From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat

The main appeal here is simple: you reach Comino in about 30 minutes by powerboat, rather than spending much of the day getting there. Once ashore, you set your own pace, with time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or walking around Comino.

I like the direct route from St. Julian’s and the useful cave visit on the way back. I also like the freedom of having no guide or fixed island program. The main consideration is the ride itself: one recent report described rough bouncing, hard plastic seats, limited handholds, and some energetic boat maneuvers, so this is not a good match if you are prone to seasickness or want a gentle cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• The Blue Lagoon is reached in about 30 minutes, making this one of the quicker ways to reach Comino from St. Julian’s.
• You get free time rather than a guided island tour, so you choose between swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and walking.
• A government access pass is now required to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, and daily places are limited.
• The return trip includes Comino’s sea caves when weather allows, adding a short sightseeing element to the ride home.
• The powerboat is fast and exposed, so bring motion sickness protection and think carefully if you have back, heart, mobility, or pregnancy concerns.
• Food, drinks, hotel transfers, and a guide are not included, which keeps the $65 price fairly focused on transport and free time.

Why the 30-minute powerboat ride matters

Comino is close to Malta, but the water crossing can still eat up a large part of your day on slower boats. This trip is designed around speed. You leave St. Julian’s and head along Malta’s eastern coast, passing the St. Paul’s Islands before making for Comino.

That direct ride is the strongest reason to choose this experience. You spend more of your six-hour outing at the island instead of sitting on a boat. It is also a practical choice if you are staying around St. Julian’s and want a simple boat connection without arranging separate transport.

The tradeoff is comfort. A powerboat gives you speed, but it also exposes you more directly to wind and waves than a larger vessel. One account described being lifted from the seat when the sea became rough, with only one handrail available. Another praised the speedboat transport but advised arriving at the Blue Lagoon as early as possible because crowds become large.

I would treat the departure time as an important decision. The 10:30 AM trip returns at about 4:30 PM, while the 12:30 PM departure returns around 5:00 PM. The earlier departure gives you a longer morning at Comino and may help you reach the Blue Lagoon before the busiest part of the day. The later option works if you prefer a slower start, but it leaves less time before the main crowds gather.

Finding the jetty behind the St. Julian’s marina

The meeting point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ.

The entrance is easy to miss if you are looking only for a large tour sign. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground. That line leads to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

Give yourself enough time to find this spot. The directions are specific, but the departure area is not described as a hotel lobby meeting point. You will want to arrive ready to board, with no large luggage or bulky bags.

The host and skipper speak English. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach St. Julian’s under your own arrangements.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: what your free time looks like

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the outing. Its clear cyan water and pale sandy bottom create the famous bright color seen in photographs. The water is the reason most people choose Comino, and you can use the stop in the way that suits you best.

You might spend most of your time swimming. You can also bring a mask for snorkeling, lie in the sun, or walk through parts of Comino. Since this is not a guided tour, there is no scheduled commentary or group walking route. That makes the day flexible, but you need to manage your own time and belongings.

The phrase free time is important here. The operator provides the boat connection, the skipper, and the stop at Comino. You do not get a guide explaining the island or organizing activities. I see that as a strength if you want a beach day, but a limitation if you expect a sightseeing tour with local interpretation.

The Blue Lagoon can also be a crowded place. You should not picture a quiet private cove, particularly later in the day. The water may look calm and inviting, but the shore can feel busy, and the limited space around the lagoon makes an early arrival useful.

The new Blue Lagoon access pass

Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You obtain it through the official website, blcomino.com, and the daily allocation is limited.

This is not a minor detail. If you arrive without the correct pass, you cannot leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon. The instructions say that people without a pass will instead be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino.

When booking the 10:30 AM departure, you need both the morning and afternoon time slots on the pass. For the 12:30 PM departure, you need the afternoon time slot. Check the official access requirements before your boat day, and do not assume that paying $65 for the boat automatically includes entry ashore.

Santa Marija Bay gives you a fallback on Comino, but it is not the same arrangement as stepping onto the Blue Lagoon shore. If the lagoon is the specific reason you are booking, secure the pass first.

Sea caves on the return to St. Julian’s

The afternoon pickup begins the return journey, and the boat may visit Comino’s sea caves before heading back to St. Julian’s. This stop depends on weather, so you should treat it as an added possibility rather than a guaranteed sightseeing visit.

