Comino Island: including Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & sea caves

Comino’s famous blue water is the star here, but the Crystal Lagoon often becomes the best part of the day. It is smaller, quieter, and reached only by boat, with steep cliffs, caves, and clear water for swimming and snorkeling. I also like the stable catamaran, the free loungers, and the chance to use the boat’s slides and changing facilities.

The main drawback is the Blue Lagoon crowd. In warm months, the water and shore can feel packed, and the boat may carry as many as 250 people. You need to arrive early for a good lounger, and the boat’s food, drinks, snorkeling gear, and lockers cost extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Crystal Lagoon is the quieter swimming stop, with clear water, cliffs, caves, and a one-hour visit from June through October in good weather.
• Blue Lagoon time varies by season, from about two to four hours, but its popularity can make swimming and walking ashore feel crowded.
• The catamaran is part of the attraction, with cushioned loungers, three slides, jumping platforms, toilets, showers, bars, and underwater viewing windows on many departures.
• Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early if you want a top-deck lounger or a seat near the front.
• The tour costs $36.20 per person, which is fair if you use the boat facilities and swimming stops, less so if you only want transport to Comino.
• Bring a towel, sun protection, and a light layer, since the moving boat can feel cool even on a sunny day.

From Bugibba to Comino by catamaran

The trip begins at Bugibba Jetty on Dawret il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay. From Valletta, Sliema, or St. Julian’s, take a bus toward St. Paul’s Bay and get off at the Moll stop. Parades is also listed as a nearby stop, so check the exact departure instructions before setting out.

This is not a small sailing boat. It is a modern catamaran with plenty of deck space, indoor seating, toilets, bars, and sun loungers. The group can be large, with up to 250 people, so the boarding routine matters. Get there early, especially if you want a cushioned lounger on the upper deck or one of the better forward-facing spots.

The boat ride to Comino takes about an hour. The route follows Malta’s rugged coast, with cliffs, rocky inlets, and small sea caves appearing from the water. You also pass St. Paul’s Island, marked by the tall statue of Saint Paul. Commentary is offered in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

I like this opening cruise because it gives you a broad view of Malta before the swimming begins. You are not simply being ferried across the water. The boat stays close enough to the coast for photographs, though the sea and weather can affect how close it gets to the caves.

Crystal Lagoon offers the best swim

From June 1 through October 30, the boat normally stops at Crystal Lagoon for about an hour on the day trip. The evening or sunset trip usually allows about 30 minutes. The stop depends on fair weather, so it can be shortened or changed if conditions are poor.

Crystal Lagoon is surrounded by steep rock walls and cannot be reached by road. That gives it a more secluded feel than Blue Lagoon, although it is not empty in high season. The water is unusually clear, and you can swim near the caves or look below the surface with your own mask and snorkel.

The catamaran has three waterslides, including a larger slide from the top deck, plus jumping points for confident swimmers. Life jackets are available, which is useful because the water beside the boat is deep. If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the crew for one before entering the water.

This stop is especially good for families and active adults. You can swim, use the slides, sit in the sun, or simply watch people leap from the upper deck. Snorkeling equipment is not included, and the available gear can cost more than buying a simple mask before the trip. Bring your own if you already have it.

From November through May, Crystal Lagoon is usually only a short photo stop of about 15 minutes. The boat may enter the sea caves, but you should not book a winter trip expecting a full swimming session. The sunset service also has less time here, so check the departure type carefully.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, busy, and useful as a boat base

Blue Lagoon receives the longest stop, usually two to four hours depending on the season and departure. The boat moors in a good position, giving you a clear view across the famous water. You can swim from the catamaran, walk ashore, or stay aboard and use the facilities.

The water really is striking, but the setting is no secret. In summer, Blue Lagoon can be crowded enough to make the shore uncomfortable. Walking around the small island may involve squeezing past people, and swimming across the lagoon requires care around underwater rocks and other swimmers. Water shoes can help.

For me, the smart choice is to treat the catamaran as your base. The cushioned loungers are more comfortable than sitting on the rocky shore, and you can return to the boat for a shower, toilet, food, or shade. The catch is that some schedules and sea operations may temporarily separate you from the boat. Listen closely to announcements, keep your boarding information handy, and confirm when you must return.

The boat includes:

• A large top-deck waterslide and two smaller slides
• Jumping platforms
• Cushioned sun loungers
• Toilets, showers, and an accessible toilet with changing space
• An air-conditioned main deck
• Two bars serving hot and cold food and drinks
• Twenty-six underwater viewing windows on boats and departures that offer them

The underwater windows are a nice extra, but visibility is not guaranteed. Wind, waves, and water conditions can make the view cloudy. From November through April, a large sailing catamaran may be used instead, and that boat does not have underwater windows.

The sea caves are mostly a sightseeing stop

The cruise includes large sea caves for photographs. On the return route, the boat enters the Santa Maria caves and passes the rock formation known as Elephants Head. The boat moves slowly enough for photographs, but this is not a full cave expedition.

You generally do not swim into the caves as part of the standard tour. Some departures offer an optional speedboat ride farther around the caves for an extra fee. The price cited for this add-on is about €15 per adult and €10 per child, though you should confirm the current charge and availability onboard.

