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

The main event here is a long, sunny stay at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, not a quick photo stop. You cruise from Bugibba past Malta’s northern coast, then use the boat as your base for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and walking around Comino.

I like the generous four-and-a-half-hour mooring and the fact that you can jump straight from the boat into the water. I also like the low price, friendly crew, onboard food, and useful extras such as a slide, restrooms, lockers, and snorkel rental.

The catch is simple: this is a large, lively boat trip, with up to 232 people and music playing for much of the day. Arrive early if you want a top-deck chair, and do not expect a quiet escape at the busiest time of year.

Key points to know before booking

• Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have time to swim, eat, walk on Comino, and return to the boat as often as you like.
• Captain Kevin provides commentary: The route includes St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Ahrax Cave, Coral Cove, Comino’s cliffs, and Santa Maria Tower.
• The boat has a slide and swimming access: You can use the vessel as a floating swimming platform instead of squeezing onto the crowded shore.
• The upper deck fills early: Arrive around 8:30 if a rooftop chair and open views matter to you.
• Cave trips cost extra: A seasonal speedboat ride to the small caves costs €15, paid in cash.
• Cash matters: Payments on the boat and Comino are cash only, including food, drinks, rentals, and extras.

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty at 10am

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar. The cruise leaves at 10am and returns at about 5pm, giving you a full seven hours on the water.

This is a useful choice if you are staying in or near Bugibba, since you do not need to arrange a separate transfer to a marina elsewhere in Malta. Public transportation is nearby, but the tour does not include hotel pickup, so check your route and allow time to reach the jetty.

I would arrive early, even though the boat leaves at 10am. The upper deck chairs are first come, first served, and the best spots disappear quickly. An early arrival also lets you board without rushing, organize your towel and sunscreen, and settle in before the boat moves.

The boat is older rather than polished and modern. That is worth knowing before you book, but it has the practical things you need for a day at sea: shaded seating, an upper sun deck, toilets, a cafeteria, swimming access, and a slide. The boat’s condition matters less once you are floating beside Comino, but it helps set the right expectations.

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

The first part of the cruise is scenic and lightly historical. The boat passes St. Paul’s Island, a tiny outcrop associated with the shipwreck of St. Paul. A statue of the saint now sits on the island, giving you a clear landmark as the boat passes.

Captain Kevin provides information along the route, including the story behind the island. This commentary adds something useful to the cruise without turning the morning into a formal lecture. You can listen from the deck or simply watch Malta’s coastline slide past.

The boat then passes Mellieha Bay, Malta’s largest beach, before reaching Ahrax Cave. The stop at the cave is mainly for views and photographs. You are not guaranteed a landing or a long swim here, so think of it as a scenic passage rather than a separate shore visit.

Coral Cove appears before the boat crosses the southern channel toward Comino. The rock formations and clear water make this stretch one of the prettiest parts of the outward journey. If you want photographs, keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and strong sunlight.

Cruising around Comino’s cliffs

Comino is Malta’s smallest main island, covering about 1.4 square miles. Its compact size makes a boat circuit especially useful. From the water, you get a broad view of the cliffs, coves, and unusual rock shapes that are easy to miss from one crowded landing point.

The boat cruises around Comino and passes formations such as Elephant’s Head. You get a sense of how rugged the island is, even though the Blue Lagoon itself looks calm and inviting.

This part of the cruise is also a reminder that Comino is not only the famous lagoon. The high cliffs and exposed rock give the island its character. The views are best from the upper deck, but every seat offers a chance to move around and look out.

The ride can be smooth, but conditions vary. On rougher days, some people may feel seasick, especially during the open-water stretches. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most comfortable, keep water nearby, and consider using the available life jacket if needed.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The boat’s long stop at the Blue Lagoon is the strongest reason to choose this trip. You arrive at the main attraction and stay for more than four hours, rather than rushing through a short swim before moving on.

The boat moors in a useful position, allowing you to treat it as your base. You can swim from the boat, use the slide, sunbathe upstairs, rest in the shaded main deck, or walk onto Comino. You can also return onboard for food, drinks, toilets, lockers, or a break from the sun.

The water is the star. It is turquoise, clear, and often full of small fish, making it good for swimming and snorkeling. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Bring your own equipment if you already have it, but the rental gives you an easy option if you do not.

The boat’s slide adds a playful touch, especially for families and anyone who wants more than a quiet swim. You can also jump from designated parts of the boat, but use care and follow the crew’s instructions. Swimming from the boat is easier than trying to claim a tiny patch of shoreline, particularly when the lagoon is crowded.

The Blue Lagoon shore can become packed with people and boats. That is the main tradeoff of visiting Malta’s best-known swimming spot. Staying on the boat gives you a little more room, a chair, shade, and access to facilities, while still putting you in the same brilliant water.

If you want a quieter corner, walk away from the central lagoon area on Comino. Santa Maria Bay is about a 20-minute walk and can feel calmer. The boat’s long stay gives you enough time to make that walk, swim, eat, and return without watching the clock every few minutes.

