Comino: Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise

The best part of Malta may be offshore. This seven-hour cruise from St. Paul’s Bay combines the famous Blue Lagoon with sea caves, Malta’s northern coast, and a boat that feels more like a floating beach club than simple transport. I especially like the quiet mooring area used by the boat and the freedom to swim from the deck, rather than being dropped on a crowded shore. The 10-meter waterslide, jumping points, and pineapple cocktails add plenty of fun.

I also like the warm, family-run feel created by Captain Kevin and his crew. The music, live commentary, snack bar, shaded seating, and friendly help with buoyancy aids make the day easy to enjoy. The main catch is crowding: the upper-deck chairs fill quickly, and the Blue Lagoon itself is very busy in high summer. The ride can also be bumpy on windy days.

The $35 price is strong value if you want a full day on the water without paying separately for transport, a beach club, and sightseeing. Food, drinks, snorkel equipment, lockers, and the optional cave speedboat ride cost extra, but the onboard prices are generally reasonable.

Key things to know before booking

• Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have time to swim, snorkel, eat, relax, and use the slide without rushing.
• A calmer mooring spot: The boat anchors in a less crowded part of the lagoon, with water about three meters deep and easy access from the vessel.
• Captain Kevin sets the tone: His commentary, music choices, and relaxed manner are a big part of the appeal.
• The €15 cave speedboat is optional: It is not included, but it adds a fast, close-up look at Comino’s caves.
• Arrive early for an upper-deck chair: The boat may leave at 10 a.m., but limited top-deck loungers can be claimed much earlier.
• You need a free Blue Lagoon QR pass: Select both a morning and afternoon time slot at blcomino.com before the trip.

A full day for the price of a beach transfer

Hornblower Cruises charges about $35 per person for this full-day outing. That price includes the boat cruise, the long Blue Lagoon stop, onboard toilets, deck chairs, shaded seating, music, commentary, and access to the slide and jumping points.

That is a useful package. You are not simply paying to cross to Comino and find somewhere to sit. The boat remains your base for the day, with a snack bar serving hot and cold drinks, food, ice cream, and the famous pineapple cocktails. You can swim, climb back aboard, dry off in the sun, and repeat the process.

Food and drinks are not included, but the prices are described as reasonable, with burgers, fries, snacks, and beverages available onboard. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so budget for at least a purchase or two if you plan to stay aboard during the long stop.

The optional extras are clear. A mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. A locker costs €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 returned. A buoyancy aid is available for a €10 deposit. The cave speedboat costs €15 and is paid onsite.

Starting at St. Paul’s Bay

The meeting point is the Bugibba Jetty at Dawret il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

You can reach the jetty from two nearby bus stops called Moll and Anthony. Free roadside parking is available in white boxes, but spaces are limited. If you take a taxi, give the driver the exact address, since the area can be confusing.

Arrive 45 minutes to an hour before departure. This is not only about avoiding stress. It gives you a better chance of finding an upper-deck chair, which can make a real difference on a long sunny day. Several people arrived around 8:30 or 8:50 for a 10 a.m. departure and still found the best seats limited.

Traffic can be heavy around departure time, so cutting it close is a poor plan. The boat may have several boarding points listed under the same operator name, including Hornblower Cruises Malta, Hornblower Malta, and Bugibba Jetty. Check your booking details carefully.

Along Malta’s northern coast

The cruise begins with views across St. Paul’s Bay and the coastline north of Malta. St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul are among the first sights, followed by Ahrax Point and Coral Lagoon.

This section works best if you treat it as a moving viewpoint rather than a formal sightseeing tour. Captain Kevin points out landmarks and gives information about Malta while the boat moves between stops. The commentary adds useful context, although the loudspeaker can be hard to understand when the sea is rough or the boat is busy.

Sit on the left side if you want a closer look at Comino as you approach. This small choice can improve your photos, especially as the boat passes bays, rocky headlands, and cave entrances.

The scenery is the main attraction here. There is no long walk, museum visit, or complicated transfer. You simply sit back and watch Malta’s pale cliffs and clear water unfold from the deck.

Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Cave, and the north channel

The boat makes quick visits to Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. These are short scenic stops, not extended cave tours. You will get a close view from the boat, with the chance to take photos as the vessel moves into or near the openings.

The cruise then continues through Comino’s north channel. Along the way, you pass Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel.

This is also where the optional speedboat ride becomes worth considering. The main cruise gives you a broad look at the caves, but the smaller boat can get closer and move through the area with more speed and excitement. The extra €15 is not needed for a pleasant day, yet it is one of the most popular add-ons for anyone who wants more than a quick photo stop.

The speedboat operates during the day cruise. It is not part of every departure format, so check before relying on it, particularly if you are considering a sunset outing.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. This is the center of the day, and the long stop is one of the cruise’s strongest features.

The water around the boat is about three meters deep. You can enter using the swim steps, jump from designated points, or use the slide. The slide is available without a limit, but it is used at your own risk. Children and playful adults will probably spend more time on it than they expect.

You do not need to leave the boat to enjoy the lagoon. Stay onboard and use a deck chair, sit in the shade, order lunch, or swim from the stern. This is a major advantage over a basic water taxi, which drops you at Comino and leaves you to compete for a patch of shore.

The boat’s mooring area is less crowded than the main beach sections of the lagoon. That does not mean total peace, especially in July and August, but the water beside the boat can feel far more comfortable than the tightly packed shore.

