From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear turquoise water, but getting there can be the hard part. This six-hour powerboat trip cuts the journey from St. Julian’s to roughly 30 minutes, leaving you most of the day for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring Comino.

I like two things here: the direct route and the freedom to spend your time as you please. You pass St. Paul’s Islands on the way out, then visit Comino’s sea caves on the return. The drawback is that a fast, open powerboat can feel rough on an unsettled sea, and one recent report raised concerns about limited safety equipment and hard seating.

Key points

• About 30 minutes to Comino: A quick ride along Malta’s eastern coast gets you to the Blue Lagoon without a long ferry crossing.
• Free time, not a guided tour: You choose how to use several hours on Comino, from swimming and snorkelling to a countryside walk.
• Blue Lagoon access pass required: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.
• Sea caves on the return: Weather permitting, the skipper visits the Comino caves before heading back to St. Julian’s.
• Two departure choices: Boats leave at 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM, with return times around 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM.
• Best for confident boat passengers: The speed is a major attraction, but the ride may not suit anyone prone to seasickness or uncomfortable with bumpy conditions.

Why the Powerboat Saves Time

The main appeal is simple: speed. From St. Julian’s, the powerboat reaches Comino in about half an hour, making this a useful choice if you want a full Blue Lagoon visit without spending much of your day on transport.

The boat follows Malta’s eastern coast and passes St. Paul’s Islands before heading toward Comino. That short ride gives you a look at the coast from the water, but the real value is the time saved. You are not signing up for a long sightseeing cruise. You are paying for a fast transfer, a generous stop, and a return route with a little extra scenery.

The powerboat is also more direct than many slower boat options. That matters at the Blue Lagoon, where the best part of the visit is having time to swim and settle into your own rhythm. You can get off the boat, find your spot, and spend the day without being moved from bay to bay on a fixed schedule.

The trade-off is comfort. This is a high-speed ride, not a cushioned ferry. Hard plastic seats were a problem for one passenger, who also found the boat’s movement rough in choppy water. If you want a calm crossing, a slower vessel may be a better match.

Finding the Jetty Behind St. George’s Bay

The meeting point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s.

The access route is worth reading carefully. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

This is not a hotel pick-up service. You need to make your own way to the jetty, so allow time to locate the gate and walk down to the water. The location instructions are specific, which helps, but arriving early is still sensible, especially if you have not visited this part of St. Julian’s before.

The experience is offered in English, and an experienced skipper operates the boat. There is no tour guide, so do not expect commentary about Malta or a guided walk around Comino. The skipper’s job is transport, boat handling, and the planned stops.

Choosing Between the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM Boats

The morning boat leaves at 10:30 AM and returns to St. Julian’s at about 4:30 PM. The later service leaves at 12:30 PM and returns at approximately 5:00 PM.

Both choices give you a substantial block of free time at Comino. The morning departure is the better option if you want to reach the Blue Lagoon as early as possible. Crowds can build quickly, and arriving earlier gives you a better chance of enjoying the water before the busiest part of the day.

The 12:30 PM departure may suit you if you prefer a slower morning in St. Julian’s. You will still have several hours at Comino, but you should expect the Blue Lagoon to be well established as a popular day stop by the time you arrive.

There is an important booking detail connected to the government access pass. For the 10:30 AM trip, you need to reserve both the morning and afternoon time slots when applying for the pass. For the 12:30 PM trip, you need the afternoon slot. Check the official government website, blcomino.com, before your boat day, since the number of passes is limited.

Getting Ashore at the Blue Lagoon

Since May 2025, you cannot simply step ashore at the Blue Lagoon without an official government-issued access pass. You must obtain it in advance through blcomino.com.

This pass is not an optional extra. If you arrive without one, you will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Instead, the boat will take you to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay.

That alternative is useful, but it is not the same experience. The Blue Lagoon is the main reason most people book this trip, with its clear cyan water, pale seabed, and marine life. Santa Marija Bay gives you a different part of Comino, but you should treat the access pass as essential planning, not a minor formality.

Once you are ashore, you are on your own. There is no guide leading a group or setting a schedule. I like that arrangement because you can swim when you want, walk when you want, and stop for a break without following someone else’s plan.

Still, free time means you need to manage your own belongings, food, water, and sun protection. Food and drinks are not included. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the boat, so pack lightly and keep your beach gear compact.

Making the Most of Your Comino Hours

The Blue Lagoon is at its best when you treat it as a place for simple pleasures. Swim in the clear water, snorkel, sunbathe, or take a walk through Comino’s countryside. The natural setting is the star, not a long list of organized activities.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Comfortable footwear matters if you plan to leave the shore and walk around the island. A towel is easy to forget on a boat trip, but you will want one after swimming.

Snorkelling is one of the obvious ways to enjoy the water, since the area is noted for clear visibility and marine life. The trip information does not specify snorkel equipment, so do not assume it is provided. Bring your own equipment if you want to snorkel, or confirm arrangements before booking.

The lagoon’s beauty comes with a practical warning: clear water does not mean quiet surroundings. A popular bay can feel crowded, especially later in the day. That is another reason I favor the 10:30 AM departure if your main goal is swimming rather than simply seeing Comino.

