Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves Cruise

The best part of this cruise is that your boat stays with you at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim from its steps, use the slide, return for shade or a drink, and keep your things nearby instead of being dropped on a crowded shore. I also like the cave views along Malta and Comino, plus the relaxed family-run feel created by Captain Kevin and his crew.

I especially like the long lagoon stop and the reasonable onboard food and drink prices. The tradeoff is a rough ride in places, limited upper-deck deck chairs, and a busy Blue Lagoon, even if the boat moors in a quieter section. If you get seasick, sit low and bring what you need to stay comfortable.

What makes this cruise worth your time

• A boat-based Blue Lagoon day: Stay onboard as your swimming base, with steps, toilets, lockers, shade, a cafeteria, and a 10-meter slide.
• Captain Kevin’s commentary: Hear about Malta’s coastal sights as you pass St. Paul’s Islands, Ahrax Point, Comino, and Gozo.
• Two cave visits: The boat makes quick entries at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave for close views and photographs.
• A long Comino stop: You get about 4.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, eating, or walking on Comino.
• Crystal Lagoon and Saint Mary’s Tower: The return route adds more scenery instead of sending you straight back to Malta.
• Optional speedboat fun: A separate cave ride near Comino costs €15 in cash and is one of the more exciting add-ons.

From St. Paul’s Bay to Malta’s northern coast

You meet the boat at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St. Paul’s Bay. Look behind LOA restaurant for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red. Arrive 45 minutes to an hour early if you want a smoother start and a better chance at an upper-deck chair.

The departure area is practical rather than grand. Three bus stops, Parades, Bandieri, and Toni, are within walking distance. If you drive, free parking is available in white road boxes and in a small nearby parking area. Taxi drivers need the full address, since St. Paul’s Bay has several waterfront points.

Once underway, the cruise follows Malta’s northern coast. This first hour is not filler. You pass St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul, then continue toward Ahrax Point and Coral Lagoon. Captain Kevin provides information about the sights, so keep your phone or camera ready and listen for the landmarks before they slip behind you.

The boat offers two very different ways to enjoy the ride. The upper deck is the place for sun, open views, and a possible deck chair. The main deck gives you shade and a steadier perch when the sea gets lively. The upper chairs are limited, so arriving early matters if sunbathing is part of your plan.

The cruise can be bumpy, especially when the boat is moving at speed. That is part of the price of covering Malta, Comino, and a little of Gozo in one outing. If motion affects you, avoid a full stomach before departure, sit in a central lower area, and keep an eye on the horizon.

Ahrax Cave, Coral Lagoon, and Comino’s north channel

The route passes the Coral Lagoon and Ahrax Point, where the rocky coast begins to show why boat trips are useful in Malta. From sea level, you get angles that are difficult to find from land. The pale rock, small inlets, and clear water make this section a good time for photos.

The boat makes a quick stop to enter Ahrax Cave. Do not expect a long shore visit or a guided walk inside. This is a short, scenic passage that lets you see the cave from the water and take pictures without giving up much of your Blue Lagoon time.

Next comes the north channel of Comino. The boat passes the distinctive Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel. Captain Kevin points out the sights as you go, adding context to what might otherwise be a fast parade of rocky cliffs and blue water.

Santa Maria Cave is another quick entry. The boat gets close enough for a proper look, and the cave is particularly photogenic when the water and rock catch the light. Bring a waterproof phone pouch or keep your camera secure. Boats move, and a good picture is not worth losing your phone.

This scenic route is one of the strongest reasons to choose the full cruise rather than simply buying a water taxi to the Blue Lagoon. You get the destination, but you also get a guided look at the coast on the way there.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

After roughly an hour, the boat moors at the Blue Lagoon for about 4.5 hours. The scheduled stop is listed as approximately 11:00 to 15:20, so check the exact departure time and allow for the full length of the day, which may range from four to seven hours depending on the selected start.

The boat moors in a more secluded, less crowded area of the lagoon. The water below the boat is about three meters deep, which makes it a good jumping and swimming spot for confident swimmers. You can use the ladder and steps to get back aboard, then dry off on deck or settle into the shade.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright, clear water, but it is not a quiet beach escape. The main shore area can become very busy, especially during the middle of the day. The advantage here is that the boat remains your base. You do not need to carry everything onto the island, and you can escape the busiest patch by returning to the deck.

If you have trouble swimming, you can enter from the beach or request the buoyancy aid available on the boat with a €10 deposit. The boat’s mooring area is deep, so weaker swimmers should use care and should not feel pressured to jump from the boat or use the slide.

The 10-meter slide is the big family draw. You climb up, launch into the lagoon, and then use the ladder to return. Children enjoyed this feature particularly, but adults can have just as much fun. It gives the stop some energy beyond simply sitting in the sun.

You can also snorkel. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded. Bring your own equipment if you already have it, but the rental option is useful if you want to swim without carrying extra gear around Malta.

Staying onboard or walking onto Comino

You have a real choice during the long stop. Stay on the boat for swimming, shade, deck chairs, food, and drinks, or get off and explore Comino independently. I like this flexibility because it suits both active and easygoing days.

If you stay onboard, arrive early enough to claim a comfortable position. Upper-deck chairs are limited, and securing one can make a big difference during several hours in the sun. The main deck offers shade, which may be the wiser choice at midday, especially if you are prone to sunburn.

