Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Comino’s best water views come from a small boat that can slip close to the caves and rocky shoreline. This three to four-hour cruise keeps the group to about 24 people, giving you more room to swim, take photos, and hear the captain without the feel of a large ferry.

I like the generous swim time at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, plus the chance to use a paddleboard or noodle at no extra charge. I also like the personal touch from Johnny, who guides the trip with local stories and practical help. The catch is that the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and the meeting point can be confusing if you arrive in a hurry.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, maximum 24 people: You get closer to the caves and rock formations than large sightseeing boats can.
• Three useful swim stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay give you more than one chance to get in the water.
• Crystal Lagoon is often the highlight: The water is exceptionally clear, and you can explore the rocky shore if conditions allow.
• Blue Lagoon requires a free pass: Get a time slot from blcomino.com before arriving if you plan to step ashore.
• Johnny adds local color: The guide is friendly, entertaining, and helpful with boarding, swimming, and sightseeing.
• Good onboard extras: A shaded area, toilet, swim noodles, paddleboard, and life jackets make the boat practical for a half-day outing.

Why this small Comino cruise works so well

At $31 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to see Comino from the water. You are not paying for a full-day sailing trip or a polished luxury boat. You are paying for a compact route around Comino, several swim opportunities, and access to shoreline spots that larger vessels may have to view from farther out.

That trade-off makes sense. The boat carries only around 24 people, sometimes closer to 20, so the crew can help you individually and the captain can bring the boat near narrow cave entrances. You also avoid spending the whole day on the water, which is useful if you want time for another Malta activity.

The mood is informal. Johnny, the main guide named in the tour information and many comments from the trip, explains the sights as you go and keeps the journey lively. You may also meet his young helper, sometimes called Captain Johnny Junior, who has helped with ropes and passengers at the port.

This is not the right choice if you want a silent, elegant yacht cruise. The boat is comfortable rather than fancy, and one lower-rated experience describes it as crowded at first with limited commentary. Most of the time, though, the smaller size is the main reason to choose it.

Finding the boat at Cirkewwa

The starting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe at the northern end of Malta. Go down the stairs behind the cafe, turn left around the corner, and look for the boat access.

Allow extra time here. The meeting point has caused confusion because the cafe and the actual boat access are not immediately obvious, and one departure was delayed when people were unsure where to go. Another practical warning: a bus connection can take longer than expected, so leave a buffer. A taxi or ride-hailing service may be easier if you have a fixed departure time.

Free parking is available at the meeting point. This is handy if you are driving, since Cirkewwa is the ferry area for Comino and Gozo and can feel hectic around departure times.

Wear swimwear under easy beach clothes, but bring shoes with a firm sole too. Crystal Lagoon may involve a rocky scramble if you choose to explore above the water, and sensible shoes make that short walk much easier.

The first cruise and Comino Tower

Once you are aboard, the opening cruise gives you time to settle in and look toward Comino’s shoreline. The route passes Comino Tower, a fortified landmark associated with The Count of Monte Cristo.

The boat ride is short, around 15 minutes before the first major stop. Use this time to find the best place to sit. The shaded seating area is valuable during the warmer months, while the front of the boat offers better views and more spray when the sea is rough.

The crew provides life jackets if you ask. A toilet is also available onboard, which matters on a boat trip lasting up to four hours, especially when the next shore facilities are not close.

Crystal Lagoon: the best place to swim

Crystal Lagoon is on Comino’s western side and is usually the most rewarding swimming stop. The water is clear enough for snorkeling and looking down toward the seabed, and the rocky setting feels less commercial than Blue Lagoon.

The scheduled stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, and a quick look around, but not enough for a long walk. Some people use the time to scramble toward the top of the nearby rocks. If you do this, wear proper shoes and watch your footing.

The boat provides a complimentary stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles. These are simple extras, but they make the stop more enjoyable if you want to float without buying equipment. Snorkels are not included, though you can rent one onboard for €5.

You can also swim directly from the boat rather than go ashore. This is useful if the rocks are not suitable for you or if you simply want to spend the full stop in the water. The crew can provide a life jacket if needed, but you should be comfortable in open water before choosing to swim away from the boat.

Crystal Lagoon is also the place where the small boat matters most. It can reach closer to the rocky edges and give you a better look at the water and cave openings than a large vessel. If clear water and snorkeling are your priority, this stop may be worth the price on its own.

Blue Lagoon: famous, beautiful, and crowded

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s headline stop. Sunlight hits the pale seabed and creates the bright blue color seen in Malta photographs. You get about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or relaxing by the water.

The important practical detail is the free Blue Lagoon pass. If you want to leave the boat and step onto the Blue Lagoon shore, reserve a free time slot at blcomino.com. Choose the morning, afternoon, or sunset period that matches your boat departure. At Cirkewwa, show the pass to Transport Malta officials so you can receive the official wristband.

If you do not want to go ashore, you can remain on the boat and swim from it. In that case, the pass is not needed. This option can actually be pleasant because the Blue Lagoon shoreline is often packed, especially during the main summer hours.

Bring cash. Food and drinks are available at the beach stops, while the boat sells cold water for €1.50, soft drinks for €2.50, and large beer for €3. Snorkels cost €5. These prices are useful to know before boarding, since there is no included meal or drink service.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is the least peaceful part of the route. Several people who enjoyed the trip still considered this stop too commercial or too crowded. I suggest treating it as one part of the outing rather than the entire reason to book. The Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay give you a better chance of enjoying the water without the same level of pressure around you.