I would consider the speedboat if cave scenery is a major reason for booking. It adds a closer view and a shorter, livelier ride. If you only want the lagoons, you can skip it and keep your money for food or drinks.

Sunset trips are shorter but can be a good fit

The regular day trip lasts about six hours. The 5:00 PM Seabird departure is a shorter four-hour experience. It usually includes around 30 to 40 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and roughly two hours at Blue Lagoon, with the return cruise timed around sunset.

The evening trip works well if you want swimming without giving up most of the day. The boat is still exposed to wind, so bring a jumper or light jacket. The sun can also hide how much heat you are losing, especially on the return ride.

The full-day trip makes more sense if you want time for both swimming stops, a proper break on the boat, and a relaxed visit to Blue Lagoon. If the water is too cold for you, the longer stay can feel excessive, particularly outside the main summer season.

Food, equipment, and onboard comfort

Food and drinks are available from the onboard kitchen and bars. You may find burgers, fries, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, and other drinks. Prices can be reasonable for a boat, but a six-hour outing becomes more expensive once you add lunch and several drinks.

The supplied information says outside food and drinks are not allowed onboard, though one account describes bringing snacks. To avoid trouble, check the current rule before departure rather than relying on past practice. Towels are not supplied, so bring your own.

Snorkeling equipment costs extra, listed at €5 for hire in the standard information. Some equipment may also be sold onboard or near Blue Lagoon, and prices can be higher there. Personal lockers cost €2. If you are carrying a phone, wallet, or dry clothes, a locker can be useful, but pack light and keep anything valuable secure.

Sun loungers are free, but they are first come, first served. Arriving 45 minutes early is a sensible minimum, and an hour gives you a better chance of choosing a forward spot. The upper deck offers the best sun and views, while the lower deck gives you more shelter when the boat is moving.

There can be queues at the bar during busy departures. Rubbish bins may fill quickly when the boat is full. These are small issues if you plan ahead, but they matter when you are hot, thirsty, and waiting for lunch.

Timing, weather, and swimming conditions

The trip operates all year, but the experience changes sharply by season. June through October gives you the best chance of a proper Crystal Lagoon swim. November through April brings cooler air, more wind, shorter swimming opportunities, and possible use of the sailing catamaran without underwater windows.

Weather can alter the route or cancel the trip. The captain may change stops for safety, and the Crystal Lagoon visit is available only in fair conditions. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.

Even in November, the sea can sometimes be warm enough for swimming, but you should not count on it. In March, wind and cool air can make a hike around Comino more appealing than a beach stop. Bring a layer for the boat and use sunscreen even when a breeze makes the day feel mild.

The sea may be choppy on the return. The catamaran is stable, but people sensitive to motion should sit lower and closer to the middle of the boat rather than at the very front or rear.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this tour if you want one simple outing that combines a coastal cruise, swimming, slides, caves, and time at Comino. It is a strong match for families, couples, and groups who like having facilities close at hand instead of spending the day on a bare stretch of shore.

It also suits you if Blue Lagoon is a must-see but you would prefer to reach it with a comfortable base. The loungers, toilets, showers, air-conditioned deck, and food service make the day easier than arranging separate boat transfers.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, paid extras, or fixed group schedules. Blue Lagoon can feel overrun, and the large boat is not the right setting for quiet island solitude. You may also find the trip poor value if you only want a quick ferry ride and do not plan to swim or use the boat facilities.

Is the $36.20 price good value?

At $36.20 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour catamaran trip with two lagoon stops, coastal scenery, cave views, loungers, toilets, showers, slides, and multilingual commentary. The value is strongest when you spend time aboard and make use of the swimming areas.

It is less compelling if the weather prevents the Crystal Lagoon stop or if you spend most of your Blue Lagoon time ashore. Food, drinks, snorkel gear, lockers, and the optional speedboat add to the final bill, so set a budget before boarding.

Should you book this Comino cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, active day on the water and like the idea of swimming from a comfortable boat. Arrive early, bring a towel and light layer, carry sun protection, and consider bringing your own mask and snorkel.

I would choose the full-day trip from June through October for the best balance of Crystal Lagoon swimming and Blue Lagoon time. Choose the sunset departure if you want a shorter outing and a ride back as the light fades. Skip it if you are seeking empty coves or a quiet island walk, since Comino’s most famous lagoon is busy and the boat can be large.

FAQ

Where does the Comino tour depart from?

The tour departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay, Malta. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the full tour last?

The day trip lasts about six hours. The evening or sunset trip lasts about four hours, with the 5:00 PM Seabird service listed as a shorter option.

Is Crystal Lagoon included?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included, but the length of the stop depends on the season and weather. From June through October, the day trip usually stops for about one hour. From November through May, the stop is normally about 15 minutes for photographs and cave views.

Are snorkeling equipment and lockers included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available for an additional charge, listed as €5 for hire. Personal lockers are also available for an extra €2. You may bring your own snorkeling equipment.

Can I use the boat facilities at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The boat has loungers, toilets, showers, changing facilities, slides, jumping platforms, bars, and an air-conditioned main deck. Loungers are free but allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The captain can change or cancel the tour for safety reasons. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.