From St. Julian’s: Gozo, Comino, Blue Lagoon by Powerboat

The best part of this six-hour outing is the combination: you get Gozo’s local character, Comino’s bright Blue Lagoon, and a speedy ride between them. I like the efficient route and the chance to choose your own Gozo plan, from a taxi to Victoria and the Citadel to a quad-bike outing near the harbour.

I also like the friendly, hands-on boat crews, with captains such as Mario, Abe, and Andre praised for safe, good-humoured service. The main drawback is time. Two hours in Gozo goes quickly, and the Blue Lagoon can be packed, with little shade and no guaranteed shore access unless you arrange the required pass.

Key points to know before booking

• Two islands in six hours: Visit Gozo first, then spend the afternoon at Comino.
• Fast but bumpy transport: The powerboat is exciting and efficient, but it may feel uncomfortable in rough water.
• Gozo is self-guided: You have about two hours at Mġarr Harbour and must arrange your own transport and sightseeing.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs planning: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued afternoon access pass to step ashore.
• Sea caves depend on weather: The return route includes the Comino caves when conditions allow.
• Best for active adults: The trip is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people prone to motion sickness.

A fast start from St. Julian’s

This trip begins at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s. The meeting point is not right in the hotel lobby, so allow a few extra minutes to find it. Near the entrance to the underground parking lot, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground to the boats.

The powerboat leaves at about 10:30 AM. You travel with an experienced skipper, but this is not a guided sightseeing tour. The crew gets you from island to island, handles the boat, and takes you into the sea caves when conditions are safe. At the stops, you are on your own.

That arrangement suits me. You are not tied to a guide’s speech or a fixed group walk. But you do need to arrive with a plan, especially for Gozo. Two hours sounds generous until you account for getting off the boat, arranging a taxi, seeing a sight, and returning to Mġarr Harbour on time.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. A powerboat cuts the transfer time and gives you an open-water view of Malta and its sister islands. It can also be bumpy. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions before departure and think carefully about booking this particular boat trip.

Two useful hours around Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour

The boat reaches Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main port, at roughly 11 AM. You then have about two hours of free time before the boat collects you around 1 PM.

Mġarr is attractive, but the most famous Gozo sights are not beside the harbour. Victoria, the island’s main town, takes planning to reach and explore within this short stop. One practical approach is to arrange a taxi from the harbour to Victoria and ask the driver to return for you at an agreed time. A taxi fare of about five euros per person was reported for this kind of arrangement, though you should confirm the price before setting off.

Victoria’s Citadel is the strongest choice if you want one major sight. It gives you broad views and a compact historic visit, but you will need to watch the clock. One short stop may be all you can manage before returning to Mġarr.

Other options include visiting the Blue Hole, the salt beds, or the Ggantija Temples. These are spread around Gozo, so trying to see all three in two hours is unrealistic. A sightseeing bus may also be too slow for this schedule. If you choose a bus, check the return timing very carefully.

Some visitors choose quad bikes instead, which can make the short stop more active and flexible. That can work well if you mainly want to ride and see a little of Gozo rather than make a serious visit to Victoria. You will need to arrange the rental yourself, and you should leave plenty of time to return the vehicle and reach the harbour.

My advice is simple: pick one Gozo goal. Choose Victoria and the Citadel, a nearby activity, or a prearranged driver. Do not treat these two hours as enough for a full island tour. Several people found an extra hour would have made Gozo much more satisfying.

The afternoon at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

At around 1 PM, the powerboat leaves Gozo for Comino. The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the water is the reason people put up with the crowds. It is clear and pale blue, with a sandy bottom and good conditions for swimming and snorkelling when the sea is calm.

You have time to swim, sunbathe, walk across part of Comino, or simply sit near the water. The bay is especially appealing after the warm, active stop in Gozo. Bring swimwear under your clothes if you want to get into the water quickly, and pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

There is a practical change you must know about. From May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon needs a government-issued access pass from blcomino.com. The daily supply is limited, and you must choose the afternoon time slot for this trip.

The pass is your responsibility. It is not included in the tour price, and there is no refund if you arrive without one and cannot go ashore. If you do not have a pass, the boat will take you to Santa Marija Bay on Comino instead. That may still provide a pleasant swim stop, but it is not the same as visiting the Blue Lagoon.

The lagoon’s beauty comes with a catch: it can be extremely crowded. Finding a quiet patch of shore or much shade may be difficult. Food, drinks, and a left-luggage facility are available in the area, according to the supplied details, but you should not expect a peaceful beach afternoon in peak summer.

The timing is also worth considering. One person felt the order would make more sense with the Blue Lagoon first and Gozo later, since the lagoon was the main goal. The current schedule does have a logic: you explore Gozo before the hottest part of the afternoon, then cool off in the water. Still, if you care most about swimming, ask yourself if you will be happy arriving during the busiest part of the day.

