Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

Blue water, simple pleasures. This seven-hour Hornblower cruise from Bugibba gives you a low-cost day on the Mediterranean, with Comino’s Blue Lagoon as the main event. I like the long four-and-a-half-hour stop, which lets you swim, snorkel, walk around Comino, or simply use the boat as your base.

I also like the practical extras: a slide, upper sun deck, shaded seating, toilets, food, drinks, and the option to add a speedboat trip through the caves. The main drawback is crowding. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and the Blue Lagoon itself can feel packed in high season.

Key points before you book

• Four and a half hours at Blue Lagoon: You have time for swimming, food, a walk on Comino, and a quieter break away from the main landing area.
• The boat is your base: You can move between the vessel and Comino during the stop, with toilets, a cafeteria, seating, and lockers available.
• Arrive early for the upper deck: Top-deck loungers are first come, first served and may be gone well before departure.
• The caves cost extra: A seasonal speedboat trip costs €15, paid in cash, and includes a lively ride into the smaller caves.
• Expect music and a social atmosphere: This suits active families, couples, and groups more than anyone seeking a quiet boat ride.
• Bring cash and a jacket: Cash is needed on the boat and Comino, while the sea can feel chilly from October to May and during the cooler months.

Leaving Bugibba at 10am

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, with a scheduled 10am departure and a return around 5pm. The meeting point is near public transport, and the activity ends back where you started.

I would arrive early, especially if you want an upper-deck chair. Some passengers arrive around 8:30am to claim the best rooftop spots. That may sound excessive for a 10am departure, but these seats are first come, first served, and the upper deck gives you the clearest views and strongest sun.

The vessel is not presented as a new or polished yacht. It is an older excursion boat, but it has the useful basics you need for a full day at sea: deck chairs, shaded seating, toilets, a cafeteria, a bar, a swimming slide, and places to jump into the water. The trade-off is capacity. With up to 232 people aboard, space can feel tight when everyone is on deck.

The mood is lively rather than hushed. Music plays throughout much of the day, and the crowd can lean young, especially during the busy summer season. If you want a party-tinged boat day with swimming, this works well. If you want soft silence and a book, choose your seat away from the speakers and consider staying on the boat when the lagoon gets busiest.

St. Paul’s Island and Malta’s northern coast

Soon after departure, the boat passes St. Paul’s Island, a tiny islet linked with the story of Saint Paul’s shipwreck. A statue of Saint Paul sits on the island, making it easy to spot from the water.

This first section gives the cruise a little more substance than a simple ride to a swimming hole. Captain Kevin provides commentary about the sights, and the route gives you a changing view of Malta’s northern coast. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect long stops at every point of interest. The boat is moving, and the attraction here is the overall view from the water.

The route continues past Mellieha Bay, described as Malta’s largest beach, then toward Ahrax Cave. The boat enters the cave area for photographs when conditions allow. This is a good time to sit on the side with an open view, though the best position can change as the boat turns.

Before crossing toward Comino, you also pass Coral Cove. The coast here is marked by pale rock, small inlets, and unusual shapes carved by the sea. The commentary helps you understand what you are seeing, but the trip remains relaxed rather than formal or lecture-heavy.

Cruising around Comino’s cliffs

Comino is Malta’s smallest main island, covering about 1.4 square miles. From the water, it feels much larger than that figure suggests because its coast is cut with cliffs, caves, bays, and strange rock formations.

The boat makes a broad cruise around Comino, including a view of the formation known as the Elephant’s Head. This part of the trip is useful because many people visit the Blue Lagoon and see only one small section of the island. From the boat, you get a better sense of Comino’s dry, rugged coast and its position between Malta and Gozo.

The route also passes Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend Comino. It later appeared as Chateau D’If in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. The tower is one of the few major buildings on the island, so it is easy to pick out against the bare coastal setting.

The exact order of some sights can change with sea and wind conditions. Crystal Lagoon, for instance, may appear on the way to Comino or during the return trip. That flexibility is sensible on a boat tour, but it means the schedule is not a rigid list of timed stops.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop is the Blue Lagoon, where the boat moors for more than four hours. This is the reason to book the trip, and the long stay is its strongest feature.

The water is famously clear and turquoise, with fish visible around the rocky edges. From the boat, you can jump or use the slide into the sea. You can also swim from shore, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk around Comino. The boat remains available, so you can return for a drink, lunch, the toilet, shade, or a break from the island.

That arrangement gives you more freedom than a short photo stop. I like the way you can treat the vessel as a floating base instead of carrying everything around Comino all day. It is also useful for families, since not everyone needs to swim at the same time.

The water entry is not always gentle. Some swimming areas involve rocks, and getting in or out can be awkward. Use care around the boat and shore, and take a life jacket if you need one. The slide and jumping points are fun, but they are better suited to confident swimmers.

The lagoon itself has a problem common to famous seaside places: it attracts many boats and people. During peak periods, the central area can lose some of its calm, and the shoreline may feel crowded. The water remains beautiful, but do not expect a private cove.

One good tactic is to walk away from the main Blue Lagoon area toward Santa Maria Bay. One account puts the walk at about 20 minutes, and the quieter surroundings can make a major difference. You can also stay on the boat, where the deck may feel less hectic than the beach.

Snorkeling, swimming, and the Crystal Lagoon

Snorkeling is one of the best uses of your time at Comino. You can rent a mask and snorkel for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. You can also bring your own equipment.

Crystal Lagoon is especially popular for snorkeling because of its deeper water. It can be reached by a short walk of about eight minutes from the Blue Lagoon, depending on the route and conditions. The bay also suits confident swimmers and adventurous people interested in cliff jumping.

The tour may visit this area on the way out or on the way back. If the boat does not stop there for long, you still have the option of reaching it from the Blue Lagoon on foot. The attraction is less about a formal guided session and more about having time to choose your own swimming spot.

Bring water shoes if you have them, along with a towel and sun cream. The supplied information does not include towels, and the rocky edges make footwear useful. A jacket is sensible from October through May, especially when the boat is moving.

The optional speedboat to the caves

The seasonal speedboat trip is the clearest paid add-on. It costs €15 per person and must be paid in cash. You buy the ticket separately, and the ride takes you into the smaller caves around Comino.

This is a short, energetic extra rather than a replacement for the main cruise. The speedboat gets closer to the rock formations and provides a more active view of the coastline. It was a highlight for several people, especially those who wanted more than swimming and sunbathing.

I would consider paying for it if you enjoy fast boat rides and want to see the caves from inside. Skip it if you prefer to keep the day inexpensive, since the main cruise already includes the scenic coastal route and long Blue Lagoon stop.

The boat crew also offers clear practical information about departure times and safety. That matters because you are free to walk around Comino, but you still need to know when to return to the main vessel.

Food, drinks, lockers, and the real cost

The listed price is $36.28 per person, though the exact amount can change with booking conditions and currency conversion. For a full day on the water with transport from Bugibba, a long swim stop, deck access, toilets, and a slide, I consider that strong value.

Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard cafeteria is described as reasonably priced. Choices include burgers, chips, drinks, cocktails, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails. The food is useful because you do not need to leave the boat every time you are hungry.

There are also plenty of food options on Comino, though you should carry cash. Payments on the boat and island are cash only. Lockers cost €2, which is worth considering if you want to swim without leaving valuables beside your chair.

A mask and snorkel rental costs €5 after the deposit arrangement. Towels are not provided, and lunch is extra. These costs are modest, but they make it sensible to budget a little beyond the headline fare.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

This tour fits you best if you want a full day outdoors with several ways to spend your time. Families can use the slide and swimming areas, couples can claim a sunny deck spot, and groups can combine swimming, drinks, music, and the cave ride.

It also works well for solo visitors. The boat has staff, regular departure information, and a clear return point, so you do not need to organize a complicated day around Comino yourself.

The trip is less suitable if you need quiet, personal space, or a low-key sailing experience. Music, a large passenger load, and a crowded lagoon are part of the package. Rough seas are another possibility. On choppier days, some people may feel seasick, so sit where you can look toward the horizon and carry any medication you normally use.

The rating is 4.7 from 813 ratings, with 93 percent recommending the experience. That matches the main pattern: strong marks for the crew, scenery, food prices, swimming time, and value, with the common reservations being crowds, loud music, and the older boat.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The cruise runs for about seven hours, from 10am to 5pm. The long stop at the Blue Lagoon is generous, but the day can feel longer if you are not interested in swimming or sitting in the sun.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. A minimum number of passengers is also required, with the same basic choice of another date, another experience, or a refund if the departure is canceled for that reason.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

The activity is suitable for all ages, and most people can take part. You should still judge the swimming and boat entry points for yourself, especially if you have limited mobility or are not a confident swimmer. The information provided does not promise special accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator before booking if you need them.

Should you book the Comino cruise?

Book it if you want the best-value way to spend a day around Comino, especially if swimming, snorkeling, music, and a long Blue Lagoon stop sound better than a formal sightseeing tour. Arrive early for an upper-deck chair, bring cash, pack a towel and sun cream, and consider the €15 cave speedboat if your budget allows.

Skip it if your ideal day means silence, empty beaches, and a small boat. For most people, the formula works: an older but well-equipped vessel, friendly staff, inexpensive food, great views, and plenty of time in clear water. Just remember that famous beauty comes with crowds.

FAQ

Where does the Comino and Blue Lagoon cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The boat departs at 10am and returns at about 5pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

How long does the boat stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for about four and a half hours.

Can I leave the boat and walk around Comino?

Yes. You can move freely between the boat and Comino during the main stop.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are available at the onboard cafeteria, and food is also available on Comino.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned.

How much does the speedboat cave trip cost?

The seasonal speedboat trip costs €15 per person and is paid in cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, sun cream, and cash. From October to May, and during the cooler months, bring a jacket or something warm because the boat can feel chilly while cruising.