Malta: Gozo, Comino, Sea Caves, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Small boats make big lagoon days better. This Comino cruise takes only 24 passengers, which I like because the boat can get closer to caves and shoreline spots than the big sightseeing vessels. I also like the generous swim breaks at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, plus the free stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles. The main drawback is that this is still a popular route, so Blue Lagoon may feel crowded, and anyone prone to seasickness should think twice.

From Cirkewwa, the boat circles Comino and includes several different kinds of stops: swimming, beach time, sightseeing, and short photo visits. The crew member Johnny receives especially warm praise for being friendly, punctual, and helpful, but the experience remains weather-dependent. Rough water can force a change of plan, and the smaller boat may feel lively when the sea is choppy.

Key points at a glance

• Only 24 passengers: A smaller group means more room and closer access to caves than many large boats.
• Three swim areas: You get 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, about an hour at Blue Lagoon, and 45 minutes at Santa Maria Bay.
• Free water toys: A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are included, while snorkeling equipment can be rented onboard.
• Seven Comino highlights: The route includes Comino Tower, Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.
• Blue Lagoon QR code required ashore: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore.
• Good value at $32: The price covers the boat, crew, lagoon permits, parking, toilet, shade, and several hours of sightseeing and swimming.

Why this 24-passenger boat works well

The best reason to choose this outing is its scale. With room for only 24 people, it feels more personal than a large ferry-style cruise. You can hear the guide more easily, move around without quite as much crowding, and get closer to the entrances of the sea caves.

That smaller size also matters when you want to swim. The boat can stop near suitable water rather than simply dropping you at one packed beach. You still need to judge conditions carefully, but the setup gives you more freedom to swim near the boat, use a noodle, or try the paddleboard.

The boat has shaded areas, an onboard toilet, and space to relax between stops. These are simple comforts, but they matter under the strong Maltese sun. You can buy drinks onboard, and food is available at the beach stops, though I would bring a snack and some cash rather than depend on finding exactly what you want.

The crew speaks English and Maltese. Johnny is repeatedly praised for clear instructions, good timing, and a friendly manner. That is useful on a short cruise with several stops, since you need to know when to return to the boat and how long you have at each place.

Cirkewwa departure and the first views of Comino

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn left around the corner to reach the boat. This is not a grand terminal, so allow a little time to find the correct access point rather than arriving at the last second.

Free parking is available at the meeting point, a valuable perk if you have a rental car. The activity ends back at the same place, which makes it easier to fit into a day based around northern Malta.

The first part is a sightseeing cruise of roughly 15 minutes. You pass Comino Tower, known to film fans as a location associated with The Count of Monte Cristo. The tower gives the rocky coast a strong historic marker, while the contrast between pale stone and clear blue water quickly sets the tone for the trip.

This opening stretch is not a guided history tour in the formal sense. The appeal is the view, the changing shoreline, and the chance to settle into the boat before the first swim.

Crystal Lagoon: the best early swim stop

Crystal Lagoon sits on the western side of Comino and is known for unusually clear water. The boat stays for about 45 minutes, giving you time to swim, use a mask, look for marine life, or try the stand-up paddleboard.

This is one of the most rewarding parts of the route because it combines a short boat approach with water time away from the main Blue Lagoon shore. The name is apt: the water can appear almost glassy in good conditions, with pale shallows and deeper blue patches around the rocky edges.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and something easy to carry back aboard. Snorkeling gear is not included as standard, although it can be rented onboard. Some people have found the crew generous about equipment, but you should not count on complimentary masks being available every time.

The 45-minute limit is long enough for a proper swim, but not for a slow beach afternoon. If you want to paddle, snorkel, and swim, organize yourself quickly. The crew will tell you when it is time to return.

Blue Lagoon and the new shore-entry rule

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop. Sunlight reaches the shallow sandy bottom, producing the bright water that fills so many Malta photographs. The boat spends about an hour here, with time for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, sunbathing, or exploring the shore.

The important practical detail is the Blue Lagoon access QR code. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto the Blue Lagoon shore must obtain a free QR code in advance at www.blcomino.com. Entry is assigned to a morning, afternoon, or sunset time slot, so your code must match the timing of your cruise.

You do not need the QR code if you stay on the boat. That option may suit you if you want the view without dealing with the crowded shore, or if the water is too rough for a comfortable swim. Ask the crew if you are unsure how the timing applies to your departure.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also the busiest stop. Do not expect a quiet, empty cove in high season. The advantage of arriving by this small boat is that you can choose how to use the hour: swim from the boat, go ashore with the correct QR code, or stay in the shade and watch the activity from the water.

Some accounts describe longer Blue Lagoon time, but the advertised schedule gives about one hour. Treat the stated duration as your planning guide, especially if you need to connect with another activity afterward.

Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, and Comino’s quieter side

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues along Comino for sightseeing. Halfa Rock, also called Gebla tal Halfa, is a pass-by stop with about 15 minutes for views. It is a good reminder that Comino offers more than famous swimming spots: its cliffs and exposed rock formations are the real visual backbone of the cruise.

