St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

The Blue Lagoon is the star here. This half-day trip gets you from St George’s Bay to Comino in about 45 minutes, then gives you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and visit the caves. I like the quick crossing and the chance to see Malta’s east coast, including St Paul’s Islands, without spending a full day at sea. I also like that the plan leaves several hours for your own beach time instead of keeping you on a rigid guided schedule.

The main concern is the speedboat ride itself. It is an open, non-private boat, and passengers must stay seated for the whole journey. Several serious safety complaints describe hard impacts over waves, bruising, and one reported back injury. If you have back trouble, motion sickness, heart problems, mobility limits, or simply dislike a rough ride, this is not an easy recommendation.

Key Points At A Glance

• Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes: The speedboat saves time compared with a slower boat transfer.
• Four hours listed at Comino: You get free time for swimming, snorkeling, food, drinks, and sunbeds at your own expense.
• Comino caves included: The route includes a visit to St. Maria’s caves before returning to Malta.
• Three departure choices: The listed departures are 9:30, 12:30, and 13:30, though the stated return times do not all match a five-hour duration.
• Official Blue Lagoon pass required: Since April 29, 2025, you must reserve access through the official Comino booking site.
• Ride comfort matters: There are no seat belts listed, and the boat can move sharply through waves.

What This Comino Trip Really Offers

At $47 per person, this is priced as a practical transfer, not a luxury cruise. You are paying for a round-trip speedboat from St George’s Bay, a short coastal cruise, access to Comino, and a cave visit. Food, drinks, and sunbeds cost extra.

I see the value if your main goal is simple: reach the Blue Lagoon quickly, spend several hours near the water, and get back to St Julian’s without organizing separate transport. You are not buying a quiet boat ride, a private charter, or a full guided tour of Malta.

The trip is also useful for people staying around St Julian’s who want a half-day outing. The meeting point is at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty. You must arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat will not wait, and a late arrival means losing the ticket.

Leaving St George’s Bay Along Malta’s East Coast

The boat leaves from St George’s Bay and cruises along Malta’s eastern side. This part gives you a different view of the island than you get from a road tour. The route passes St Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino.

I like this opening because the transfer is also a short coastal outing. You are not simply being moved from one beach to another. You get open-water views and a look at Malta from sea level.

The trade-off is the boat design and pace. This is a speedboat, not a broad sightseeing vessel with a cushioned passenger deck. You have to remain seated for the full ride, and the crossing may feel rough when the sea is choppy. One especially important detail comes from a complaint describing passengers being thrown upward over waves and suffering serious back injuries. Another report described bruising after repeated hard impacts.

Those accounts do not prove that every trip is rough, but they are enough to take seriously. Ask yourself whether you are comfortable with a fast, exposed ride before booking. People prone to seasickness are specifically advised not to join, and the experience is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone with certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Four Hours Around Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The advertised Comino stop gives you about four hours of free time. That is the strongest part of the trip for many people because you control the pace. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, buy food and drinks, or rent a sunbed.

The Blue Lagoon is famous for clear water, and the trip is built around enjoying it rather than receiving a long shore-based tour. If you want to get into the water quickly, this works well. Bring your towel and beachwear, since the boat transfer is only one part of the outing.

You should also expect a busy beach setting. The information provided does not promise a private area, reserved loungers, or a quiet cove. Sunbeds are not included, and food and drinks are not included either. That keeps the base price down, but your final cost will rise if you want a lounger, a meal, and refreshments.

The biggest practical change concerns access control. From April 29, 2025, all visitors to the Blue Lagoon must reserve access through the official website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. You need a valid pass with correct details. If you do not have one, or if the details are wrong, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon. In that case, the operator says you will be redirected to nearby Santa Maria Bay.

That rule matters. Your boat ticket alone is not enough for Blue Lagoon entry. Arrange the official pass before the trip and check every name or booking detail carefully. Santa Maria Bay is offered as an alternative, but it is not the same destination if the Blue Lagoon is the reason you booked.

Swimming, Snorkeling, And Beach Time

The free-time format suits you if you prefer independence. You do not have to follow a guide from one point to another, and you can spend more time in the water if that is your priority.

The water is the main draw, but bring sensible expectations. The tour information does not include snorkeling equipment, so you should confirm what you need before departure. At minimum, pack a towel and beachwear. Food, drinks, and sunbeds are separate purchases.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. The trip is not suitable for children under 3. Strollers and baby carriages are not allowed. These rules make the outing a better fit for older children, teenagers, and adults who can manage a speedboat transfer and several hours at a beach without special equipment.

St. Maria’s Caves Before The Return

Before heading back, the boat visits St. Maria’s caves in Comino. This is a short sightseeing element rather than a separate walking excursion. The cave stop adds variety to a trip that might otherwise be only a fast ride and beach break.

