From Sliema: Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Comino’s Crystal Lagoon is the star of this full-day boat trip, with a 45-minute swim stop, a waterslide, and clear water suited to snorkeling. You’ll also get a long break at Blue Lagoon and a look at Comino’s sea caves from the water.

I like the generous 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon, which gives you time to swim, eat, sunbathe, and walk instead of rushing ashore. I also like the boat itself: multiple levels, a glass-bottom viewing area, and a slide that drops straight into the sea. The trade-off is crowding, especially during busy months, and the ride can feel noisy when announcements are made in several languages.

Key points to know before booking

• Crystal Lagoon gets a proper swim stop: You have about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling from the boat, weather permitting.
• Blue Lagoon is the longest stop: The standard option gives you 3.5 hours at Comino, enough time to swim, eat, and explore.
• The waterslide is included: You can use the slide and jump from designated parts of the boat into the sea.
• Gozo changes the shape of the day: Option B gives you three hours on Gozo and 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon instead.
• The boat has useful extras: Expect a glass-bottom section, onboard food and drinks, bathrooms, and snorkel hire.
• Seasonal planning matters: Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay operates from May through October and depends on weather.

What this Sliema cruise is really about

This is a long, easygoing day on the water rather than a focused sightseeing tour of Gozo. You spend much of the day moving along Malta’s northern coast, stopping for swims, taking photographs, and enjoying time around Comino.

For $40 per person, the value is strong if you want several coastal sights and a substantial amount of swimming without arranging ferries yourself. You are paying for a full 7.5-hour outing, not just a short transfer to Blue Lagoon.

The main choice comes before you board. The standard route keeps you on the boat after a quick photo stop at Gozo, then gives you the Crystal Lagoon swim and 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Option B lets you spend three hours on Gozo, but cuts Comino time to about 1.5 hours. I would choose the standard route if swimming is your priority. Pick Option B only if seeing Gozo on land matters more.

Boarding at Sliema Ferries

Departure is from Sliema Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. The cruise returns to the same general meeting point at the end of the day.

There are no hotel transfers, so you need to reach Sliema yourself. Bring cash for food, drinks, and optional purchases. Wear your swimwear under your clothes, since the first water stop comes well before the long Blue Lagoon break.

The boat can feel crowded, particularly on the return journey. A practical move is to choose your preferred seat early, especially if you want a good view or a place in the shade. The boat has three levels, so you can move around rather than stay in one fixed seat.

A glass-bottom section gives you a different view of the water, though its appeal depends on sea conditions and how busy the boat is. Bathrooms are onboard, and the crew keeps them clean. That matters on a day when you are away from land for several hours.

Malta’s northern coast from the water

The cruise heads north from Sliema, passing the Sliema Promenade and the bays around St. Julian’s and St. George’s. You then pass Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay before reaching St. Paul’s Island and Mellieha Bay.

These sections are not formal sightseeing stops. You stay onboard while the boat moves along the coast, so think of them as a scenic introduction rather than guided visits. The route gives you a broad look at Malta’s built-up shoreline, open bays, and rocky coast without the work of driving or finding parking.

The captain and crew provide information about the sights along the way. Announcements may come in several languages, which helps if you want context but can make the ride less peaceful. If your ideal boat trip is quiet, bring realistic expectations. This is a shared excursion with regular commentary, not a silent sailing trip.

The ride can also be rough in places. Even people who do not usually suffer from motion sickness may feel it when the sea picks up. If you are sensitive, bring appropriate medication, sit where you feel most stable, and avoid starting the day on an empty stomach.

The quick stop at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo

The boat reaches Mgarr Harbour for a short photo stop of about five minutes. This is enough to take pictures of the harbor and surrounding scenery, but not enough to explore Gozo.

That short stop is useful because it gives every passenger a look at Gozo without turning the standard route into a land excursion. Still, you should not book the regular option expecting to walk through Victoria, visit inland villages, or see much of the island beyond the harbor area.

If Gozo is a major reason for your trip, choose Option B. It gives you three hours of free time on the island. Optional land transport to Victoria can be purchased onboard for €5 per person. The schedule then provides about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon, a much shorter Comino visit.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Nicholas Bay

From May 1 through October 31, and only when conditions allow, the boat stops around Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay. The stop lasts roughly 45 minutes.

This is where the cruise feels most like a swimming outing. You can enter the water from the boat, snorkel, or use the slide. Some passengers prefer this stop to Blue Lagoon because it feels less tied to the shore facilities and crowds. The water is the attraction, and the boat gives you a convenient base for getting in and out.

The slide is a simple but memorable extra. You can also jump from designated areas at the rear and upper parts of the boat. The crew controls how the activity works, so follow instructions and allow room for other people to enter the water.

Bring your own goggles and snorkel if you have them. Snorkels can also be hired, according to the trip information. Underwater visibility depends on the day, but the clear water makes this a worthwhile place to look around rather than simply take a quick swim.

This stop is seasonal, not guaranteed. From November through April, the boat goes to Blue Lagoon only, and weather can also change the route during the warmer months. The captain can alter or cancel parts of the excursion based on sea conditions.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth the time

Blue Lagoon receives the longest standard stop, about 3.5 hours. That is a major advantage. You have enough time to swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, buy food and drinks, and walk around Comino without watching the clock every few minutes.

The water is striking, but the setting can be crowded. Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, so you should expect plenty of people, especially in the high season. The shoreline is rocky, and the island is not designed as a quiet retreat during the busiest part of the day.

You need a free QR code to get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon. Register at www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot from 13:31 to 17:30. This is an important practical step. Do it before the trip so you are ready when the boat arrives.

Food and drinks are available both onboard and around Blue Lagoon. Prices onboard are described as reasonable, and buying lunch on the boat may give you better value than waiting until you reach the lagoon. Bring cash, since cash is specifically listed among the recommended items.

Use the time in a way that suits you. Swimmers can spend much of the stop in the water. If you prefer a slower day, use the boat or shore for sunbathing and take a walk around Comino. There is no need to spend all 3.5 hours in the water.

Comino’s caves on the return journey

On the way back to Sliema, the boat pauses near Comino’s caves, including the Santa Maria Caves area, for around ten minutes. This is mainly a photo stop and a chance to see the rocky openings from the water.

The caves add variety after several hours of swimming. You do not get a long shore visit here, so keep your camera ready and listen for the crew’s directions. The boat’s position and sea conditions determine the view, but the stop provides a good final set of photographs before the return cruise.

This part of the trip is also a reminder that the excursion is built around the sea. You see the caves from the boat, not as a walking cave tour. That is convenient, but it may disappoint you if you want to explore them on foot.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

Food and drinks are not included in the $40 price. You can buy refreshments onboard, and food is also available around Blue Lagoon. Carry cash, as it is recommended in the practical information for the activity.

Pack lightly but bring the items that make a swimming day easier:

• Swimsuit and a towel
• Comfortable shoes for the boat and rocky areas
• Camera
• Cash
• Your own goggles or snorkel, if preferred

Comfortable shoes matter because Comino is rocky rather than sandy in many places. The boat is designed for a relaxed day, but you will still be moving between decks, the swim areas, and the shore.

Alcohol and drugs are not permitted. The trip operates in rain or shine, though the captain may change the route or pickup point when weather or sea conditions require it.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who wants an uncomplicated day of swimming and scenery from Sliema. It works well for couples, families, and groups of friends because you can choose between swimming, sunbathing, photography, food, and a short walk.

Families should note that the trip includes several hours on a boat and open-water swimming. The slide is fun, but children need to follow crew instructions and be comfortable in the sea. The long Blue Lagoon stop helps families set their own pace, though the crowds and rocky ground may be tiring for some.

This is also a good fit if you want a lower-cost way to combine Comino, coastal views, and a glimpse of Gozo. The $40 price includes the cruise, the seasonal swimming stop, Blue Lagoon, the cave visit, and the waterslide. That is a lot of time and activity for the money.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet, small-boat outing or a serious Gozo sightseeing day. The boat may feel crowded, multilingual announcements can interrupt the peace, and the standard route gives Gozo only a five-minute photo stop.

Standard route or Gozo option?

The decision is simple:

• Choose the standard option for 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay and 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.
• Choose Option B for three hours on Gozo, optional transport to Victoria for €5, and about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.

The standard route gives you the strongest swimming day. You get two water stops in season and plenty of time at Comino. Option B suits you if Gozo is a priority and you are happy with less time at the Blue Lagoon.

I would not choose Option B simply because Gozo sounds like an extra bonus. Three hours can be useful, but the trip does not include a full guided tour of the island. Make the choice based on what you want to do on foot.

Should you book this Sliema cruise?

Book it if you want a full day on the water, clear swimming spots, a fun slide, and a long Blue Lagoon break at a reasonable price. The crew is described as friendly and helpful, the boat has useful facilities, and the route gives you plenty of photo opportunities.

Skip it if crowds, boat announcements, or rough water would spoil your day. Also think twice if your main goal is to explore Gozo, since the standard trip barely goes beyond Mgarr Harbour.

For most people, the best plan is the standard option in the May to October season, with swimwear already on, cash in your bag, and the Blue Lagoon QR code arranged in advance. That gives you the full swimming experience and the best use of the 7.5-hour schedule.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Sliema Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about 7.5 hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Does the cruise stop at Gozo?

The standard option makes a photo stop of about five minutes at Mgarr Harbour. Option B gives you three hours of free time on Gozo.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

The standard option gives you about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Option B gives you about 1.5 hours there.

Is Crystal Lagoon open all year?

The Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop is seasonal from May 1 through October 31 and depends on weather conditions. From November through April, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only.

Do I need a QR code to get off at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot from 13:31 to 17:30.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them onboard or at Blue Lagoon.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. Use of the boat’s waterslide is included in the activity.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.