St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

Comino’s water is the star of this outing. This half-day speedboat trip gets you from St Julian’s to the Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes, with two things I especially like: fast access to Comino and time to swim, snorkel, or simply sit by the sea. The visit to St. Maria’s Caves adds a useful scenic extra, but the rough ride and limited seating comfort deserve serious thought.

I also like the choice of departure times, since you can leave at 9:30, 12:30, or 13:30. That makes it easier to fit around a Malta sightseeing day. The main drawback is the boat itself: it is a shared speedboat, passengers stay seated for the whole crossing, and rough waves can make the ride hard on your back.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon is reached in about 45 minutes, much quicker than a slower ferry crossing.
• St. Maria’s Caves are included, giving you a short coastal sightseeing stop before returning.
• Four hours at Comino is the main event, with swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, and paid sunbeds available.
• The speedboat can be rough, and one reported accident involved serious back injuries after a passenger was thrown by the waves.
• A Blue Lagoon access pass is now required, and you must reserve it through the official Comino website before the trip.
• The meeting point is at St George’s Bay, not a hotel pickup. Arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Why this Comino trip appeals to me

The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous swimming spots for good reason. The water is clear, bright, and inviting, and a boat gives you a pleasant sense of arrival. Instead of spending the whole day on a large ferry, you cross the water in a compact speedboat and reach Comino in roughly 45 minutes.

That shorter crossing is the strongest practical reason to consider this tour. If you are staying in St Julian’s and want a half-day sea outing, you can be at Comino before the day disappears. You also get a look at Malta’s east coast on the way out, including St Paul’s Islands, before the boat crosses toward Comino.

Still, I would not treat this as a gentle cruise. The speedboat is built for speed, not comfort. The seating is fixed for the crossing, passengers must hold on, and there are no promises of a smooth ride. If you have back trouble, heart problems, mobility limits, motion sickness, or a medical condition that makes a hard boat ride risky, this is not a sensible choice.

Finding the boat at St George’s Bay

The starting point is 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay. The directions are simple but worth following carefully: walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

This is not a door-to-door excursion. You need to make your own way to the base, then arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and a missed departure means losing the ticket. I would allow extra time if you are walking from another part of St Julian’s.

There are three listed departure options:

• 9:30, with a stated return at 13:00
• 12:30, with a stated return at 17:00
• 13:30, with a stated return at 17:30

The advertised duration is five hours, but these return times do not all equal five hours. That matters if you have dinner plans, an airport transfer, or another booked activity. Confirm the exact timing before you leave for the jetty, and check for any same-day change at the operator’s base.

The 45-minute ride along Malta’s east coast

Once the boat leaves St George’s Bay, the first part of the trip follows Malta’s east coast. You pass St Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino. From the water, this is a different view of Malta than you get from roads and town streets.

I like this part because the crossing is not just a transfer. You get a short coastal tour while moving toward the main stop. The speedboat also makes the journey feel efficient, especially compared with a slower vessel that can take longer to reach the lagoon.

The trade-off is comfort. You remain seated throughout the ride, and the boat can move sharply through waves. One passenger described being thrown upward on the return crossing and suffering two broken bones in the back. That is an alarming report, and it should not be brushed aside when deciding if this outing fits you.

Another account described the speedboat as having little protection beyond a barrier to hold and no life jacket being worn. Safety arrangements can vary by departure and conditions, but you should ask the crew about safety equipment before leaving. Hold on firmly, keep your belongings secure, and do not book this ride if you already know that rough water affects you badly.

One positive account praised the captain’s speed and said the family had a good time. That captures the split personality of this trip: the same speed that makes the ride exciting can make it unpleasant or painful when the sea is choppy.

Four hours around the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where you have free time for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. The clear water is the reason most people choose this trip, and the schedule gives you far more time at the lagoon than on the boat.

I would plan your priorities before you arrive. If swimming is your main goal, head straight for the water and use the available time well. If you prefer to sit in the sun, you can look for a paid sunbed. Food and drinks are also available to buy at the Blue Lagoon, but neither is included in the tour price.

The four-hour stop sounds generous, though the actual time depends on your selected departure and return schedule. The published times suggest that some departures provide less than the advertised five-hour total. Ask the operator how long your chosen option remains at Comino rather than assuming every departure follows the same pattern.

A practical concern is access control. From 29 April 2025, anyone visiting the Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. You need a valid pass with correct details. Without it, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon.

If your pass is missing or incorrect, the stated alternative is Santa Maria Bay, a nearby beach beside the Blue Lagoon. That is better than losing the whole beach stop, but it is not the same plan. Reserve the pass before your boat trip and check names and details carefully.

St. Maria’s Caves before the return trip

Before heading back, the boat visits St. Maria’s Caves in Comino. This is a short sightseeing element rather than a separate cave expedition, so set your expectations accordingly.

