Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, and Caves Cruise

Comino’s water is the star here. This half-day cruise takes you past sea caves, Elephant Rock, Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay, and the famous Blue Lagoon, with swimming from the boat at both major lagoons. I especially like the chance to reach the Crystal Lagoon, which feels less exposed than the Blue Lagoon, and the compact boat’s ability to get close to the caves.

I also like the sensible three to four hour length, free drink, watermelon, onboard toilet, and padded sun deck. The main drawback is that Comino can be very busy, especially around the Blue Lagoon, and the exact route or swimming time can change with weather and sea conditions.

Key points

• Two swimming stops: Spend about an hour at the Blue Lagoon and around 30 to 45 minutes at the Crystal Lagoon, depending on the selected boat and schedule.
• Captain George’s experience: Captain George has operated cruises since 1988, with an English-speaking crew and clear instructions.
• A small boat with cave access: The vessel can pass close to Comino’s sea caves, including Popeye’s Cave and Lovers’ Cave.
• Gozo without a full land visit: You’ll stop for photographs at Mġarr Harbour, but most departures do not include time to explore Gozo.
• Good low-cost value: At $28 per person, the cruise includes sightseeing, swimming stops, a welcome drink, watermelon, and use of the padded deck and toilet.
• Plan carefully for Blue Lagoon access: You need a free government ticket from blcomino.com if you want to leave the boat and walk on Comino.

What this Comino cruise is really like

This is a boat-and-swim outing rather than a full island tour. You spend much of the time on the water, looking at cliffs and caves from the deck, then stop for swimming, photographs, or a short walk.

The trip leaves from Ċirkewwa at the northern tip of Malta. The meeting point is at the jetty behind the only kiosk in the area, near the café and its umbrellas and tables. I would arrive at least 15 minutes early. The boat leaves on time, and late arrival can mean missing the cruise with no refund.

The operator is Xlendi Pleasure Cruises, and Captain George has been running these trips since 1988. The crew speaks English and gives instructions clearly. This matters when you are boarding from a jetty, swimming from the boat, or deciding if you want to use the top deck for a jump into the water.

The boats have two levels, a padded sun deck, toilet facilities, and a bar. Drinks from the bar cost extra, but you can pay by cash or card. A welcome drink and a slice of watermelon are included, which is a small touch but useful on a warm day.

Choosing between the two daytime routes

The operator offers different versions of the daytime cruise, so check the selected trip carefully before booking.

Trip A, aboard the Sea Haven, is designed to show you Comino in under four hours. It starts with a full cruise around Comino, passing Elephant Rock and the Santa Maria sea caves. You then pass Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay before reaching the Blue Lagoon.

At the Blue Lagoon, you get about one hour. You can swim directly from the boat, or you can leave the boat and walk on Comino. If you want to disembark, you must first obtain and validate the free ticket at blcomino.com.

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat passes Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour for photographs. This is not a Gozo sightseeing stop, so do not book this cruise expecting time in Victoria, Xewkija, or any other part of the island.

The final swimming stop is the Crystal Lagoon, usually for about 45 minutes. The boat also passes Popeye’s Cave and Lovers’ Cave, then heads by the Comino Tower and a tuna fish farm before returning to Ċirkewwa.

Trip B, aboard the Xlendi III, reverses the order. It starts at the Crystal Lagoon, where you have about 30 minutes for photographs, views, swimming, and snorkeling. The boat then passes Comino’s caves and stops at Mġarr Harbour for around 10 minutes before finishing at the Blue Lagoon, where you have about an hour.

Trip B is especially appealing in the quieter winter season, when the Blue Lagoon and Comino may feel less crowded. It does not include a full stop in Gozo. You visit Mġarr Harbour for scenic views and photographs only.

Crystal Lagoon: the calmer first or final stop

The Crystal Lagoon is one of the best reasons to choose this cruise over a simple ferry crossing. Its water is clear, and the cliffs give the stop a more enclosed, dramatic feel than the open anchorage around the Blue Lagoon.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, take photographs, or use the upper deck for a jump. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but you can rent it for €5. Bring your own mask if you have one, but the rental option keeps the cost down if you are traveling light.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes on Trip B and around 45 minutes on Trip A. That difference is worth noticing. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim and photographs, while 45 minutes gives you a little more time to settle in and enjoy the water.

The Crystal Lagoon is also a good place for photographs of the cliffs and the caves. The boat can pass near Popeye’s Cave and Lovers’ Cave, giving you a view that you cannot get from a road or ordinary harbor ferry.

Keep your expectations practical. This is not a private cove experience. Other boats may be nearby, and the captain can change the stop if the sea is rough. Still, the combination of clear water, rock walls, and a short swimming break gives this part of the trip real value.

Comino’s caves and Elephant Rock

The cruise is at its best when the boat is moving slowly along Comino’s rocky edge. Elephant Rock is an easy early landmark to spot, and the Santa Maria caves provide some of the most interesting views of the island.

The crew points out caves and shares historical or amusing facts along the way. The small boat is useful here because it can pass close to the openings and rock formations. Larger vessels may offer more room, but a compact boat can give you a better look at the coastline.

The route also includes Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. These are scenic passes rather than long shore visits, so have your camera ready before the boat reaches them.

The Comino Tower is another notable sight. It is associated with the film The Count of Monte Cristo, and the boat passes by it on the return route. You also see the tuna fish farm, a less glamorous but distinctly local part of the maritime view.

You will want a seat with a clear line of sight, but the boat’s two levels make that easier. The upper deck is best for photographs and jumping into the water. The lower areas offer more shelter if the sun is strong or the wind picks up.

