St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

The main draw is simple: you reach Comino’s Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes, then have several hours for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. I like the quick crossing from St George’s Bay and the chance to see St. Paul’s Islands, Malta’s east coast, and the caves around Comino in one half-day.

I also like the freedom of this setup. There is no long guided program once you arrive, so you can spend your time in the water or on shore. The catch is the speedboat ride, which can be rough and uncomfortable, especially in choppy seas. Recent feedback includes reports of bruising and a serious back injury, so this is not a soft, easy boat trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon in 45 minutes: The speedboat gets you there much faster than a slower ferry.
• Four hours around Comino: Most of the outing is free time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.
• St. Maria’s caves included: The boat makes a cave visit before returning to Malta.
• Rough ride is a real concern: You remain seated for the crossing, but the boat can hit waves hard.
• Blue Lagoon now requires a pass: You must reserve access through the official Comino website before arrival.
• Several departure times: Morning and afternoon options are offered, though the stated schedules need careful checking.

A fast crossing from St George’s Bay

You meet at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, at St George’s Bay in St Julian’s. The directions are specific: walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and missing it means losing your ticket. This is one outing where a relaxed holiday approach to timekeeping can cost you the whole trip.

The boat is shared rather than private. Once aboard, you are expected to remain seated for the entire ride. That rule matters because this is a fast open-boat transfer, not a gentle harbor cruise. The speed is part of the appeal, but it also means the crossing can feel abrupt when the boat meets waves.

The route first follows Malta’s east coast. You pass St. Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino. The trip gives you a useful view of the coast from the water, but the main practical benefit is speed. You reach the Blue Lagoon in roughly 45 minutes instead of spending much longer on a slower transfer.

One recent assessment praised the captain for being fast and handling a family outing well. That positive experience is worth noting, but it does not cancel out the safety concerns raised by other passengers. Conditions at sea can change, and the same boat can feel exciting in calm water and punishing in rough water.

Four hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The largest part of the outing is free time in Comino. The plan allows about four hours for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, which is enough time to make the transfer worthwhile rather than simply stopping for a quick photograph.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for clear water, and the setting is the reason most people choose this trip. Bring your beachwear and towel, and expect to spend much of your time near the water. Snorkeling is listed as a free activity, but food, drinks, and sunbeds are not included.

You can rent a sunbed at the Blue Lagoon if you want a more settled place to sit. That adds to the day’s cost, so budget for it rather than assuming the $47 price covers a full beach setup. You can also buy food and drinks at the lagoon, though those purchases are separate.

The free-time format suits you if you prefer to set your own pace. You can swim for a while, dry off, have something to eat, and return to the water without following a guide from one stop to the next. It is less suitable if you want a structured explanation of Comino or a long, guided snorkeling session.

The lagoon can also be the busiest and most demanding part of the day. The experience information does not give a group size or promise a quiet section of beach, so you should book this for access to the water, not for solitude. The practical value is the direct boat transfer and the long stop, not a private beach experience.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule

There is an important change for anyone booking this trip. Since April 29, 2025, visitors to the Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official government website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/.

You need a valid pass with correct details. Without one, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon area. In that case, the boat operator says you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, a nearby alternative beach.

That fallback may save the day from being a total loss, but it is not the same as visiting the Blue Lagoon. I would arrange the official pass before the boat trip and check that the names and details match your booking. Do not assume that buying the boat ticket automatically gives you lagoon access.

This extra step is now part of the cost and planning. It also makes the stated four hours more useful, since you know in advance where you are permitted to spend that time.

St. Maria’s caves before the return

Before heading back, the boat visits St. Maria’s caves on Comino. This is included in the ticket, so you do not need to pay an extra cave-tour fee.

The information provided does not promise that you enter the caves on foot or swim inside them. Expect a boat visit and views of the rock formations from the water. That makes this stop a pleasant add-on rather than a separate cave expedition.

The cave stop also breaks up the long beach stay. After several hours of swimming and sitting in the sun, a short cruise along Comino’s shore gives you something else to see before the return crossing.

You should keep your expectations in proportion. The headline attraction is still the Blue Lagoon. The caves add scenery and variety, but they do not turn the outing into a detailed geology tour.

Choosing among the departure times

Three departure options are listed:

• 9:30 a.m., returning at 1 p.m.
• 12:30 p.m., returning at 5 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m., returning at 5:30 p.m.

There is a timing issue here. The experience is described as lasting five hours, and the route includes two 45-minute crossings plus about four hours at Comino. Yet the first listed schedule lasts only three and a half hours, and the other two last four and a half hours.

I would check the exact departure and return time during booking rather than relying only on the general five-hour label. A timetable complaint from one passenger makes this especially important. Changes were reportedly not communicated clearly, so keep your plans flexible after the boat trip.

