Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise

Clear water, calm planning, and room to breathe. This six-hour cruise from Marfa Bay visits Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, with about four hours set aside for swimming and snorkeling. I like the sensible 45-person limit on a boat built for 70, and I like the choice to stay aboard at Blue Lagoon rather than fight for space on shore.

The main consideration is that this is a water-focused day, not a full island tour. You will spend long stretches swimming, sunbathing, or sitting on deck, and the boat can bounce in rougher seas. If you get seasick, bring the right medication and think carefully before booking.

Five things worth knowing before you book

• The 45-person limit matters: The boat can hold 70, but fewer passengers mean more room on the upper and lower decks.
• You get four hours in the water: Crystal Lagoon gets one hour, Blue Lagoon two hours, and Ħalfa Rock one hour.
• Blue Lagoon is optional on foot: You can step ashore at the pier, or stay aboard and swim in the lagoon without joining the crowds.
• The boat has useful comforts: Toilets, a fresh-water shower, a small bar, seating, and sunbathing space are included.
• The crew can adjust the route: Captain Danny and crew member Ali are often praised for choosing less crowded swimming spots when conditions allow.
• The best booking choice is the morning slot: For this three-bay cruise, book the 8:00 to 1:30 departure window and arrive before boarding closes 15 minutes before departure.

Why this Malta boat trip works so well

Malta’s sea trips can be very different from one another. Some pack people onto large boats, rush through several stops, and leave you hunting for a place to sit. This cruise takes a more relaxed approach. The vessel has room for 70 people, yet the operator limits numbers to 45, which changes the whole feel of the day.

I like that distinction because space is not a minor luxury on a six-hour boat ride. You need somewhere to put your towel, a seat out of direct sun, and a clear path to the water. The smaller passenger load also makes it easier to move between the upper deck, lower seating, swimming areas, and the onboard bar.

The trip costs about $47 per person, though some past bookings were priced around €35. At the current listed price, I see it as good value if you intend to swim at every stop. You receive three separate swimming locations, sightseeing along the Comino coast, four hours in the water, and onboard facilities. It is less attractive if you mainly want to walk around Comino or spend the day on a beach.

The boat faces Comino Island and leaves from the Bluewaves Watersports office at Marfa Bay. That location is only a few minutes from Comino, so much of the day is spent enjoying the bays rather than making a long approach from Malta.

Crystal Lagoon starts the swimming day

The first stop is Crystal Lagoon, where the boat anchors for about an hour. This is a good opening stop because it gets you into the water early, before the day feels crowded or rushed.

You can swim and snorkel directly from the boat. The water is the main attraction, with clear conditions that make it easy to look below the surface. Snorkeling here is pleasant, though you should keep expectations sensible. The area is valued more for its striking water and rock scenery than for a huge range of marine life.

Some people used the stop for relaxed swimming, while others treated it as a chance for short snorkeling sessions and jumps from the boat. Masks may be rented onboard for €3, according to the information provided, so you do not have to bring your own equipment if you prefer to travel light.

One hour is enough to enjoy Crystal Lagoon without making the day feel repetitive. You can swim, rinse off with fresh water, dry in the sun, and be ready for the next bay. If you want to spend every minute snorkeling, the time may feel short, so have your mask and towel ready before the anchor drops.

Blue Lagoon gives you two very different choices

Blue Lagoon is the longest stop, with two hours available. It is also the point where you need to make the most important decision of the day: go ashore, or stay on the boat.

If you walk off at the Blue Lagoon pier, you have free time to explore Comino on foot. This gives you a chance to see the island from land, look for food, and stretch your legs after time on the boat. It is the better option if you specifically want to say you visited Comino itself rather than only viewing it from the water.

There is a practical catch. Blue Lagoon’s shore can become extremely crowded, especially in summer and on Saturdays. The beach area may feel far less peaceful than the water suggests from a distance. Food and drink are available on land, but the shore is not the calmest place for a long lunch or quiet swim.

Staying aboard is not a consolation prize. The boat anchors nearby, and you can swim in the famous lagoon while avoiding the crush on land. Several people found this the more enjoyable choice, since the deck offered seating, sunbathing spots, toilets, a shower, and access to the bar. You still get the bright water and the views, but you do not have to search for a patch of sand.

From the boat, you can also jump into the lagoon and swim around the vessel. The upper deck has been used for sunbathing, and the boat is large enough for people to spread out without feeling packed. I would stay onboard if your priority is clean water, easy swimming, and a more comfortable base.

If you want to go ashore, remember the current rule. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from Blue Lagoon to explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. Check this before departure, because the cruise operator’s boat ticket does not replace the island entry requirement.

Ħalfa Rock brings a quieter final swim

The third swimming stop is Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock, to the south of Gozo. The boat anchors here for about an hour of swimming and snorkeling.

This stop helps balance the busy Blue Lagoon. It is a good place for people who want another chance to swim from the boat, try a little snorkeling, or find a suitable spot for a jump into the sea. The rock formations give the stop a different character from the two lagoons.

Conditions can shape this part of the day. One party found the planned final stop too crowded, but the captain changed the route and found a quieter location. That flexibility is useful, though it also means the exact feel of the final stop can vary with weather, boat traffic, and safety concerns.

Snorkeling here is worthwhile for the chance to see some marine life, but do not book this as a dedicated wildlife trip. One person spotted a moray eel, while others saw only a modest amount of fish. The pleasure is in swimming through clear water beside the rocks, not in expecting a full reef experience.

Santa Maria Caves add sightseeing on the way back

After the swimming stops, the boat heads back toward Bluewaves Watersports and passes other points around Comino, including Santa Maria Caves. This part is sightseeing rather than another scheduled swim.

The caves give you a chance to put your towel down, dry off, and enjoy the coast from the deck. The boat may also pass other rock formations and locations not listed as formal stops. Keep your phone or camera close, but protect it from spray and avoid letting sightseeing turn into a scramble around the deck.

The return journey is also when the six-hour duration becomes clear. This is not a quick transfer with a few photo stops. You get long periods to swim and relax, plus enough cruising time to see the coast from different angles. If you are happiest in the water, the schedule feels generous. If you tire quickly in the sun, six hours can feel long.

The boat setup is a major part of the value

The boat is clean and well maintained, with seating on the lower deck and sunbathing space above. A toilet and fresh-water shower are included, both of which matter after swimming in salt water for much of the day.

The onboard bar sells drinks, coffee, cocktails, soft drinks, and snacks. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket, so bring your own food if you want a proper meal. Past prices mentioned in the information include soft drinks around €2, water around €1.50, and an Aperol Spritz for €5. Those prices make buying a drink onboard reasonably practical, but you should not assume the bar replaces lunch.

Several people specifically liked the music and relaxed atmosphere. It is not presented as a silent nature outing. Music plays during the cruise, but the overall mood appears comfortable rather than like a loud party boat. Families, couples, older people, and groups of friends can all fit the style of the trip.

Pool noodles were available on some departures, and snorkeling masks could be rented for €3. These details may vary, so bring your own mask if snorkeling is central to your plans.

Danny, Ali, and the crew shape the day

The crew receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. Danny and Ali are named as especially friendly and helpful, and the captain is credited with giving clear advice about water conditions and changing the route when a swimming area becomes too crowded.

That matters because a boat trip is only partly about its timetable. The captain has to read the wind, waves, traffic, and swimming conditions. A fixed route can be less enjoyable than a smart adjustment, especially at Blue Lagoon, where crowd levels can change quickly.

The crew also gives information about the places you pass and helps people choose between going ashore and remaining on the boat. On some departures, children were even allowed to help steer near the end, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed part of the program.

The service style is friendly without needing to be formal. One rating gave four stars rather than five, noting that the staff were not especially lively, though they were well informed about the area and handled a last-minute route change well. That is a fair reminder that personalities differ from one departure to another.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a swimming-first day around Comino and Gozo. It suits confident swimmers, snorkelers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who values space more than a packed sightseeing schedule.

It is also a strong choice if you want flexibility at Blue Lagoon. You can walk ashore, but you are not forced into a crowded beach visit. Staying aboard gives you a comfortable place to return to, which is especially helpful if you are carrying snacks, towels, or valuables.

You may want a different outing if you want a serious history tour, long walks on Comino, or a quiet boat with no music. People who get seasick should be cautious because the boat can bounce noticeably in rough water. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and biodegradable sunscreen. High-heeled shoes, bikes, scooters, weapons, sharp objects, explosives, and intoxication are not permitted.

Timing, cancellation, and small practical matters

For this three-bay cruise, choose the morning departure listed from 8:00 to 1:30. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so arriving late is a poor gamble. Meet at the Bluewaves Watersports office at Marfa Bay, rather than assuming you can board from any point on Comino.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Malta plans are still shifting.

The captain can cancel or alter the route because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled, the stated options are an alternative date or a refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also means the three named bays are not an absolute promise in poor conditions.

Should you book the Comino 3 Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want value, swimming time, and breathing room. At $47, the combination of three bays, four hours in the water, a less crowded boat, onboard toilets, a shower, and flexible Blue Lagoon arrangements is convincing.

My strongest tip is to stay aboard at Blue Lagoon unless walking on Comino is a priority. You can still swim in the famous water, and you will likely be more comfortable than on the crowded shore.

Skip it if you dislike boats that move with the waves, want a land-based Comino tour, or prefer a quiet trip without music. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to see Malta’s clearest water without spending the day shoulder to shoulder.

FAQ

How long is the Comino 3 Bay Cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

You meet at the Bluewaves Watersports office at Marfa Bay, a few minutes from Comino Island.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The scheduled swimming stops are Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock.

How much swimming time is included?

The schedule provides one hour at Crystal Lagoon, two hours at Blue Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock, for about four hours of swimming and snorkeling.

Can I go ashore at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon pier and explore Comino on foot, or remain onboard and swim nearby.

Do I need a ticket to visit Comino on foot?

From May 1, 2025, visitors stepping onto Comino from Blue Lagoon to explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through www.blcomino.com.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar selling coffee, cocktails, soft drinks, snacks, and water.

Does the boat have a toilet and shower?

Yes. The boat has toilets and a fresh-water shower.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.