Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Comino’s best sights come packed into one brisk boat outing: turquoise swimming stops, cliffside caves, sandy beaches, and rock formations that look especially fine from the water. The small boat, limited to about 24 people, can get close to the caves and gives you a better view than a large ferry.

I like the 45-minute Crystal Lagoon stop, where the water is often the star of the day, and the practical mix of swimming time and sightseeing. I also like the shaded seating, toilet, paddleboard, swim noodles, and free parking. The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon’s popularity. The water is beautiful, but the area can feel much busier than Crystal Lagoon, and anyone prone to seasickness should think twice.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, roughly 24 people: You get a closer look at caves and rock formations without a large ferry crowd.
• Three useful water stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay provide time to swim, snorkel, or relax.
• Crystal Lagoon is the quiet highlight: Its clear green and blue water is especially good for swimming and photos.
• Blue Lagoon entry now needs planning: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code to step ashore.
• Free extras add real value: A paddleboard, swim noodles, shaded seats, toilet, and life jackets are provided.
• The route is more than a beach transfer: You pass Comino Tower, Promising Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

Why this short Comino cruise works

At $27 per person, this is a good-value way to see several of Comino’s famous sights in three to four hours. You are not paying for a full-day beach outing, lunch, or hotel transport. You are paying for a compact boat trip with three water stops and a guided circuit of the coast.

That distinction matters. If you want to plant yourself on one beach all day, this is not the right format. If you want to swim in more than one place and see the caves and rock formations without arranging several separate trips, it makes good sense.

The boat holds only about 24 people, which is one of the strongest features. A small group makes it easier to move around, ask the crew questions, and get a clear view when the boat approaches the caves. It also keeps the mood more relaxed than a large excursion vessel, though 24 people can still feel busy during the most popular swimming stops.

The crew speaks English and Maltese. A crew member named Johnny has been especially helpful with older people on board, which is worth noting if you are traveling with family members who may need a little extra assistance. The crew provides life jackets if you ask, but you should not wait until the boat is underway to request one.

Starting at Ċirkewwa and passing Comino Tower

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Walk down the stairs behind the café, then turn left around the corner to reach the boat. Free parking is available at the meeting point, a useful perk if you are driving to Malta’s northern tip.

The first part of the route is a sightseeing cruise of about 15 minutes. The boat passes Comino Tower, a sturdy coastal watchtower with a film connection: it appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo. You get a quick look rather than a landing, so think of this as a photo stop from the water.

This opening stretch gives you time to settle in and choose your spot. The shaded seating area is helpful in Malta’s strong sun, but you may want to step into the open air for photographs. Keep your phone or camera secure around spray, especially when the boat moves close to the cliffs.

Crystal Lagoon: the tour’s best swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon comes first as a major stop, with about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and general sightseeing. It sits on Comino’s western side and is known for clear water framed by pale rock and golden shoreline.

I would treat this as the most rewarding swim of the trip. The water colors can shift from green to bright blue, and the smaller boat can approach the rocky edges more closely than a large vessel. If you bring a waterproof camera, this is the place to use it. You may also be able to swim toward the caves, conditions allowing.

The tour includes a stand-up paddleboard and free swim noodles. These are small touches, but they make the stop easier for people who want to float rather than swim continuously. Snorkeling gear is not included, though it can be rented on board.

You should use the 45 minutes wisely. Put on sunscreen before entering the water, keep your towel and beachwear close, and decide early if you want to snorkel, paddle, or simply float. A short stop passes quickly when you spend the first few minutes organizing your things.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place to manage expectations. Its water may be the most striking part of the day, but you are not getting a long, quiet beach visit here. The stop is designed for a swim from the boat, not a full shore excursion.

Blue Lagoon and the new QR code rule

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about one hour. Sunlight catches the sandy seabed and gives the water its famous bright blue color. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, try parasailing if available as part of the local activity area, or stay on the boat and enjoy the view.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, but it is also the one most likely to feel crowded. The water remains beautiful, yet the experience is less peaceful than Crystal Lagoon. I would make this your sightseeing and photo stop as much as your swimming stop, especially if you dislike busy beaches.

There is an important rule in effect from May 1, 2025. If you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain a free QR code in advance from www.blcomino.com. The code has a time-specific entry slot: morning, afternoon, or sunset. Match the slot to your boat’s departure time.

You do not need the QR code if you remain on board. That gives you a practical choice. Get the code if walking ashore matters to you. Otherwise, stay on the boat, avoid the entry process, and still enjoy the view and the water stop.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy food at the beach stops and drinks on board or at the beaches, but bringing cash is sensible. The information provided for this trip specifically recommends cash, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear.

