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

Two islands, one fast boat, six useful hours. This trip gives you a lively ride from St. Julian’s to Gozo and Comino, with free time rather than a guide hustling you from one sight to the next. I like the easy island-hopping plan and the chance to swim at the famous Blue Lagoon.

I also like the experienced skippers, who have earned praise for being friendly, capable, and entertaining. The main catch is timing: two hours in Gozo is enough for one focused outing, but not enough to see much of the island. The Blue Lagoon can also be packed, with limited shade.

The tour costs $77 per person and runs about six hours. It is a strong choice if you want speed, sea views, and two island stops in one day. It is less suitable if you get seasick, need a smooth ride, or prefer a quiet, guided sightseeing trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Gozo gets two hours: You can visit Victoria and the Citadel, hire a driver, or arrange a focused excursion, but you cannot cover the whole island.
• The Blue Lagoon requires an access pass: Since May 2025, you must obtain an afternoon pass from blcomino.com to step ashore there.
• The powerboat ride is quick and bumpy: It saves time between islands, but it is not the most comfortable choice for people prone to motion sickness.
• Blue Lagoon time is free time: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around Comino without a guide directing you.
• The sea caves are viewed on the return: The boat visits them when weather and sea conditions allow.
• The St. Julian’s meeting point takes some finding: You enter through a black iron gate near the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel and follow a yellow line to the jetty.

Why this Gozo and Comino trip works

Malta’s two smaller islands each offer a different kind of day out. Gozo feels more spacious and rural, with villages, historic sights, and open countryside. Comino is smaller and more about the water, especially the clear shallows of the Blue Lagoon.

Seeing both in one outing is the chief reason to book this trip. The powerboat keeps the schedule moving, so you do not lose much of the day to slow transfers. You leave St. Julian’s at 10:30 AM, reach Gozo, spend two hours there, then continue to Comino for the afternoon.

I like this arrangement for a first visit when you want a taste of both islands. You will not get a detailed tour of either one, but you will see the basic character of both and have time for a swim.

The price of $77 is fair for a six-hour boat trip that includes fuel, an experienced skipper, transfers between three points, free time on two islands, and a sea-cave visit when conditions permit. Food, drinks, and transport from your hotel cost extra, so the value depends partly on how much you appreciate the speed and convenience.

Finding the jetty in St. Julian’s

The departure point is behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ.

This is not a street-side meeting point where you simply spot a large coach. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

Allow enough time to find it without rushing. The route is straightforward once you know about the gate and yellow line, but it is easy to wonder if you are in the right place at first.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying near St. Julian’s, the location may be convenient. One person staying nearby found it was only about a ten-minute walk from the hotel, which was easier than taking a taxi to a distant marina.

The powerboat ride to Gozo

The boat leaves St. Julian’s at about 10:30 AM and heads directly toward Gozo. This is the most energetic part of the outing: fresh air, open water, and a faster ride than a standard ferry.

The speed is useful because it allows the boat to cover Gozo and Comino in one day. It also makes the ride fun for people who enjoy a bit of spray and motion. But do not confuse a powerboat with a smooth sightseeing cruise. The ride can be bumpy, and one passenger found the speedboat uncomfortable for a trip of this length.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is a serious concern. Motion-sickness prevention is specifically recommended, and the activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, serious back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy. Children under three are also not accepted.

The boat trip is not guided in the usual sightseeing sense. Your skipper handles the route and safety, but you will not receive a running commentary about every place you pass. That gives you freedom, though you should arrive with a clear idea of how to use your two hours in Gozo.

Two hours in Gozo: choose one plan

You arrive at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbor, at roughly midday. From here, the island is yours for two hours before the boat collects you at around 1:00 PM.

The key is to avoid trying to see all of Gozo. The time is too short for that. Instead, choose one compact plan before you arrive.

A popular option is Victoria, Gozo’s main town, and the Citadel. The Citadel gives you strong views and a concentrated historic stop. One pair arranged a taxi for about €5 per person each way, with the driver returning them to Mġarr Harbour. That is a practical approach if you want to make the most of the short visit.

Other passengers hired a driver to visit the Blue Hole, the salt beds, and the Ġgantija Temples. That can work well if you arrange the timing carefully, but it leaves little room for delays. A sightseeing bus may not get you back to the harbor in time, so do not board one casually unless you have confirmed the schedule.

You can also hire quad bikes, as one group did, giving you a faster way to cover more ground. The downside is obvious: two hours passes quickly, and you may spend much of it arranging transport rather than seeing Gozo.

I would choose the Citadel for a first visit if you want a historic sight with good views. Choose a driver or quad bike only if seeing more than one place matters more to you than a relaxed pace.

Several people felt Gozo deserved another hour. That is the clearest weakness in the schedule. You get a useful sample, not a full island visit.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

At about 1:00 PM, the boat leaves Mġarr Harbour for Comino. The afternoon is spent at the Blue Lagoon, the most famous stop on the trip.