You also pass San Niklaw Bay and the hotel on Comino. This section is mostly about seeing the island from the water rather than taking a long walk. If you prefer a nonstop sequence of swims, the sightseeing stretches may feel slow. I find them useful because they break up the water time and let you see parts of Comino that you might miss from one beach.

The crew points out what you are looking at and explains the remaining schedule. That basic commentary is enough to keep the route understandable without turning the trip into a lecture.

Santa Maria Bay for swimming and a little exploring

Santa Maria Bay brings another 45-minute stop. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, relax on the sand, or walk and look around onshore.

This is a useful third water stop because it gives you another chance to swim if Blue Lagoon is too crowded. It also adds variety. Crystal Lagoon is mainly a clear-water swimming stop, Blue Lagoon is the famous spectacle, and Santa Maria Bay offers a more relaxed beach setting.

The stop may feel long in cooler months, especially if you are not planning to enter the water. One winter visit included pleasant weather but made the 45 minutes at Santa Maria Bay feel longer because swimming was not appealing. In summer, the same length of time should be much easier to use.

Bring cash for food and drinks at the beach stops. The cruise does not include meals, and the supplied information specifically recommends carrying cash. Keep your belongings simple and secure, since you may be moving between boat, beach, and water several times.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock by boat

The final sightseeing section focuses on the coast itself. Santa Maria Caves receive about 10 minutes, usually enough to approach the openings, take photographs, and see the rock forms from the boat.

The small vessel is a real advantage here. It may be able to approach cave entrances more closely than a much larger boat, although the exact route depends on wind and waves. If the sea is rough, the skipper may skip or alter a section for safety. That happened on some outings, but the cruise still included plenty of views and sightseeing.

Elephant Rock is the last major photo stop. Its shape is best appreciated from the water, so have your camera ready before the boat reaches it. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, and it is more about a memorable image than a long visit.

From there, the boat returns to Cirkewwa. The advertised duration is three to four hours, though timing can change with weather, sea conditions, and the exact flow of the day. If you must catch a flight, ferry, or timed appointment, leave a sensible buffer.

What is included, and what costs extra

At $32 per person, this is strong value for a short Malta boat outing. You are paying for a crewed cruise with several stops, lagoon permits, marina fees, free parking, shade, a toilet, and use of the paddleboard and swim noodles.

That price is especially fair if you plan to swim at all three water stops. A larger cruise may offer a similar route, but the smaller passenger limit and closer cave access give this trip practical value beyond the basic ticket.

You need to budget separately for:

• Food at beach stops
• Drinks onboard or onshore
• Snorkeling equipment rental
• Any personal beach purchases

Life jackets are available for emergencies, though they are not presented as standard wear for every passenger. Ask the crew if you want one or need clarification.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable for its size, but do not mistake a 24-passenger boat for a private charter. You will share the seating, shade, toilet, and water equipment with the group.

Weather, comfort, and who should skip it

Sea conditions can change the character of the trip. On a calm day, the ride is easy and the swimming stops are the main attraction. On a windy day, the boat may feel like a fast amusement ride, and the crew may remove a stop or change the order.

This is not suitable for people with motion sickness. If that is a concern, bring whatever remedy you normally use and choose a calmer day if possible, though the operator cannot control the sea. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or anyone over 95 years of age.

Families can enjoy it, and the small boat has worked well for groups with teenagers and younger children. Still, children should be comfortable boarding a boat, climbing in and out for swims, and managing sun, salt water, and changing conditions.

The shaded section helps, but you still need sunscreen, beachwear, a towel, and water. Wear something that dries reasonably quickly and avoid bringing more than you can manage on a wet deck.

Booking advice and final verdict

I would book this cruise if you want a compact way to see Comino’s main water sights without spending a full day on a large boat. The combination of three swim areas, sea caves, Elephant Rock, a toilet, free parking, and a 24-person limit makes $32 a sensible price.

You should choose it with realistic expectations. Blue Lagoon will not be peaceful at peak times, the beach stops are not private, and the route can change in rough weather. You may also find the third beach stop too long outside the warmest months.

For the best day, secure the Blue Lagoon QR code before departure, arrive with cash, pack your own snack, and bring a towel and sunscreen. I especially recommend it for couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat with a friendly crew over a mass-market cruise.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Cirkewwa Cafe in Cirkewwa, Mellieha. Find the boat behind the kiosk cafe by going down the stairs behind the cafe and turning left around the corner.

Where does the cruise finish?

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at Cirkewwa Cafe.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people can the boat accommodate?

The boat accommodates up to 24 passengers.

Is food included?

No. Food can be bought at the beach stops.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks can be purchased onboard or at the beach stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but you can rent it onboard.

Is the stand-up paddleboard included?

Yes. A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are free to use.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

You need a free, time-specific QR code if you want to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore from May 1, 2025. You can obtain it in advance at www.blcomino.com. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people with motion sickness?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with motion sickness. It is also not suitable for pregnant women or people over 95 years old.