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Looking for the best Malta boat trips and tours for your holiday?
In this guide, you’ll find an up-to-date, tried-and-tested list of different boat tours and trips to explore Malta, Gozo, and Comino Island (and its famous Blue Lagoon).
I’m a tourist-turned-local and have taken dozens of excursions and boat tours, including the ones on this list. My goal is to help you have a memorable stay in Malta, and I only make recommendations with that goal in mind.
The stunning Blue Lagoon is located on the small Comino Island and is Malta’s most popular tourist attraction by a mile and a top destination for tours and excursions. It’s a real gem in the Mediterranean Sea.
Famous for its azure-coloured, crystal-clear waters, it’s an absolutely stunning bay that’s visited by thousands of locals and tourists on various boat tours every year.
It’s a must-visit on most people’s travel plans to explore Malta, and while you *can* get there by ferry, it’s a LOT more comfortable taking a boat trip there. The bay itself only has a very small sandy beach that’s usually packed with people who are there on day trips. In fact, although more expensive, a private boat is the way to go (and I’ve included a great recommendation further below from personal experience).
This Blue Lagoon full-day tour departs from Buġibba (although you can book transport from other locations in Malta). They take you straight to Comino’s Blue Lagoon, passing by St. Paul’s islands on the way. You’ll also stop at the lesser-known Crystal Lagoon Malta and some of Comino’s sea caves on the way back.
COUPON: Get a discount with the coupon code MALTA5.
There are a few options to choose from:
Both boats provide seating and sunbeds and an indoor, air-conditioned area with a small kiosk to buy food and drinks from. There are separate male and female toilets on board as well.
During your stay, you don’t have to stay on the boat. You can also wander around some of the coastal and country trails that the small island of Comino has to offer. It’s something I would only recommend in spring and autumn, however, since there’s very little opportunity to find shade on the island.
Catamaran 1 (Sliema): This Catamaran Cruise (full-day tour) offers a laidback cruise to Comino and, unlike the next option, is all-inclusive with an open bar (beer, wine, soft drinks, water) and a cold buffet lunch (cold cuts, cheeses, salads, and seasonal fruit).
You’ll be hopping on a large and spacious catamaran (with fewer people than the standard trips) that sails to Comino. While the Blue Lagoon is the main destination, you’ll cruise past other parts of the island on the way, including some of its hidden coves.
Catamaran 2 (Buġibba): If you’d like to combine a visit to the Blue Lagoon at Comino Island with swimming at some of Malta’s most beautiful bays, the Beaches and Bays tour is a great option.
COUPON: Get a discount with the coupon code MALTA5.
Although a little more expensive, this Beaches and Bays boat tour by catamaran has two big benefits over the first option.
Available from May through to September, I highly recommend going for this option if you’re travelling as a couple or with a group of couples. This is currently one of the best Malta boat tours you can book.
TIP: The lunch is worth the upgrade, and drinks on board are reasonably priced.
If you’re staying in Sliema and want a full-day boat tour of Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon, this two-master boat tour is a great option.
Enjoying a laid-back vibe on an impressive 38-metre-long wooden Turkish Gullet boat, it’s a popular choice for a day out at sea. The tour departs from the Sliema Ferries front, which is very convenient if you’re staying in Sliema, Gżira, or nearby St. Julian’s. That spot is easy to reach on foot or by bus. You can also get transfers to other localities when booking this option (which comes at an additional fee).
What’s included in this boat tour:
Aside from the obvious destination (the Blue Lagoon), you’ll also anchor at a few secluded bays near Gozo. And on the way, you get great views of the capital city Valletta, St. Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay (and St. Paul’s island), and Mellieħa Bay while sipping a drink.
The tour starts at 9:15 am and returns at Sliema by 5 pm, making it a 7-hour and 45-minute trip.
Interested in a more quiet and private experience at your own pace?
Private boat tours can be a great option, where you can rent your private boat for a few hours, half a day or a full day. It’ll be just you and your company, plus the captain on board, and you can moor away from the most crowded parts of the bay to enjoy the crystal-clear waters at Comino.
The departure location can be chosen from various locations along the North coast of Malta as well as Gozo, so you have a lot of flexibility. For example, you can customise the itinerary to spend a little less time at the busy Blue Lagoon and head over to the stunning – and much quieter – Crystal Lagoon nearby.
