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

Comino’s coast is best seen from a small boat, and this 24-passenger cruise gets you close to sea caves, rocky inlets, and swimming spots that larger vessels may pass by. The route takes in Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Halfa Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

I like the generous swim stops and the useful extras: a free stand-up paddleboard, swim noodles, shade, and an onboard toilet. Johnny, the skipper, gets repeated praise for clear instructions, friendly help, and good judgment when wind or waves change the plan. The main drawback is that the Blue Lagoon can still be crowded, and snorkeling equipment is not included in the $32 price.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 24 passengers: You get a more personal ride and easier access to narrow cave openings than on a large sightseeing vessel.
• Three proper swim stops: Crystal Lagoon gets 45 minutes, Blue Lagoon one hour, and Santa Maria Bay another 45 minutes.
• Useful gear included: The SUP and swim noodles are free to use, while snorkeling masks are available to rent onboard.
• A full Comino circuit: You pass Comino Tower, San Niklaw Bay, Halfa Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.
• Blue Lagoon entry rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code to step ashore at Blue Lagoon.
• Good value at $32: The price includes marina fees, lagoon permits, parking, crew, shade, and a toilet.

Why this small Comino cruise works well

The appeal here is simple: you spend less time getting from place to place and more time looking at the water. A small boat can pull close to the caves and rocky shoreline, giving you better views than a high-capacity vessel that has to keep farther out.

You also get three separate chances to swim. That matters because the water conditions and crowd levels can change during the day. If one stop feels too busy, you still have Crystal Lagoon or Santa Maria Bay ahead.

The boat carries shade, and there is a toilet onboard. Those are modest comforts, but they make a difference during several hours on the water. Free parking at the Cirkewwa meeting point is another practical benefit, especially if you are driving from elsewhere in Malta.

The group size is not private-charter small, but 24 people is a sensible middle ground. You get the social feel of a shared cruise without being packed onto a large ferry with hundreds of people.

Starting behind the Cirkewwa café

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn left around the corner to find the boat.

This location is useful if you are already near the Gozo ferry terminal, but do not arrive at the ferry boarding area by mistake. The boat leaves from the café side. The tour returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup.

The cruise lasts about three to four hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. Bring cash, since food and drinks are not part of the fare. You can buy drinks onboard or at beach stops, and food is available during the shore visits.

Wear swimwear under your clothes, and pack a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A light layer is sensible too. On the water, wind can make the ride feel cooler than the beach.

Comino Tower and the approach to Crystal Lagoon

Soon after leaving Cirkewwa, the boat passes Comino Tower. The tower was made famous as a filming location for The Count of Monte Cristo, giving this first sightseeing section a useful connection to Malta’s screen history.

The ride across gives you a quick sense of Comino’s character: pale rock, steep cliffs, small beaches, and clear water. The route includes scenic viewing time before the first swim stop, so you are not rushed straight into the water.

Crystal Lagoon is on Comino’s western side. Its clear water and shallow sandy seabed create the strong blue-green color people come to see. The boat stops here for about 45 minutes, enough time for a swim, a little snorkeling, or a turn on the free SUP.

This is one of the best parts of the trip for active swimmers. The noodles help if you want to float without effort, while the paddleboard gives you another way to look back at the cliffs. Snorkeling gear is not included, so rent a mask onboard or bring your own if you have it.

The limitation is space. Crystal Lagoon is a popular stop, and the boat may share the area with other craft. The small-group setup helps with access, but it cannot remove the wider crowds around Comino.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, new entry rules

The Blue Lagoon is the central stop and gets about an hour. Sunlight reaches the pale seabed in the shallow water, producing the famous bright blue color.

You can swim from the boat, use a noodle or the SUP, rent snorkeling gear, or go ashore. The choice matters because shore access now has an extra step. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon must show a free QR code obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com.

The QR code is tied to a time slot: morning, afternoon, or sunset. Check your cruise departure time before selecting one. If you stay on the boat, you do not need the code.

This rule is easy to overlook, but it is important. A booking for the boat does not automatically replace the separate shore-entry registration. If you only want to swim from the boat, the QR code is not necessary.

The Blue Lagoon is visually impressive, but it is also the busiest part of the route. If you want a quieter swim, use the time wisely and consider staying near the boat rather than walking toward the main shore area. The hour gives you a decent break, although one review wished for more Blue Lagoon time and less time near San Niklaw Bay.

Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, and the Comino coast

After Blue Lagoon, the boat passes Ħalfa Rock, also known as Gebla tal Halfa, while heading toward the northern side of Comino and Gozo. This is mainly a sightseeing section rather than a long stop, so keep your camera ready.

You also pass San Niklaw Bay and the Comino hotel area. The captain points out the sights while the boat moves along the coast. This stretch is useful for seeing how quickly the scenery changes from open water to small bays and cliff walls.

The boat’s size helps here. It can get nearer to some of the rock formations and cave entrances than a larger vessel. That does not mean every cave is entered, and the route can change if the sea is rough. The crew has skipped or adjusted parts of the route in choppy conditions while still covering many of the main sights.

