Malta: Blue Lagoon, Comino & St Paul’s Islands Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the chance to see several of Malta’s coastal highlights in one relaxed day, without paying for a private charter. The small red, white, and blue boat called The Mermaid carries you from Bugibba to Comino, the Santa Maria Caves, and St Paul’s Island, with plenty of time for swimming.

I like the friendly family-run feel and the shaded open-air area, a welcome feature under Malta’s strong sun. I also like the close-up route through the caves and the long 3.5-hour stop at Blue Lagoon, which gives you time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a little wandering.

The main drawback is that Blue Lagoon is a famous and busy place, so this is not a quiet-island escape. You also need to arrange Comino’s free entry ticket yourself, and the boat is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat with a relaxed atmosphere: The Mermaid has been praised for avoiding the crowded feel of larger boats, while still offering toilets, Wi-Fi, music, and shade.
• Three main coastal stops: You visit Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Caves, and St Paul’s Island during a seven to seven-and-a-half-hour outing.
• A long Blue Lagoon stop: The 3.5 hours here allow time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a walk around Comino.
• Boat jumping is part of the fun: If conditions allow, you can jump from the boat into the Mediterranean.
• Lunch is available for purchase: Food and drinks cost extra, and you should bring cash.
• Comino entry needs advance action: You must register through the Maltese Government website and obtain the free Blue Lagoon access ticket before the trip.

A full day on Malta’s water

This cruise begins at L-Menqa, by the Bugibba Jetty. Look for the harbor and the small red, white, and blue boat named The Mermaid. The trip lasts about seven to seven and a half hours, so this is a major part of your day rather than a quick sightseeing ride.

The route first takes you along the Maltese coast toward Comino, with views across the Mediterranean and past Mellieha. An English-speaking guide provides commentary as the boat moves, giving the journey some context rather than leaving you to guess what you are seeing.

I would choose a seat with a balance of sun and shade early in the day. The boat has an open-air shaded area, which matters greatly in Malta. You can enjoy the sea breeze without having to sit in direct sun for the whole cruise.

The crew has received especially strong praise for being welcoming, punctual, and polite. The atmosphere is helped by music onboard, though music is a matter of taste. If you prefer a silent nature trip, this may feel less peaceful than a quiet private boat.

Blue Lagoon gives you the most time

The main stop is Blue Lagoon on Comino, where you have around 3.5 hours. That generous block of time is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a shorter boat ride.

The water is famously clear, and the stop is built around swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing by the sea. You can also make a splash by jumping from the boat, an option best suited to confident swimmers and calm conditions. The crew and captain can alter the trip if the weather makes the planned route unsafe.

Three and a half hours gives you room to set your own pace. You can swim first, dry off in the sun, buy lunch, then return to the water. You can also walk around part of Comino instead of spending every minute in the sea.

That flexibility is useful for families and mixed groups. One person can swim while another takes photos or rests in the shade. The outing is not a tightly packed sequence of ten-minute stops, and you are less likely to feel rushed at the main attraction.

There is a practical catch. Blue Lagoon is popular, and the famous name means you should not expect an empty cove. The boat provides access to a beautiful part of Malta, but it cannot make the location private or quiet.

You also need a free entry ticket for Comino. It is not included automatically with the boat fare, so register through the official Blue Lagoon access site before setting out. This is an easy detail to miss, and arriving without the required ticket could cause trouble at the island access point.

Lunch, toilets, shade, and the details that matter

Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but they are not included in the $28 price. Bring cash, along with sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and a sun hat. The supplied information specifically recommends cash, so I would not rely only on a bank card.

The snack bar means you do not have to organize every item of food before leaving Bugibba. Still, anyone with particular dietary needs should plan carefully, since the available choices are not specified. A simple packed snack may also be sensible if you want a meal at a precise time.

The onboard toilet is another useful feature. A full day at sea with swimming stops is much easier when you do not need to wait until returning to shore. The facilities have been described as clean, though space on a small boat is naturally limited.

Free Wi-Fi is included, along with life-saving equipment. Wi-Fi at sea can be useful for sending a quick message or checking a booking, but I would treat it as a convenience rather than the main reason to book.

Santa Maria Caves bring you close to the rock

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues toward the caves around Comino. The Santa Maria Caves stop lasts about 15 minutes and is mainly for photographs, views, and passing close to the rock formations.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a look and some pictures, but not enough for a long shore visit. Think of this as a scenic boat stop rather than an independent cave expedition. The boat’s smaller size can help it approach the caves more closely than some larger vessels, subject to sea conditions and the captain’s judgment.

Have your camera ready before you reach the caves. The stop is brief, and you will get more from it if you are already on deck rather than searching through a bag for your phone.

The Maltese coast is especially enjoyable from the water because the boat lets you see the cliffs, openings, and changing colors from several angles. You also avoid turning this section into a long walk under the sun. For many people, the short cave stop will be enough. If caves are your main interest, though, this cruise does not offer a long guided exploration inside them.

