From Sliema: Malta Cruise to Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves

Turquoise water comes with a crowd. This full-day cruise from Sliema gives you a simple way to reach Comino, with time at the Blue Lagoon, a seasonal swim at Crystal Lagoon, and views of Malta’s coast that are hard to get from land. I especially like the boat’s waterslide and the option to use the vessel as a shaded base during your long Comino stop.

The price of $42.24 per person is fair for a roughly seven-and-a-half-hour outing, especially since transport from Sliema, the swim stops, and the return cruise past the caves are included. The main drawback is crowding, both on the boat and at the Blue Lagoon, with rough seas making the ride unpleasant on windy days.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about three and a half hours, giving you time to swim, walk around Comino, eat, or stay aboard the boat.
• Crystal Lagoon is seasonal, usually available from May 1 through October 30 and only when weather and sea conditions allow.
• You need a free QR code to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon, and the required afternoon time slot is 13:31 to 17:30.
• The boat includes a waterslide and swimming access, so you are not limited to the crowded shore.
• The ride passes Sliema, St Julian’s, Balluta Bay, St George’s Bay, Bugibba, St Paul’s Island, and Mellieha Bay, though the quality of commentary can vary.
• The cruise can carry up to 200 people, so arriving early matters if you want a better seat outside.

Why this Sliema cruise works well for a Malta beach day

Malta’s best swimming water is not always easy to reach without a car, bus connections, or a separate boat transfer. This cruise solves that problem in one sweep. You walk to Luzzu Cruises at Ferries 4 on Triq Ix-Xatt in Sliema, board at 10:00 am, and return to the same place later in the afternoon.

I like the simplicity. You do not need to arrange a taxi to a harbor on the north side of the island, and you do not have to plan separate transport for Comino. The boat carries you out, provides toilets, shade, a bar, and swimming access, then brings you back to Sliema.

The tradeoff is that this is a busy shared cruise, not a quiet sailing trip. The boat may hold as many as 200 passengers, and some departures feel packed. If you want room to stretch out, arrive at least 30 minutes early. On especially full days, the upper deck seats can go quickly, leaving you below with a poorer view.

The morning ride past Malta’s northern coast

The cruise begins by passing the Sliema promenade, then heads north along the coast. You see St Julian’s and Balluta Bay while underway, followed by St George’s Bay and Paceville. These are familiar parts of Malta’s built-up coast, but the view from the water changes the scale and gives you a better sense of how the bays fit together.

The boat also passes Bugibba, St Paul’s Island, and Mellieha Bay. St Paul’s Island carries a special place in Maltese tradition because it is associated with the apostle Paul’s shipwreck in AD 60. It is a quick view from the water, not a shore visit, but the captain may point out sights along the way.

Commentary is not always consistent. Some departures include useful updates from the captain, while others rely mainly on prerecorded announcements that can be hard to hear. If you care about the history and geography, treat the ride as a scenic introduction rather than a guided sightseeing tour.

Sea conditions matter here. The early ride can be choppy, and several passengers have found the open-water crossing rough enough to feel sick. I would bring seasickness medicine if you are prone to motion sickness, and I would check the forecast before the cancellation window closes.

A quick look at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour

The boat pauses at Mgarr Harbour on Gozo for about five minutes. This is a photo stop and a transfer point for people who have booked a separate Gozo visit. You do not get time to explore Gozo on this cruise.

That short pause can be slightly confusing because some people leave the boat while others remain aboard. Keep your belongings with you and listen carefully for the departure instructions. After the Gozo transfer, the boat continues toward Comino.

The brief harbor stop is not a major reason to book this experience, but it adds another good coastal view. Mgarr Harbour is one of Malta’s most appealing approaches by sea, with boats, hills, and the small harbor town gathered around the water.

Swimming from the boat at Crystal Lagoon

In the warmer months, the first major stop is Crystal Lagoon, also referred to as St Nicholas Bay. The boat stays for about 45 minutes, normally allowing you to swim directly from the vessel and use the waterslide.

This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. You avoid the scramble for a patch of shore and can jump straight into the water from the boat. The slide gives children and playful adults something extra to do, while the boat provides shade and a place to leave your towel.

The exact location may change. The captain can choose between Crystal Lagoon and St Nicholas Bay depending on jellyfish, currents, wind, and sea conditions. That means the stop may not match the name you had in mind, but the cruise still aims to provide a swim in the Comino area.

Do not count on this stop outside the May through October season. It is also weather dependent during summer. On windy days, the boat may stop in water that feels rough rather than calm, so the experience can vary sharply from one departure to another.

Masks and snorkels are not included. You can rent them onboard for €5 per person. Food and drinks also cost extra, although the boat bar sells snacks and beverages. The available food has received mixed praise, so I would bring a small snack if you want more than simple onboard fare.

Three and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The longest stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino, with about three and a half hours of free time. You can go ashore, swim, walk around the island, buy food, or stay on the boat and use it as your base.

The water is the star. On a calm, sunny day, the color can be remarkable, and the contrast between pale seabed, rocky shore, and clear water makes the stop worth the boat ride. You can walk toward higher ground for broad views over Comino and the surrounding sea.

