Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Small boats make Comino feel much bigger. This three to four-hour cruise from Ċirkewwa packs in Comino’s best water stops, coastal views, caves, and rock formations without putting you on a huge ferry. I like the small group of about 24 people, which makes it easier to reach the caves and get back aboard without a long line. I also like the mix of swimming time and sightseeing, especially at Crystal Lagoon, where the water is often the visual highlight.

The main thing to consider is that Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, especially in summer. The boat gives you the option of swimming from onboard instead of going ashore, but anyone who wants to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore must arrange a free entry pass before arriving.

Key things to know before you book

• Crystal Lagoon gets the best swimming time: The 45-minute stop is ideal for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and clear-water swimming.
• The boat carries about 24 people: It is small enough to approach Comino’s caves and narrow coastal areas more closely than large excursion boats.
• Blue Lagoon requires a free pass to disembark: Reserve a morning, afternoon, or sunset slot at blcomino.com and collect the official wristband at Ċirkewwa.
• Santa Maria Bay offers a quieter change of pace: It is less commercial than Blue Lagoon and gives you another chance to swim or relax.
• The crew adds local color: Johnny is frequently praised for friendly help, practical advice, and stories about the island.
• The $31 price is strong value: You get several swim stops, a guided coastal cruise, a paddleboard, swim noodles, shaded seating, and an onboard toilet.

Why the small boat matters around Comino

Comino is compact, but the best parts of its coast are not all suited to large vessels. A smaller boat can get closer to the Santa Maria Caves, approach rock formations from useful viewing angles, and bring you near narrow sections of the coast that a big ferry may skip.

The advertised capacity is around 24 people, though one account describes the boat feeling crowded at the beginning before some passengers moved to another boat. That is worth keeping in mind. The experience is usually more personal than a large sightseeing cruise, but it is still a shared boat trip, not a private charter.

The crew is one of the tour’s strongest points. Johnny is often singled out for being cheerful, helpful, and good at explaining what you are seeing. The skipper also assists people getting on and off the boat, which is useful at swimming stops. At times, family members help with the boat, giving the trip a relaxed, local feel.

The boat has shaded seating, a toilet, and a rear ladder for returning after a swim. You can ask for a life jacket if needed. A complimentary stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are available, so you do not have to bring extra water equipment to have something more interesting to do than simply float.

Starting at Ċirkewwa and passing Comino Tower

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn left around the corner to reach the boat. This sounds simple, but allow extra time to get oriented. One passenger found the meeting area hectic, and another advised leaving more time if you are arriving by bus.

Once underway, the boat spends roughly 15 minutes cruising toward the first major stop. Along the way, you pass Comino Tower, the square coastal watchtower associated with the film The Count of Monte Cristo. It is a quick introduction to the island’s rocky shores and a good reason to keep your phone ready before the swimming begins.

The departure area is at the northern end of Malta, so transport planning matters. Free parking is available at the meeting point. If you are relying on public transport, do not cut it close. A late arrival can create stress, and the boat may leave on schedule.

Crystal Lagoon: the best place to swim

Crystal Lagoon is the first main stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring. The water is known for its clarity and strong blue-green color, and this is where many people find the most memorable swimming of the day.

You can stay on the boat, climb down the rear ladder, or use the paddleboard and swim noodles. Snorkels can be rented onboard for €5, while the tour does not include personal snorkeling equipment. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have them, or budget for the rental.

The rocky shore calls for sensible footwear if you plan to get out and explore. One particularly useful tip from the trip feedback is that you can walk toward the top of the cliff, but the beginning is rocky and requires a short scramble before the path becomes easier. Water shoes or sturdy sandals are more practical than flip-flops.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good place for less confident swimmers to think carefully about conditions. The crew provides flotation aids, but you should still be comfortable in open water before swimming far from the boat. The water may look calm while a current is present, as one passenger noted at a later stop.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful, famous, and crowded

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat continues to Blue Lagoon for about an hour. The shallow seabed and bright sunlight create the intense blue color that made this part of Comino famous. You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, or stay onboard and enter the water directly from the boat.

Blue Lagoon is the most important logistical detail on this trip. If you want to step ashore, you need a free pass from blcomino.com. Choose the slot that matches your departure, either morning, afternoon, or sunset. At Ċirkewwa, show the pass to Transport Malta officials so you can receive the official wristband.

You do not need the pass if you remain on the boat. That is a useful choice when the shore is packed, or when you prefer a quieter swim away from the beach stalls. Several people found the Blue Lagoon much busier and more commercial than Crystal Lagoon, while still enjoying the water itself.

Food and drinks can be bought at the beach stops, and the boat sells cold drinks as well. Prices listed onboard are €2.50 for soft drinks, €1.50 for water, €3 for a large beer, and €5 for a snorkel. Carry cash, especially if you want to buy something quickly during a short stop.

Gozo, Halfa Rock, and Promising Rock

After Blue Lagoon, the boat returns to sightseeing mode. You pass along the Gozo coastline and stop to look at Halfa Rock, also called Promising Rock or Gebla tal-Ħalfa. These stops are mainly for photographs and coastal views, not long shore visits.

The smaller boat helps here because you are close to the waterline and natural formations. The crew can point out the rock from a good angle, and the ride gives you a welcome pause after swimming. If you prefer a tour made entirely of swimming stops, this section may feel slow. If you like seeing the shape of the coast from the sea, it gives the outing a better sense of place.

