St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

Blue water, caves, and a fast ride. This trip gives you quick access to Comino’s Blue Lagoon from St George’s Bay, with a scenic run along Malta’s east coast and free time for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. I like the efficient 45-minute crossing and the chance to see St Paul’s Islands and Comino’s caves in one outing. The main concern is the rough speedboat ride, especially for anyone with back problems, motion sickness, or a low tolerance for bumps.

I also like the flexible departure choices and the generous time at Comino. But you need to treat the safety rules seriously: passengers remain seated for the entire ride, and the boat is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with heart or mobility problems, or anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points before you book

• The Blue Lagoon is only 45 minutes away: The speedboat gets you from St George’s Bay to Comino much faster than a slower ferry.
• You get substantial free time: The Comino stop is planned around swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, food, and drinks rather than a tightly guided schedule.
• The caves are part of the return trip: You visit St Maria’s caves before cruising back toward St George’s Bay.
• A Blue Lagoon access pass is now required: Since April 29, 2025, you must reserve official access separately through the Blue Lagoon website.
• The ride can be rough: Hold on, stay seated, and think carefully before booking if you have back trouble or motion sickness.
• Sunbeds and refreshments cost extra: Bring money for anything you want to buy at Comino.

Setting out from St George’s Bay

The meeting point is at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s. To find the boat, walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. This matters. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and a missed departure means losing the ticket rather than simply joining the next boat. The operator lists an English-speaking host or greeter, so you should be able to get basic directions and boarding help at the base.

This is a shared speedboat, not a private charter. You should expect other passengers and a fixed route. That keeps the price at a reasonable $47 per person, but it also means you will not be able to change the plan around your own schedule.

The boat heads out along Malta’s east coast. The first part of the trip offers open views toward St Paul’s Islands before the boat crosses to Comino. The sightseeing is part of the transport rather than a separate guided coastal tour, so the focus is on getting to the lagoon quickly.

The 45-minute speedboat crossing

The fast crossing is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Reaching Comino in about 45 minutes saves time compared with a slower boat service, leaving more of your day for the water.

Speed comes with a tradeoff. The ride can be forceful when the sea is choppy. One account describes passengers being thrown upward and suffering serious back injuries after a hard landing, while another describes bruising from repeated impacts. Those reports make the operator’s rules especially important: you must stay seated for the entire ride, and you need to hold on securely.

The supplied information does not promise seat belts, padded seats, or life jackets for passengers. One account specifically raises concern about the lack of life jackets and the simple barrier used for support. I would ask staff about the safety equipment before boarding, especially if you have any medical concern.

This is not the right boat trip for everyone. The experience excludes children under three, pregnant women, people with back, heart, or mobility problems, wheelchair users, people over 75, people over 150 kilograms, and anyone with motion sickness or other pre-existing medical conditions. Children under ten must travel with an adult aged 18 or older.

If you are comfortable with a brisk ride and the sea is calm, the speedboat can be enjoyable. A United Kingdom customer specifically praised the captain for being fast and had a good time with children. Still, the mixed safety experiences mean you should put comfort and health ahead of speed.

Four hours around Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Comino, where you have free time for swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing. The water is the star here. The Blue Lagoon is known for its clear, pale-blue water, and the trip gives you enough time to enjoy it rather than making you rush through a brief photo stop.

Four hours is plenty for a swim and a long break on the shore. You can bring your own towel and beachwear, and you should pack them in a small waterproof bag if possible. The boat is the transport, not a changing room, so arrive ready for the beach.

You can buy food and drinks at the Blue Lagoon, but they are not included. Sunbeds also cost extra. That makes the $47 fare reasonable for transport and the caves, but your final cost will rise if you want a lounger, lunch, bottled drinks, or snacks.

The Blue Lagoon access system is now an essential part of planning. Since April 29, 2025, all visitors must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. Your pass details must be correct. Without a valid pass, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon.

If access is refused, the alternative is Santa Maria Bay, a nearby beach beside the Blue Lagoon. That is useful to know, but it is not the same as having guaranteed time at the main lagoon. I would arrange the pass before the boat trip and check that the name and other details match your booking.

The free-time format suits you if you prefer choosing your own pace. You can spend most of the stop in the water, stay on the beach, buy refreshments, or split the time between swimming and sightseeing. It is less suitable if you want a guide explaining Comino’s geology, history, or marine life.

St Maria’s caves and the return cruise

Before returning, the boat visits St Maria’s caves in Comino. This is a short scenic stop rather than a long cave walk. You see the rock formations from the boat, adding a second side of Comino beyond the famous lagoon.

The cave visit is valuable because it breaks up the beach time and gives you a different view of the island’s coast. You should not expect a guided underground tour, a shore landing, or a long exploration on foot. The supplied plan describes a boat visit, so keep your camera ready and remain seated as instructed.

After the caves, the boat cruises back toward St George’s Bay. The return crossing may feel longer than the outward trip if the sea becomes rough or if the boat runs behind schedule. One German customer reported that departure and return times were not always followed or clearly communicated. I would avoid arranging a tight connection, airport transfer, dinner reservation, or other fixed plan immediately afterward.

Choosing among the departure times

Three departure patterns are provided:

• 9:30 a.m., returning at 1 p.m.
• 12:30 p.m., returning at 5 p.m.
• 1:30 p.m., returning at 5:30 p.m.

