Comino Island: including Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & sea caves

Comino’s two famous swimming spots are the heart of this boat trip, but the best moment may come before you reach them. As the catamaran runs along Malta’s coast, you pass cliffs, rocky inlets, St. Paul’s Island, and sea caves that are hard to reach from land. Then you get a proper swim at Crystal Lagoon, followed by time at the much busier Blue Lagoon.

I especially like the quiet first stop at Crystal Lagoon and the boat itself. Its slides, padded sun loungers, toilets, showers, underwater viewing windows, and shaded indoor deck make it more than a basic ferry. The crew also provides commentary in five languages.

The main catch is the crowds. Blue Lagoon can be extremely packed, and the best loungers are claimed early. You also need to budget for food, drinks, snorkel gear, and the optional speedboat cave trip if you want to see more than the caves visited by the main vessel.

Key points to know before you book

• Crystal Lagoon comes first in summer, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling from June through October.
• Blue Lagoon time varies from two to four hours, and the boat moors close to the main swimming area.
• Arrive early for a good sunbed, especially if you want a front-row place on the upper deck.
• The catamaran has three slides and jumping platforms, making this a strong pick for families and active swimmers.
• The optional speedboat cave ride costs extra, but it takes you farther into the caves than the main cruise.
• Winter changes the experience, with a shorter Crystal Lagoon stop and, from November to April, a possible boat without underwater windows.

What this Comino cruise is really like

This is a half-day or full-day sea outing built around swimming, views, and easy access to Malta’s most famous water stops. You board at Bugibba Jetty in the seaside town of Bugibba, then spend roughly an hour cruising toward Comino.

The trip runs daily throughout the year, subject to weather. A daytime cruise lasts about six hours. The shorter sunset or evening option lasts around four hours, including about 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and roughly two hours at Blue Lagoon.

The catamaran can carry up to 250 people, so this is not a small, quiet sailing trip. It is a proper excursion boat with a social feel, onboard music, food, drinks, and plenty of places to sit. If you want solitude, this is the wrong format. If you want a simple way to swim at Comino without arranging several ferries, it works well.

The journey itself is part of the appeal. The boat stays close to Malta’s coast, giving you good views of high cliffs, eroded rock, small coves, and sea caves. Commentary is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish. The route also passes St. Paul’s Island, marked by the tall statue of Saint Paul.

Reaching Bugibba Jetty without a taxi

The departure point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar. From Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian’s, take a bus toward St. Paul’s Bay and get off near the Moll bus stop. Parades is also listed as the nearest stop to the departure area.

Allow extra time. The boat may leave on schedule, and the boarding queue can be long, especially in summer. A QR code is used for boarding and for access arrangements at Comino, so keep it easy to find on your phone.

Email is the main contact method for the operator, with WhatsApp as a secondary option. Check both if you receive updates, since the route or timing can change with sea conditions.

The coastal cruise from Bugibba to Comino

Once aboard, you can choose between the open upper deck, the main indoor deck, and other seating areas. The upper deck gives you the best sun and views, but it can feel cool when the boat is moving, even on a warm day. A light jumper or wrap is useful.

The catamaran is described as modern and stable, and its size helps it feel less exposed than a small open boat. Still, the sea can become choppy on the return journey. If you are prone to seasickness, sitting lower and closer to the middle of the boat may feel steadier than taking a front or rear outer seat.

The coastal views are brief but worthwhile. The boat enters large sea caves for photographs, and the return route includes the Santa Maria Caves and the rock formation known as Elephants Head. The main vessel does not take you into every narrow passage. For that, you need the optional speedboat ride, which costs about €15 per adult and €10 per child according to the supplied trip details.

The underwater windows, marketed as submarine vision, add another point of interest when conditions are clear. Visibility can be limited by wind, waves, and water conditions. From November through April, a large sailing catamaran may be used instead, and that boat does not have underwater windows.

Crystal Lagoon, the better swimming stop

The first major stop from June 1 through October 30 is Crystal Lagoon. This narrow, cliff-framed inlet is reachable only by boat, which gives it a more secluded feel than Blue Lagoon. The water is clear, and the steep rock walls make the setting especially good for swimming near the caves.

On the daytime trip, you get about an hour here. The sunset trip allows about 30 minutes. From November through May, the boat spends only around 15 minutes in the area, mainly for photographs and a look at the caves. The stop also depends on fair weather.

The boat provides three water slides, including a larger slide from the top deck, along with jumping areas. You can swim from the vessel, and life jackets are available for people who are not confident swimmers. The water is deep in places, so a jacket can make the stop much easier for children and cautious swimmers.

Crystal Lagoon is also the place to bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The water around the cliffs and caves is the reason many people enjoy this stop more than Blue Lagoon. Snorkel equipment is available for rent at the boat for €5, although the equipment may not include fins. Some visitors have found it more convenient to buy or bring their own gear.

Water shoes are sensible for Blue Lagoon, where submerged rocks can be an issue. They are also useful when climbing in and out of the water from rocky edges.

Blue Lagoon, beautiful and seriously crowded

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat heads to Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The catamaran moors in a prime position, giving you a view across the bright water and easy access for swimming. Depending on the season and departure selected, you spend two to four hours here.

You can swim directly from the boat or walk ashore. The boat remains your base, with cushioned loungers, toilets, showers, an accessible toilet with a changing area, and an air-conditioned indoor deck. There are also 26 underwater windows, though the view depends on weather and water clarity.