The Blue Lagoon: beautiful, busy, and worth understanding

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and the water can look almost unreal on a bright day. You have about one hour here, enough for a proper swim, photographs, and possibly a short walk if you go ashore.

The big choice is simple: remain on the boat or disembark. Swimming directly from the boat avoids the shore crowds and lets you step into deeper water. It is also the easier option if you mainly want to swim and do not need to walk around Comino.

If you want to explore the island, you must arrange the free government ticket at blcomino.com. The ticket costs nothing, but it is required in 2025 for leaving the boat and going onto the island. Do not assume that booking the cruise alone covers this step.

The Blue Lagoon can get crowded. The crew tries to avoid the worst congestion, but no boat operator can control the number of people arriving at Comino. If you prefer quieter water and fewer people, consider a spring or winter departure, or choose the sunset option.

The one-hour stop is generous for a short cruise, but it is not enough for a serious walk around Comino. Treat it as time for swimming, a quick shore look, and photographs rather than a full island hike.

Mġarr Harbour and the Gozo views

Mġarr Harbour is Gozo’s main and only harbor, and the boat pauses for scenic views and photographs. It is a pleasant change from the open sea, with colorful harbor activity and the island rising behind the port.

The stop is short, around 10 minutes on the listed route. You will not have time to explore Gozo on foot. That distinction is important because a map can make the cruise look like a Malta, Comino, and Gozo tour, but the Gozo portion is mainly a harbor view.

I like this brief stop because it adds another island without turning the outing into a long day. You get a photograph of Mġarr and a sense of Gozo’s setting, then return to the main purpose of the trip: Comino’s water and caves.

Timing, comfort, and what to bring

The cruise lasts three to four hours, depending on the route, departure time, and sea conditions. The sunset option is a shorter version and does not travel all the way around Comino.

The boat has a padded sun deck, which makes the sightseeing stretches more comfortable than sitting on a hard metal bench. It also has a toilet, an important feature on a half-day boat trip. The bar sells drinks, but you should bring sunscreen and water if you prefer not to buy refreshments onboard.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. A light layer is useful if the wind rises during the ride. Wear something that lets you move easily around the deck, especially if you plan to swim or use the top-deck jump.

Life jackets are available, and the boat has a reputation for feeling safe and well managed. Still, swimming from a boat requires basic confidence in open water. The crew will explain the procedure, but you should not treat the jumping platform as compulsory.

The listing gives conflicting information about wheelchair access. One section calls the activity wheelchair accessible, while another says it is not suitable for wheelchair users. Boarding from a jetty and moving around a boat can be difficult, although staff have helped someone board in the past. If access is important, contact the operator before paying.

Is $28 a good price?

At $28 per person, this is a strong value if you want the main sights of Comino without committing to a full-day cruise. You receive three to four hours on the water, two lagoon stops, cave viewing, a Gozo harbor stop, a welcome drink, watermelon, a toilet, and a padded deck.

The price does not include snorkeling equipment or bar drinks. Renting a mask costs €5, and you can keep the rest of the day inexpensive by bringing your own towel and using the included refreshments.

The real value comes from the amount of scenery packed into a short outing. You see Comino’s caves, bays, rock formations, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Comino Tower, and Mġarr Harbour without arranging separate transport.

The tradeoff is that this is a shared cruise in a popular part of Malta. You will not get a private boat, a long stop in Gozo, or guaranteed solitude at the lagoons. For a first visit, though, the low price and focused route make sense.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to swim in Comino’s clear water, see the main caves, and keep your Malta sightseeing schedule flexible. The three to four hour format works well alongside a morning or afternoon in another part of the island.

Families may like the two-level boat, clear instructions, short route, and chance for children to swim or jump from the top deck. The free drink and watermelon are welcome extras, and the toilet helps on a family outing.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to Comino. You get the postcard view of the Blue Lagoon, but you also see less obvious spots such as the Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria caves, and Elephant Rock.

I would think twice if your main goal is a quiet beach day. The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, and the cruise schedule leaves limited time for lying on shore. I would also look elsewhere if you want a full Gozo tour or a private sailing.

For the best chance of calmer conditions, consider spring, winter, or the sunset departure. Some visitors have even swum in December when the sea was still around 20 degrees Celsius, but swimming comfort depends heavily on the day and your own tolerance for cool water.

Should you book the Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, efficient introduction to Malta’s most famous lagoons and caves. Captain George’s long operating history, the friendly English-speaking crew, short travel time, and two swimming stops give the cruise a practical edge.

Before booking, choose Trip A or Trip B with care, arrange the free Blue Lagoon ticket if you want to go ashore, and arrive early at the Ċirkewwa jetty. If you understand that Gozo means a harbor photograph rather than an island visit, this is an enjoyable and useful half-day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Ċirkewwa in Malta. Meet at the jetty behind the only kiosk in the area, near the café with umbrellas and tables.

How long does the cruise last?

The daytime cruise lasts about three to four hours. The sunset option is slightly shorter and does not travel all the way around Comino.

Can I get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, but you must obtain and validate a free government ticket at blcomino.com. Tickets are required in 2025 if you want to disembark and walk on Comino.

Is Gozo included as a sightseeing stop?

The cruise stops at Mġarr Harbour for photographs and scenic views. It does not provide time for a full visit to Gozo on the listed daytime routes.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for €5. Swimming from the boat and the Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon stops are included.

What happens if the weather changes?

The captain may alter the route or swimming stops for safety. The trip can also be canceled or adjusted because of weather and sea conditions.