That flexibility is worth noting. A boat tour around exposed islands depends on wind and sea conditions. A good captain will protect the ride rather than force an unsafe approach to a cave.

Santa Maria Bay gives you another choice

Santa Maria Bay is the final major swimming stop, with about 45 minutes to swim, snorkel, use the SUP, or go ashore.

This stop feels different from the Blue Lagoon because you are not limited to swimming from the boat. You can walk on the beach or look around the shore before returning to the vessel. If you prefer a slower break, this is your chance to stretch your legs.

The water may not be the best choice for everyone on cooler days. In January, one account found the stop a little long when swimming was not appealing. In warm weather, though, 45 minutes gives you enough time for a proper swim without making the whole cruise feel like a beach transfer.

If you are traveling with children, the bay adds variety. A six-year-old can enjoy the boat, noodles, and shore time without needing to spend every stop snorkeling. Keep in mind that the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

The cruise finishes with photo stops at Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. Santa Maria Caves are viewed from the boat, with roughly ten minutes for sightseeing. The skipper may bring the boat close to the openings when sea conditions allow.

This is where a small boat earns its keep. Narrower access and a lower passenger count can give you better angles for photographs. You may also see the rock walls from inside or near the cave openings, depending on the water.

Elephant Rock gets another ten minutes as a photo stop. Its outline is the sort of natural feature that makes more sense from the water than from land. Have your phone ready before the boat arrives, since this is a short viewing window rather than a long landing.

These final stops are not major exploration periods. Think of them as a strong closing sequence after the swimming, not as separate excursions. If cave photography is your main interest, sit where you have a clear view and listen for the skipper’s explanation.

What Johnny adds to the trip

The skipper, Johnny, is an important part of the experience. He gives clear instructions about each stop, explains how long you will stay, and helps passengers understand what they are seeing.

His practical manner also matters when conditions change. One report describes the crew openly explaining weather-related changes, while another notes that a rough sea prevented swimming but the captain still guided the boat past Gozo and through striking cave areas.

That is the right standard for a sea trip. You should expect the route to follow the conditions, not a rigid script. Johnny is also described as friendly and helpful, including lending a jacket to a passenger who had dressed too lightly for the ride.

The guide service is in English and Maltese. The boat has shade, but you should still use sunscreen and cover up during the brightest part of the day.

What $32 includes, and what it does not

At $32 per person, this is strong value if you want a compact Comino overview with real swim time. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The fare includes the crew, marina fees, lagoon permits, parking at the meeting point, shade, toilet access, life jackets, and the three main water stops.

The free SUP and swim noodles add useful value. A paddleboard can cost extra on other outings, so being able to use one onboard makes this cruise more flexible.

You still need to budget for a few extras. Food is not included, drinks can be bought onboard or at the beach stops, and snorkeling gear is listed as a rental item. Bring cash, especially if you want to avoid relying on card facilities at smaller beach locations.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, though one account found the vessel smaller than expected and did not find every advertised item available on that departure. Treat the SUP and onboard facilities as included features, but understand that equipment or exact routing can be affected by weather and operational changes.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see several Comino sights in one outing and prefer a small boat to a large party vessel. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a mix of swimming, photographs, and short shore visits.

It is also a good option if you have limited time in Malta. In one cruise, you can see Comino Tower, multiple bays, Gozo from the water, sea caves, Elephant Rock, and the two main lagoons.

You should think twice if motion sickness is a concern. The route crosses open water, and several accounts describe windy or rough conditions. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 95 years of age.

The boat has shade, but this is still an outdoor sea trip. If you dislike sun, wind, salt water, or changing conditions, a land-based outing may be more comfortable.

Final verdict: a worthwhile way to see Comino

I would book this cruise for the combination of small-group access, three swimming stops, and a fair $32 price. The route covers the main sights without making you choose between a lagoon visit and a cave tour.

The best reason to choose it over a larger boat is access. The smaller vessel can approach cave areas more closely, and the group size leaves room to move, swim, and use the SUP without feeling lost in a crowd.

Book it if you want an active half-day on the water and can accept that sea conditions may alter the order or remove a stop. Check the Blue Lagoon QR requirement if you plan to go ashore, bring cash and your own towel, and keep your expectations focused on a scenic cruise with swimming rather than a private charter.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise start?

It starts at Cirkewwa Cafe. Find the boat behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe by going down the stairs behind the café and turning left around the corner.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is three to four hours. Starting times are shown when you check availability.

What swimming stops are included?

The cruise includes a 45-minute stop at Crystal Lagoon, about one hour at Blue Lagoon, and a 45-minute stop at Santa Maria Bay.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com if you plan to step onto Comino at Blue Lagoon. The code has a time-specific morning, afternoon, or sunset slot. You do not need one if you stay on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is not included in the price, but it can be rented onboard. The stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are free to use.

Is food included?

No. Food can be bought at beach stops, and drinks can be bought onboard or at the beach stops. Bring cash.

Is the cruise suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, or people over 95 years old. Conditions can be windy or rough, so consider your comfort on open water before booking.