Malta: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Sea Caves Boat Tour

The best part of this Comino trip is the small 24-passenger boat, which can get close to the sea caves and rocky points that larger vessels must admire from a distance. You get two proper swim stops, a quick visit to Santa Maria Bay, and a good circuit of Comino without giving up half your day.

I like the free paddleboard and swim noodles, and I like the way Captain Johnny keeps the ride lively with explanations about the places along the way. The main drawback is simple: Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, and choppy water may force the crew to shorten or skip a swimming stop.

Key points at a glance

• Two main swimming stops: Spend about 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and an hour at Blue Lagoon.
• A genuinely small boat: With room for 24 people, the boat can approach caves and narrow rocky inlets.
• Useful free equipment: Stand-up paddleboards and swim noodles are included; snorkels are rented for €5.
• A full Comino circuit: See Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.
• Good half-day value: At $29 per person, you cover several major Comino sights without committing a full day.
• Timing matters: From May 1, 2025, you need a free QR code to step ashore at Blue Lagoon.

A small boat makes Comino easier to see

This is not a ferry crossing with a quick look at the water. It is a sightseeing cruise, swimming outing, and cave tour rolled into one. The boat carries up to 24 passengers, enough for a social atmosphere but small enough to move people on and off quickly.

That size matters most around the caves. A large excursion boat may have to stay outside a narrow opening, while this boat can approach Santa Maria Caves and other rocky corners more closely. You still need good sea conditions, but the boat has more freedom than a large vessel.

The crew speaks English and Maltese. Captain Johnny is frequently at the helm, and his upbeat approach is a recurring part of the experience. He explains the sights, gives clear instructions for each stop, and helps people getting into and out of the water.

You meet behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café, turn left around the corner, and look for the boat. This is easy once you know the landmark, but do not expect a large tour desk or an obvious terminal-style check-in point.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the quieter swim

The first major stop is Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. The boat spends about 45 minutes here, giving you time to swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, or simply look over the rocky shore from the deck.

The water is clear enough for marine-life viewing, and the pale seabed helps create the bright blue-green color that gives the lagoon its name. This is the stop where I would use the snorkel first, because the purpose is more about being in the water than walking around.

You can rent a snorkel onboard for €5. Bring your own mask if you already have one, but the supplied equipment is useful for anyone who does not want to pack extra gear. The swim noodles are free, which is a welcome touch for less confident swimmers.

Crystal Lagoon is also a good reason to choose this outing over a basic Blue Lagoon transfer. You get an additional swimming area before the main attraction, and the smaller boat makes it possible to approach the coast closely.

The limitation is weather. In winter or during rough conditions, the crew may not be able to stop safely for swimming. A February outing, for example, had to deal with choppy water, while other cool-season trips still managed a swim when conditions were kind.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, busy, and now more regulated

The boat then heads to Blue Lagoon, where you have about an hour. Sunlight reaches the shallow sandy bottom, producing the famous pale blue water that makes this Comino stop so popular.

You have several choices. Swim from the boat, use a snorkel, paddle, or go ashore and spend time on the beach. If you prefer to avoid the thickest crowd, staying on the boat can be the smarter option. You still get the view and access to the water, without squeezing onto the most crowded part of the shore.

From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping ashore at Blue Lagoon must show a valid QR code. You obtain it free in advance at www.blcomino.com, with a time-specific morning, afternoon, or sunset slot. Match the slot to your tour time. If you stay onboard, you do not need the QR code.

This rule is important because a boat ticket alone does not give you permission to walk onto the Blue Lagoon shore. Plan the QR code before leaving for Cirkewwa, and keep it easy to display on your phone.

Blue Lagoon is still worth seeing, but set your expectations correctly. It is the most famous stop and therefore the busiest. The water can look wonderful from the boat, while the shore may feel crowded, especially in summer. The tour’s one-hour visit is a sensible compromise. You get time to swim and see the place, but you do not lose an entire afternoon in a packed beach area.

Halfa Rock and San Niklaw add useful Comino context

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues around Comino rather than turning straight back. You pass Halfa Rock, also called Gebla tal Halfa, an isolated rocky feature used mainly as a sightseeing point.

The stop is short, around 15 minutes, and is more about views and photographs than getting ashore. The crew can bring you close enough to appreciate the shape of the rock and the way the sea cuts into Comino’s coast.

You also pass San Niklaw Bay, home to Comino’s old and only hotel. This is another sightseeing section rather than a long beach visit. It helps you see that Comino is more than two famous lagoons. Its coves, rock shelves, and small developments form a varied coastline best understood from the water.

The route also includes views toward Gozo. The channel between Malta, Comino, and Gozo gives the cruise a broader sense of place, particularly if you are using this outing as your main visit to Comino.

Santa Maria Bay is the calmest beach stop

Santa Maria Bay sits on the northern side of Comino and feels more peaceful than Blue Lagoon. The scheduled stop is about 15 minutes, so this is a short chance to swim, snorkel, paddle, or look around the cove.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick dip, but not enough for a long beach session. In warm weather, that brevity may feel frustrating if Santa Maria becomes your favorite stop. In winter, it may feel just right, especially if the water is too cold and you are mainly there for the scenery.