You will see the caves from the boat route, but the supplied details do not promise a landing, a guided cave walk, or time for exploring on foot. Think of it as a coastal viewing stop. It is a nice addition, especially if you want more than beach time, but do not book this as a full cave expedition.

After the cave visit, the boat cruises back toward St George’s Bay. The return may be the most tiring part if the sea is rough because you have already spent several hours in the sun. Keep drinking water, allow time to dry off, and stay seated as required.

Departure Times Need Careful Checking

Three departure options are listed:

• 9:30, returning at 13:00
• 12:30, returning at 17:00
• 13:30, returning at 17:30

The overall description calls the activity five hours, while these listed schedules run for about three and a half, four and a half, and four hours. The itinerary also describes 45 minutes each way and four hours at Comino, which would produce a longer day.

This mismatch is worth checking before you pay. One complaint specifically described departure and return times not being followed, with changes not communicated clearly. I would confirm the exact departure, expected return, and amount of Blue Lagoon time with the operator shortly before the outing.

The morning departure is best if you want your afternoon free, but it provides the shortest listed outing. The 12:30 departure returns at 17:00, while the 13:30 departure is listed as returning at 17:30. Do not assume the five-hour label tells the whole story. Use the confirmed schedule for planning meals, airport transfers, dinner reservations, or another tour.

The Speedboat Safety Question

This is the section I would read twice before booking. The trip uses a shared speedboat, not a private boat. Passengers must remain seated for the entire ride, and the boat does not wait for late arrivals.

The supplied safety rules exclude many people who could be especially vulnerable to sudden movement. The tour is not suitable for anyone with back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, motion sickness, or certain medical conditions. Pregnant women are not allowed, and people over 75 or over 150 kilograms are also excluded.

The complaints are unusually serious. One French passenger reported being thrown into the air on the return and breaking two bones in the back. Another described bruises on the back and arms and said the boat moved quickly through waves. A separate positive account praised a good captain and a fast ride, especially for a family with children. That contrast tells you the experience can feel exciting to some and frightening or painful to others.

I would not treat the speed as a minor detail. If you want a calm transfer, choose another way to reach Comino. If you are comfortable with an exposed, fast ride, follow the crew’s seating instructions and do not arrive late or attempt to stand during the crossing.

Is $47 A Fair Price?

The $47 price is reasonable if you use the tour as transport plus beach access. A round trip from St Julian’s, the east-coast route, and the Comino cave visit are included. The quick 45-minute crossing is useful when your holiday time is limited.

The price becomes less attractive if you add several paid extras. Sunbeds, food, and drinks are not included. You also need to arrange the official Blue Lagoon access pass separately. If you end up at Santa Maria Bay because your pass is missing or incorrect, the central promise of the trip changes.

I would call this good value for an active half-day on the water, provided the schedule is confirmed and the ride suits you physically. It is poor value for anyone seeking comfort, precise timing, or a gentle cruise.

Who Should Book This Trip?

I would consider it if you want:

• A quick route from St Julian’s to Comino
• Several hours for swimming and snorkeling
• A shared outing rather than a private charter
• A speedboat ride as part of the fun
• A simple beach day with a short cave visit
• Flexible payment and cancellation up to 24 hours before departure

I would skip it if you have back, heart, mobility, or motion problems, or if you are prone to seasickness. I would also avoid it if you need wheelchair access, are pregnant, are over 75, weigh more than 150 kilograms, or want a smooth boat ride.

The free cancellation period and reserve-now-pay-later option reduce booking risk, but they do not reduce physical risk. The key question is not simply whether you want to see the Blue Lagoon. It is whether you are happy reaching it in a fast shared boat that may hit the waves hard.

Should You Book The Comino Speedboat Tour?

Book this trip if the Blue Lagoon is your main target, your schedule is flexible, and you enjoy a fast ride. The 45-minute crossing, several hours of free beach time, and St. Maria’s caves make a compact outing from St Julian’s.

Before booking, secure the official Blue Lagoon pass, confirm your exact departure and return times, and arrive at the jetty 15 minutes early. If comfort and safety reassurance matter more than speed, choose a slower or more spacious boat option instead. For the right passenger, this is an efficient way to see Comino. For the wrong passenger, the ride can overshadow the beautiful water.

FAQ

How long does the Comino speedboat tour last?

The activity is advertised as five hours, but the listed departure and return times vary. The three schedules shown are 9:30 to 13:00, 12:30 to 17:00, and 13:30 to 17:30.

Where does the tour leave from?

It leaves from 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay, St Julian’s.

How do I find the meeting point?

Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

How early should I arrive?

You must be at the base at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Are sunbeds included?

No. Sunbeds at the Blue Lagoon must be rented separately.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website and hold a valid pass with correct details.

What happens if I do not have the correct Blue Lagoon pass?

You will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon and will be redirected to Santa Maria Bay.

Is the boat private?

No. The speedboat is shared with other passengers.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. You should also plan separately for any food, drinks, or sunbed rental you want during your time in Comino.