REVIEW · MALTA FERRY TRIPS
Blue Lagoon Ferry and Caves Tour
The main attraction here is simple: a low-cost boat ride from Gozo to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, followed by a look at several sea caves from the water. You get the famous lagoon without paying for a full private charter, and the return route includes Window Cave, Crystal Lagoon Cave, and L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf Cave.
I like the $18.04 price, especially if you mainly need transport to Comino and a scenic boat ride. I also like the small maximum group of 24, plus free luggage storage at the departure point. The catch is the return from Comino, where the busy jetty can become confusing and crowded, so you need to listen carefully to the instructions and keep track of the correct Gozo boat.
Key points to know before you book

- Blue Lagoon access from Gozo: The ferry leaves from Mgarr and takes you to Comino’s most famous swimming spot.
- Three caves on the return: The route passes Window Cave, Crystal Lagoon Cave, and L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf Cave.
- Crystal Lagoon Bay included: You also pass this scenic bay before reaching the caves.
- Small group size: The boat accepts a maximum of 24 people, which is more manageable than a large excursion vessel.
- Basic service, not a full cruise: Snacks and an onboard restroom are not included.
- Return planning matters: The jetty can be crowded, and Gozo departures may be less frequent than Malta departures.
Leaving Mgarr Gozo under the blue umbrella

Your meeting point is at VapurGhajnsielem in Mgarr, Gozo. Look for the blue umbrella, the practical landmark given for the departure. Mgarr is Gozo’s main ferry harbor, so this is a useful place to begin, but it is also a busy one with several boat operators working nearby.
The trip starts with a ferry ride from Gozo to Comino. That makes the experience especially useful if you are already staying on Gozo and want to visit the Blue Lagoon without first returning to Malta. The ticket covers the ride from Mgarr to Comino, the stop at the lagoon, and the cave route.
At the harbor, pay attention to the instructions before boarding. The operator has explained that the ferry service works through company names and information provided at the port. This matters because several boats use the same general area, and it is easy to focus on the water and miss the details about your return boat.
The group limit is 24 people. That does not make this a private boat, but it is a more limited setup than a large sightseeing vessel. You should still expect a shared ride rather than personal service or a guided excursion with constant commentary.
More ferry trips worth booking in Malta:
- Sliema/St. Paul’s: Gozo, Comino & Blue Lagoon Ferry Cruise
★ 4.1 · 1,137 reviews - Malta: Roundtrip Ferry to Comino Blue Lagoon w/Gozo Option
★ 4.7 · 539 reviews - Okikoki Banis – Comino Blue Lagoon Speedboat Trip- Fast Ferry
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What your Blue Lagoon stop is really for

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason to book this trip. Once you arrive on Comino, you have time to enjoy the island and its famous water. The schedule is listed as approximately six hours for this portion of the experience, while the overall duration is described as roughly one to six hours. Since the exact timing can depend on the day’s boat schedule, treat the outing as a flexible ferry visit rather than a tightly timed walking tour.
The lagoon is best suited to people who want time near the water. You might swim, sit by the shore, or simply enjoy the view from the island. There is not a long list of included activities, and the boat service does not promise a guided walking route around Comino.
That point is important. If you expect a busy sightseeing program with historical explanations, organized shore activities, or a guide leading you from one stop to the next, this may feel too basic. The operator describes the service as a ferry to the Blue Lagoon with a cave tour on the return, and that is the right way to think about it.
You need to bring your own snacks. Food is not included, and there is no restroom on board, so plan around those limits before leaving Mgarr. The supplied information does not specify food facilities or restroom access at Comino, so do not assume that every need will be covered once you arrive.
Crystal Lagoon Bay comes before the caves
On the way toward the caves, the boat passes Crystal Lagoon Bay. This is a short scenic part of the route, but it helps make the trip more than simple transportation.
The bay gives you another view of Comino’s rocky coast and clear water before the boat turns toward the cave stops. Since the journey is by water, you get a perspective that is different from standing at the Blue Lagoon itself. You can see the shoreline from the boat and take photographs without having to find a separate boat excursion.
The exact time spent at Crystal Lagoon Bay is not given. Expect a pass-by rather than a long stop unless the crew says otherwise. That distinction will help you set the right expectations. This is a sightseeing route, not a series of extended shore visits.
Three caves on the return route

