Comino Island , Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Gozo & Caves

Clear water, caves, and three swim stops make this a strong choice for a full day around Malta. The cruise visits Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, with time for swimming, snorkeling, and a short walk on Comino. I like the generous water time and the chance to see several bays without arranging separate transport. I also like that caves, Elephant Rock, showers, and toilets are included.

The main caution is crowding. One reported outing had the boat filled beyond comfort, with little room for bags and some people standing for much of the journey. I would arrive early at the jetty, keep your belongings compact, and remember that this is a swimming cruise first, not a quiet sightseeing boat.

Five things to know before you book

• Three proper swim stops: You get about 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock near Gozo.
• The boat leaves Mellieha Bay at 10:00 a.m.: The meeting point is the Tunny Net Jetty, about a 10-minute walk from Mellieha centre and roughly 100 metres behind Starbucks.
• Caves and rock formations are part of the route: The cruise passes Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Poppy’s Cave, Lovers Cave, Coral Lagoon, Ghar Ic-Comb, and Elephant Rock.
• Drinks cost extra: Light snacks are served onboard, while drinks and cocktails are available from a cash bar.
• Bring cash and swim gear: Towels, beachwear, sunglasses, sun cream, and money are the practical essentials. Snorkel equipment can be rented for €5.
• This suits active swimmers best: The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

A full day on the water from Mellieha Bay

This is a roughly six-hour boat outing, leaving at 10:00 a.m. and returning at about 4:00 p.m. The route begins at Mellieha Bay, then works around Comino before crossing toward Gozo for the final swim.

I see the appeal immediately. Instead of choosing one famous bay and spending the day there, you get a moving view of the coast plus three separate chances to get into the water. That makes the $34 price attractive, especially if you planned to pay for transport, beach access, or several separate activities.

The tradeoff is that the boat is your base for most of the day. You are not choosing your own departure time or lingering at one bay until the crowds thin. If you want a quiet afternoon with a book, this may feel busy. If you want water, scenery, and plenty of stops for one straightforward price, it makes good sense.

The boat serves light snacks and has a bar with drinks and cocktails. Food and drinks are not part of the listed price, so bring cash for anything you buy onboard. Toilets and showers are available, which is useful when you are wet, sandy, and still have hours of cruising ahead.

Finding the Tunny Net Jetty at 10:00 a.m.

The stated meeting point is Mellieha Bay Tunny Net Jetty, with the activity beginning at Oh Yeah Malta. From Mellieha centre, allow about 10 minutes on foot. The boat is about 100 metres behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay.

I would not cut this close. A late arrival created a serious problem on one outing: the boat left around 10 minutes early, and the late passengers had to be taken out by a fast boat. The provider helped them reach the cruise, but the situation cost time and added stress. Arrive early enough to find the jetty, check in, and settle your bag before boarding.

A small day bag is best. You need a towel, swimwear, sun protection, and cash, but you do not need to carry a full beach setup. There may be limited space onboard, particularly if the boat is full.

Mellieha Bay to Comino’s rocky coast

Once underway, the boat offers scenic views along Mellieha Bay before approaching Comino. The early part of the route is a sightseeing section, so it is a good time to keep your camera ready and get comfortable with the boat.

The route includes Ghar Ic-Comb, Coral Lagoon, Elephant Rock, and several cave areas. Some stops are brief, around five to 10 minutes, and are intended for viewing and photos rather than getting ashore. That distinction matters. You will see more of the coast, but you should not expect to explore every cave on foot.

Elephant Rock is one of the memorable sights because of its unusual shape. The boat passes by for photos and sightseeing. You can take in the formation without giving up swim time later, which is a sensible use of the day.

The cruise also visits or passes Smuggler’s Cave, Poppy’s Cave, Lovers Cave, and Santa Maria Caves. A separate fast powerboat cave tour is available as an optional add-on for €15. Since the regular cruise already includes cave visits from the main boat, I would treat the extra trip as optional rather than essential. It may appeal if your priority is a closer look at the caves and you are happy to pay more.

Blue Lagoon: 90 minutes at Comino’s famous water

The first major stop is Blue Lagoon, with about one and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a walk on Comino. This is the longest stop, and that extra time gives you room to do more than jump overboard and climb straight back in.

You can swim, take in the clear water, or walk on the island. I like this flexibility because not everyone in a group wants the same thing. Strong swimmers can spend longer in the water, while others can stay onboard or use part of the stop for a short walk.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop where the scenery and reputation can create high expectations. The cruise gives you a defined 90-minute window, not an entire relaxed day. If you want a prime place by the water, keep your belongings close and make your plans quickly. The supplied information does not specify a private beach area or reserved seating, so I would think of this as a shared stop rather than a secluded one.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. You can rent a mask and snorkel onboard for a small charge of €5, or bring your own. Pack a towel and sun cream as well. The water may be the focus, but the sun remains part of the day even when you are moving between bays.

Crystal Lagoon: a shorter, quieter-feeling water stop

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues to Crystal Lagoon for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling. The stop is shorter, but it gives the day a useful change of pace.

I like having two Comino swimming areas instead of treating Blue Lagoon as the only attraction. Water conditions and the feel of each bay can differ, and a second location gives you another chance to swim if the first stop is crowded or if you simply want a change.

This is a water stop rather than a walking visit. Plan to spend the hour swimming, snorkeling, and viewing the marine life from the boat or water. Since the time is fixed, keep track of the return-to-boat time. A cruise cannot wait for one person who has drifted too far from the boarding point.

