From Sliema: Full-Day Cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

Turquoise water, one long day, simple plan. This cruise gives you a direct way to reach Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon without arranging separate ferries, taxis, or transfers. I like the generous eight-hour schedule and the chance to spend several hours swimming in clear water. I also like having air-conditioning, toilets, a bar, and an upper deck on the boat. The main drawback is that the boat can be crowded, and some departures spend more time collecting or dropping off passengers than you may expect.

The boat leaves the Sliema ferry terminal at 10:30 AM and returns around 6:30 PM. You must be at the meeting point by 10:00 AM, opposite McDonald’s. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful and worth the trip, but it is not a quiet secret. Bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and patience for busy conditions.

Key points before you book

• The meeting point is in Sliema, not Valletta: Find the ferry terminal opposite McDonald’s and arrive by 10:00 AM.
• Your Comino access ticket is now essential: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR ticket from blcomino.com to walk on the island.
• The water is the star of the day: The Blue Lagoon has clear turquoise water, a pale sandy bottom, and good conditions for swimming and snorkelling.
• The boat may be busier than expected: Some departures combine several groups and can spend over two hours reaching the lagoon.
• Budget for extras: Snorkelling gear, drinks, snacks, umbrellas, and an optional upper-deck seat cost extra.
• The best value suits swimmers: If you plan to spend most of your time in the water, the $34 price is attractive.

Reaching the Blue Lagoon from Sliema

This is a transport-first excursion with one clear purpose: get you from Sliema to Comino and give you time at the Blue Lagoon. The boat leaves from the Sliema ferry terminal at 10:30 AM, and the operator asks you to arrive by 10:00 AM. That early arrival matters because the dock can be confusing, especially if you assume the departure is in Valletta.

The meeting point is opposite McDonald’s in Sliema. Check your confirmation carefully, then allow time to find the correct boat and queue. Once aboard, you can settle into the air-conditioned interior, head to the upper deck, or use the bar and toilet facilities.

The boat itself is part of the experience, but it is not always a scenic express service. Some departures combine several groups on one vessel. That can mean a stop at St Paul’s Bay, a passenger drop-off in Gozo, or other loading and unloading before the boat reaches Comino.

One account describes leaving Sliema at 10:30 AM but reaching the Blue Lagoon at about 12:45 PM. On that schedule, more than two hours went into the outward journey. The return could also include another stop, with arrival back in Sliema after 6:00 PM.

That detail is important. The advertised duration is eight hours, but you may receive closer to three or four hours at the lagoon rather than a full uninterrupted day beside the water. If your priority is simply getting to Comino at the lowest practical price, this is still useful. If you want the shortest possible boat ride, look closely at the departure plan before booking.

What the Blue Lagoon is really like

The Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller islet of Cominotto. Its appeal is easy to understand: clear turquoise water, a pale sandy bottom, and marine life visible below the surface.

It is an excellent place to swim and take photographs. Snorkelling makes the setting more rewarding because you can see into the water instead of only admiring it from the shore. You can bring your own mask and snorkel, or rent equipment on the boat for about €10 according to the available trip information.

The lagoon is also the reason to accept the boat’s possible delays. Once you are in the water, the long ride begins to make sense. The basin is striking, and the water is usually the main memory you will take home from the day.

Do not expect solitude. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known swimming stops, and the shore and water can become crowded. That affects the feel of the visit, particularly if you imagined a peaceful patch of sea with plenty of space around you.

You will have more fun if you treat it as a popular swimming site rather than an untouched beach. Bring a towel, wear swimwear under your clothes, and pack sunscreen. Closed shoes are also a smart idea if you plan to walk over rocky ground. One person specifically found closed shoes useful around the rocks.

How much time you may get in the water

The schedule promises a full day from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, but the actual time beside the Blue Lagoon can vary. Some departures provide roughly three to four hours at Comino. Others may feel shorter if the boat makes several stops on the way.

That difference changes the value of the excursion. Three hours is enough for a proper swim, some snorkelling, a meal, and time to look around. It is not enough for a slow beach day with long breaks, repeated swims, and extensive walking across Comino.

The cruise works best if you use the lagoon time well. Get changed early, collect any snorkelling equipment as soon as practical, and decide whether you want to spend your time in the water or on shore. Lines for drinks can be long when the boat is busy, so buying what you need earlier may save time.

The free Comino walking ticket creates another timing point. From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to walk on Comino needs a free ticket from www.blcomino.com. When ordering it, select the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot. Officials scan the QR code when you arrive.

Without that QR code, you cannot walk on the island. You can still swim next to the boat, but you will lose the option of going ashore. Save the code on your phone before departure, and make sure the time slot matches the required afternoon window.

This rule is easy to overlook because the ticket costs nothing. It still matters. A free reservation can determine whether you spend the whole stop on the boat and in the water or can also walk around Comino.

Boat comfort, food, and optional extras

The boat offers air-conditioning, a bar, toilets, and access to an upper deck. Those facilities are valuable on a long day at sea, especially when you need a break from strong sun.

The upper deck may have sunbeds or better open-air seating for an optional extra of about €10. If you care about sunbathing and want a more comfortable place to sit, that fee may be worthwhile. It is not necessary for enjoying the lagoon, so treat it as a comfort upgrade rather than part of the basic ticket.

