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

The main event is Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where the boat becomes your base for more than four hours of swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and sliding into clear water. Captain Kevin narrates the coastal sights on the way from Bugibba, including St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, and Comino’s unusual rock formations.

I like the excellent value: $36.28 covers a seven-hour day on the water, deck chairs, the slide, and restroom use. I also like the freedom to move between the boat and Comino, so you can swim from the vessel, walk the island, buy food, or retreat to the shade without ending the day early.

The main drawback is crowding. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and upper-deck chairs go quickly. Music plays throughout the day, and the Blue Lagoon itself can feel far from peaceful in high season.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon base: Stay on the boat, swim from its platforms, use the slide, or walk onto Comino for a change of scene.
• Early arrival matters: Boarding early gives you the best chance of an upper-deck chair, with some people arriving around 8:30 for the 10am departure.
• Captain Kevin narrates the route: The cruise includes St. Paul’s Island, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, Elephant’s Head, and Santa Maria Tower.
• The cave speedboat costs extra: Seasonal rides to the small caves cost €15 and require cash.
• Food is reasonably priced onboard: Burgers, chips, drinks, cocktails, and ice cream are available, but lunch is not included.
• Bring cash and a towel: Boat and Comino payments are cash only, and towels, sunscreen, and a jacket in cooler months are not supplied.

Seven hours from Bugibba to Comino

This is a full-day boat outing, not a quick transfer to the Blue Lagoon. You leave Bugibba Jetty at 10am and return around 5pm, giving you a slow cruise along Malta’s northern coast and a long block of free time at Comino.

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay. The area is near public transport, but you will want to arrive early if a particular seat matters to you. The upper deck is first come, first served, and the most popular chairs can be taken well before departure.

The boat is older rather than polished and modern. That is worth knowing before you book. It does, however, provide the things that matter for a day at sea: seating, shaded areas, sun decks, a cafeteria, toilets, a slide, and access to the water.

I would treat this as a floating beach club with sightseeing along the way. You are not signing up for a quiet yacht cruise. Music, swimming, food, sun, and a large group are part of the appeal.

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

The first part of the journey gives you a useful sense of Malta from the water. The boat passes St. Paul’s Island, a small rocky island linked to the story of St. Paul’s shipwreck. A statue of the saint now sits on the island, making it easy to spot from the boat.

The narration adds context without turning the trip into a formal history lesson. You can listen from the deck, take photographs, or simply settle into the ride. This early stretch is also a good time to decide where you want to spend the afternoon and to find the cafeteria before the busiest period.

The route continues past Mellieha Bay, identified as Malta’s largest beach, and toward the Ahrax area. The coast here is best appreciated from the water. Pale rock, sharp edges, small inlets, and sea caves appear from angles you cannot get on a road or footpath.

Ahrax Cave is a photo stop rather than a long shore visit. The boat enters the cave area and pauses for photographs. Keep your camera ready, but also be mindful of glare and spray. The best pictures may come from the side of the boat facing the rock as the vessel turns.

The boat also passes Coral Cove before crossing the southern channel toward Comino. The route can change slightly with sea conditions, so the order of the cave and lagoon sights is not always identical.

Cruising around tiny Comino

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. The boat circles the island, giving you a broad view of its cliffs and rock shapes before settling at the Blue Lagoon.

One memorable formation is Elephant’s Head, a rock profile that becomes clearer as the boat turns. This is a good reason to spend some of the cruise standing on the open deck rather than staying in one chair. You will see the island’s scale, cliffs, and pale stone more clearly from different sides of the boat.

This circuit is one of the strongest parts of the outing for anyone who likes coastal scenery. It also helps put the Blue Lagoon in context. The lagoon is the famous stop, but Comino’s appeal comes from the entire shoreline, with caves, channels, cliffs, and small bays packed into a very small island.

If you want the best views, the starboard side is often recommended for Comino. Still, the boat turns frequently, and the open deck lets you move around. Do not assume that a top-deck chair is essential. Many seats provide good views, and you can stand or walk around during the scenic sections.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The boat’s long stop at the Blue Lagoon is what separates this outing from a simple sightseeing cruise. You have about four and a half hours in the area, with the option to remain onboard, go ashore on Comino, or combine both.

The boat is moored in a useful position, so you can jump directly into the water from the swimming platforms. There is also a slide, which adds a playful touch for children and adults who want more than a quiet swim. You can swim, climb back aboard, dry off, eat, and return to the water without packing up your things each time.

The lagoon’s water is famously clear and turquoise. In good conditions, you can see fish while snorkeling, and the rocky edges create small areas to explore. The water is the star here, but the setting is not private. Boats surround the lagoon, and the shoreline can fill with people during busy months.

If you want a calmer experience, use the boat as a retreat from the busiest part of the island. Sit on the shaded main deck, order a drink, or swim from the vessel rather than trying to claim a patch of beach. Some people prefer to walk away from the central Blue Lagoon area toward quieter parts of Comino.

You can also walk toward Santa Maria Bay. One account puts the walk at about 20 minutes, and the bay is described as calmer and less crowded. The exact walking time depends on your pace and route, but the point is useful: you do not have to spend the entire stop beside the busiest section of the lagoon.

The island has food options, but the boat cafeteria is convenient and reasonably priced. Burgers, chips, drinks, ice cream, and cocktails are available. Pineapple cocktails are a popular choice, and there are special bins for the empty pineapples, so do not leave them on the rocks or deck.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the Crystal Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon works well for a mixed group because you can choose your own level of activity. Confident swimmers can jump from the boat or use the slide. Children and less confident swimmers can stay in shallower areas or use a life jacket, available with a deposit according to onboard arrangements.

Snorkel equipment is not included. You can rent a mask and snorkel for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Bring your own equipment if you already have it and want to avoid the rental line or cash payment.

The Crystal Lagoon is another worthwhile stop, although the exact timing can change with weather and sea conditions. It is known for deeper water and is popular with people who want to snorkel, swim, or jump from the rocks.

You can reach it on foot from the Blue Lagoon in roughly eight minutes, according to the tour details. That makes it a practical addition to your free time, especially if you want to see a different stretch of Comino without booking another boat trip.

Take care around rocky entry points. Swimming off rocks can be awkward, and the easiest way into the water may not be obvious. Wear secure footwear if you have it, and do not treat every ledge as a safe jumping point.

Santa Maria Tower and Comino’s stories

On the way around Comino, the boat passes Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend the island. It is one of the few major structures on Comino and provides a strong contrast to the island’s natural shoreline.

The tower also appeared as Chateau D’If in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. That small film connection gives the sight an extra hook, especially if you recognize the location from the movie.

The tower is best seen as part of the cruise rather than a separate extended visit. The main stop remains the Blue Lagoon, but the tower adds historical interest to a day that could otherwise be only swimming and sunbathing.

The optional speedboat to the caves

The small-cave speedboat ride is an optional extra costing €15. It is seasonal, purchased with cash, and separate from the main tour price.

I would consider it if you enjoy fast rides and want to get closer to the caves than the large boat can manage. The smaller vessel can enter tighter spaces and gives you a more active look at the rock formations.

You do not need it to have a worthwhile day. The main boat already passes cave areas, and you can spend the saved money on food, drinks, or equipment rental. But if the caves are high on your list, €15 is a reasonable add-on, and it is one of the more memorable extras available during the long Comino stop.

Food, seating, music, and the group size

At $36.28 per person, this is strong value for a seven-hour day, especially because the Blue Lagoon stop lasts several hours rather than a brief photo break. You receive the cruise, landing and facility fees, deck chairs when available, the slide, and restroom use.

The price does not include lunch, towels, snorkel equipment, lockers, or the cave speedboat. Lockers cost €2. Food and drinks are sold onboard, and cash is required on the boat and Comino. Plan your spending before you leave Bugibba.

The boat can hold as many as 232 people. That capacity explains the mixed feel of the experience. During full periods, the vessel may feel crowded, especially around the bar, swimming platforms, and upper deck. When part of the group leaves the boat for an island activity, the remaining space can feel much more relaxed.

Music is part of the atmosphere and is often upbeat. That suits a social day with swimming and cocktails, but it is not ideal if you want silence, reading time, or a calm nature cruise.

Arrive early if you want an upper-deck chair. Some people aim for around 8:30, well before the 10am departure. If you arrive later, you may still find seating, but you should not expect your first choice.

Who will enjoy this Comino day

I would choose this tour for families, couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a straightforward day on the water without paying for a private boat. The slide, swimming platforms, food, and long lagoon stop give you plenty to do without booking separate activities.

It also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can sunbathe, and someone else can walk around Comino. You are not forced into one schedule once the boat is moored.

I would be more cautious if your ideal day means peace and quiet. The large capacity, music, and heavy summer crowds can work against that. Rough seas are another consideration. Conditions can be uncomfortable, and some people may feel seasick, so bring any personal medication you normally use and choose a sheltered seat if the water looks unsettled.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a jacket from October through May. Even when the sun is out, the boat can feel chilly while cruising. From March to May and October to December, a warm layer is especially sensible.

The activity is suitable for all ages, but swimming from rocks and jumping into deeper water require good judgment. Stay within your ability and use the boat’s safer entry points when possible.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want maximum Comino time for a modest price, enjoy swimming and casual boat life, and do not mind sharing the experience with a large group. The combination of coastal sights, a long Blue Lagoon stop, food onboard, and optional cave rides gives you a lot for the money.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip, a modern luxury boat, or a nearly empty lagoon. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see Comino in one day. Arrive early, bring cash, claim a good base on the boat, and use the long stop to explore beyond the busiest part of the Blue Lagoon.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can also lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs for about seven hours, departing Bugibba at 10am and returning around 5pm.

Where does the boat depart?

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains in the Blue Lagoon area for about four and a half hours.

Can I stay on the boat instead of going onto Comino?

Yes. The boat remains available as your base, with seating, shade, toilets, food, drinks, and access to the swimming areas.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard for purchase, and lunch is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned.

How much does the cave speedboat cost?

The seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15. The ticket is purchased with cash.

Should I bring cash?

Yes. Payments on the boat and Comino are cash only. Bring cash for food, drinks, rentals, lockers, and optional activities.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of bookings may also result in a new date or full refund.