From Sliema: Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Comino rewards swimmers who plan ahead. This cruise gives you 3.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon, enough time to swim, sunbathe, and walk beyond the shoreline, and the seasonal Crystal Lagoon stop adds a thrilling bonus with boat jumping and a water slide. The main catch is simple: summer crowds can be heavy, and you now need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

I also like the broad coastal views from Sliema to Comino and the friendly, helpful crew. At $41, the seven-and-a-half-hour outing is good value if you want a full day on the water, but less appealing if you do not swim, dislike open boats, or prefer a quiet, guided sightseeing trip.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 3.5 hours, giving you far more time than a quick photo visit.
• The Crystal Lagoon stop runs from May through October, weather permitting, with swimming, snorkeling, cliff views, and a boat slide.
• You must arrange a Blue Lagoon access pass yourself through blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot.
• The route includes Malta’s northern coast, Gozo, Comino, and sea caves, so the cruise itself is part of the experience.
• This is free time, not a guided island tour, so you explore Comino independently.
• Summer means crowds and little shade, while autumn and winter offer better conditions for walking and photography.

Leaving Sliema for Malta’s northern coast

The morning departure is from the Sliema Ferries, a convenient starting point if you are staying around Sliema or St. Julian’s. You will need to make your own way there because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The boat heads north along Malta’s coast, turning the transfer into a sightseeing cruise. You get views of the Sliema promenade, St. Julian’s Bay, St. George’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay. Commentary comes over the public-address system in English, so you receive basic information while watching the shoreline pass.

This part matters because the trip is not simply transportation to a swimming spot. You see Malta from the water, where the rocky coast and crowded resort areas look quite different from land. Still, keep your expectations in check. This is not a private yacht cruise or a small, intimate sailing trip. It is a practical shared excursion, and summer departures can fill quickly.

One useful tip from the experience: arrive around 30 minutes early if you want a better choice of seats. The boat is clean and the crew has been praised for keeping the trip on time and explaining the pickup arrangements clearly. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where the ride feels most stable and bring any medication you normally use. People prone to seasickness or motion sickness may find the long day difficult.

The Gozo stop is mainly a pause, not a tour

Before reaching Comino, the boat makes a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo. The purpose is to drop off people who are ending their journey there, so do not book this cruise expecting a full visit to Gozo’s capital, Victoria, or its inland sights.

You may get a fine view of the harbor during this pause, but the main destination remains Comino. The schedule then continues directly toward the Blue Lagoon.

This distinction is important when comparing boat trips around Malta. A cruise that includes Gozo, Comino, and the Blue Lagoon can sound like a full tour of three islands. In practice, this experience gives you a coastal view of Malta, a short Gozo harbor stop, and several hours on Comino. It is best understood as a Comino swimming and sightseeing day with Gozo included along the route.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the day. Its clear turquoise water, pale seabed, and rocky surroundings create the postcard scene people expect from Comino. The water is especially inviting for swimming and snorkeling, and you can spend the stop doing as much or as little as you like.

The generous 3.5-hour stay is one of the cruise’s strongest features. You have time to swim, dry off, eat something, walk along the island paths, and return to the water without watching the clock every few minutes. A shorter boat trip can show you the lagoon, but this one gives you time to settle into the place.

There is a major practical issue from May 2025 onward. Anyone who wants to leave the boat and step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily supply is limited, and you must select the afternoon slot when applying for this cruise.

The pass is not arranged for you. If you arrive without one, you may be unable to disembark, and no refund is provided for that reason. Treat this as part of your booking checklist, not as a minor detail.

The lagoon can also be crowded, especially in the warmer months. Boats may need to anchor or dock farther from the main swimming area when the water is busy with vessels. You will not have a private beach, and shade is limited unless you rent a chair and umbrella, which one experience placed at €15 for a single setup.

The water remains the payoff. If your idea of a good day is swimming in clear Mediterranean water, the crowds may be an acceptable trade. If you want silence, empty shorelines, or personal space, you may prefer Comino in autumn or winter.

Choosing between swimming, snorkeling, and walking

You are free to shape the Comino stop around your own interests. Swimmers can spend most of the time in the lagoon, while snorkelers can look for marine life in the clear water. Bring your own mask if you have one, since snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.

You can also use part of the stop to explore Comino on foot. The island covers only about 3.5 square kilometers and has no cars or urban development. Its paths lead toward St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery.

These walks offer a useful break from the water and the crowds. They also make the cruise more worthwhile for someone who wants more than a beach stop. Comfortable shoes are a must because the island is better suited to walking shoes or sturdy sandals than flimsy beach footwear.

Comino is particularly appealing outside the main summer season. Autumn and winter can be too cool for a long swim, but they are well suited to hiking, coastal views, and photography. One winter outing included sheltered sun, a shallow swimming area, walking time, snack and drink vans, and cave views on the return route.

The free-time format has both strengths and weaknesses. You set your own pace and do not have to follow a guide with a flag. On the other hand, you will not receive a detailed walking tour or historical explanation at each site. If you want context, you will need to read up before you go.

