Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Small boat, big blue water. This Comino cruise packs several of Malta’s best coastal sights into three to four hours, with stops for swimming at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay. I like the limited group size, capped at about 24 people, and the chance to approach caves and rock formations on a boat small enough to get close.

I also like the mix of active and easygoing time: you can snorkel, use a complimentary stand-up paddleboard, float with a swim noodle, or simply sit in the shaded area and watch the coast slide by. The main consideration is that Blue Lagoon is much busier than Crystal Lagoon, and anyone prone to seasickness may want to choose a different outing.

Key points before you book

• About 24 people per boat: The smaller group makes the ride feel more personal and helps the boat get close to the caves.
• Three useful swimming stops: Crystal Lagoon gets 45 minutes, Blue Lagoon one hour, and Santa Maria Bay another 45 minutes.
• Crystal Lagoon is the quieter highlight: Its clear water and green-blue color make it especially appealing for swimming and snorkeling.
• The boat includes practical extras: Shade, a toilet, swim noodles, life jackets on request, and a complimentary stand-up paddleboard are all useful at sea.
• Blue Lagoon now requires a QR code to go ashore: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code if you plan to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon.
• Johnny has earned praise for helpful service: His assistance with older people on board is a good sign for anyone who values a considerate crew.

Why the small boat matters around Comino

Comino is famous for water that looks almost too bright to be real. It is also famous for crowds. That contrast explains why the boat size matters here.

With space for only about 24 people, this is not a huge ferry where you fight for a view. You can move between the shaded seating area and the open sides, and you have a better chance of seeing the caves as the boat approaches them. One particularly useful feature is the boat’s size: it can get close to the Santa Maria Caves, giving you a better look than a larger vessel might manage.

The smaller setting also makes swimming stops easier to understand. The crew can explain where to swim, provide a life jacket if you need one, and help with equipment. Guide Johnny received specific praise for helping older people on board, which suggests a friendly and attentive approach rather than a simple drop-off-and-pick-up service.

Still, a small boat is not automatically calm. The tour is not recommended for people prone to seasickness, and pregnant women should not book it. Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, beachwear, and some cash for food, drinks, or rented snorkeling equipment.

Leaving Ċirkewwa and passing Comino Tower

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café, then turn left around the corner to reach the boat. Free parking at the meeting point is a useful bonus if you are arriving by car.

Once on board, the cruise begins with a short sightseeing run toward Comino. You pass the historic Comino Tower, known to film fans as a location connected with The Count of Monte Cristo. It is a quick reminder that this coast is not only about swimming holes. The island’s bare stone, old fortifications, and sea passages have long made it useful for filming and coastal defense.

The first sightseeing section takes about 15 minutes. Use it to get your bearings, check the shaded seating area, and keep your camera ready. Coastal views come quickly, and the light on the water changes as the boat rounds each headland.

Crystal Lagoon: the best first swim

The first main stop is Crystal Lagoon, on Comino’s western side. You get about 45 minutes here, enough for a real swim rather than a rushed photo stop.

This is where I would focus your time. The water is known for its clarity and its striking green and blue shades. You can swim, snorkel, look for marine life, or try the complimentary stand-up paddleboard. Swim noodles are also available, which are handy if you want to float without spending the whole stop actively swimming.

Crystal Lagoon feels particularly valuable because it combines scenery with time in the water. You are not just looking at a famous bay from the boat. You get a chance to experience the water at close range, and the clear conditions make snorkeling worthwhile even if you are not an expert.

Snorkeling gear is not included, but it can be rented on board. Food is not included either, so this is not a picnic cruise. Bring water and snacks if you prefer not to buy them at the beach stops or on the boat.

One practical point: water conditions and weather can affect the experience. Even the supplied comments describe beautiful views in slightly cloudy weather, so a perfect sunny day is not essential. Still, cloud can change the color of the water, and rough conditions may make swimming less pleasant.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and busier

The Blue Lagoon gets the longest stop, about one hour. Sunlight shines over a sandy seabed here, creating the intense blue color that made the lagoon famous. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, try parasailing, or stay on board and enjoy the view without getting ashore.

The important change concerns access to land. From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step foot on Comino at the Blue Lagoon must have a free QR code obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com. The QR code is tied to a time slot, listed as morning, afternoon, or sunset, so choose a slot that matches your tour departure and arrival time.

If you prefer to remain on the boat, you do not need a QR code. This may actually suit some people. The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, and the water is often more enjoyable from the boat’s edge than from a packed shoreline. You still get the view and can swim from the boat if conditions allow, without dealing with the shore access rule.

The main weakness of this stop is its popularity. Crystal Lagoon is generally the more peaceful swimming experience, while Blue Lagoon is the famous one. I would treat Blue Lagoon as a must-see photo and swimming stop, but not expect solitude.

Gozo, Halfa Rock, and San Niklaw Bay

After Blue Lagoon, the boat returns to sightseeing mode. It passes along the coast toward Gozo and the rock known as Promising Rock, or Gebla tal-Ħalfa. This is a good stretch for photographs because the view changes from sheltered lagoon water to open coastal rock.

