From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

Three turquoise swim stops, one small boat, and six hours on Malta’s clearest water. This cruise from Mellieħa is appealing because it gives you time to swim at the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock Bay without cramming the day with extra sightseeing. I especially like the comfortable boat with sun and shade and the friendly crew, including guides such as Danny, Ali, Wes, and Chandler. The main catch is simple: the Blue Lagoon shore can be extremely crowded, and you now need a government access pass to step ashore.

At $47 per person, I see this as good value for a full day on the water. You get three swim stops, a scenic ride past caves and rock formations, toilets, a shower, and a small bar. You should bring your own food if you have a large appetite, since the onboard snacks are limited.

Key points to know before booking

• Three proper swim stops: Plan on about two hours at the Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.
• A smaller, less cramped boat: The Pegasus has been praised for its clean condition, open space, upper sun loungers, lower shaded seating, and a group size that has sometimes been around 40 people.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs planning: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to go ashore, and you should select the morning slot for this cruise.
• The boat can be better than the beach: At the Blue Lagoon, you can remain onboard, swim from the boat, and avoid the tight, crowded shoreline.
• Good crew service: Danny and Ali receive particular praise, while Wes has been noted for being especially helpful with families.
• Pack lunch and motion sickness help: The boat sells some snacks and drinks, but large bags are not allowed, so bring only a small day bag.

Setting out from Marfa Bay

The boat leaves from the Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat called Pegasus. If the jetty is not immediately clear, the provider’s office is nearby, next to the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

I would allow extra time to find the office and check in. One person had trouble locating the departure point with an online map, only to discover that the nearby tour office handled check-in. The meeting point is not complicated once you know what to look for, but it is worth reading the directions before you leave your hotel.

The cruise runs for about six hours. You get a scenic ride along Malta’s northern coast, with views toward Comino and Gozo between the swim stops. The boat has toilet facilities and a shower, which matters more than it sounds after several hours in salt water.

The setup is one of the tour’s strongest features. You can choose sun or shade, sit at tables downstairs, or find a place upstairs. Some departures have been comfortably spacious rather than packed shoulder to shoulder. That makes a big difference on a summer boat trip, especially when you are carrying towels, masks, and water bottles.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shore

The Blue Lagoon is the first major stop, and the boat stays for approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. The water is famously clear and intensely turquoise, with a pale sandy bottom that gives the lagoon its postcard look.

I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a swimming stop first and a beach stop second. The shore is often packed during the main summer season. Shade can be hard to find, and the narrow beach area may feel like a tight squeeze. If you picture a peaceful little cove with only a few swimmers, adjust that picture.

The good news is that you do not have to choose between joining the crowd and missing the lagoon. The Pegasus anchors near the Blue Lagoon, giving you the option to stay onboard, use the boat’s swimming access, and return to a quieter deck. Several people have preferred this approach, sometimes swimming toward the shore without actually leaving the water.

That is a useful advantage. You still get the clear water and the view, but you avoid carrying your towel through the busiest part of Comino. The boat may also become much quieter while some people go ashore.

Since May 2025, Malta requires visitors to obtain a government access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You need to arrange this yourself through blcomino.com, and the daily allocation is limited. For this particular cruise, choose the morning time slot when booking the pass. The pass is not included in the cruise price, and you will not receive a refund if you cannot go ashore because you failed to obtain one.

The rule applies to going ashore. You can still enjoy the stop from the boat, but if walking onto Comino and using the beach is important to you, handle the pass before your cruise day. Downloading the pass in advance is sensible, since access to the official website may be unreliable at the jetty.

Crystal Lagoon: the best stop for swimming

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. The stop lasts about one hour, and I consider it the strongest part of the route for active swimming and snorkeling.

Crystal Lagoon is enclosed by high cliffs and has wide views in every direction. The water is clear and sheltered, with sea caves around the edges. You can swim from the boat, look into the caves, or simply float in the bright water while the cliffs frame the scene.

This stop has a different feel from the Blue Lagoon. It is less about walking around and more about enjoying the sea. If you like snorkeling, this is where you will want your mask ready. Snorkeling equipment can be rented on the boat for a small fee, but it is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you already own a mask, bringing it removes one small uncertainty.

The boat’s position also helps. It stops in the lagoon rather than simply passing the shoreline, so you can get into the water near the scenery itself. The crew gives instructions and helps passengers understand where and when to swim, while still allowing you plenty of free time.

One hour sounds short, but it is a useful amount of time for a swim stop. Remember that getting ready, climbing down, swimming, and drying off all take a portion of it. I would have your towel, mask, and sunscreen close at hand rather than buried in a large bag.

Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo

The final swim stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo’s southeast coast. The bay has a small pebbly beach and a solitary little islet near the cove. It feels quieter and more open than the Blue Lagoon, especially during the busy season.

