Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves Cruise

The Blue Lagoon is only half the story. This family-run Hornblower cruise packs Comino’s caves, coastal views, swimming, snorkeling, a 10-meter slide, and 4.5 hours at the famous lagoon into a lively day on the water. I especially like the boat’s private-feeling mooring area and the freedom to stay aboard, rather than being dropped on a crowded shore.

I also like the practical touches: Captain Kevin points out Malta’s sights as you cruise, and the boat sells reasonably priced food and drinks. The main catch is the ride itself, which can get very bumpy, and the Blue Lagoon now requires a free time-slot QR code from Maltese authorities.

What Makes This Cruise Worth Considering

• A 4.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop: You have time to swim, snorkel, eat, sunbathe, use the slide, or walk ashore without rushing.
• A boat that remains your base: The vessel moors in a quieter part of the lagoon, with toilets, a café, lockers, shade, deck chairs, and easy water access.
• Cave viewing along both sides of Comino: The route includes Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, Crystal Lagoon, and other coastal sights.
• A 10-meter slide and jumping platform: This is a big hit with children and anyone who prefers their swimming with a little noise and splash.
• Optional speedboat trip: For €15 in cash, you can take a separate ride around Comino’s small caves.
• An early arrival pays off: The upper-deck deck chairs are limited, so arriving 45 minutes to an hour early gives you the best chance of claiming one.

From St. Paul’s Bay to Malta’s Northern Coast

The cruise begins at Sirens Quay 24 in St. Paul’s Bay, behind the LOA restaurant. Look for the large white and blue Hornblower boat with the company name in red. Three nearby bus stops are Parades, Bandieri, and Toni, and free parking is available in white roadside spaces and at a small parking area near the departure point.

I would arrive at least 45 minutes early, and closer to an hour if you want an upper-deck chair. The chairs are limited, and one of the clearest practical tips from the day is simple: get aboard early, settle in, and then enjoy the views without hunting for a place later.

The boat heads north along Malta’s coast. Captain Kevin provides information about the sights, and the trip has the relaxed feel of a family-run outing rather than a silent transfer. Music, food, drinks, and a friendly crew add to the holiday mood, although the atmosphere is more cheerful day boat than quiet nature trip.

The first sights include St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul. The route then continues toward Ahrax Point and the Coral Lagoon. These are mainly passing views and photo stops, so keep your phone ready, but do not expect a long shore visit at each place.

Sit on the left side when possible. That side gives you a better look at Comino as the boat passes, especially when the crew points out coastal features. Space and visibility can change as people move around, but this is a useful position for photos.

Ahrax Cave and the Coastal Scenery

The boat makes quick stops at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. You get a close view from the water and a chance to photograph the rock openings, clear water, and steep coastal edges. These stops are short, so the value is in seeing the caves from the boat rather than exploring them on foot.

The cruise continues through the north channel of Comino. Along the way, you pass the distinctive Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel. Captain Kevin’s commentary helps turn a string of attractive views into a more understandable route, especially if you have not studied a map of the islands before.

This part of the cruise is best enjoyed from the outer deck. You can take photos, listen to the explanations, or simply watch the changing rock formations. The boat may move quickly and the sea can be rough, so hold onto loose items and protect cameras and phones.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning seriously. One of the main weaknesses of this outing is the possibility of a very bumpy ride, especially when the boat is moving between stops. The upper deck may offer more air, while the main deck provides some shade, but neither guarantees a smooth trip.

Arriving at Blue Lagoon for 4.5 Hours

After about an hour, the boat reaches Comino and moors in the Blue Lagoon area. The scheduled stop is expected to run from 11:00 to 15:20, though you should check the departure details available for your date. The boat stays put, giving you a stable base for the long stop.

This is one of the cruise’s strongest features. Instead of being left with only the crowded shoreline, you can return to the boat for shade, food, a toilet, a locker, a deck chair, or another swim. The mooring area is described as a more secluded, less crowded section of the lagoon, although the Blue Lagoon itself remains one of Malta’s busiest swimming sights.

