Bugibba: Scenic Sunset Cruise with Blue Lagoon Swim Stop

The best part of this Bugibba sunset cruise is the timing. You leave in daylight, reach Comino’s Blue Lagoon for a swim beneath the evening sky, then return as Malta’s coast slips into moonlight. Reggae music keeps the mood easy rather than formal.

I like two things here: the stop gives you a real chance to swim instead of only taking photos, and the return trip offers a different view of the north coast after dark. The main drawback is that the boat leaves at 5:30 pm sharp, with boarding closing at 5:25, so late arrival can ruin the whole plan.

Key points to know

• Blue Lagoon swim stop: Take a refreshing swim at Comino, or stay aboard and watch the sunset from the boat.
• Captain Matthew and crew: The English-speaking team welcomes you at Bugibba Jetty and keeps you informed during the cruise.
• Reggae soundtrack: Old and new reggae hits provide a relaxed backdrop instead of a formal guided-tour feel.
• Moonlit return: The cruise passes Mellieha on the way back, with the sky and sea changing after sunset.
• Good value at $28: The price covers 3.5 hours on the water, though drinks, food, and snorkel gear cost extra.
• Plan for a prompt start: Meet the Mermaid Cruises sellers or find the red, blue, and white boat named The Mermaid before 5:25 pm.

Leaving Bugibba at 5:30 pm sharp

Your evening begins at Bugibba Jetty, where boarding runs from 5:15 to 5:25 pm. Look for the Mermaid Cruises sellers, or watch for The Mermaid, a red, blue, and white boat. This is not the time to wander around looking for the right pier. Arrive early, get oriented, and be ready to board.

The boat leaves at 5:30 pm sharp. That firm departure matters because the whole outing is built around sunset timing. A late start would shorten the swim stop or cut into the return schedule, so give yourself a comfortable margin.

Captain Matthew and the crew greet you at the boat. The tour is conducted in English, and the atmosphere is designed to be informal and relaxed. You are not signing up for a long lecture about Malta. You are signing up for music, sea views, a swim, and a slow change from daylight to night.

The boat has a restroom and WiFi. Safety equipment is available for emergency use. Those are practical comforts on a 3.5-hour outing, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer not to spend the whole evening on shore.

The north coast with reggae on the speakers

Once The Mermaid heads up the north of Malta, the cruise settles into its main rhythm. Reggae music, both old and new, plays while you take in the coastline and open water. I like this format because the music gives the trip a clear personality without making you work for entertainment.

This is a scenic ride, not a high-speed transfer. One of the strongest parts of the experience is simply the time spent on the boat before reaching Comino. You have room to chat, listen to music, and watch the light shift over the Maltese water.

The cruise works well for different kinds of evenings. Couples can use it as a low-key celebration, friends can meet at sea instead of sitting in a restaurant, and families can share a swim and sunset without committing to a full-day boat trip. The family-friendly setup also means this is not aimed only at party crowds.

You can buy drinks onboard, including wine or beer, but food and drinks are not included in the $28 price. That keeps the starting cost low, though you should bring cash if you plan to buy something or rent equipment. The experience specifically advises bringing cash, so do not assume every extra can be paid by card.

Blue Lagoon at the best time of day

The cruise heads toward Comino and the famous Blue Lagoon, where you can take a refreshing swim in clear water. The stop is the heart of the outing. You get a chance to enter the sea rather than view it from a deck, and the evening light gives the water and surrounding coast a softer look than you would see in the middle of the day.

The swim is optional. If you are not carrying swimwear, do not want to get wet, or simply prefer dry clothes, you can relax onboard and watch the setting sun from the boat. That choice makes the trip easier for mixed groups, since not everyone has to want the same thing.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and beachwear. A towel is particularly useful because the boat returns to Bugibba after the stop, and you will want a dry layer for the later part of the evening. Masks and snorkels are available to rent, but a cash deposit is required. If you already own suitable gear, bringing it may be simpler, though the provided information does not specify whether personal equipment is permitted.

The Blue Lagoon stop is scenic, but you should not expect a private patch of sea. The area is famous, and its appeal comes from the clear water and striking setting. The useful difference here is the timing: the cruise aims to offer the stop around sunset, when the light changes and the day begins to quiet down.

You get a reasonable amount of time for a swim, based on the schedule and the way the stop is described. Still, this is a sunset cruise, not a dedicated swimming excursion. If your main goal is hours in the water, choose a longer daytime boat trip instead.

Sunset from the boat or from the water

The most memorable choice of the evening is where you want to watch the sunset. You can be in the Blue Lagoon for a final swim, or you can stay aboard with a drink and let the horizon take over.

I like the flexibility. Some people want the movement and cool water of a swim. Others would rather sit comfortably, keep their clothes dry, and take photographs as the light fades. You do not have to treat the swim as the only worthwhile part of the trip.

The boat’s reggae soundtrack adds to the mood, but it also tells you what kind of outing this is. This is meant to feel like a relaxed evening at sea, not a quiet photography expedition. If you want silence for every sunset photograph, the music may be a consideration. If you enjoy a social, easygoing setting, it fits the plan well.