I would treat Santa Maria Bay as a pleasant bonus rather than the main reason to book. The value comes from seeing several different parts of Comino in one outing. You get the famous lagoon, a quieter bay, sea caves, and rocky landmarks instead of repeating the same beach experience.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock are made for photographs

The final sightseeing section visits Santa Maria Caves. The boat spends roughly 10 minutes here, passing close to the openings and rocky walls where conditions allow.

This is where the smaller boat pays off again. A 24-seat vessel can approach the cave area more closely than many large boats, though the exact route depends on wind and waves. You can take photographs from the deck, and the crew points out the features as you pass.

The trip finishes with a photo stop at Elephant Rock, also called Elephant Head Rock. Its outline resembles an elephant’s head and trunk, making it one of Comino’s easiest landmarks to remember.

Neither stop is a long walk or exploration period. These are boat-based viewpoints, not cave hikes. If you want extensive time ashore, this is not the right format. If you want to see the coast from the water and collect photographs without a long trek, it works well.

The Count of Monte Cristo connection begins near Cirkewwa

At the start of the cruise, the boat passes Comino Tower. The tower became familiar to film fans because it appeared in The Count of Monte Cristo.

You do not visit the tower as a separate walking stop, but seeing it from the water adds a little film history to the opening section. It also gives you an early view of how Comino’s golden rock and pale shore contrast with the sea.

The crew’s explanations are one of the more valuable parts of this ride. The information is not presented as a formal lecture, but you get context for the tower, bays, caves, hotel, and rock formations while moving between stops.

What is included, and what costs extra

The $29 price is strong for a 3 to 4-hour outing. You are paying for a boat circuit, crew, marina fees, parking at the meeting point, two main swimming stops, a third short beach stop, and several sightseeing passes.

The onboard toilet is useful, especially because the trip covers multiple stops and does not depend on finding facilities on shore. Shade is available for passengers who want less direct sun, although you should still bring sunscreen and beachwear.

Included equipment covers:

• Stand-up paddleboard
• Swim noodles
• Life jackets, available when needed
• Onboard toilet
• Shaded seating
• Free parking at the meeting point

Snorkeling gear is not included. A snorkel costs €5 to rent onboard. Drinks are also extra: water costs €1.50, while soft drinks cost €2.50 and a large beer costs €3. Food is not included, though it can be bought at beach stops.

Bring cash, a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a cover-up. Pack your own snacks if you want something specific, since the available food choices are not described in detail.

Why the timing and boat size matter

The experience is advertised as lasting 3 to 4 hours, and that is about right for a compact Comino tour. You get enough time to swim without turning the day into a slow cruise with long empty stretches.

The schedule also works well if you are combining Comino with other plans. Several outings have run on time, which matters if you have an evening reservation, a ferry connection, or a flight later in the day. Still, allow some flexibility because sea conditions can change the route.

The small passenger limit is the main advantage over larger Blue Lagoon boats. You can board and leave the boat faster, and the crew can keep track of the group more easily. One tradeoff is that the boat may feel lively when full, and some people would prefer even fewer passengers.

Swimming is the heart of the trip, so calm weather makes a big difference. Rough seas can prevent swimming, limit cave access, or shorten a stop. The crew may change the plan for safety, and that is the correct call even if it means missing one attraction.

Who should book this Comino cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a half-day introduction to Comino with swimming, sightseeing, and close views of the coast. Couples, families with older children, and friends can all make good use of the format.

It also suits you if you dislike the scale of large excursion boats. The 24-passenger limit gives the trip a more personal feel, and the boat can approach places that are awkward for larger vessels.

Families should note that the ride is not designed for wheelchair users, pregnant women, people prone to motion sickness, or anyone over 95. You need to manage steps and water access, and the sea can be lively.

If you only want a long, quiet beach day, choose something else. Blue Lagoon receives the longest stop, but it can be crowded, and Santa Maria Bay is brief. This is a moving tour with several short sightseeing sections, not a private beach charter.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the best-known Comino sights in one reasonably priced outing, especially if you value a small boat and time in the water. The combination of Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, caves, and Elephant Rock gives you a lot for $29.

Choose a summer departure for the strongest swimming experience, but expect more people at Blue Lagoon. A spring or autumn trip may offer a calmer feel, while winter can bring pleasant weather but also colder water and rougher conditions.

My practical advice is to get the Blue Lagoon QR code before the day, bring cash for a snorkel or drink, and arrive ready to swim. Stay onboard at Blue Lagoon if the shore is too crowded. With those expectations, this is a well-priced way to see Comino from the water without surrendering your entire day.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour start?

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe in Cirkewwa, Mellieha. Go down the stairs behind the café and turn around the corner on the left to reach the boat.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 3 to 4 hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

How much swimming time do I get?

You get about 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon and one hour at Blue Lagoon. Santa Maria Bay has a shorter stop of about 15 minutes.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

You need a free, time-specific QR code if you plan to step ashore at Blue Lagoon from May 1, 2025 onward. Get it in advance at www.blcomino.com. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not included in the tour price. A snorkel can be rented onboard for €5. Stand-up paddleboards and swim noodles are free to use.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.