Snorkelling equipment to explore the nearby marine life is provided, and there’s an ice cooler on board for your drinks. You can ask the captain to stop at different spots for food or bring your own food if you prefer.
This provider specialises in this type of boat tour to the Blue Lagoon, and they’re an easy recommendation to make from personal experience. With a highly customisable trip plan, friendly skippers and an overall hassle-free experience, this is just what you want on a well-deserved holiday.
This type of boat tour is in high demand and has limited availability. Book well in advance to avoid missing out!
This is a 3-hour private boat trip at the perfect time of day and long enough to enjoy a quieter visit on your own boat
Also a 3-hour private boat, but during the morning or afternoon (which you can choose).
Rent a private boat for a full 6 hours, with a custom itinerary and everything you’d expect on your day out.
If you’re planning on visiting Gozo (you absolutely should, even if it’s just for half a day!), these are a few full-day boat tours to consider
You can combine a visit to Comino and its Blue Lagoon with a land tour of Gozo in a single (easy-paced) day. It’s a great way to get a taste of both, with enough time to enjoy the experience and not feel like a rushed day out.
This (all-inclusive!) Blue Lagoon and Gozo Tuk Tuk tour runs from mid-May to mid-October and is great for both couples and groups.
COUPON: Get a discount with the coupon code MALTA5.
It’s a full day out (6-7 hours excluding transport) and is provided by a renowned Malta tour operator that consistently gets 5/5 reviews—a fun day out in safe hands.
This is also a great option if you don’t like early morning wake-ups on your holiday. The tour starts in the early afternoon!
You’ll start off with a visit and swim at the Blue Lagoon on a boat tour there that departs from Ċirkewwa, in the northernmost part of Malta. Don’t worry; transfers from your place of stay are included in the tour, so all you need is to prepare for your day and be at the pick-up point on time!
The brightly-coloured Tuk Tuks that will take you around in Gozo can seat up to six passengers and are driven by a local expert who will tell you all about the island on the way.
Included in the price:
TIP: During the rest of the year, you can still get a regular Tuk Tuk tour of Gozo, combined with a boat tour past Comino and its main sights, but you won’t be able to enjoy a swim stop at the Blue Lagoon. (It’s a little too cold for that anyway outside the high season.)
Looking for a bit more adventure? Taking a Quad Bike tour of Gozo allows you to see some of the island’s stunning natural beauty, landmarks and secluded beaches, and makes for a fun day out.
You can get an all-inclusive Sunset Tour by Quad Bike of Gozo, which starts with a boat tour that includes a refreshing swim stop at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon. This tour runs between 15th May and 15th October.
COUPON: Get a discount with the coupon code MALTA5.
It also takes you past a few of the sea caves around the beautiful Comino Island on the way to Mġarr Harbour.
There, you’ll be welcomed by your lead driver, who knows Gozo inside out and will tell you all about the stops on the way. They’ll take you through a safety briefing and provide everything you need to hop on your quad bike first.
These quad bikes are high-powered 570cc ATV vehicles that can seat a driver (min. 21 years of age) and a passenger. It’s a unique combo tour, perfect for couples and small groups.
Just like the Tuk-Tuk version of this tour, this is included in the price:
TIP: Just like the Tuk Tuk variety, you can get a regular Quad bike tour of Gozo outside of the summer season, which is also a lot of fun. You’ll also get a short boat trip that takes you past the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon but won’t include a (swim) stop.
If you prefer having a wander around Gozo yourself, you can take this low-cost boat tour that also combines a stop at the Blue Lagoon with 3 hours of free exploration in Gozo.
COUPON: Get a discount with the coupon code MALTA5.
What you’re paying for is half a day in Comino and transport to spend the afternoon on Malta’s sister island. There are plenty of options for transport once you arrive at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, from hop-on/hop-off buses to regular public transport, Ubers/taxis as well as bike rental.
You can also opt to book transport in advance, which will take you to either Victoria (the largest town and home to the Citadel of Gozo) or Xlendi (a picturesque bay in the South of the island).
This is an option to consider, but I would personally recommend either of the previous two options.
Being a small island nation, part of Malta’s charm and natural beauty is its surrounding sea.
Hopping on a boat tour is a great way to tour Malta along its impressive coastline while relaxing in the sun.
