Malta: Sunset Cruise to the Blue Lagoon

The best part of this cruise comes when the day boats leave Comino and the Blue Lagoon grows quieter. You can swim in clear water as the sun drops, then return to Malta under stars and soft music. The 10-meter slide adds a playful edge, while the upper deck gives you a good perch for the sunset.

I like the coastal sightseeing on the way out, with St. Paul’s Island, Coral Lagoon, caves, coves, and Malta’s northern cliffs passing by. I also like the relaxed onboard setup: deck chairs, a bar, food for purchase, and memorable pineapple cocktails. The main drawback is the long stop after dark, which may feel slow if you do not plan to swim, walk ashore, or eat onboard.

Key points to know before you book

• The Blue Lagoon visit runs from 6:15 to 8:30 PM, giving you a sunset stop rather than a rushed photo visit.
• You can use the 10-meter slide, swim from the boat, sit on deck, or go ashore on Comino.
• The cruise passes several northern Malta sights, including St. Paul’s Island, Coral Lagoon, Ghadira Bay, and Ahrax Point.
• Food and drinks cost extra, but the boat has a full-service bar and meals available for the return journey.
• Pineapple cocktails are a popular onboard treat, and the refillable pineapple makes a fun souvenir-style photo.
• You must arrive early at Bugibba Jetty, since the boat does not wait for late arrivals and check-in closes 10 minutes before departure.

Why the Blue Lagoon works better at sunset

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is famous for its bright, shallow-looking turquoise water and pale rock. In daylight, it can feel more like a major attraction than a peaceful swimming spot. This cruise changes the rhythm by arriving late in the day, after much of the daytime traffic has eased.

The scheduled lagoon stop is from 6:15 to 8:30 PM. That gives you just over two hours to choose your own pace. You can swim beside the boat, use the slide, sit in a deck chair, walk around Comino, or stay onboard with a drink and music.

I like this flexibility. You are not forced into one group activity, and you do not need to spend the whole stop in the water. Couples can settle in with a cocktail and watch the sky change color. Families and friend groups can make use of the slide and swimming area. If you prefer dry land, you can disembark and explore the island instead.

The timing also brings one tradeoff. Once the light fades, walking around Comino may hold less interest, and two hours can feel lengthy if you are not swimming or ordering food. Bring a plan for the stop. A towel, swimwear, camera, and some cash are useful basics.

Leaving Bugibba with Malta’s northern coast in view

The meeting point is at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Sirens Quay, 24 Triq San Geraldu, St. Paul’s Bay. Look behind the LOA restaurant for Katherine, who handles check-in. The location can cause confusion, so use the full address with a taxi driver rather than simply asking for the Blue Lagoon boat.

The instructions ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 10 minutes before the boat leaves, and the vessel will not hold for late arrivals. Malta’s traffic and road works can add real time to a short taxi or bus journey, so arriving early is not fussiness here. It is how you avoid watching the boat leave without you.

Once onboard, you can settle into a deck chair or find a place on the upper deck. The boat has facilities included in the fare, including the slides and deck chairs. Lockers are available for €2, with a €10 deposit for the key, which matters if you want to keep valuables secure while swimming.

The listed price is $34 per person. Since the cruise lasts four hours and includes the boat ride, sightseeing, deck access, and slide use, I consider it a fair price for an evening on the water. Just remember that the headline price does not cover food, drinks, or a locker. Your final cost depends on how much you order onboard.

The first hour: St. Paul’s Island, coves, and rock

The outward ride is not simply transport to Comino. It is a one-hour sightseeing cruise along Malta’s northern coast, with views of rock formations, sea caves, coves, and bays.

St. Paul’s Island is one of the early points of interest. The boat passes by for scenic views and a photo stop, giving you a chance to keep your camera ready without needing to leave the vessel. The cruise also passes Ghadira Bay and Ahrax Point, adding a succession of coastal views before the lagoon.

Coral Lagoon is another highlight on the route. You pass the area for photographs and views rather than spending a long time there. This is a good reminder to keep expectations in check: the cruise offers a broad coastal survey, not separate beach visits at every place named.

Commentary is provided in English and Italian. The captain gives information about places along the route, and the commentary helps turn the ride into a guided coastal tour. The quality of the evening depends partly on the captain and crew, but the experience has received especially strong praise for friendly staff, clear explanations, and a good sense of humor. Kevin is one captain singled out for making the trip more enjoyable, while Johann is also praised for being particularly helpful.

The sea can be wavy on the way out and back. Most people who enjoy boat trips will find that manageable, but if you are prone to motion sickness, choose a seat with a clear view of the horizon and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. That is practical advice for any open-water cruise.

Swimming, sliding, or staying aboard at Comino

At the Blue Lagoon, you have several ways to use your time. The most obvious is swimming in the clear water, but you can also slide from the upper deck into the sea. The slide is about 10 meters long and gives the stop a more energetic feel than a simple sightseeing boat.

You can also relax on the upper deck, use the deck chairs, or walk ashore on Comino. The boat’s position makes it convenient to swim directly from the vessel, though conditions and crew instructions always determine when and how water access is allowed.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. The water is known for excellent clarity, and snorkeling gives you something to do beyond a quick swim. The tour does not list snorkeling equipment as included, so you should not assume gear will be supplied.

