From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat

Fast water, bright blue payoff. I like the 30-minute powerboat ride from St. Julian’s and the generous free time at Comino, where I can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk without being tied to a guide. I also like the return route past the Comino sea caves, a fine extra after a day beside the water. The main drawback is the rough ride on choppy seas, plus the new Blue Lagoon access-pass rule, which adds planning and may change where you get off.

At $65 per person, this is a focused way to reach Comino without spending most of the day on a slow boat. I would choose the earlier 10:30 AM departure if Blue Lagoon access matters to me, since crowds build quickly and the midday boat gives you less time before the busiest part of the day.

Key points at a glance

• Only about 30 minutes to Comino: The powerboat takes a fast, direct route from St. Julian’s along Malta’s eastern coast.
• Free time, not a guided tour: You set your own pace at the Blue Lagoon or Santa Marija Bay.
• A government access pass is now essential: From May 2025, you need a pass from blcomino.com to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main reward: Expect clear cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, swimming, snorkelling, and intense midday sun.
• Sea caves add interest on the way home: The return route visits Comino’s caves when weather allows.
• The ride can be lively: Hard plastic seats, waves, and limited handholds may make this a poor choice if you get seasick or need a gentle crossing.

Why this powerboat trip makes sense from St. Julian’s

Comino sits between Malta and Gozo, and its Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous swimming spots. That fame brings a practical problem: reaching it can take time, especially when a slower boat makes several stops or follows a broad sightseeing route.

This trip keeps the transport simple. You meet in St. Julian’s, board a powerboat, and reach Comino in roughly half an hour. For me, that is the core value. You are paying for speed and direct access, not for a full-day guided tour with commentary at every turn.

The boat leaves at either 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM. The earlier sailing is the better choice if you want the longest useful stretch at Comino and a chance of enjoying the lagoon before the day becomes especially crowded. The later departure still gives you several hours, but it places you at the Blue Lagoon during the busiest part of the day.

The route follows Malta’s eastern coast and passes the St. Paul’s Islands. You should treat this as scenic transport rather than a narrated sightseeing cruise. An experienced skipper handles the boat, but there is no tour guide and no planned walking tour once you reach Comino.

Finding the jetty behind the marina hotel

The meeting point is behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s.

The entrance is easy to miss if you simply look for a large tour desk. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, find the black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

I would allow extra time to find this spot. Hotel names change, and a marina entrance can feel less obvious than a city meeting point. You do not get hotel pick-up or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to St. Julian’s and back afterward.

Large bags, luggage, strollers, baby carriages, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Pack lightly in a small bag that can stay secure on the boat.

The 30-minute ride along Malta’s eastern coast

Once the boat leaves St. Julian’s, the crossing is direct and quick. You travel along Malta’s eastern coast, pass the St. Paul’s Islands, and continue toward Comino. The speed is the point of this excursion, and it saves you time compared with a slower boat journey.

That speed also affects comfort. The boat may bounce across waves, particularly when the sea is unsettled. One reported ride included rough landings on hard plastic seats, limited handholds, and no life jackets being offered. The operator’s stated restrictions already exclude people prone to seasickness, those with back or heart problems, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments, but I would take those warnings seriously.

The trip is not a gentle ferry crossing. If you like a little motion and want to reach the lagoon fast, the powerboat should suit you well. If you want a calm ride, or if you feel uneasy on small fast boats, this is not the sensible choice.

Bring motion-sickness prevention if you normally need it, though the activity specifically lists people with motion sickness and seasickness as unsuitable. Wear secure footwear and keep your hat and sunglasses firmly packed when the boat is moving.

What your free time at Blue Lagoon is really like

The Blue Lagoon is a shallow-looking, bright-water bay with a pale sandy bottom and marine life visible in the clear water. Its color is the star of the day. Swimming and snorkelling are the obvious activities, while sunbathing and a walk across Comino offer a break from the water.

The key phrase is free time. Nobody leads you around the island or organizes your afternoon. I like that arrangement because you can make the stop as active or lazy as you wish. You can swim for an hour, find a place to sit, stroll through the countryside, and return to the water when the heat gets too much.

The drawback is that the Blue Lagoon is famous for good reason, so it can feel crowded. One direct account advises arriving as early as possible because the crowds become large. That makes the 10:30 AM departure more appealing, even though it does not guarantee solitude.

You should also plan for strong sun. The provided information specifically recommends sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a towel. Food and drinks are not included, so bring your own provisions if permitted and practical, or be prepared to arrange them independently. Do not count on this being a quiet picnic stop.

The access pass you must arrange before sailing

This is the most important recent change. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

The pass is acquired through the official website, blcomino.com, and the daily allocation is limited. You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon without it. This is not an optional extra in the practical sense. Without the pass, the boat takes you to Santa Marija Bay instead.

The booking details depend on your departure time:

• For the 10:30 AM trip, you need to reserve both the morning and afternoon time slots.
• For the 12:30 PM trip, you need to reserve the afternoon time slot.

I would arrange the pass before finalizing the rest of the day. Do not assume that paying $65 for the boat includes permission to go ashore. The pass is separate, and its cost is not provided here, so check the official site for current terms.

