Comino: Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise

The best part of this Comino day is simple: the boat becomes your base at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim from its quieter mooring, use the 10-meter slide, sunbathe on deck, or step ashore when you feel like stretching your legs. That is a better setup than being dropped on Comino with nowhere to escape the crowds.

I like the friendly, family-run feel, especially with Captain Kevin handling the commentary, music, and general good humor. I also like the practical extras: deck chairs, shaded seating, toilets, lockers, a snack bar, and pineapple cocktails. The main caution is that the sea can be rough on the way out, and the upper-deck chairs fill very early.

Key points to know before you book

• Captain Kevin sets the tone: Expect a relaxed trip with live commentary, a lively playlist, and a crew that is happy to help with buoyancy aids and practical questions.
• The boat moors in a quieter Blue Lagoon spot: Water near the boat is about 3 meters deep, so confident swimmers can jump or slide in, while less confident swimmers can use the beach or a buoyancy aid.
• Arrive early for the best seats: The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty, but arriving 45 to 60 minutes early is wise, especially if you want a top-deck chair.
• Four and a half hours is the core of the day: You have time to swim, snorkel, eat, sunbathe, explore Comino, and take the optional cave speedboat.
• Food onboard is useful, not just decorative: Burgers, fries, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails are available at reasonable prices, though lunch is not included.
• The €15 cave speedboat is worth considering: It is an optional extra, but it gives you a closer look at Comino’s caves and adds a fast, fun change of pace.

From St. Paul’s Bay along Malta’s northern coast

Your day starts at Hornblower Cruises on Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red. The departure point is straightforward, but traffic around St. Paul’s Bay can be slow, parking is limited, and the best roadside spaces are marked with white boxes.

I would aim to arrive 45 minutes to an hour before departure. That sounds early, but it serves two purposes: you avoid a rushed boarding process and improve your chance of getting a top-deck chair. Those chairs are limited and can be claimed well before the boat leaves.

The boat first cruises past St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul. The captain points out coastal sights as you travel, giving the first hour a useful sightseeing element rather than making it only a transfer to Comino.

You then pass Ahrax Point and the Coral Lagoon area. The views are the main attraction here, with Malta’s rocky northern coast appearing from the water in a way you cannot get from a road or beach. Sit on the side facing the island if you want the clearest look at the coastline as you pass.

Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave

The route continues through Comino’s north channel. You pass the rock formation known as the Elephants’ Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel. These are short sightseeing passages, not long stops, so keep your camera ready.

The boat makes quick entries near Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. The boat does not linger at each cave for a long shore visit, but the approach gives you a good look at the openings and rock formations from sea level. The cave visits also break up the ride before the main stop.

Captain Kevin provides commentary about the sights and Malta during the cruise. The amount of historical detail can vary with the conditions and onboard announcements, but the commentary helps you understand what you are seeing instead of simply passing silent cliffs.

The ride can be bumpy, particularly on windy days or when the sea is running high. If you suffer from motion sickness, sit near the middle of the boat, watch the horizon, and consider taking your usual remedy before departure. One spring outing was described as a rough ride even though the water inside Blue Lagoon was calm.

Four and a half hours at Blue Lagoon

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. This is where the trip earns its keep. You have about 4.5 hours, enough time to split the stop between swimming, snorkeling, food, a walk on Comino, and relaxed time on deck.

The boat moors in a more secluded area rather than leaving you to compete for a small patch of shoreline. The water beside the boat is about 3 meters deep, which makes it ideal for confident swimmers who want to jump from the side or come down the slide.

The 10-meter waterslide is unlimited, but use it at your own risk. There are also jumping points and steps for getting back aboard. Children tend to make the slide a main event, but adults quickly get drawn in too. If you prefer a quieter day, you can simply use the deck chairs and watch the swimming from above.

Less confident swimmers have several options. You can enter from the beach, use a pool noodle, or ask for a buoyancy aid. A €10 deposit applies to the buoyancy aid, and the crew can help you find a sensible way into the water.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not an empty cove. The shoreline can feel crowded, especially in the warmer months, and there may be little room to lay down a towel. Staying on the boat solves much of that problem. You get a chair, shade when you want it, toilets nearby, and direct access to the water.

Swim from the boat or explore Comino

The boat gives you two good ways to spend the long stop. Stay aboard for swimming and comfort, or get off to explore Comino and see the lagoon from the shore.

I prefer the boat option for anyone who values a seat, shade, and easy access to food. The water around the mooring can feel calmer and less crowded than the main shore. You can swim, climb back aboard, dry off, and return to the water without carrying your belongings across the island.

The island option is better if you want a short walk or a look at the Blue Lagoon from land. Just keep in mind that the main shore can be packed, with food stands and heavy foot traffic in peak periods. This is not a peaceful beach day in the traditional sense.

Snorkeling is one of the strongest reasons to bring or rent equipment. The clear water supports plenty of small fish, and you might see larger fish close to the boat as well. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned afterward.

Lockers are available in limited numbers for €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 returned. Do not assume every locker will be free, so arrive early if keeping valuables secure matters to you. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, but the boat has its own snack bar.

