Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

The Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the smartest feature is having the boat as your base for more than four hours. You can swim from the boat, walk onto Comino, return for food or a restroom, then head back into the water without packing up every time.

I like the low price, the upper sun deck, and the friendly crew led by Captain Kevin. I also like the choice between quiet time on the island and easy fun on the boat, including a slide and jumping points. The catch is size: with room for up to 232 people, this is not a peaceful little sailing trip, and the music can be loud.

Key points to know before booking

• More than four hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have enough time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, a walk on Comino, and a second swim.
• Captain Kevin narrates the route: The cruise passes St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, and Santa Maria Tower.
• The boat is your swimming platform: Use the slide, jump into the lagoon, relax on the upper deck, or stay in the shaded main deck area.
• Arrive early for the best deck chair: Boarding opens well before the 10am departure, and the top deck fills quickly.
• The cave speedboat costs extra: A seasonal trip to the small caves costs €15 per person and requires cash.
• Expect a lively, crowded day: The atmosphere suits families, groups of friends, and swimmers more than anyone seeking silence.

A seven-hour cruise built around the Blue Lagoon

This is an inexpensive full-day outing from Bugibba Jetty, departing at 10am and returning around 5pm. At roughly $36.28 per person, it offers a lot of time on the water for the money, especially since the basic fare includes deck chairs, the boat slide, restroom use, and all landing fees.

I see this as a swimming day with sightseeing attached, rather than a formal historical tour. You will hear useful commentary as the boat passes Malta’s coastal sights, but the main reason to book is simple: reach Comino, swim in clear water, and enjoy a full afternoon without paying for a private charter.

The boat is described honestly as older rather than modern. That matters if you expect polished cabins or a quiet luxury cruise. It still has the practical features you need for a day at sea: shaded seating, an upper deck, a cafeteria, toilets, a slide, and space to move around.

The group can reach 232 people, so personal space depends on how early you arrive and how busy the date is. Some departures feel relaxed once passengers spread out, while peak-season sailings can feel packed. Music plays during the day, which adds fun for many people but will not suit anyone hoping for a quiet ride.

Bugibba Jetty and St. Paul’s Island

The day starts at Bugibba Jetty in San Pawl il-Baħar. The meeting point is near public transport, and the boat returns to the same place, making the outing fairly simple to fit into a Malta itinerary.

Try to arrive early. If you want an upper-deck chair, arriving around 8:30am gives you a much better chance than arriving just before departure. The top level offers the best sun and open views, but those seats go first. Every seat does not have a bad view, and you can stand up and walk around, but the prime chairs are limited.

As the boat leaves, Captain Kevin and his crew introduce the route with stories connected to St. Paul’s Island. According to local tradition, St. Paul was shipwrecked here, and a statue now marks the tiny island. It is a small sight, but it gives the opening part of the cruise a useful connection to Malta’s religious past.

The early sailing also gives you a good look at Malta from the water. You see the shore from a different angle, with cliffs, low rock formations, and small inlets that are easy to miss from land.

Mellieha Bay, Ahrax Cave, and Coral Cove

The cruise passes Mellieha Bay, Malta’s largest beach, before continuing toward Ahrax Cave. This is a scenic stretch rather than a long stop. The boat pauses near the cave for photographs, so keep your phone ready and stay near the rail if you want clear views.

The coastal rock here is the main subject. You will see openings in the cliffs, pale stone, and water changing color as the boat moves through shallow and deeper areas. The exact position and timing can depend on sea conditions, so the route may not look identical every day.

Before crossing the southern channel of Comino, the boat passes Coral Cove. This is another quick photo opportunity. It helps break up the ride and gives you a sense of how close Malta’s smaller islands are to one another.

I like this part because it prevents the cruise from becoming a simple transfer to the Blue Lagoon. Still, keep your expectations reasonable. These are passing sights, not long guided visits, and the real activity begins once the boat moors at Comino.

Cruising all the way around Comino

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. The boat circles the island, showing off steep cliff edges and unusual rock shapes, including the Elephant’s Head formation.

Seeing Comino from the water is worthwhile because the island’s best features are often coastal. The high cliffs and bright water make more sense from a boat than from a crowded path near the Blue Lagoon. You also get a clear look at the island’s sparse, dry character. This is not a place of broad streets or many buildings. Its appeal comes from rock, sea, and small bays.

The cruise then passes Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend Comino. The tower is also linked with the film The Count of Monte Cristo, where it represented the Chateau d’If prison. It is one of the island’s few major structures, so it catches the eye against the bare surroundings.

The commentary adds value here, particularly if Captain Kevin is narrating your sailing. You get enough context to understand what you are seeing without spending the day in a lecture.

The Blue Lagoon: use the boat as your base

The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for more than four hours, which is the strongest part of the schedule. Many short boat trips give you barely enough time to take a photograph and wade into the water. Here, you can settle in and plan the afternoon at your own pace.

The water is famously clear and turquoise, and you can enter directly from the boat. The boat has a slide and jumping points, so you do not have to battle for a small strip of beach to enjoy the sea. A life jacket is available with a deposit, and you can rent a mask and snorkel for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned.

