Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise

The best feature of this Malta boat trip is simple: you get four full hours in the water, not a quick photo stop followed by a long ride. The boat visits Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, with time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard.

I like the passenger limit most. The boat can carry 70 people but usually takes about 45, and sometimes fewer, so you have room on the lower and upper decks. I also like the flexible Blue Lagoon stop: you can walk ashore, or remain on the boat and swim in the lagoon without joining the crowd on land.

The main caution is that this is a water-focused day. If you dislike a bouncing boat, crowded Blue Lagoon shorelines, or several hours in the sun, it may not be your ideal outing. The final swim stop can also feel less essential after a full day in the water.

Key points at a glance

• About 45 passengers instead of 70: You get more space to sit, move around, and dry off between swims.
• Four hours of swimming time: Crystal Lagoon gets one hour, Blue Lagoon two, and Ħalfa Rock one.
• Stay aboard at Blue Lagoon: This is often the calmer choice when the shore is packed.
• Danny and Ali on the crew: They are noted for friendly help, safety advice, and clear information about the stops.
• Useful boat facilities: Toilets, a fresh-water shower, sunbathing areas, and a small bar are available.
• A flexible route: The captain may change the order or stop if weather, sea conditions, or safety require it.

Why this six-hour cruise works well

Many Malta boat trips promise beautiful water but give you only a short swim before moving on. This one is built around time in the sea. The schedule gives you one hour at Crystal Lagoon, two hours around Blue Lagoon, and another hour at Ħalfa Rock, with sightseeing during the return journey.

That makes the $47 price easier to judge. You are paying for a half-day boat outing with three swimming stops, sightseeing, an English-speaking crew, toilets, and a shower. Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard bar sells refreshments and snacks. Several prices mentioned onboard were modest, including water around €1.50, soft drinks around €2, and an Aperol Spritz for €5.

I would not choose this cruise mainly for historical commentary or a guided walk. The focus is swimming, snorkeling, cliff views, caves, and the easygoing rhythm of a day on the water. You get some information about the sights, but the sea is the main attraction.

The smaller passenger load matters more than it may sound. A boat with 30 to 45 people feels quite different from one filled to its legal limit. You can usually find a seat on the lower or upper deck, and there is less fighting for space near the railings or swimming ladder.

Leaving Marfa Bay for Crystal Lagoon

The trip begins at the Bluewaves Watersports office near Marfa Bay, facing Comino. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so arrive early enough to check in, find the office, and board without a last-minute rush.

The first stop is Crystal Lagoon, where the boat anchors for about an hour. This is a good opening swim because the water is the star. Bring your mask if you have one, though masks can be rented for €3. Pool noodles are also available, according to the onboard details provided for the activity.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel around it, or simply settle into the first taste of Malta’s clear water. The snorkeling is not presented as a major marine-life expedition. You may see fish, and one swimmer reported spotting a moray eel, but the real reward is the visibility, rock scenery, and freedom to get in and out of the water.

The hour goes quickly. If you want photographs, take them early, then use the remaining time to swim rather than waiting until the last few minutes. Listen for the crew’s instructions before entering the water, especially if the sea is moving.

Blue Lagoon: choose the boat or the island

Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, and it is also the place where your choice matters most. The boat cruises to the Blue Lagoon pier, giving you the option to step ashore and explore Comino on foot. If you leave the boat, you can walk, find food, and see the lagoon from land.

From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon to explore by foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at blcomino.com. Check the current process before you go, since this requirement applies to walking ashore, not simply remaining on the boat.

You get two hours here, which is generous for a swimming stop. It is enough time to swim, snorkel, dry off, and still have a little breathing room. It also gives people who want to walk ashore time to do so without turning the whole outing into a rushed stop.

Here is my practical advice: consider staying on the boat. The Blue Lagoon shore can become extremely crowded, especially in summer. From the anchored boat, you still see the famous water and can swim in it, while keeping access to your seat, your belongings, the onboard shower, and the bar.

If you do go ashore, understand the tradeoff. You gain land access and food options, but you leave behind the quieter space of the boat. Several passengers preferred swimming from the vessel after seeing how busy the shore was. The best choice depends on your priorities, but the boat option is a real advantage.

The upper deck is useful here. You can sunbathe between swims, take in the color of the lagoon, and avoid standing on a packed shoreline. Music plays onboard, and the atmosphere is described as relaxed rather than a nonstop party, making the boat suitable for couples, families, and older passengers as well as younger swimmers.

Ħalfa Rock and the southern side of Gozo

The third swimming stop is Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock, south of Gozo. The boat anchors for about an hour, giving you another chance to swim and snorkel away from the main Blue Lagoon crowd.

This stop is particularly appealing if you like jumping from the boat, freediving, or swimming around rock formations. The cruise has been praised for finding good spots for those activities, though you should always follow the crew’s safety advice and use care around rocks.

The hour is long enough to make the stop worthwhile but not so long that it becomes repetitive. By this point, you may be glad to use the fresh-water shower and sit in the shade. Four hours in salt water and bright sun can leave you tired, so pace yourself.

The captain can alter the route if conditions change or a planned location is too crowded. That flexibility has sometimes produced a quieter swimming spot. It also means the exact order and final stop are not guaranteed. For a boat trip, that is a sensible policy: sea conditions and safe anchoring matter more than sticking rigidly to a printed plan.

One honest note: if you have already swum at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, the last hour may feel like an extra rather than a highlight. If you love swimming, it is welcome time. If you prefer sightseeing, you may find the final stop less memorable.