A practical onboard café with a Malta twist

The snack bar serves hot and cold drinks, burgers, fries, ice cream, and the boat’s signature pineapple cocktails. Food and drinks cost extra, but the prices are described as reasonable rather than inflated for a captive audience.

That matters during a 4.5-hour stop. You do not have to leave the boat, queue at the busiest part of the lagoon, or carry lunch with you. The pineapple drink is a fun holiday touch, though one report found it quite icy. If you want a proper meal, the burger and fries are the more useful choice.

The music is part of the atmosphere. Captain Kevin’s playlist has been praised for working across age groups, and the general mood is upbeat without turning the cruise into a nonstop party boat. You can join the fun, or retreat to the shaded main deck when you need a break from the sun.

A captain’s dog named Louie has also appeared on some trips, which adds to the informal family-run character. Do not book specifically expecting the dog, but if Louie is onboard, children are likely to make a new friend.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Mary’s Tower on the return

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat heads toward Gozo and cruises around Mgarr Harbour. It does not make a full Gozo visit as part of this excursion, but you get views of the harbor from the water.

The return route uses Comino’s south channel. You pass the Crystal Lagoon and its caves, then continue toward St. Mary’s Tower. The Crystal Lagoon stop is brief, around 10 minutes, and works mainly as a photo and sightseeing pause rather than another long swim.

St. Mary’s Tower gets a closer look as the boat passes. It is one of Comino’s best-known landmarks and gives the final stretch of the cruise a clear historical marker. Listen for the departure instructions because the exact timing can be announced onboard and written in chalk near the exit.

The cruise then returns to Malta and drops passengers at the same general Bugibba area. The listed drop-off points are Hornblower Cruises Malta, Hornblower Malta, and Bugibba Jetty.

What the $35 price really includes

At about $35 per person, this is good value if you want a full day built around water time. You get the boat cruise, the long Blue Lagoon stop, the cave and coastline sightseeing, onboard facilities, deck seating, the slide, and access to a snack bar.

The price is less compelling if you only want a quick transfer to Comino. You spend roughly an hour reaching the lagoon and another sightseeing cruise on the return, so the value comes from treating the boat as part of the attraction.

Budget separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, lockers, and the cave speedboat. The optional Comino caves ride costs €15 onsite. Several outings singled it out as a worthwhile extra, especially if you want a faster, closer look at the caves than the main boat provides.

You also need a free Blue Lagoon access pass from blcomino.com. Select both the morning and afternoon time slots, and keep the QR code ready. The pass is separate from the cruise booking.

Who will enjoy this most

This trip suits you if you want a relaxed day with plenty of swimming but do not want to organize ferries, food, beach gear, and sightseeing separately. Families get the slide, jumping points, food, toilets, and buoyancy aids. Couples and groups of friends can treat the upper deck as a sunny base, then swim whenever they like.

It also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can jump from the boat, while other members of the group can stay on deck, enter from the beach, or use a buoyancy aid.

It is less suitable for anyone with mobility impairments. You need to board a boat, move around decks, and manage steps into and out of the water. The boat can also be noisy and busy, especially during the high season.

If you dislike crowds, think carefully about the timing. The boat’s mooring helps, but Comino itself remains popular. A sunset departure can offer a quieter Blue Lagoon visit, while the standard daytime cruise gives you the longest period for swimming and the option of the cave speedboat.

Timing, weather, and small planning details

The captain can alter or cancel the route for weather or safety reasons, and the start or end point may change with sea conditions. Listen carefully to the crew, especially when they announce the return time.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A hat and a secure bag are sensible additions, though only the first three items are specifically required. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.

Local buses stop within walking distance at Moll and Anthony. Free parking exists in white roadside boxes, but spaces are limited. Taxi drivers need the correct Bugibba Jetty address, so have the meeting point ready rather than relying on a vague destination.

The activity is hosted in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still changing.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a complete Blue Lagoon day, not just a boat ride. The long stop, quieter boat mooring, slide, food, deck chairs, and friendly crew make this a particularly practical choice for families and groups with different ideas about how to spend the afternoon.

Arrive around an hour early if a top-deck chair matters to you. Add the €15 cave speedboat if you want more excitement and closer cave views. Choose another outing if you need a quiet, uncrowded beach or if rough sea conditions are likely to make you uncomfortable.

For $35, the mix of transport, sightseeing, swimming, entertainment, and onboard comfort is strong. Just remember that the Blue Lagoon is popular, lunch is extra, the access pass is separate, and the best seats require an early start.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Hornblower Cruises at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret il-Gzejjer, St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red.

How long does the activity last?

The full cruise lasts about seven hours. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately 4.5 hours.

How much time is spent at the Blue Lagoon?

You have about 4.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, eating, or exploring Comino.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails are available to buy onboard, but lunch is not included.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

No. You must obtain a free QR code pass from blcomino.com and select both morning and afternoon time slots.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent. A €15 deposit is required, with €10 refunded.

Is the cave speedboat included?

No. The Comino caves speedboat is an optional extra costing €15, payable onsite.

Can less confident swimmers use the boat?

Yes. The boat moors in water about 3 meters deep, but you can enter from the beach or use a buoyancy aid. A €10 deposit applies to the buoyancy aid.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because it involves boarding the boat and moving around its decks.