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

The best part of this trip is simple: you reach Comino quickly, without sitting in Malta traffic or spending most of the day on a slow boat. The speedboat ride takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, and the route includes views of St. Paul’s Islands before the dazzling Blue Lagoon comes into view.

I like the freedom to choose a departure time and spend your stop as you wish. I also like the return route, which includes Comino’s sea caves when weather allows. The main catch is the Blue Lagoon itself: its water is lovely, but the small bay can be very crowded, especially in summer, and you now need a government access pass to get ashore there.

Key points

• Fast transfer from St. Julian’s: Reach Comino in roughly 30 to 45 minutes by speedboat.
• Free time at the Blue Lagoon: Swim, snorkel, sunbathe, rent a deck chair, or walk around Comino.
• Sea caves on the way back: The skipper may make a cave stop if conditions are suitable.
• Government access pass required: Since May 2025, you must arrange a pass through blcomino.com to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon.
• Useful shore facilities: Food stalls, drinks, toilets, showers, lockers, and paid water activities are available at the lagoon.
• Best for active visitors: The trip is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people prone to motion sickness.

A fast run from St. Julian’s to Comino

This is a transport-focused boat trip with a beautiful destination, rather than a guided sightseeing cruise. You meet at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, then board a speedboat for the run across the water.

The route follows Malta’s eastern coast and passes the small St. Paul’s Islands. You will get open-water views and a quick look at the coast, but the skipper does not provide a full guided tour of each sight. The English-speaking host or greeter handles the practical side, while the skipper gets you safely to Comino.

The boat ride itself is part of the fun. You travel much faster than many standard ferry services, which matters if you have only a few hours in Malta. The total activity lasts between 2.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the departure and return option you choose.

Several people have found the trip to take about 30 minutes each way, while the stated journey time can reach 45 minutes. Sea conditions, the boat used, and the exact schedule can affect the timing, so I would leave a little room around this outing rather than booking a tightly timed restaurant or flight afterward.

Finding the jetty in St. Julian’s

The meeting point is more specific than simply St. Julian’s. Go to 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort.

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.

I would arrive early enough to find this access point without rushing. The jetty is not presented as a large public terminal, so the instructions matter. Hotel pickup is not included, and you need to make your own way to St. Julian’s.

The provider may use any suitable speedboat from its fleet. The boat you board might not match the one shown in promotional photos. That is worth keeping in mind if you are choosing this trip because of a particular boat design.

The Blue Lagoon access rule matters

The most important planning detail is the shore pass. Since May 2025, Malta requires anyone who wants to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon to obtain a government-issued access pass in advance.

You can get the pass through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and the boat operator cannot let you step ashore without it. This is not an optional extra if your plan is to walk onto the Blue Lagoon shore, use the beach facilities, or explore Comino from there.

If you arrive without a pass, you will not simply pay at the jetty and continue as planned. The alternative is Santa Marija Bay on Comino, where the boat will take passengers who cannot disembark at the Blue Lagoon.

I would arrange the pass before booking the boat, then keep proof of it available on your phone. This small step can decide whether you get the Blue Lagoon visit described here or a different Comino stop.

What the Blue Lagoon is really like

The Blue Lagoon earns its fame through color. The water can look clear, bright blue, and almost glassy, with a pale sandy bottom and fish visible below the surface. From the boat, the first view across the narrow bay is the strongest part of the visit.

You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around the island during your free time. The water is the star, so pack swimwear and a towel even if you are not sure you will swim. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes for walking beyond the water’s edge.

The catch is space. The lagoon is small and can feel crowded, particularly during the warmer months. Several visitors still found the water worth the trip, but the setting is not a quiet beach escape at peak times.

I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a scenic swimming stop, not a peaceful coastal retreat. If you want clear water and a lively holiday atmosphere, it fits well. If you dislike crowds, choose an earlier departure if available and use some of your free time to walk away from the main shore.

Making good use of free time on Comino

The tour does not include a guide leading you around Comino. Once you step ashore, you are responsible for your own time and plans. That can be a strength because you are not tied to a group walking pace.

You can swim first, then dry off and take a walk around the island. One useful approach is to get in the water soon after arrival, before spending time on shore facilities or looking for a quieter place to sit. The exact amount of free time depends on the option you book, and one reported schedule allowed around two hours at the lagoon.

Comino is small, but you should not expect a full island walking day on this short outing. Your time is better suited to a swim, a short walk, photographs, and a drink or snack. Wear shoes you can walk in, since flip-flops may be less comfortable if you leave the main swimming area.

The shore has toilets, rinse showers, food and drink stands, and lockers for a fee. Deck chairs can also be rented. Card payments are accepted at many vendors, including some chair rentals, though I would not rely on every small purchase accepting a card.