The return section includes three named caves: Window Cave, Crystal Lagoon Cave, and L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf Cave. These are viewed from the boat as you head back toward Gozo.
Window Cave is the first of the named coastal features listed, and its appeal is easy to understand from the water. The opening gives the rocky shoreline a natural frame, making it a worthwhile place to have your camera ready.
The route also passes Crystal Lagoon Cave, linking the cave viewing with the earlier passage by Crystal Lagoon Bay. You may find the water and rock formations most interesting when the boat is close enough for a clear view, though the supplied schedule does not promise a landing or swim at any of these caves.
L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf Cave completes the cave section. The name is distinctive, and the pass-by adds another coastal feature to what would otherwise be a basic ferry transfer.
Do not book this trip expecting a cave expedition. The caves are seen from the boat, and the available details do not say that you enter them. The value comes from adding several coastal views to the ferry ride without arranging another paid boat trip.
Same port, a different sailing:
- Evening Catamaran Ferry Cruise To The Blue Lagoon
★ 4.2 · 75 reviews - From Sliema or Bugibba: Comino Blue Lagoon Round Trip Ferry
★ 4.3 · 59 reviews - From Sliema or Bugibba: Two Islands Ferry to Comino and Gozo
★ 3.8 · 38 reviews - Gozo Day Pass Ferry and Hop-on Hop-off buses with audio Tour
★ 3.0 · 19 reviews
The return to Gozo is the part to plan carefully
The biggest practical concern is the return from Comino. At the jetty, many boats and passengers may be using the same area. With several companies operating nearby, it can become hard to tell which boat is going to Gozo, which is going to Malta, and which departure has space.
You should confirm three things before leaving Mgarr:
- Which company name and boat you need to find
- Whether your ticket is for Gozo or Malta
- The approximate return times and what to do if you miss one
The Gozo boat may be less frequent than the Malta service. A full boat can leave quickly, and the jetty may involve pushing and crowding when several people are waiting at once. Keep your group together, move toward the correct boarding area early, and do not assume that standing near the water means you are in the right queue.
The operator has indicated that staff explain the ferry system before departure and that help may be offered if a fast ferry is missed. That is useful, but it does not remove the need for you to stay organized. The port crowd is not fully controlled by one company, and the jetty arrangement is outside the operator’s complete control.
This is the one part of the experience that could turn a pleasant day into a frustrating one. The safest approach is to treat the return as something you need to manage, not as a perfectly timed pickup with a clearly marked queue.
Is $18.04 good value?
At $18.04 per person, this is priced as an affordable ferry and sightseeing service. You receive transport from Mgarr Gozo to Comino, access to the Blue Lagoon stop, the Crystal Lagoon Bay pass-by, and the cave route on the return. Luggage storage is included, which is useful if you are carrying bags and do not want to leave them unattended while visiting the island.
The value is strongest for a simple plan: get to Comino, spend time near the Blue Lagoon, see a few coastal features from the water, and return to Gozo. You are not paying for a meal, onboard facilities, a private boat, or a full guided program.
The price is less attractive if you want comfort and structure. Snacks cost extra, there is no restroom on board, and the return arrangement requires attention. You also need to account for your own transportation to and from the Mgarr meeting point, since the fare described here covers the boat service rather than a wider Gozo pickup.
I would compare this price with the cost of a separate ferry and cave ride before booking, but the included route makes the fare reasonable for someone already near Mgarr. The small group limit adds some value, even though the service remains a shared ferry rather than a private trip.
Who will enjoy this boat ride most?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying on Gozo and want an easy way to see Comino’s Blue Lagoon without arranging a private charter. It also suits swimmers, photographers, and anyone who enjoys short coastal boat routes more than formal guided sightseeing.
The trip works well for:
- People who want a low-cost visit to the Blue Lagoon
- Visitors carrying luggage who value included storage
- Small groups that prefer a boat capped at 24 people
- Anyone interested in seeing several Gozo and Comino sea caves
- Independent visitors who are comfortable managing their own time at the lagoon
I would be more cautious if you need a restroom on the boat, want meals included, or dislike crowded ferry jetties. It may also disappoint you if you expect a narrated tour, because the experience is mainly transport with scenic passes rather than a lecture or guided shore walk.
Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the details do not describe specific boarding assistance or boat facilities. If you have mobility concerns, confirm the arrangements before booking rather than assuming the harbor and boat will be step-free.
Weather, timing, and cancellation details

The experience depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.
Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times use local Malta time, so check the date and time carefully if you are booking from another country.
The tour is often booked about five days ahead. That is not a rule, but it suggests that you should not leave this until the last minute during a busy visit. The maximum group size is 24, and popular Blue Lagoon days can fill quickly.
What to bring for a smoother day
Pack water and snacks, since neither snacks nor refreshments are included. You should also bring anything you need for a few hours around the lagoon, including sun protection and a towel if you plan to swim.
Keep your ticket details and company name easy to find. At the return jetty, you may need to identify the right operator among several boats. A phone with the booking information available can save time, though the supplied details do not promise onboard internet or charging.
Most important, leave enough time to reach the correct return area. Do not wait until the last moment to ask where the Gozo boat boards. The busy jetty is the one part of this outing where a little planning pays off quickly.
The bottom line: should you book it?
Book this trip if you want an inexpensive, straightforward boat connection from Gozo to Comino with a Blue Lagoon stop and several cave views on the way back. At $18.04, it offers fair value for an independent day by the water, especially with luggage storage and a maximum of 24 people.
Skip it if you want a fully guided cruise, onboard snacks, a restroom, or a tightly managed return pickup. The right mindset is simple: this is a ferry service with scenic extras, not a luxury excursion. Listen carefully at Mgarr, confirm the Gozo return plan, and you will be better prepared to enjoy what the boat does well.
FAQ
Where does the Blue Lagoon ferry leave from?
The ferry leaves from VapurGhajnsielem in Mgarr, Gozo. The meeting point is underneath the blue umbrella.
Where does the boat go?
The boat travels from Mgarr in Gozo to the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island. The return route passes several caves and returns toward Gozo.
How long does the experience last?
The listed duration is approximately one to six hours. The Blue Lagoon portion is listed as six hours, but exact timing can vary.
What caves does the boat pass?
The return route passes Window Cave, Crystal Lagoon Cave, and L-Ghar ta’ Bla Saqaf Cave.
Does the route pass Crystal Lagoon?
Yes. The boat passes Crystal Lagoon Bay before continuing toward the caves.
Is luggage storage included?
Yes. Luggage storage is included with the ferry and caves experience.
Are snacks included?
No. Snacks are not included, so you should bring or buy your own food.
Is there a restroom on board?
No. The boat does not have a restroom.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
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Malta Ferry Trips, compared.

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From Sliema or Bugibba: Comino Blue Lagoon Round Trip Ferry
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From Sliema or Bugibba: Two Islands Ferry to Comino and Gozo
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Gozo Day Pass Ferry and Hop-on Hop-off buses with audio Tour
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Ferry service to Blue Lagoon (opt. stop in Gozo)& Caves trip
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