Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino Island & Caves

Three swims, one easy day. This Malta boat trip packs Comino’s best-known water stops into a relaxed six-hour cruise, with cave views, short sightseeing passes, and plenty of time to swim and sunbathe. I like the generous stops at Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, plus the quieter hour at Halfa Rock in Gozo. I also like that toilets, showers, light snacks, and a cash bar are available on board.

The main thing to consider is that this is a swimming and sunbathing trip first, and a sightseeing cruise second. If you want long walks, historical commentary, or a small boat with an intimate feel, this may not be your best fit. The Blue Lagoon can also be busy, so the boat ride and less famous stops may be the calmer parts of your day.

Key points to know before booking

• Three proper swim stops: You get about 1.5 to 1.75 hours at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Halfa Rock.
• Caves and rock formations: The route passes Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Poppy’s Caves, Lovers Cave, Coral Lagoon, and Elephant Rock.
• A 10 am departure: The boat leaves from Mellieha Bay’s Tunny Net Jetty and returns at about 4 pm.
• A useful on-board setup: Toilets and showers are included, while food, drinks, cocktails, masks, and snorkels cost extra.
• Best for confident swimmers: The day is built around repeated swims, snorkelling, sun, and time on the water.
• Good value at $35: For a full day with several destinations and included swimming stops, the price is attractive, though extras are paid separately.

Starting from Mellieha Bay at 10 am

The meeting point is behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay, near the Tunny Net Jetty. It is about 200 metres from the DB Seabank Hotel and roughly 500 metres from the Luna Holiday Complex, which makes the departure point fairly easy to find if you are staying in Mellieha.

The boat leaves at 10 am and returns at approximately 4 pm. That gives you a full six hours on the water, but the day is not one long open-water ride. The route is broken into sightseeing passes, cave visits, and three long swimming stops.

Bring your towel, beachwear, sunglasses, sunblock, and cash. That last item matters because the bar and snacks are not included in the ticket price. You can rent a mask and snorkel for €5, or bring your own equipment if you already have it.

The boat has toilets and showers, a useful touch on a day when you may swim several times. You will want to keep your belongings organized, since your towel and dry clothes may be needed between stops. No glass, sharp objects, weapons, explosives, or fire-making items are allowed on board.

Comino’s caves and unusual rock shapes

The first part of the cruise is a sightseeing loop around Comino and its nearby bays. You pass Mellieha Bay, Ghar Ic-Comb, and Coral Lagoon before reaching some of the island’s most recognizable rock formations.

Coral Lagoon is a short sightseeing pass rather than a swimming stop. It gives you a quick look at one of Comino’s coastal inlets before the boat continues toward Elephant Rock. The rock is one of the more memorable photo points on the route, particularly when viewed from the water.

The boat also visits or passes Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Poppy’s Caves, and Lovers Cave. The cave portion is brief, with Santa Maria Caves listed at about 10 minutes. This is enough for a look and a few photos, but not a long cave exploration on foot.

An optional fast powerboat cave tour is available for €15. I would treat this as an extra for people who want a closer, faster look at the caves, not as a necessary part of the main trip. The included cruise already takes you past several of the coastal sights.

There is a nice balance here. You get more than a basic ferry ride to the Blue Lagoon, but you should not expect a full geology lesson or a long guided tour at every cave. The cave visits are compact, and most of your day is reserved for swimming.

Blue Lagoon: the longest and busiest stop

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and you get about 1.5 to 1.75 hours here, depending on which timing is used on the day. That is the longest break of the cruise, giving you time to swim, snorkel, walk on Comino, and take photographs.

The water is the main attraction. It is described as crystal clear, and this is the stop where you will likely want to spend the most time in the sea. If you prefer to stay dry, you can walk around the island during part of the break, although the experience is designed much more for swimming than extended exploration.

I like the length of this stop because a short photo pause would not do Blue Lagoon justice. You have time to get into the water, dry off, take photos, and return for another swim without feeling rushed.

The tradeoff is that Blue Lagoon is the famous stop, so it can feel less peaceful than the other bays. The experience here is about enjoying the water rather than expecting solitude. If you want a quieter swim, save some energy for Crystal Lagoon and Halfa Rock.

Use sunblock before boarding and reapply during the day. The boat schedule gives you long periods outside, and the bright water makes it easy to underestimate the sun. A towel, secure sandals, and a dry bag for valuables will make this part easier, though only the first three items are specifically required by the operator.

Crystal Lagoon for a calmer hour

After Blue Lagoon, the cruise moves to Crystal Lagoon for a one-hour swimming and snorkelling stop. This gives the day a second proper water break without asking you to spend all your time in the busiest bay.

The hour is long enough for a good swim and a look beneath the surface. Marine life viewing is part of the general experience, but no specific species are promised, so bring your mask with modest expectations. The water and rock scenery are the main reasons to get in.

Crystal Lagoon works well as a middle stop. By this point, you may want another swim but also a chance to sit down, have a snack, or buy a cold drink. The on-board bar serves bar drinks and cocktails, while light hot and cold snacks are available for purchase.

Food and drinks are not part of the $35 ticket, so keep some cash aside. The trip description does not provide a full menu or prices. If you have dietary needs, it is sensible to bring a small personal snack, provided it follows the rules about prohibited items and the boat’s own policies.

