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

Gozo and Comino, without the car stress. This St Paul’s Bay boat and bus tour strings together the big Malta highlights in one smooth day, from Comino’s Blue Lagoon swim stop to time in Victoria, Gozo, and a quiet break at St Paul’s Island. What I like most is how the captain keeps things clear and upbeat, especially Captain Matthew, and how the small boat setup helps you feel like you are on a real sightseeing craft, not a cattle line. One thing to plan for: the stops are tightly scheduled, so you will feel the day is full, and the exact cave route depends on sea and weather.

The payoff is that you get boat views of Malta’s north coast, a proper splash time in crystal-clear water, and a guided-style tour vibe with live English commentary plus practical on-the-ground guidance when you are on land. If you are expecting a slow, leisurely pace, this is not that tour. But if you want maximum sights for your time window, it makes a lot of sense.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Captain Matthew style of commentary that keeps the day understandable and moving.
• Blue Lagoon time on Comino for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or a short island walk.
• Victoria, Gozo focus with built-in ideas like the Cittadella and market time.
• Cave access from the coast on a smaller boat, weather permitting.
• St Paul’s Island 30-minute break for a statue visit or a final swim.

A seven-hour sampler of Gozo and Comino from St Paul’s Bay

This is one of those Malta trips that feels efficient because you are getting two modes of transport for one price: sea time plus land time. You start at Bugibba Jetty, cruise north along Malta’s coast, then switch to a bus hop in Gozo’s capital area before returning for more boat cruising around Comino and St Paul’s Island.

If you are short on days, this format works well. You do not have to coordinate your own boat and bus connections, and you get a guided flow that hits the best-known places. And because the boat is smaller than average, it tends to feel less cramped than the bigger-tour options. That matters when you are spending hours on the water.

Getting on board at Bugibba: timing, comfort, and what’s ready for you

Boarding opens at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am at Bugibba Jetty. The boat departs at 10:00 am sharp, so build in a buffer. You will find the Mermaid crew representatives to direct you, or look for the red, white, and blue Mermaid boat.

Once you are underway, there is live commentary in English, and you also get onboard Wi-Fi and toilet facilities. For a full day that is genuinely helpful, especially if you want to check a map during transit or keep plans straight while you are switching islands.

The big practical note: this tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Also, the captain can alter or cancel the trip based on weather, and the caves are weather and sea dependent. In other words, you are buying a day-trip plan that can shift for safety and sea conditions.

Blue Lagoon on Comino: swim, snorkel, sunbathe, repeat

Your first major water stop is the famous Blue Lagoon on Comino. After cruising past Mellieha and out toward the Blue Lagoon area, you get about 1 hour at Comino. That hour is designed for simple beach-time choices: you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or explore parts of the island by foot.

Here is how I would approach that hour. Decide quickly what you want. If your goal is swimming and visibility, aim to get in early because the lagoon can be busy in summer. If you want calmer exploring, use the hour for a short walk on land rather than trying to do everything.

Also note the cave reality: you are not bringing snorkel gear included with the tour. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent with a 10 euro security deposit in cash. Food and drinks are also not included, so bring cash if you think you might want a drink or snack while you are there.

One more logistics item that surprises people. You must sign up with the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket to access the Island of Comino. They are free to purchase, but the sign-up requirement is real. Plan that ahead so you do not scramble on the day.

Mgarr Harbour to Victoria: how to use the Gozo capital time

After the Comino swim window, the cruise continues to Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Then you hop on the bus for 2 hours total in Gozo, including the bus transfer to the capital area in Victoria.

That is not a lot of time, so the trick is to choose a plan that fits your travel style. If you love viewpoints and old fortifications, prioritize the Cittadella. If you want something more local and casual, look for Victoria markets or grab food at one of the local Gozitan restaurants. The tour itself is set up to make these choices easy, but you still need to move with purpose.

I like Victoria time on a tour like this because you get a quick taste of Gozo’s identity without needing to stay overnight. You can see the main highlights, then get back to the harbor and keep the day flowing.

The drawback is that some people want more time in Gozo. If you could magically add 30 to 45 minutes, it would feel less like a sprint. But for a single-day itinerary that also includes Comino and St Paul’s Island, this timing is still a smart compromise.

Boat cruising and cave access on a smaller ship

Once you return by bus to the harbor, the boat continues cruising to the next stop area: St Paul’s Islands. This is where the small-boat experience really shows up.

The captain enters the magnificent caves along the Maltese coastline, and this is included with the tour at no extra charge. Which caves you get to see can change based on sea and weather conditions. You may pass by Crystal Lagoon caves or St Mary’s caves, depending on what conditions allow.

