Malta Boat Trip Guide: What We Learned + Travel Tips

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We recently took a weeklong trip to Europe during our kids’ spring break in late March 2025. We spent three days in the beautiful Montmartre neighborhood of Paris and then flew to Malta for five days. Malta wasn’t somewhere we had actively considered for vacation, but I found great points and miles redemption for airfare and hotel that made it a no-brainer. While we were there, we wanted to see as much as possible, including the nearby islands of Comino and Gozo. We decided to book a Malta boat trip that would allow us to experience all three islands and see their rugged coastlines, hidden caves, crystalline bays, and exotic medieval-looking towns.

The exact Malta boat trip we booked can be found here: Malta: Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise. And, today I want to tell you all about it!

Take A Malta Boat Trip To See All Three Islands

We had only five days in Malta, so we wanted to maximize our time and see as much as possible. The best way to do this, we found, is to take a Malta boat trip. Many Malta boat tours leave the Valletta, Sliema, and St. Paul’s Bay areas and go to Comino and Gozo. I’ve listed some of them at the end of this post.

What Are The Malta Tour Boats Like?

There are many options for big boats or smaller, more private cruises. Many of the more affordable Malta boat trips take place on large two-story boats. These boats have galleries of chairs lining the main deck, with views out the sides of the boat. The top of the boat will have chairs or, as our boat did, collapsable sling-back deck loungers. The bottom floor of the boat, in the hold, is usually set up as a cafe where you can buy snacks and drinks.

Our ship, the Hornblower, is big enough to hold quite a few passengers at peak times, but on our Malta boat trip in late March, we had maybe 50 passengers on board our cruise. On rainy days, like we had, plastic windbreaks are rolled down over the side of the main deck to shield passengers from the elements. During the voyage, our Captain provided intermittent real-time narration, announcing special sights like statues and caves.

Be sure to bring your swimsuit and water gear because the itinerary sets aside time to swim at the gorgeous Blue Lagoon on Comino. The boat has a 30-foot slide attached that allows passengers to slide from the top deck into the Mediterranean waters. On our Malta boat trip, it was one of the few chilly and wet days of the year on Malta, but even then, several of the passengers took the plunge down the slide!

Taking A Malta Boat Tour

The seven-hour Malta boat trip we took was perfect for a family and offered a great way to see many places affordably. Because of the size of the boats, ticket prices are lower than those of more private options. Our boat departed from the harbor at St. Paul’s Bay and went northwest across from Malta to Comino and then to Gozo.

We purposefully booked it because it offered longer stretches of time for sightseeing, including a 1.5-hour swim stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon and a full three hours to explore the island of Gozo. We had 5 full days on Malta, so plenty of time to explore other places on our own, such as the Hagar Qim prehistoric temples on the main island of Malta!

Getting To Your Malta Boat Trip

Be sure to allow a lot of extra time to get to your Malta boat trip meeting point. Our drive to St. Paul’s Bay from our hotel in St. Julian’s, the Hyatt Centric Malta, was very busy during rush hour traffic. Traffic across the entire island is heavy and feels frantic, with left-side driving, narrow streets, few traffic signals, and a generally hectic (and sometimes scary) pace.

Using Uber In Malta

Ubers are readily available in Malta and are very affordable. We never had a problem hailing one quickly, even for a 4 AM ride to the airport. Cars are small, and if you have multiple passengers or luggage, be sure to message the driver to verify they have room. We ended up selecting UberXL for several rides, but sometimes the cars were still too small for four of us! We eventually started calling a van, as it felt the safest and was far more comfortable for our size group.

Bolt is also very popular for ridesharing in Malta! And, if you are up for it, there is a robust bus system on the islands of Malta.

Our Malta Boat Trip Itinerary

I want to quickly cover each of the stops on our Malta boat trip and give you some insight into what you will see and what to expect. I wish I had my typical bright and sunny photos, but we had unusually crummy weather that day with overcast skies and lots of rain showers.

#1 St. Paul’s Bay – Malta

Our Malta boat trip left from St. Paul’s Bay, but other trips will depart from different harbors, like Valetta or Sliema. Once underway, we cruised for about 15 minutes across the bay, getting some great views of St. Paul’s Bay and the surrounding Malta coastline.

#2 Santa Maria Caves – Malta

We went through a narrow passage between Malta and a small island called St. Paul’s Island. On the island was a tall, solitary statue jutting from the hilly terrain—the Statue of St. Paul. A few minutes later, the Captain announced we would be pulling into some coastal caves to get pictures. Everyone crowded to the front and top of the boat with cameras in hand. The caves were beautiful, accentuated by the bright blue water crashing against the cliffs.

#3 Island Of Comino

Next, we rounded the north side of the island of Comino, a small, uninhabited island in the Maltese Archipelago. Comino is home to an iconic swimming hole named the Blue Lagoon. Set on the northwest corner of Comino, the Blue Lagoon is a popular place for tourists to experience the amazing blue waters and breathtakingly beautiful rugged coastline of this Maltese island. The boat docked, and the Captain informed us we had 1.5 hours to explore and swim if we wanted.

#4 Malta’s Blue Lagoon On The Island of Comino

The Blue Lagoon is incredible and a great place to swim, hike around the island, take pictures, and enjoy a cold drink. The area has several food and drink trucks where you can purchase snacks and get alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Their signature drinks come in a real pineapple that’s been scooped out and filled with liquid. It was so much fun trying these pineapple drinks and enjoying the surreal beauty of our surroundings!