Santa Maria Caves on the return

After the swimming stops, the boat heads back toward Bluewaves Watersports and passes other sights, including Santa Maria Caves. This portion is for viewing and photographs rather than another major shore visit.

The caves add variety to a day that otherwise centers on water. You can stay seated, dry off, and look at the rock formations from the boat. The route may also include extra views of Comino, cliffs, beaches, and unusual rock shapes, depending on conditions and the captain’s choices.

Do not expect a long cave walk or a separate guided cave tour. You are seeing these formations from the water, which is the point. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid letting photography distract you from the boat’s safety instructions.

Life aboard the Bluewaves boat

The boat’s layout is one of the strongest reasons to book this particular cruise. It has lower and upper seating, sunbathing space, a toilet, and a fresh-water shower. That combination makes a six-hour outing much more comfortable than a small open boat.

The capacity is listed as 70, but the operator limits the group to 45. In practice, some departures have carried only around 30 to 40 people. That leaves room for you to move between the shaded lower deck and the sunny upper area.

There is also a bar selling coffee, cocktails, soft drinks, water, and snacks. Food and drinks are not part of the ticket price, so bring your own food if you want a proper meal. You can also get food when ashore at Blue Lagoon, but that option comes with the crowds and the time needed to leave and return to the boat.

I would pack a small lunch, plenty of water money, and a cover-up. The official advice is to bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and biodegradable sunscreen. A towel is especially useful because the fresh-water shower rinses salt from your skin but does not solve the problem of sitting down in wet swimwear.

Music is part of the atmosphere. It adds a holiday feel, but this is not a silent sightseeing vessel. The sound level has generally been described as pleasant, though your experience can depend on the day and the crowd.

Crew, safety, and the pace of the day

The English-speaking crew includes Danny and Ali on some departures. They are associated with friendly service, practical help, and advice about water conditions. That last point matters: a good crew does more than point out scenery. They help you decide when and where it is sensible to swim.

The captain may change the route because of weather, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled, the operator offers an alternative date or a refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option allows you to hold a place without paying immediately.

The boat can bounce in rougher water. If you are prone to seasickness, take that seriously. Sit lower and near the center of the boat if possible, watch the horizon, and avoid treating the whole day as a test of endurance. The activity is also not suitable for wheelchair users, and unaccompanied minors are not permitted.

High heels, bikes, scooters, weapons, sharp objects, explosive substances, and intoxication are not allowed. These rules are basic but sensible for a boat with swimming stops and limited deck space.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a relaxed day centered on swimming and sun, with enough sightseeing to break up the water time. It is especially well suited to couples, families, small groups, and anyone who dislikes tightly packed boats.

It is also a good choice if you want flexibility. At Blue Lagoon, you decide between walking ashore and staying aboard. At the swimming stops, you can snorkel, swim, sunbathe, or simply watch the scenery.

You may want another type of outing if you want a serious historical tour, a long walk on Comino, or a quiet sailing experience with no music. This cruise is social and practical, not private or luxurious. You should also think twice if six hours in direct sun sounds exhausting or if you are uncomfortable on a moving boat.

What to bring for a better day

Pack light, but do not forget the basics. Your most useful items are:

• A towel, swimwear, hat, sunglasses, and biodegradable sunscreen
• Food or extra money for the onboard bar
• A phone case or waterproof bag
• Your own snorkeling mask if you prefer not to rent one
• A light layer for the ride back

Wear secure, flat footwear. High heels are not allowed, and sensible shoes are easier on a wet deck. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so arrive with your swimming gear ready rather than trying to change at the last moment.

For the three-bay cruise, book the morning slot listed as 8:00 to 1:30. Confirm the exact departure time when booking, since the activity page says to check availability. The meeting point is the Bluewaves Watersports office at the departure location.

Is the $47 price fair?

At $47 per person, this is strong value if you plan to use the swimming time. You get six hours, three named bays, sightseeing at Santa Maria Caves, an uncrowded boat layout, toilets, a shower, and an English-speaking crew.

The ticket does not include lunch, drinks, or snorkeling equipment. Those costs are easy to control, however. Bring food, carry cash for reasonably priced drinks, and rent a mask only if needed. The larger value comes from the time spent at each stop and the passenger limit, not from included extras.

The main alternative is a shorter or more crowded boat trip that may cost less or offer a similar route. The advantage here is comfort and time. You are not paying just to pass the lagoons. You get enough time to use them.

Should you book the Comino 3 Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want clear water, three proper swimming stops, and room to relax aboard. The passenger limit, flexible Blue Lagoon choice, onboard facilities, and friendly crew make it a particularly sensible pick for a full half-day around Comino.

Stay on the boat at Blue Lagoon if the shore looks packed. Bring your own food, use the fresh-water shower, and save energy for the final stop. Skip it if you want a quiet, private sailing trip or a walk-heavy Comino visit.

For a water day at a fair price, this cruise gives you the right amount of time in the sea without cramming you onto a full boat.

FAQ

How long is the Comino 3 Bay Cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including swimming stops, sightseeing, and the return journey to Bluewaves Watersports.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock south of Gozo.

How much swimming time is included?

You get about one hour at Crystal Lagoon, two hours at Blue Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock, for roughly four hours in the water.

Can I stay on the boat at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can either leave the boat to explore Comino on foot or remain aboard while the vessel anchors near Blue Lagoon for swimming and snorkeling.

Do I need a ticket to visit Comino on foot?

From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from Blue Lagoon to explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at blcomino.com.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the cruise price. A bar onboard sells items such as water, soft drinks, coffee, cocktails, and snacks.

Are toilets and showers available?

Yes. The boat has toilets and a fresh-water shower.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed.