Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

The main attraction here is simple: you get a long, flexible day at Comino’s Blue Lagoon without paying for an expensive private charter. Captain Kevin’s boat leaves Bugibba at 10:00 and returns around 17:00, giving you more than four hours to swim, sit in the sun, explore Comino, or use the boat as your base. The Blue Lagoon time is generous, and the water is the star.

I like the easy mix of sightseeing and free time. You cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Ahrax Cave, and Comino’s striking cliffs, then settle in for swimming and snorkeling. I also like the reasonable onboard food and drinks, plus the slide and upper deck. The trade-off is space: this boat can carry up to 232 people, and the top deck chairs go early. Music can be lively, and the lagoon itself can feel crowded in peak season.

Key points to know before booking

• More than four hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have time for several swims, a meal, and a walk around Comino.
• Captain Kevin provides the sightseeing commentary: The outward cruise includes St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, and Comino’s rock formations.
• The boat works as your base: Return for food, toilets, shade, lockers, or another jump from the slide.
• Arrive early for an upper deck chair: Boarding opens well before departure, and the best sun seats are claimed quickly.
• Crystal Lagoon is within walking distance: A walk of about eight minutes leads to a quieter swimming and snorkeling area, depending on conditions.
• Bring cash: Snorkel hire, lockers, food, drinks, and the seasonal €15 speedboat trip use cash on the boat or Comino.

A full day from Bugibba to Comino

Your day begins at Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The boat leaves at 10:00 and returns at about 17:00, so plan on roughly seven hours from start to finish. The meeting point is close to public transportation, and the trip includes taxes, landing fees, deck chairs when available, and use of the restroom and slide.

This is not a sleek new yacht. The boat is older, but it has the useful things you need for a day at sea: shaded seating, an upper sun deck, toilets, a cafeteria, deck chairs, and swimming access. I would think of it as a floating beach club rather than a polished luxury cruise.

If you want a prime upper deck chair, arrive early. One practical tip is to be at the jetty around 08:30, or at least an hour before boarding begins. The upper deck gives you the broadest views and the best sun, but every seat on the boat offers a view, and you can stand or move around during the cruise.

St. Paul’s Island and the northern coast

The first stretch gives you a pleasant introduction to Malta from the water. The boat passes St. Paul’s Island, where tradition places the shipwreck of St. Paul. A statue of the saint now sits on the tiny island, making it easy to spot from the water.

Captain Kevin provides commentary as the boat continues toward Mellieha Bay, Malta’s largest beach. You then pass Coral Cove and head toward Ahrax Cave, where the boat pauses for photographs. This part of the trip matters because it turns a simple transfer to Comino into a coastal sightseeing cruise.

The views are best from outside, so keep a jacket handy during cooler months. From October through May, and especially in March, April, May, October, November, and December, the wind can make the ride feel chilly even when Malta feels mild on land. Bring sun cream in summer and something warm outside the hottest months.

Cruising around Comino’s rocky edge

Comino is Malta’s smallest main island, covering about 1.4 square miles. The boat circles much of it, showing you high cliffs, unusual rock shapes, and the formation known as Elephant’s Head.

This circuit gives you a useful sense of the island before you go ashore. Comino looks small on a map, but its cliffs and coves make it feel much more dramatic from the water. The cruise also helps you understand why the Blue Lagoon draws so many boats.

The exact order of some sights can change with weather and sea conditions. Crystal Lagoon may appear on the way to Comino or on the return journey. The crew’s priority is keeping the route safe, so do not expect every stop to follow the same sequence on every departure.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The boat moors at the Blue Lagoon for about four and a half hours. That long stop is the main reason this trip offers good value. You are not rushed through a quick photo stop. You can swim, snorkel, eat, walk on Comino, return to the boat, and swim again.

The boat is especially useful here. Instead of carrying everything around the island, you can leave your towel and belongings on board, then return for shade, food, toilets, or a drink. You can also move between the boat and Comino during the stop, so you are not tied to one spot.

Swimming from the boat is a highlight. You can jump from designated areas and use the slide into the clear water. The slide is fun for children and adults, but the boat is not a quiet retreat when music is playing and people are coming and going. If you want peace, use the shaded deck or walk away from the central lagoon area.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also Malta’s most famous swimming stop. In high season, boats and people fill the water and the small shoreline. The boat’s upper deck can feel crowded too, especially once everyone returns from the island. The best way to handle this is to treat the lagoon as a place for movement and swimming rather than expecting a private beach.

Crystal Lagoon and the optional cave trip

Crystal Lagoon is known for deeper water and is popular with snorkelers and divers. From the Blue Lagoon, it takes about eight minutes to walk there. You can spend part of your free time swimming, looking underwater, or taking in the cliffs from a less central spot.

