Comino Island: including Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & sea caves

Two lagoons, one bright-blue day. This Comino cruise combines Crystal Lagoon’s clear, quieter water with time at the famous Blue Lagoon, all from a stable catamaran with sunbeds, slides, toilets, and onboard commentary. I also like the coastal cruise past St. Paul’s Island and the sea caves, which gives the outing more than a simple ferry ride.

The main caution is crowding at Blue Lagoon, especially in warm months. The Crystal Lagoon stop runs from June through October and depends on fair weather, while the exact order and length of stops can change. At $36.20 per person, this is good value if you want swimming, a boat day, and facilities in one package, but less so if you only need transport to Comino.

Key points to know before you book

• Crystal Lagoon is the highlight for many visitors: Its steep cliffs, clear water, caves, slides, and smaller scale make it feel more special than the packed Blue Lagoon.
• Blue Lagoon time varies by season: You may get two to four hours there, with the boat serving as your base.
• Arrive early for the best sunbed: Seats are first come, first served, and the front of the upper deck fills quickly.
• The boat is built for a long swimming day: Expect slides, jumping platforms, showers, toilets, cushioned loungers, bars, and underwater viewing windows on certain departures.
• The caves are mainly a sightseeing stop: You can photograph the larger formations from the catamaran, while a separate speedboat trip may cost about €15 per adult and €10 per child.
• Pack for changing conditions: Bring a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and a light jumper or wrap. Wind can make the ride back surprisingly cool.

Why this Comino cruise is more than a simple ferry

This is a six-hour day trip from Bugibba, or a shorter four-hour evening and sunset outing. The central appeal is simple: you board once, settle into a sunbed, and let the boat carry you to Malta’s two best-known swimming spots.

I like the setup because you are not left to arrange separate transport, lockers, beach space, and swimming facilities. The catamaran has three slides, jumping platforms, toilets, showers, an air-conditioned main deck, bars, food for purchase, and 26 underwater windows on boats equipped for that service.

At the same time, this is not a guided island tour filled with historical stops. Much of the day is free time for swimming, sunbathing, and sitting aboard the boat. If you want an active day on the water, that is a strength. If you prefer museums, villages, or a quiet nature walk, the format may feel thin.

The group can reach up to 250 people. That number matters. The boat may feel comfortable and well kept, but Blue Lagoon itself can be extremely crowded, and queues can build at the food counter. Think of this as a popular shared boat outing, not a private cruise.

Getting to Bugibba Jetty

The departure point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar. The boat returns to the same place at the end.

From Valletta, take a bus toward St. Paul’s Bay and get off near the Moll bus stop. The directions also identify Parades as the nearest stop, so check the departure instructions carefully before setting out. From Sliema or St. Julian’s, take a bus toward St. Paul’s Bay and use the Moll stop.

Allow extra time for the bus ride and the walk to the jetty. You should also arrive early if you care about your seat. The best upper-deck loungers go quickly, with some passengers arriving 30 to 45 minutes before departure. One practical trick is to choose a forward-facing position, where the views are good and the ride can feel less boxed in.

Seats are numbered, but they are not equal. Some upper-deck loungers sit close to the outer rail, while lower-deck seats include both proper chairs and sunbed-style places. If comfort matters, do not stroll up at the last moment and expect every lounger to be available.

The ride from Bugibba along Malta’s coast

The trip to Comino takes about one hour. During the ride, commentary is provided in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

The route itself is part of the experience. From the water, you see Malta’s cliffs, rocky openings, and small coastal inlets from a much better angle than from a road. The boat also passes St. Paul’s Island, marked by the tall statue of Saint Paul. It is a brief sight, but it adds a useful bit of local context to the cruise.

The catamaran is described as modern and stable, though no boat is perfectly smooth in choppy water. The return can feel cooler and rougher, particularly later in the day. On the upper deck, the wind may hide how much sun you are getting, so use sunscreen even when the air feels mild.