Gozo, Promising Rock, and San Niklaw Bay

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes along the coast toward Gozo and Promising Rock, also called Gebla tal-Ħalfa. This is a sightseeing section rather than another long swim. The rock gives you a good photo subject and a change of pace after the water stops.

The route then passes San Niklaw Bay and the Comino Hotel. The bay is quieter in feel, and the short viewing period lets you appreciate Comino’s less famous side. You will not have a long time to explore on foot here, so keep your camera ready and listen for the crew’s comments.

This part of the cruise is valuable because it prevents the trip from becoming three disconnected swims. You see how the coves, cliffs, and small bays fit together around Comino. The views are best enjoyed from outside the shaded area, but return to shade if the sun becomes too strong.

Santa Maria Bay: a proper beach break

Santa Maria Bay is the final long stop, with about 45 minutes to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, use the sandy beach, or take a short walk. Compared with the two lagoon stops, this gives you a chance to step ashore and stretch your legs.

The beach makes Santa Maria Bay a useful stop for people who do not want to spend every minute in the water. You can sit on the sand, walk around, or use the paddleboard if conditions permit. It is also a better place to buy something to eat than relying on the boat alone.

Still, 45 minutes is not enough for a long walk across Comino. Keep your exploration close to the bay and return to the boat on time. If you want a slow beach day, you would need a different outing with a longer stay.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate this stop most. One person can swim, another can sunbathe, and someone else can take a short walk. Pregnant women are specifically advised not to join this activity, and the trip is also not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

The final sightseeing stretch brings you to Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. The boat spends about 10 to 15 minutes around each area, giving you time for photographs and a close look from the water.

The small boat is a real advantage here. It can approach the caves closely, and the low viewpoint makes the rock walls feel more dramatic. If conditions are calm, you may see people swimming near or into the cave openings, but you should follow the crew’s instructions and use a waterproof camera rather than risk ordinary electronics.

Elephant Rock is one of those formations that makes more sense from the sea than from land. Its shape is the attraction, so this is a quick photo stop rather than a place to linger. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches it.

The trip then returns to the Cirkewwa meeting point. Since the route lasts three to four hours, you still have much of the day available for another activity, provided you have checked the exact departure time when booking.

What is included and what costs extra

The price includes more than transport. You get the boat ride, crew, shaded seating, an onboard toilet, free parking, the three main stops, sightseeing along the coast, a stand-up paddleboard, swim noodles, and life jackets on request.

That is a strong package for $27, especially if you value variety. You would pay more for a private boat, but this is not a private charter. The 24-person limit gives you a smaller setting without removing the shared-tour format.

Plan for extra spending on:

• Food at the beach stops
• Drinks bought on board or at the beaches
• Snorkeling gear rental
• Any optional activity available around the Blue Lagoon, such as parasailing

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you already have it. That saves rental time and lets you start swimming quickly at Crystal Lagoon.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, active introduction to Comino. It suits people who want clear water, several swims, coastal photographs, and a close look at caves and rock formations. The small boat also makes it a better choice than a large ferry for anyone who values a closer view and a more personal setting.

It works well for couples, friends, families with older children, and mixed groups where some people want to swim while others prefer sightseeing. The shaded seating and toilet are useful on a three to four-hour outing.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike boat spray, or want a quiet day on an uncrowded beach. The Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the schedule moves from stop to stop. You should also skip it if you are pregnant, since the activity is not considered suitable for pregnant women.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting times carefully, especially if you plan to obtain a Blue Lagoon QR code.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best-known parts of Comino in one efficient outing, especially Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, and the caves. The $27 price is fair because it combines swimming, sightseeing, a small boat, and useful onboard equipment.

Choose another option if you want a full day on one beach, a private boat, or a guaranteed peaceful Blue Lagoon visit. For most visitors who want to see and swim around Comino without spending the whole day, this is a practical and well-shaped trip. Bring cash, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera, then aim to make Crystal Lagoon your main event.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour start?

The tour starts behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe in Ċirkewwa, Mellieħa. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn left around the corner to reach the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about three to four hours. Exact starting times depend on availability when you book.

Does the tour stop at Crystal Lagoon?

Yes. The boat stops at Crystal Lagoon for about 45 minutes, with time for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and stand-up paddleboarding.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about one hour. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, relax, and take photographs.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code with a time-specific entry slot if you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling gear is not included, but you can rent it on board. The tour does include a stand-up paddleboard and free swim noodles.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. Food is not included, and drinks can be purchased on board or at the beach stops.