The Blue Lagoon is not a peaceful beach escape. It is one of Malta’s most popular sights, and the shore can be crowded even outside the main summer months. Finding a place near the water may be difficult, and shade on Comino is limited. If you leave the boat, take your hat, sunscreen, drinking water, and anything else you need for several hours.

There is an important access rule for 2025. If you want to get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon, you must register for a free QR code at blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot from 13:31 to 17:30. The pass is mandatory for going ashore, even though it is free.

Do this before the morning of your cruise if possible. Staff may help if you arrive without the pass, but check-in can become hectic, and a slow phone connection or incomplete registration is an avoidable nuisance.

The boat can be the smarter place to spend part of the stop. You get shade, toilets, drinks, and somewhere to sit. Some people go ashore first, then return to the vessel once the shore becomes too crowded. The boat’s swimming access and waterslide can make the water more enjoyable than squeezing into the main lagoon.

Pay close attention to the departure time. The cruise leaves at the advertised time and may not conduct a full head count. If you wander too far around Comino or lose track of the clock, you could miss the return boat.

The Comino caves on the way home

The return journey includes a scenic pass by Comino’s sea caves. You do not generally get a long cave stop, but the boat brings you close enough for photographs and a different view of the island’s rocky coast.

This part of the cruise is a welcome change after several hours of swimming and sun. The caves, cliffs, and narrow coastal cuts show why Comino looks so striking from the water. Sit where you can see out, but remember that the best outside seats may already be taken after the morning departure.

The boat then returns to the Luzzu Cruises departure point in Sliema. The full outing lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, though actual timing can shift with sea conditions, transfers, and the captain’s decisions.

What the boat experience is really like

The boat is best thought of as transport plus a floating base, not as a luxury yacht. Facilities can include shaded seating, toilets, a bar, a waterslide, and swimming access. That combination is valuable because the Blue Lagoon shore offers little comfort once crowds build.

Comfort depends heavily on capacity. With up to 200 people, a full boat can feel cramped, especially if you arrive shortly before departure. One recurring practical issue is that passengers who arrive 20 minutes early may already find the top deck full.

The crew receives strong praise for friendliness and helpful service on many departures. Some captains provide useful updates about Malta, Comino, and the sights along the route. Service is less reliable when the sea is rough or the boat is overloaded, and communication through the public-address system may be difficult.

The operator has also used a smaller boat when the larger vessel had a technical problem. That replacement still completed the route, but it offered less room. If the boat assigned to your departure looks different from the promotional photograph, ask staff about the change before boarding.

Keep valuables close and do not leave important items loose on deck. The operator accepts no responsibility for belongings left onboard. Bring a waterproof pouch for phones and money, especially if you plan to use the slide or jump into the sea.

Is $42.24 good value?

At $42.24 per person, I consider this a good-value way to spend a full day around Comino. The price covers the Sliema boat transfer, the seasonal Crystal Lagoon stop, the long Blue Lagoon visit, the return cave viewing, and use of the boat facilities.

You still need to budget for food, drinks, and optional snorkel rental. The onboard bar is convenient, but food choices may be limited. Comino has places to buy food, though relying on the island means dealing with queues and higher demand during the busiest hours.

The strongest value comes from convenience. You get more than a short ferry ride because the boat offers a swim stop, a slide, shade, and a long period in the Comino area. The weaker value appears when the sea is rough, the boat is packed, or Crystal Lagoon is skipped because of conditions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you should be offered another date or a full refund, subject to the operator’s minimum passenger requirement.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy, reasonably priced day on the water and do not mind sharing the experience with a large group. Families may appreciate the waterslide, onboard toilets, shaded seating, and the ability to return to the boat from the crowded shore.

It also suits people who want a long swim day without arranging several separate transfers. The boat stays useful throughout the outing, and you can choose between the island and the vessel instead of being forced to remain ashore.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet coves, personal service, or a relaxed beach day. The Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and the boat may feel full. Anyone sensitive to rough water should check the forecast and carry seasickness tablets.

For the best day, arrive early, complete the QR registration before departure, bring water and sun protection, pack a snack, and watch the clock at Blue Lagoon. Try to claim an outdoor seat on the way out, then use the boat as a shaded retreat when Comino becomes too busy.

My verdict: book it for convenience, not solitude

This is a practical way to see Comino from Sliema, with excellent swimming water, a fun slide, a seasonal second stop, and attractive views of Malta’s coast. The crew can be warm and helpful, and the price is sensible for the amount of time and transport included.

I would book it if your priority is a straightforward day trip with plenty of water time. I would skip it in favor of a smaller boat if your ideal outing means quiet coves, open deck space, and personal attention. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but no boat can remove the crowds that come with it.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Luzzu Cruises at Ferries 4, Triq Ix-Xatt, Sliema SLM 1023, Malta.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes and ends back at the Luzzu Cruises departure point in Sliema.

Is Crystal Lagoon included all year?

No. The Crystal Lagoon or St Nicholas Bay stop is seasonal and normally operates from May 1 through October 30, weather permitting.

Do I need a pass to get off at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. For 2025, you must register for a free QR code at blcomino.com and select the afternoon time slot from 13:31 to 17:30.

Are food, drinks, masks, and snorkels included?

Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase from the onboard bar. Masks and snorkels can be rented onboard for €5 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.