Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

Comino looks best from the water. This inexpensive Hornblower cruise gives you a full day of swimming, cliff views, caves, and sunbathing for about $36.28 per person. I like the generous 4.5-hour stop at the Blue Lagoon, and I like having the boat as a base, with toilets, food, shade, a slide, and easy access to the water.

The main catch is the crowd. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and the Blue Lagoon itself fills with boats and swimmers in peak season. If you want a quiet day, this is not the right choice. If you want an easy, social day at sea with plenty of time in the water, it offers very good value.

Quick points before you book

• Arrive early for the upper deck: Top-deck chairs are popular, and some people arrive about an hour early to claim the best spots.
• The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for 4.5 hours: You can swim from the boat, use the slide, visit Comino, eat onboard, or walk toward quieter bays.
• Captain Kevin adds useful context: The cruise includes commentary about St. Paul’s Island, Comino’s rocks, caves, and Santa Maria Tower.
• The speedboat cave trip costs €15: It is seasonal and cash only, but it takes you into the smaller caves and is one of the most popular extras.
• Bring cash and a towel: Payments onboard and on Comino are cash only. Towels are not included.
• Expect music and a lively mood: This suits families, couples, and younger groups who want fun on the water more than a silent boat ride.

Setting off from Bugibba Jetty at 10am

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The cruise leaves at 10am and returns around 5pm, giving you roughly seven hours from start to finish.

The meeting point is close to public transportation, and confirmation arrives when you book. There is no hotel pickup listed, so plan your own way to Dawret Il-Gzejjer and allow time to check in before boarding.

I would arrive well before departure. The upper deck is first come, first served, and the best chairs go quickly. You can still enjoy the trip from other parts of the boat, but the top level gives you the clearest views and the easiest place to stretch out in the sun.

The boat is not new, and the operator says so plainly. That matters if you expect a polished yacht. It is better understood as a practical day boat with seating, shade, a cafeteria, washrooms, a slide, and access to the sea.

St. Paul’s Island and Malta’s northern coast

The first part of the cruise works as both transport and sightseeing. You pass St. Paul’s Island, linked with the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck in Malta. A statue of the saint now sits on the tiny island, making it easy to spot from the water.

Captain Kevin provides commentary along the route, including religious and local history. This is not a formal guided tour with long lectures, but the explanations give the scenery some meaning as you pass it.

The boat then moves past Mellieha Bay, described as Malta’s largest beach. From the water, you get a useful sense of its size and position before heading toward Ahrax Cave.

Ahrax Cave is mainly a photo stop. The boat enters or passes close enough for good views, depending on conditions, and the rock formations make a strong contrast with the open sea. Coral Cove is another recognizable point before the boat crosses the channel toward Comino.

The route is one of the better reasons to choose a boat trip instead of simply taking transport to the Blue Lagoon. You see Malta’s coast, small islands, cliffs, and rock shapes in one continuous journey.

Cruising around Comino’s cliffs and rock formations

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. It is mostly known for the Blue Lagoon, but the cruise gives you a wider look at the island’s rough cliffs and unusual rock formations.

The boat circles around Comino, offering views from several angles. Keep an eye out for the Elephants Head, a distinctive natural rock shape. The exact order of the sights can change with sea and weather conditions, so the route may not look identical on every departure.

This part of the ride is especially good from the upper deck. Sit on the starboard side if you want the best chance of seeing Comino clearly, based on practical advice from people who have taken the cruise. Still, there is no bad view for long because the boat moves around the island.

The main weakness is that the boat can feel busy. Music plays throughout much of the day, and this is not a quiet nature cruise. I would choose a shaded lower deck spot if you want a break from the sun, music, or wind.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the heart of the day. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the boat uses its mooring as a base for swimming, food, facilities, and short walks on Comino.

You do not have to squeeze onto the small beach. You can jump directly from the boat, swim near the vessel, or use the large slide. The boat also has places for jumping into the water, making this a lively stop rather than a simple sightseeing pause.

The long stay is a major advantage. Many boat trips offer only a short swim, leaving you watching the clock. Here, you have more than enough time to swim, snorkel, eat, walk, and return to the boat when you need shade or a toilet.

The boat’s cafeteria sells food and drinks at prices described as reasonable. Available choices include meals, snacks, cocktails, ice cream, and popular pineapple drinks. Chicken burgers and chips have been singled out as a filling option, and food does not require you to leave the boat and search for a place on Comino.

You can also walk onto the island and return to the boat during the stop. That flexibility makes the trip work well for mixed groups. One person can stay near the slide, another can sit in the shade, and someone else can explore Comino.

The downside is the setting itself. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also one of Malta’s busiest water attractions. Boats, swimmers, music, and beach crowds can reduce the peaceful feel. If you want more space, stay on the boat for part of the day or walk away from the center.

Finding quieter water on Comino

A short walk from the Blue Lagoon takes you toward other parts of Comino. One useful option is Santa Maria Bay, which can be around 20 minutes away on foot. It is generally a better place to seek calmer surroundings than the main lagoon.

