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

The main attraction here is simple: you get a full day on Malta’s water for about $36.28. From Bugibba, Captain Kevin and his crew cruise past St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Coral Cove, Ahrax Point, and Comino before giving you more than four hours at the Blue Lagoon.

I like the long swimming stop and the fact that the boat remains your base, with toilets, food, drinks, shade, and a sun deck close at hand. I also like the low price, especially when food onboard is reasonably priced and the slide, deck chairs, and basic facilities are included.

The catch is the size and mood of the boat. It can carry up to 232 people, and top-deck chairs go quickly. Music plays throughout the day, so this suits an active, social outing better than a quiet escape.

Key points to know before you book

• Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have plenty of time to swim, snorkel, walk ashore, eat, and return to the boat.
• Captain Kevin provides commentary: The route includes stories and sights linked to St. Paul’s Island, Comino, Santa Maria Tower, and the surrounding caves.
• The boat is an activity base: You can use the slide, jump into the sea, rest in the shade, or walk onto Comino.
• Arrive early for an upper-deck chair: The best seats are first come, first served, and can be claimed well before departure.
• The speedboat cave trip costs extra: A seasonal trip to the small caves costs €15 and requires cash.
• Expect cash-only purchases onboard: Food, drinks, rentals, and some services on Comino require cash.

What this Comino boat trip is really like

This is not a quick sightseeing cruise with a brief photo stop. It is a full day built around time in the water. You leave Bugibba Jetty at 10:00 and return around 17:00, with the longest part of the day spent moored near the Blue Lagoon.

That makes the experience good value if you want to swim and sunbathe without arranging several separate activities. You can stay on the boat, go ashore, return for lunch, rent equipment, and use the facilities without having to find a new base each time.

I would describe the atmosphere as lively rather than peaceful. Music, a bar, a slide, swimming access, and a large crowd give the boat a holiday-party feel. Families can enjoy it, but the outing also suits young adults and groups of friends looking for an easy day by the sea.

The boat is older and not especially sleek. That is worth knowing before you book. Still, it has the basics that matter for a day out: seating, a shaded main deck, an upper sun deck, toilets, a cafeteria, and access to the water.

Leaving Bugibba and passing St. Paul’s Island

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. The boat leaves at 10:00, and arriving early is smart if you want a good upper-deck chair. Some people arrive about an hour ahead, while an even earlier arrival gives you the best chance of choosing a prime spot.

The first part of the cruise introduces Malta from the water. You pass St. Paul’s Island, linked to the biblical story of St. Paul being shipwrecked on Malta. A statue of the saint now sits on the small island, giving the stop more meaning than a routine rocky outcrop.

You then pass Mellieha Bay, Malta’s largest beach. Seen from the boat, it gives you a useful sense of the island’s coastline and how quickly the built-up resort areas give way to open sea and rougher rock formations.

The crew provides commentary as you go. Captain Kevin is named as the captain for this trip, and the spoken information helps turn the cruise into more than a transfer to Comino. The route is also a good chance to settle in, find your preferred deck, and decide how you want to spend the long stop later.

Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, and Comino’s cliffs

The boat continues toward Ahrax Cave, where it pauses for photographs. This is not presented as a long shore visit. Instead, you get a view from the water and a chance to take pictures of the cave and surrounding rock.

Before crossing the Comino South Channel, the boat passes Coral Cove, another well-known coastal site. The route then turns toward Ahrax Point, where Comino comes into view.

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. The boat circles around it, giving you views of high cliffs, unusual rock shapes, and the formation known as Elephant’s Head.

This part of the trip is especially useful if you want to see more than the Blue Lagoon itself. Many short boat outings focus only on the famous turquoise water. Here, the approach includes several coastal sights, so you get a broader picture of Comino’s rough shore and isolated character.

Conditions can affect the exact order of the route. The Crystal Lagoon and cave area may be visited on the way to Comino or on the return, depending on weather and sea conditions.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The boat moors at the Blue Lagoon for about four and a half hours. That is the heart of the day.

You do not have to spend all of that time on land. The boat acts as your floating base, with a shaded deck, toilets, food, drinks, and access to sun loungers. You can walk onto Comino, swim from the boat, return for lunch, then head back into the water.

The turquoise water is the main reason to book. You can swim, snorkel, or simply sit on the deck and look across the lagoon. A large slide adds a playful touch, while jumping points give confident swimmers another way into the sea.

Swimming access from rocks can be awkward in places. If you are not comfortable entering the water from uneven rock, use the boat access instead and take care when moving around the shore. A life jacket is available for a deposit, and a mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned.

The famous lagoon is also the busiest part of the outing. Boats and people gather here, especially in the main swimming area. If you want a quieter moment, walk away from the central landing area on Comino. Santa Maria Bay is about a 20-minute walk away and offers a calmer alternative according to the route experience described by past customers.

You can also stay on the boat, which may be the better choice if the island feels too crowded. Some people prefer the water access, music, shade, and facilities onboard to the busy shore.

The Crystal Lagoon and the optional cave ride

The Crystal Lagoon lies in Comino’s South Channel and is popular with people who want deeper water for swimming and snorkeling. It is also reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon, in about eight minutes.

