An afternoon sunset cruise to the Blue Lagoon

The best reason to book this Malta cruise is timing. You reach Comino in the late afternoon, after the harshest heat and some of the daytime crowds have eased, then return past sea caves and huge cliffs as the sun drops toward the horizon. The Blue Lagoon swim stop gives you warm, shallow water, while the ride back supplies the evening views.

I like two things in particular: the boat gives you more than a simple crossing, with padded loungers and waterslides, and the four-hour schedule leaves enough time for a real swim rather than a quick photo stop. The $36.04 price is also fair for a half-day outing with access to the boat’s facilities.

The catch is Comino’s popularity. The Blue Lagoon can still be packed with boats, people, rubbish, and stirred-up water, especially in summer. The two-hour stop suits swimmers and families, but it may feel long if you do not want to swim or sit in the sun.

Key points to know before you book

• Late afternoon timing: You visit Comino during the cooler part of the day and return around sunset.
• Two different swimming stops: Spend about two hours at Blue Lagoon and roughly 30 minutes at Crystal Lagoon.
• Family-friendly boat setup: Waterslides, shallow water, padded loungers, and onboard facilities make this easy for a mixed-age group.
• Sunset is the highlight: The route back passes sea caves and Maltese cliffs, with a chance of seeing a green flash at sunset.
• Arrive early: Boarding opens 30 minutes before departure and closes five minutes before departure. Early arrival helps you find a preferred seat.
• Pack for the evening: Bring a jacket, two towels, and your own snorkel gear if you have it. The boat can feel cold after sunset.

Why the afternoon departure works

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear cyan water, but the middle of the day can be hard work. The sun is strong, the shoreline fills up, and every boat seems to want a piece of the same small stretch of Comino.

This cruise takes a more sensible approach. You leave from Bugibba Jetty in the afternoon and reach the water after it has been warmed by the day. The air and sea can feel pleasantly similar, which makes it easier to swim, splash, and climb back aboard without an icy shock.

The timing also changes the mood. Instead of spending the hottest hours in a crowded lagoon, you get a shorter, cooler visit and then a sunset ride. I think that is the main value of this departure. It does not make the Blue Lagoon empty, but it can make the experience less frantic than an early or midday boat trip.

You will need to reach the Bugibba Jetty at Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar. Boarding opens 30 minutes before departure, and the doors close five minutes before departure. Do not cut this close. The meeting point can be busy, and one poor experience came from passengers struggling to identify the correct boat and boarding area.

On board the Sea Trips boat

The boat is built for recreation, not quiet sightseeing. You can sit under cover on the lower deck or look for a lounger on the upper level. Padded sun loungers are included, and there are washrooms and other catamaran facilities available during the ride.

A waterslide is one of the boat’s biggest crowd-pleasers. You can slide from the upper level into the sea when conditions allow. Jumping from the boat is also part of the fun at the swimming stops, though you should follow the crew’s instructions and use care around other swimmers.

The setup works especially well for families and groups. Children can swim and use the slide, while adults can settle into a lounger or buy a drink. The boat is not a small private sailing trip, so do not expect a silent deck or an intimate feel. The maximum capacity is 250 people, although one outing had about 100 people and still felt comfortable.

There is an onboard kitchen and drinks are available for purchase. One account also describes two bars, but the safest plan is to bring your own water and snacks if you prefer a wider choice or want to keep costs down. Personal lockers are available to hire for €2, useful if you would rather not leave valuables in an open seating area.

For the best chance at a choice seat, arrive early. A rear upper-deck position was especially useful for open views and a better sunset angle. Seats closest to the captain may be less appealing if you want a clear view or some distance from the main activity.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, warm, and crowded

The main stop lasts about two hours. That is enough time to swim, snorkel, use the boat’s slide, sit on deck, and walk around the shoreline at a relaxed pace.

The water is the star. It is shallow and clear, with the famous blue-green color that makes Comino so popular. Late afternoon conditions can be comfortable because the water has taken on the day’s heat. For children and weaker swimmers, the shallow edge is appealing, though supervision remains essential.

You can choose between staying on the boat and going ashore. The boat gives you loungers, the slide, washrooms, and a place to keep returning for drinks. On land, you get a closer look at the lagoon and the rocky coast, but facilities are limited. There are food trucks rather than developed buildings, and some vendors may be closing by the time the late cruise arrives.

That timing has an advantage and a disadvantage. Some of the daytime crowd may have thinned, and the sun is less severe. On the other hand, food choices can be reduced, and the light fades quickly after the stop.

Do not expect solitude. Even at sunset, the Blue Lagoon can have many boats and swimmers. When several vessels are moored together, the water becomes churned up and less pleasant for snorkeling. Rubbish around the rocks and fuel smells from boats can also spoil the setting.

Jellyfish are another possibility. At least one outing included a sting at Blue Lagoon, and jellyfish were also noticed at Crystal Lagoon. This does not mean you will encounter them, but you should keep your eyes open and ask the crew if you have concerns. Water shoes are useful around rocky edges and were specifically recommended for children using the boat’s water features.

The two-hour stop is a good length if you plan to swim. If you are mainly interested in scenery, it may feel excessive. There is not a large town or a long list of sights on Comino, so non-swimmers may spend much of the time sitting, taking photographs, or waiting for the departure.

