Mellieha: Round Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo Cruise with Water

The best part of this cruise is simple: you get two proper swim stops in one half-day, with about 1½ hours at the Blue Lagoon and another hour at Crystal Lagoon. Between them, the boat passes Comino’s caves, bays, cliffs, and Elephant Rock, so the ride itself is part of the show.

I like the generous time in the water, rather than a quick dip and a hurried departure. I also like the practical extras: free mineral water, fresh-water showers, toilets, a water slide, and snorkelling equipment available without a rental fee once you leave a refundable €20 cash deposit.

The main drawback is that the Blue Lagoon is the busiest and most sought-after stop, and you do not get a quiet island experience there. Also, swimming and boarding require a degree of ease on your feet, so this cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or anyone prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Two long swim breaks: Spend about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon and one hour at Crystal Lagoon.
• A boat made for swimming: Use the water slide, rooftop deck chairs, showers, toilets, and snorkelling gear.
• Comino’s northern coast: See Saint Mary’s Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Bay, and the Santa Maria Sea Caves from the water.
• Gozo on the return: Cruise past Gozo and pause for photos at Mġarr Harbour without getting off the boat.
• Straightforward departure: Meet the white and blue boat La Laguna at Marfa Jetty, opposite Riviera Spa Resort.
• Good half-day value: At $34 per person, the cruise includes the scenic ride, two swim stops, mineral water, and crew assistance.

Why this four-hour cruise works

This is a swimming cruise first and a sightseeing cruise second. That distinction matters. You are not visiting Comino for a guided walk, museum, or long shore excursion. You are paying for time on the sea, views of Malta and Gozo, and easy access to two famous swimming spots.

The schedule gives you roughly four hours from Marfa Jetty and back. That is long enough to make the trip feel worthwhile without consuming a full day. You can enjoy the water, see several coastal sights, and still have much of the afternoon or morning free.

The boat is called La Laguna, and the English-speaking crew provides assistance throughout the outing. There is no tour guide included, so you should expect basic help and practical information rather than a narrated history lesson.

At $34 per person, the value is strongest if you plan to swim or snorkel. The price includes the cruise, mineral water, the water slide, two swimming stops, showers, toilets, and deck chairs on the rooftop area. Food, drinks other than mineral water, hotel transfers, and the optional cave trip cost extra.

Leaving Marfa Jetty for Comino

You meet at Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna. The activity ends at the same jetty, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in the Mellieħa area.

The first part is a scenic cruise along Comino’s northern coast. You will not get off at the early sights, but the boat gives you the right angle for photographs. The route includes Saint Mary’s Battery, Elephant Rock, Saint Nicholas Bay, Saint Mary’s Bay, and the Santa Maria Sea Caves.

Saint Mary’s Battery adds a bit of Maltese military history to what could otherwise be a pure swim outing. From the water, you see the structure as part of the coast rather than stopping for a full visit. Elephant Rock is more about shape and setting. It is a striking rock formation, and the boat provides a short photo opportunity as you pass.

The bays are quieter in feel than the Blue Lagoon, at least from the moving boat. You get a sense of Comino’s pale rock, open sea, and clear water before reaching the main stop. The Santa Maria Sea Caves add another change of scenery, with rock walls shaped by the sea.

Bring your phone or camera, but protect it from spray. The route includes several short sightseeing sections, and the best view can disappear quickly as the boat moves on.

Ninety minutes at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece of the trip. The boat anchors here for about 1½ hours, giving you enough time to choose how active you want to be.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on Comino if you are able to go ashore. The water is known for its clear cyan color, and the appeal is easy to understand: this is the kind of place where the sea itself becomes the main attraction.

The long stop is a major advantage. You are not forced to choose between a swim and a few photographs. You can take your time, dry off, use the slide, and return to the water before the boat leaves.

There is an important rule for 2025 and beyond. If you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily passes are limited. This pass is not included in the cruise price, and it is separate from simply remaining on the boat or swimming from it.

That detail can affect your plans. If you want to explore Comino on foot, arrange the pass before your departure. If your main goal is swimming and relaxing on board, you may not need to go ashore, but you should confirm the current arrangements before booking.

The Blue Lagoon can also be the least peaceful part of the cruise because it is Comino’s best-known swimming area. You should choose this experience for its beauty and convenience, not for solitude. The boat gives you a base, but the setting will not feel remote.

Crystal Lagoon and the water slide

After leaving the Blue Lagoon, the boat continues to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west coast. The stop lasts about one hour, which gives you a second chance to swim if the first stop was crowded or if you simply want more time in the water.

Crystal Lagoon is framed by higher cliffs and is especially appealing for snorkelling. The sheltered water and rock walls create a strong setting for looking below the surface. The lagoon also offers wide views around the boat, so you get a different feel from the Blue Lagoon.