The boat may pass this area during the outward or return journey, depending on conditions. If it is accessible during your stop, you can spend time swimming, snorkeling, or taking in the rock walls around the lagoon.

For a closer look at the small caves, you can buy an optional speedboat ticket for €15. It is seasonal and cash only. This is separate from the main tour price, but it is one of the most appealing add-ons if you enjoy short, energetic boat rides and want to get into the caves rather than only view them from the larger vessel.

The speedboat ride is not essential. You already get cave views as part of the main cruise, and the Blue Lagoon provides plenty to do. But if your budget allows, it adds variety to a day that otherwise centers on one long swimming stop.

Santa Maria Tower and Comino’s past

On the return route, the boat passes Santa Maria Tower. Built in 1618, it was designed to help defend Comino. It is one of the island’s few major buildings and makes a strong picture against the bare coastal setting.

The tower also appeared as Chateau d’If in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. That film connection gives the sight an extra point of interest, even if you are not visiting Comino for its history.

The historical information is brief rather than a formal guided tour. Still, it adds welcome context between swimming and sunbathing. The day works best when you treat these landmarks as short illustrated stories woven into a coastal cruise, not as full museum visits.

Food, drinks, deck chairs, and onboard comfort

Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard cafeteria is described as reasonably priced. Chicken burgers, chips, cocktails, ice cream, and other simple items are available, along with drinks served in playful pineapple containers.

That helps keep the outing affordable. You do not need to pack a full lunch or leave the boat to find food, although you should bring cash because payments onboard and on Comino are cash only.

Deck chairs are included, but they are first come, first served. The upper deck gives you more sun and wide views, while the main deck provides shade and easier access to the cafeteria and facilities. If you want the top level, arrive well before departure rather than walking up at 9:55 and expecting a choice of seats.

The boat is comfortable enough for a long day, though it is not new. I would bring a towel, sunscreen, and a light jacket. From October through May, and especially during the cooler months from October to December and March to May, the cruise can feel chilly even if the day is bright.

How busy and lively is the experience?

The published maximum is 232 people, so this is a large-group cruise. That number matters. A boat of this size gives you more services and space to move around, but it also means the Blue Lagoon stop will not feel private.

Music plays during the day, and the general mood is upbeat. This can make the trip more enjoyable if you want a social atmosphere, but it may annoy you if your idea of a perfect boat trip involves quiet water and soft conversation.

The crowds can change during the day as some people leave the boat for other activities. If you want a quieter period, staying onboard after the initial rush may give you more room. Still, you should book this with realistic expectations: the lagoon is famous, and famous places attract people.

The crew receives strong praise for friendliness, safety, and helpful explanations. Captain Kevin’s commentary is part of the appeal, and staff members help with food, equipment rentals, lockers, and general questions.

Price and overall value at $36.28

At about $36.28 per person, this is one of the more economical ways to combine a Malta coastal cruise, Comino sightseeing, and several hours of swimming.

The price includes the cruise, taxes, landing and facility fees, deck chairs when available, the slide, and restroom use. It does not include lunch, drinks, a towel, snorkel rental, lockers, or the optional cave speedboat.

The value comes from the time. You get roughly seven hours out, including four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon. A shorter cruise might cost less, but it would not give you the same freedom to swim, eat, walk around Comino, and return to the boat.

I would budget extra for food, a snorkel, and the speedboat if those matter to you. A locker costs €2. The extra charges are not surprising for a full-day outing, but carrying cash is important because card payments are not accepted onboard or on Comino.

Who should book this Comino experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A low-cost day on the water
• Plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling
• A boat with food, toilets, shade, and sun decks
• A slide and easy water access
• A social atmosphere with music
• The option to walk around Comino without giving up your boat base

Families can make good use of the long stop and the slide, while groups of friends may enjoy the music, cocktails, swimming, and optional speedboat ride. Solo visitors can also join comfortably, with the crew providing information and a clear return time.

I would think twice if you want a small, quiet boat or a secluded beach. The boat can be busy, the lagoon can be crowded, and rough seas are possible. On some days, the crossing may be uncomfortable for people prone to seasickness.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. The trip depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants, so poor conditions or low bookings can lead to a changed date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if your ideal Malta day includes turquoise water, a long swim, sun, music, casual food, and several coastal sights for a modest price. The strongest feature is the generous four-and-a-half-hour stop, which lets you use the boat and island at your own pace.

Skip it if you want peace, privacy, or a polished luxury vessel. The old boat, large group, busy lagoon, and lively soundtrack are real tradeoffs. For an affordable, active day at Comino with Captain Kevin, the slide, optional cave ride, and plenty of time in the water, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Comino and Blue Lagoon tour last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. It departs Bugibba Jetty at 10:00 and returns at approximately 17:00.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at the Blue Lagoon for about four and a half hours. You can swim, snorkel, walk onto Comino, eat, or stay onboard.

Is food included in the tour price?

No. Food, drinks, and ice cream are available from the onboard cafeteria, but you pay separately. Prices are described as reasonable.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

How much does the speedboat trip to the caves cost?

The optional seasonal speedboat trip costs €15. The ticket must be purchased with cash.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and sunscreen. From October to May, bring a jacket or something warm because the boat can feel chilly while cruising. Payments onboard and on Comino are cash only.