From Sliema: Full-Day Cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The best part of this cruise is simple: you get a boat ride to Comino’s Blue Lagoon without arranging your own transport, then time to swim in remarkably clear turquoise water. I like the eight-hour schedule and the handy onboard facilities, especially the bar, toilets, air-conditioning, and upper deck. The main catch is that the advertised full day does not always mean eight hours at the lagoon. Extra stops can leave you with roughly three to four hours on Comino.

I also like the price, about $34 per person, which is fair for a full-day boat outing from Sliema. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and money for drinks, food, snorkeling gear, and possibly an upper-deck seat. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it can be crowded, and the boat may feel packed at busy times.

Key points at a glance

• The Blue Lagoon is the star: Clear water, a pale seabed, good swimming, and fine snorkeling make this the reason to book.
• The meeting point matters: Depart from the Sliema ferry terminal, opposite McDonald’s, not Valletta. Arrive by 10:00 AM for the 10:30 departure.
• Your lagoon time may be shorter than expected: Extra stops at places such as St. Paul’s Bay or Gozo can extend the boat ride.
• Comino now requires a free walking ticket: From May 1, 2025, reserve the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM time slot at blcomino.com and keep the QR code ready.
• The boat is practical, not intimate: You get air-conditioning, toilets, a bar, commentary, and an upper deck, but seating can be crowded.
• Budget for extras: Snorkeling equipment, drinks, snacks, umbrellas, and an optional upper-deck sunbed may cost more.

Why the Blue Lagoon is worth the boat ride

Comino’s Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto. The sheltered basin has pale sand beneath clear water, giving it the bright color that makes Malta’s northern coast so popular.

You can swim straight from the boat or head ashore if you have the required Comino QR ticket. The water is the main attraction, and it is especially suited to a relaxed swim or a look below the surface with a mask and snorkel. Bring your own gear if you have it, or rent snorkeling equipment onboard for an extra fee.

I would set your expectations before you go. This is not a quiet, private cove. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, so the shore and water can be busy. The scenery is still lovely, but you will get more from the visit if you accept that you are sharing the setting with many other people.

The pale seabed also makes the water photogenic, though the strongest color depends on sunlight and how crowded the basin is. Take your photos, then put the phone away and swim. The water is the experience.

Leaving Sliema at 10:30 AM

The boat leaves the Sliema ferry terminal at 10:30 AM. This is in Sliema, not Valletta, and the meeting point is opposite McDonald’s. I would arrive by 10:00 AM, since finding the correct dock and getting aboard is less stressful with time to spare.

The cruise includes English commentary, so you should receive information about the places along the route. The quality and amount of commentary can vary, and some departures may feel more focused on moving people than on giving a guided sightseeing experience. Think of the commentary as useful background rather than a full historical tour.

The boat itself is larger than a small private excursion boat. That gives you more space, toilets, a bar, air-conditioning, and room to move between decks. It also means the atmosphere can be busy, particularly on popular dates.

One practical point: several groups may share the same boat or route. That can make the departure and return less direct than expected. Some departures stop at St. Paul’s Bay or Gozo before reaching the lagoon, adding useful views but also extending the travel time.

The boat ride can take longer than expected

The timetable says 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, giving you eight hours away from Sliema. That does not guarantee eight hours in the water.

On one type of schedule, the boat can take more than two hours to reach the Blue Lagoon because it stops to drop people off or collect people elsewhere. A departure at 10:30 AM may not reach the lagoon until around 12:45 PM. The return can also include a stop at St. Paul’s Bay, bringing you back to Sliema after 6:00 PM.

That leaves about three to four hours at the lagoon, which is still enough time for a swim, snorkeling, lunch, and some time ashore. But it is important if your main goal is maximum water time. Read the day as an eight-hour cruise with a Blue Lagoon stop, not necessarily as eight uninterrupted hours at Comino.

The longer ride has one benefit: you see more of Malta’s coast from the water. If you enjoy the boat itself, this is part of the value. If you mainly want to swim, the extra stops may feel like lost time.

What to do once you reach Comino

You have two basic choices: stay close to the boat and swim, or walk ashore and explore the lagoon area.

The water beside the boat is useful if you want to avoid the busiest shore. You can swim and snorkel without needing to walk onto Comino, and the boat provides a place to return for a rest, drink, or use of the facilities.

If you want to walk on the island, you need the free Comino ticket introduced from May 1, 2025. Reserve it online at www.blcomino.com and choose the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot. You will receive a QR code, which Comino officials scan when you arrive.

This detail is easy to miss. Without the QR code, you may not be allowed to walk on Comino, although you can still swim next to the boat. Save the code on your phone before departure, and do not assume that booking the cruise automatically covers island access.

The shore is rocky in places, so closed shoes are a smart addition to your packing list. A towel, swimsuit, and sunscreen are essential. There is little point in carrying heavy sightseeing gear when the day is mostly about water and sun.

Swimming, snorkeling, and finding shade

The Blue Lagoon is at its best in the water. The clear conditions make it a good place to bring a mask and snorkel, and marine life can be seen below the surface. Equipment is available to rent onboard for an additional charge if you do not bring your own.

Sun protection deserves serious attention. You may spend time on the boat, in the water, and on exposed shore, with limited natural shade. Sunscreen is listed as an essential item, and I would apply it before leaving Sliema, then reapply during the day.