I like having both stops because they serve slightly different purposes. The Blue Lagoon is the famous one, with bright water and a strong sense of arrival. Crystal Lagoon feels more focused on the cliffs, swimming, and snorkelling. You can compare them for yourself rather than betting the whole trip on one location.

The water slide is another reason this cruise suits families and anyone who wants more than a quiet boat ride. It is available as part of the experience, though the activity is not designed as a supervised water park. Follow the crew’s instructions and take care around the boat, especially when the sea is moving.

Snorkelling equipment can be rented free of charge, but you must leave a €20 cash deposit. You receive the deposit back when you return the equipment. Bring cash for this, even though the boat bar accepts both cash and cards.

Gozo views on the way back

The return journey passes by Gozo, Malta’s neighboring island. You stay on the boat, but the coastline provides a pleasant change after the swim stops.

The cruise makes a short photo stop at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbour. There is no disembarkation, so treat this as a camera moment rather than a visit to the town. Mġarr is a useful place to photograph the boats, harbor setting, and surrounding coastline.

This final section helps the experience feel like more than a transfer between two lagoons. You see Comino up close, then get a wider view of Gozo before returning to Marfa Jetty. The route is scenic, but keep your expectations in check: you are seeing Gozo from the water, not touring the island.

Life on board La Laguna

La Laguna is set up for a relaxed day on the water. Rooftop deck chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want one, arrive with enough time to board early rather than assuming every passenger will have a lounger.

Mineral water flows throughout the cruise, which is a small but useful inclusion under the Maltese sun. You can also buy snacks and other drinks at the cash bar. Food is not included, so pack something suitable or budget for a purchase on board.

Fresh-water showers are available after swimming. This is especially helpful if you are heading somewhere else afterward and do not want to remain covered in salt. Toilets are also provided, adding comfort during a four-hour outing.

The boat has a water slide and snorkelling equipment, but this is still a sea cruise. You should bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and cash. Motion sickness prevention is worth considering if you are sensitive to boat movement. The activity specifically warns that it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Pack lightly. A small day bag with the essentials is more useful than a full beach bag that must be stored or kept out of the way.

Optional cave trip and extra costs

An optional powerboat trip to the Comino Caves can be arranged with the crew on location. It is not included in the $34 price, costs about €10 per person, and can change slightly without notice.

The cave trip is also subject to weather conditions. You should see it as an optional add-on, not a guaranteed part of the cruise. The main boat already passes Santa Maria Sea Caves and includes the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, so the core experience remains worthwhile if you skip the powerboat.

The other possible extra is food or a drink from the bar. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided, so you need to make your own way to Marfa Jetty. These are modest costs and planning points, but they matter when comparing this cruise with a package that includes transport or meals.

The cancellation policy is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a half-day on the water with plenty of swimming and a little coastal sightseeing. It suits couples, families, and active visitors who like to split their time between floating, snorkelling, sunbathing, and taking photographs.

It is also a good choice if you are staying near Mellieħa and can reach Marfa Jetty without needing a hotel transfer. The return to the same meeting point keeps the logistics manageable.

I would think twice if you want a quiet, guided exploration of Comino. You will not receive a formal tour guide, and the Blue Lagoon is not presented as a peaceful secret spot. I would also avoid it if you dislike boats, struggle with seasickness, or need step-free access.

The experience has a strong published rating of 4.7 from 43 reviews, and the clearest praise centers on the boat ride and the Blue Lagoon swim. That matches the structure of the day: the sea time is the real reason to book.

Final verdict: a strong value for swimmers

Book this cruise if the phrase two lagoon swim stops sounds better to you than a full day of land sightseeing. The Blue Lagoon gives you the famous turquoise water, Crystal Lagoon adds a second setting for swimming and snorkelling, and the return past Gozo fills out the experience without making it overly long.

At $34, the package offers good value for a four-hour outing, especially with mineral water, a slide, showers, toilets, deck chairs, crew assistance, and snorkelling gear available for a refundable deposit. Just arrange the Blue Lagoon shore access pass if you plan to get off the boat, carry cash, and do not expect a guide-led visit or a quiet bay.

FAQ

How long is the Comino and Gozo cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. It departs from Marfa Jetty and returns to the same meeting point.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors at the Blue Lagoon for about 1½ hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax on board, or walk on Comino if you have the required access pass.

How long is the Crystal Lagoon stop?

The Crystal Lagoon stop lasts about one hour and is intended for swimming, snorkelling, and enjoying the surrounding cliffs and views.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to disembark and step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Passes are obtained in advance through blcomino.com, and daily numbers are limited.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Snorkelling equipment is available to rent free of charge. You must leave a €20 cash deposit, which is refunded when you return the equipment.

Is food included on the boat?

Food is not included. A cash bar sells snacks and various drinks, and both cash and credit cards are accepted. Mineral water is provided throughout the cruise.

Is the optional Comino Caves powerboat trip included?

No. The optional powerboat trip costs about €10 per person, is paid on location, and depends on weather conditions.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people with seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.