Sunset times change through the year, so the exact light during the Blue Lagoon stop will depend on the date you book. The activity page asks you to check availability for starting times, and that is worth doing before you plan dinner or another evening event.

The moonlit run past Mellieha

After the stop at Comino, the boat makes its way back down past Mellieha. By then, the experience has changed character. The bright water and swim gear give way to a darker, calmer view of the coast, sky, and sea.

This return is one reason the 3.5-hour length works. You are not simply dropped back at Bugibba after the sunset. You get a second scenic phase, with moonlight and the night sky replacing the late-afternoon colors.

The boat is scheduled to arrive back at Bugibba Jetty around 9:00 pm. That makes the cruise easy to fit into a holiday evening, though you should avoid booking a dinner reservation that begins too soon after the planned return. Boats can take time to unload, and the stated arrival time is best treated as the end of the outing rather than the moment you will be walking away from the jetty.

The return trip also gives you time to dry off, buy another drink, and settle into the music. If you swam, bring a warm or dry layer. No special clothing is required, but beachwear alone may not be comfortable later in the evening.

What $28 really gets you

At $28 per person, this is a reasonably priced way to put a sunset boat ride, a Comino stop, and an evening on the water into one booking. The price is especially fair if you value the full 3.5-hour duration rather than treating the cruise as a quick photo stop.

Your ticket does not include food, drinks, or masks and snorkels. The restroom, WiFi, and emergency safety equipment are included, but the core value is the boat time and the route. If you buy drinks or rent gear, your final cost will rise.

Compared with a simple sunset sail that never stops, this offers more variety because you can swim. Compared with a full-day Comino trip, it takes up less of your holiday and costs less, but you get fewer hours for swimming and exploring.

The strongest value comes from choosing this cruise for its mood. You are paying for a complete evening, with music and changing light, rather than only transportation to the Blue Lagoon. If you mainly want an inexpensive swim at Comino, a different daytime option may give you more water time for the money.

Who will enjoy The Mermaid most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a simple evening activity with a bit of everything. The swim is optional, the music keeps the boat lively, and the moonlit return gives the trip a natural finish.

It also suits people who have already spent their day sightseeing and want to see Malta from the sea without giving up an entire day. You leave in the late afternoon and return around 9:00 pm, leaving the rest of your morning and early afternoon free.

This is less suitable for anyone with mobility impairments. The activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and the information provided does not describe accessible boarding arrangements.

You should also think about your tolerance for a fixed schedule. Boarding closes at 5:25 pm, departure is at 5:30 pm, and the group follows a set route. The plan is easy once you are aboard, but there is little room for arriving late or changing the order of the evening.

Practical packing advice for the evening

Keep your packing simple. Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Beachwear and a dry layer for the return
• Sunglasses
• Cash for drinks, food, or snorkel rental and its deposit
• Any personal items you need during a 3.5-hour boat ride

Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, but they are not included. If you have specific dietary needs, the supplied information does not give details about the onboard food selection, so plan accordingly.

WiFi and a restroom are available. Safety equipment is onboard for emergencies. The activity is in English, so you should be comfortable receiving instructions in English, especially around boarding and the swim stop.

The meeting point is back at Bugibba Jetty, and the cruise ends there too. There is no separate return transfer to another part of Malta included in the experience.

How the cruise compares with a standard sunset outing

Many sunset boat trips are little more than a slow ride, a drink, and a view. This one adds a clear middle section at the Blue Lagoon, which gives the evening a physical break. You can swim, dry off, and then enjoy the darker return route.

The tradeoff is that the sunset itself may be shared between the water and the deck. If you swim until the last possible moment, you may miss some of the best colors from the boat. If sunset photography is your priority, stay aboard during the final part of the stop.

The reggae theme also makes this more distinctive than a plain sightseeing cruise. I would choose it for the relaxed soundtrack and social mood. If you prefer a quiet, highly narrated cruise focused on facts about Malta, this is probably not the right match.

The route also creates a nice contrast between the outward and return journeys. The north coast is seen in fading daylight on the way out, while Mellieha and the sea appear under the night sky on the way back. That two-part view gives the cruise more substance than its modest price suggests.

Should you book the Bugibba sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed evening at sea, a chance to swim at the Blue Lagoon, and a scenic return with reggae music and moonlight. At $28, it offers good value for a 3.5-hour outing, especially if you plan to buy only one drink and do not need rental gear.

Think twice if you need full accessibility, dislike fixed departure times, or want a long snorkeling session. For everyone else, the combination of Captain Matthew’s welcoming crew, an optional swim, and the late return past Mellieha makes this a well-rounded choice for a Malta holiday.

FAQ

Where does the sunset cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty. Look for the Mermaid Cruises sellers or the red, blue, and white boat named The Mermaid.

What time should I arrive?

Boarding begins at 5:15 pm and closes at 5:25 pm. The boat departs at 5:30 pm sharp.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts 3.5 hours. The scheduled return to Bugibba Jetty is around 9:00 pm.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat cruises to the Blue Lagoon in Comino, where you can take a swim or remain onboard.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard but are not included in the price.

Can I rent a mask and snorkel?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are available for rent, and a cash deposit is required.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.