St Paul’s Island adds a final swim

The final main stop is St Paul’s Island, reached after another stretch of sightseeing along the coast. You have about 30 minutes here for photographs, a walk, and swimming.

The island is associated with the famous statue of St Paul, which you can walk up to see. This gives the stop a little more purpose than a simple swim break. You get a quick look at one of Malta’s well-known historic sites, then time to return to the water beside the island.

Thirty minutes is a short stop, so keep an eye on the time. If you want both the statue and a swim, avoid drifting too far from the meeting point. The boat returns to L-Menqa after this visit, with a final sightseeing stretch of roughly ten minutes.

St Paul’s Island works well as a last stop because it changes the rhythm of the day. Blue Lagoon is the long water break, Santa Maria is the quick scenic view, and St Paul’s offers a short combination of history, walking, and swimming.

What the boat experience feels like

The Mermaid is a traditional Maltese boat operated by a family-run company. Its smaller scale is a real advantage for this route. You can get a closer view of some caves, and the atmosphere is less like a large floating coach.

The boat is not completely private or silent. You share the experience with other passengers, and music plays onboard. Still, the combination of friendly crew, open-air seating, and shade gives it a casual feel that suits a day built around swimming.

The captain and deckhand are frequently praised for their helpful manner and punctual operation. No individual guide names are provided, but the live commentary is in English, and the crew handles the trip directly from the boat.

The shaded area deserves special attention. Malta’s sun can make a long cruise tiring, particularly when you are wet from swimming and have no desire to sit in full sun. Shade lets you enjoy the views while giving your skin a break.

The boat also carries life-saving equipment. That is standard and important, but it is worth noting for anyone who feels nervous about open-water activities. You should still follow the captain’s instructions, particularly before jumping from the boat or swimming away from it.

Is $28 a good value?

At $28 per person, this is a strong-value way to spend most of a day on Malta’s coast. You get a sightseeing cruise, transport by boat to Comino, a long Blue Lagoon stop, a cave viewing stop, St Paul’s Island, commentary, Wi-Fi, toilets, and life-saving equipment.

The price does not include food or drinks, and you need to arrange the free Comino access ticket separately. Those are not major extra costs by themselves, but they are part of the real planning picture.

The bigger value question is time. A seven-hour cruise makes sense if you want a broad taste of Malta’s coastal attractions in one outing. You can swim, take pictures, see caves, visit St Paul’s Island, and avoid arranging separate transport between these places.

It is less suitable if you want a private experience, a quiet cove, or a highly specialized snorkeling trip. The value comes from variety and convenience, not exclusivity.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to active families, couples, and first-time visitors to Malta who want a simple day on the water. The long Blue Lagoon stop gives you freedom, and the boat facilities make the day easier for mixed-age groups.

It also suits anyone who likes a friendly social atmosphere. The crew is welcoming, the music keeps the boat lively, and the small size avoids some of the impersonal feel associated with larger sightseeing vessels.

Confident swimmers will get the most from the stop, especially if they want to jump from the boat and spend time in the water. You can still come along if you prefer photos and scenery, but the experience is centered on swimming and outdoor activity.

You should think twice if you have mobility impairments, since the activity is specifically not suitable for people with mobility issues. You should also consider another option if you dislike boats, sun, music, or busy swimming spots.

Practical preparation for a better day

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. I would also bring a dry layer for the return journey, though only the listed essentials are formally specified.

Keep your phone or camera protected from splashes. The most photogenic moments come quickly at the caves and around St Paul’s Island, while Blue Lagoon gives you more time to take pictures at your own pace.

Arrange the Comino entry ticket before arriving at the jetty. The ticket is free, but it is still required. This is the most important administrative detail to handle in advance.

Check the forecast before you go. The captain can cancel or change the route according to weather conditions, and that is the correct call for a sea trip. Flexible plans are useful, and the booking allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule is still taking shape.

Should you book the Mermaid cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full-day coastal outing with three different stops and plenty of time in the water. The small boat, shaded seating, clean toilet, friendly crew, music, and close views of the caves all add practical value.

Do not book it expecting solitude at Blue Lagoon or a private charter. The trip is social, weather-dependent, and focused on swimming rather than a detailed historical tour.

For $28, the combination is hard to fault. Handle the Comino ticket in advance, bring cash and sun protection, and accept that Blue Lagoon will be popular. If those conditions suit you, The Mermaid offers an enjoyable and efficient way to see several of Malta’s best-known coastal sights in one day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at L-Menqa near Bugibba Jetty. Look for the harbor and the small red, white, and blue boat called The Mermaid.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately seven to seven and a half hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What places does the boat visit?

The route includes a sightseeing cruise along the Maltese coast, Blue Lagoon on Comino, Santa Maria Caves, and St Paul’s Island. The trip ends back at L-Menqa.

How much time do I get at Blue Lagoon?

You have about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. This allows time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, walking, and relaxing.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. They are available to purchase onboard, and you should bring cash.

Do I need a ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must register through the Maltese Government website and obtain the free ticket required to access the Island of Comino and Blue Lagoon.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.