From Sliema: Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The water is the star of this full-day outing. From Sliema, you cruise past Malta’s bays and head toward Comino for about 3.5 hours of free time. I like the generous stop at the Blue Lagoon, which gives you time to swim, walk, eat, and settle into the island instead of rushing through a short photo stop. I also like the optional summer swim at Crystal Lagoon, complete with a boat water slide.

The main drawback is the popularity of the Blue Lagoon. In summer, boats can fill the bay, shade is limited, and the atmosphere is more lively than peaceful. You also need to arrange a government access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon, and missing that pass means you may not receive a refund.

• About 3.5 hours at Comino: Enough time for swimming, a walk, a snack, and a relaxed look around.
• Scenic Sliema departure: The cruise passes St. Julian’s Bay, St. George’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay.
• Crystal Lagoon swim stop: From May to October, weather permitting, you may get about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, jumping, and using the boat slide.
• Blue Lagoon access pass required: Apply through blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot for this cruise.
• Best for active beach days: You should be comfortable with boat travel, uneven ground, swimming, and a busy summer setting.
• Good value at $41: The long cruise, island stop, coastal views, and possible second swim stop make this a solid budget option.

What the $41 price really buys you

At $41 per person, this is priced as a straightforward shared boat day rather than a private excursion. You get the sightseeing cruise, commentary over the public-address system, the Comino and Blue Lagoon stop, crew assistance, toilet facilities, and the summer swim stop when conditions allow.

That is good value if you want several experiences in one day. You see Malta from the water, reach Comino without arranging separate transport, have several hours at the Blue Lagoon, and may stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay. The water slide adds a playful touch, especially for teenagers and adults who enjoy jumping straight into the sea.

You still need to budget for food and drinks, since neither is included. Cash is worth carrying, although one booking account also noted that card payment may be possible. Food and drinks are available on the boat, and snack and drink vans can be found on Comino.

The price does not include a hotel transfer, a personal guide, or the government-issued Blue Lagoon access pass. For most people staying in Sliema, the meeting point at the Sliema Ferries is convenient enough, but you need to make your own way there.

Leaving Sliema for Malta’s northern bays

The morning departure gives you a useful coastal tour before you even reach Comino. From the Sliema promenade, the boat passes St. Julian’s Bay and St. George’s Bay, then continues toward St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay.

The views are one of the best reasons to choose a boat trip instead of simply taking a direct transfer to Comino. You get changing angles on Malta’s shoreline, with the boat providing a broad view that is hard to find from land. Commentary is given in English over the PA system, so listen carefully if you want the basic geographical context.

This is not a guided walking tour. The commentary helps you understand what you are passing, but once you reach Comino, your time is your own. That suits me better than a tightly managed group walk, but it means you must keep an eye on the meeting instructions and return time.

The boat also makes a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo while passengers disembark there. This is not a full Gozo visit on the standard Comino outing, but it gives you a quick look at Gozo’s harbor before the boat continues to Comino.

Comino gives you time to choose your own day

Comino covers only about 3.5 square kilometers and has no cars or urban development. That small size makes it easy to think of the island as one large beach stop, but you can use the time in several different ways.

If you want a classic Malta swimming day, head toward the Blue Lagoon and find a place to settle. The white seabed helps create the famous turquoise color, and the water is clear enough for swimming and snorkeling when conditions are good.

If you prefer walking, leave the immediate swimming area and follow the island trails. Routes lead toward St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery. These walks offer a quieter side of Comino and give you better chances for photographs than staying beside the main water access.

I would bring comfortable shoes rather than relying on flip-flops for the whole visit. The tour specifically recommends comfortable footwear, and the island paths are a better fit for proper walking shoes or sturdy sandals.

The free-time format is useful for mixed groups. One person can swim while another walks, and someone else can simply sit in the sun. The tradeoff is that there is no guide leading you from one point to the next, so you need to decide how much time to leave for returning to the boat.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but not private

The Blue Lagoon is the main reason most people book this cruise. Its clear turquoise water and pale seabed make it one of Malta’s most recognizable swimming spots, and the setting is genuinely striking.

The catch is the crowd. In the busiest summer periods, boats gather in the lagoon and the shore can feel highly developed compared with the rest of Comino. One passenger found that the boat had to dock farther out because the area was so full. If you picture an empty cove, adjust that expectation before booking.

There is also little natural shade at the Blue Lagoon. You may need to rent a beach umbrella and chair, with one account noting a cost of €15 for a single setup. Sunscreen, a hat, and a towel are essential. Cash is also a sensible addition to your day bag.

From May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an access pass through the official government website, blcomino.com. The daily number of passes is limited. For this particular cruise, you must select the afternoon slot when applying.

This is not a minor detail. The cruise operator does not arrange the pass for you, and no refund is issued if you cannot step ashore because you failed to obtain one. Check the pass requirement before you commit to the trip, then keep proof of the pass available as you travel.

Crystal Lagoon adds the day’s most playful stop

From May through October, weather permitting, the cruise includes an additional 45-minute stop at either Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay. The exact location depends on conditions and operational decisions.

