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

Saltwater and sunshine, all in one day. This full-day cruise stitches together Malta, Gozo, and Comino into a swim-first outing, with time at Blue Lagoon and other clear-water coves. I like the practical setup, pickup to the harbor and a day plan that keeps you moving without making you figure everything out.

Two things I especially like: multiple swim stops in different bays, so you are not stuck with one crowded shoreline, and lunch plus drinks included, which makes the day feel good value. You also get a steady flow of views as the boat passes places like Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock.

One thing to consider: it is a long, hot day and the focus is more on water time than classic land sightseeing. If you want lots of walking and ruins, you might find this format a bit too swim-centric.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off that takes the stress out of starting your day
• Four main water stops with swimming time at Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Paradise Bay, and Armier Bay
• Buffet lunch on-board plus water and local wine included
• Captain and crew keep the day moving, with safety and route decisions part of the experience
• Group size up to 65, so you will want patience at the busiest swim spots
• Optional Caves Tour available for 10 euro per person (not included)

Why this three-island cruise feels like Malta on fast-forward

This is one of those Malta days that helps you get your bearings quickly. You cover the main geography of the area in a single outing, with boat cruising between island points and planned time to swim in standout water.

The biggest value for me is the pacing. You get several different bays rather than one long stop that eats the whole day. That means you can switch it up, go for a swim, take a breather, and repeat.

Price and what you truly get for about $80

At $80.95 per person for a full-day outing, what stands out is what is bundled. You are paying for round-trip transportation via hotel pickup and drop-off, a buffet lunch, and water plus local wine. That is a lot to cover without needing to line up tickets or extra purchases during the day.

Yes, you will still need to buy drinks beyond the included water and local wine. You may also choose the optional Caves Tour at 10 euro per person. But compared to building this kind of plan on your own, the package format is usually the smarter move, especially if it is your first time in the area.

Mgarr Harbour start time and how the day runs

The tour starts at 8:00 am at Mgarr Harbour, and it returns you back to the same meeting point. With an overall duration listed at about 7 hours, you can expect a fairly full day on the water, with travel time and multiple stops.

You will also want to plan for moderate physical fitness. That does not mean a hard hike, but it does mean you should be comfortable getting around and handling swim stops in open water conditions.

Group size matters here. The boat has a maximum of 65 travelers, so busy moments can happen at the most popular swim areas. The good news is the cruise structure spreads you across different locations, not one single bottleneck.

Blue Lagoon: the Comino swim stop that sets the tone

Blue Lagoon is the star of the show, and it is easy to see why. It is a natural wide pool between Comino and Cominotto, with a mix of sandy and rocky areas and caves along the edge.

Timing is listed at about 1 hour at Blue Lagoon. That is enough time to swim, float, and get a quick look at the cave areas, without feeling like you are rushing every minute. Still, I would treat this stop as the moment you want to be ready early, because this is where the water and the photos tend to draw the biggest crowd.

A practical tip: if you are sensitive to wind or cold water early on, you might prefer to ease in gradually and stay close to the shallower edges first. The sea can feel different from one side of the cove to the other.

Armier Bay and Paradise Bay: shorter stops with big payoff

After Blue Lagoon, the cruise keeps the momentum going with two additional beach stops.

Armier Bay Beach is listed at about 30 minutes. The water around it is described as crystal blue, and it has a similar look to Blue Lagoon nearby. Think of this as a quick hit for more swimming time and another change of scenery without the long wait.

Paradise Bay is also listed at about 30 minutes. This one sits at the far north point near Mellieha Bay. It is often treated as a must-see for the scenery factor, and even with a short stop, you can usually grab a decent swim session and then step back to enjoy the view from the boat or the shore.

Reality check: the short stops are great when you want variety. They can feel tight if you plan to do full snorkeling sessions each time. If you want more time in the water, keep your expectation focused on fast, fun swims rather than long underwater plans.

Crystal Lagoon on Comino: another clear-water option between Malta and Gozo

Crystal Lagoon is on the western side of Comino, between Comino and the islands of Gozo and Malta. The listing gives it about 1 hour, which is a solid chunk of time after the shorter beach stops.

This stop is a good choice for a second round of swimming once you have already had the main Blue Lagoon highlight. Water color can vary across bays, and this one is known for its clear look, which means you get that bright, photo-friendly sea even if you are not in the exact same spot twice.

