Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

The Blue Lagoon earns its fame. This seven-hour cruise pairs clear water and dramatic caves with a simple, good-value day on the sea. I like the long four-and-a-half-hour stop, the onboard slide, and the freedom to use the boat as your base instead of fighting for a patch of crowded shore.

I also like the friendly crew, including Captain Kevin, the reasonably priced food, and the chance to add a speedboat trip through the caves. The catch is crowding and noise, especially in peak season. This is an active party-style boat day, not a quiet sailing trip.

Key points to know before you go

• Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon: Enough time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, a walk on Comino, and several rounds on the boat slide.
• Best top-deck seats go early: Boarding at about 8:30 gives you the strongest chance of getting a sun lounger upstairs.
• Captain Kevin provides the sightseeing commentary: The route includes St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, Elephant’s Head, and Santa Maria Tower.
• The boat is older but well equipped: You get toilets, a cafeteria, shaded seating, deck chairs, lockers, and a slide.
• The cave speedboat costs extra: The seasonal trip costs €15, paid in cash, and includes close views of the small caves.
• Bring cash, a towel, sun cream, and a jacket: Cash is needed on the boat and Comino, and the sea can feel cool from October through May.

From Bugibba Jetty to Malta’s northern coast

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The boat leaves at 10:00 and returns around 17:00, giving you roughly seven hours on the water. The meeting point is Dawret Il-Gżejjer, near public transport, and the cruise ends back there.

The early part of the route works as a gentle introduction to Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, linked to the story of the apostle’s shipwreck. A statue of St. Paul sits on the tiny island, giving the view a bit of local meaning beyond its postcard appeal.

Captain Kevin provides commentary as the boat continues past Mellieħa Bay, Malta’s largest beach. The route then enters Ahrax Cave for photographs, followed by a look at Coral Cove before the boat crosses toward Comino.

This is a good time to settle in and watch the coastline. You can sit upstairs for sun and open views, or use the shaded main deck if the heat becomes too strong. The upper deck is the prized area, though, so arrive early if you want a chair rather than simply a place to stand or sit elsewhere.

Circling Comino and spotting Elephant’s Head

Comino is Malta’s smallest main island, covering about 1.4 square miles. From the boat, you get a useful sense of how small and rugged it is. The cruise circles the island, showing off high cliffs, pale rock, and unusual formations.

One highlight is Elephant’s Head, a rock shape best appreciated from the water. The boat’s slow tour around Comino gives you angles that you would miss from the beach or walking paths. It also makes the cruise more than a simple transfer to the Blue Lagoon.

The views are the main reward here, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a popular route, and the boat can carry up to 232 people. On busy dates, the open deck may feel full, and the music can be loud. Several people enjoy the upbeat atmosphere, while anyone seeking silence may find it tiring.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main event is the Blue Lagoon. The boat moors for more than four hours, giving you a long stretch of free time rather than a quick photo stop. That extra time is a major reason the $36.28 price feels fair.

The water is famous for its bright turquoise color, and you can enter directly from the boat. Use the jumping points or the slide, swim around the boat, or snorkel near the rocky edges. The boat acts as your floating base, with toilets, food, drinks, shade, and a place to return when the shore becomes too crowded.

You can also walk freely onto Comino. That flexibility matters. You are not forced to stay on the boat, but you also do not have to carry everything onto the island or search for facilities there. Go ashore for a walk, find a quieter place, then return for lunch or another swim.

The Blue Lagoon itself can be crowded, with many boats and people sharing the same beautiful water. The view remains striking, but the setting is not private. If you want a calmer experience, stay on the boat for part of the visit, walk away from the main center, or visit Santa Maria Bay, which is about a 20-minute walk according to the practical experience shared by one passenger.

The rocks can make entering the water awkward in places. This is not a smooth sandy beach experience everywhere, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not included. A life jacket is available for a deposit, and you should use one if you are not a confident swimmer.

The boat itself: older, practical, and fun

The operator is open about the boat not being modern. That is fair. You are not paying for a polished luxury yacht, but you do get the facilities needed for a full day at sea.

The main deck has shaded seating. The upper deck offers sun, views, and deck chairs on a first-come basis. There is also a slide into the water, which gives the boat a playful edge and helps explain why families and younger groups rate the day so highly.

Food and drinks are sold onboard at reasonable prices. You might find burgers, chips, ice cream, cocktails, and soft drinks. The pineapple cocktails are a popular novelty, and the boat has a bar and cafeteria rather than leaving you dependent on expensive beach stalls.

Bring your own towel. Food and drinks are not included, and neither is mask and snorkel rental. A snorkel set costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Lockers cost €2, so you can keep valuables secured while swimming.

The music is part of the atmosphere. Several people enjoy the playlist and lively mood, but one of the clearest drawbacks is that the music can play throughout the day. If your perfect boat trip means quiet water and soft conversation, this may not be your match.

The optional speedboat to the caves

The small-cave speedboat is the main paid extra. It costs €15 and is available seasonally, with tickets bought in cash. The ride takes you closer to the caves and rock formations than the main vessel can manage.

