From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Speedboat

Blue water, fast boats, and very little fuss. This Comino trip is appealing because you reach the Blue Lagoon quickly from St. Julian’s, then get free time to swim, stroll, or simply sit by the sea. I especially like the speedboat transfer, which avoids a longer ferry ride, and the chance to see Comino’s sea caves on the way back. The main catch is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, especially in summer.

You choose from available departure times and tour lengths, making this a useful fit for a half-day in Malta. Just remember to arrange the government access pass before you go. Without it, you cannot step ashore at the Blue Lagoon and will instead be taken to Santa Marija Bay.

Key points at a glance

• Fast crossing from St. Julian’s: The boat reaches Comino in roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on conditions and the departure.
• Free time, not a guided walk: Once ashore, you explore Comino at your own pace rather than following a guide.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires a pass: Since May 2025, you must obtain the official government pass online before disembarking.
• Clear water and lively marine life: Swimming and snorkelling are the main attractions, with fish visible in the transparent water.
• Sea caves on the return: Weather permitting, the skipper takes you past Comino’s caves before heading back to St. Julian’s.
• A busy place at peak times: Deck chairs, food stands, toilets, showers, lockers, and water activities are available, but personal space can be limited.

Why the speedboat makes Comino easier

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and its Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous sights. That fame brings crowds, but it also means the bay is easy to add to a Malta holiday if you choose the right transport.

From St. Julian’s, this boat gives you a direct ride instead of making you arrange several connections. The crossing is advertised at about 45 minutes, while some departures have taken closer to 30 minutes. That difference depends on the boat, sea conditions, and operating plans, so I would treat the advertised timing as a useful guide rather than a promise.

The route follows Malta’s eastern coast and passes the St. Paul’s Islands. You get open-water views and the excitement of a quick ride, but this is transport with scenery rather than a full sightseeing cruise. The skipper may point out places along the route and provide a little commentary, though there is no dedicated tour guide.

I like that the speedboat keeps the day flexible. You are not tied to a long organized program, and you can choose a departure option that suits your plans. The total activity lasts about 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the option you book and the amount of free time included.

Finding the St. Julian’s jetty

The meeting point is behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s.

The access route is easy to miss if you are looking only for a large tour office. Near the hotel’s underground parking entrance, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

Give yourself extra time to find this entrance. The boat leaves from the jetty, not from a general hotel lobby meeting area, and a rushed start is a poor way to begin a fast crossing.

The host or greeter speaks English. The provider may use different boats from its fleet, so the vessel may not look exactly like the boat shown in promotional photographs. That is worth knowing if you are expecting a particular boat style.

The ride past St. Paul’s Islands

Once aboard, you head north along Malta’s eastern coast toward Comino. The speed is part of the fun, particularly if you enjoy being close to the water and watching the coast slip past quickly.

The route passes the St. Paul’s Islands, two small rocky islets with a strong connection to Malta’s religious and maritime traditions. The trip does not promise a long stop there, so think of them as part of the view rather than a separate visit.

A skipper may offer brief comments about sights along the way. One particularly lively skipper played music, added jokes, and gave short bits of history. That sort of atmosphere can make the transfer feel like part of the outing instead of a simple taxi ride.

The speedboat ride has a practical benefit too. You spend less time getting to Comino and more time at the bay. For a short Malta holiday, that can matter. You can fit in a swim at the Blue Lagoon without giving up an entire day.

Still, high speed is not ideal for everyone. The boat can move sharply over waves, and conditions may change during the day. Life jackets were provided on a rougher return crossing, and you should take the motion-sickness warning seriously. People prone to seasickness, those with back or heart problems, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments should choose another way to see Comino.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

The first view of the Blue Lagoon is the reason most people book this trip. The water shifts through clear blue and green tones, and the pale seabed makes the bay look almost unreal from the boat.

The lagoon is suitable for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkelling. Fish can be seen in the clear water, and the sheltered-looking bay creates an inviting place to cool off after the boat ride.

But do not mistake beautiful water for a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s busiest swimming spots. In July and August, you may find the shore packed, the water busy, and deck chairs in high demand. Even outside the main summer rush, the bay can feel crowded.

I would arrive ready for a lively public swimming area, not a private cove. The view is worth seeing, but the experience improves if you accept the crowds rather than expecting solitude. A walk away from the main landing area can give you a little breathing room and a different view of Comino.

The official access pass is now essential. From May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must reserve a government-issued pass through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and the pass is not included in the boat fare.

If you do not have the pass, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The boat will take you to Santa Marija Bay instead. That is not a minor technical detail, so arrange the pass before travel and keep proof of it available.

Making good use of your free time

This is not a guided Comino tour. After the boat drops you off, you are responsible for your own time and plans.

You can swim straight away, settle near the water, or walk around parts of the island. One useful approach is to spend some time at the lagoon, then take a stroll when the main swimming area feels too crowded. Comino is small, and walking gives you a better sense of the island than staying beside the landing point.

