From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

The best part of this six-hour cruise is simple: you get three proper swim stops, not a quick photo pause. The Blue Lagoon brings the famous turquoise water, Crystal Lagoon gives you cliffs and sea caves, and Halfa Rock Bay offers a quieter cove on Gozo.

I like the smaller boat, with room to sit in the sun or shade, and I like the crew’s calm, helpful approach. Danny and Ali are named by many passengers, while Wes and Chandler have also earned warm praise. The main catch is the Blue Lagoon itself: beautiful from the water, but often crowded on shore.

I also like that the boat stays near the Blue Lagoon beach, so you can swim from the vessel instead of joining the tight squeeze on land. Bring cash for the modestly priced bar, pack your own food if you get hungry, and secure the government access pass before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Three long swim stops: Allow roughly two hours at the Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Halfa Rock Bay.
• A smaller Pegasus boat: You get more room than on the largest party boats, with sun loungers, shaded seating, toilets, and a shower.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs a pass: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore, and the morning slot is required for this cruise.
• The boat can be the better Blue Lagoon base: Stay aboard, jump or swim from the boat, and avoid the packed beach.
• Good value at $47: You get a full day on the water, three swim locations, scenic cruising, and crew assistance without paying separately for transport between bays.
• Best for confident swimmers: This is not suited to wheelchair users, people with mobility limits, or anyone prone to seasickness.

Three bays, six hours, and plenty of time in the water

This trip is built around swimming rather than sightseeing from a distance. You leave from Marfa Bay in Mellieħa and spend most of the day moving between Comino and Gozo, with three planned breaks where you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard.

That timing matters. Many boat outings stop for only 20 or 30 minutes, which can feel rushed once you find your towel, goggles, and ladder. Here, the Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, Crystal Lagoon gets about an hour, and Halfa Rock Bay gets another hour.

The boat is the white Pegasus, departing from Marfa Jetty across from the Riviera Spa Resort. If the jetty is not obvious, look for the provider’s office beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre. That small detail can save you from wandering around the port with a towel over your shoulder.

The crew speaks English and gives practical instructions about each location. Names that come up often are Danny and Ali, with Wes and Chandler also part of the friendly crew mentioned on different departures. The atmosphere is more relaxed than a large party boat, though music is played during the trip.

The Blue Lagoon: famous water, crowded shore

The first major stop is the Blue Lagoon on Comino. Its clear cyan water and pale sandy bottom explain why it is Malta’s best-known swim site. From the boat, the color is striking, especially when the sun is high and the water turns bright turquoise around the vessel.

You have a choice here. You can swim from the boat, relax on deck, or go ashore for a walk and beach time. The boat anchors near the lagoon rather than putting you directly on the sand, so staying aboard does not mean missing the water.

In fact, remaining on the Pegasus may be the smarter choice during the busiest summer hours. The shore can be packed, shade can be hard to find, and the beach area becomes a tight patch of sand between people, umbrellas, and day-trippers. From the boat, you can still swim toward the shore, use a pool noodle, and return to a quieter deck when you have had enough.

Since May 2025, you need a government access pass to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon. Get it online through blcomino.com before your trip, select the morning slot, and keep the pass downloaded on your phone. The daily allocation is limited, and the operator cannot refund you if you arrive without the required pass.

The pass rule is easy to overlook because it is not part of the $47 cruise price. Treat it as essential preparation, not an optional extra. If your main goal is swimming, the boat itself gives you a useful alternative. If you want to walk onto Comino or use the beach, the pass is mandatory.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and the best swim setting

After the Blue Lagoon, the Pegasus heads toward Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west side. This is the more dramatic swimming setting, with high rock walls, open views, and sea caves around the sheltered water.

I would plan to use this hour for an active swim. The lagoon is well suited to snorkeling, and the caves give you something to explore beyond simply floating in the sun. Snorkel equipment can be rented aboard for a small fee, but supplies are first come, first served, so bring your own if you have it.

The boat stops in the lagoon, giving you the unusual pleasure of entering the water from the middle rather than from a crowded shoreline. You can swim around the vessel, look toward the cliffs, and take in the full 360-degree setting. The water is the star here, but the rock formations make this stop feel more special than a standard beach break.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good reason to bring sturdy water shoes if you already own a pair, though they are not listed as required equipment. The supplied information specifically calls for swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat, so pack around those basics first.

The one-hour stop passes quickly if you want to snorkel, explore a cave, and dry off before departure. Listen carefully for the crew’s return instructions. One passenger once needed extra help getting back to the boat after a swim, and the crew waited, which is reassuring, but you should still keep track of the departure time yourself.

Halfa Rock Bay: the quieter final stop

The third stop is Halfa Rock Bay on Gozo’s southeast coast. This small cove feels calmer than the Blue Lagoon, with a pebbly beach and a little offshore islet sitting at the edge of the bay.