The stated activity duration is five hours, but the listed departure and return times do not all add up to exactly five hours. The timetable may reflect operating adjustments, different versions of the route, or rounded times. I would confirm the exact schedule when booking and again at the meeting point.

The morning departure gives you an early start and returns around lunchtime. That can work well if you want the afternoon free in St Julian’s. The 12:30 p.m. option keeps your morning open but gives you the hottest part of the day at Comino. The 1:30 p.m. departure may suit a slower morning, though it leaves less daylight after you return.

Because the boat will not wait for late arrivals, allow extra time to reach St George’s Bay. The meeting instructions are clear once you are at the waterfront, but you should not plan to arrive at the last minute.

Is $47 good value?

At $47 per person, the tour offers a fairly direct way to reach Comino without arranging separate transport. You receive the speedboat transfer from St George’s Bay to the Blue Lagoon, the return trip, time for swimming and sunbathing, and a visit to the Comino caves.

The value is strongest if you want speed and simplicity. You do not need to work out a separate boat route, and the 45-minute crossing gets you to the main attraction quickly. Four hours at Comino is also more useful than a short stop that allows only a quick swim.

The fare does not include food, drinks, sunbeds, or the required Blue Lagoon access pass. You should build those possible extras into your budget. The tour also gives you a shared ride rather than private use of the boat, so the price is for transport and access to the route, not a custom day on the water.

I would call the price fair for a basic half-day transfer and beach outing, provided the schedule runs as expected and you are comfortable with the boat. It is less compelling if you want a gentle cruise, onboard catering, a guide, or a private group.

Who should book this trip?

This outing suits you best if you want to see the Blue Lagoon with limited time in Malta. It also works for confident swimmers and beach lovers who are happy to organize their own four hours at Comino.

Families with older children may enjoy the speed and free time. Children under ten need an adult aged 18 or older, and children under three are not suitable for the trip. The boat’s movement means parents should think beyond the age rules and consider how their children handle fast rides and waves.

I would not choose this tour if you have a back condition, heart problem, mobility impairment, motion sickness, or another medical issue. The rules exclude several of these conditions, and the reported hard impacts on rough water are not minor comfort complaints.

Bring a towel and beachwear. I would also take sun protection, water, and a small bag for valuables, though food and drinks can be purchased at Comino. Sunbeds are available for rent, but they are not part of the fare.

Safety and comfort deserve priority

The most important question is not simply whether the Blue Lagoon looks beautiful. It does. The real question is whether the speedboat format suits your body and your expectations.

The boat requires passengers to remain seated throughout the ride. That rule is not a minor formality. It reduces the chance of losing balance when the boat hits waves, so follow it even if other people appear relaxed.

The supplied information says pregnant women are not allowed, and the trip is unsuitable for people with back, heart, mobility, or motion problems. It also excludes wheelchair users and people over the stated weight limit. These restrictions may feel strict, but the reported accidents and bruising show why the ride deserves respect.

A good captain can make a difference. One account praises a fast, capable captain and a fun outing with children, while other accounts describe serious discomfort and injury. Conditions at sea, seating position, driving style, and individual health can all affect the ride. I would ask direct questions before departure rather than assume every boat or every day feels the same.

What the overall experience delivers

This is a focused beach trip, not a full sightseeing tour of Malta. You see part of the east coast, pass St Paul’s Islands, reach Comino quickly, spend several hours at the Blue Lagoon, visit St Maria’s caves, and return to St George’s Bay.

That clear purpose is a strength. You get the most popular water stop in the area without giving up an entire day. The downside is that much of the experience depends on the weather, sea conditions, boat handling, and your own comfort with unstructured beach time.

I like the balance of fast transport and a long stop at Comino. I also like that the caves are included rather than requiring a separate booking. But I would not book this blindly. Confirm the access pass, check the timing, arrive early, and be honest about your tolerance for a rough ride.

Should you book the Comino speedboat tour?

Book it if you want a straightforward route to the Blue Lagoon, value a 45-minute crossing, and are happy with four hours of independent beach time. At $47, it can be a sensible choice for a short Malta stay, especially when you want Comino without spending a full day at sea.

Skip it if you need a gentle boat, reliable minute-by-minute timing, or extra support for mobility and medical needs. The most important practical tip is simple: secure the official Blue Lagoon pass before you go, arrive 15 minutes early, and do not treat the speedboat as a casual amusement ride.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon tour last?

The activity is advertised as five hours, though the listed departure and return times vary. The stated boat journey is about 45 minutes each way, with free time at Comino.

Where does the tour leave from?

It leaves from 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s.

How do I find the meeting point?

Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

How early should I arrive?

You must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and late arrivals lose their tickets.

What departure times are available?

The listed departures are 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Return times are listed as 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

Is food included?

No. You can buy food and drinks at the Blue Lagoon, but they are not included in the tour price.

Are sunbeds included?

No. Sunbeds at the Blue Lagoon are available to rent separately.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website. Incorrect or missing pass details can prevent entry.

What happens if I do not have a valid Blue Lagoon pass?

You may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, a nearby alternative beach beside the Blue Lagoon.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The tour is not suitable for people with motion sickness or seasickness. Passengers must remain seated for the whole speedboat ride.