The boat enters or passes large sea caves for photographs. These are scenic viewing stops rather than long exploration sessions. You will see rock shapes and openings from the water, but the standard tour does not mean you can swim into every cave.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter swimming stop

From June 1 through October 30, in fair weather, the daytime tour normally spends about an hour at Crystal Lagoon. The evening trip usually gets around 30 minutes. From November through May, the boat generally spends only about 15 minutes there for photographs and cave viewing.

This seasonal difference is one of the most important details in the whole booking decision. Crystal Lagoon is not simply a guaranteed swimming stop all year. If you want time to swim and use the slides, schedule your visit between June and October and keep an eye on the forecast.

Crystal Lagoon is enclosed by steep cliffs and accessible only by boat. The water is remarkably clear, and the setting feels more contained than Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, or jump from the boat. There are three waterslides, including a large slide from the upper deck, and a top-deck jump for confident swimmers.

The water is deep around the boat, so a life jacket can make a big difference if you are not a strong swimmer. The crew has life jackets available. Children and cautious swimmers should pay attention to the instructions and avoid treating the jumping platforms like a playground without checking the conditions first.

This is the place to bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. Snorkeling equipment is an extra charge, and the available gear may not suit everyone. One visitor found the equipment uncomfortable and noted that fins were not provided. A basic personal mask, snorkel, and water shoes can be more useful than buying equipment at the last minute.

The water can also contain submerged rocks, especially around Blue Lagoon. Water shoes are a sensible addition for anyone who dislikes sharp or uneven surfaces.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and crowded

The catamaran moors in a prime position at Blue Lagoon, giving you a good view and the option to use the boat as your home base. Depending on the season, you may have two to four hours here.

The water is the star. On a calm, sunny day it can look almost artificial, with a bright blue color that makes you want to jump in immediately. You can swim from the boat, use the slides and platforms, or walk ashore to explore the small island.

The trouble is that everyone else wants the same view. Blue Lagoon can be packed, with little room to move along the shore and busy water near the most popular access points. I would not plan on a peaceful beach afternoon here. The boat is often the better place to relax, especially if you secured a comfortable lounger.

This is also where the boat’s facilities earn their keep. You have toilets, an accessible toilet with changing space and showers, an air-conditioned main deck, a sundeck, and two bars selling hot and cold food and drinks. Sunbeds are free, but availability is first come, first served.

Bring your booking QR code or the material supplied for shore access. The operator may use wristbands or timed access arrangements, and itinerary changes can create confusion if you are not listening for announcements. If the crew changes the order of the lagoons, ask exactly when you may go ashore and when you must return to the boat.

The optional speedboat cave trip

The standard cruise includes cave viewing from the main boat, but it does not necessarily take you into every narrow passage. An optional speedboat ride may be offered for a separate fee, often quoted at about €15 per adult and €10 per child.

This extra can be worthwhile if caves are a major reason you booked. A small boat can get closer to rock formations and enter places that a large catamaran cannot. It also adds a more lively, fast-moving part to an otherwise relaxed day.

Do not treat it as part of the $36.20 price. Ask the crew about the exact route, duration, and fee before paying. If you are mainly interested in swimming, you may prefer to keep the money and enjoy more time at the lagoon.

The Santa Maria Caves appear on the return route. The boat enters the pirate caves and passes the rock formation known as Elephants Head. This final sightseeing section is brief, around five minutes, but it gives you another good set of photographs as the day winds down.

Food, drinks, lockers, and comfort aboard

Food and drinks are available from the onboard kitchen and bars. Prices can be reasonable, but the queues may lengthen when many people return from the water at once. Outside food and drinks are not allowed aboard, so plan to buy from the boat or eat before boarding.

Snorkeling equipment costs extra, listed at €5 for hire in the tour details. Other information from the operator indicates that equipment may also be sold on some departures, so ask before you assume the same arrangement every day. Personal lockers cost €2, useful if you want to swim without leaving valuables beside a lounger.

Towels are not included. Bring your own, along with a dry layer for the ride home. The top deck is pleasant when the boat is still, but the wind can make it cold once the catamaran moves.

Smoking is not permitted. Vaping is allowed only in designated areas. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but swimming, jumping, and climbing the slides require ordinary physical confidence.

