Malta: Gozo, Comino, Sea Caves, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Small boats make Comino feel much closer. This cruise packs in Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, sea caves, and Santa Maria Bay without putting you on a huge ferry. I like the 24-passenger boat, which can get nearer to the caves than larger vessels, and I like the generous swim stops, with a SUP and pool noodles available. The main catch is that the day depends heavily on sea conditions, and the Blue Lagoon can still feel crowded once you step ashore.

You meet behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe in Mellieha, then spend roughly three to four hours moving among Comino’s best-known coves and rock formations. Captain Johnny is often praised for clear instructions, good timing, and a friendly manner. At $32 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want scenery, swimming, and a compact island cruise rather than a full-day sailing trip.

Key points at a glance

• A 24-passenger boat: Smaller than the big sightseeing vessels, making cave access and boarding at beach stops easier.
• Three proper water stops: Crystal Lagoon for 45 minutes, Blue Lagoon for one hour, and Santa Maria Bay for another 45 minutes.
• A useful Blue Lagoon rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code to step onto the Blue Lagoon area.
• Captain Johnny gets high marks: He gives clear timing information, explains the sights, and handles changing weather sensibly.
• Free equipment on board: A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are included. Snorkeling masks are listed as available to rent.
• Good sightseeing beyond swimming: The route includes Comino Tower, Ħalfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

Starting at Cirkewwa and finding the boat

The departure point is simple once you know where to look. Find Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe, then use the stairs behind the cafe. Turn the corner on the left to reach the boat.

This detail matters because Cirkewwa is a working ferry area, and the meeting point is not described as a large tour office. Give yourself enough time to locate the stairs rather than arriving at the last minute with a towel, sunscreen, and a bag full of snacks.

Free parking is available at the meeting point. That is useful if you have a rental car, though the tour does not include transport from elsewhere in Malta. The boat returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup.

The advertised duration is three to four hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. Exact time on the water can vary. Some outings have run longer, especially when conditions or the route change, so keep your schedule reasonably flexible. One especially useful detail from the feedback is the praise for punctual departures and returns, but do not plan a tight flight connection without allowing a sensible buffer.

A small boat with a personal feel

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable for up to 24 passengers. That is still a group, but it is a much more manageable size than the large sightseeing boats that gather around Comino’s main swimming areas.

A smaller vessel changes the experience in practical ways. The captain can bring you close to the openings of the caves, and getting on or off at a beach can be less awkward. You also get a clearer view when the guide points out a rock or bay. Several people particularly liked being able to approach the caves more closely than larger boats could.

There is shade on board, which is welcome in Malta’s strong sun. An onboard toilet is another useful feature, especially when the boat is between stops. Drinks can be bought on board, and food is available at beach stops, but I would bring a snack and some cash. One simple packed lunch can save you from spending your swimming time looking for food.

Life jackets are available for emergencies, and you can ask the crew if you need one. The description does not say that every passenger wears one during normal cruising, so ask if you have concerns.

Comino Tower and the first views of the island

The cruise begins with sightseeing around Comino, including a pass by Comino Tower. The tower became familiar to film fans because it appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo.

You will see the contrast that makes this part of Malta so appealing: pale, dry rock and golden shorelines beside clear blue-green water. The first 15-minute sightseeing section helps you settle into the route before the swimming begins.

This is not a historical walking tour. The focus is the view from the water, with the crew identifying notable places as you pass. If you want long explanations about fortifications or Comino’s past, this will feel light. If you mainly want photographs and a look at the island’s dramatic coast, the balance works well.

Crystal Lagoon: 45 minutes in clear water

Crystal Lagoon is the first major stop, on the western side of Comino. The water is known for its clear, bright color, and the boat stops for about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a good first swim because you can choose your pace. You might get in immediately, use a noodle, try the stand-up paddleboard, or remain on deck and enjoy the view. The stop also offers a chance to see fish in the shallow water.

Snorkeling equipment is not formally included in the price. It can be rented on board, so bring your own mask if you already have one and want to avoid an extra charge. The SUP and swim noodles are listed as free to use.

The main limitation is weather. Choppy water can make swimming less pleasant, and conditions may require the captain to alter part of the route. That is not a flaw unique to this cruise, but it is worth understanding before you book a boat-based activity. The crew has been praised for explaining weather-related changes openly rather than pretending the plan can never change.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, popular, and now regulated

The Blue Lagoon gets the longest scheduled stop, at one hour. Sunlight reaches the shallow sandy seabed, giving the water its famous shades of blue. You can swim from the boat, use snorkeling gear, sit on shore, or walk around the area.

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto the Blue Lagoon area must have a free QR code obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com. The code is tied to a time slot: morning, afternoon, or sunset. Match the slot to your cruise departure. You do not need the QR code if you stay on the boat.

This rule is easy to overlook, so handle it before leaving for Cirkewwa. The operator includes the lagoon permits, but the separate shore-entry QR code is your responsibility. If you prefer to avoid the shore crowd, remaining on the boat lets you enjoy the water and views without needing that code.

One point needs careful attention: the published schedule says one hour at Blue Lagoon, but individual experiences have sometimes had different timings, including reports of longer stops. Treat the listed hour as the reliable planning figure, not a promise of a particular longer stay. If swimming at Blue Lagoon is your main goal, check the exact departure and timing when booking.

Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, but fame brings crowds. The water may look idyllic from the boat while the shoreline feels busy. I would treat the lagoon as one part of the trip, not the entire reason to book it. Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay often provide a calmer rhythm.

Ħalfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, and the abandoned hotel area

After Blue Lagoon, the boat passes the area known as Ħalfa Rock, or Gebla tal-Ħalfa. This is mainly a sightseeing section, not a long shore visit.

You also pass San Niklaw Bay and the hotel situated on Comino. The route gives you a look at another side of the island, including the bay near the abandoned hotel area. Depending on the schedule, you may have some opportunity to go ashore and walk around near the bay, but the published stop is primarily a cruise and sightseeing segment.

This portion is useful because it breaks up the swimming. You get to sit back, dry off, and see Comino from another angle. If you prefer constant swimming, the sightseeing time may feel slower. If you want a fuller picture of the island, it keeps the outing from becoming three identical water stops.

Santa Maria Bay: the quieter swimming break

Santa Maria Bay receives a 45-minute stop for swimming, snorkeling, beach time, or a short walk. Compared with Blue Lagoon, it can feel like a more relaxed pause, though conditions and crowd levels vary.

The beach gives non-swimmers something to do. You can stay on shore, walk, take photographs, or simply use the time to dry off. Those who want another swim can enter from the beach or near the boat.

In cooler months, the timing may feel less perfectly judged. A January outing with good weather still found the bay enjoyable, but 45 minutes can seem long when you do not plan to swim. In summer, that same length is far more useful.

I would bring a cover-up or beachwear for moving between the boat and shore. Malta’s sun can be strong even when the wind makes the air feel mild. Towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash belong in your day bag.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

The final sightseeing section visits Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock before the boat returns to Cirkewwa. The caves receive about 10 minutes, followed by a roughly 10-minute photo stop at Elephant Rock.

The small boat is especially helpful here. It can approach cave openings more closely than larger vessels, giving you a better angle for photographs and a clearer look inside. The captain’s positioning matters, so listen when the crew tells you where to look.

Elephant Rock is a natural rock formation shaped like its name suggests. It is a quick stop rather than a hike, but it gives you one last strong photograph before the return crossing. The pace is brisk, so keep your camera ready instead of packing it away after Santa Maria Bay.

What is included, and what costs extra

At $32, the tour offers a lot for the price. You get the boat, crew, marina fees, lagoon permits, shade, toilet, parking at the meeting point, and the three main swim stops. The SUP and swim noodles are also included.

Food is not included. Drinks can be purchased on board or at beach stops, and snorkeling gear is listed as a rental rather than a free inclusion. Bring cash because it is specifically recommended, and do not assume every small purchase will take a card.

Some individual outings have included masks at no extra charge, but you should not count on that. The safest plan is to bring your own snorkeling equipment or budget for rental.

The value is strongest if you use the boat actively. Swim at Crystal Lagoon, make proper use of the Blue Lagoon stop, and decide in advance if you want beach time or another swim at Santa Maria Bay. If you only want to sit on deck and sightsee, a cheaper ferry or a larger basic cruise might meet your needs, though you would likely lose some of the personal feel and cave access.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who want a short water-based introduction to Comino. A family with children aged 6, 14, and 17 found the boat size and route worked well, which suggests the mix of swimming and sightseeing suits different ages.

It is a good pick if you value:

• Several swimming locations in one outing
• A smaller group rather than a large ferry
• Time to choose between swimming and walking
• Easy access to sea caves
• A friendly captain who gives clear instructions
• A moderate price rather than a private charter

It is less suitable for anyone prone to motion sickness, pregnant women, wheelchair users, or people over 95. The boat is exposed to wind and waves, and choppy conditions can affect swimming and the planned route.

The trip also suits flexible planners better than people who need every minute fixed. The crew may skip or change a stop if the sea is rough. That is the right call for safety, but it means the advertised order is not an iron rule.

Practical advice before you go

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light beach cover-up. Cash is useful for food, drinks, and possible equipment rental.

Download or arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code before the tour if you plan to step ashore there after May 1, 2025. Select the correct morning, afternoon, or sunset slot based on your cruise time.

Arrive early enough to find the stairs behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Keep your belongings compact because this is a boat trip, not a day at a hotel pool.

Finally, bring a snack and water plan. Drinks are available on board, but waiting until a beach stop can cut into your swim time. If you have motion sickness, this is not the right activity to test your limits.

Should you book the Comino cruise?

Book it if you want the main coastal sights of Comino in a short, fairly priced outing, with real time for swimming rather than only passing by. The 24-passenger boat, close cave access, onboard toilet, shade, SUP, and helpful crew make $32 a sensible deal.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet, empty Blue Lagoon or a guaranteed route in every kind of weather. The Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and rough seas can change the plan. For most people who want clear water, dramatic rocks, several beaches, and a smaller boat, this is one of the better-value ways to see Comino.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe in Mellieha. Go down the stairs behind the cafe and turn the corner on the left to reach the boat.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is three to four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a 45-minute stop at Crystal Lagoon, a one-hour stop at Blue Lagoon, and a 45-minute stop at Santa Maria Bay.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code with a specific entry time if you want to step onto the Blue Lagoon area. You can obtain it in advance from www.blcomino.com. You do not need one if you stay on the boat.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Snorkeling gear is available to rent on board, but it is not listed as included. The stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are free to use.

Is food included?

No. Food can be bought at beach stops, and drinks can be purchased on board or at the beach stops.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people with motion sickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, pregnant women, or people over 95 years.