#5 Island Of Gozo

After leaving the Blue Lagoon, we headed north to the island of Gozo. Gozo is fairly large and has several towns, including its capital of Victoria. Once docked at a large harbor, passengers were free to take an Uber or purchase tickets on a double-decker bus to explore the island. We chose to take an Uber and explore on our own, hoping to have time to see parts of Victoria and grab lunch.

#6 Victoria, Gozo

It was easy to get an Uber to Victoria, and the trip took about 20 minutes. We wound through the beautiful, rocky, and sparse rural areas of Gozo toward the massive Citadel that presides over Victoria. Our driver dropped us off in a busy main square at the center of town, and we quickly got our bearings.

We headed toward the Citadel, a huge castle-like structure that dominates the Gozo skyline and forms a historic centerpiece for the town. The Citadel is massive, and we felt like we really didn’t have the time to explore it properly. Its towers and high walls will give you some great views of the Gozo countryside. The Citadel on Gozo is a haunting and impressive reminder of the island’s tumultuous medieval heritage.

After that, we wandered around some of Victoria’s busy side streets and alleys, looking at beautiful wares from local merchants and admiring the place’s very ancient yet distinctly modern duality. Numerous cafes, shops, and restaurants lined several squares throughout downtown. In front of St. George’s Basilica is a busy little square where we stopped and got a wonderful and very affordable lunch. Matt got the biggest meat and cheese plate he had ever seen! It was a fun little break.

The three hours flew by, and we hailed an Uber to get us back in time for our boat’s departure.

Optional: Xlendi Bay via Bus Tour On Gozo

If you pay for the bus tour portion of the Malta boat trip, you’ll have a chance to drive around Gozo and visit Xlendi Bay. Xlendi Bay is a picturesque small town situated along high coastal bluffs and punctuated with deep blue inlets. Its rugged cliffs, ancient watchtower, excellent restaurants, and remote beauty make it a favorite place to visit.

#7 Crystal Lagoon On Comino Island

Once back on the Hornblower, we began our return trip to Malta. Heading back, we took a slightly different route around the western side of Comino. This route gave us the opportunity to see some new things, like the Crystal Lagoon, a turquoise-colored bay framed by towering limestone cliffs that include small sea caves. The Crystal Lagoon is only accessible by boat or by a 15-minute walk from the Blue Lagoon, so seeing this was a treat!

#8 St. Mary’s Tower On Comino Island

We passed along the southwest side of Comino, and the Captain told us to look for St. Mary’s Tower rising from the island’s rocky hills. This large bastioned limestone watchtower, built in 1618, is a stoic reminder of the long history of the Maltese Archipelago.

#9 Return To St. Paul’s Bay On Malta

We returned to St. Paul’s Bay, disembarked, and quickly caught an Uber to our hotel. The trip was incredible, and we couldn’t stop talking about the sights we had seen and the beauty of the natural wonders of the sea and the surrounding islands. I just wish we had that bright sunny weather that Malta is known for. Luckily, we did on the other days of our trip!

Booking Our Malta Boat Trip

If you are interested in booking the exact tour we took, here is the link: Malta: Gozo, Comino, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, & Caves Cruise

Other Malta Boat Trips And Malta Boat Tours

While that was the best option for our family, I know that travelers have different priorities and interests. So, I want to cover some of the other amazing Malta boat trips and boat tours that are available. All of the tours I’ve listed are on larger boats and include Comino and Gozo, but there are lots of boat trips that go only to Comino and even some private boat tour options.

A Malta boat trip is a great way to maximize your vacation time and eliminate the stress of planning an excursion yourself. We love taking Get Your Guide tours and have taken them all over the world. Be sure to read the tour description page carefully, as each tour has different meeting points, amenities, and restrictions.

Malta: Blue Lagoon, Beaches & Bays Trip by Catamaran

From Sliema: Gozo, Comino and Blue Lagoon Cruise

From Sliema: Gozo, Comino & The Blue Lagoon Boat & Bus Tour

Tips For Your Malta Boat Trip

If you are taking any of these Malta boat trips, I think it’s very important to read the listing itinerary closely and look for specific packing reccomendations. Of course, you will want to have your swimsuit and towel (we love Dock and Bay towels for travel), but don’t forget other essentials, such as sunscreen and a fully charged portable charger.

If you get seasick, bring the appropriate medications and pack plenty of water!

Also, if you plan to Uber to Victoria like we did, make sure to do your research in advance so that you can maximize your time there. We didn’t and ended up winging it when it would have been helpful to know exactly what we wanted to see while there!

We Loved Our Malta Boat Trip

Our Malta boat tour was an incredible way to see the Maltese Archipelago without breaking the bank. We loved island hopping and really enjoyed seeing the breathtaking Blue Lagoon, which introduced us to the area’s raw natural beauty. Gozo is charming, and its massive limestone citadel and basilica make you feel like you’re in a medieval town or an Indiana Jones film.

I highly recommend you take a guided Malta boat trip to enjoy the expertise of a local guide who can give you the history and context of the places you see. You and your family will remember these special times, and you’ll have a lifelong memory of exploring the world together!

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More European Travel Inspiration

We love traveling to Europe, and within the past few years, I have visited almost 20 European countries! Here at Our Little Lifestyle, we share our firsthand travel experiences, original photography, and honest truths so that you can plan the best trips possible! You can always follow along on social media via the links at the end of this post! We share all of our trips at @ourlittlelifestyleblog on Instagram, and if you look for our Malta Story Highlight, you can see more from this trip!

You can always browse the Travel Section of my blog or the Europe Travel Section, and here are some individual blog posts that you may enjoy!