You can also walk onto Comino and return to the boat whenever you need. That flexibility is useful. You might swim early, walk around the island, buy lunch, then come back for another swim. You can use the restroom, buy a drink, or retreat to the shaded main deck when the sun becomes too strong.

The famous lagoon is also the busiest part of the day. The water may be beautiful, but boats and people gather here. If you want more space, move away from the central landing area on foot, or stay on the boat and swim from its private mooring position. One useful walk leads toward Santa Maria Bay, which can be quieter than the Blue Lagoon area.

Swimming directly from the boat is easier than entering over rocks, but conditions vary. Some shore areas are awkward, and the rocks can be slippery or uncomfortable. Bring water shoes if you have them, though they are not listed as an included item.

The Crystal Lagoon and optional cave ride

The Crystal Lagoon is reached through Comino’s southern channel. It is known for deeper water and is popular with people who want to snorkel. The bay is also reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon in about eight minutes, although the timing and exact route can depend on conditions.

The boat may visit this area on the way to Comino or on the return to Malta. That flexibility is weather dependent, so do not treat it as a guaranteed long stop separate from the main Blue Lagoon stay.

For another view of the coast, you can pay €15 for a seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves. The ticket is purchased separately and cash is required. This is a short, active add-on rather than a replacement for the main cruise, but it gives you a closer look at the cave openings and rock walls.

Bring cash for this and for purchases on the boat or Comino. Card payments are not accepted on the island or onboard. The cave ride is a good use of the extra money if you enjoy quick boat maneuvers and close-up coastal views. Skip it if you would rather spend the time swimming.

Food, drinks, music, and the mood onboard

You do not need to bring lunch. The onboard cafeteria sells food and drinks at prices described as reasonable, with burgers, chips, ice cream, cocktails, and pineapple drinks among the choices available. The food is convenient rather than a reason to book the tour, but fair pricing matters when you are on a boat for seven hours.

The pineapple cocktail has become a popular novelty, and there are special bins for the empty fruit. That small detail is worth noting because it keeps the deck cleaner and protects the water around the boat.

Music plays during the cruise and at the lagoon. The playlist and friendly crew create a holiday-party feel, particularly for groups and younger adults. Families can enjoy the slide and swimming, too, but the sound level may be tiring if you want a calm day.

The crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, helpful, and attentive to safety. That matters when people are jumping from a boat, using a slide, swimming in open water, and moving between boat and island. You still need to follow instructions and judge your own comfort in the sea.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At about $36.28 per person, this is strong value for anyone who plans to swim and spend most of the day at Comino. The fare includes taxes, landing and facility fees, deck chairs on a first-come basis, the slide, and restroom facilities.

You should budget extra for the things that make the day easier:

• Lunch and drinks
• Mask and snorkel rental
• The €15 cave speedboat ride
• A €2 locker
• Towels

A towel is not supplied, so pack one. Sun cream is essential, and a jacket helps from October to May or during the cooler months from October through December. Even a warm Maltese day can feel chilly when the boat is moving across open water.

The free cancellation policy is useful if your plans change. You can cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Poor weather can also lead to a new date or full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Who will enjoy this Comino day most

I would choose this cruise if you want a full day of swimming without paying private-boat prices. It works especially well for families, couples, and groups of friends who like having several choices in one outing.

It also suits you if your party has mixed interests. One person can use the slide, another can sunbathe, another can walk on Comino, and another can sit in the shade with a drink. The boat’s return access makes it easier to take breaks than a simple beach landing.

Solo visitors can also manage this outing comfortably because the crew provides information and helps maintain a safe setup onboard. The activity is suitable for all ages, although children and weaker swimmers should be watched closely around the water and jumping areas.

I would look elsewhere if your ideal boat trip means silence, a small group, or a polished vessel. Rough seas are possible, and one departure had enough motion to make several passengers ill. If you are prone to seasickness, take appropriate precautions and choose a calmer weather date when possible.

Practical plan for a better day

Arrive early for check-in and an upper-deck chair. The boat leaves at 10am, but the best seats may be gone long before then.

Bring a towel, sun cream, swimwear, cash, and a light jacket outside the hottest months. Keep some money in small denominations for food, rentals, lockers, or the cave speedboat.

If you want to explore Comino, swim first or walk early, before the strongest heat. Then use the boat as your base for shade, drinks, and another swim.

If a Comino landing pass is required for your date, download the full-day version rather than only a morning pass. Mobile signal can be limited, so handle it before you reach the island.

Should you book it?

Book this Hornblower cruise if you want the Blue Lagoon, plenty of water time, a boat slide, optional caves, and a low total price. The long stop and return access to the boat give you more freedom than a quick shore drop-off.

Skip it if you want a quiet, intimate sailing or dislike loud music and large groups. For most active visitors, the combination of clear water, friendly staff, good views, and inexpensive onboard food makes this one of Malta’s better-value sea days.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The tour leaves from Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about seven hours, departing at 10am and returning at approximately 5pm.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at the Blue Lagoon for more than four hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, walk around Comino, eat, and return to the boat.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard at reasonable prices, but lunch is not included in the tour price.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

How much does the cave speedboat cost?

The seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15 per person. The ticket must be purchased with cash.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.