Three Bay Cruise Including Blue Lagoon from Mellieha

The best part of this six-hour boat day is the generous time in the water. Instead of racing past Comino and Gozo, you get about 90 minutes at the Blue Lagoon, an hour at Crystal Lagoon, and another hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay. I like the easy rhythm, and I like that you can swim, snorkel, sit on deck, or simply stay aboard.

The three stops also give you more than the usual Blue Lagoon snapshot. You see the famous turquoise water, the cliffs and sea caves around Crystal Lagoon, and a quieter cove near Ħalfa Rock. The main consideration is the Blue Lagoon access pass: from May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to step ashore, and you must arrange it yourself before departure.

Key points at a glance

• Three long swim stops: Spend about 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.
• A fuller view of Comino and Gozo: The route includes northern coastal scenery, Santa Maria Caves, Elephant Head, and a cove on Gozo.
• Blue Lagoon pass required: You may not step ashore without the official pass from blcomino.com, and the morning time slot is required for this trip.
• Comforts on board: The boat has toilets, a shower, crew assistance, and a small cash bar with snacks and drinks.
• Good value at $47.66: The fare covers scenic cruising and roughly three and a half hours of swimming and shore time, with food and hotel transfers left out.
• A weather-dependent outing: Strong wind or poor sea conditions can change the route or cancel the trip, with rescheduling or a refund offered if cancellation occurs.

A 10 a.m. start from Marfa Jetty

Your day begins at Marfa Jetty in Mellieha, at the northern end of Malta. The scheduled departure is 10 a.m., but boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, so arriving by 9:40 a.m. is important. The boat returns to this same jetty after the six-hour outing.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to Marfa Jetty, which is near public transportation. That keeps the price down, but it also means you should allow time for your morning journey and avoid arriving at the last minute.

The boat can carry up to 55 people. That is not an intimate sailing trip, but it is also not a huge ferry. Expect a shared excursion with enough room to settle in, use the facilities, and choose between sun and shade if available. Large luggage, large suitcases, and pets are not permitted, so bring only what you need for a day on the water.

The crew provides assistance during the trip. No individual guide names are supplied, and the experience is built around the route and swim stops rather than a formal historical tour.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, important paperwork

The first stop is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, reached after cruising along Malta’s northern coastline. This is the scene that appears on many Malta postcards: clear cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, and a bright, open bay framed by Comino.

You get approximately one hour and 30 minutes here. That is enough time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk on Comino, or remain on the boat and enjoy the view. The boat anchors near the lagoon, so the stop is not limited to stepping ashore. Still, the exact experience depends on how you want to spend your time and on the day’s operating conditions.

Here is the crucial practical point. Since May 2025, the Maltese government requires an official access pass if you want to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. You must obtain it in advance through blcomino.com, and you need to select the morning time slot when applying for this cruise.

The pass has a daily limit. Do not assume that buying the cruise gives you permission to walk ashore. Without the pass, you will not be allowed to disembark, and no refund is provided for that issue. If swimming from the boat, relaxing aboard, or taking in the view is enough for you, the pass may be less important, but anyone hoping to walk onto Comino should treat it as essential pre-trip paperwork.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, which also means it may feel like the busiest one. The long first stop helps. You are not forced into a quick photograph and immediate departure, and you can choose a quieter pace once the initial excitement fades.

Crystal Lagoon and its sea caves

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west side. This stop lasts about one hour and offers a different setting, with high cliffs, sheltered water, and broad views around the lagoon.

Crystal Lagoon is especially suited to swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear and turquoise, with sea caves nearby to explore from the water. The cliffs give the bay a more enclosed feel than the open Blue Lagoon, and the setting should appeal to anyone who prefers rock formations and coves to a sandy beach.

You should think of this as a water stop, not a full shore visit. The plan calls for approximately an hour at the lagoon, and the focus is on getting into the sea, looking below the surface, and enjoying the caves. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you have it, since the tour information does not state that gear is supplied.

The hour is a useful middle length. It gives you time for a proper swim without turning the entire outing into a single-location beach day. If you prefer staying dry, you can remain aboard and watch the cliffs from the boat, though this stop’s main appeal is clearly the water.

Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo

The third swim stop takes you to Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo’s southeast coast. This cove has a different character from the two Comino lagoons. A small islet sits near the edge of the bay, and a pebbly beach gives the place a more secluded feel.

You get roughly one hour here, making it the final chance to swim before the return journey. The cove is described as quieter than some of the better-known bays during summer, which makes it a pleasant change after the Blue Lagoon. It is a good place to slow down, take another swim, or enjoy the view without feeling that you must compete with the clock.

The beach is pebbly rather than sandy, so water shoes may be useful if you plan to go ashore or enter the water at the beach. That is a practical suggestion rather than a supplied facility, since the tour does not list equipment rental.

Ħalfa Rock Bay is also the reason this cruise feels broader than a standard Comino outing. You are not simply taken to one famous lagoon and returned. The route includes a Gozo cove with its own scenery and a final hour that rounds out the day.