You can swim for about one hour, relax on the pebbles, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view. The cove’s appeal is its calm setting. After the bright crowds of the Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock Bay gives you room to slow down.

This is also the stop most affected by weather. On one reported trip, choppy conditions meant the crew found another attractive swimming location instead. That is a sensible safety choice, and it shows why the exact order or location can change with wind and sea conditions.

I like having this third stop in the program. A cruise that only visits the Blue Lagoon can feel like a single famous photo opportunity. Adding Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay gives you different settings and spreads the day across Comino and Gozo.

Caves, rock shapes, and the ride home

The return journey passes the Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation. These are sightseeing moments rather than separate landing stops, so keep your camera and sunglasses handy as the boat moves past.

The caves add another view of Comino’s coast, while Elephant Head is an easily recognized natural rock shape. The guide may share basic facts about the places along the way. Past passengers have particularly appreciated the clear explanations and the small bits of information offered during the ride.

The boat ride itself is part of the value. You are not simply being transported to three swimming holes. You get several hours of changing coastal views, open Mediterranean air, and the chance to see parts of Comino and Gozo that are awkward to reach on foot.

What the boat is like during six hours

The Pegasus is a practical sightseeing and swimming boat, not a luxury yacht. That is an important distinction. You get space to sit, areas in sun and shade, an upper deck, lower seating, toilets, a shower, and access to the water.

The boat has been praised for being clean and well maintained. Some departures have carried roughly 40 people, though the exact group size can vary. The overall impression is more relaxed than the large excursion boats that gather around Comino.

You can jump into the water from the lower deck plank or from the sides of the upper deck, according to the boat’s setup and crew instructions. Pool noodles are available, which is a nice touch for anyone who wants to float without working constantly.

The small bar sells drinks and a limited selection of snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable, including inexpensive water, beer, coffee, sandwiches, and wine. Still, I would bring a packed lunch or filling snacks if you need more than a light bite. You cannot bring oversized luggage or large bags, so think in terms of a small day pack.

Music plays during the cruise, but it has not been described as overpowering. The guides tend to be helpful without hovering. Danny and Ali are names worth noting, while Wes has received special praise for being kind and useful with a family traveling with a baby. Crew members have also been described as polite, calm, and attentive.

Price and value at $47

At $47, this cruise offers strong value if you want a full day built around swimming. A six-hour boat trip with three stops, a return route past caves, onboard facilities, and crew assistance compares well with the cost of arranging several separate boat or ferry journeys.

The price does not cover hotel transport, food, drinks, or the Blue Lagoon access pass. You also pay a small fee if you rent snorkeling equipment. Those costs are easy to manage, but they should be part of your budget.

The best value comes from using the cruise as an active sea day. If you only want to sit on a boat and watch the coast, six hours may feel long. If you enjoy swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and jumping into clear water, the long duration works in your favor.

I also like the choice at the Blue Lagoon. You can walk ashore if you have the pass, or remain on the boat and swim from there. That flexibility prevents the busiest stop from spoiling the whole day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want a swimming-focused day around Comino and Gozo. Couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat to a packed excursion vessel should find the format appealing.

The trip can work well for families, but it is not designed for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. You need to manage boat access, swimming stops, and possibly a pebbly beach. People prone to seasickness should also think carefully before booking and bring motion sickness prevention if appropriate.

This is not the right choice if your main goal is a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon is famous precisely because it is popular, and the shore can feel crowded. For peace and room, stay on the boat during that stop and make Crystal Lagoon or Ħalfa Rock Bay your main swimming experiences.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, cash, and motion sickness prevention. Wear sunscreen early and reapply often. The combination of reflected sunlight, pale water, and several hours outdoors can catch you off guard.

Should you book the Three Bay Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want three substantial water stops at a fair price and prefer a smaller, well-run boat over a huge party vessel. The crew, clean boat, shade options, reasonable bar, and generous swimming time make the package easy to recommend.

I would hesitate only if you dislike boats, get seasick easily, need step-free access, or want a peaceful Blue Lagoon beach visit. For everyone else, the smart plan is to get the Blue Lagoon pass early, bring lunch, rent or pack snorkeling gear, and consider staying onboard during the crowded shore stop.

The Blue Lagoon supplies the famous name, but Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay may become your favorite memories.

FAQ

How long is the Three Bay Cruise from Mellieħa?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including the scenic sailing time and three swim stops.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus.

What are the three swimming stops?

The route includes the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon on Comino, followed by Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Select the morning slot for this cruise.

Can I stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat anchors near the lagoon, so you can stay onboard, relax, and swim from the boat instead of going ashore.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment can be rented on the boat for a small fee. Rental gear is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Are food and drinks included?

No. A small cash bar sells some drinks and snacks, but food and beverages are not included in the cruise price.