A practical food tip: pineapple drinks are available in hollowed pineapples. If you buy one, bring a small fork so you can eat the fruit left inside. It is a minor detail, but it saves good fruit from becoming waste.

Food, lockers, and paid water activities

You do not receive food or drinks with the boat fare. Plan to buy them on Comino or bring what you need, keeping in mind that large bags are not allowed on the boat.

The Blue Lagoon area has food and drink stands, and there are paid lockers if you do not want to leave valuables unattended. Toilets and a shower for rinsing off are also available. These facilities make the stop easier than a completely undeveloped beach, but they also add to the busy feel of the place.

You might also find activities such as banana boat rides and parasailing. The provided information confirms their availability at the lagoon, but it does not give prices or exact operating times. Think of them as optional extras, not part of the $53 boat price.

The basic fare covers the speedboat transfer, fuel, an experienced skipper, your free time at Comino, and the return ride. At $53 per person, that is reasonable if your priority is reaching the Blue Lagoon quickly and returning to St. Julian’s in half a day.

The value is weaker if you want a full guided tour, a meal, equipment rental, or a long stop at several coastal sites. You pay for speed, convenience, and the Comino transfer. You do not pay for a guide who stays with you on shore.

The return ride and Comino sea caves

When it is time to leave, the speedboat collects you at the Blue Lagoon and begins the return trip to St. Julian’s. Weather permitting, the route includes the Comino sea caves.

This adds a useful sightseeing element to what could otherwise be a simple water taxi. The caves give you another view of Comino’s coast, and the boat ride lets you see the island from the water rather than only from the crowded lagoon.

Sea conditions can change. One account described rougher waves on the return and noted that life jackets were provided. The skipper’s decision to adjust the route or skip the caves is sensible when conditions are poor, so do not treat the cave visit as guaranteed.

The boat crew may play music and offer brief comments about places along the route. That can make the ride more lively, but this is still not a narrated coastal tour. If you want long explanations about Malta’s past or geology, choose a dedicated sightseeing cruise instead.

Comfort, motion, and who should book

The speedboat is quick and, in calm conditions, can feel comfortable. You still need to take seasickness seriously. Motion sickness medication or another personal prevention method is specifically worth considering, especially if you are unsure how you handle fast boats.

The experience is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Baby strollers, baby carriages, electric wheelchairs, non-folding wheelchairs, pets, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.

You should be comfortable climbing on and off a boat and managing your own time ashore. The trip suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who want a quick swim at Comino without committing to a full-day cruise.

I especially like it for someone staying in St. Julian’s who wants to fit Comino into a busy Malta schedule. The direct departure point saves you from arranging a separate transfer to another harbor, and the fast ride leaves more of the day available for other plans.

Timing, weather, and practical packing

Choose your departure time carefully. A longer option gives you more time at Comino, while a shorter option works if you mainly want the boat ride and a quick swim. Check the available start times before you commit, since the duration ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 hours.

Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Comfortable shoes are useful for the walk around Comino. Keep your belongings small, because large bags are not accepted.

Weather affects both the ride and the cave visit. The boat provider can change the route or use a different vessel from its fleet based on operating conditions. I would avoid carrying anything fragile or valuable that you do not need for a few hours by the sea.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to secure the Blue Lagoon access pass in advance.

Should you book this Comino speedboat trip?

Book it if you want the quickest practical route from St. Julian’s to Comino, value free time over a guided program, and are happy to swim or explore on your own. The clear water, fast crossing, and possible cave visit give you a strong half-day outing for $53.

Think twice if you want quiet beaches, extensive commentary, or guaranteed calm water. The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, the sea may become rough, and the caves depend on weather. Most important, arrange your government access pass before you go.

For an efficient Comino visit with a lively speedboat ride, this is a sensible choice. Just arrive prepared for sun, crowds, and a self-guided stop rather than a polished sightseeing tour.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip from St. Julian’s to Comino take?

The high-speed crossing is described as about 45 minutes, while some schedules and conditions may make it closer to 30 minutes. The full activity lasts between 2.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the option selected.

Do I need an access pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily availability is limited.

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

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Instead, the provider will take you to Santa Marija Bay on Comino.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The stop at Comino is free time, so you explore, swim, eat, or relax at your own pace. An English-speaking host or greeter is available for the activity, and the experienced skipper operates the boat.

Are food, drinks, and hotel transfers included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. The fare includes the speedboat rides, fuel, the Comino stop, an experienced skipper, and the possible sea cave visit on the return.

What should I bring to the boat?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and motion sickness prevention if needed. Large bags, luggage, pets, strollers, and several types of wheelchairs are not allowed.