From Gozo:Around Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is only part of this trip. The real treat is seeing the island from the water, slipping close to its caves, and stopping for swims where the sea is clear enough to spot fish. The boat carries about 20 to 24 people, so you get a much calmer ride than on the big party boats.

I like the early departure, which reaches Blue Lagoon before the worst crowds, and I like the skilled boat handling that gets you close to rocky grottoes. A welcome drink and a slice of melon or watermelon on some departures are pleasant touches. The catch is that Blue Lagoon itself can still feel packed, especially later in the day, and the meeting point at Mgarr Harbour takes some finding.

Quick points to know

• Early boats beat the crowds: The 9:00 departure can reach Blue Lagoon while it is still relatively quiet.
• Two proper swimming stops: You get about one hour at Blue Lagoon and around 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, with some departures including an extra swimming opportunity.
• Small boat, close cave views: A boat carrying roughly 20 to 24 people can approach places larger vessels cannot.
• You can stay aboard at Blue Lagoon: If the beach looks too crowded, swim from the boat or simply enjoy the view from the sun deck.
• Captain Keith handles the tricky coast well: Agus has also been praised for being friendly and attentive.
• Bring your own beach kit: Snorkel gear costs €5 to rent, drinks cost extra, and a free Blue Lagoon landing ticket is required if you go ashore.

A four-hour view of Comino from Gozo

This is a compact boat outing built around the best part of Comino: its coast. You leave from Mgarr Harbour on Gozo, cross to Comino, spend time at the two famous lagoons, then circle the island past bays, caves, towers, and rocky points before returning to Gozo.

The route works well because it does not treat Blue Lagoon as the whole show. You get time to swim, but also a moving tour of the coast. I would choose this over a simple shuttle to Blue Lagoon if you want photographs, cave views, and a sense of Comino as an island rather than just a crowded swimming stop.

The boat has a padded sun deck, shaded seating, and a toilet. It is described as a traditional boat on some departures, with enough room to move between sun and shade. The small size matters. The captain can turn the boat so people on both sides get a good view, and the bow can approach cave entrances more closely than a large vessel.

The trip is offered at different times, including morning and sunset departures. The morning option is the safest choice if your priority is a quieter Blue Lagoon. Sunset trips offer softer light and a more relaxed finish, though the route and swimming stops can change with weather.

Blue Lagoon before the midday crush

The first major stop is Blue Lagoon, usually for about one hour. Its water is the brilliant blue-green color that made Comino famous, and the rocky setting gives you plenty of good photo angles from the boat or shore.

If you have a free landing ticket, you can get off and walk around Comino. You may find small stalls selling drinks, street food, and ice cream near the busy areas. The beach itself is small, and space can disappear quickly as more boats arrive.

This is why the departure time matters more than it might seem. On a morning trip, the boat can arrive while the lagoon is still relatively calm, then leave as the crowds begin to build. By afternoon, you may find the shore much less appealing. Several people chose to remain on the boat rather than squeeze onto land, and that is a sensible option if you value space and quiet.

You can swim from the boat when conditions allow, sit on the padded deck, or take photographs without stepping into the busiest part of the island. The stop is long enough for a proper swim and a short walk, but not so long that you are stuck at Blue Lagoon all day.

There is one important rule for 2025: if you want to disembark, you must reserve a free ticket through blcomino.com. The ticket costs nothing, but it is required. If you do not plan to go ashore, confirm the arrangement with the crew before the stop.

Crystal Lagoon and clear water swimming

Crystal Lagoon is the more appealing swimming stop for many people. The boat spends roughly 45 minutes here, though some departures have offered closer to an hour. The water is clear, the rock walls are dramatic, and fish gather around the boat and rocky edges.

This stop feels less about getting onto a beach and more about swimming from the boat. You can use the ladder to enter the water, snorkel, watch the fish, and climb back aboard when you need a rest. The crew may point out places where fish are easy to see, and some people feed them, though you should follow the captain’s instructions about what is suitable.

Bring a mask and snorkel if you have them. Equipment is available to rent for €5, but that extra cost is easy to avoid if you already carry your own. A towel, sunscreen, and swimwear are essential. The boat provides a welcome drink, and some trips include fresh melon or watermelon later in the outing, but this is not a full meal service.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good reason to bring water shoes if you already own a pair. The provided information does not promise a sandy entry, and the stop is built around the boat and rocky shore. You should be comfortable climbing a boat ladder and swimming in open water.

Comino’s caves, bays, and film-set tower

Between the swimming stops, the boat circles much of Comino’s coast. This is where the small-group format earns its keep. Captain Keith has been praised for maneuvering close to the caves and turning the boat so everyone gets a view and a chance at a clear photograph.

The caves are not a quick glimpse from far offshore. The boat enters or approaches several of them, allowing you to see the changing colors in the rock and the darker water inside. Larger boats often have to keep farther out, so the smaller craft gives this part of the trip a more personal feel.

You pass Comino Tower, a strong stone landmark that appeared in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. You also see the tuna farm and Elephant’s Point, then continue toward Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay.

Santa Marija and San Niklaw show a quieter side of Comino. They do not have the name recognition of Blue Lagoon, but they help explain why a full coastal circuit is worthwhile. You see more than one famous patch of water, and the scenery keeps changing from open sea to narrow coves and rock walls.