The water around the boat is about three meters deep. You can enter from the boat using the steps, slide, or jumping area, then climb out again with the onboard steps. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can use a buoyancy aid with a €10 deposit or enter from the beach.

The lagoon’s water is the star of the day. It is famously clear and blue, and the long stop lets you enjoy it at your own pace rather than squeezing in a rushed swim. You can snorkel, float, sunbathe, or get off to explore Comino independently.

The 10-meter slide is included. It adds a playful edge to the stop and is particularly useful for families with children who may tire of ordinary swimming. The boat also provides deck chairs on the upper deck, but there are only a limited number, which is another reason to arrive early.

The main deck has shade, and the upper deck is the place for sunbathing and wide views. If you plan to spend much of the day aboard, bring sunscreen and reapply often. The combination of sun, reflected light from the water, and wind can catch you out quickly.

Snorkeling, Food, and Boat Facilities

The boat has male and female toilet facilities and a cafeteria serving hot and cold drinks. Food and drink prices are described as reasonable, and an onboard mini grill gives you a way to buy lunch without leaving your swimming base.

You may bring your own towel, swimwear, and sunscreen, but lunch is not included. The café is convenient, particularly during a 4.5-hour stop, though bringing some cash and planning your appetite is sensible. Fun drinks served in pineapples have also been available, adding a holiday touch, but drink quality and presentation may vary.

Masks and snorkels can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is required, with €10 refunded, so the final rental cost is €5. If you already have your own gear, bring it. If not, the onboard rental makes a quick swim in the clear water easy.

Lockers are available for a fee, but numbers are limited. I would avoid bringing valuables unless you need them, and I would arrange a locker early if you want one. A towel, phone, sunscreen, and a small amount of cash are the core items for most people.

The toilets could be cleaner, according to some of the practical feedback about the boat. This is not a reason to reject the cruise, but it is fair to set expectations: the facilities are useful, not luxurious.

The Optional Speedboat Around Comino’s Caves

During the Blue Lagoon stop, you can pay €15 in cash for an optional speedboat ride around the smaller caves near Comino. This is not included in the cruise price, but it is often described as one of the most exciting additions to the day.

The speedboat gives you a closer, faster look at the cave openings and rock formations. Guides explain what you are seeing, and the ride adds a change of pace after several hours of swimming and sitting on the larger boat.

Bring €15 in cash if you think you will want to join. The information provided does not include a card payment option for this add-on, so do not rely on a phone or bank card at the last moment.

The speedboat is optional, and the cruise remains worthwhile without it. I would treat it as a good extra for active visitors who want more time close to the caves, not as a required part of the package.

Gozo, Crystal Lagoon, and Saint Mary’s Tower

At the end of the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat heads toward Gozo without stopping there. It cruises around Mgarr Harbour, giving you views of Gozo’s main harbor area from the water. This is sightseeing from the boat, not a land visit, so do not book this cruise if your goal is to explore Gozo on foot.

The return route uses Comino’s south channel. You pass Crystal Lagoon and its caves, with about 10 minutes of guided sightseeing and photo opportunities. Crystal Lagoon is another attractive swimming area, but on this trip it is mainly viewed from the boat rather than offered as a separate long swimming stop.

The route also passes Saint Mary’s Tower, one of Comino’s best-known landmarks. You get a photo stop and a chance to see it from the water, along with more views of the island’s rocky coast.

This final section gives the cruise a useful sense of place. You are not simply shuttled to one beach and back. The route shows how close Malta, Comino, and Gozo are to one another, while the different channels and caves give the return journey its own character.

What the $34 Price Really Buys You

At about $34 per person, this is good value if you want a full day built around the Blue Lagoon. The price includes the cruise, 4.5 hours at the lagoon, cave viewing, the slide, and use of the boat as a base. You also get commentary, toilets, shade, swimming access, and a route past several major sights.

You will pay extra for lunch, drinks, lockers, snorkel equipment, and the optional speedboat ride. Those costs are easy to manage, but they can raise the final bill. If you add food, a locker, snorkel hire, and the €15 cave ride, the day becomes more expensive than the advertised fare.

The strongest value comes from the long lagoon stop. A shorter boat trip may cost less, but it can leave you with barely enough time to swim before moving on. Here, you have time to try several activities and still return to the deck chair.

The boat also saves you from needing to arrange separate transport between Malta and Comino. The tradeoff is a fixed schedule and a large shared boat, so this is not the choice for a private, silent, or highly flexible outing.

Who Will Enjoy This Best

Families are a natural match. The slide, easy steps, swimming area, deck space, and available buoyancy aid make the day simple for children and mixed-age groups. Parents can stay aboard while children swim, and the long stop avoids constant packing and unpacking.

It also suits first-time visitors to Malta who want to see Comino’s main sights in one outing. Captain Kevin’s explanations, the coastal route, and the views of Gozo and the caves give you useful orientation.

I would recommend it to people who like a social boat day with music, food, swimming, and a relaxed crew. It works particularly well if you prefer to keep the boat as your base instead of spending the whole day on a crowded shore.

It is less suitable if you dislike rough water, need a quiet cruise, have significant mobility limitations, or want a detailed visit to Gozo. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the boat’s facilities are practical rather than polished.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule also matters. From May 19, 2025, visitors need a free QR code showing an assigned time slot. The cruise’s planned Blue Lagoon stop runs from 11:00 to 15:20, so you need both a morning and an afternoon access slot through blcomino.com.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

• Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early, especially if you want an upper-deck chair.
• Confirm the exact meeting point with your taxi driver: Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Paul’s Bay, behind LOA restaurant.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.
• Carry €15 in cash for the optional speedboat ride.
• Bring extra cash for lunch, drinks, lockers, or snorkel hire.
• Sit on the left side for better views of Comino on the outward route.
• Use the boat’s buoyancy aid if you are not comfortable in three-meter-deep water.
• Check the Blue Lagoon QR code requirement before setting out.
• If motion sickness is an issue, prepare for a potentially bumpy ride.

Should You Book the Hornblower Cruise?

Book it if you want a full, active day around Comino at a reasonable starting price. The long Blue Lagoon stop, onboard slide, cave views, friendly crew, and boat-based facilities make it more useful than a simple drop-off-and-pick-up service.

Think twice if you want peace, a small private vessel, or a smooth ride. You will also need to budget for extras and handle the new Blue Lagoon access pass.

For most families, first-time Malta visitors, and anyone eager to swim in clear water without giving up shade, toilets, food, and a place to rest, this is a strong choice. Arrive early, bring cash, secure your QR code, and consider adding the speedboat ride if caves are high on your list.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from Hornblower Cruises Malta at Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, in St Paul’s Bay. The boat is behind the LOA restaurant and has Hornblower written in red on its side.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts between 4 and 7 hours, depending on the selected starting time. The Blue Lagoon stop itself lasts about 4.5 hours.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop is from 11:00 to 15:20. Check the available schedule for your booking date.

Is the slide included?

Yes. The boat includes a 10-meter slide into the water.

Are deck chairs included?

Yes, deck chairs on the upper deck are included, but the number is limited. Arrive early if you want one.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent, with a €15 deposit and €10 refund.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are available to purchase from the onboard cafeteria and mini grill.

Is the speedboat cave ride included?

No. The optional speedboat ride costs €15 and is payable in cash on site.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. From May 19, 2025, visitors need a free QR code showing their assigned Blue Lagoon time slot. Details are available at blcomino.com.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Cash is also useful for the optional speedboat ride, food, drinks, lockers, and equipment rental.