Day trip or sunset sailing?

The daytime version lasts about six hours. From June through October, it generally gives you around an hour at Crystal Lagoon and a long stay at Blue Lagoon.

The sunset or evening trip lasts about four hours. The Crystal Lagoon stop is shorter, usually about 30 minutes, with around two hours at Blue Lagoon on the five o’clock Seabird departure. The shorter format works well if you want the scenery and a swim without giving up a full day.

The sunset outing also has a different mood. The boat ride back can be especially attractive as the light changes over the water, but evening air may feel cool after swimming. Bring a layer even in summer.

For a full swimming day, choose the daytime trip. For a compact outing or a memorable end to a Malta day, choose the sunset option. In either case, listen carefully for return times. The boat may also carry passengers continuing to Gozo, and routes can be adjusted.

Is $36.20 good value?

At $36.20 per person, the price is fair for a full day if you use the boat’s facilities and make the most of both lagoons. You are paying for transportation, coastal sightseeing, two swimming locations, deck space, slides, toilets, showers, and multilingual commentary.

The value drops if you treat the excursion as only a ride to Blue Lagoon. Cheaper ferries may provide basic transport, and some passengers have felt that the tour became expensive when they spent much of the time simply waiting on Comino.

I think the strongest value is for families, swimmers, and anyone who likes having a boat base. You can return to your lounger, use the toilet, buy a drink, and avoid carrying everything around the island. The slides and jumping platforms also give children and active adults something to do beyond sitting on a beach.

Budget separately for food, drinks, snorkeling gear, lockers, and the optional speedboat. Those extras can change the final cost.

Who should book this Comino experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward water day with plenty of structure but free time once you arrive. It suits families, couples, groups of friends, and visitors who want both lagoons without arranging separate boats.

It is particularly good for people who value comfort. A clean, stable boat, free loungers, bathrooms, showers, an air-conditioned interior, and onboard food make a big difference during a long day in the sun.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, want quiet nature, or expect a detailed guided tour of Comino. Blue Lagoon will likely feel busy, and the cave visits are short unless you pay for the optional speedboat. The itinerary may also change with weather, sea conditions, and operational needs.

The activity has a 4.4 rating from 723 reviews, which fits the experience well: strong overall enjoyment, with recurring complaints about crowding, seating, communication, food queues, and occasional equipment concerns.

What to bring and how to make the day better

• Arrive 30 to 45 minutes early for a better lounger, especially on the upper deck.
• Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, water shoes, and a light jumper.
• Pack your own mask and snorkel if you plan to spend serious time in the water.
• Keep your QR code available for boarding or shore access.
• Listen for announcements when the boat changes the order of the stops.
• Use the boat as your base at Blue Lagoon if the shore feels too crowded.
• Ask about the optional speedboat before committing to the extra cost.
• Check both email and WhatsApp for operator messages, since email is the main contact method and WhatsApp is secondary.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the easiest way to combine Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, coastal scenery, and boat facilities in one day. The Crystal Lagoon stop gives the trip a real advantage over a basic Comino ferry, and the catamaran is a comfortable place to spend time between swims.

Skip it if you want solitude or only need cheap transportation. For the best experience, choose a warm-weather daytime departure, arrive early, bring your own swimming gear, and accept that Blue Lagoon will be crowded. If you do that, $36.20 buys a lively and well-equipped day on Malta’s clearest water.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour depart?

It departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

Where does the tour end?

The tour returns to Bugibba Jetty, the same place where it begins.

How long does the daytime tour last?

The daytime trip lasts about six hours.

How long is the sunset tour?

The evening or sunset trip lasts about four hours. The 5:00 PM Seabird tour is a shorter option.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included, but the length of the stop depends on the season and weather. From June through October, the daytime stop is about one hour in fair weather. From November through May, it is generally a short photo stop.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

Depending on the season, the tour spends about two to four hours at Blue Lagoon.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available for an extra charge, listed as €5 to hire. You can also bring your own equipment.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard. Towels are also not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.