Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino Island & Caves

The best part of this trip is simple: you spend most of the day in the water. The boat visits three attractive swimming bays, with roughly 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and another hour at Ħalfa Rock in Gozo.

I like the mix of swimming and sightseeing. You pass Smuggler’s Cave, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, Coral Lagoon, Poppy’s Cave, and Lovers Cave without giving up the long swim stops. I also like the easy price, about $35 per person, which includes the boat trip, cave visits, toilets, and showers.

The main drawback is that this is a water-and-sun day, not a quiet sightseeing cruise. The boat leaves at 10 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m., so you need to be happy with sunbathing, swimming, and a cash bar. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Key points to know before you book

• Three long swim stops: Blue Lagoon for about 1.5 to 1.75 hours, Crystal Lagoon for one hour, and Ħalfa Rock for one hour.
• Caves and rock formations: See Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Elephant Rock, Coral Lagoon, Poppy’s Cave, and Lovers Cave from the water.
• Mellieha Bay departure: Meet behind Starbucks at the Tunny Net Jetty, about 200 meters from db Seabank Hotel.
• Food and drinks onboard: A fully stocked cash bar offers cocktails, bar drinks, and light hot and cold snacks.
• Bring cash and swim gear: Snorkel equipment can be rented for €5, while food and drinks cost extra.
• Best for confident swimmers: The day is built around swimming, snorkelling, relaxing, and sunbathing rather than walking or cultural sightseeing.

Mellieha Bay to Comino by boat

Your day begins at Mellieha Bay, at the Tunny Net Jetty behind Starbucks. The meeting point is about 200 meters from the db Seabank Hotel and 500 meters from the Luna Holiday Complex, which makes it fairly easy to reach if you are staying around Mellieha Bay.

The boat departs at 10 a.m. You should arrive ready to board in beachwear, with sunscreen, sunglasses, a towel, and cash. There is no need to pack a full picnic unless you prefer your own food, since light hot and cold snacks are available onboard.

The first part of the trip is a gentle tour around Comino’s coast. You pass bays, rock formations, and cave entrances before reaching the main swimming stops. This matters because the boat ride is not just transport. You get a running view of several places that would be hard to reach on foot.

The exact group size is not provided, so expect a shared boat rather than a private charter. That usually means a livelier day, with people moving between the sun deck, swimming areas, and bar. If you prefer silence and personal space, this may not be your ideal boat trip.

Smuggler’s Cave and Comino’s rocky coast

The route includes a visit to Smuggler’s Cave, also called Ghar Ic-Comb in the schedule. The stop is short, about five minutes, so think of it as a quick look and photo opportunity rather than a full cave visit on foot.

You also pass Coral Lagoon, where the boat pauses for sightseeing. Coral Lagoon is listed as a five-minute pass-by, so you will not have a dedicated swim stop there. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect to get ashore or spend a long time in the water.

Elephant Rock is another quick coastal highlight. Its unusual shape makes it an easy landmark to spot from the boat. The value here is the variety: instead of going straight to Blue Lagoon, you see smaller coastal features along the way.

The trip also includes Poppy’s Cave and Lovers Cave. The available information does not give exact stop times for either one, so these should be treated as brief boat-side visits unless the crew advises otherwise. You may get a better view from the water than from land, especially if the boat can approach the cave entrances.

Santa Maria Caves and the first swim stop

Santa Maria Caves receive a longer sightseeing stop of around 10 minutes. The boat visits the caves before continuing to Blue Lagoon, giving you a chance to take photos and see the rock formations from close range.

Then comes the main attraction: Blue Lagoon. You get approximately 1.5 hours to 1 hour and 45 minutes for swimming and snorkelling, depending on the timing used that day. You can also walk on Comino during this stop.

Blue Lagoon is famous for clear water and bright coastal scenery, but its popularity is also the main thing to consider. The stop is designed for people who want to swim and enjoy the setting, not for anyone seeking a secluded beach. Bring patience when moving around the boat and shore, and protect your belongings carefully while you are in the water.

I like that this stop gives you enough time to do more than take a quick dip. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or take a short walk on the island. Still, one hour and a half disappears quickly if you want to do all four.

The boat provides toilets and showers, which are useful after swimming. You will want a towel and a change of clothes if you plan to stay comfortable on the return ride. Snorkelling equipment is available to rent for a small charge of €5, but bring your own mask if you already have one.

Crystal Lagoon for a quieter hour in the water

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues to Crystal Lagoon for a one-hour swimming and snorkelling stop. The shorter stay gives you less time to wander, but it keeps the day moving and adds a second chance to enjoy the sea.

This is a good part of the schedule for anyone who likes variety. You are not limited to one famous bay, and you can compare the water and rock surroundings at two different Comino stops. If your first swim is cut short by crowds, weather, or simple fatigue, Crystal Lagoon gives you another full hour.

The main limitation is that you cannot control how long the boat remains at each place. This is a fixed group outing, so you need to return to the boat on time. Listen for instructions from the English-speaking guide and keep track of the departure time.

The day is especially suited to you if swimming is the main point of your holiday. It is less suited to you if you would rather spend the whole day on land, explore Comino’s paths at length, or visit historic sites.

Ħalfa Rock and Gozo’s final swim

The last major stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo, where you get one more hour for swimming and snorkelling. The schedule also mentions marine-life viewing and wildlife viewing, although no specific animals are guaranteed.

This final stop gives the day a pleasant change of setting. You have moved from Comino to Gozo, but the focus remains on clear water and time in the sea rather than an inland visit. The boat does not provide a separate Gozo walking tour, so do not book this trip if your main goal is to explore Gozo’s villages or countryside.

An hour is enough for a proper swim and some snorkelling, but it is not a full beach afternoon. You should be back onboard when asked, particularly because the boat still has to return to Malta.

By this stage, the sun may feel strong and your energy may be lower. Use sunscreen early and often, drink water, and take a break in the shade if the boat offers one. The crew’s friendly, family-style approach is intended to keep the day relaxed, but you still need to manage your own comfort.

Snacks, cocktails, and the onboard setup

The boat has a fully stocked bar serving cocktails, other bar drinks, and light hot and cold snacks. This is convenient, especially when you do not want to carry a packed lunch on a swimming day.

Food and drinks are not included in the $35 price. The bar operates on a cash basis, so bring enough money for what you expect to buy. The same advice applies to snorkel rental, which costs €5.

The available feedback describes the food as good, the staff as very friendly, and the boat as superb. Those are useful signals for a full-day outing because the boat itself becomes your base between swim stops. A clean, comfortable boat and helpful crew matter more here than they would on a short harbor ride.

You should still keep your expectations in line with the price. This is a reasonably priced shared cruise, not a private luxury charter. Cocktails and snacks make the day easier, but they do not turn it into an all-inclusive trip.

What the $35 price really includes

At about $35 per person, the value is strong if you plan to use the swim stops. You are paying for roughly six hours of activity, a route around Comino’s bays and caves, three water stops, and a return boat ride to Malta.

The included sights are also useful. You see Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Elephant Rock, Coral Lagoon, Poppy’s Cave, and Lovers Cave without arranging separate transport. Toilets and showers add practical value, especially when you are wet and salty for much of the day.

The cost does not include food, drinks, or snorkel equipment. That does not make the trip poor value, but you should add those expenses to your budget. Bring cash rather than assuming every purchase can be made by card.

The biggest value comes from the amount of water time. If you swim for only a few minutes and spend the rest of the day on deck, other sightseeing tours may suit you better. If you want three substantial swims in well-known bays, this price is attractive.

Who should book this Malta boat trip?

I would choose this outing for you if you:

• Enjoy swimming, snorkelling, and sunbathing
• Want to see Comino’s coast from the water
• Prefer a relaxed full-day boat schedule
• Like having a bar and light snacks onboard
• Want to visit Blue Lagoon without arranging several separate transfers
• Are comfortable boarding a shared boat and following fixed stop times

You should think twice if you:

• Have a mobility impairment or use a wheelchair
• Dislike strong sun or long periods in beachwear
• Want a quiet, private cruise
• Prefer museums, towns, or guided history
• Need a fully inclusive price with food and drinks included
• Are not comfortable swimming from a boat

The English-language guide helps with the schedule, but the supplied information does not name individual guides. The tour is aimed at people who want to relax in the water, so do not expect a long cultural lecture or an extensive walking tour.

Cancellation is flexible, with a full refund available when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still shifting.

Practical tips for making the day easier

Arrive at the Mellieha Bay meeting point with beachwear already on. The boat leaves at 10 a.m., and changing before boarding is simpler than trying to find space later.

Pack these essentials:

• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Beachwear
• Cash
• Snorkel gear, if you prefer not to rent it

Leave weapons, sharp objects, glass items, and explosive substances at home. Fires are not allowed. Electric wheelchairs cannot be accommodated, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Keep your camera protected from water. The caves and rock formations are among the best photo subjects, but you will spend much of the day moving between deck and sea. A waterproof pouch is useful, though it is not supplied.

Pay attention to the timing of each stop. Blue Lagoon offers the longest break, while the cave visits and Coral Lagoon pass-by are short. Use the first long stop for the activity you most want to do, since you may not have the same energy later.

Should you book Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock?

Book it if you want an affordable, water-focused day with three substantial swim stops and a broad view of Comino’s caves and coastline. The friendly service, comfortable boat, onboard food and drinks, and included showers make the long day easier.

Skip it if you want peaceful solitude, a detailed cultural tour, or a private boat. The schedule is fixed, the famous lagoons can feel busy, and extra costs apply onboard.

For the right person, this is a straightforward Malta day trip with good value: plenty of sea time, several memorable rock formations, and a simple route from Mellieha Bay to Comino and Gozo.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip depart from?

It departs from the Tunny Net Jetty at Mellieha Bay. The meeting point is behind Starbucks, about 200 meters from db Seabank Hotel and 500 meters from Luna Holiday Complex.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The cruise departs at 10 a.m. and returns to Malta at approximately 4 p.m.

How long is the stop at Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon swimming and snorkelling stop lasts approximately 1.5 hours, with the main description giving a possible duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes. You can also walk on Comino during this stop.

How long are the other swimming stops?

Crystal Lagoon has a one-hour swimming stop. Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo also has a one-hour swimming and snorkelling stop.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available from the onboard cash bar. The boat serves light hot and cold snacks, cocktails, and other bar drinks.

Can I rent snorkelling equipment?

Yes. Masks and snorkelling equipment are available to rent for a small charge of €5.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.