The caves add variety to a day otherwise centered on one swimming spot. You get to see more of Comino’s rocky coast and enjoy the boat from a different angle. If you are sitting on the correct side of the boat, you may have better views, but seating is not described as assigned and the boat is shared.

I like that the caves are included rather than offered as a separate add-on. It gives the five-hour outing a little more shape: coastal ride, Blue Lagoon free time, caves, and return to St George’s Bay.

Do not count on a long stop inside the caves. The information provided promises a visit and a cruise past or around them, not an extended walk, swim, or shore visit. The Blue Lagoon remains the focus.

Is $47 good value?

At $47 per person, this is reasonably priced if you mainly want transport to Comino, several hours at the Blue Lagoon, and a cave visit. You are paying for a shared speedboat transfer rather than a private charter, with the added benefit of reaching the lagoon quickly.

The value is strongest for someone staying near St Julian’s who does not want to arrange separate boat transport. It is also useful if your Malta schedule is tight. The boat ride, coastal views, Comino stop, and caves are bundled into one simple outing.

The price is less attractive if you need to add several extras. Food, drinks, and sunbeds cost more, and the Blue Lagoon access pass must be arranged separately. You should also remember that the experience does not include a private boat, hotel pickup, or a guaranteed gentle ride.

For a budget-conscious beach day, the price is fair. For a comfort-focused cruise, I would be cautious. The low fare does not change the physical nature of a small speedboat crossing.

Who should choose this speedboat tour?

I would suggest it to confident swimmers, active adults, and families with older children who enjoy a brisk ride. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older, and children under 3 are not suitable for the activity.

It can work well for you if your priority is reaching Comino quickly, spending most of the outing in the water, and returning to St Julian’s the same day. The English-speaking host or greeter also keeps the basic meeting process straightforward.

I would not choose it for pregnant women, people over 75, wheelchair users, or anyone with back, heart, or mobility problems. The activity also excludes people over 331 pounds, or 150 kilograms. Those restrictions are not minor fine print. The speedboat ride is central to the experience, and it can be physically demanding.

People prone to seasickness should also think twice. The trip includes around 90 minutes of boat travel in total, and the return crossing may be rougher than the outward leg. If you are unsure, a slower boat option may be easier, though this particular experience does not provide one.

What to pack and what to leave behind

Bring a towel and beachwear. You will want dry clothes after swimming, although the information provided does not promise changing facilities, lockers, or showers.

Bring sun protection and secure any small belongings before the boat moves. These are practical precautions for a beach stop and a fast ride, though only the towel and beachwear are specifically required.

Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed. If you are traveling with a young child, check the age rules before booking, since children under 3 are not suitable and children under 10 need an adult companion.

There is no need to pack food or a large picnic because food and drinks can be bought at the Blue Lagoon. Still, those purchases are extra, as are sunbeds. If keeping costs down matters, plan around the included boat transfer and bring only what you need for the beach.

Timing problems and the need to confirm

The schedule deserves more attention than it usually gets. The listed departure and return times do not all match the advertised five-hour duration, and one passenger reported that departure and return times were not kept or clearly communicated.

That does not prove every departure will run late, but it gives you a useful planning rule: do not book a tight connection after the tour. Allow a buffer before dinner, another cruise, or transport to the airport.

You should also confirm the Blue Lagoon pass, the chosen departure time, and the meeting instructions before the day begins. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, so punctuality is part of the bargain.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Malta plans are still changing. Those policies are useful, but they do not replace checking the safety and access rules.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon tour?

Book this trip if you want a quick, affordable way from St Julian’s to Comino, and you are comfortable with a shared speedboat that may hit waves hard. The clear lagoon, long swimming stop, east-coast views, and St. Maria’s Caves give you plenty for $47.

I would skip it if comfort, calm water, or easy access matters more than speed. The reports of painful impacts, timing problems, and a serious back injury make this a tour to approach with care, not a carefree boat ride for everyone.

If you book, reserve the official Blue Lagoon pass first, arrive at the black gate 15 minutes early, check the exact return time, and ask about safety equipment. With those points handled, this can be an efficient half-day escape to Malta’s most famous swimming spot.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon tour last?

The activity is advertised as five hours, but the listed departure and return times vary. The options shown are 9:30 to 13:00, 12:30 to 17:00, and 13:30 to 17:30, so confirm the exact duration for your selected departure.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ at St George’s Bay. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Since 29 April 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website. Incorrect or missing pass details can prevent entry, with Santa Maria Bay given as the alternative beach.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased at the Blue Lagoon, but they are not included in the $47 tour price. Sunbeds are also available for an additional cost.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. You should arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, since the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under 3 are not suitable. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Pregnant women are not allowed to take part, and the tour is also unsuitable for people with back, heart, mobility, or medical problems, as well as those prone to motion sickness.