The Blue Lagoon is stunning, but it is not peaceful in the main season. The small shoreline and swimming area fill quickly, and walking around can feel cramped. I would treat the boat as the better base. Swim from the side, use the slides, sit in the shade, and go ashore only when you want to explore.

Sun loungers are free, but they are first come, first served. The practical advice is simple: arrive at Bugibba at least 45 minutes early, and closer to an hour early if you care about your spot. The front of the boat is popular for views, while the upper deck gives you more sun.

The boat has one large slide and two smaller slides, plus jumping platforms. Families often get the most from these facilities. You can repeat the slides without paying for a separate activity, and the boat gives children something to do between swims.

Food, drinks, and the extra costs

Food and drinks are not included. The onboard bar and kitchen sell hot and cold items, including burgers, fries, coffee, soft drinks, alcohol, and snacks. There are also food stalls around Blue Lagoon.

The operator states that outside food and drinks are not allowed on the boat, so plan to buy refreshments onboard or ashore. Lines can become long during the busiest periods, and rubbish bins may fill up when the vessel is crowded.

A basic trip price of about $36.20 per person is fair if you value the boat facilities, the coastal cruise, and access to both lagoons. It is less attractive if you see the outing as only transport to Comino. Public ferries can cost less, but they will not normally give you the slides, padded loungers, onboard toilets and showers, cave views, or the longer swim stops.

Add the cost of snorkel rental, a €2 personal locker, meals, drinks, and the optional speedboat trip. These extras can change the final price quickly. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, mask, and water shoes if you want to keep spending down, though drinks still need to be purchased under the stated boat rules.

The optional speedboat through the caves

The main catamaran visits large caves for photographs, including the Santa Maria Caves on the return. It does not take you deep into every cave, and you cannot swim in all of them from the main boat.

The optional speedboat ride is the add-on worth considering. For about €15 per adult and €10 per child, the smaller boat can take you farther into the cave system. The ride is short, lively, and gives you a closer view of the rock shapes and cave entrances.

It is not included in the main price, so ask the crew about the exact cost and timing before you commit. The sea may be too rough for the extra ride, and the route can change for safety reasons.

Choosing between the daytime and sunset departures

The daytime trip is the better choice if swimming is your priority. You receive about an hour at Crystal Lagoon and up to four hours at Blue Lagoon, depending on the exact departure and season. There is time to use the slides, swim from the boat, go ashore, eat, and still return for the final cruise.

The sunset trip lasts about four hours. It usually includes around 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and two hours at Blue Lagoon. The shorter schedule suits you if you want a taste of Comino without giving up an entire day, and the return across the sea can include attractive late-day light.

The shorter 5:00 PM Seabird tour is a separate four-hour option listed for the service. Confirm your departure time carefully, since routes and stop lengths can vary.

How weather changes the experience

This is an open-sea activity, not a guaranteed beach day. The captain may cancel or alter the route when conditions are unsafe, and Crystal Lagoon operates only in suitable weather during its seasonal period.

Late autumn and winter can still bring warm enough water for swimming, but wind makes the boat feel cooler. In March, especially, bring a warm layer even if the forecast looks mild. On the upper deck, sunscreen matters because the wind can hide how much sun you are getting.

From November through May, the Crystal Lagoon visit becomes mainly a photo and cave stop, with only about 15 minutes there. That makes the summer schedule much better for swimmers. If you visit in winter, think of the cruise as coastal sightseeing with the possibility of a swim, not a full water-park day.

Who should book this Comino experience?

I would choose this tour if you want one organized outing that combines Malta’s coast, sea caves, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon. It suits families, first-time visitors, couples who enjoy a boat day, and anyone who likes swimming but wants toilets, food, loungers, and a dry place to rest.

It is also a good choice for less confident swimmers because life jackets are available and you can use the boat as your base. The slides and jumping platforms add real value for children and active adults.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, fixed schedules, loud public boats, or paid extras. Blue Lagoon can feel overrun, and the boat may be full. Independent visitors who only want a short ferry ride to Comino may find the $36.20 fare high.

Should you book it?

Book it for the Crystal Lagoon stop, comfortable boat facilities, and full coastal route, especially between June and October. Arrive early, claim a lounger, pack a towel and light layer, and bring your own snorkel gear if you have it.

Skip it if your ideal Comino day means a quiet beach and very little structure. For most people who want an easy, active way to see the lagoons, the day trip offers solid value. The sunset version is the smarter pick when you want fewer hours, softer light, and a shorter commitment.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat trip depart?

It departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

How long does the tour last?

The daytime trip lasts about six hours. The sunset or evening trip lasts about four hours.

How do I reach Bugibba Jetty from Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian’s?

Take a bus toward St. Paul’s Bay and get off at the Moll bus stop. Parades is also listed as the nearest stop to the destination.

Is Crystal Lagoon visited all year?

Crystal Lagoon receives a swimming stop from June 1 through October 30, in fair weather. From November through May, the boat spends about 15 minutes there for photographs and the sea caves.

How long do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

You spend between two and four hours at Blue Lagoon, depending on the season and departure time.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkel equipment is available to rent for €5, and you can also bring your own. Towels are not supplied.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy from the onboard kitchen and bars or at Blue Lagoon. The operator states that outside food and drinks are not allowed on the boat.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The captain may cancel or change the route for weather or safety reasons. If the activity is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund.