Malta: Comino Blue Lagoon Boat Tour, Sea Caves & Swim Stops

The best part of this Comino boat tour is the generous stop at the Blue Lagoon. You get roughly three hours to swim, snorkel, sit on deck, or walk around Comino rather than racing from one photo stop to the next. The smaller boat can also get closer to sea caves than many larger vessels.

I like the friendly crew and the open-air shaded area, a useful refuge under Malta’s strong sun. I also like the price: $29 buys a 5.5-hour coastal cruise, a long swimming stop, and views of several landmarks. The main catch is that the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, especially in summer, and cave visits depend on weather and sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• About three hours at the Blue Lagoon: This is a swimming-focused trip, not a quick stop for a photograph.
• The Mermaid is a smaller boat: Look for the red, blue, and white boat at Bugibba Jetty.
• Sea caves are weather dependent: Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves may be entered, viewed from the boat, or skipped if conditions are poor.
• A shaded open-air area is available: This matters during a long day in direct Mediterranean sun.
• Food and drinks cost extra: The onboard snack bar sells refreshments and light meals, and you should bring cash.
• Comino entry paperwork is your responsibility: You must sign up through the Maltese Government website for an entry ticket.

A low-cost route to Comino’s best water

Malta’s coast is made for seeing from the sea. From Bugibba Jetty, this cruise follows the shoreline toward Comino, giving you broad views of Mellieħa Bay, cliffs, rocky coves, and the open Mediterranean before the main swimming stop.

At $29 per person, the trip is priced below many longer island excursions. The value comes from the combination: transport by boat, coastal sightseeing, Comino, a long Blue Lagoon stop, and several cave and rock formations. You are not paying for a luxury yacht or a quiet private outing. You are paying for an easy shared boat day with plenty of time in the water.

That distinction matters. If you want an organized way to reach Comino without arranging separate transport, this is a strong deal. If you want total peace and space around the Blue Lagoon, the famous name of the place works against you. It is one of Malta’s most popular swimming spots, so crowds are part of the setting.

The boat is operated by Mermaid Cruises, and the meeting point is simple once you know what to look for. At Bugibba Jetty, find the smaller red, blue, and white boat called The Mermaid. Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, so do not treat the departure time as a suggestion. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals.

What the first hour from Bugibba feels like

The opening sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour. This is more than a transfer. It gives you time to settle in, find a place to sit, and watch Malta’s coast change as you move away from Bugibba.

The boat has a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, with music and an open-air shaded section. That shaded space is one of the more useful features onboard. Malta’s sun can be fierce, and a full day without cover can turn a pleasant outing into an uncomfortable one. You can still enjoy the breeze and sea views without sitting in direct sun the entire time.

A toilet is available onboard, which is important on a 5.5-hour trip. There is also a snack bar selling drinks and light meals. Food and beverages are not included, so bring cash and plan to buy something onboard or eat before departure. One practical note: one past description specifically mentioned drinks but no snacks, while the current tour information says light meals are available. I would still bring a small amount of cash and avoid relying on the snack bar for a full meal.

The boat is smaller than many of the larger vessels serving Comino. That can make the ride feel less packed, and it helps the captain approach some caves more closely. The tradeoff is that a smaller boat may feel more exposed if the sea becomes choppy. The captain can alter the route or cancel the trip for safety reasons.

Three hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The main event is the Blue Lagoon, where you have about three hours for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and walking around the island. This generous block of time is the clearest reason to choose this cruise over a fast sightseeing boat.

The water is famous for its clear turquoise color, and the lagoon is calm and shallow in places. You can enter from the boat, swim in the lagoon, or rent snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the view, though most people booking this outing will want to get wet.

Families and first-time swimmers may appreciate the calm water, but you should still take normal care around the boat and follow crew instructions. Life jackets are available as safety equipment. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest way to enter the water and remain close to the boat.

Three hours sounds generous, and it is. You can swim, dry off, swim again, have lunch, and still have time to look around. One useful detail from the experience is that some people use the time to walk around Comino as well as swim. You should not expect a long island hike, but the stop is not limited to sitting in one place.

The drawback is crowding. The Blue Lagoon is not a secret cove, and summer conditions can feel busy. The water may be beautiful, but you will likely share it with many other boats and swimmers. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, the timing of your departure matters. One afternoon trip reached Comino after 5 p.m., when the area was less crowded. You cannot count on every departure having that advantage, but an afternoon or sunset option may offer a calmer feel than the busiest midday period.

There is also a government entry requirement to keep in mind. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to receive an entry ticket for access to Comino. The tour information does not include that government ticket, so handle this before your trip rather than assuming the boat reservation covers everything.

Crystal Lagoon and Santa Maria Caves

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat continues along Comino’s wilder coast. A short sightseeing cruise leads into the cave portion of the trip, which lasts about 15 minutes according to the planned schedule.

The Crystal Lagoon Caves are known for clear water and rocky walls that look especially good from a low boat position. With a smaller vessel such as The Mermaid, you may get closer to openings and see details that are harder to notice from a large ferry. The crew also points out the area and its story as the boat moves along.

Santa Maria Caves are another highlight. Depending on the sea, the boat may pass by, stop for photographs, or enter the caves. This is not a guaranteed swimming session or a long cave walk. Think of it as a compact scenic section that adds variety after several hours at the Blue Lagoon.