Crystal Lagoon and the sea caves

Crystal Lagoon receives about 30 minutes, making it a short but worthwhile second water stop. It is a quieter place to sit with a drink or eat something from the onboard kitchen, and it gives you another chance to swim away from the main Blue Lagoon shore.

The experience can vary with the boat’s position. If the vessel anchors farther out, people may gather in the water around the boat, stirring it up. Jellyfish can also affect how enjoyable the swim feels. I would treat Crystal Lagoon as a bonus stop rather than the central reason to book.

The route also includes sea caves and views of Malta’s rocky coast. These are best enjoyed from the boat, where the changing light catches the cliffs and cave openings. One account found the cave stop unnecessary, while others considered the caves impressive. That split makes sense: if you want maximum swimming time, the sightseeing pause may feel like an interruption; if you like coastal scenery, it adds variety.

The cruise description places the Crystal Lagoon stop on the return portion, with the caves and coast viewed as the boat heads back. Actual route order can change because of weather, shallow water, or other legitimate operating needs. The company reserves the right to alter the route and start or end location when conditions require it.

The sunset ride back to Bugibba

The return is where this outing earns its name. As the sun lowers, Malta’s cliffs turn warmer in color, and the water takes on a softer evening light. If the sky is clear, the sunset can be the most memorable part of the trip.

Cloud can hide the show. That is simply a risk with any sunset cruise, not a fault with the boat. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force a cancellation.

The air can cool sharply once the sun disappears. Bring a light jacket, even if the afternoon feels hot. You may also want dry clothes after swimming. One useful packing trick is to carry two towels: one for drying off and one for sitting or lying on.

The advertised route back includes a chance to see the green flash, the brief green glimmer sometimes visible as the sun drops below the sea. It is a natural event, not a promised part of the cruise, so enjoy it as a lucky extra rather than an expectation.

Is $36.04 good value?

At $36.04 per person, this is a solid price for roughly four hours on the water. You are paying for transport from Bugibba, two swimming stops, use of the boat facilities, loungers, the slide, and the sunset route. A private charter would offer more space and control, but at a far higher cost.

The value is strongest if you will use the boat. Swim from the vessel, try the slide, rest on the loungers, and take advantage of the full time at Comino. If you only want a short look at Blue Lagoon, you may find the two-hour stop too long and the group-boat format less appealing.

Food, drinks, and lockers cost extra. You can control the final bill by bringing your own snacks and drinks, as the boat allows this according to the practical information supplied for the experience. Snorkel equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own mask and goggles if you have them.

The boat can hold up to 250 people, which is worth considering before booking. It is not an exclusive cruise. Still, an outing with around 100 people did not feel crowded, and the modern boat’s several seating levels help spread people out.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to families, couples who want a scenic evening, and groups looking for a simple mix of swimming and sightseeing. The slide adds a playful touch, and the shallow water at Blue Lagoon is appealing for people who do not want a demanding swim.

It also suits anyone who has already seen Malta by land and wants an easy half-day on the sea. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Comino, find a beach, or plan a sunset viewpoint. The cruise combines all three into one outing.

It is less suitable if you want quiet, privacy, or an uncrowded natural setting. It is also a weak match for someone who dislikes long swimming stops. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but its fame brings boats, noise, people, and environmental damage. The scenery cannot erase that reality.

If you are choosing between a full-day Comino and Gozo boat trip and this cruise, the afternoon option gives you less time but a more focused plan. You trade a full day for a swim, a second lagoon, caves, and sunset. That is a good deal if your Malta schedule is tight.

Practical packing and boarding advice

Get to Bugibba Jetty at least 30 minutes before departure. Boarding closes five minutes before departure, and missed departures are not refunded when the problem is late arrival or non-arrival.

Bring:

• A light jacket for the evening return
• Two towels, one for drying and one for the lounger
• Snorkel and goggles if you want to inspect the water
• Water and snacks if you want to avoid onboard prices
• Swim shoes for rocky areas and the slide
• A small amount for food, drinks, or a €2 locker

The experience is offered in English, confirmation arrives at booking, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The cruise ends where it begins, back at Bugibba Jetty.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The activity can also be canceled if the minimum number is not reached, with a different date, another experience, or a full refund offered.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon sunset cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, family-friendly afternoon at sea with a waterslide, two swim stops, and a strong chance of a beautiful sunset. Arrive early, bring a jacket, and plan to spend most of your time in or around the water.

Skip it if crowded lagoons ruin the point of a coastal outing for you, or if you want a private boat and a quiet shoreline. The Blue Lagoon is not an untouched escape. For the right expectations, though, this cruise makes a busy Maltese attraction easier to enjoy, and the sunset return adds real value.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same Bugibba meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours.

How long do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

You receive two hours at the Blue Lagoon.

How long is the Crystal Lagoon stop?

The Crystal Lagoon stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Is the Blue Lagoon admission included?

Yes. Admission to the Blue Lagoon is included, and the experience provides access to disembark there. Tickets are available through blcomino.com.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase onboard.

Are lockers available?

Yes. Personal item lockers can be hired for €2.

Are the waterslides included?

Yes. The package includes waterslides and use of the catamaran facilities.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.