Comino’s sea caves on the way home

The boat collects you from the Blue Lagoon at about 3:45 PM. On the way back to St. Julian’s, the skipper visits the Comino sea caves when weather and sea conditions permit.

This is a quick scenic addition, not a separate cave tour. The powerboat can get close to the openings, giving you a different view of Comino’s rocky coast and the water around it. The cave visit adds variety to a day otherwise divided between free time on land and swimming.

Do not treat the caves as guaranteed. Rough seas, wind, or safety concerns can change the route. That flexibility is sensible on a small fast boat, but it means you should book this as an island-and-swimming trip first, with the caves as a bonus.

The return to St. Julian’s is scheduled for about 4:30 PM. One departure had a mechanical delay and arrived around 30 minutes late, though the problem was fixed promptly. Another planned outing was changed because the sea was too rough for the powerboat. These details point to the main reality of the trip: the sea sets the rules.

What the $77 price really covers

At $77 per person, the price is reasonable if you want transport to both islands and prefer free time over a guided tour. You are paying for the powerboat transfers, fuel, an experienced skipper, the Gozo stop, the Comino stop, and the sea-cave visit when possible.

The value is strongest for someone staying near St. Julian’s. The departure point is within walking distance of some hotels, so you may avoid a long taxi ride to a larger harbour. The fast boat also lets you see both islands in one day, which would be harder to arrange independently.

The price does not cover food, drinks, hotel pickup, a guide, or the Blue Lagoon access pass. You also need to arrange any taxi, quad bike, sightseeing ride, or other transport in Gozo. Those extras can change the final cost.

For a relaxed, detailed Gozo visit, I would choose a dedicated Gozo tour instead. For a single day built around speed, swimming, and two island stops, this outing makes better sense. You get more variety than on a simple Blue Lagoon cruise, but less depth than on a full Gozo excursion.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

This is a good fit for adults, couples, and friends who want an active day with several changes of scene. You will enjoy it most if you are happy to make your own choices at Gozo and do not need a guide explaining every place.

It also suits people who want a swim in the Blue Lagoon but prefer a small, fast boat to a slower cruise. The skippers have been praised for being professional and fun, and names noted on departures include Captain Abe, Andre, and Captain Mario. You cannot assume a particular captain will operate your boat, but the crew-led nature of the trip is a real part of its appeal.

I would be cautious if you have back problems, heart problems, mobility limitations, or motion sickness. The boat may bounce over the sea, and boarding or moving around at the stops may be difficult. The experience is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people using non-folding wheelchairs or electric wheelchairs.

Large luggage, baby strollers, and baby carriages are not allowed. Pack a small day bag with comfortable shoes, a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a hat, and motion sickness medication if you need it. Keep your belongings compact.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive early at the St. Julian’s jetty, particularly because the route through the hotel-side gate is easy to miss. Wear shoes that work on a boat and on uneven ground at the islands.

Protect yourself from the sun. The Blue Lagoon has limited shade, and the combination of open water, pale sand, and reflected light can catch you quickly. Bring water and snacks if you do not want to rely on food stalls, since neither food nor drinks is included.

Keep your return time in mind at all times. At Gozo, do not accept a taxi or activity without confirming how you will get back to Mġarr. At Comino, stay aware of the collection time around 3:45 PM.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the booking flexible. That is useful here because sea conditions can affect powerboat operations, though you should still check the current terms when booking.

Should you book this Gozo and Comino trip?

Book it if you want a high-energy sampler of Gozo and Comino, especially if swimming at the Blue Lagoon matters as much as seeing Gozo. The boat ride is fun, the route is efficient, and the sea caves add a pleasant final touch.

Skip it if you want a slow Gozo visit, a quiet beach, or a fully guided day. The two-hour Gozo stop is tight, the Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and the powerboat can be uncomfortable in rough water.

If you do book, secure the afternoon Blue Lagoon access pass before departure, choose one Gozo sight, arrive early at the St. Julian’s jetty, and pack for sun and motion. With those points handled, this is a practical way to fit Malta’s two sister islands into one memorable day.

FAQ

Where does the powerboat leave from?

It leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. Use the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, follow the ramp, turn left, and continue along the yellow line to the jetty.

What time does the tour depart and return?

The boat departs at about 10:30 AM and returns to St. Julian’s at approximately 4:30 PM. The Blue Lagoon pickup is scheduled for around 3:45 PM.

How long do I have in Gozo?

You have about two hours at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbour. The stop is free time, not a guided tour.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot.

What happens if I do not have a Blue Lagoon access pass?

You will be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino instead. No refund is provided if you cannot access the Blue Lagoon because you did not obtain the required pass.

Is a guide included?

No. An experienced skipper operates the boat, but the stops on Gozo and Comino are self-guided and provide free time.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Can I visit the Comino sea caves?

The boat visits the Comino sea caves on the return journey when weather and sea conditions permit.

Is the trip suitable for people with motion sickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness. The powerboat can also be bumpy, particularly in rough conditions.