Santa Marija Bay is the fallback destination for people without a Blue Lagoon pass. The trip information does not promise the same conditions or activities there, so you should book this excursion with the pass requirement firmly in mind. If the lagoon itself is the reason you are going, secure the pass first.

Santa Marija Bay as the backup stop

Santa Marija Bay gives the operator a practical alternative when you cannot disembark at the Blue Lagoon. It is still on Comino, so you remain on the island rather than losing the entire outing.

I would not treat it as an exact substitute without checking current conditions. The experience is advertised around the Blue Lagoon, and the available details do not describe Santa Marija Bay’s facilities, water conditions, or crowd levels. The safest advice is simple: get the official access pass if you want the named destination.

This rule also means the trip requires more preparation than a standard boat ride. Your ticket alone does not settle the question of where you can step ashore.

Sea caves on the return to St. Julian’s

Later in the afternoon, the powerboat collects you from Comino and begins the trip back. Weather permitting, the boat visits the Comino sea caves before returning to St. Julian’s.

This is a pleasant change of pace after several hours at the lagoon. Instead of ending with a straight transfer, you get a closer look at the island’s rocky coastline and cave openings from the water. It is a sightseeing stop rather than a guided cave visit, and the visit depends on safe weather conditions.

The return time is about 4:30 PM for the 10:30 AM departure and about 5:00 PM for the 12:30 PM departure. Those times make the excursion a proper half-day outing, with enough evening left for dinner in St. Julian’s.

One caution: the return boat may not feel identical to the outbound boat. A reported experience described taking another boat on the way back, along with some energetic maneuvers near other boats. I would not book this expecting a perfectly uniform ride in both directions.

Is $65 good value?

At $65, I see fair value if your priority is reaching Comino quickly and having several hours to yourself. The price covers the outbound and return powerboat rides, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time at Comino, and the sea-cave visit when conditions allow.

You are not paying for a guide, lunch, hotel transfers, beach equipment, or the government access pass. That makes the price less attractive if you want a fully organized day with everything handled. It becomes more attractive if you already plan to bring your own swim gear and prefer independence.

The main value is time. A fast 30-minute crossing lets you spend the bulk of the six-hour activity at Comino rather than sitting on the boat. You also avoid committing to a guided walking schedule, which is useful if your perfect afternoon means swimming first and doing nothing for a while afterward.

The cost is easiest to justify for active adults and couples who want a direct ride. Families with very young children, people who need accessible boarding, and anyone who dislikes rough water should look for a larger, steadier boat instead.

What to pack for a better day

You should pack only what you need for swimming and sun. The recommended list is sensible:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes
• Motion-sickness prevention if appropriate

A small, secure bag is best because large bags and luggage are not allowed. I would keep valuables to a minimum. The boat ride exposes loose items to wind and spray, and there is no reason to carry more than your beach essentials.

Comfortable shoes matter if you plan to walk around Comino rather than spend the whole stop in the water. The tour does not include a guide, so you will be responsible for your own timing and for returning to the agreed pick-up point.

Who should book this Comino outing?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want the fastest stated route from St. Julian’s to Comino
• Prefer free time over a guided island tour
• Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, and coastal views
• Are comfortable on a fast small boat
• Can arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass in advance
• Want to return to St. Julian’s by late afternoon

I would hesitate if you are prone to seasickness, have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or need step-free access. Children under three are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

The safety concern raised in the available feedback deserves attention. The operator’s listed restrictions and the warning about rough water are clear, but the account describing limited handholds and hard seats suggests you should ask about the boat setup before departure if safety equipment is a concern. A fast boat can be fun, but speed should not be confused with comfort.

Should you book the 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM departure?

I would choose 10:30 AM for most people. You arrive earlier, get more time at Comino before the afternoon rush, and return around 4:30 PM. It is also the better option if you hope to enjoy the Blue Lagoon before the biggest crowds arrive.

The 12:30 PM sailing works if you prefer a later start or have morning plans in St. Julian’s. You return around 5:00 PM, but you will spend your lagoon time in the busiest part of the day. Remember that the 10:30 AM departure requires both morning and afternoon access-pass slots, while the 12:30 PM option requires the afternoon slot.

Final verdict: fast, flexible, and not especially gentle

I would book this powerboat trip if I wanted a quick route to Comino, several hours of independent beach time, and a short cave visit on the way back. The speed, simple format, and strong Blue Lagoon payoff make it a useful choice from St. Julian’s.

I would not book it casually without arranging the access pass or considering the sea conditions. The ride can be rough, the seats may be hard, and there is no guide to smooth out the day. For a confident swimmer who likes speed, $65 is a reasonable price. For anyone seeking a calm, highly supported outing, a slower and larger boat would be a better match.

FAQ

How long is the Comino powerboat trip?

The full activity lasts about six hours. The powerboat journey from St. Julian’s to Comino takes about 30 minutes.

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ.

What time can I depart?

You can choose a 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM departure, subject to availability.

When does the boat return?

The 10:30 AM departure returns at approximately 4:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure returns at approximately 5:00 PM.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass in advance to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

Where can I get the Blue Lagoon access pass?

You can obtain it through the official government website, blcomino.com.

What happens if I do not have an access pass?

You will be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino instead of disembarking at the Blue Lagoon.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The stop at Comino is independent free time, and there is no tour guide.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.