The clear water is the reason to bring a mask. If you rent equipment, the stated price is €5. Bring cash, since the bar and onboard purchases use cash as well.

Ħalfa Rock near Gozo for the final hour

The last major stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay near Gozo, where you get another hour for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and wildlife viewing. By this point, you will have spent much of the day in the sun, so this final stop may be ideal for one more swim rather than an ambitious activity.

The Gozo section adds variety to a route otherwise focused on Comino. You are not given a long land visit in Gozo, so do not book this expecting to tour villages, churches, or inland sights. The value here is the coastal setting and the chance to swim near the rock.

I would use this stop according to your energy. If you have been swimming at both earlier bays, you can take a shorter dip, enjoy the views, or remain onboard with a drink. If Blue Lagoon was too busy for your taste, Ħalfa Rock may feel like a welcome final chance to enjoy the water without rushing through a walk.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this is good value for anyone who wants a full-day boat route with several swim stops. The price includes the cruise around Comino’s bays and caves, the 90-minute Blue Lagoon stop, the Crystal Lagoon stop, the Ħalfa Rock swimming stop, and sightseeing at Elephant Rock and the caves.

You also get access to onboard toilets and showers. Those are minor details until you have spent several hours in swimwear, salt water, and strong sun. They make the boat more practical than a simple point-to-point transfer.

The price does not cover drinks, cocktails, or other food purchases. Light snacks are described as being served, but the details of those snacks are not specified, so I would not treat them as a full lunch. Bring cash and consider having a proper meal before departure.

The optional €15 fast powerboat cave tour and €5 mask and snorkel rental can increase the final cost. Even with those extras, the base trip remains fairly priced, but you should decide in advance what matters most. If you already own snorkeling equipment, there is little reason to rent it. If the main boat’s cave viewing is enough, skip the add-on.

The crowding question you should take seriously

The biggest practical concern is capacity. One particularly difficult outing involved a boat that felt packed, with no proper place for a bag and some passengers standing for much of the six-hour trip. The provider was described as kind and helpful, and arranged fast-boat assistance after a late arrival, but the boat conditions were still uncomfortable.

That does not prove every departure will be the same. It does mean you should ask about expected capacity if comfort matters to you. Arriving early is especially important, since a full boat can make it harder to find a seat or a safe place for your belongings.

I would not bring bulky luggage. Use a small waterproof bag if possible, keep valuables to a minimum, and avoid leaving anything loose near the edge of the boat. The exact boat layout is not specified, so it is better to plan for limited personal storage.

This experience is aimed at people who like swimming, sunbathing, and a lively boat day. It is less suitable if you dislike shared spaces, need guaranteed room for mobility equipment, or want a slow and private cruise.

What to pack for a comfortable day

The official essentials are simple:

• Towel
• Beachwear
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Cash
• Snorkel gear, or €5 for rental

I would wear swimwear under light clothes so you can change quickly at the start of the day. A small cover-up helps during the cruise, especially after swimming.

Do not bring glass objects, weapons, sharp objects, explosive substances, or anything that could create a fire risk. Electric wheelchairs are also not permitted, and the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

You can buy bar drinks and cocktails onboard, but cash is required. Since the tour lasts until about 4:00 p.m., bring enough money for drinks and any optional purchase rather than assuming card payment will be available.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several coastal sights in one day and spend a large part of the outing in the water. Families with confident swimmers, couples who enjoy a relaxed boat day, and solo visitors looking for an easy route around Comino and Gozo should find the format convenient.

It also works well if you have limited time in Malta. You get Comino’s major water stops, cave views, Elephant Rock, and a Gozo coastal stop without arranging ferries or separate excursions.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet, low-capacity boat. The reported crowding problem is the clearest warning in the available information. I would also skip this if you are mainly interested in exploring Gozo on land, since the Gozo portion is a one-hour swimming and sightseeing stop at Ħalfa Rock.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Malta plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to check the departure time and meeting point carefully.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo cruise?

Book this cruise if you value water time over luxury. The $34 price covers a long route, three substantial swimming stops, cave and rock sightseeing, and useful onboard facilities. The 90-minute Blue Lagoon stop is the centerpiece, while Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock give you two more chances to swim.

I would book early in the morning, arrive well before 10:00 a.m., and carry only a small bag. If you accept the possibility of a crowded boat and bring cash for drinks or the €15 cave add-on, this is a practical way to pack much of Malta’s northern coast into one day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the Mellieha Bay Tunny Net Jetty at 10:00 a.m. The meeting point is Oh Yeah Malta, about a 10-minute walk from Mellieha centre and around 100 metres behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay.

What time does the boat return?

The cruise is expected to return to Malta at about 4:00 p.m. The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long do you stay at Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about one and a half hours. You can swim, snorkel, walk on Comino, or enjoy the views during this stop.

How long is the Crystal Lagoon stop?

You get about one hour at Crystal Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling.

Where is the Gozo swimming stop?

The final swimming stop is at Ħalfa Rock Bay near Gozo. It lasts about one hour and includes swimming, snorkeling, and marine-life viewing.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks and cocktails are available from the onboard cash bar. Light snacks are described as being served, but food and drinks available for purchase are not included in the tour price.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Masks and snorkeling equipment are available to rent for a small charge of €5. You can also bring your own equipment.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.