St Julian’s: Powerboat Comino Blue Lagoon

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but getting there quickly matters. This 4.5-hour powerboat trip from St Julian’s takes you across to Comino in less than 30 minutes, then adds a visit to St Maria’s Caves before returning. I especially like the fast crossing and the chance to see the caves without booking a separate boat ride.

I also like the generous time set aside for swimming and snorkeling around Blue Lagoon. The main trade-off is the ride itself: this is a genuinely fast boat, and it can bounce hard over waves. If you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or simply dislike a rough ride, this is not the right outing for you.

A few practical points matter here. Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, especially in August, so the quick journey does not mean you will find a quiet beach. The departure area may also feel basic, with limited shade and seating while you wait.

Key points before you book

• Reach Comino in under 30 minutes: The speed is the main reason to choose this trip over a slower boat transfer.
• Ride Malta’s fastest powerboat: Expect a lively crossing, with passengers seated for the entire journey.
• See St Maria’s Caves: The cave visit gives the trip more variety than a simple transfer to the lagoon.
• Allow plenty of Blue Lagoon time: You get a long stop for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and relaxing.
• Reserve Blue Lagoon access separately: Since April 29, 2025, visitors must book both the morning and afternoon access slots through the official website.
• Pack for water, not comfort: Bring swimwear and a towel, and expect limited shelter at the meeting point.

Why the fast boat makes a difference

The trip begins at Ganado, near the Corinthia beach resort area of St Julian’s. You enter through a black gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line along the jetty. Boats and personal watercraft are located at the end of the route.

That meeting-point description is useful because the entrance may not look like a polished marina reception. Give yourself enough time to find the black gate and walk down to the jetty. The waiting area has been described as needing more shade and seats, so you may spend part of the pre-departure period standing in the sun.

Once aboard, the character of the outing becomes clear. This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. It is a high-speed crossing designed to get you to Comino quickly, with the ride itself supplying much of the excitement.

You must remain seated for the entire journey. The boat can lift over waves and come down with a noticeable thump, particularly when the sea is lively. That makes the experience fun for people who enjoy speed, but it is a serious comfort issue for anyone with a sensitive back.

The crossing takes about 25 minutes each way, with the company describing arrival at Blue Lagoon in less than 30 minutes. Compared with a slower ferry or standard boat excursion, this saves valuable time. You spend less of your half-day sitting on the water and more time near Comino.

That speed also explains the $65 price. You are not paying only for transport. You are paying for a faster ride, a direct trip to the lagoon, and the added cave visit. If your main goal is to reach the water quickly, the extra cost can make sense. If you care more about a calm journey than speed, a slower option may be better value.

The east coast of Malta and St Paul’s Islands

The boat cruises along Malta’s east coast before crossing toward Comino. The route passes St Paul’s Islands, adding a short sightseeing element before the main stop.

The supplied details do not specify a formal commentary or a named guide. The host language is English, and the emphasis is clearly on the boat ride and the time at the water rather than on a detailed historical explanation.

That is worth keeping in mind. You should book this for access, speed, scenery, and swimming, not for an extensive guided tour of Malta’s coast. The ride gives you a moving view of the shoreline, but the main attraction comes later at Comino.

The sea crossing also sets the mood. One French booking described the atmosphere on board as festive, and that fits the fast-boat format. You might find the trip lively and social rather than quiet and contemplative.

Blue Lagoon: clear water and serious crowds

The main stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, famous for its clear water and strong color. The activity allows time for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and simply taking a break beside the water.

The exact timing needs careful reading. The experience is advertised as lasting 4.5 hours, while the detailed schedule lists long blocks at Comino and Blue Lagoon that appear to overlap or reflect separate itinerary labels. In practical terms, plan on a half-day outing with a substantial stop at Blue Lagoon, not a full day on Comino.

The water is the star here. If you bring swimwear and a towel, you can make the most of the stop without needing much equipment. Snorkeling is included as an activity, but no snorkeling gear is specifically listed among the included items, so check the current arrangements before assuming equipment is supplied.

Blue Lagoon is not a secret swimming cove. In August, it can be packed, and one booking specifically praised the long time in the water while warning about the large crowds. The setting may be lovely, but you should expect plenty of other people around you.

That changes the way I would use the stop. Do not arrive expecting solitude. Instead, treat the fast boat as a way to get there efficiently, then focus on swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying the water before the return trip. The lagoon is at its best when you accept that it is a popular highlight rather than a quiet escape.

The lengthy stop is helpful because a short photo break would not justify the trip. You have time to get changed, swim, walk, and settle into the setting. It also gives you flexibility if the water is busy at first or if you prefer to wait before getting in.

Still, the amount of free time may be too much for some people. One Polish booking suggested the visit felt too long for Blue Lagoon. If you are not interested in swimming or snorkeling, you may run out of things to do before departure.

St Maria’s Caves add variety to the return

Before heading back, the boat visits St Maria’s Caves on Comino. This is one of the strongest parts of the outing because it breaks up the long swimming stop and lets you see a different side of the island.

The cave visit takes place from the boat, according to the description of the experience. You cruise through or around the cave area rather than treating it as a separate land excursion. One booking singled out the caves and the boat ride as the best parts of the day.

That tells you how to think about this trip. The lagoon is the headline attraction, but the caves help make the outing feel like a proper coastal excursion rather than a simple water taxi. The boat’s speed also makes the cave approach more entertaining than it would be on a slow ferry.

