Blue Lagoon: Full-Day Three Island Cruise: Malta, Gozo and Comino

The best part of this full-day Maltese cruise is simple: you get several chances to swim in clear coastal water without arranging separate trips to Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The boat also passes Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, Elephant Rock, and other striking points along the coast, so the day has more to offer than a single stop at the Blue Lagoon.

I like the included hotel pickup and lunch, especially at $80.95 per person. I also like the relaxed social feel, with Captain Chris and his crew often praised for being friendly and attentive. The main catch is that this is more of a swimming-and-cruising day than a serious sightseeing tour, and the boat can feel crowded when more people join along the route.

Key points to know before booking

• Four water stops: Spend time at Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.
• Cold buffet lunch: Expect bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, and cold fillings rather than a hot restaurant-style meal.
• Captain Chris and crew: The crew is frequently praised for friendly service and attention to safety.
• Hotel pickup included: Round-trip transport is part of the price, though the stated meeting point is Mgarr Harbour.
• Up to 65 people: This is not a tiny private boat trip, so choose it for value and variety rather than solitude.
• Optional caves tour costs extra: The caves add-on is €10 per person and is not included.

What kind of day this really is

The name suggests a grand tour of Malta, Gozo, and Comino. You will see all three islands from the water, but the heart of the experience is swimming. The cruise gives you several long pauses at well-known bays and lagoons, with time to get into the sea, sit in the sun, or stay under the shaded part of the boat.

That distinction matters. If you want a guide-led tour of churches, villages, museums, and historic sites, this is not the right choice. If you want to cover a lot of coastline in one day and swim at several attractive places without changing hotels or planning ferries, the format makes good sense.

The day lasts about seven hours and begins at 8:00 am. That early start helps you make use of the day, though the schedule can feel long in hot weather. Bring enough patience for a full day on the water, especially since some stops last an hour or more.

The advertised maximum is 65 people. One published comment expected a much smaller group, so do not book this thinking you are getting a private sailing trip. The boat has a gullet-style design, with seating in different areas and a shaded section for a break from the sun. A smaller crowd may be possible at the start, but more people can join after additional stops.

From Mgarr Harbour to Malta’s northern coast

The stated meeting point is Mgarr Harbour, with hotel pickup and drop-off offered as part of the package. That is useful if you do not have a car or want to avoid piecing together local transport early in the morning. Confirmation is sent when you book, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Once underway, the boat gives you a broad view of the islands rather than one fixed beach. You may pass Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock as part of the coastal route. These are the sorts of views that make a boat day worthwhile: cliffs, rocky shorelines, small bays, and the changing color of the water as the boat moves between islands.

Do not expect every point of interest to come with a long explanation or a shore visit. The cruise format is about seeing the coast from the deck. I would keep your camera ready, but also leave room to enjoy the view without treating every passing rock as a formal attraction.

Blue Lagoon: the main swim stop

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto. Its water is the big draw, with rocky edges, some sandy patches, and nearby caves. The stop lasts about one hour, giving you enough time to swim rather than simply step off the boat, take a photograph, and climb back aboard.

This is likely to be the most anticipated stop of the day. You can swim in the lagoon, look toward the low rocky shoreline, or use the time to relax on deck if you prefer not to enter the water. The bottom is described as partly sandy and mostly rocky, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as required.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the busiest-feeling part of the trip. A long stop is valuable if swimming is your priority, but it may feel slow if you have already had enough sun or if you hoped for more time cruising around Gozo. One account found the Blue Lagoon stop, at roughly an hour and fifteen minutes, longer than necessary.

That is a fair warning. The tour works best when you see the lagoon as a proper swimming break, not a quick photo stop. If you are happiest in the water, the generous timing is an advantage. If you prefer moving from sight to sight, it may test your patience.

Armier Bay: a quieter-looking stretch of blue water

Armier Bay Beach is scheduled for about 30 minutes. The water around the bay is described as crystal blue and similar in appearance to the Blue Lagoon, which gives you another chance to swim without repeating exactly the same setting.

Half an hour is a useful middle ground. You can take a short swim, cool down, and return to the boat without losing a large part of the day. It also breaks up the longer cruise sections, which can be welcome when the sun is strong.

The stop is not presented as a major cultural visit. Think of Armier Bay as another coastal pause, not a village walk or a guided beach exploration. The value comes from the setting and the chance to get in the sea again.

Paradise Bay at Malta’s northern tip

Paradise Bay is near Mellieha Bay at Malta’s far northern point. The beach is often considered one of the island’s most attractive, and the tour allows about 30 minutes here.

This stop adds variety because you are seeing a named beach rather than only a lagoon between islands. You can take in the northern coastline, enjoy the view, and swim if conditions suit you. The short timing keeps the boat moving, but it also means you should not expect a long beach visit.

I like the way this stop rounds out the day. The Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon are the headline water locations, while Paradise Bay gives you a different coastal setting. Still, the schedule is tight enough that your time is mainly about enjoying the beach from the boat and water, not exploring the surrounding area on foot.

