Four swims, one great day on the water. This Malta, Gozo and Comino three-island cruise is built around clear-water breaks—starting with Blue Lagoon—plus onboard lunch so you’re not hunting food all day. You’ll also cruise past sights like Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock, which is a nice bonus if you want views without doing a self-guided route.

What I like most is how the plan stays practical: you get multiple sea stops with real time to swim and cool off. I also like that lunch is included as a buffet, along with water and local wine, so you can focus on enjoying the day instead of budgeting every meal.

One thing to consider is that it’s a long day (about 7 hours) and it can get hot. Even with shaded areas on the boat, you’ll want sunscreen and a relaxed attitude about timing—some days spend longer at certain swim spots than you might expect.

Key things to know before you go

• Hotel pickup and drop-off keep this easy if you don’t want to manage buses or taxis
• Four water stops include Blue Lagoon, Armier Bay, Paradise Bay, and Crystal Lagoon
• Lunch plus water and local wine are included, but other drinks cost extra
• Captain Chris and the crew prioritize safety, which matters when conditions change
• The day can feel crowded depending on passenger flow, so bring patience for seating

Morning at Mgarr Harbour: hotel pickup and when to be ready

The day starts early, with the tour meeting at Mgarr Harbour at 8:00 am and running about 7 hours total. If you’re staying in the right area, hotel pickup is included, which I genuinely appreciate. For a cruise with multiple swim stops, the fewer moving parts in the morning, the better.

The good news: this experience is designed to be straightforward for first-timers. You don’t need to figure out ferry schedules or line up for transfers between islands. You just show up, get your ticket sorted on-site (it’s a mobile ticket), and get on board.

Also plan for real sun exposure. Even if you’ll spend parts of the day sitting under a cover or in shade, you’re still outdoors for long stretches.

The three-island route: Malta, Gozo, and Comino without the logistics headache

This cruise isn’t a full-day “sightseeing bus tour” where you mostly stare out the window. It’s a water-focused day built around the Comino area, with the wider route giving you variety between islands.

Along the way, you’ll pass recognizable coastal markers like Mgarr Harbour, Anchor Bay, and Elephant Rock. That matters because you get that Malta feel—rocky coast, open sea, and dramatic water colors—without having to do separate transport for every stop.

It’s also a good fit if your Malta time is short. The itinerary is tight enough that you can see multiple highlights in one go, but it’s still relaxed enough that you can actually enjoy the water.

Blue Lagoon stop: the classic Comino swim hour (and what to expect)

Blue Lagoon is the headline. It’s a natural wide pool between Comino and Cominotto, with a mix of sandy patches, mostly rocky edges, and caves. Translation: it’s scenic from the boat, and it’s fun to swim in because the shoreline changes as you move around.

You’ll get about 1 hour here, and while the admission is free, the real value is your time in the water. This is the stop where the water color tends to make people start filming immediately—so if you want photos without standing in everyone’s way, position yourself early or wander to a calmer edge.

A practical tip: pack for entry from the boat and for getting back out. You’ll likely be stepping around the water and rocks, and a lot of folks appreciate water shoes. If you don’t bring them, at least wear something that won’t turn into a problem on rocky edges.

Armier Bay Beach: a quick 30-minute color break

After Blue Lagoon, the cruise moves to Armier Bay, a beach area where the water is described as crystal blue and similar in look to the nearby lagoon. Here your time is shorter—about 30 minutes—so think of it as a recharge stop.

This is the kind of stop you’ll enjoy if you want a little variety without committing to a long swim session again right away. It’s also helpful if the first lagoon stop felt busy. You can reset, get a quick swim, and then be ready for Paradise Bay.

If you’re the type who likes to snorkel, keep your expectations realistic: the itinerary gives you time, but it’s still a schedule with multiple stops, so you’ll want to be efficient.

Paradise Bay near Mellieħa: the photo-and-rest stop

Paradise Bay is described as one of Malta’s most spectacular beaches, located near Mellieħa Bay on the farthest north point of the island area. You get about 30 minutes here.

This stop often feels different from the lagoon-style swimming. Lagoon stops are about water access and short cave-and-color moments. Paradise Bay is more about beach atmosphere and letting your eyes rest on a broader view. It’s a great time to take photos from the shore or grab a quieter spot and dry off for a bit before the final Comino swim.

The tradeoff is that it’s not a “hang out all afternoon” stop. If you love beaches, you might wish the time were longer, but as part of a three-island day, the schedule keeps things moving.

Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west side: your final swim window

The last swim stop is Crystal Lagoon, located on the western side of tiny Comino, between Gozo and Malta. You’ll have about 1 hour here.

