Gozo boat tour from Mġarr: caves, cliffs and what to expect

Why Gozo’s coastline deserves a boat tour

Gozo is the second-largest Maltese island — smaller, quieter, and arguably more beautiful than Malta. From land, you can see the cliffs and the distant sea. From the water, you can enter the sea caves, circle Fungus Rock, pass beneath the Azure Window arch’s now-collapsed site, and see the Blue Hole from the surface above.

The Gozo coastline is dramatic in a way that surprises many visitors who’ve only explored the island by bus or car. The western coast in particular — around Dwejra Bay and Inland Sea — is defined by extraordinary geological formations that make much more sense viewed from sea level than from the clifftops above.

Departure points for Gozo boat tours

From Mġarr harbour (the ferry port)

Mġarr is Gozo’s main port and the arrival point for the Cirkewwa-Mġarr ferry from Malta. Several boat operators are based here, offering tours that head west along Gozo’s southern coast toward Dwejra, or north toward the sea caves.

The Mġarr-based tours also commonly include a Comino and Blue Lagoon stop — making this a natural extension of an already-planned Gozo day trip.

Book the Mġarr tour: Blue Lagoon, Gozo, Comino and Crystal Lagoon sea caves

Book the Mġarr tour: Comino, Blue and Crystal Lagoon, Gozo sea caves

From Xlendi (southern Gozo)

Xlendi is a beautiful small bay on Gozo’s southwest coast — a former fishing village that’s now a quiet resort. Boat tours from Xlendi focus on the southern coastline: the sea caves between Xlendi and Wied il-Mielaħ, the cliffs toward Ħondoq, and the passage toward Dwejra. The Xlendi boat tour is one of the most underrated boat experiences in the Maltese archipelago.

Book the Xlendi Gozo boat tour (2 hours)

This 2-hour tour is compact, well-priced, and gives you some of Gozo’s finest coastal scenery without the commitment of a full-day trip. Highly recommended as an add-on to a Gozo day.

From Qala (eastern Gozo, closest to Comino)

Qala is a small village on Gozo’s northeastern tip, positioned conveniently close to Comino. Tours from Qala often combine a Comino Blue Lagoon stop with a quick Gozo coastal circuit.

Book the Gozo tour: 20-minute cave tour with Blue Lagoon stop from Qala

This is the most accessible option for those already in the Qala area and wanting a brief cave and Blue Lagoon combination.

What you’ll see on a Gozo coastline boat tour

Dwejra Bay and the Azure Window site: The Azure Window collapsed in March 2017 during a storm — one of Malta’s most recognisable landmarks gone overnight. The site is still striking: the dramatic rock formations remain, the Inland Sea is accessible, and the Blue Hole (a world-class dive site) is visible from above the water. See the dedicated Dwejra Inland Sea boat tour guide for more.

Fungus Rock: A small dome-shaped islet at the entrance to Dwejra Bay. In the time of the Knights of Malta, a plant growing on its surface was believed to have medicinal properties and the rock was under heavy guard. Today it’s a protected nature reserve. You’ll pass close to it on any Dwejra-focused tour.

Blue Hole and the Coral Garden: The Blue Hole is a 15-metre-diameter circular hole in the rock adjacent to the Azure Window site, dropping 50 metres to the sea. From a boat, you see only the surface — but seeing the scale of the surrounding formations from sea level is striking.

Sea caves on Gozo’s northern coast: Multiple sea cave systems on Gozo’s northern shore, some passable by small boat at low tide. The cave walls glow a particular shade of turquoise from the reflection of the water below — similar to the Blue Grotto on Malta’s southern coast but less visited.

Xlendi to Ħondoq: The southern coastline between Xlendi Bay and Ħondoq ir-Rummien is rugged limestone cliff — uninhabited, dramatic, and accessible only from the sea. The Xlendi boat tour passes this stretch at close range.

Timing and combining with a Gozo day trip

A boat tour from Gozo works best as the morning activity of a Gozo day trip. Here’s a practical sequence:

• 08:00: Ferry from Cirkewwa (Malta) to Mġarr (Gozo)
• 09:00–11:00: Boat tour from Mġarr or a short drive to Xlendi for the Xlendi boat tour
• 11:30: Drive to Victoria (the capital) for the Citadel
• 13:30: Lunch in Victoria or Xaghra
• 15:00: Ggantija temples
• 16:30: Xlendi or Marsalforn for a swim
• 18:30: Ferry back to Malta

This schedule gives you an efficient Gozo day that covers land and sea without feeling rushed.

Gozo boat tours from Malta (the three islands approach)

If you’re not basing yourself in Gozo for the day, many tours from Malta include a brief Gozo coastal pass as part of a broader Comino-Gozo itinerary. However, these typically don’t get close to Dwejra or the western caves — they tend to circle the eastern and southern coastline.

For a dedicated Gozo coastline experience, you need to be departing from Gozo (Mġarr or Xlendi). Tours from Malta’s north coast toward Comino that also claim to cover Gozo are usually showing you 30 minutes of Gozo’s least interesting coastline.

What to bring on a Gozo boat tour

• Sunscreen: Gozo’s coastline is exposed. Apply before boarding.
• Camera or phone: The cave interiors, Fungus Rock, and the Dwejra formations are all photogenic.
• Light layer: Even in summer, the sea caves are cool and the boat ride creates a breeze.
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet: Most tours involve some boarding over rocky areas or in shallow water.

Frequently asked questions about Gozo boat tours from Mġarr

How long are Gozo boat tours from Mġarr?

The Mġarr-based combination tours (Comino + Gozo coast) run 4–6 hours. The Xlendi boat tour is 2 hours. The Qala cave tour is approximately 20–30 minutes for the cave portion plus time at Blue Lagoon.

Do Gozo boat tours enter the sea caves?

Most tours pass the cave entrances and some enter them — particularly the caves on the northern coast and near Comino. Whether the caves are accessible depends on sea conditions and tide. In summer (May–September), sea conditions are usually calm enough for cave entry.

Can I combine a Gozo boat tour with the Blue Lagoon?

Yes — many tours from Mġarr and Qala combine both. The Mġarr-based tours are the most convenient for this combination if you’re doing a Gozo day trip.

Is the Xlendi boat tour suitable for non-swimmers?

Yes. The Xlendi boat tour doesn’t require swimming — it’s a boat ride with some optional swimming stops. Bring a towel if you want to swim.

How do I get from Malta to Mġarr for a Gozo boat tour?

Take the ferry from Cirkewwa (northern Malta) to Mġarr. The crossing takes 25 minutes and runs regularly (every 45 minutes in high season). The boat tour operators are usually at or near the ferry terminal.

What happened to the Azure Window?

The Azure Window — Gozo’s iconic arch — collapsed during a storm on 8 March 2017. The site is still worth visiting by boat: the rock formations around the former arch are dramatic, the Blue Hole is visible, and the surrounding coastline is as striking as ever. Many visitors are surprised by how impressive Dwejra remains without the arch.

Are Gozo boat tours running in winter?

Most organised tours are reduced or suspended November–March. Private charters may still operate in good conditions. The Mġarr-Comino ferry is also reduced in winter. Check availability before planning a winter visit.

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20