This add-on is popular because it changes the pace of the day. Instead of simply looking at the caves from a large boat, you get a faster, more direct ride into smaller openings and around the rock. It is especially worthwhile if you enjoy short bursts of excitement and want a closer look at the coast.

The Crystal Lagoon is also part of the route. Its deeper water makes it popular with divers, and it can be reached on foot from the Blue Lagoon in about eight minutes. Depending on weather and the captain’s decision, you may see it on the way to Comino or on the return journey.

At Crystal Lagoon, you can snorkel, swim, or attempt a cliff jump. Conditions and access can change, so follow the crew’s instructions. The point is not to collect risky stunts. It is to enjoy another section of Comino’s coast that feels different from the busy Blue Lagoon.

Santa Maria Tower and the return route

During the cruise, the boat passes Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend Comino. It is one of the island’s few major buildings and makes a strong photograph against the bare rock.

The tower is also associated with the film The Count of Monte Cristo, where it represented the prison Chateau d’If. That small film connection adds a bit of fun to the sightseeing, especially if you know the movie.

The return to Bugibba is scheduled for 17:00. By then, you will have had time for a long swim, food, a walk, and perhaps the cave ride. If you stay active all day, the cruise feels full without forcing you through a string of rushed stops.

Is $36.28 good value?

At $36.28 per person, this is inexpensive for a full day around Comino. The price covers the cruise, taxes, landing and facility fees, deck chairs when available, the slide, and restroom use. You are also getting a long mooring at the Blue Lagoon rather than a short pass-by.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the boat as your base. You can swim from it, eat onboard, use the toilet, rest in the shade, and return to your chair. You avoid paying for a separate boat transfer and then arranging your own way back.

Budget a little extra for the parts that appeal to you. Lunch, drinks, snorkel rental, a locker, and the €15 speedboat ride are all additional. Cash is important because payments on the boat and Comino are accepted in cash only.

The food receives especially good marks for price. Burgers, chips, ice cream, and drinks make it easy to stay onboard without packing a full meal. Still, if you want to keep costs at the advertised price, bring your own snacks if permitted and skip the extras.

How busy and social is the day?

The published maximum is 232 people, so this is not a small-group outing. The boat can feel packed, particularly during the main summer season. The Blue Lagoon itself adds more boats and people, which can make the famous setting feel less peaceful than photographs suggest.

The social mood is part of the appeal. Music plays, the crew is friendly, and the slide and swimming areas encourage a relaxed, outgoing atmosphere. Families can enjoy the facilities, but the overall energy often suits younger adults and anyone who likes a lively day on the water.

Arriving early is the best practical move. Boarding around 8:30 gives you a better chance at a top-deck chair, even though the cruise does not leave until 10:00. Sit on the starboard side for stronger Comino views during the approach, if you have a choice.

Do not assume the top deck is essential. The boat has good views from other areas, and you can walk around. If you prefer shade, the main deck may serve you better than a sunny chair upstairs.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise?

I would choose this tour if you want a low-cost, active day with several ways to enjoy the water. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone who wants swimming time without arranging several separate activities.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want a long stay at the Blue Lagoon.
• You enjoy swimming, snorkeling, slides, and boat jumps.
• You like having food, toilets, and shade close by.
• You want the option of a paid cave ride.
• You prefer a lively boat with music and a social feel.
• You are happy to share the experience with a large group.

I would think twice if you want a quiet sailing trip, an intimate boat, or an uncrowded beach. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but beauty has brought plenty of company. Rough seas can also be a problem. On unsettled days, the crossing may be uncomfortable, and some people can become seasick.

The tour is suitable for all ages, but swimming conditions and rocky entry points still require common sense. Keep children close, listen to the crew, and use a life jacket if needed.

Practical planning for the day

Wear swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sun cream, and a light jacket. From October through May, and especially from March through May or October through December, the sea air can feel chilly while the boat is moving.

Bring cash for the cafeteria, Comino purchases, the snorkel deposit, lockers, and the cave speedboat. The phone signal can be limited on Comino, so if you receive a landing pass or other digital document, download it before leaving the mainland. One passenger had trouble with a pass that was saved for only the morning period, so check that it covers the full day.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 813 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. Those figures fit the actual strengths: friendly staff, good food prices, a fun slide, striking scenery, and unusually generous time at Comino. They also fit the limitations: an older boat, crowds, loud music, and a rough ride when the weather turns.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Caves cruise?

Book it if you want the best amount of water time for the money and do not mind sharing the day with a large, lively crowd. The long Blue Lagoon stop, flexible boat base, good-value cafeteria, and optional cave speedboat make this more useful than a simple scenic cruise.

Arrive early for the upper deck, bring cash and a towel, and consider the €15 cave ride if you want more than swimming. Choose another type of boat trip if peace, privacy, and a quiet sea matter more than price and activities.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart and return?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty at Dawret Il-Gżejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs for about seven hours, leaving at 10:00 and returning around 17:00. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately four and a half hours.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard at reasonable prices, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel set costs €5. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned afterward.

How much does the cave speedboat cost?

The seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15. The ticket must be purchased in cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sun cream, and cash. From October through May, bring a jacket or warm layer because the boat can feel chilly while cruising.