You may also find a tunnel or small cave reached by swimming around the rocks. Conditions vary, and you should follow crew guidance, especially around rocky entrances and boat traffic.

Swimming from the rocks can be awkward. One person described getting into the water as difficult in places, so wear secure footwear if you have it and do not treat every rocky ledge as an easy entry point.

The long stop lets you choose your own pace. You can make the day active with snorkeling, the slide, cave trips, and walking, or simply sit on deck and watch the water.

Crystal Lagoon and the optional cave speedboat

The cruise also passes Crystal Lagoon, a smaller bay with deeper water that is popular with divers and snorkelers. It is accessible by foot from the Blue Lagoon, with a walk of about eight minutes according to the tour details, though another practical estimate places Santa Maria Bay farther away.

The boat may visit Crystal Lagoon on the way to Comino or on the return journey. Weather and sea conditions decide the order, so do not depend on seeing it at a specific time.

The optional speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15 per person. It is offered seasonally, requires cash, and is purchased separately. The ride takes you closer into the caves than the main cruise and adds a faster, more active burst to an otherwise relaxed day.

I think it is worth considering if you enjoy short boat rides and unusual rock formations. It is less useful if your main goal is uninterrupted swimming time, since it uses part of your Blue Lagoon stop.

Bring cash for this add-on. The same applies to purchases onboard and on Comino. Snorkel equipment can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Lockers cost €2, and life jackets may be available with a deposit, according to the practical information provided onboard.

Food, seating, music, and comfort

The boat has a spacious shaded main deck and an upper sun deck. Deck chairs are included, but they are not reserved. Arriving early is the simple answer if you want a particular place.

The upper deck gives you sun and better views, while the lower deck offers shade and easier access to food and toilets. You can move around during the cruise, so do not panic if the best chair is already taken.

Food and drinks are a strong part of the value. You can buy meals, snacks, cocktails, soft drinks, and ice cream without paying premium prices associated with many island excursions. The pineapple drinks are a fun touch, but use the proper bins for the pineapple shells.

Music adds energy to the trip. Several passengers enjoyed the upbeat playlist, while others found the constant sound too loud. That split tells you exactly what sort of outing this is: social, casual, and playful rather than calm and refined.

The boat is suitable for a broad age range, and the slide makes it attractive for families. Still, rough seas can change the mood quickly. On unsettled days, some people may feel seasick, so bring any medication you normally use and choose a lower, more stable area of the boat if needed.

Is $36.28 good value?

At about $36.28, this is one of the less expensive ways to spend a full day around Comino. Your price includes the cruise, taxes, landing and facility fees, deck access, the slide, and restroom use.

The value comes from the time. You are not paying for a rushed look at the Blue Lagoon. You get transportation from Bugibba, coastal views, a cruise around Comino, and 4.5 hours to use the boat and island as you wish.

Extra spending is easy to control. You can bring your own towel and budget for only a drink, or buy lunch, rent snorkeling gear, and add the speedboat cave trip. Lunch is not included, and towels are not supplied.

The boat’s age is the tradeoff. If you judge value by modern fittings, this will feel basic. If you judge it by swimming time, views, facilities, and the low starting price, it makes a strong case.

The experience receives a 4.7 rating from 813 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it. That high level of approval fits the strongest parts of the day: friendly crew, good food prices, a long stop, and easy access to the water.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day outside without planning several separate activities. It suits families, groups of friends, couples who enjoy a lively setting, and solo visitors who want an organized day with staff nearby.

It is also a good choice if you have already visited Gozo or do not want a land tour. The main plan here is built around Comino and the Blue Lagoon, so you can spend your time swimming rather than being moved between several stops.

You should think twice if your priority is silence, low numbers, or a polished boat. During busy periods, the vessel can feel packed, and the Blue Lagoon can be crowded with other boats. Rough seas are another reason to check the forecast before you go.

For trips from October through May, bring a jacket or warm layer. The boat can feel chilly while cruising, even if the afternoon is pleasant. Sun cream, a towel, and cash belong in your day bag.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, and a cancellation caused by too few bookings offers the same basic choices.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want the best use of a modest budget and prefer a flexible day on the water. The long Blue Lagoon stop, onboard food, swimming slide, friendly crew, and optional cave ride give you plenty to do without paying for a string of extras.

Skip it if you want a quiet escape or dislike busy boats with music. For everyone else, especially families and active groups, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see Comino, swim in clear water, and return to Malta without complicated planning.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

What time does the tour run?

The cruise departs at 10am and returns around 5pm. The total experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop lasts about four hours and 30 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, use the slide, eat onboard, visit Comino, or relax on the boat.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, including meals, snacks, cocktails, and ice cream.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

How much does the cave speedboat cost?

The seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15. The ticket is purchased separately and cash is required.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sun cream, and cash. From October to May, or during the cooler months, bring a jacket or warm layer because the boat can feel chilly while cruising.