The caves provide a change of pace after several hours around the lagoon. Instead of simply retracing the crossing, you get a closer look at Comino’s rocky shoreline from the water. The cave visit is brief compared with the main island stop, but it gives the return trip a clear point of interest.

Boat choice and conditions can vary. One recent account said the return used a different boat, and another described energetic maneuvers near other boats. I would not book this expecting a polished scenic cruise. Think of it as fast transport with a little coastal sightseeing built in.

Is $65 good value?

At $65 per person, the price is reasonable if your priority is direct transport, several hours of free time, and a return trip that may include the sea caves. Fuel, the experienced skipper, both boat crossings, and the Comino stop are included.

The value is less obvious if you need a full-service beach outing. You must arrange your own food and drinks, reach the jetty yourself, and obtain the Blue Lagoon access pass separately. There is no guide, hotel transfer, or stated provision of beach equipment.

I would compare the price with what you value most. If you want the quickest practical route from St. Julian’s and prefer making your own day, the cost makes sense. If you want a calm ride, organized activities, or a fully handled beach visit, you may find the package too bare-bones.

The flexibility also helps. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms are useful if the weather forecast is uncertain, though you should still check the sea conditions before setting out.

What to bring for a day on the water

Pack lightly. Large bags, luggage, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

You should bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes for the jetty and Comino
• Motion sickness prevention if you need it
• Your own food and drinks, since they are not included

A small, manageable bag is the sensible choice. Keep items secure during the fast crossing, and do not expect a full changing-room or luggage service based on the information provided.

Sun protection matters even on a breezy boat. The speed can make the air feel cooler than it is, while several hours near the water leave you exposed for much of the day.

Who should choose this powerboat trip?

This outing suits you if you want:

• A fast crossing from St. Julian’s to Comino
• Several hours without a guide or group schedule
• Time for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking
• A short sea cave visit on the return
• A half-day or full afternoon built around the Blue Lagoon

It is less suitable if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. The activity is also not recommended for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, and wheelchair users.

The safety concern deserves a clear-eyed look. The supplied information identifies the trip as unsuitable for several health conditions, and one recent account raised concerns about life jackets, hard seating, rough landings, and limited hand support in unsettled seas. That does not establish how every departure operates, but it does mean you should ask questions before booking if safety equipment or ride comfort is a major concern.

You should also be comfortable with an active boat ride. This is not a slow harbor cruise. Conditions can change, and the experience may feel exciting to one person and rough to another.

Timing your day around crowds and weather

For the best chance at a more manageable Blue Lagoon stop, I would favor the 10:30 AM departure. You reach Comino earlier and have more time before the afternoon return. The later 12:30 PM departure still gives you a substantial island visit, but it places you at the lagoon during a busier part of the day.

The operator plans to return you around 4:30 PM on the morning departure or about 5:00 PM on the later one. Weather may affect the cave visit and the feel of the crossing. You should expect the route and stop to be shaped by sea conditions rather than by a rigid sightseeing script.

The six-hour duration is long enough for a proper island stop, but not so long that you lose an entire day in Malta. It works well beside other St. Julian’s plans, provided you leave space around the stated return time.

Should you book it?

Book this powerboat trip if you want speed, independence, and a swimming stop at Comino more than you want a guided tour or a cushioned cruise. The direct half-hour crossing is useful, the Blue Lagoon gives you plenty of free time, and the sea caves add something extra on the return.

I would choose the earlier departure, secure the government access pass before paying, and bring motion sickness protection even if you normally feel fine at sea. I would skip it if you have back, heart, mobility, pregnancy, or seasickness concerns, or if reports of a rough, open powerboat ride make you uneasy.

At $65, it is a focused transport-and-free-time package. It offers good value for an active day on the water, but you need to supply the pass, food, drinks, and patience for crowds yourself.

FAQ

How long is the trip from St. Julian’s to Comino?

The powerboat crossing takes about 30 minutes. The full activity lasts approximately six hours.

What departure times are available?

The stated departure times are 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM. The earlier trip returns at about 4:30 PM, and the later trip returns at about 5:00 PM.

Do I need a pass to enter the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You can obtain it through blcomino.com, and daily places are limited.

What happens if I do not have a Blue Lagoon access pass?

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. You will instead be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The Comino stop is free time, so you explore, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk at your own pace. An English-speaking skipper operates the boat, but no tour guide is included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. You need to bring or buy your own food and drinks. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s. Enter through the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, follow the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.