The itinerary allows about 15 minutes for the sightseeing cruise and another 15 minutes around Halfa Rock. You pass the formation rather than landing, so think of this as a scenic coastal circuit, not a guided walk.

The boat also sails past San Niklaw Bay and the Comino Hotel. This part of the trip gives you a slower look at Comino’s quieter side. The bay and hotel are viewed from the water, and the appeal is the calm setting rather than a formal attraction visit.

These passages matter because they break up the swimming. Four hours in and out of the water can become tiring, especially in strong sun. The sightseeing sections let you dry off, take pictures, and enjoy the coast without rushing from one activity to the next.

Santa Maria Bay for a final swim

Santa Maria Bay brings another 45-minute stop. It is a good contrast to the lagoons, with a sandy beach and a more relaxed feel. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, try the paddleboard, or take a short walk around the area.

If you want beach time rather than constant boat time, this is the stop to use for it. The beach gives you a chance to stretch your legs and settle into a slower rhythm. You can also buy food or drinks at beach stops, although the tour price does not include either.

Santa Maria Bay is especially useful for families and mixed-age groups because everyone can choose a pace. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while others can float with a noodle or remain near the beach. The crew can provide life jackets if needed.

Do not expect the same dramatic water color as Crystal Lagoon at every moment. Santa Maria Bay’s appeal is its sandy shoreline and relaxed break, while Crystal Lagoon delivers the strongest swimming scenery. Together, the stops give you variety.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

The final sightseeing section visits the Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. The boat spends roughly 10 to 15 minutes around the caves, followed by a similar amount of time at Elephant Rock.

The Santa Maria Caves are one of the tour’s strongest reasons to choose a smaller boat. The vessel can get close enough for good photographs and a clear look into the openings. Depending on sea conditions and crew instructions, you may be able to see swimmers entering the caves, but do not assume you will be allowed to swim inside. Bring a waterproof camera if you want to capture the view from the water.

Elephant Rock is a natural formation that resembles an elephant’s head and trunk. It is a quick photo stop, but it gives the trip a memorable final landmark before the boat heads back toward Ċirkewwa.

These stops are not long enough for a full exploration. That is not a flaw, as they are intended as coastal sightseeing. The value comes from seeing several formations in one route without arranging separate transport.

What is included and what you should bring

At $27 per person, the tour offers good value if you want several Comino stops in one outing. The price covers the boat cruise, crew, swimming stops, shaded seating, onboard toilet, free parking at the meeting point, swim noodles, and use of a stand-up paddleboard.

You do not have to pay extra for every small comfort. A toilet is particularly useful on a three to four-hour trip, while shade matters during Malta’s strong sun. Life jackets are available if you ask the crew.

Budget separately for:

• Food, which can be bought at beach stops
• Drinks, available on board or at beach stops
• Snorkeling gear, which can be rented on board
• Any activity offered at Blue Lagoon, such as parasailing

Bring cash, even if you plan to keep spending low. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. A waterproof phone pouch or camera is also a smart addition, especially around the caves, though it is not supplied.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most

I would recommend this tour to someone who wants a compact introduction to Comino without spending a full day at sea. The route covers the best-known water stops, several coastal formations, and a beach break in roughly four hours.

It suits you if you want:

• Several chances to swim and snorkel
• A small group rather than a large ferry
• A mix of relaxation and sightseeing
• Easy access to the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay
• A boat with shade, toilet facilities, and simple water equipment
• A reasonably priced outing from Ċirkewwa

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, empty Blue Lagoon experience. It is also a poor choice if you often get seasick or if you are pregnant, since the activity specifically excludes both groups.

The tour is not a deep historical visit, either. You will see Comino Tower and hear or observe the connection to The Count of Monte Cristo, but most of your time goes to swimming, coastal views, and natural formations.

Final verdict: book it for variety and value

I would book this Comino boat tour if I wanted to see the island’s famous water and caves in a short, well-priced outing. The strongest features are the small group, the generous swimming time, the striking Crystal Lagoon, and the boat’s ability to approach the Santa Maria Caves.

Choose it with realistic expectations. Blue Lagoon may be crowded, food and drinks cost extra, and the QR code is now required if you plan to go ashore there. But if you are happy to stay on the boat when needed, bring your own towel and sunscreen, and make Crystal Lagoon your main swimming priority, $27 buys a lot of Malta scenery.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Check the available starting time carefully, especially when arranging the Blue Lagoon QR code.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour start?

The tour starts behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn left around the corner to reach the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

How many people are on the boat?

The boat carries about 24 people, creating a smaller group experience than a large ferry cruise.

How long is the stop at Crystal Lagoon?

The Crystal Lagoon stop lasts about 45 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, view marine life, use the stand-up paddleboard, or float with a swim noodle.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code if you plan to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon from May 1, 2025 onward. The code must be obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com and matches a specific morning, afternoon, or sunset time slot. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented on board. Swim noodles and a stand-up paddleboard are provided at no extra cost.

What is not included in the price?

Food, drinks, and snorkeling gear are not included. Food can be bought at beach stops, while drinks are available on board or at beach stops.