The optional speedboat trip to the caves

A seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves is available for an additional €15. You purchase the ticket with cash, and this is separate from the main cruise price.

I think this is one of the better add-ons if you enjoy short, active boat rides. The smaller craft can reach cave areas that the main vessel cannot, giving you a closer look at the rock walls and openings. The trip is guided and has a more energetic feel than the main cruise.

Do not assume the speedboat operates on every departure. It is seasonal, and the schedule can depend on conditions. Ask at check-in or onboard, and carry cash if you want the option.

The route may also include views of Crystal Lagoon, depending on weather and the order of the day. Crystal Lagoon is popular with divers because of its deeper water. It is also reachable on foot from the Blue Lagoon, in about eight minutes according to the tour information, though the walk and swimming conditions can feel more demanding than the main lagoon.

Cliff jumping may be possible at Crystal Lagoon for confident swimmers, but it is not an activity to attempt casually. Check the conditions and follow local instructions rather than copying someone else’s jump.

Santa Maria Tower and Comino’s quieter side

On the return route, the boat passes Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend Comino. The tower is one of the island’s few major buildings and makes a strong photograph from the water.

It also appeared as Chateau D’If in the film The Count of Monte Cristo. That small piece of film history adds interest to what might otherwise look like a lonely stone fort on a rocky island.

The boat’s route and timing around Crystal Lagoon can change with weather. You may see it on the way to Comino or later on the return trip. The same is true of some cave viewing, so treat the route order as flexible rather than fixed.

After the Comino stop, the boat returns to Bugibba at roughly 5pm. You have had a full day outside, so bring a light jacket for the ride back in the cooler months. From October through May, the boat can feel chilly once the sun drops or the wind picks up.

Food, drinks, deck space, and cash

Food and drinks are not included, but the onboard cafeteria is described as reasonably priced. Options include meals, snacks, cocktails, ice cream, and the popular pineapple drinks. Chicken burgers and chips are among the available meal choices.

The onboard food is useful because you are at sea for most of the day. You can also buy food on Comino, but having the cafeteria onboard means you do not need to leave the boat or search for a place to eat.

Bring cash. Payments on the boat and on Comino are cash only, and you may need money for lunch, drinks, snorkel rental, a locker, or the speedboat. Lockers cost €2, and towels are not provided.

The first-come seating system is worth planning around. If you want a top-deck chair, aim to arrive about 90 minutes early, with 8:30 being a commonly useful target for the 10am departure. If you arrive later, you can still move around and find good views, but the prime loungers may be gone.

Music plays onboard, and the atmosphere can be upbeat. That suits a fun day with swimming and cocktails, but it is not ideal if you want silence, reading time, or a calm nature cruise.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most?

This trip suits you if you want a straightforward day on the water at a modest price. The $36.28 starting cost is good value for a seven-hour cruise with a long Blue Lagoon stop, deck access, a slide, restrooms, and coastal sightseeing.

Families can make good use of the slide, swimming access, shaded seating, and food onboard. The tour is described as suitable for all ages, but children should be supervised around the water, boat edges, and rocky swimming areas.

It also works well for solo visitors. The crew provides information about the stops and boat times, and the boat gives you a clear base throughout the day. You do not need to organize separate transport between Malta, Comino, and the swimming areas.

You might prefer another style of outing if you want a small group, quiet water time, or a polished luxury boat. The maximum group size is 232 people, and the Blue Lagoon itself attracts many other boats and people. In high season, personal space can be limited.

The experience is also best for confident swimmers or people happy to stay onboard and enjoy the views. Getting in and out near rocks can be awkward, and one swimming area may feel difficult to access from the shore. The boat gives you a simpler entry point, but you still need to judge the water and conditions for yourself.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and a light jacket outside the hottest summer months. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible for the boat and cave trip, though it is not listed as a provided item.

Download any required Comino landing pass before you leave. Mobile signal can be limited, and having it ready is easier than trying to complete the process after reaching the island.

The experience is offered in English, and confirmation is sent when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, and a trip that does not meet its minimum number of participants can also be rescheduled or refunded.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino trip?

I would book this if your main goal is to swim in the Blue Lagoon, enjoy a full day outdoors, and keep costs under control. The long stay, boat slide, useful onboard facilities, and optional cave ride give you more freedom than a short sightseeing cruise.

I would skip it if you are looking for peace and quiet or a small boat with personal service. For the best version of the day, arrive early, bring cash, claim a top-deck spot if you want one, and use the boat as your base rather than fighting for space on the lagoon’s crowded shore.

FAQ

Where does the Comino and Blue Lagoon cruise start?

The cruise starts at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret Il-Gzejjer, San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

What time does the tour leave and return?

The boat departs at 10am and returns to the Bugibba meeting point at about 5pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat remains at the Blue Lagoon for more than four hours, with the listed stop lasting about four and a half hours.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available onboard at reasonable prices, and food is also available on Comino.

How much does the speedboat cave trip cost?

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

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.