The boat’s movement is generally described as careful and smooth. One person who often gets seasick felt comfortable on this trip, while another specifically praised the captain’s handling in choppy water. That does not guarantee calm conditions, since the sea changes quickly, but the crew has the option to alter the route or cancel if weather makes the planned trip unsuitable.

Why the small boat makes a difference

The boat’s capacity is roughly 20 to 24 people including crew, though some departures have been much smaller. On one spring trip, only four people went out, creating an almost private outing. You should not book expecting that every time, but the normal group size remains modest.

I like this setup for three reasons. First, you are less likely to lose the view behind a wall of people. Second, the crew can speak to the group without a loudspeaker routine. Third, the boat can make tighter turns near caves and points along the coast.

The experience is not a luxury yacht charter. It is a straightforward half-day cruise with a clean, comfortable boat, a padded sun deck, basic toilet facilities, and a bar where you can buy drinks. Music from nearby boats can sometimes spoil the quiet around the lagoons, something no operator can fully control during busy months.

Most accounts describe the crew as friendly and relaxed. Keith is often singled out for confident boat handling, while Agus has been praised for being attentive. One person found Keith abrupt and wished for more explanations, so the guiding style may feel more practical than polished on some departures. If you want a detailed historical talk at every stop, this may not be your ideal excursion. If you want a capable captain, good positioning, and time in the water, it fits better.

Choosing morning, afternoon, or sunset

The 9:00 morning departure is my pick for most people. It gives you the best chance of reaching Blue Lagoon before the crowds build, and the sea is often calmer earlier in the day. You also get the rest of the afternoon free in Gozo.

A later daytime sailing can work if you prefer a slower start, but expect more people at the lagoon and more boats around the caves. The tour still gives you access to the same major sights, yet the atmosphere may feel less peaceful.

Sunset departures have their own appeal. You can see the coast in softer light and return to Gozo as the day fades. Blue Lagoon may be quieter later, but daylight and weather determine how much swimming and sightseeing you get. Check the exact departure time and expected route before booking.

The captain has the final say on the route and swimming stops. Wind, waves, and sea conditions may change the plan. That flexibility is sensible around Comino, where a small change in weather can make a narrow cave or exposed swimming stop unsuitable.

The price, and what you actually get

At $41 per person, this is good value if you intend to use the whole four hours. You are paying for a sightseeing cruise, two major lagoon stops, a coastal circuit, cave visits, a small group, a sun deck, and a toilet. A simple boat ride to Blue Lagoon may cost less, but it will not necessarily give you the full view of Comino or the same amount of time for swimming.

The price does not include snorkeling equipment, drinks from the onboard bar, or anything you buy at the island stalls. Add €5 if you need rented snorkeling gear. The welcome drink is included, and fresh fruit has been offered on several departures, but you should not treat this as lunch.

The best value comes if you want variety. In four hours, you can swim, see caves, photograph the tower and bays, and decide for yourself if you want to set foot on Comino. Families with children aged 9 and 12 have enjoyed the format, and solo visitors have found the small group comfortable. The outing is long enough to feel substantial without taking an entire day.

Practical details before you leave Gozo

The departure point is at Mgarr Harbour, not Malta’s main island. Walk past the ferry terminal, keep the three food kiosks on your left, and continue to the end of the jetty. The directions can be easy to miss, so arrive early rather than trying to find the boat at the last minute.

Departure times are strictly observed. Parking at the harbour can also be difficult, especially in the busy season. Give yourself extra time if you are driving or connecting from elsewhere on Gozo.

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. You can sit in sun or shade, but the boat is exposed to wind and spray. A dry layer is useful on a sunset trip or after swimming.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible in the general details, but the specific suitability notes say it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Treat that as a warning and confirm directly before booking. The boat requires movement around the vessel and access to swimming areas, so the practical experience may not suit every mobility need.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. These policies make the booking less risky, but weather remains the main variable.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a small boat rather than a floating crowd, two useful swimming stops, and a close look at Comino’s caves. It is especially good for photographers, families who want a manageable four-hour outing, solo visitors who prefer a friendly shared activity, and anyone who wants to see more than Blue Lagoon.

Choose the early boat if crowds bother you. Stay aboard at Blue Lagoon if the shore is packed. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it, and do not forget the free landing ticket if you plan to get off.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is a long beach stay, a full meal, or a formal, lecture-style tour. Blue Lagoon shore time is limited, and the boat bar is not a substitute for lunch. For most people, though, the combination of swimming, cave viewing, and a complete circuit of Comino makes this a strong half-day use of your time in Gozo.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves from Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. Walk past the ferry terminal, continue past the three food kiosks on the left, and go to the end of the jetty.

How long is the trip?

The cruise lasts about four hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Does the tour stop at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat normally stops at Blue Lagoon for about one hour, giving you time to swim, walk, sunbathe, or take photographs.

Do I need a ticket to get off at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. In 2025, you must reserve a free ticket through blcomino.com if you want to disembark. The ticket does not cost anything.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for €5. Drinks from the onboard bar also cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, and clothing suited to the weather. You should also bring snorkeling equipment if you have your own.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stops because of weather conditions, and the trip may be altered or canceled if conditions require it.