Crystal Lagoon is the more exciting option for many people. It is framed by cliffs and caves, and the boat may stop offshore so you can swim and snorkel directly from it. The water slide is lowered from the boat, and you may also be able to jump into the sea.

Several people singled out this stop as the high point of the day. That makes sense: it is less about finding a patch of shore and more about getting into the water quickly. The 45-minute limit keeps the stop lively, though it may feel short once you account for changing, waiting, and getting back aboard.

The stop is not guaranteed. It depends on weather and may be replaced by St. Nicholas Bay. You should also note that sea conditions can affect how comfortable the swim feels. One booking account specifically warned about jellyfish, so keep that possibility in mind during warmer months.

St. Nicholas Bay offers a quieter alternative

When conditions or operations call for it, the additional stop may be at St. Nicholas Bay instead. This inlet has two small sandy beaches and calm, shallow water.

It is a better match for someone who wants an easy swim rather than a dramatic cliff setting. Families may appreciate the shallow water, though the tour is not designed specifically as a children’s program and all standard sea safety precautions still apply.

Because the final choice is weather-dependent, you should treat Crystal Lagoon and St. Nicholas Bay as a bonus rather than the central promise of the day. The Blue Lagoon and Comino stop are the core of the experience.

A day on the boat, not just a beach transfer

The total duration is about 7.5 hours, commonly running from roughly 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That is a long day if you do not plan to swim or walk. One person who preferred sightseeing over beach time found the day lengthy, and that is a fair warning.

On the other hand, the schedule feels worthwhile if you use the time actively. You can combine the coastal cruise, a swim, a short hike, lunch, the island scenery, and a second swim stop. The boat has toilets, and staff provide assistance throughout the trip.

The crew has received strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and clear with departure instructions. Communication about the schedule is especially important on a free-time trip, and the crew generally explains when and where you must return.

Arrive early if you care about your seat. One booking account recommended arriving about 30 minutes before departure because the boat can fill quickly. A seat with a better view can make the outward cruise more enjoyable, especially if you want photographs.

Do not bring a large suitcase or oversized bag. Pets are not allowed, and the operator also excludes large luggage. Pack a small day bag with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and cash.

Seasonal differences matter more than the calendar suggests

Summer brings the warmest water, the extra swim stop, and the strongest chance of using the water slide. It also brings the largest crowds at the Blue Lagoon, less shade, and a livelier atmosphere. One booking account described the crowd as young, with plenty of people in their teens and twenties, though this is not a party cruise.

Spring and autumn can offer a more comfortable balance. You may find walking and photography more pleasant when the heat is less intense, although the Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop remains dependent on the May to October season and weather.

Winter changes the character of the trip. The focus shifts from swimming to fresh air, coastline views, and island walking. Comino has no cars or city development, so the quiet setting can still make the cruise worthwhile outside the main beach season.

A January booking account described a sheltered bay, shallow water, walking, caves, and snack vans. The water may not tempt everyone in winter, but the island is not only a summer swimming stop.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a budget-friendly full-day boat outing and do not need a private experience. It works well for couples, solo visitors, families who are comfortable around the sea, and friends looking for a mix of sightseeing and swimming.

It is also a good choice if you want freedom once you arrive. You are not tied to a guided route, so you can spend three hours swimming or use the same time for Comino’s trails and photo stops.

You may want a different option if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or prefer a quiet beach with guaranteed shade. The tour is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness, and it is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

The boat format also requires flexibility. The operator can alter the route because of weather or unexpected operating problems. The extra swim stop is not guaranteed, and the Blue Lagoon may be busy even when the weather is perfect.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino cruise?

Book it if you want the most activity for about $41: Malta’s northern coastline, a long Comino stop, the famous Blue Lagoon, sea caves, and a possible Crystal Lagoon swim with a boat slide. The strongest part of the experience is the generous free time, which lets you choose swimming, walking, or doing very little.

Before booking, arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass and select the afternoon slot. Then arrive early, pack light, bring cash, and expect crowds in summer.

I would skip it if your ideal day means a quiet, private cove or a short boat ride with no fixed schedule. For an affordable introduction to Malta’s coast and Comino, though, this is a well-organized and flexible choice, with a 4.6 rating from 362 bookings and particularly strong praise for the friendly crew, clear timing, and Crystal Lagoon stop.

FAQ

How long does the Comino cruise from Sliema last?

The cruise lasts about 7.5 hours. You spend approximately 3.5 hours on Comino, with an additional 45-minute swim stop from May through October when weather permits.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, anyone disembarking at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass through blcomino.com. Select the afternoon slot for this cruise, and remember that daily availability is limited.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy them on the boat, and snack and drink vans may be available on Comino. Bringing cash is recommended.

Is the Crystal Lagoon stop guaranteed?

No. From May to October, weather permitting, the cruise may stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay for about 45 minutes. The operator may change the itinerary because of weather or other operating conditions.

Is this a guided tour?

No. English commentary is provided over the PA system, and the crew gives assistance and return instructions, but your time at the stops is free time rather than a guided walking tour.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Large bags, oversized luggage, and pets are not allowed.