea is choppy, operations change. If the sea is calm, you usually get the full effect.

My advice: treat the cave stop as an added bonus rather than the one thing you must photograph. That mindset keeps the day enjoyable even if the captain swaps to a different cave route due to conditions.

Also remember, the tour is not just looking at caves from a distance. It is built to let you actually go inside, which is where the experience tends to feel memorable.

Gozo by bus to Victoria: making the most of two hours

Once you leave Comino, you cruise to Mgarr harbour on Gozo, then switch to the bus for the capital, Victoria. You get about 2 hours in Victoria including the bus ride to and from the harbour.

This is a “choose your priorities” situation. Two hours is enough to see the key sights, but not enough to wander with no plan. If you like dramatic viewpoints and old stone walls, you will probably want to head straight toward the Cittadella area. If you prefer people-watching and practical browsing, the Victoria markets can be a good use of time. And if your energy is low after swimming, grab a bite at a local spot and keep it simple.

One detail that can improve the Gozo experience is transport flexibility. A private bus option for the Gozo portion has been mentioned as something you can request, and if that is available to you, it could help you keep more minutes in Victoria instead of feeling stuck between stops.

Whatever you do, build in a quick rhythm. Arrive, pick one main target, and only then decide if markets or lunch fits without cutting the main stop too short.

St Paul’s Island: 30 minutes of calm, statue views, and one last swim

After Victoria time, you return by bus to the harbour and continue the boat cruise to St Paul’s Island. Here you get about 30 minutes, which is short but perfect for what this stop is meant to be: a quiet break from the busier water spots.

Once docked, you can do two main things. You can take one last swim to freshen up, or walk up to see the statue of St Paul. I like this kind of island stop because it does not ask you to do a full hike, and you still get a payoff in views.

If you want to maximize your minutes, start with the statue viewpoint if you are the type who likes photos and higher angles. Then, only if time remains, do the swim. That way you do not run out of time if the water calls you and you lose track of the clock.

Onboard comforts, group feel, and the pacing question

This is a full day that mixes water time with sightseeing time, and it can feel intense if you are someone who loves long breaks. The upside is that the pacing also keeps things from dragging. You will move from Comino to Gozo to St Paul’s Island and back to the harbour around 5:00 pm, ending back at Bugibba Jetty.

On a comfort level, you get WiFi onboard and toilet facilities, which can be genuinely helpful on a day with multiple transitions. The boat is also described as smaller than average, which likely means less squeezing and a more relaxed feel on board compared with huge ferry style tours.

The main pacing question is balance. Some people feel they want more time in Gozo, and that makes sense, because Victoria is where you can slow down if you have more hours. Still, if your goal is to hit the highlights across Malta and Gozo in one day, the short stop times can actually be a feature, not a flaw.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This tour fits well if you want an efficient day with maximum variety: sea cruise, Comino swimming, Gozo capital highlights, and a smaller island visit. It is also a good match if you prefer a guide to handle the transportation plan, especially since the Gozo transfer happens by bus.

It is not for everyone. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so if accessibility is a concern, you should skip it and look for a different format that better matches your needs.

If you are traveling with kids, or you are not a confident swimmer, you can still participate since swimming is optional and the schedule includes walking opportunities on Comino and St Paul’s Island. Just be sure you understand that the caves and cave entry depend on sea and weather conditions, so the day’s exact route can vary.

What to bring so the day feels easy

You already have a clear checklist, and I would treat it as non negotiable for comfort:

• Sun hat
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash

Cash shows up because food and drinks are not included, and snorkeling gear rentals require a 10 euro security deposit in cash. If you want the simplest day, keep purchases small and planned.

One more thing: if you plan to step on Comino Island, you need an entry ticket. You must sign up with the Maltese Government website to get a Comino entry ticket. The ticket is free to purchase, but it is not something you should assume you can handle at the last minute.

Should you book the St Paul’s Bay, Gozo, Comino bus and boat tour?

I would book this if you want a guided, value focused day that hits Comino’s Blue Lagoon, Gozo’s Victoria, and St Paul’s Island without needing to plan ferries, routes, and timing yourself. The included cave entry, the helpful captain commentary, and the straightforward swim windows make it a strong choice for first timers.

I would think twice if you know you want long time in Victoria, or you hate crowded swimming areas, or mobility needs make transfers difficult. Also consider that caves and cave routes can change with conditions, so go in expecting flexibility, not a guaranteed cave exact match.

If you want a single day that gives you a real feel for Malta plus Gozo, this is a solid bet.

FAQ

How long is the St Paul’s Bay Gozo Comino bus and boat tour?

The tour runs for about 7 hours. Check availability to see the starting times, since times can vary.

Where do I meet and what time does boarding start?

Meet at Bugibba Jetty by looking for the Mermaid representatives or the red, white, and blue boat named Mermaid. Boarding starts at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am.

How much time do I get at Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island?

You get 1 hour at Comino, 2 hours in Gozo including the bus to Victoria, and 30 minutes at St Paul’s Island.

Is food and drinks included on the tour?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase, but they are not included in the price.

Do I need snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent it on site with a 10 euro security deposit in cash.

Do I need an entry ticket to access the island of Comino?

Yes. You must sign up on the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket to access the Island of Comino. The ticket is free to purchase.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.