Mellieha: Two Bay Evening Cruise Including The Blue Lagoon

The best lagoons come after the day trippers leave. This three-hour evening cruise from Mellieħa visits Comino’s Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon when the fierce Maltese sun is easing and the water can feel less crowded. I especially like the two one-hour swim stops and the chance to enjoy the scenery from a small boat rather than a packed party vessel. The main catch is the new Blue Lagoon shore access pass, which you must arrange yourself if you want to step onto Comino.

I also like the reasonable $35 price, which covers the scenic cruise, crew assistance, toilets, and a shower on board. Recent departures have been pleasantly manageable, with one account describing roughly 20 passengers, mostly families, rather than a boat loaded to the rails. Still, this is not the best choice if you are prone to seasickness, need wheelchair access, or dislike swimming from a boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Two proper swim stops: You get about one hour at Crystal Lagoon and another hour at Blue Lagoon, not just a quick photo pause.
• Evening timing matters: The cruise helps you avoid the worst midday heat and may offer a calmer feel than daytime visits.
• Crystal Lagoon is the quieter stop: Cliffs, sea caves, and clear water make it especially good for snorkeling and swimming.
• Blue Lagoon shore access is restricted: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to leave the boat at Blue Lagoon.
• The boat is called Pegasus: Meet it at the Marfa Jetty or slipway opposite the Riviera Spa Resort.
• Bring your own swim gear: Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are not included, although equipment can be rented.

Why an evening cruise works well in Malta

Malta’s summer heat can make a midday boat trip feel like a long session under a magnifying glass. This departure solves part of that problem. You still get the bright Mediterranean water, but the later timing should make the ride and swim stops more comfortable.

The schedule also changes the mood. Instead of spending the day pressed into the famous Blue Lagoon crowd, you reach Comino later, when the harshest sun has passed. The lagoon will not magically become empty, and conditions can vary, but evening is a sensible time to see one of Malta’s most popular sights.

The return is planned for about 8:00 PM. That gives you a useful half-day shape: you can spend the morning and early afternoon elsewhere, then head to Marfa for a relaxed boat outing. Exact departure times should be checked when booking, since availability changes.

At $35 per person, I consider this good value if you plan to swim. You receive a scenic cruise plus roughly two hours of water time, which is much better value than a short harbor ride with no real stop. The price does not include food, drinks, snorkeling gear, or the Blue Lagoon access pass, so budget for those extras.

Finding the Pegasus at Marfa Bay

The departure point is the Marfa Jetty or slipway, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort in Mellieħa. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. If you need help, the provider’s office is near the jetty beside Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

Give yourself enough time to find the slipway. Marfa is a working departure area rather than a grand cruise terminal, so the boat name is more useful than expecting a large sign. The nearby office can assist if you are unsure where to go.

The cruise is provided in English, and the crew offers assistance during the trip. Recent feedback gives the captain and assistant particularly high marks for being attentive and helpful. Families also appreciated life jackets for children, an important detail when children will be swimming from a boat.

Large bags and oversize luggage are not allowed. Pack a small day bag with swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, cash, and any motion sickness medication you may need. A waterproof pouch for your phone is a sensible extra, though it is not listed as an included item.

Cruising north from Mellieħa

Once the boat leaves Marfa Bay, the first part is a scenic run along Malta’s northern coastline toward Comino. This is not simply transport between two swimming areas. You have time to look at the coast, watch the water change color, and enjoy wide views from the deck.

A boat gives you a viewpoint you cannot get from the road. Cliffs and coves reveal their shape from the sea, and the open water makes the trip feel like a genuine coastal outing rather than a bus transfer with a swim attached.

The vessel has toilet facilities and a shower. That shower is useful after swimming, especially if you want to remain comfortable during the return ride. Food and drinks are not included, although one recent departure was praised for having reasonably priced bar items. Do not count on a full meal service, so bring cash and plan accordingly.

The provider may alter the route or stops because of weather or other operating conditions. That is normal for a sea trip. Wind, waves, and local conditions can affect where the boat anchors, so treat the advertised plan as the intended route rather than an absolute guarantee.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and a full hour in the water

The first stop is Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. This is the more dramatic of the two stops, with imposing cliffs around turquoise water and broad views in every direction.

You have approximately one hour here. That is enough time to swim properly, float near the boat, or use a mask to look below the surface. The lagoon is known for sea caves, so this is the stop where people who enjoy exploring the water may get the most from their time.

The cliffs also give Crystal Lagoon a more sheltered feel than open-water swimming. Conditions still depend on the day, but the enclosed setting can make the first swim feel inviting. If you prefer scenery to crowds, this stop may be your favorite.

There is one practical point to understand: this is primarily a boat-based swim stop. You should be ready to enter the water from the boat and return to it when the crew signals. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about available assistance before entering the water.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it can be rented. If you already own a comfortable mask and snorkel, bringing them may be worthwhile. The clear water and caves are the main reason to use them here.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, new access rules

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat continues to Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The color is the main attraction: transparent cyan water over a pale sandy bottom, with marine life below the surface.