The appeal is peace and space. During the busy season, this bay can retain a quieter feel when the better-known Comino sites are packed. You can swim, sit on the pebbles, or stay aboard and enjoy the view without the same level of shore congestion.

The water here can be especially rewarding after the crowds at the Blue Lagoon. It is a good place to slow down, take one last swim, and use the final hour without feeling that you need to chase every possible photo.

Weather can affect this part of the schedule. On one departure, choppy water made the planned third stop unsuitable, so the crew found another attractive swim location. The provider can also change the order of the bays or adjust the route when sea conditions or other operating problems require it.

That flexibility is sensible on a boat trip. You may not get the exact order printed in your plans, but the crew’s priority is keeping the swim stop safe and enjoyable.

The return route includes caves and Elephant Head

The trip back is not just dead time. The boat passes Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation before returning to Marfa Bay.

These are scenic viewing points rather than additional long swim stops. Keep your camera ready, but also look up from the screen. The cave entrances and unusual rock shape give the return journey some variety after several hours in the water.

The route around Comino and Gozo helps you understand how close these islands are, yet how different each bay can feel. One stop is famous and crowded, one is framed by cliffs, and one is a smaller cove with a pebbly edge.

What the Pegasus is like on board

The boat has upper-deck loungers and lower seating, with the option of sun or shade. That choice matters in Malta, especially during the hotter months when six hours outside can become tiring.

There are male and female toilets aboard, along with a shower. The facilities are basic, but they make the day easier, particularly if you have children or want to rinse off saltwater before the ride home.

A small cash bar sells drinks, snacks, coffee, tea, and simple food. Prices are described as reasonable, with examples including beer around €2.50, water around €1.50, and a large glass of wine around €3 on some departures. Still, I would bring your own lunch or extra snacks. Swimming three times works up an appetite, and the onboard selection is not meant to replace a full meal.

Pool noodles are available, and they are useful if you want to swim toward shore without tiring yourself out. Snorkel rental costs extra and is not guaranteed if you wait until the boat is full, so bring equipment from home if snorkeling is central to your plans.

Pack sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash. Motion sickness prevention is also worth considering if you are sensitive to boat movement. The cruise is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and it is not designed for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Oversize luggage, large bags, pets, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Bring a compact day bag rather than a full beach suitcase.

Is $47 good value for Malta?

At $47 per person, this is good value if you want a full day of swimming and do not need hotel transport or a meal included. You are paying for the boat, scenic route, three swim stops, crew assistance, toilets, a shower, and the chance to see Comino and Gozo from the water.

The value improves if you use all three stops. A person who only wants to sit on deck may find the six-hour length excessive, while someone who loves swimming will likely appreciate the generous water time.

Food and drinks cost extra, as does snorkel rental. The Blue Lagoon access pass is also separate, and that government requirement can add a little planning even though it is not a fee charged by the cruise company.

Compared with a very large boat, the Pegasus offers a more comfortable balance of space and price. It is not a private charter, but the boat has been described as comfortably sized, with some departures carrying around 40 people. That helps explain why the cruise can feel less cramped than the biggest vessels serving the same lagoons.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available departure time when booking because the full cruise lasts six hours.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want to swim often, enjoy a relaxed boat day, and prefer a smaller vessel to a large, crowded excursion. Couples, families with older children, and friends who want a mix of snorkeling and sunbathing should find the format easy to enjoy.

It also suits you if you do not need to spend the whole Blue Lagoon stop on shore. Staying aboard is not a compromise here. It can be the best way to enjoy the famous water without standing shoulder to shoulder on the beach.

Families should note that the boat has toilets, shade, a bar, and helpful crew. The water activities still require sensible supervision, especially when children are swimming away from the vessel.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, feel sick on boats, need step-free access, or expect a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon is not a secret cove, and summer crowds are part of the experience. The other two stops provide a calmer counterpoint, but the cruise remains an active day on the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Malta day includes turquoise water, three swim breaks, sea caves, and plenty of time on deck. The strongest reasons are the smaller boat, the useful choice between shore and boat at the Blue Lagoon, and the unusually generous stop times.

Before paying, secure the Blue Lagoon morning access pass, plan to bring food, and prepare for sun and possible motion. If you do that, the $47 price gives you a practical way to see Comino and Gozo without juggling separate ferries, beaches, and swim spots.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. The provider’s office is near the jetty, beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts six hours. Departure times vary, so check availability when booking.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass through blcomino.com. For this cruise, choose the morning slot and keep the pass available on your phone.

Can I stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The Pegasus anchors near the Blue Lagoon, and you can stay aboard, swim from the boat, sunbathe, or use the deck instead of going ashore.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a small cash bar sells snacks, beverages, coffee, and tea. Bringing extra food is sensible because the cruise includes several long swimming periods.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment can be rented on the boat for a small fee. Rental is first come, first served, so availability is not guaranteed.