The morning departure gives you an early start and a return around lunchtime, which may work well if you have other plans in St Julian’s. The afternoon options let you use the morning for something else, but you return later and may have less room for delays.

The experience offers selection from different times, but availability is not guaranteed for every date. Check the time shown for your chosen booking and arrive at the meeting point early.

The real question: how rough is the speedboat?

The strongest concern is not the Blue Lagoon. It is the ride.

The boat travels quickly, and the information says passengers must remain seated for the full journey. One person reported that the boat had little protection beyond a rail to hold and that no life jackets were worn. Another reported being thrown into the air on the return crossing and suffering two broken back bones. The company remained in contact after that incident, which is a positive sign in its response, but the injury itself is a serious warning.

I cannot tell you how often such problems occur, and conditions may vary by weather, route, boat, and the captain’s handling. Still, you should take these reports seriously. If you have back problems, heart problems, a medical condition, motion sickness, or a strong tendency toward seasickness, this is not a sensible choice.

The trip is also unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and people over 75. People over 150 kilograms are excluded as well. Children under three cannot take part, and children under ten must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older.

The rules do not allow baby strollers or carriages. The operator also says the boat is not private, so you cannot expect to choose the smoothest seat or alter the route for your own group.

If you do go, wear beach clothing that allows you to move and remain seated securely. Keep loose items controlled, and do not treat the crossing as a chance to stand for photos. The boat’s speed is the selling point, but you need to respect its limits.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, the price covers the shared speedboat from St George’s Bay to Comino and back, plus the visit to the caves. It does not cover food, drinks, sunbeds, or the separate Blue Lagoon access pass.

The value is strongest if you want a quick transfer and several hours at Comino without arranging separate boat transport. You are paying for speed, a straightforward return journey, and the added cave stop.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a relaxed cruise. A slower boat may be more comfortable, though this experience does not provide a comparison price. You should also add possible beach expenses to your budget. A sunbed, drinks, food, and any other purchases can push the total above the headline fare.

The free-cancellation policy gives you the option to cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting. These are useful booking terms, but they do not remove the need to check sea conditions and the access-pass rule.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this tour if you want a short, direct route from St Julian’s to Comino and you are happy with independent beach time. It suits confident swimmers, people who want to snorkel without booking a full instructional session, and families with older children who can follow the boat rules.

The captain’s speed was a clear positive for one family, and the trip’s short crossing helps you spend more of the day at Comino. The caves and coastal views give you more than a simple point-to-point transfer.

I would skip it if you have a sensitive back, motion sickness, mobility needs, or a low tolerance for rough boat rides. I would also reconsider if your main goal is a calm, polished sightseeing cruise.

The overall rating is 3.5 from 14 assessments, which fits the mixed picture: the lagoon is beautiful and the fast ride can be fun, but comfort, communication, and safety deserve careful thought.

What to pack and how to prepare

Bring a towel and beachwear. You will need both for the swimming and snorkeling stop, and there is no reason to carry formal clothing for this outing.

Plan to pay separately for food, drinks, and a sunbed if you want one. Most important, reserve your official Blue Lagoon pass and check its details before you leave.

Arrive 15 minutes early at the black gate and follow the yellow line on the jetty. The host or greeter speaks English. Since the boat will not wait for late arrivals, leave enough time to find St George’s Bay and the correct jetty entrance.

Keep your schedule flexible on the return. The published times do not line up perfectly with the stated five-hour duration, and one passenger had trouble with unannounced timing changes.

Should you book the Comino speedboat tour?

Book it if your priority is fast access to Comino, a long Blue Lagoon stop, and a cave visit at a moderate starting price. The 45-minute crossing and several departure choices make it a practical way to fit Comino into a Malta itinerary.

Do not book it casually if you are prone to seasickness or have back, heart, mobility, or other medical concerns. The reports of hard impacts and injury are too serious to brush aside. If you decide to go, secure the Blue Lagoon pass, check your exact timetable, arrive early, and understand that the speedboat ride is an active part of the experience, not just transportation.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon tour last?

The experience is advertised as five hours, with two 45-minute speedboat crossings and free time at Comino. The listed departure and return times vary, so check the exact schedule for your selected option.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ at St George’s Bay in St Julian’s. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

How early should I arrive?

You must be at the base at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and late arrivals can lose their tickets.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

No. Visitors must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. A valid pass with correct details is required for entry.

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

You will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon. The operator says you may instead be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, an adjacent alternative beach.

Are food, drinks, and sunbeds included?

No. Food, drinks, and sunbeds are not included in the tour price. You can buy food and drinks at the Blue Lagoon and rent sunbeds separately.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under three are not accepted, and children under ten must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Pregnant women are not allowed to take part.