The weather rule is important here. Sea caves are accessible only when conditions allow, and the captain decides what is safe. If the water is rough, you may view the caves from outside or skip certain openings altogether. That can be disappointing if caves are your main reason for booking, so choose this trip primarily for the Blue Lagoon and coastal cruise. Treat the cave access as a welcome extra.

Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you have one, but do not assume every photo will be easy. Boats move, cave entrances can be dark, and spray is possible. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, beachwear, and a sun hat belong in your day bag.

Elephant Rock and St. Paul’s Island

The cruise also passes Elephant Rock, a natural rock formation that makes a quick photograph stop. It is not a long shore visit. You will see it from the boat, so have your camera ready and listen for the crew’s cue.

St. Paul’s Island is another pass-by sight on the route back toward Malta. Like Elephant Rock, it is best understood as a scenic extra rather than a destination where you get off and explore. These short views help break up the return journey and give you more coastal context.

The schedule includes roughly an hour of sightseeing after the Comino section before returning to Bugibba Jetty. That means you are not simply retracing the route with nothing to see. Still, the day is built around water time, not a series of detailed historical visits. If you want museums, churches, or extensive time on land, this is the wrong type of excursion.

The crew, boat, and onboard comfort

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The captain and deckhand are described as friendly, helpful, punctual, and relaxed. The captain also explains the sights and local history during the route, making the ride more than a silent transfer.

You should not expect a formal lecture with a guide speaking several languages. The live tour is in English only. That works well if you understand English and want basic commentary as you cruise, but it may not suit you if multilingual guiding is important.

The smaller boat creates a pleasant middle ground. It is not an intimate private charter, but it is less imposing than the big excursion boats. There is enough space to sit, a clean toilet, music, and a shaded open-air section. These are modest comforts, but they matter when you spend most of the day on the water.

The boat’s size also shapes the experience near the caves. It can approach some openings more closely, giving you better views. At the same time, seating and shade are limited compared with a large vessel, so boarding early is sensible. Since boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, arriving early gives you a better chance of choosing the spot you prefer.

Who will get the most from this $29 trip

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want an affordable, uncomplicated way to see Comino and spend most of the day swimming. It suits couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who prefer a shared outing with a relaxed pace.

It is especially good for:

• Swimmers who want a long stop rather than several rushed ones
• First-time visitors to Malta who want several famous coastal sights in one trip
• Families who value calm water, onboard toilets, and a shaded seating area
• Photographers who want cave entrances, cliffs, rock formations, and clear water
• Budget-minded visitors who do not need a luxury boat
• People staying near Bugibba or St. Paul’s Bay who want a convenient departure point

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, cannot tolerate sun and sea motion, or care more about Gozo than Comino. This tour does not include a Gozo visit, and you do not get a long, quiet stay at a secluded beach. It is also not the best choice if your main aim is a serious snorkeling excursion with specialist equipment and guided underwater time.

The schedule gives you around 3.5 hours connected with Comino if you include the Blue Lagoon and the nearby cave section. That is enough for a swim, lunch, photographs, and a little walking, but not enough for an extensive island trek.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive early at Bugibba Jetty and identify The Mermaid before boarding begins. The boat is the smaller red, blue, and white vessel, which helps you avoid confusion at the harbor.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes and pack a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and beachwear. You should also bring cash for drinks, light food, rentals, and any other small expenses. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, but it is not included.

Keep valuables protected from spray, and use sunscreen again after swimming. The shaded area is helpful, but it may not provide cover for everyone at every moment. A light cover-up can make the return ride more comfortable.

Check the weather before you leave your accommodation. The captain may change the route, omit a cave, or cancel the trip when conditions are unsuitable. That is a safety decision, not a flaw in the excursion, but you should book with some flexibility.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Even so, late arrival is costly: boarding closes 10 minutes before departure, and no refund is provided if you miss the boat.

Should you book the Comino Blue Lagoon cruise?

Book it if your ideal Malta day means clear water, a long swimming stop, coastal views, and a few sea caves without paying for a high-end charter. The $29 price is hard to fault when you consider the 5.5-hour duration, onboard facilities, English commentary, and generous time at Comino.

Go in with realistic expectations. The Blue Lagoon can be crowded, food and drinks cost extra, the Comino entry ticket requires separate online registration, and cave access depends on the sea. If you accept those limits, Mermaid Cruises offers a friendly, practical way to experience Malta from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour depart?

The tour departs from Bugibba Jetty in Malta. Look for The Mermaid, a smaller red, blue, and white boat docked in the harbor.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts 5.5 hours, including the cruise from Bugibba, time at the Blue Lagoon, the cave section, coastal sightseeing, and the return to Bugibba Jetty.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get about three hours at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, lunch, and some walking around Comino.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented, but it is not included in the tour price.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and light meals are available for purchase at the onboard snack bar. Bring cash.

Can I visit the caves in any weather?

No. The caves that are viewed or entered depend on weather and sea conditions. The captain may alter the cave portion when conditions are unsuitable.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The live guide and boat tour are conducted in English only.

Do I need a separate ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket for access to Comino. The government entry ticket is not included in the tour price.