The seasonal Crystal Lagoon stop

From May through October, when weather permits, the boat adds a 45-minute stop at either Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay. The exact choice depends on conditions and operational decisions, so you should not treat one particular stop as guaranteed.

Crystal Lagoon is the more exciting option for many people. Cliffs and sea caves frame the turquoise water, and the boat may stop offshore so you can swim directly from it. The water slide is a fun extra, and the crew may allow you to jump from the boat into the sea.

This stop received especially strong praise because it changes the rhythm of the day. After the crowded Blue Lagoon, getting back aboard, sliding into the water, and swimming in a more enclosed setting can feel like the trip’s best moment.

You should still pack carefully. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and cash are listed as essentials. Keep valuables secure and listen closely when the crew explains where you can leave belongings. One experience involved the boat moving away briefly to collect people, which made access to bags less convenient than expected.

If the boat visits St. Nicholas Bay instead, you get a quieter inlet with two small sandy beaches and shallow, calm water. That option may suit families or people who prefer an easier swim. The tradeoff is that it may feel less dramatic than Crystal Lagoon.

Returning through Comino’s sea caves

The return route passes Comino’s sea caves, giving you another chance to see the island from the water. These formations are a pleasant closing scene after the swimming stops, especially if you have spent the day mostly on shore.

The cruise then heads back toward Sliema. The full outing lasts about 7.5 hours, with some departures described as running roughly from 10:00 to 17:30. Check the available start time when booking, since the provider can alter the route for weather or other operating conditions.

A long day on a boat can be tiring if you are not interested in swimming. There is no separate guided program to fill the hours, and the stops are at your leisure. For a non-swimmer, the coastal views, caves, and walking may not be enough to justify the full duration.

What is included, and what costs extra

The $41 price covers the sightseeing cruise, onboard commentary, the Comino and Blue Lagoon stop, the seasonal additional swim stop, toilet facilities, crew assistance, and the water slide.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy refreshments on the boat or find snack and drink vans on Comino, but bringing some cash is sensible. A credit card may also be useful, though cash is specifically recommended.

The government access pass is also separate. This is the most important extra arrangement because it determines whether you can step ashore at the Blue Lagoon at all.

For seven and a half hours, the price is strong if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, a coastal cruise, and access to several swimming locations. The boat combines those elements in one outing and removes the need to plan your own route between Sliema and Comino.

The value drops if you want a small-group experience, a private boat, or a full guide. This cruise is designed for shared enjoyment, not personal service. It also does not include beach chairs, umbrellas, meals, snorkeling gear, or hotel transfers.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most

I would recommend it most strongly to swimmers, snorkelers, couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want an easy way to reach Comino. The crew has been described as friendly, helpful, and clear with instructions, which is useful if you are traveling alone.

The boat slide and Crystal Lagoon swim can be a hit with teenagers and young adults. The experience has a social, youthful feel in summer, though it is not presented as a party boat.

Families should note that a three-year-old has taken the trip, but the experience is not designed specifically for young children. You will need to manage sun, swimming, boat movement, and a long day without hotel breaks.

I would be cautious about booking if you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or are prone to seasickness. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and there is no promise of calm water.

Smart preparation for a better day

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. A hat and a light cover-up would also be sensible choices for a day with limited shade, though only the listed items are specified for the activity.

Do not bring oversize luggage, large bags, or pets. You need enough room for beach essentials without carrying a suitcase onto a shared boat.

Arrive early, especially during summer. One practical estimate is about 30 minutes before departure if you want a better seat. Recheck the meeting instructions sent by the operator, since clear departure and pickup information is important on a boat trip with several stops.

Most of all, arrange the Blue Lagoon pass before departure. Use the official government website, choose the afternoon slot, and keep proof of the pass available. This single step prevents the most serious disappointment.

The tour has a 4.6 rating from 362 bookings, with especially strong praise for the crew, punctual operation, clear communication, and Crystal Lagoon stop. The small complaints are consistent too: summer crowds, little shade, occasional confusion about belongings, and limited commentary for people hoping for a full guided tour.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, coastal scenery, and independent time on Comino for a reasonable price. The long Blue Lagoon stop and the possible Crystal Lagoon swim make this more than a quick boat transfer.

Skip it if you want a quiet beach, a private boat, detailed guiding, or a short outing. Summer will be busy, and you must arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass yourself.

For the best balance, choose a warm-season date if swimming and the water slide are your priority. Choose autumn or winter if walking, photography, and a quieter Comino matter more than warm water. Either way, arrive early, pack light, and handle the access pass before you leave Malta.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Sliema Ferries in Malta. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How much time do you get at Comino and the Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately 3.5 hours at Comino and the Blue Lagoon.

Do I need an access pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass through blcomino.com.

Which access-pass time should I select?

Select the afternoon slot when applying for the pass for this cruise.

Is the Crystal Lagoon stop guaranteed?

No. From May through October, weather permitting, the boat stops for about 45 minutes at either Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though refreshments can be bought on the boat or on Comino.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The cruise provides English commentary over a public-address system, but the stops are free time and there is no tour guide leading you around Comino.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets, oversize luggage, and large bags are not allowed.