Crystal Lagoon and the western side of Comino

The Crystal Lagoon lies on the western side of Comino, between Malta and Gozo. The planned stop lasts about an hour, making it another substantial swim break rather than a brief scenic pause.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose the cruise. Instead of spending the whole day at the Blue Lagoon, you get two longer stops at Comino’s well-known clear-water areas. The setting changes as the boat moves around the island, and the western side gives you a different view of the surrounding coast.

The schedule lists the lagoons as free admission, so there is no separate entry charge for these stops. The optional caves tour is different. If you want to join it, budget an extra €10 per person. It is not part of the main ticket, so ask about the timing and exact arrangement before paying for it.

Lunch, wine, and what to expect on the boat

A buffet lunch is included, along with water and local wine. The food is described as a cold buffet with bread, cold pasta, rice, vegetables, and different fillings. That should set expectations correctly: this is practical boat food designed for a hot day, not a polished restaurant meal.

I see the cold format as sensible in principle. Heavy hot food is not always appealing after swimming and sitting in the sun. The spread also offers some choice, which helps if you have different preferences in your group. Still, the quality appears to be one of the more uneven parts of the experience. Some meals are described as good and varied, while others are called merely adequate.

Water is included, and local wine is served. Additional drinks must be purchased, so do not assume that every beverage is covered by the ticket. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking what can be provided. The information supplied does not promise a specific allergy-friendly menu.

The boat has a shaded section, which matters more than it may sound. A full day under a Maltese summer sun can become tiring, especially during the longer lagoon stops. I would claim a shaded place when you need a break, drink water often, and bring sun protection.

The crew and the group atmosphere

Captain Chris is singled out by name in the available feedback, and the crew is often praised for being friendly, helpful, and concerned with safety. That personal touch can make a big difference on a long boat day. A crew that keeps people informed and checks that everyone is comfortable is worth far more than a slick sales pitch.

At the same time, the experience depends partly on the sea and the group. On a windy day, conditions can become uncomfortable, particularly for anyone prone to motion sickness. The captain has reportedly offered to alter the route if someone was feeling unwell, but you should still prepare sensibly if you know you are sensitive to movement.

The group size needs clear attention. The tour permits up to 65 people, and the boat is licensed for more. The published information does not promise a small group. One account describes the boat becoming more crowded after additional stops, while another expected a much smaller party.

That does not automatically make the cruise poor value. It simply tells you what you are buying: a shared boat day with a broad route and several swim locations. You get a lower price than a private charter, but less quiet space and less control over the schedule.

Is $80.95 good value?

At $80.95 per person, the price includes several items that quickly add up if arranged separately: hotel pickup and return, the boat trip, buffet lunch, water, and local wine. You also get access to four listed swim stops and a route touching Malta, Gozo, and Comino.

For a first visit or a short stay, that package is useful. You can see a broad slice of the islands in one day without learning ferry routes or finding separate transport to remote bays. The value is strongest if you plan to swim and appreciate having lunch already arranged.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet boat, gourmet food, or detailed sightseeing commentary. You are paying for coverage and convenience, not a private experience. The included lunch is functional, and the extra caves tour costs €10.

The tour is booked around 15 days ahead on average, so do not leave it until the last minute if your schedule is fixed. The operator requires minimum numbers, which means a confirmed booking can still be canceled if not enough people sign up. In that case, you are offered another day or a different tour.

Who should book this cruise?

I would point this tour toward first-time visitors who want a simple overview of the islands and plenty of time in the sea. It also suits couples, families with children accompanied by adults, and anyone who would rather pay once for transport, lunch, and a full day out.

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The day involves boarding a boat, moving around the deck, and getting in and out of the water if you choose to swim. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowded boats, need a quiet schedule, or want every stop to be a guided sightseeing visit. I would also think twice if you strongly dislike cold buffet food or are uncomfortable on windy water.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you need the free cancellation option. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

My call: a strong swimming day, with realistic expectations

I like this cruise because it solves several Malta planning problems at once. You get transport, food, a full route, and four chances to swim in some of the country’s most famous coastal settings. The crew, particularly Captain Chris, appears to add warmth to what could otherwise be a standard group outing.

The tradeoff is clear. The boat may carry a sizable group, the buffet is simple, and the day can feel long in hot weather. The sightseeing is mainly from the water, and the long stops favor swimmers more than dedicated sightseers.

If your ideal Malta day includes blue water, a shaded deck, a glass of local wine, and several easy swim breaks, I would book it. If you want a small, quiet, highly guided cruise with a refined meal, choose something else.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and starts at 8:00 am. It ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

The stated start point is Mgarr Harbour, Malta. Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered.

Which swimming locations are included?

The schedule includes Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay Beach, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with water and local wine. Other drinks must be purchased separately.

Is the caves tour included?

No. The optional caves tour costs €10 per person.

How many people can join the boat?

The stated maximum for the activity is 65 people. The tour is a shared boat experience, not a private charter.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.