This is a smart placement in the day because it gives you a final chance to enjoy that clear-water Comino look even if earlier swims felt crowded or chilly. It’s also a nice close-out stop because you’re usually more relaxed by then—lunch is done, you know the rhythm, and you can focus on soaking up the last stretch.

If you care about snorkeling, this is where you’ll likely want to try it, since Crystal Lagoon is set up as a dedicated swim stop rather than a quick beach break.

Lunch on board: buffet food, water, and local wine (what it really means)

Lunch is included as a buffet lunch on board, and you’re also provided water and local wine. Reviews back up that the food is meant to be light and practical for a hot day at sea.

A few passengers noted the lunch isn’t going to win a gourmet award. That said, it sounds like you’ll get enough variety to make it satisfying, and it’s the kind of meal that doesn’t wreck your energy before another swim stop.

One review mentioned white wine being served continuously, while other feedback focused on the lunch being adequate rather than amazing. So here’s my advice: treat the lunch as fuel, not entertainment. Eat early enough that you can enjoy the afternoon swim time.

Also remember the drink rule: other drinks beyond water and local wine must be purchased. If you want something specific, don’t assume it’s automatically poured. Staying on top of what’s included can prevent a frustrating surprise.

How the day feels: heat, shade, and changing crowd levels

A few details from the experience matter more than you’d think until you’re on the boat.

First: it’s a long day and can be hot—some feedback mentioned intense heat conditions. The good side is that there’s shaded seating on the boat, so you can take breaks between swim stops. You’ll still want to protect yourself because you’ll be in strong sun at least part of the day.

Second: crowd levels can change. One review described a smaller group at the start, then more passengers later, which made things feel tighter. Even with a maximum of 65 travelers, seating and space can still feel more comfortable or less comfortable depending on how the day flows. Bring a spirit of flexibility. This isn’t private cruising.

Third: the crew’s approach to safety and route adjustments seems solid. The captain (named Chris in reviews) checks in with passengers if conditions require changes, and you should follow those cues. If you’re prone to motion sickness, bring what helps you. The tour requires good weather, but wind can still affect the feel of the trip.

Price and value: $80.95 is about convenience, not just scenery

At $80.95 per person, the value here is less about paying for one perfect beach and more about buying convenience plus water access.

You’re getting:

• hotel pickup and drop-off
• a full buffet lunch onboard
• water and local wine
• round-trip transport tied to the cruise schedule

If you were to DIY this with ferries and separate island timing, you’d likely spend time coordinating more than money. This tour packages the moving parts and gives you a planned day with multiple swim windows, which is especially helpful if it’s your first time in the area.

Is it expensive? It depends on what you’d otherwise do. If you only want one beach day, DIY can be cheaper. But if you want several Comino-style swim stops and don’t want to spend your limited Malta time figuring out transport, this priced day often makes sense.

Who should book this cruise?

I think this cruise is best for:

• First-time visitors who want Comino highlights without researching routes
• People who like swimming breaks more than museum-style sightseeing
• Anyone who values an included meal and drinks rather than buying everything separately
• Travelers staying within reach of pickup who want a simple start and finish

It might be less ideal if:

• you want long beach time at one single stop (some stops are only 30 minutes)
• you strongly dislike boat schedules or crowd changes
• you expect a heavy, gourmet lunch (it’s more practical buffet style)

Should you book the Blue Lagoon, Malta-Gozo-Comino three-island cruise?

If your priority is clear-water swimming and you want to cover Comino’s best-known sea spots in one day, I’d book it. The itinerary gives you multiple chances to enjoy the water—Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon are the big hits, and Paradise Bay adds a different feel.

Just go in with the right expectations. This is a schedule-driven swim cruise, not a relaxed sit-on-the-terrrace day. Bring sun protection, wear water-friendly footwear, and treat the included lunch as practical fuel. If you do that, you’ll likely come away thinking this was a smart, high-value way to spend a Malta day on the sea.

FAQ

What time does the cruise start, and how long is it?

The tour starts at 8:00 am at Mgarr Harbour and lasts about 7 hours (approx.).

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts at Mgarr Harbour, Malta, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What’s included for lunch and drinks?

You get a buffet lunch, plus water and local wine. Other drinks are not included and must be purchased.

How long are the main swimming stops?

Blue Lagoon is about 1 hour, Armier Bay Beach about 30 minutes, Paradise Bay about 30 minutes, and Crystal Lagoon about 1 hour.

Is the caves tour included?

No. An optional Caves Tour costs €10 per person and is not included in the overall price.

What if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before the experience start time means the amount you paid won’t be refunded.