St Julian’s: Comino Blue Lagoon Half Day

The Blue Lagoon makes a big splash. I like the fast 45-minute boat ride from St Julian’s and the chance to see Comino’s Santa Maria Caves before returning. I also like that the trip gives you about two hours at the lagoon, enough time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing without using up your whole day. The main drawback is that food, drinks, towels, snorkeling gear, and sun beds cost extra, and you now need a separate official access pass for the Blue Lagoon.

This is a brisk, water-focused outing rather than a full sightseeing tour of Malta. You spend most of the time on the boat or beside the water, with views of St Paul’s Islands, Malta’s east coast, and Comino along the way. Alex, one of the boat drivers, earned special praise for making the ride enjoyable, and the fast motorboat adds a little excitement to what could otherwise be a simple beach transfer.

Key points to know before you go

• About 45 minutes to Comino: The boat crosses from St Julian’s toward Comino after passing St Paul’s Islands.
• Roughly two hours at Blue Lagoon: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, but this is not a full-day beach stay.
• Santa Maria Caves on the return: The boat visits the caves before heading back toward St George’s Bay.
• A separate access pass is required: Since April 29, 2025, you must reserve a Blue Lagoon entry slot through the official government system.
• $53 covers the boat transfers: Food, drinks, towels, fins, snorkels, and sun beds are not included.
• Best for active visitors: The trip is not suitable for people with mobility problems, serious medical concerns, recent surgery, motion sickness, or several other listed conditions.

A fast route from St Julian’s to Comino

The trip begins at the Corinthia Beach Resort area in St George’s Bay, close to St Julian’s. The meeting point is not inside the hotel itself. Before entering the underground area of the Corinthia Verdi Marina Hotel, look for a black gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty to the operator’s office.

That walk is simple once you know what to look for, but the black gate and underground marina entrance are easy to miss if you arrive in a hurry. I would allow extra time to find the office, especially if this is your first visit to the resort area.

The boat ride to Comino takes about 45 minutes. On the way, you cruise along Malta’s east coast and pass St Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino. This gives the journey more interest than a plain point-to-point transfer. You get open-water views and a sense of how close Malta’s smaller islands are to one another.

The boat is described as a fast motorboat, and that matters. The ride has some energy and movement, which many people will enjoy. It may not suit you if you suffer from motion sickness, and the activity specifically excludes people with that concern. The boat experience is one of the most praised parts of the trip, with Alex singled out for making the journey especially enjoyable.

Two hours beside the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where you have approximately two hours of free time. This is enough for a swim, some time in the sun, and a short snorkeling session. It is not enough for a slow, all-day beach routine, so plan your priorities before you step off the boat.

The water is the clear reason to come. You can swim and snorkel, then spend the remaining time on the shore or a rented sun bed. Food and drinks are available to buy at the lagoon, which is useful if you do not bring your own refreshments. Still, those purchases are not part of the $53 price, so budget for them separately.

You also need to bring your own towel and beachwear. Fins and snorkels are not included either. If swimming is your main reason for booking, pack your equipment or be prepared to arrange it yourself. The supplied information does not promise rental availability for every item, so do not assume gear will be waiting for you.

A key point now changes how you plan this stop. Since April 29, 2025, all visitors to the Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. Your pass must be valid, and the details must be correct. Without it, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon and will instead be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, the nearby alternative beach.

That rule makes the access pass just as important as your boat booking. Check the official site before the day of your trip, reserve the correct slot, and keep the details available. The boat operator can provide transport, but the government access requirement is separate.

Santa Maria Caves add a useful second stop

Before the return journey, the boat visits Santa Maria Caves, also called the Caves of Comino. This short cruise-by adds a change of pace after your time in the water.

The caves are not presented as a long walking visit. You should think of them as a boat viewing stop, with the chance to see Comino’s rocky shoreline and cave openings from the water. That makes the stop easy to fit into a half-day schedule, though anyone hoping for a long cave exploration should keep expectations modest.

I like this part of the route because it gives you more than a beach transfer. The Blue Lagoon is the star, but the caves help you see a different side of Comino. After the swim and sun, the return route feels less repetitive.

The boat then heads back to St George’s Bay, with arrival planned for about 1:00 p.m. The five-hour duration makes this easy to pair with lunch or another afternoon plan in Malta. Keep in mind that departure times can vary, since the exact starting time depends on availability. One recent trip left around 10 minutes late, and an extra 10 minutes was allowed at the lagoon when requested. That suggests some flexibility may be possible, but you should not count on delays being extended.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, the trip offers a reasonable way to reach Comino without arranging your own boat transport. The price includes the transfer from St George’s Bay to Blue Lagoon, about two hours at the lagoon, the Santa Maria Caves visit, and the return transfer.