The return route: caves and Elephant Head

Once the last swim stop is over, the cruise turns back toward Marfa Jetty. The return journey passes Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation.

These sights are viewed from the boat, so keep your phone or camera ready before the return leg rather than packing everything away after the final swim. Santa Maria Caves add another look at Comino’s carved coastline, while Elephant Head is a distinctive natural rock shape that gives the route a memorable closing point.

The provider can change the order of the stops or adjust the route because of weather, sea conditions, or other operating limits. That flexibility is sensible around Malta’s coast. It does mean you should treat the advertised order as a plan, not a guarantee. The three principal swim stops and the return sightseeing route are the important elements.

What the $47.66 price really covers

At $47.66 per person, this is a fair price for a six-hour shared cruise with three substantial water stops. The key value is time. About three and a half hours are assigned to swimming or stopping at the bays, with the remaining time used for sailing between locations and sightseeing.

The price includes the scenic cruise, crew assistance, use of the boat’s toilet and shower, and the planned stops. It does not include hotel transportation, meals, drinks, or the Blue Lagoon access pass.

The small cash bar serves snacks and beverages, and it has been described as reasonably priced. Still, you should not treat it as a full lunch service. Bring whatever food and water you need, while remembering that the boat’s own conditions may apply to bringing items aboard. The supplied information confirms the availability of the cash bar, but not a full menu or card payment.

The value is strongest if you want an uncomplicated day on the sea and are happy to arrange your own transport to Marfa Jetty. It is weaker if you want a private boat, a formal cultural commentary, hotel pickup, or a meal included in the fare.

What to bring and how to pace the day

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a secure way to carry your phone. With three water stops, you will spend much of the day moving between being wet, sitting on deck, and drying in the sun.

A small bag is best. Large luggage and large suitcases are not allowed, and the boat is not designed for bulky beach equipment. Keep your belongings compact so they do not become a nuisance during boarding or while you move around the boat.

Use the first stop wisely. At Blue Lagoon, you may feel tempted to spend the whole 90 minutes in the water, but this is also the place where you have the most reason to check your plans, take photos, and decide if you want to walk ashore. Crystal Lagoon is better suited to a focused swim and snorkeling session, while Ħalfa Rock Bay gives you a calmer final hour.

The boat has a shower, which is useful after the last swim and before the ride back. A toilet is also available. These are small details, but they matter on a six-hour trip, especially when the day is built around repeated swims rather than one short stop.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a relaxed water day rather than a packed sightseeing schedule. The long stops let you choose your own pace. You can swim at all three locations, snorkel, sit aboard, or mix those options throughout the day.

It also suits couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want a simple way to see several bays without organizing separate boat transport. Most people can participate, according to the supplied information, but the experience is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

You should also think carefully if you are prone to seasickness. Six hours on a boat, including the journey between three stops, can feel long if the sea is rough. The trip depends on suitable weather, and strong winds or poor sea conditions may lead to a changed route or cancellation, but normal movement on the water remains part of the experience.

This is not the best pick if your priority is quiet solitude. A maximum group size of 55 keeps the outing moderate rather than enormous, but the boat is still shared. It is also not ideal if you want a guided walking tour of Comino or Gozo, since the main focus is cruising, swimming, and coastal views.

Booking details that can save your morning

Book the Blue Lagoon access pass separately before the cruise if you plan to step ashore. Use the official government site, blcomino.com, and select the morning slot. The pass allocation is limited, so leaving this task until the day of the cruise is risky.

Arrive at Marfa Jetty no later than 9:40 a.m. Boarding closes 20 minutes before the 10 a.m. start. The experience ends back at the same meeting point after approximately six hours.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the provider cancels because of poor weather, strong winds, or unsafe sea conditions, you can reschedule or receive a full refund if rescheduling does not work for you.

Should you book the Three Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want three proper swim stops, a reasonable price, and a full day around Comino and Gozo without planning your own boat route. The strongest features are the generous stop times, the added Gozo cove, and the return past Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head.

Before paying, make two checks. First, secure the Blue Lagoon access pass if stepping ashore matters to you. Second, confirm that you can reach Marfa Jetty on time and that a shared boat suits your style.

If those points work, this is a well-balanced choice for a Malta beach day. You get the famous lagoon, two less predictable stops, useful onboard facilities, and enough time to enjoy the water instead of merely photographing it.

FAQ

How long is the Three Bay Cruise Including Blue Lagoon?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including sailing time and all swimming stops.

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Marfa Jetty, Mellieha, Malta.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at Marfa Jetty, the same place where it begins.

How long is the Blue Lagoon stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes. The supplied details also describe it as approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You can obtain it through blcomino.com.

Which time slot should I select for the Blue Lagoon pass?

You must select the morning time slot when applying for the pass for this cruise.

What other swimming stops are included?

The cruise stops at Crystal Lagoon on Comino for approximately one hour and Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo for approximately one hour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a small cash bar serves snacks and beverages on the boat.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of weather?

If poor weather, strong winds, or unsafe sea conditions cause cancellation, you will be offered another date. If you cannot reschedule, you will receive a full refund.