This Round Malta Cruise is a well-reviewed full-day tour (10 am – 4:45 pm on Tuesdays and Fridays ) that takes you all around the island. Heading clockwise around Malta, you’ll depart from Sliema to take in the sights of Valletta and its Grand Harbour entrance, Marsascala and St. Thomas Bay, St. Peter’s Pool (bay), Marsaxlokk and Delimara Point, the Blue Grotto (more on that spot below), Dingli Cliffs, Anchor Bay and Popeye Village (named after the 1980 movie with Robin Williams that was shot there).
You’ll then head to Comino and its Blue Lagoon, followed by Mellieħa Bay, St. Paul’s Bay and its island, St. Julian’s and returning to Sliema. Throughout the trip, you’ll be provided with commentary on the various spots you’ll be passing from.
Included in this tour:
Malta’s sister island is known for its natural beauty, and this trip is a great way to view some of Gozo’s magnificent bays on the sea.
This Round Gozo Cruise tour boat sails from Sliema, past Comino and onto several of Gozo’s bays, with a route depending on weather conditions. Stops often included are the stunning Dwejra Bay (southwestern coast) as well as Ramla Bay and other, more secluded beaches in the North of Gozo.
If you’d like to explore Valletta’s harbours specifically, you can hop on one of the most popular Malta boat tours: The Harbour Cruise.
This Valletta harbour cruise tour takes you around the two natural harbours on either side of Valletta: Grand Harbour (on the side of The Three Cities and the Valletta Waterfront) and Marsamxett Harbour (on the side of Sliema). With a trip time of around 90 minutes, you can get guided commentary in English and German while taking in the views.
These cruises depart from Sliema Ferries (Valletta-facing seafront) three times a day: At 10.30 am, 11.40 am and 12 pm. There’s a stop along the way at Kalkara (near the Three Cities) where you can get off to explore the Esplora Interactive Science Center (great for kids) and hop back on at the next departure time. (Applicable only to the first two trips of the day).
(More info here: Valletta harbour cruise tours.)
The Blue Grotto sea cave, with beautiful rock formations, is one of Malta’s most popular destinations because of its natural beauty. Because the sea floor inside is covered in light-coloured sand, the sunlight that shines into the cave reflects on its ceiling, creating a stunning effect.
Since it’s a little remote (in the South of Malta), it’s a destination best combined with another, and a great combiner is to stop at Marsaxlokk.
This half day Blue Grotto and Marsaxlokk tour makes this combination very easy to do and is held on Sundays. Apart from getting a boat tour into the Blue Grotto cave, you’ll head to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk to take in the views and visit the Sunday market.
Interested in getting a unique experience in Malta’s nightlife scene in summer? Take a Boat Party for a really awesome night out.
You’ll depart from Sliema (Valletta-facing side) at around 18:30h, boarding a large wooden gullet (type of boat). As the sun sets, you’ll be enjoying some great music and dance, drink in hand and cooling down with the sea breeze. You’ll be back in Sliema at around midnight, but you can join the afterparty in the nearby Paceville area of St. Julian’s.
More info here: Malta boat parties.
Included in the price:
With this Malta to Sicily day trip, you can take a large catamaran that sails from Valletta to the port of Pozzallo in Sicily. Once you arrive, you’ll board an air-conditioned coach that will be taking you around some of the best places on the island.
This trip is organised on Thursdays and Sundays from May to September, and on your trip you’ll visit sites including:
Alternatively, you can take this Malta to Sicily trip that takes you to the beautiful villages of Syracuse, Marzamemi and Noto. This is a quieter tour package option, with a lot less time on the road and with more rural views and small village visits to Sicily.
Organised on Wednesdays and Fridays (also from May to September), this option also takes you across to Sicily on a large catamaran.
You can get the boat to the Blue Lagoon in Malta from Marfa or Ċirkewwa (basic ferry, long drive), or you can get a boat trip from Sliema (easy to reach from St. Julian’s and Valletta) or Buġibba (within walking distance from St. Paul’s Bay and Qawra).
The best boat trips in Malta are cruises around the islands of Malta and Gozo, the Blue Grotto in the South of Malta, and the Blue and Crystal Lagoons on Comino Island.
Edward is the Founder and Editor of Malta Uncovered and author of two guidebooks on Malta and Valletta.
As a tourist-turned-expat with Maltese roots, he knows the islands inside out and helps thousands of visitors enjoy a memorable trip every year.
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