Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

The water is the star of this Malta day. This seven-hour Hornblower cruise from Bugibba gives you a low-cost way to see St. Paul’s Island, Comino’s cliffs, the Blue Lagoon, and the Crystal Lagoon, with plenty of time for swimming. I especially like the four-and-a-half-hour mooring at the Blue Lagoon and the fun boat slide. The main drawback is crowding, especially in summer, when the boat and lagoon can feel very busy.

You’ll also get friendly crew, useful commentary from Captain Kevin, reasonably priced food, and the option to pay extra for a seasonal speedboat trip through the caves. I like that you can use the boat as your base instead of being stranded on a crowded beach. Just arrive early if you want a top-deck chair, and bring cash because payments on the boat and Comino are cash only.

Key points to know before you go

• Long Blue Lagoon stop: You get about four and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, walking, eating, or simply staying on the boat.
• Best value at $36.28: The fare includes the cruise, landing fees, deck chairs, restroom access, and use of the slide.
• Early arrival matters: Top-deck chairs are popular, and some people arrive around 8:30 for the best choice.
• Captain Kevin provides commentary: The cruise includes sights such as St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Tower, and Comino’s rock formations.
• Cave trip costs extra: The seasonal speedboat ride is €15, cash only, with a short ride through the smaller caves.
• Crowds and music are part of the deal: This is an active, social boat day, not a quiet sail.

Leaving Bugibba at 10am

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar. The boat leaves at 10am and returns around 5pm, giving you a full day on the water without the cost of a private charter.

The group can be large, with up to 232 people. That matters. You get a spacious boat with several viewing areas, but the popular upper deck fills quickly. If sitting outside in the sun is important to you, arrive well before departure. Around 8:30 is a useful target based on the repeated advice from people who wanted the best rooftop seats.

The boat is not presented as modern, and it is better to set your expectations accordingly. Still, it has the practical things you need for a day at sea: seating, sun decks, a shaded main deck, toilets, a cafeteria, a bar, a slide, and access to the water. I would rather have an older boat with useful facilities and a sensible fare than pay much more for polished fittings I will barely notice once I am swimming.

The upper deck gives you sun and broad views. The main deck is the better refuge if you want shade, a break from the music, or somewhere to eat. All areas do not offer the same feeling, so take a quick look around after boarding before settling in.

St. Paul’s Island and Malta’s northern coast

The first part of the cruise adds context before the swimming begins. You pass St. Paul’s Island, a tiny island linked with the Christian story of St. Paul’s shipwreck in Malta. A statue of St. Paul now marks the island, making it easy to spot from the water.

This is a short viewing stop rather than a landing. You will hear about the religious connection while seeing the island from the boat, so it works best as a quick introduction to Malta’s past rather than a full historical visit.

The boat then passes Mellieha Bay, described as Malta’s largest beach, before continuing toward Ahrax Cave. The crew pauses for photographs, giving you a chance to capture the pale rock, open sea, and cliff scenery without needing to squeeze in a separate sightseeing trip.

The views are one of the strongest parts of the cruise. You are not simply being transported to Comino. The route lets you see Malta from a different angle, and the changing rock formations give the outward journey some variety.

Ahrax Cave and the cliffs of Comino

Near Ahrax Point, Comino comes clearly into view. Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. The boat cruises around the island, offering a 360-degree look at its high cliffs, rugged shoreline, and unusual formations such as the Elephants Head.

This slow circuit is valuable because Comino can look very different from the water than it does from a beach path. The cliffs and caves are easier to appreciate from below, where you can see the shape of the island rather than just one busy swimming cove.

The route may also include Coral Cove and the South Channel, depending on conditions and the timing of the day. Weather affects the exact order. The Crystal Lagoon, for example, may be visited on the way to Comino or on the return journey.

Captain Kevin provides commentary along the route. That extra explanation helps turn a scenic boat ride into a more useful introduction to the islands. You get names and stories for the places you are looking at, instead of watching the coastline pass in silence.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the main event. The water is famously clear and turquoise, and the boat moors close enough for you to move between the vessel and Comino during the long stop.

You can jump from the boat, swim, snorkel, use the slide, or walk onto the island. The boat remains your base, so you can return for a drink, food, shade, a toilet break, or a locker. That arrangement is one of the smartest features of the trip. The beach area can become packed, while the boat gives you a place to sit and keep your day organized.

The water entry from the boat is easy for confident swimmers, but it is not the same as stepping gently from a sandy shore. Some areas around the rocks can be awkward, so bring care and use a life jacket if you need one. The slide and jumping points make the boat particularly appealing to families, couples, and anyone who wants more than quiet floating.

For snorkeling, you can bring your own equipment or rent a mask and snorkel for €5. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned. Lockers cost €2, and a towel is not included. Pack your own towel, sunscreen, and anything you do not want left loose on deck.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not peaceful at peak times. Boats, swimmers, music, and people moving between shore and water are part of the setting. If you want quiet, stay on the boat during the busiest beach periods, or walk away from the central area of Comino. Santa Maria Bay is about a 20-minute walk and can provide a calmer alternative, according to the practical experience of people who made the effort.