The value is strongest if you want a simple half-day plan. You do not have to work out a separate route to Comino, and you get the cave cruise along with the beach stop. The fast boat ride also gives the outing some character instead of making it feel like a basic shuttle.

The value is less clear if you want a long beach day or a fully equipped outing. You must pay separately for food, drinks, and sun beds. You also need your own towel, fins, and snorkel, and the Blue Lagoon access pass is a separate requirement. The supplied details do not state whether that pass has an additional charge, so check the official access website before booking.

At two hours, the beach time is also limited. You pay for transport and a taste of Comino rather than a full day on the island. For many people, that is exactly the point. You can see the lagoon and caves, then return to St Julian’s with the afternoon still free.

What the boat ride is really like

The boat is a major part of this outing, not just a means of getting to the beach. The route along Malta’s east coast and past St Paul’s Islands gives you something to look at during the crossing, while the motorboat itself brings speed and movement.

The positive feedback focuses on the ride and the driver. Alex is specifically praised for making the journey great, and the fast boat is described as a highlight with plenty of adrenaline. If you enjoy a lively ride on the water, this should suit you well.

If you prefer calm transport, think carefully. The activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, and the list of restrictions also excludes pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, wheelchair users, people with recent surgery, babies under one year, and people over 70. These rules may reflect the boat type and the conditions at the stops, so take them seriously rather than treating them as minor fine print.

The only language listed for the host or greeter is English. If you need detailed guidance in another language, this may not be the right choice.

How to make the two hours count

I would arrive wearing your swimwear under easy clothing and carry a towel, since the official advice specifically tells you to bring both a towel and beachwear. Pack any snorkeling equipment you already own, as fins and snorkels are not included.

Once you arrive, decide what matters most. If swimming is your priority, head for the water early rather than spending too long looking around. If you want a sun bed, remember that rental is extra. If you prefer to keep costs down, bring what you need and use the free time for swimming and sunbathing.

Food and drinks are available to buy at Blue Lagoon. That is convenient, but the price of the trip does not cover them. A small amount of planning can prevent the beach stop from becoming more expensive than expected.

Most important, arrange the Blue Lagoon pass before departure. The operator’s boat reservation does not replace the official access reservation. If your pass is missing or contains incorrect details, you may be sent to Santa Maria Bay instead. Santa Maria Bay is nearby, but it is not the same experience as the Blue Lagoon, so this step deserves real attention.

Who should book this half-day outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Comino in a compact morning or early afternoon trip. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, sunbathers, and anyone who likes a speedy boat ride with a little thrill. It also works well if you have limited time in Malta and want to combine the lagoon with a quick look at the Santa Maria Caves.

It is a particularly good fit for people who do not want to spend an entire day on a beach. The return to St George’s Bay is planned for about 1:00 p.m., leaving time for lunch and other plans.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet boat ride, a long stay on Comino, or a guided cultural tour. This is not a history-focused experience. It is built around clear water, open views, swimming, and a short cave visit.

Families should also check the restrictions carefully. Babies under one year are not accepted, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Anyone with back or heart problems, recent surgery, or motion sickness should choose another outing.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when your Malta schedule is still changing.

Still, flexible payment does not remove the need to arrange the Blue Lagoon pass. Treat the pass as a separate task, and make sure the date and personal details match your boat plans.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon half-day?

Book this trip if you want a short, energetic Comino outing with about two hours at the Blue Lagoon, a Santa Maria Caves cruise, and transport from St Julian’s included. At $53, it is a fair deal for a convenient half-day, especially when you value the fast boat ride as much as the beach stop.

Skip it if you want a long, relaxed day at the water, dislike speedboats, or cannot meet the activity’s health and mobility requirements. Before paying, secure the official Blue Lagoon pass first. That one detail can decide whether you reach the famous lagoon or are redirected to Santa Maria Bay.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon trip last?

The experience lasts about five hours. Arrival back at St George’s Bay is planned for approximately 1:00 p.m., though starting times vary according to availability.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is near the Corinthia Beach Resort in St George’s Bay. Find the black gate before the underground Corinthia Verdi Marina Hotel entrance, pass through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty to the office.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately two hours of free time at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official website. A valid pass with correct details is required to enter Blue Lagoon.

What happens if I do not have a valid access pass?

You will not be allowed into Blue Lagoon and will be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, an alternative beach next to the lagoon.

Are food, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Food, drinks, towels, fins, snorkels, and sun beds are not included. You should bring a towel and beachwear.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with recent surgery, people with motion sickness, babies under one year, or people over 70.