Why this matters: cave viewing is one of those experiences that can be disappointing if your boat can’t get close enough. Here, the smaller boat approach can make the cave portion feel more personal, and it can help you get better angles for photos. You also get the visual payoff without paying separately for a cave-only excursion.

Just keep your expectations realistic. Weather can change what you get to enter. If the sea is rough, the route and access may shift. That is the trade you make for doing multiple islands in one day.

St Paul’s Island: statue views and one last swim

Docked at the islands of St Paul’s, you get 30 minutes. That short slot is enough for one of two things: a quick swim to freshen up, or a walk up to see the statue of St Paul. If you like calm breaks, this is your most peaceful moment of the day after the busy Blue Lagoon.

Because the stop is brief, I recommend you decide your priority immediately after arrival. If you want the statue, use the time to walk and take photos without waiting around. If you want water time, plan to rinse off and get out quickly, so you are back on the boat before they move.

After those 30 minutes, the boat cruises back to the Bugibba harbor where you started. The tour ends around 5:00 pm, so you get a full day out, but you are not stuck late into the night.

Price and value for about $40: what you get, what costs extra

At about $40 per person, this tour is good value if you want several top Malta sights in one shot. You are paying for boat transport, live English commentary, onboard Wi-Fi and toilet access, included time at Comino, included time in Gozo with bus transfer, included time at St Paul’s Island, and cave access.

What you should budget for separately:

• Food and drinks while you are on Comino, in Gozo, or onboard (not included)
• Snorkeling equipment rental if you want it (10 euro security deposit in cash)
• The Comino entry ticket requirement (free to purchase, but you must sign up)

For me, the value equation works best if you would otherwise be piecing together transport. If you are the kind of traveler who likes one-day hits without turning your schedule into a logistics project, this tour earns its keep.

The main tradeoffs: crowded lagoon, short island time, and weather changes

The biggest consideration is simple: the day moves. You get a true Blue Lagoon swim window, but only one hour on Comino. You get Gozo and Victoria, but only two hours including the bus ride. You get St Paul’s Island, but only 30 minutes.

That makes the trip fun and efficient, but it can also feel like you are checking boxes. If you hate being rushed, this might not feel relaxing.

Another consideration is crowding. The Blue Lagoon area can be busy in summer, and you will likely feel that once you are in the water. The tour can’t fix crowd patterns, and it also cannot control debris left behind by tourists.

Finally, the cave portion depends on sea and weather. When conditions are right, this is a standout part of the day. If conditions are poor, the cave choices may change.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

I think this tour is a strong fit if:

• You want a boat-plus-bus day that hits Comino, Gozo, and St Paul’s Island.
• You prefer clear guidance over planning your own transfers.
• You are okay with shorter time windows in each place.
• You like the idea of Captain Matthew style narration and hands-on help from the crew.

I would skip it or at least rethink it if:

• You want a slow, linger-in-one-place day.
• You need extra time in Victoria, Gozo, because the schedule is tight.
• You are sensitive to busy-water environments like the Blue Lagoon.
• Mobility limitations affect you, since the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should you book this St Paul’s Bay bus and boat tour?

Book it if you have a limited Malta window and you want a high-sight, low-planning day. The standout benefits are the combo of efficient transport, the swim-time payoff at the Blue Lagoon, the practical Gozo introduction to Victoria, and the inclusion of cave access on the way to St Paul’s Island. Captain Matthew’s clear guiding style also adds real value, because it makes the day feel organized instead of chaotic.

Hold off if you want lots of free time in Gozo or a quiet, uncrowded pace. In that case, you might prefer an itinerary that lets you spend more time on land. But if you like a day that moves, with real water time and real island variety, this tour is a solid choice for getting Malta’s highlights without renting a car.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Bugibba Jetty in Malta. The tour ends back at the meeting point, returning to Bugibba by around 5:00 pm.

What time does boarding start?

Boarding begins at 9:30 am and closes at 9:50 am, with departure at 10:00 am sharp.

What stops are included in the day?

You visit Comino (Blue Lagoon area) for 1 hour, Gozo including Victoria for 2 hours total with bus transfer, and St Paul’s Island for 30 minutes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and you can purchase them.

Do I need snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it is available for rent with a 10 euro security deposit in cash. You can also swim or snorkel without rental gear if you bring what you need.

Is there Wi-Fi and toilet access?

Yes. The tour includes Wi-Fi and toilet facilities onboard.

Do I need tickets to access Comino?

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

Are the caves guaranteed to be the same?

No. The caves that are viewed and entered are weather and sea dependent.