Umbrellas may be available to rent at Comino. One arrangement charges around €15 or €20, with €5 returned when the umbrella comes back, though prices and terms can vary. This is another reason to carry some cash or a payment card, but do not count on a shaded spot being available.

The optional upper deck is another choice. Some departures offer top-deck sunbeds for about €10. That can be worthwhile if you want a clearer view and a place to stretch out, but it is not necessary for enjoying the lagoon. The main deck, air-conditioning, and swimming stop are included in the basic experience.

Food, drinks, and facilities onboard

The boat has a bar and toilets, which makes the long day easier. Air-conditioning is useful during the hottest part of the ride, while the upper deck gives you fresh air and a view when you are not swimming.

Food and drinks are not clearly part of the base price, so budget for purchases onboard. Snacks and beverages are available, but queues can become long when many people order at once. Bring water if allowed by the operator, and do not wait until you are very thirsty to buy a drink.

Some departures offer a sandwich or meal option, but a vegetarian sandwich may not be available. If you do not eat meat, ask ahead of time rather than assuming the boat menu will suit you. For a full day in the sun, carrying a small snack is sensible, provided it fits the operator’s rules.

The bar and facilities are practical rather than luxurious. They turn a basic swimming trip into a more comfortable day on the water, but they do not remove the need to plan for crowds, waiting, and extra charges.

Crowds, seating, and the overall feel

This is a budget-friendly shared cruise, not a private sailing trip. The boat can be packed, particularly when demand is high. That affects how quickly you find a preferred seat, how long you wait at the bar, and how easy it is to move around.

I would arrive early at the meeting point and follow crew directions when boarding. If a top-deck place matters to you, ask about the optional €10 upgrade as soon as possible. If you prefer shade and air-conditioning, the main deck may suit you better.

The crowded setting is the main tradeoff for the low price. You get a simple route to Comino, but you give up the quiet pace and personal attention of a smaller boat. The crew is generally friendly, and the English commentary helps, though the amount of explanation can feel limited during a busy departure.

There can also be confusion about where to board for the return journey if the boat uses several stopping points. Listen carefully when the crew explains the return arrangements. Keep track of the boat’s location and return time so you are not searching for the correct pickup point at the last minute.

Is $34 a fair price?

At about $34 per person, the cruise offers good value if you want transport to Comino, a long day away from Sliema, and basic onboard facilities. You are paying for the boat ride, English commentary, access to the Blue Lagoon area, toilets, and a bar, not for a private guide or an all-inclusive beach day.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who do not want to arrange separate ferry transport or worry about getting to Comino independently. You can sit back for the coastal ride, swim at the lagoon, and return to Sliema the same day.

The price becomes less attractive if you expect food, snorkeling gear, shade, or a reserved sunbed to be included. Add the cost of equipment, drinks, an umbrella, or the upper deck, and the final amount can rise.

I would also compare the price with your priorities. If three to four hours of lagoon time is enough, the cruise is a practical choice. If you want a full day in the water with very little time on the boat, a different departure or a more direct service may suit you better.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• An easy day trip from Sliema
• Several hours for swimming and snorkeling
• A large boat with toilets, a bar, and air-conditioning
• A reasonably priced way to reach Comino
• A simple English-language cruise with coastal views

It suits couples, families, and independent visitors who want a straightforward day by the sea. It is also useful if you prefer not to organize ferry connections yourself.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowded boats, need guaranteed shade, or want a quiet, private experience. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users. Anyone with limited mobility should check carefully before booking, since the boat and access to Comino are not designed for wheelchair use.

Practical preparation before departure

Book the free Comino walking ticket separately if you plan to step onto the island. Choose the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot and keep the QR code available on your phone.

For the cruise itself, pack:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Snorkeling gear, or money to rent it onboard
• Closed shoes for rocky areas
• Money for drinks, snacks, umbrellas, or the optional upper deck

The boat leaves at 10:30 AM and returns to the Sliema ferry terminal around 6:30 PM. Confirm the exact starting information when booking, and remember that the departure point is opposite McDonald’s in Sliema, not Valletta.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta schedule is still shifting, but the most important booking decision is whether you are comfortable with a shared boat and potentially less lagoon time than the eight-hour duration suggests.

Should you book this Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, a long boat ride, an easy route to Comino, and a fair base price. The Blue Lagoon itself is beautiful, and the combination of swimming, snorkeling, coastal views, and onboard facilities makes this a useful day out.

Skip it if your priority is privacy, guaranteed quiet, or eight full hours at the lagoon. The boat may be crowded, extra stops can lengthen the journey, and drinks, food, equipment, shade, and top-deck seating may cost more.

For most visitors, I would call it a sensible budget choice, provided you arrive early, reserve the free Comino QR ticket, and treat the schedule as a full-day cruise rather than a full day spent ashore.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the Sliema ferry terminal, opposite McDonald’s. It does not depart from Valletta.

What time should I arrive?

You should be at the meeting point by 10:00 AM. The boat leaves at 10:30 AM.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return is around 6:30 PM, and the activity ends back at the Sliema meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent onboard for an additional fee.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free online ticket to walk on Comino. Choose the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot and keep the QR code ready for scanning.

Can I swim if I do not have the Comino walking ticket?

Yes. You can still swim next to the boat, but you may not be allowed to walk on Comino without the QR code.

Are food and drinks included?

The boat has bar facilities, snacks, and beverages available, but food and drinks are not clearly included in the base price. Budget for purchases onboard.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.