The information does not promise that you will leave the boat at the caves, so do not assume there is a shore walk or a long cave hike. This is primarily a boat-based view of the rock formations and water.

After the cave stop, the powerboat cruises back toward Corinthia beach resort. The full return crossing takes roughly another 25 minutes. The included service is described as transport from St Julian’s to Comino, the cave visit, and return to St Julian’s, so confirm the exact drop-off point if you need to connect with another activity.

Safety and comfort on a fast powerboat

The safety rules are not minor fine print here. You must remain seated during the full ride, and children under 3 are not allowed. Children who meet the age requirement must be accompanied by an adult.

The boat is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back or heart problems. These restrictions make sense given the speed and the possibility of hard landings after the boat rises over waves.

I would also think carefully about young children even when they meet the minimum age. The published rule allows children from age 3 with an adult, but the ride’s physical motion may still be uncomfortable for a small child. The experience is likely a better match for older children and teenagers who enjoy speed.

A Norwegian booking described the ride as especially good for two boys aged 15 and 19. That is a useful picture of the ideal passenger: someone energetic, comfortable with motion, and happy to spend time in crowded water once the boat reaches Comino.

You should keep your hands and belongings secure during the crossing. The supplied information does not list storage arrangements, so bring only what you need for swimming and make sure towels and phones cannot slide around.

Is $65 a fair price?

At $65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Blue Lagoon. It is also not an unreasonable price if you value time and want more than a basic transfer.

The clearest benefit is the crossing speed. Reaching Comino in under 30 minutes gives you a quick start to the day, and the return takes about the same time. You also get the St Maria’s Caves visit within the same booking.

I see three reasons to pay the premium:

• You have limited time in Malta and want a half-day outing.
• You enjoy a fast, exciting boat ride.
• You want swimming time plus a cave cruise rather than transport alone.

I see three reasons to choose something else:

• You want the lowest-cost route to Blue Lagoon.
• You are uncomfortable with bouncing over waves.
• You would rather spend a full day exploring Comino than a shorter organized outing.

The rating is 4.9 from seven verified bookings, with most of the available scores giving five stars. The positive pattern is clear: speed, the boat atmosphere, the caves, and the amount of time at Blue Lagoon. The lower score still remained positive and mainly reflected the idea that the lagoon stop could feel too long.

That makes the value personal. For a swimmer, the long stop is useful. For someone hoping for a varied island tour, it may feel repetitive. For a teenager who loves speed, the boat is part of the attraction. For someone seeking a quiet boat trip, it may be the main problem.

The new Blue Lagoon access rule

Since April 29, 2025, all visitors to Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/.

The instructions say to book both the morning and afternoon slots. This requirement is separate from reserving the powerboat, so do not assume that paying for the boat automatically handles your Blue Lagoon access.

This is the most important current planning detail. Check the official access system before you commit to the trip, and make sure the access periods match your boat schedule. The supplied information does not explain the exact slot times or how the operator coordinates them, so you should verify those details when booking.

The rule also means you should not treat Blue Lagoon access as a casual walk-up stop. Your boat ticket and your lagoon reservation serve different purposes.

Cancellation, language, and what to bring

The activity is operated in English. No other language is listed, and no guide name is provided.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel

Those are the only items specifically listed, but you should keep your packing light because the ride requires you to stay seated and the boat’s storage arrangements are not described. You should also plan for sun exposure at the waiting area and around Blue Lagoon, where shade and seating may be limited.

The meeting point instructions are worth saving on your phone: find the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty until you reach the boats and jet skis.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, friends, and families with older children who want a quick, energetic route to Blue Lagoon. The 15 and 19-year-old example is a good fit for the experience’s pace and physical feel.

It also suits you if you have only half a day available in St Julian’s. The fast crossing lets you see Comino without spending most of your outing in transit, and the cave cruise adds a second highlight.

You may want a different trip if comfort comes first. The boat can bounce over waves, and the company excludes anyone with back or heart conditions, as well as pregnant women. You should also think twice if you dislike crowded swimming spots or do not plan to swim.

Should you book the St Julian’s powerboat?

Book this trip if you want speed, swimming, and caves in one compact outing. At $65, it offers fair value for a fast crossing, a Blue Lagoon stop, a St Maria’s Caves visit, and return transport from the St Julian’s area.

Skip it if you want a gentle ride, a quiet cove, or a longer exploration of Comino. Before paying, reserve both required Blue Lagoon access slots, check the meeting-point directions, and be honest about your comfort with a boat that can hit the waves hard.

For the right passenger, the powerboat is the point. It gets you to the water fast, adds a lively ride, and leaves enough time to swim before the caves and the return trip.

FAQ

How long does the powerboat trip take?

The overall activity lasts about 4.5 hours. The boat ride to Comino takes about 25 minutes, and the return ride takes about 25 minutes.

Where does the trip start?

The starting point is at Ganado near the Corinthia beach resort area in St Julian’s. Pass through the black gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

How fast does the boat reach Blue Lagoon?

The boat reaches Blue Lagoon in less than 30 minutes, according to the activity information.

Can children join the powerboat?

Children under 3 years old are not allowed. Children who meet the age requirement must be accompanied by an adult.

Who should not take this boat trip?

Pregnant women and people with back or heart problems should not board the powerboat. All passengers must remain seated for the full ride.

Do I need to reserve Blue Lagoon access separately?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, all visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website. The instructions say to book both the morning and afternoon slots.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. These are the items specifically listed for the activity.