The water is clear and bright, with a pale sandy bottom and plenty of marine life. It is made for swimming and snorkelling, and the contrast between the white seabed and blue-green water is the reason this place appears on so many Malta itineraries.

You can also sunbathe or walk through Comino’s countryside. The boat leaves at approximately 3:45 PM, giving you a substantial afternoon stop rather than a quick photo pause.

There is one crucial new rule. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Choose the afternoon time slot to match this tour. The daily allocation is limited, and the tour operator cannot obtain the pass for you.

If you arrive without one, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Instead, you will be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino. No refund is provided if you cannot access the lagoon because you failed to secure the pass, so treat this as part of your booking preparation, not a minor detail.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but rarely quiet

The Blue Lagoon can look almost unreal in good weather. The water is transparent, the bottom is pale, and swimming here is the high point of the day for many people.

The tradeoff is crowding. In summer, finding a patch of open space can be difficult. The shoreline has limited shade, so bring a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and enough water. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and left-luggage storage is available at the lagoon, but the tour itself does not include refreshments.

You should bring swimwear and comfortable shoes. Water shoes may be useful for general comfort, but they are not listed as a required item. Keep your belongings compact because large bags, luggage, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed on the activity.

I would plan to swim soon after arriving, before you get distracted by the crowds and heat. If you prefer quiet coves, the Blue Lagoon may test your patience. If your priority is clear water and an easy swim, it delivers even when busy.

Comino’s sea caves on the way home

At around 3:45 PM, the powerboat collects you for the return to St. Julian’s. When the weather is suitable, the skipper takes you past the Comino Sea Caves before heading back.

This is a nice final touch because you see a part of Comino that is difficult to appreciate from the Blue Lagoon shore. The boat gets close to the caves, giving you a better view of their shapes and openings than you would get from a distant ferry.

The cave visit is weather dependent, so it should be considered an extra rather than a guaranteed main stop. Sea conditions also affect the comfort of the return ride. With a good forecast, this can be a lively end to the day. With rough water, the ride may feel long.

You should arrive back at the St. Julian’s base at about 4:30 PM. One boat experienced a starting problem on the return and arrived about thirty minutes late after the issue was fixed. That kind of delay is worth allowing for if you have evening plans.

What the skipper adds

The skipper makes a real difference on a small, fast boat. The crew has been praised for being friendly, professional, and reassuring. Captain Abe and Andre received particular praise for their good humor and competence, while Captain Mario was thanked for making nervous passengers feel more at ease.

This is not a guided tour, so the crew’s role is mainly navigation, safety, timing, and boat handling. Still, a good skipper can make the ride feel relaxed rather than stressful. If you are a little nervous about the speed, tell the crew at the start. One passenger specifically advised doing so.

The operator has also shown flexibility when weather stops the powerboat from running. In one case, rough seas prevented the planned trip, and an alternative boat outing was arranged within hours. That does not guarantee the same solution every time, but it is encouraging for anyone concerned about weather changes.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want Gozo and Comino in one day.
• You enjoy fast boat rides and sea air.
• You want free time rather than a tightly narrated tour.
• Swimming at the Blue Lagoon is a major Malta priority.
• You are staying around St. Julian’s and want a convenient departure point.
• You can handle a bumpy ride and warm sun.

I would think twice if you need a calm boat, have mobility limitations, or often suffer from seasickness. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, people with heart or back problems, or children under three.

It is also not the right choice if you want to explore Gozo thoroughly. For that, give Gozo a separate day. Here, the island is a short, focused stop before the tour moves on.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. Still, the Blue Lagoon access pass is your responsibility and must be arranged separately.

FAQ

How long does the powerboat tour last?

The tour lasts about six hours, departing St. Julian’s at approximately 10:30 AM and returning around 4:30 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s.

How do I find the jetty?

Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, go through the black iron gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

How much free time do I get in Gozo?

You get about two hours in Gozo, arriving at Mġarr Harbour and returning to the boat at approximately 1:00 PM.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat collects you from the Blue Lagoon at approximately 3:45 PM, giving you the afternoon there.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued access pass through blcomino.com to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. 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 of stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The tour includes an experienced skipper, but you have free time in Gozo and Comino and no tour guide accompanies you around the islands.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available for purchase at the Blue Lagoon.

Can I bring large luggage or a wheelchair?

No. Luggage and large bags are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for non-folding wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, baby strollers, or baby carriages.

Should you book the Gozo and Comino powerboat?

Book it if you want a brisk, sea-focused day that covers both islands without arranging several separate ferries and taxis. At $77, the combination of fast transfers, Gozo time, Blue Lagoon access, and a possible sea-cave visit offers solid value.

Just prepare properly. Get the afternoon Blue Lagoon pass, pack sun protection and swimwear, plan one specific Gozo outing, and bring motion-sickness medication if you need it. If you accept the crowds at the lagoon and the bumps of a powerboat, this is one of the more efficient ways to fit Gozo and Comino into a single Malta holiday.