The amount of free time depends on the option you select. One shorter departure has provided about two hours at the Blue Lagoon, while other choices may allow longer. Check the exact start time and duration before booking, especially if swimming, lunch, and a walk are all on your list.

Facilities are available near the Blue Lagoon. You may find food and drink stands, toilets, rinse-off showers, paid lockers, and rental deck chairs. There are also activities such as banana boats and parasailing. These extras are not part of the basic boat fare, so budget separately if you want them.

Card payment is accepted by many vendors, including some deck-chair rentals, which is handy. Still, I would bring the essentials with you and avoid carrying anything you do not need. Large bags, luggage, strollers, baby carriages, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed on the boat.

A towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and comfortable shoes belong in your small day bag. The boat does not include food or drinks, so bring water or plan to buy refreshments on Comino. If you want one of the popular pineapple drinks, pack a small fork. The pineapple cup may come without one, leaving the fruit at the bottom harder to enjoy.

Walking beyond the crowded shoreline

The Blue Lagoon is the headline, but Comino rewards a little movement. The island is known for its open countryside and rough walking paths, and even a short stroll can change the mood from packed swimming area to quiet island outing.

Wear shoes that can handle uneven ground. Flip-flops may be fine for the boat and water, but comfortable shoes are specifically recommended for the island.

You will not have a guide explaining every corner, and that is both a strength and a weakness. I like the freedom to stop when I want, take photographs, or return to the water without waiting for a group. If you want detailed stories about Comino’s past or a structured walk, this is not the right format.

The lack of a guide also means you need to watch the time. Keep track of the agreed pickup time at the Blue Lagoon and return to the meeting point early. A free-time trip works best when you treat the boat schedule as fixed.

Sea caves on the return journey

The return is more than a repeat crossing. If weather and sea conditions allow, the skipper takes the boat past Comino’s sea caves.

These caves are one of the most enjoyable parts of the outing because you see a different side of Comino from the water. The rock formations and changing light make a good contrast with the bright open bay at the Blue Lagoon.

The cave visit is weather-dependent, so it should not be treated as guaranteed. Rough water may make the route unsuitable, and the skipper has to put safety first. The sea can also feel stronger on the way back, even if the outward crossing was smooth.

This is another reason to use motion-sickness prevention if you need it. Sit where you feel most stable, hold on when the boat speeds up, and do not assume a calm morning guarantees a calm afternoon.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, the trip is reasonably priced if you value time and direct transport. The fare covers the speedboat ride in both directions, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time at Comino, and the return route past the caves when conditions permit.

You are not paying for a full guided excursion, lunch, deck chair, locker, or water activity. Those costs remain separate, as does the government access pass for the Blue Lagoon.

The value is strongest for people staying in or near St. Julian’s who want a simple half-day outing. You avoid arranging your own boat connection, and the fast ride can leave room for other Malta plans.

The value is weaker if you dislike crowds or want a quiet beach. The Blue Lagoon itself is free of admission in the normal sense, but its popularity means you are paying for access by speedboat, not for privacy. If the bay is too crowded for your taste, the walk around Comino and the cave route help make the fare feel more worthwhile.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and independent visitors who want to see Comino without committing to a full-day cruise. It also suits anyone who likes a lively boat ride and wants to reach the Blue Lagoon quickly.

Families with children under three cannot join. The boat is also unsuitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, and anyone prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

For everyone else, the key question is your tolerance for crowds. Go early if your schedule allows, secure the access pass first, and use some of your free time to walk away from the main bay. That approach gives you more than a quick swim and a photograph.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies are useful if your Malta plans depend on weather, but they do not remove the need to check sea conditions and the Blue Lagoon pass.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat take from St. Julian’s to Comino?

The advertised journey to the Blue Lagoon is about 45 minutes. Some departures have taken around 30 minutes, depending on the boat and sea conditions.

How long is the whole experience?

Available options last between 2.5 and 4.5 hours. Check the selected departure and duration because the amount of free time at Comino varies.

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

Yes. Since May 2025, visitors must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily availability is limited.

What happens if I do not have a Blue Lagoon access pass?

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. You will instead be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The time at Comino is independent, with free time to swim, walk, sunbathe, or explore. The English-speaking skipper or greeter may provide brief commentary during the boat ride.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price. You may buy refreshments from stands at the Blue Lagoon.

Are the sea caves guaranteed?

No. The return visit to the Comino sea caves depends on weather and sea conditions.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and motion-sickness prevention if needed.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

No. Non-folding wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, baby strollers, baby carriages, and large bags are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want quick access to Comino and are happy to explore without a guide. The speedboat, clear water, free time, and sea caves offer a lot for $53, especially on a short Malta visit.

Skip it if you want peace and quiet, a long guided tour, or a gentle ride. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful but crowded, and the crossing can be rough. Secure your access pass, pack light, check the sea conditions, and plan to walk beyond the busiest shoreline. With those points handled, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see one of Malta’s most striking bays.