The lagoon is at its most photogenic around sunset. The changing light softens the pale rock and gives the water a different look from the hard midday brightness. You also get views toward Malta and Gozo as the evening develops.

Do not expect complete solitude. August departures can still feel crowded, and the Blue Lagoon remains a popular place even late in the day. The benefit is relative quiet compared with daytime, not an empty bay reserved for your boat. If you want the calmest possible atmosphere, sit away from the main activity areas and use the later part of the stop for a swim or quiet deck time.

Food, music, and those pineapple cocktails

Food and drinks are available onboard but are not included in the $34 fare. You can buy dinner before the return journey, and the boat has a full-service bar. Prices have been described as reasonable, which helps the overall value, though you should still bring cash as advised.

The pineapple cocktails are one of the cruise’s memorable details. Drinks served in pineapples make a good photo and fit the easygoing holiday mood. A refillable pineapple option has also been noted, so ask the crew about the current arrangement if that appeals to you.

Music is part of the experience rather than background noise you may barely notice. The playlist gets particular praise, with a relaxed soundtrack on the way back. The tone is casual and social, not formal or silent. You can order a drink, sit on the upper deck, and let the coast disappear behind you.

Dinner under the stars sounds appealing, but keep the timing in mind. The boat returns during an hour-long nighttime ride, and the darkness can make the cruise feel peaceful. If you prefer to eat ashore, you can walk around Comino during the stop, though the activity specifically offers food onboard for convenience.

The ride home under a dark Maltese sky

The return journey takes about an hour. By then, the main sightseeing is done, so the character of the cruise changes. You are no longer watching for every cave and headland. Instead, you can listen to music, finish a drink, look back toward the island, and watch the sky.

On a clear evening, the lack of city light at sea can make the stars a real feature of the return. The boat’s gentle movement and music create a calm finish, though the water may still be wavy. If you want the most comfortable ride, avoid staying in a position where the motion feels strongest.

The boat returns to the same Bugibba meeting point behind the LOA restaurant. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way back to your accommodation. This makes the tour easiest if you are already staying around St. Paul’s Bay, Bugibba, or nearby northern Malta, or if you are comfortable arranging a taxi after the cruise.

Who will enjoy this four-hour cruise most

I would choose this cruise for someone who wants several parts of a Malta evening in one outing: coastal scenery, a famous swimming spot, a sunset, food and drinks, and a quiet ride home.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a scenic evening with time to sit and talk
• Families with older children who will enjoy the slide and swimming
• Friend groups who want music, cocktails, and a social boat atmosphere
• First-time visitors who want to see several northern coastal sights without arranging separate trips
• Anyone who finds the daytime Blue Lagoon too busy and prefers a later visit

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, short transfer to Comino, a fully guided walking tour, or an activity with every cost included. It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments, according to the activity information. The boat, swimming access, slide, and shore option all require you to be comfortable moving around in a marine setting.

The cruise is available in English and Italian. If detailed commentary is important to you, listen during the outward sightseeing section, when the captain explains the places along the coast.

Practical details that make the evening easier

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel. A camera is worth packing, especially for the caves, sunset, slide, and pineapple drinks. Cash is recommended for onboard purchases and the locker deposit.

The free Blue Lagoon access system needs attention. From May 19, 2025, Maltese authorities require visitors to present a QR code showing their designated time slot. You need to visit blcomino.com for the free access pass and follow the current instructions before setting out.

The cruise’s scheduled Blue Lagoon time is 6:15 to 8:30 PM, even though the overall activity is described as four hours. Check the exact departure time when booking, since seasonal schedules can affect the start.

Canceling is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to arrive early on the day.

Is the Blue Lagoon sunset cruise worth booking?

For $34, this is good value if you want an evening on the water rather than a single short stop. You get a northern coast cruise, time at the Blue Lagoon, use of the deck and slide, sunset views, and a starry return. The strongest part is the balance between activity and free time.

Book it if swimming at sunset sounds better than standing in the lagoon crowds at midday. Book it if you like the idea of a casual boat bar, pineapple cocktails, music, and scenic commentary from the captain.

Think twice if you dislike open-water motion, need hotel transport, or will feel bored during a two-hour lagoon stop after the light fades. For everyone else, arrive early, bring snorkeling gear if you have it, and treat the evening as a relaxed coastal outing rather than a tightly packed sightseeing tour.

FAQ

Where does the sunset cruise depart from?

It departs from Hornblower Cruises Malta at Sirens Quay, 24 Triq San Geraldu, St. Paul’s Bay, behind the LOA restaurant. Look for Katherine at check-in.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Check-in closes 10 minutes before departure, and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

How long do you spend at the Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled stop runs from 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM, giving you just over two hours at the Blue Lagoon and Comino area.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard for an additional charge. The boat has a full-service bar, and dinner can be purchased before the return journey.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass required?

Yes. From May 19, 2025, visitors must present a QR code showing their designated time slot. You can obtain the free access pass through blcomino.com.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, a camera, and cash. You may also want to bring snorkeling gear, since the water is clear and snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.