The boat anchors near the lagoon for about one hour. You can swim, snorkel, stay on board, or walk on Comino Island if you have the required shore pass. This flexibility is useful because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of break.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also Malta’s best-known swimming stop. Even in the evening, you should not expect complete solitude. The advantage of this tour is the later timing and the chance to enjoy the water from the boat, not a promise of an empty bay.

The most important practical rule concerns leaving the boat. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at Blue Lagoon must obtain an official government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and you need to select the evening time slot when applying.

This pass is not included in the cruise price. It is also your responsibility, and no refund is provided if you arrive without one and cannot go ashore. If your priority is simply swimming, you can remain on the boat. If you want to walk on Comino, sort out the pass before departure and check that it matches the evening visit.

The access rule makes the boat option more appealing for some people. You can still see the lagoon and swim there without stepping ashore. That said, anyone expecting free movement onto the island should treat the pass as a required part of planning, not a minor detail.

What the two-hour swim schedule really gives you

The cruise spends about two hours stopped at the lagoons, with the remaining time divided between sailing and getting into position. That balance is a strength. You are not rushed through both bays, yet you are not sitting on the boat for most of the outing.

At Crystal Lagoon, use the first few minutes to get comfortable with the boat and water. Then you can swim toward the cliffs or sea caves if conditions and crew instructions allow. At Blue Lagoon, you may prefer a slower final swim, time on deck, or a shore walk if your access pass is ready.

You should bring a towel and a change of clothing. The shower helps, but it is not a substitute for dry clothes after two swims. Sunscreen remains important even in the evening, especially during the outward cruise when you are still exposed to the sun.

Sunglasses help with glare off the water. Cash is useful for drinks, rentals, or other purchases, since food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment are separate from the ticket.

Boat size, crew service, and comfort

The strongest praise for this trip centers on the crew. The captain and assistant have been described as highly focused on customer care, with friendly service and useful commentary during the cruise. That matters on a short trip because a warm, attentive crew can make boarding, swimming, and returning to the boat much easier.

The boat has also received praise for keeping passenger numbers under control. One departure had about 20 people, mainly families, which created a quieter feel than large catamarans where everyone competes for deck space. Passenger numbers can change, so I would not book solely on the expectation of a tiny group, but the operating style appears more personal than a mass-market party boat.

A small boat has tradeoffs. There may be less room to spread out, and the ride can feel livelier in rough conditions. If you are prone to seasickness, this trip is specifically not recommended. Take motion sickness prevention before departure if you know you need it, rather than waiting until the boat is already moving.

Children can join, and life jackets are available for them. The experience still requires comfort around water, boarding a boat, and managing a swim stop. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and electric wheelchairs and large luggage are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want the headline sights of Comino but prefer a later, more relaxed schedule. It suits couples, families, and small groups who value swimming time over a long commentary-heavy sightseeing route.

It is also a good fit if heat affects your enjoyment of Malta. The evening departure gives you a break from the strongest afternoon temperatures while still providing bright water, cliffs, and time in the lagoons.

Families should appreciate the manageable schedule and helpful crew. Children who enjoy swimming will have two clear chances to get into the water, while anyone who prefers not to swim can stay aboard during either stop.

I would think twice if you want a long walk around Comino, a meal included in the price, or a guaranteed empty lagoon. I would also skip it if you regularly suffer from motion sickness or need step-free access.

Booking details worth handling early

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule is still taking shape.

The access pass is the one item you should not leave until the last minute. Apply through blcomino.com, select the evening slot, and confirm that you have permission to go ashore before arriving at Marfa.

Check the forecast and bring motion sickness prevention if needed. The operator can change the route or stops because of weather or unforeseen operating conditions, so flexibility is part of the deal.

Should you book the Mellieħa evening cruise?

Book it if you want two substantial swim stops, a cooler evening schedule, and a smaller-boat feel for $35. Crystal Lagoon offers the more striking cliffs and caves, while Blue Lagoon delivers the famous clear water and the choice of swimming from the boat or going ashore with the right pass.

I would make this a strong choice for families and confident swimmers who want good value without spending the whole day at sea. Just arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass in advance, pack light, and do not book it if seasickness or limited mobility will make the boat uncomfortable.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from the Marfa Jetty or slipway opposite the Riviera Spa Resort in Mellieħa. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. The provider’s office is near the jetty beside Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours. It includes about one hour at Crystal Lagoon and about one hour at Blue Lagoon, with the return to Marfa planned for approximately 8:00 PM.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

No. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass from blcomino.com if you want to disembark at Blue Lagoon. Select the evening time slot when applying. You may remain on the boat and swim without stepping ashore.

Are food and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and snorkeling equipment is available to rent separately. Bring cash for optional purchases.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, cash, and motion sickness prevention if needed. Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness and motion sickness.