The cafeteria sells hot and cold drinks, food, and snacks. Lunch is not included, but prices are described as reasonable, so you can avoid the trouble of packing a full meal. Fresh pineapple drinks are one of the more playful choices mentioned by the crew, though some drinks may be quite icy.

Onboard facilities include male and female toilets and a limited number of lockers for a fee. Lockers are handy if you want to swim without leaving valuables beside your chair, but do not assume one will always be available. Keep cash for optional extras and take only what you need.

If you go ashore, you can see more of Comino at your own pace. The tour does not provide a detailed island walking route, so this is best for people comfortable with self-guided exploring. You will need to keep track of the return time and listen carefully for instructions before leaving the boat.

The optional Comino cave speedboat ride

The separate speedboat ride around Comino’s small caves costs €15 and is paid in cash onsite. It is not included in the cruise price, but it can add a faster, more playful element to the day.

The speedboat gets into smaller cave areas and gives you a closer view than the main vessel can provide. The ride is short compared with the main cruise, but it is a good use of part of the long lagoon stop if you want more than swimming and sunbathing.

Bring €15 in cash if you think you might want to join. I would not treat it as essential, since the main boat already visits Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave, but it is a worthwhile extra for anyone who likes speed, close coastal views, and a bit of excitement.

The speedboat guides are described as friendly and informative, and the ride has been a high point for many people. Ask onboard for the exact timing and meeting point so you do not miss the return departure.

Gozo views and the southern Comino route

At the end of the Comino stop, the boat heads toward Gozo without stopping for a shore visit. You cruise around Mgarr Harbour and see important sites from the water. This is sightseeing rather than a Gozo excursion, so do not book this cruise expecting time to walk through the harbour or explore the island.

The return route uses Comino’s south channel. You pass Crystal Lagoon and its caves, then Saint Mary’s Tower. Crystal Lagoon is another strong photo stop, with clear water and dramatic rock around the narrow inlet. The boat offers a guided look and pauses for about ten minutes.

Saint Mary’s Tower adds a historic landmark to the scenery. You may see it from the boat and, depending on the timing and instructions, have a short look nearby, but the main plan remains a coastal cruise rather than a tower tour. The views are the point here.

This southern route keeps the ride interesting on the way back. You are not simply retracing the morning path, and the changing angle gives you another look at Comino’s caves and cliffs.

What the $34 price really includes

At about $34 per person, the value is strong if you want a full day built around swimming at Comino. The price includes the cruise, viewing of the caves, about 4.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, upper-deck chairs when available, and use of the slide.

It does not include lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, lockers, or the optional speedboat. Those costs are easy to manage, but add them to your budget before booking. The boat’s reasonable food prices help keep the day from becoming expensive once you are onboard.

The real value is the time. A quick boat taxi can get you to the Blue Lagoon, but it does not give you the coastal commentary, cave passages, return route via Crystal Lagoon, or a built-in swimming platform. Here, the vessel works as transportation, changing room, shade area, snack stop, and launch point.

The price is less attractive if you dislike boats, want a quiet beach, or plan to spend most of the day walking on Comino. The boat is the experience, not just a way to reach the island.

Who should book this Comino cruise

I would recommend it to families, couples, and groups who want a simple Malta water day with plenty of choice. Children have the slide, confident swimmers have the deep-water platform, and non-swimmers can use the beach or the boat’s buoyancy aid.

It also suits you if you want to see several coastal sights without organizing separate transport. Captain Kevin’s commentary, the cave entries, and the route around Gozo provide more substance than a basic swim transfer.

You should think twice if you have serious mobility limitations, since the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You should also consider another plan if you are highly sensitive to rough water or want a small, quiet boat with no shared facilities.

For the best day, bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash for the optional speedboat. Arrive early, especially if you want an upper-deck chair. Check the Blue Lagoon access rules before you go: from 19 May 2025, visitors need a free QR code showing a designated time slot, available through blcomino.com. This cruise’s scheduled Blue Lagoon stop runs from 11:00 to 15:20, so you need both a morning and afternoon slot.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a full Blue Lagoon day with your boat as a base, rather than a quick transfer and a crowded patch of beach. The slide, cave stops, long swimming period, food onboard, and return past Crystal Lagoon make the $34 fare good value.

Skip it if rough seas, limited deck chairs, or shared boat facilities would spoil the day. For everyone else, this is one of the more practical ways to combine Comino’s famous water with Malta’s northern coast, especially if you arrive early and plan your Blue Lagoon QR access in advance.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Hornblower Cruises Malta at Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St. Paul’s Bay, behind LOA restaurant. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is listed as lasting between four and seven hours, depending on the departure time. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 4.5 hours, with a scheduled stop from approximately 11:00 to 15:20.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is available to purchase onboard, along with hot and cold drinks.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5. A €15 deposit is required, with €10 refunded.

Is the cave speedboat ride included?

No. The optional speedboat ride around Comino’s small caves costs €15, payable in cash onsite.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. From 19 May 2025, all visitors need a QR code showing a designated Blue Lagoon time slot. Visit blcomino.com for the free access pass, and make sure your slot covers the cruise’s scheduled stop.