Food, music, and the boat atmosphere

Food and drinks are available onboard at prices repeatedly described as reasonable. Options include burgers, chips, cocktails, ice cream, soft drinks, and pineapple drinks. You can also buy food on Comino, but staying with the boat saves you a walk and gives you a more predictable break.

The pineapple cocktails are a popular novelty, and there are special bins for the pineapple shells. That may sound minor, but it is worth remembering when you are enjoying the drink on deck. Keep the boat and island tidy.

Music plays throughout much of the day. Many people enjoy the upbeat playlist and find it adds to the holiday mood. I would not choose this trip if I wanted a quiet reading day, though. One of the clearest criticisms is that the music can be loud and the boat can feel full to bursting.

The atmosphere is sociable and energetic, with plenty of young adults, families, and groups of friends. Solo visitors can still feel comfortable, and the crew keeps the schedule and safety information clear. For a relaxed party-on-the-water mood, this works well. For stillness, look at smaller boat options.

Santa Maria Tower and the Crystal Lagoon

At some point during the route, the boat passes Santa Maria Tower on Comino. Built in 1618 to help defend the island, it is one of Comino’s few major buildings. Film fans may recognize it from its role as the prison Chateau D’If in The Count of Monte Cristo.

The Crystal Lagoon is another major sight. Its deeper water makes it popular with divers, and it is reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon in about eight minutes. You can swim, snorkel, or try cliff jumping, but the rocky setting calls for sensible footing and careful judgment.

The exact timing depends on weather. The boat may pass the Crystal Lagoon on the way to Comino or later on the return to Malta. If you want to spend time there, ask the crew how the day’s route is shaping up.

The seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15 and must be paid in cash. This is separate from the main cruise, but it is one of the most worthwhile add-ons if you enjoy close-up cave scenery and a faster ride. The trip is guided and lasts long enough to make the extra charge feel fair, particularly for anyone who has already paid for the cruise mainly to see Comino’s rock formations.

What the $36.28 fare really gives you

At $36.28 per person, this is a strong-value day out. The price covers taxes, landing and facility fees, deck chairs on a first-come basis, the slide, and restroom facilities. Lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, lockers, towels, and the cave speedboat are extra.

The value comes from time. You are not paying for a short photo stop and a quick swim. You get roughly four and a half hours based at the Blue Lagoon, plus the coastal cruise and Comino sightseeing. That gives you freedom to create your own day.

You can spend the entire stop swimming and using the slide. You can walk across Comino, visit Santa Maria Bay, eat onboard, take the cave ride, or do very little. The boat makes it possible to mix activity with rest, which is hard to do on a simple beach transfer.

The added costs are manageable, but cash planning matters. Bring enough euros for the speedboat, snorkeling rental, lockers, and food. The tour information specifically says payments on the boat and Comino are cash only.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a broad taste of Malta’s northern islands at a reasonable price. It suits families because of the slide and long swim stop, friends who want music and drinks, couples who want a full day out, and solo visitors who prefer an organized route.

It also suits anyone who has already visited Gozo and wants to focus on Comino. Some departures offer a half-day Gozo option, but choosing to remain around Comino gives you more time for swimming and the boat facilities.

You should think twice if your ideal day means silence, personal space, or a quiet cove. The 232-person maximum is a useful warning, even if the boat does not always reach that number. Summer crowds can affect both the boat and the Blue Lagoon.

People prone to seasickness should also consider the weather. One account describes very rough seas and multiple people feeling ill. Conditions vary, but a seven-hour boat day is a long commitment if the water turns choppy. From October to May, bring a jacket or warm layer because cruising can feel chilly, even when Malta itself is pleasant.

Practical tips for a better day

• Arrive early, especially if you want an upper-deck chair. The best seats can be taken well before 10am.
• Bring a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Add a jacket from October through May.
• Download the Comino landing pass for the full day if required for your departure. A morning-only pass caused confusion for one visitor.
• Sit on the starboard side for especially good views of Comino on the outward journey.
• Use the boat as your base. You do not need to spend the whole stop on the crowded beach.
• Consider the €15 cave speedboat if you enjoy close-up rock scenery and a bit of speed.
• Pack lightly, since lockers cost €2 and deck space can become busy.
• Check the weather before setting out. The route and Crystal Lagoon timing can change.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, an alternative experience, or a refund.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if you want excellent value, a long swim stop, and plenty of choice. The combination of coastal sightseeing, Comino’s cliffs, the Blue Lagoon, a boat slide, onboard food, and optional cave ride gives you more than a simple ferry crossing.

I would choose it for an active Malta day, especially if you arrive early and accept that the experience is lively. Stay aboard when the beach is packed, walk toward Santa Maria Bay for a quieter corner, and keep cash ready for extras.

Skip it if you want a private-feeling escape. The water may be spectacular, but the Blue Lagoon draws crowds, and the music and full boat are part of the package. For most people who want to swim, see Comino, and keep the price under control, this is one of Malta’s better-value boat days.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours. It departs Bugibba Jetty at 10am and returns around 5pm.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at the Blue Lagoon for more than four hours, with the listed stop lasting about four hours and 30 minutes.

Is food included?

No. Food, drinks, cocktails, and ice cream are available onboard at reasonable prices, and food is also available on Comino.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is taken, and €10 is returned.

Does the cave speedboat cost extra?

Yes. The seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15, and the ticket must be purchased with cash.