Halfa Rock in Gozo closes the swimming day

The final major stop is Halfa Rock, described as a bay in Gozo, with one hour for swimming, snorkelling, marine life viewing, and wildlife viewing. This is a useful ending because it gives you another full hour in the water after the main Comino stops.

Halfa Rock may appeal most to people who prefer a less famous setting than Blue Lagoon. The focus remains simple: get in the water, float, snorkel, and enjoy the coast from sea level. There is no suggestion of a long shore excursion, so you should not expect a walking tour of Gozo during this stop.

Three separate swim breaks are a strong point of the trip. You can swim at Blue Lagoon, take a break during the cruise, then choose how much energy to use at Crystal Lagoon and Halfa Rock. If you are not a strong swimmer, remember that the schedule is centered on the water and may feel demanding.

The final hour also helps the trip deliver good value. You are not paying $35 merely for a quick look at Comino. You receive a full day of coastal sightseeing and roughly three and a half hours of advertised swimming time, plus the cave and rock passes.

What is included, and what costs extra

At $35 per person, this is a low-cost way to combine Comino, cave viewing, and several swimming bays in one day. The ticket includes the boat trip around Comino’s bays and caves, the Blue Lagoon stop, Crystal Lagoon, the Halfa Rock swimming stop, and the listed cave and rock visits.

Toilets and showers are included, which adds practical value. You do not need to pay separately for the main cruise, the three swimming stops, or the general route around Comino and Gozo.

Budget for these extras:

• Food and drinks from the cash bar
• Cocktails and other bar drinks
• Light hot and cold snacks
• A €5 rental charge for a mask and snorkel
• The optional €15 fast powerboat cave tour

The price is especially reasonable if you plan to swim at all three stops. It is less appealing if you dislike getting in the water, since much of the day is structured around swimming rather than shore sightseeing.

The operator also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Availability and starting times should still be checked before booking, since the advertised departure is 10 am but the activity is valid for one day only.

Food, drinks, and the family-style service

The boat has a fully stocked bar and serves light hot and cold snacks. This is not a meal-focused cruise, so I would plan your expectations around refreshments rather than a full lunch.

The service style is presented as friendly and family-oriented. That tone appears to be one of the stronger parts of the experience, with the crew placing emphasis on making people comfortable and happy throughout the day. English is the stated tour language.

The available feedback is strongly positive overall, with a 4.4 rating from 43 bookings. One recent booking praised the kind staff, attractive boat, and good light food. Another simply described the activity as very good, while a separate five-star comment said the organization worked well and recommended the trip warmly.

Those details matter because a boat day depends heavily on crew attitude. The route itself is fixed, but friendly service can make the boarding process, bar service, and long hours on deck much more pleasant. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect a named specialist guide.

Who will enjoy this Malta cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy way to see several coastal highlights without arranging separate boat trips. It suits people who like swimming, snorkelling, sunbathing, and casual sightseeing from the water.

It is also a good match for families and groups with mixed interests, provided everyone can manage the boat and water-based schedule. One person can swim while another takes photos, visits the bar, or stays on deck during a stop.

You may want a different experience if you are looking for:

• A serious history or archaeology tour
• Long walks on Comino or Gozo
• A quiet, private boat outing
• A full lunch included in the ticket
• A trip designed around wheelchair access

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The operator specifically lists electric wheelchairs as not allowed. Since exact boarding conditions are not provided, anyone with mobility concerns should contact the provider before paying.

Practical advice for a better day

Arrive with your swimwear already under your clothes. You will save time and avoid trying to change in a crowded setting. Pack sunblock, a towel, sunglasses, and cash where you can reach them easily.

If you want to snorkel, bringing your own mask and snorkel may be more convenient than paying the €5 rental fee. If you rent equipment, confirm the charge before using it and return it as directed.

Do not spend all your energy at Blue Lagoon. The first stop is long, but Crystal Lagoon and Halfa Rock each offer another hour in the water. Pace yourself, drink regularly, and use the boat’s snacks or bar when needed.

Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing glass. The rules prohibit glass objects, sharp items, weapons, explosives, and fire-making. A small waterproof pouch for a phone and cash is sensible, though it is not listed as an included item.

The boat returns to the original meeting point at about 4 pm. That makes this a straightforward day trip from Mellieha, with no need to arrange separate transport between the bays.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon and Comino cruise?

Book it if you want three substantial swim stops, a full day around Comino and Gozo, and a low ticket price. The caves, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and the short coastal passes add variety, while the bar, snacks, toilets, and showers make the day more comfortable.

Skip it if your priority is peace and quiet at Blue Lagoon, a specialist cave tour, or a detailed cultural guide. The itinerary is active and water-heavy, and the famous lagoon may not feel secluded.

For $35, this is a solid value for swimmers who want to see a lot of Malta’s coast in one day. Bring cash, expect to pay extra for food and equipment, and save enough energy for the final swim at Halfa Rock.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the Tunny Net Jetty at Mellieha Bay. The meeting point is behind Starbucks, about 200 metres from the DB Seabank Hotel and 500 metres from the Luna Holiday Complex.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The cruise departs at 10 am and returns at approximately 4 pm.

How long is the Blue Lagoon swimming stop?

The Blue Lagoon stop is advertised as approximately 1.5 to 1.75 hours. You can swim, snorkel, walk on Comino, and take photos.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food, snacks, drinks, and cocktails are available from the cash bar for an additional charge.

Can I rent snorkelling equipment?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are available to rent for a small charge of €5.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.