If you are choosing between stops, I would not overthink it. The cruise is designed so each bay gives a different vibe, even if your main goal is just to get into beautiful water and relax.

Boat comfort, shade, and what the crew focuses on

The boat experience tends to matter here as much as the destination. The setup includes a shaded area on-board, which people specifically appreciate when the sun gets intense.

The crew matters, too. You should expect a safety-first approach and a day plan that can adapt. In the included experience notes, the captain can adjust route choices to keep things pleasant, including offering flexibility if passengers feel unwell.

A slightly funny but useful thought: plan like you are on a floating day club, not a quiet museum. You will be in a group setting, around water, and moving on a schedule. If you roll with that, the day feels easy.

Lunch on-board, water, and local wine: what to expect

Lunch is a buffet served on-board. It is described as a light cold buffet, which makes sense for a full day in warm weather. Instead of a heavy hot meal, you are getting options like bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, and different cold items.

I like this approach for sea days. Hot food can be tough if you are constantly moving between boat and swims. A lighter spread helps everyone eat without feeling wiped out right before you go back into the water.

Water and local wine are included. Some people love that the wine flows freely during the day, while others focus more on the general idea that drinks beyond water and local wine cost extra. Either way, I would treat non-included drinks as pay-as-you-go, then you are not surprised later.

Swimming setup: how to make the most of each stop

This cruise is built around swimming. You should show up ready to use the water time well.

• Bring swim shoes if you are worried about rocky entry points. Blue Lagoon and other areas include rocky sections.
• Pack a small towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for your phone or wallet. The stops are spread out and you will not want to hunt for essentials each time.
• If you plan to snorkel, remember that the cruise schedule is stop-based. You may not have hours in one spot, so focus on quick, satisfying stretches.

One more practical point: it can be crowded in the water at the most popular bays. If you want calmer swimming, look for less busy areas along the edges rather than staying in the exact center where everyone aims for the same view.

Who this cruise is best for (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you want a day that includes beautiful water and low effort logistics. I would especially recommend it if you are short on time, visiting for the first time, or you want a simple “see the islands and swim” plan without renting transport or planning stop-by-stop routes.

You will likely enjoy it if you are comfortable with moderate movement and you do not mind that the day is structured around water time. It is also a good way to break up your Malta stay with a change of pace from towns and busier sightseeing routes.

You might want to look elsewhere if your main goal is classic sightseeing on land. This is not a walking tour with stops for viewpoints, churches, or long museum time. The focus is water, views from the boat, and beach time.

Small drawbacks worth planning for

No tour runs perfectly for everyone, so it helps to know where the friction can happen.

First, expect a long day, especially in hot weather. Even with shade available, you will spend hours on the boat plus time moving between swim stops.

Second, the most popular swim area can feel long or crowded depending on your preferences. Blue Lagoon gets about 1 hour, and you might wish it was shorter if you dislike waiting. On the flip side, if you love swimming and photos, that time can feel just right.

Third, lunch is good but not designed to be a gourmet experience. It is light and practical, and that is part of why it works on a sea day. If you want a big hot meal, you may end up wishing for more.

Should you book this three-island Blue Lagoon cruise?

I think this is a solid booking when you want value and simplicity. If you want hotel pickup, a buffet lunch, included water and local wine, and multiple swimming chances in one day, this ticks the right boxes.

Book it if:

• you are prioritizing swim time over long land sightseeing
• you like having meals and basic drinks included
• you want an easy first day plan from Mgarr Harbour

Consider skipping if:

• you dislike group boat days and want a quieter, more independent pace
• you mainly want walking tours and landmark stops on land
• you only want very short stops and minimal time on the boat

If you do book, come with swim gear, sunscreen, and a flexible mindset. The payoff is a day packed with that clear-water Malta feeling, without you doing the math or the logistics.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Mgarr Harbour, Malta, with the day beginning at 8:00 am.

How long is the experience?

The duration is listed as approximately 7 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What stops are included during the day?

You get stops for Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay Beach, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included as a buffet lunch on-board.

What drinks are included?

Water and local wine are included. Other drinks are not included and need to be purchased.

Is there an optional extra tour?

Yes. There is an optional Caves Tour for 10 euro per person, which is not included in the base price.

Are there admission tickets required for the stop areas?

The stops are listed with admission ticket free.

Do I need to worry about weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation window?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.