The walk gives you a welcome break from the busiest part of the Blue Lagoon. Conditions vary, and access around the rocks may be awkward, so wear sturdy footwear for the walk and take care near the water. Swimming from rocks can be harder than jumping from the boat, especially if the sea is moving.

A seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15 per person and must be paid in cash. The trip takes you close to the caves with a guide and adds a fast, playful outing to the day. It is not included in the main price, but it is one of the more worthwhile add-ons if you want to see the coastline from a smaller boat.

You should not count on the speedboat every day. It is offered seasonally and depends on conditions. Bring cash if you hope to take it, since the ticket is purchased separately.

Food, drinks, snorkel gear, and lockers

You do not need to pack a full lunch. The onboard cafeteria sells food and drinks at prices described as reasonable, with options including burgers, chips, cocktails, ice cream, and pineapple drinks. Food is a real convenience during a long stop, especially if you want to keep your place on the boat instead of searching for food on Comino.

Cash is important. Payments on the boat and Comino are cash only, so carry enough for lunch, drinks, the speedboat, and extras. Snorkel and mask hire costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Lockers cost €2, and towels are not supplied.

You can also bring your own snorkeling equipment. A life jacket is available with a deposit, according to the practical details supplied for the trip. The boat gives you a place to store essentials, but a locker is worth considering if you plan to swim often and want extra security for small valuables.

What the boat atmosphere is really like

The mood is informal and energetic. Music plays during the day, and the crew keeps the trip moving with announcements, sightseeing information, and practical instructions. This suits you if you want a social day with swimming, cocktails, and a slide.

It may not suit you if you want silence. Some people find the music too loud, and the boat can feel full during the busiest months. With a maximum capacity of 232 people, this is a shared excursion, not an intimate cruise.

The boat often feels more spacious after some people leave for island activities or other optional outings. If you prefer to avoid the busiest part of Comino, stay on board for part of the stop, then walk to a quieter area later. The boat’s shaded deck can be a better place to eat and rest than the exposed shoreline.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive to safety. Captain Kevin’s commentary adds useful context without turning the day into a formal lecture. The staff also explain return times and help with the practical side of swimming and boarding.

Is the €36.28 price good value?

At $36.28 per person, this is one of the less expensive ways to spend a full day around Comino. The fare covers the cruise, landing and facility fees, deck chairs when available, the Blue Lagoon stop, and use of the slide and toilets.

The value comes from the time. Many boat trips give you a short stop at the Blue Lagoon, while this one leaves you there for about four and a half hours. You can also see several coastal sights on the way, and you do not need to arrange separate transport to Comino.

Your final cost will be higher if you buy lunch, drinks, snorkel equipment, a locker, or the speedboat cave trip. Even so, the basic price remains sensible for a full day on the water. I would budget extra cash for food and at least one drink, then add €15 only if the cave ride appeals to you.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

This trip works well for families because the boat provides several ways to spend the day: swimming, sitting in the shade, walking on Comino, using the slide, or buying food without leaving the boat. It also suits solo visitors, since the boat has a staffed, organized setting and a clear timetable.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Long swimming stops rather than short photo visits
• Casual music and a social boat atmosphere
• Affordable food and drinks onboard
• Easy access to Comino without planning several connections
• Optional extras such as snorkeling and the cave speedboat
• A mix of sightseeing, sunbathing, and active time

You may want a different type of outing if your priority is quiet, privacy, or a small group. You should also think twice if rough seas cause motion sickness. One departure had very choppy conditions, with several people feeling unwell, so weather matters. The tour can be canceled for poor weather, with a different date or full refund offered.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Last-minute changes are not accepted, and the trip also requires a minimum number of participants.

My verdict: book it for time, not solitude

I would book this Hornblower cruise if I wanted a good-value day built around swimming at Comino. The long Blue Lagoon stop, Captain Kevin’s commentary, friendly crew, onboard food, and boat slide give you plenty to do without forcing you into a strict schedule.

Arrive early for an upper deck chair, carry cash, bring a towel and sun cream, and pack a jacket outside the hottest months. If you want the cave ride, reserve €15 in cash. Book it knowing that the Blue Lagoon can be crowded and the music can be lively, then use the boat, Crystal Lagoon, and quieter corners of Comino to create a more relaxed day.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

How long is the tour?

The cruise lasts about seven hours. It departs at 10:00 and returns around 17:00.

How long do I stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at the Blue Lagoon for about four and a half hours.

Is food included?

No. Food, drinks, and ice cream are available from the onboard cafeteria at reasonable prices.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

How much does the speedboat cave trip cost?

The seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15 per person. The ticket must be purchased with cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sun cream, and cash. From October to May, bring a jacket or warm layer because the boat can feel chilly while cruising.