Use your free time with some restraint. It is easy to lose track of time in the water, then rush back to the meeting point. Keep an eye on the agreed pick-up time, since the boat must collect the group and return to Malta on schedule.

The Return Route and Comino Sea Caves

The return trip adds the most sightseeing to what is otherwise a transport-focused outing. Weather permitting, the powerboat visits the Comino Sea caves before heading back to St. Julian’s.

The caves give you a different view of Comino’s coast. Instead of looking across the lagoon from shore, you see the island from water level, with the skipper guiding the boat through the planned route. The cave visit depends on sea and weather conditions, so it should be treated as a welcome extra rather than a guaranteed stop.

You may also find that the boat used for the return journey is different from the one used on the way out. One passenger specifically noted this change. It did not prevent the trip from working as a quick connection, but it is worth knowing if you expect to remain on the same boat all day.

The ride back may feel more exciting than the outbound journey, particularly if the sea has become choppy. One report described strong bouncing, limited handholds, and some sharp landings on the hard seats. Another passenger praised the speedboat transport but advised reaching the Blue Lagoon as early as possible because crowds become large.

The practical lesson is clear: check the sea conditions if you are sensitive to motion, take motion-sickness prevention if appropriate, and hold on securely. The operator lists motion sickness and seasickness among the reasons this activity may not be suitable.

Safety, Comfort, and the Fast-Boat Trade-Off

The powerboat’s speed is both its strength and its weakness. In calm conditions, the ride can feel thrilling and efficient. In rougher water, the same speed may make the journey uncomfortable.

The activity information advises against booking if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or are prone to motion sickness. It is also unsuitable for children under three, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, and anyone needing a non-folding wheelchair or electric wheelchair.

Pets, baby strollers, baby carriages, luggage, and large bags are not allowed. Keep your belongings small and easy to secure.

One recent account raised a serious concern about life jackets and the lack of safety precautions during a rough crossing. The passenger also described unnecessary boat maneuvers and only one handrail. This is a single report, and the overall rating is 4.5 out of 5 from 31 ratings, with high marks for the transport and the skipper’s driving. Still, safety concerns deserve attention.

I would ask the operator about life jackets and seating before departure, especially if the sea looks unsettled. A fast boat should be exciting, but you should never feel pressured to accept conditions that make you uncomfortable.

Is the $65 Price Fair?

At $65 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Comino, but the price includes both legs of the powerboat journey, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time at Comino, and the planned sea-cave visit on the return.

The value depends on what you want from the day. If your priority is reaching the Blue Lagoon quickly from St. Julian’s, the price is reasonable because you spend less time getting there and more time at the destination. You also avoid paying separately for fuel or a return transfer.

If you want a guided island tour, meals, drinks, or organized activities, the price will feel less generous. None of those are included. You are buying transport and access to a flexible day, not a full-service excursion.

Remember to budget for anything you need to bring yourself, including food, drinks, and possible snorkelling equipment. The Blue Lagoon access pass is also separate and must be arranged in advance through the government website.

The free cancellation period is 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now-pay-later option helps if you want to hold a place while finalizing your Malta plans. Those policies add flexibility, but they do not remove the need to secure the Blue Lagoon pass early.

Who Should Book This Comino Trip?

I would choose this outing if you are staying in St. Julian’s and want a quick, straightforward route to Comino. It suits independent visitors who are happy to spend several hours without a guide and who want control over their swimming, walking, and rest time.

It is also a good match for confident boat passengers who enjoy a lively ride. The direct journey, the coastal views, and the cave stop give the day more interest than a simple ferry transfer.

I would think twice if you have back problems, are pregnant, struggle with seasickness, or prefer soft seating and a steady crossing. Families with children under three and anyone using a wheelchair should also choose another way to visit Comino.

For most people, the biggest decision is not the price. It is whether you want speed or comfort. Choose this trip for speed, flexible time, and a little boat excitement. Choose a slower option if you want a gentler ride and a more structured day.

Should You Book It?

Book this powerboat trip if the Blue Lagoon is high on your Malta list and you value getting there quickly. Pick the 10:30 AM departure if you want the best chance of reaching the lagoon before the crowds build, and secure the correct government access pass before you go.

Skip it if a rough sea would spoil your day, or if you expect a guide, meals, or a fully organized island visit. The experience is at its best when you pack light, arrive prepared, and enjoy Comino independently.

FAQ

How long is the powerboat trip from St. Julian’s to Comino?

The journey to Comino takes about 30 minutes by powerboat.

What time does the boat leave St. Julian’s?

There are two stated departure times, 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM.

When does the boat return to St. Julian’s?

The 10:30 AM departure returns at approximately 4:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure returns at approximately 5:00 PM.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You can obtain it through blcomino.com, and the daily allocation is limited.

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

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The boat will take you to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay instead.

Is this a guided tour?

No. You have free time at Comino and the Blue Lagoon, but there is no tour guide leading the visit. An English-speaking skipper operates the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to arrange them yourself.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and motion sickness prevention if you need it. Large bags and luggage are not allowed.