Food and beverages are available on board, but they are not clearly part of the standard inclusions. The basic package includes the cruise, commentary, bar facilities, and toilets. Some accounts refer to a sandwich or a meal option, while another notes that the available sandwich did not include a vegetarian choice.

I would not rely on lunch being included unless you confirm it directly before sailing. Bring a snack if you have dietary needs, or plan to buy food on the boat. Drink and snack prices are extra, and a busy boat can create a long queue at the bar.

Umbrellas may also be available to rent at Comino for roughly €15 or €20, with about €5 returned when you bring one back. That is a useful option if you want shade, but it adds to the day’s cost. Pack sunscreen and a hat first, then decide if you really need to rent an umbrella.

These small extras can shift the price. The $34 base fare is appealing, but an upper-deck seat, snorkelling gear, drinks, food, and shade can push your total higher. The cruise remains reasonable for a full-day boat outing, but it is not an all-inclusive beach package.

Commentary and the overall feel of the cruise

Detailed commentary is provided in English throughout the cruise. The crew point out sights and explain where the boat is going, which helps turn the transfer into more than a simple ride.

The amount of commentary can vary in feel. One account found the guide excellent, while another wanted more information and experienced a long wait before the trip really got moving. You should expect useful basic orientation rather than a full historical tour of Malta.

That is fine for this type of outing. The main attraction is the sea and the Blue Lagoon, not a long lecture. Still, if you want a strongly guided cultural experience, this cruise may feel light on interpretation.

The crew are generally described as friendly and helpful. The boat is practical, with enough facilities to make a long day easier, but it can be packed to capacity. A crowded deck, busy bar, and limited personal space are possible, particularly during the popular summer period.

If you dislike crowds, use the air-conditioned area as a retreat and spend your lagoon time in the water rather than trying to claim a perfect piece of shore. If you enjoy a social boat atmosphere, the busy setting may not bother you.

Is $34 good value?

At $34 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach Comino from Sliema. You get the return boat journey, commentary, access to onboard facilities, and several hours at one of Malta’s most attractive swimming locations.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise need to arrange transport separately. You do not have to organize a ferry connection or find your way around Comino on your own. The boat also gives you a dry place to rest, buy refreshments, and use a toilet.

The value is weaker if you expect eight full hours at the Blue Lagoon itself. The total outing lasts eight hours, but stops for other passengers can reduce the time at Comino. You are paying partly for transport and partly for a long, flexible day at sea, not for eight hours on the beach.

Factor in optional charges before you decide:

• Snorkelling equipment costs extra, around €10.
• An upper-deck sunbed or seat may cost about €10.
• Umbrella rental can be around €15 or €20, with a partial return when brought back.
• Food and drinks are available for purchase.
• A meal or sandwich may be offered on some arrangements, but do not assume it meets every dietary need.

For a basic swim-and-boat day, the price is fair. For a fully equipped beach outing with lunch, shade, and premium seating, the final bill may be considerably higher than the advertised fare.

Who should choose this Comino cruise?

I would choose this excursion if you want a simple, affordable day on the water and your main goal is swimming or snorkelling. Families with older children, couples, and active adults may like the long stop and the freedom to divide the time between the boat, the lagoon, and the island.

It also suits anyone staying in Sliema who wants a straightforward departure point. The return to the same ferry terminal keeps the day easy to plan.

You should think twice if you need step-free access. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. Rocky ground, swimming access, and boarding conditions may also be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

This is not the best fit if you want a quiet beach, a small boat, or a tightly focused transfer. The combined boat arrangement can create delays, and the Blue Lagoon itself can be crowded. It is a practical excursion, not a private escape.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still changing.

The host and commentary are in English. Check availability for the current departure time, but the main schedule given for this cruise is 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Arrive at the Sliema meeting point by 10:00 AM, not at a Valletta dock.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if clear water, a long swim stop, and a low starting price matter more to you than a fast journey or a quiet setting. The Blue Lagoon is genuinely beautiful, and the boat’s air-conditioning, toilet, bar, and upper deck make the day easier than an entirely do-it-yourself trip.

Before booking, download the free Comino QR ticket and choose the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM slot. Bring your own snorkel if you have one, pack food if you need a specific diet, and budget for optional extras. If you can accept a crowded boat and the chance of a slower route through St Paul’s Bay or Gozo, this is a sensible way to spend a Malta summer day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from the Sliema ferry terminal, opposite McDonald’s. It does not leave from Valletta.

What time should I arrive at the meeting point?

You should be at the Sliema ferry terminal by 10:00 AM. The scheduled departure is 10:30 AM.

When does the boat return?

The scheduled return to Sliema is around 6:30 PM. The actual arrival may be later if the boat is delayed by stops or loading.

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts about eight hours, with the stated schedule running from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. The time spent at the Blue Lagoon may be around three to four hours on some departures.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket from www.blcomino.com to walk on Comino. Your QR code will be scanned by officials on arrival.

Which Comino ticket time slot should I choose?

Select the 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM time slot when requesting the free ticket.

Can I still swim if I do not have the Comino QR code?

Yes, you can still swim next to the boat. Without the QR code, you will not be allowed to walk on Comino.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

No. Snorkelling equipment is available for an additional cost, or you can bring your own.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.