Gozo, Halfa Rock, and San Niklaw Bay

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat continues past Gozo’s coastline and Halfa Rock, also known as Promising Rock or Gebla tal-Ħalfa. This is a sightseeing section rather than a long shore visit, so keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s explanation.

The route also passes San Niklaw Bay and the Comino Hotel. The bay offers a calmer view of the island and a useful contrast with the crowded Blue Lagoon. You are not simply moving between swimming spots. You are also seeing the coves, cliffs, and rock forms that make Comino interesting from the water.

The sightseeing passages are short, often around 15 minutes. That keeps the tour moving, though it means you should not expect a detailed stop at every landmark. If you want a trip built around history and extended commentary, this may feel light. If you want a mix of views and swimming, the balance works well.

Santa Maria Bay gives the day room to breathe

Santa Maria Bay sits on Comino’s quieter northern side and is generally a calmer place to spend time than the Blue Lagoon. The stop allows sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and use of the paddleboard.

The published schedule gives this part of the trip a substantial stop, though the included-stop details also list a shorter 15-minute visit. In practice, your exact time can depend on the departure slot, sea conditions, and how the captain manages the route. It is worth checking the confirmed schedule when you book rather than assuming every stop will be identical.

This bay is a good reason to choose the tour over a simple Blue Lagoon transfer. You get another chance to swim in a scenic setting, and you can stay on the boat if you prefer not to climb onto a beach. The water may have a current, so only swim away from the boat if you are a confident swimmer.

Families can make good use of the noodles and paddleboard here. You can also choose to sit in the shade, enjoy the views, and let the more active members of your group swim. That flexibility helps the trip suit mixed groups.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock by boat

Near the end of the route, the boat approaches Santa Maria Caves. The small vessel can get close to the cave entrances, giving you a much better view than you would get from a large ferry that has to remain farther out.

Depending on the sea and the captain’s judgment, you may be able to see into the openings and photograph the rock walls from the water. This is a sightseeing stop, not a guaranteed cave swim, so bring a waterproof camera if you want to capture the most memorable views.

The final landmark is Elephant Rock, a striking natural formation that looks particularly good from the water. The boat pauses for photographs before returning to Cirkewwa.

These final stops are brief, usually about 10 to 15 minutes each. That is enough for a look and some photos, but not a full exploration. The value is the access: a small boat can approach formations that are difficult to appreciate from shore.

What the $31 price really includes

The price is strong if you want several activities in one half-day. Included are the Crystal Lagoon stop, Blue Lagoon stop, Santa Maria Bay visit, sightseeing at Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock. You also get the paddleboard, swim noodles, shaded seating, toilet, parking, and crew assistance.

You still need to budget for drinks, food, and snorkeling gear. There is no included lunch, so eat before departure or carry enough cash for the beach stalls and onboard drinks.

The best value comes from the number of useful water stops. A basic boat ride that only circles Comino would cost less in time but would not give you the same swimming opportunities. A larger boat may offer more room, but this smaller craft is better suited to cave access and a more personal outing.

The one thing you should not expect for $31 is a luxury finish. One person found the boat more cramped than expected and wished for a nicer vessel. That is a fair warning. The price favors access and activity over polished comfort.

Who should book this trip

I would choose this tour if you want to swim in several Comino locations, see the caves close up, and keep the outing to three or four hours. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, and small groups who prefer a friendly boat to a large cruise vessel.

It also suits you if Crystal Lagoon matters more than simply standing beside the Blue Lagoon. The route gives you time in both places, plus Santa Maria Bay, so the day does not depend on one crowded stop.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness or pregnant, since the operator does not recommend the trip for you. Conditions can also change. Several outings had calm water, while others encountered choppy seas, spray, or a strong current. The crew handled changing weather well, but this remains an open-water trip.

Bring a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, beach clothes, cash, and sturdy shoes. If you want clear underwater photos, pack a waterproof camera. Arrive early enough to find the boat without stress, and do not rely on a last-minute arrival.

Should you book the Comino Land Charters trip?

Book it if you want the strongest mix of swimming, sightseeing, and value in a short outing. The small group, close cave access, friendly guidance from Johnny, and included paddleboard make it more useful than a basic ferry transfer.

I would not book it solely for a quiet Blue Lagoon visit. The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, and stepping ashore requires a free pass and wristband. Instead, book this for the full Comino circuit, with Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Bay carrying much of the experience.

At $31, it is an easy recommendation for confident swimmers who want an active half-day without committing to a full-day cruise. Just arrive early, bring sensible footwear, secure the Blue Lagoon pass if needed, and keep your expectations focused on a friendly working boat rather than luxury.

FAQ

How long is the Comino boat tour?

The tour lasts about three to four hours, depending on the departure time and sea conditions.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Cirkewwa. Find the boat behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe by going down the stairs behind the cafe and turning left around the corner.

How many people are on the boat?

The boat is designed for a small group of about 24 people. Some departures may carry closer to 20 passengers.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free pass if you want to leave the boat and enter the Blue Lagoon shore. Get it from blcomino.com and select the time slot that matches your tour.

Can I stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can remain onboard and swim from the boat without getting a Blue Lagoon pass.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkels can be rented onboard for €5. The tour does include a paddleboard and swim noodles.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food is available at the beach stops, and drinks can be bought onboard or at the beaches. Water costs €1.50, soft drinks cost €2.50, and a large beer costs €3.

Are there toilets on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a free onboard toilet.

Is parking available at the meeting point?

Yes. Free parking is available at the meeting point in Cirkewwa.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, cash, and sensible shoes. A waterproof camera is useful for the caves and swimming stops.