If you are not a confident swimmer, take this seriously. The boat’s swimming area is deep, though you can use a buoyancy aid or reach the island’s beach. Ask the crew for help before entering the water.

Snorkeling is another highlight. The clear water makes it easy to spot fish, including small and larger species. Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them, or rent equipment onboard for €5 plus the refundable deposit.

Stay aboard or walk onto Comino?

You have a genuine choice at the Blue Lagoon. You can remain on the boat, where you have toilets, food, drinks, shade, chairs, the slide, and easy swimming access. Or you can get off and explore the island.

I would stay aboard for at least part of the stop, even if you want to walk around Comino. The beach area can become packed, with food trucks and limited room for towels. One useful strategy is to swim and relax from the boat first, then take a shorter walk ashore when you feel like stretching your legs.

The boat’s snack bar makes staying onboard practical. Pineapple cocktails are the signature order, and the onboard grill serves simple food such as burgers and fries. Prices are generally viewed as fair rather than inflated for a captive audience, which helps the $35 fare go further.

There is a tradeoff. The boat’s best deck chairs are limited, and those who board late may need to use the main deck or find a standing spot during busy periods. Arriving early matters more here than it does on many ordinary boat trips.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Mary’s Tower on the return

At the end of the Blue Lagoon stop, the cruise heads toward Gozo. The boat does not stop for a full visit, but it circles Mgarr Harbour so you can see the port and surrounding sights from the water.

The route then returns through Comino’s south channel. You pass the Crystal Lagoon, its caves, and St. Mary’s Tower. The Crystal Lagoon is a quick scenic stop, listed at around 10 minutes, so think of it as a photo and viewing point rather than another long swim.

St. Mary’s Tower is one of Comino’s most recognizable structures. You can see it from the boat and, depending on timing and the route being used, have a short chance to visit or take photos nearby. The captain may change the route or stopping points because of weather and sea conditions.

Listen carefully for departure announcements. Some passengers found the loudspeaker difficult to hear, while the return times were also written in chalk near the exit. Check the exact time before leaving the boat or walking away from the boarding area.

The Hornblower atmosphere

This is not a quiet sightseeing boat. The playlist is part of the experience, and it gives the cruise a cheerful, casual mood suited to families, couples, and groups of friends.

Captain Kevin is frequently praised for his friendly personality and music choices. His dog, Louie, has also become part of the boat’s charm when onboard. Crew members are willing to provide life vests, pool noodles, and help with the practical details of swimming and boarding.

That relaxed approach is a real benefit. You can ask for help without making the activity feel formal. It also means the trip has a social, group-excursion feel. If you want silence, a small private boat, or a carefully timed personal tour, this is not the right format.

Commentary covers Malta and the sights along the route. It is useful, though not always easy to hear over engines, wind, and general boat noise. If local history is your main goal, you may want a separate walking tour or guide elsewhere in Malta.

Wind, motion, and other practical limits

The boat ride can become bumpy when the wind picks up. The Blue Lagoon may remain calm even when the crossing is rough, but anyone prone to motion sickness should plan carefully. Sit in a stable area, follow your usual precautions, and avoid assuming that summer sunshine guarantees smooth water.

The cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the decks, using the swim steps, and managing the slide all require physical ease.

Toilets are available onboard, though keeping them clean can be difficult during a busy day. This is a practical facility, not a luxury yacht standard.

Smoking is allowed only in designated areas. Outside food and drinks are not permitted. Sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are essential, while a hat and water-resistant phone case are sensible additions for a day spent around the sea.

Weather can also change the plan. The captain may alter or cancel the route for safety, and start or end points can change with sea conditions. The crew will provide the current departure and return details, so pay attention before wandering off to explore.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would book this trip if you want the Blue Lagoon as a full-day water outing rather than a short transfer. It suits families who will use the slide, couples who want sun and swimming, and groups who like music, snacks, and a lively boat.

It is especially good for you if you prefer having a base. The boat gives you somewhere to sit, eat, use the toilet, store limited belongings, and return to after swimming. That is often more comfortable than spending the entire day on Comino’s crowded shore.

I would think twice if you dislike group excursions, loud music, deep water, or long periods in direct sun. The cruise also makes less sense if you already have a separate, slower visit to Gozo planned and want a detailed tour of each island. Gozo is viewed from the boat rather than explored on foot.

Should you book it?

For $35, this is one of the better-value ways to spend a day around Comino. You get the famous Blue Lagoon, scenic caves, a long swimming stop, a waterslide, deck space, commentary, and food available without leaving the boat.

Book it if you want fun, flexibility, and plenty of time in the water. Arrive early for a top-deck chair, reserve the free Blue Lagoon QR slots, and consider the €15 speedboat if caves and excitement are high on your list. Skip it only if you need a quiet, private, highly guided experience or would struggle with a bumpy seven-hour boat day.

FAQ

Where does the Comino Blue Lagoon cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Hornblower Cruises at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret il-Gzejjer, St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including around four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails are available to purchase onboard. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Can I swim from the boat?

Yes. The boat moors in the Blue Lagoon, where you can enter the water using steps, jumping points, or the 10-meter slide. The water near the boat is about three meters deep.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Each visitor must present a QR code for a designated time slot. Passes are free from blcomino.com, and you need to select both morning and afternoon slots.

Is the cave speedboat ride included?

No. The cave speedboat is an optional extra costing €15, paid onsite. It is available during the day cruise.