San Niklaw Bay and the Comino Hotel follow. The bay is calm and scenic, and the hotel offers a different view of the island from the water. These are brief sightseeing sections, so listen for the guide’s explanation and keep your camera ready rather than expecting a long visit ashore.

Santa Maria Bay for a calmer swim

Santa Maria Bay sits on Comino’s northern side and usually feels more peaceful than Blue Lagoon. The published schedule describes a stop here for sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, marine life viewing, and paddleboarding. The detailed timing is inconsistent: one part lists about 45 minutes, while the included section lists 15 minutes.

That difference matters. If Santa Maria Bay is important to you, confirm the current timing when you book or at departure. In either case, it is a useful third water stop and gives you a chance to enjoy Comino without making the whole day about Blue Lagoon.

This is also a good place to stay on the boat and swim off the rear ladder. The boat keeps swim noodles and a paddleboard available, so you can make a short stop feel active without carrying beach gear. The bay is less commercial than Blue Lagoon, which makes it appealing if your idea of a good afternoon is clear water and quiet scenery rather than food stalls and crowds.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock

Near the end of the trip, the boat heads toward the Santa Maria Caves. This is where the smaller vessel earns its keep. The boat can approach the openings more closely than many larger craft, giving you a better look into the rock and a stronger chance of seeing the details around the cave entrances.

The published schedule allows roughly 15 minutes for the caves, while the included details describe about 10 minutes. Either way, this is a photo stop rather than a long cave visit. Conditions on the water may affect how close the boat can get, so do not expect a guaranteed swim through every opening.

Elephant Rock is the final major sight. Its shape is easiest to appreciate from the water, and the slow pass gives you time to take photographs. The stop is short, but it is a fitting finish to a trip built around coastal formations rather than only beaches.

What the $31 price really covers

At $31 per person, this is an inexpensive way to combine transport around Comino with several swim stops. You are not paying only for a boat ride from Malta to one beach. You get Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, coastal views around Gozo, Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, the Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

The included extras improve the value. You get a stand-up paddleboard, swim noodles, shaded seating, an onboard toilet, a live guide in English and Maltese, parking at the meeting point, and life jackets on request. Food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra, but those are easy to budget for.

The strongest value comes from the time saved. You do not need to arrange separate transport between Comino’s main sights, and the boat handles the return to Ċirkewwa. Compared with a large cruise, you pay less and get closer to the caves. Compared with a private boat, you give up flexibility but spend far less.

The tradeoff is comfort and polish. One account describes the boat as less spacious than nicer alternatives, and another found communication at the start unclear. This is a practical, good-value excursion, not a luxury yacht experience.

Timing, weather, and who should book

The trip lasts three to four hours, with morning, afternoon, and sunset departures depending on availability. The sunset option can be especially pleasant because it is cooler and may feel less crowded than the middle of a hot day. The swimming water can be cold outside summer, but some hardy passengers still swim in January and November.

The sea can also change the character of the ride. Reports from cooler months describe choppy water, spray, and occasional soaking. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people prone to seasickness. If you are sensitive to motion, sit in a stable shaded area, watch the forecast, and consider another Comino outing if conditions look rough.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, sensible shoes, and cash. I would also pack a waterproof phone pouch or camera if you want photographs near the caves. At Crystal Lagoon, wear footwear that can handle rocks if you plan to walk up from the shore.

This tour suits you best if you want a compact half-day outing with several chances to swim. Families, couples, and active sightseers all have something to do, while children can enjoy the paddleboard, noodles, and fish viewing. It is less suitable if you want a long beach day at one location, a polished luxury boat, or complete silence.

Should you book the Comino boat tour?

I would book this tour if you value small-group access, several swim stops, and strong value over luxury. Crystal Lagoon is likely to be the high point, while the caves and Elephant Rock add the kind of close coastal views that large boats often cannot provide.

Book with realistic expectations. Blue Lagoon will probably be crowded, Santa Maria Bay timing may vary, and the meeting point deserves extra care. Arrange the free Blue Lagoon pass before you go, arrive early at Ċirkewwa, and bring cash for drinks or a snorkel.

If you want a relaxed, well-priced way to see Comino’s famous water and rock formations in one half-day, this is an easy recommendation. If your main goal is an uncrowded beach, skip the Blue Lagoon shore and swim from the boat, or choose a quieter departure time such as late afternoon or sunset.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour start?

The tour starts at Cirkewwa Cafe in Ċirkewwa, Mellieħa. Find the boat behind the kiosk café by going down the stairs behind the café and turning left around the corner.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately three to four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Do I need a pass to visit Blue Lagoon?

You need a free pass from blcomino.com if you want to disembark at Blue Lagoon. Choose the correct morning, afternoon, or sunset slot, then show the pass to Transport Malta officials at Ċirkewwa to receive the official wristband.

Can I stay on the boat at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can remain onboard and swim from the boat without getting a Blue Lagoon disembarkation pass.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but snorkels can be rented onboard for €5. A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are provided at no extra cost.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, sensible footwear, and cash. You may also want a waterproof camera or phone pouch for the swimming and cave stops.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or for pregnant women. Conditions can be choppy, particularly outside the warmer summer months.