Mellieha: Round Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo Cruise with Water

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is the star here, but this four-hour cruise gives you more than a quick photo stop. You’ll also swim at Crystal Lagoon, pass Elephant Rock and Santa Maria Caves, and view Gozo from the water.

I like the generous swim breaks and the free mineral water, which matter on a sunny day at sea. I also like the return past Gozo and the brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour. The main caution is organization: check the boat name and meeting point carefully, and remember that access ashore at Blue Lagoon now requires a separate government pass.

Key points

• Two proper swim stops: Spend about 1½ hours at Blue Lagoon and another hour at Crystal Lagoon.
• A boat-based view of Comino: See Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Bay, Saint Mary’s Battery, and the Santa Maria Sea Caves without a long walk.
• A simple family-friendly extra: The onboard water slide adds a bit of fun between swims.
• Useful onboard basics: Mineral water, toilets, fresh-water showers, and snorkelling gear with a refundable €20 cash deposit.
• Gozo from the sea: Cruise past the island and pause for photos at Mġarr Harbour without going ashore.
• Important planning detail: Blue Lagoon access ashore requires a limited daily pass from blcomino.com, while the cruise itself includes a swim stop.

What the $29 cruise really gives you

At about $29 per person, this is a good-value way to see several of Malta’s northern highlights in half a day. You get a scenic cruise, two separate swim periods, mineral water, a water slide, onboard facilities, and a view of Gozo on the way back.

The value depends on what you want. If you want a guided history tour, restaurant meal, hotel transfer, or a quiet small-boat outing, this is not that product. It is a relaxed boat day with free time at the water stops. There is no tour guide leading you around the island, and food is not included.

For me, the strongest value is the amount of time spent stopped for swimming. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts around 90 minutes, followed by about an hour at Crystal Lagoon. That is far more useful than a cruise that merely circles the bays for photographs.

The trade-off is that this is a popular route. The boat may feel busy, and rooftop deckchairs are first come, first served. If sitting in the best place matters to you, arrive ready to board rather than assuming a reserved lounger will be waiting.

Finding La Laguna at Marfa Jetty

The boat leaves from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna. This detail matters because one operational issue reported on the route involved confusion when the boat name did not match the description passengers had expected.

Do not rely on another operator at the jetty to direct you. If you cannot find the boat, use the provider’s contact option through the GetYourGuide app. Allow enough time to locate the correct waiting area, especially if you are unfamiliar with Marfa Bay.

The departure point is practical for a cruise around Comino, but hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Marfa Jetty, and the experience is not designed for large luggage or oversized bags.

The host language is English. This is not a guided commentary tour, so the crew’s main job is safety, boarding help, and running the boat rather than explaining every historical detail along the coast.

The northern coast, from Elephant Rock to Santa Maria Caves

Once away from Marfa Jetty, the boat begins with a short sightseeing run before reaching the rocky formations around Comino. Elephant Head Rock is one of the more memorable sights because its outline gives the cliff a recognizable shape. The stop is for views and photographs from the boat rather than a walk ashore.

The cruise continues past Saint Mary’s Battery, an old defensive structure on Comino. You will see it from the water, so do not expect an interior visit or a formal historical talk. Still, it adds useful context to the otherwise bright-blue-water scenery. Comino was not shaped only for beach days, and the fortifications remind you that these channels once mattered for defense and shipping.

The route also passes St. Nicholas Bay and St. Mary’s Bay, two quieter sections of Comino’s coast. These are scenic sailing points rather than separate stops. Keep your camera ready, since the boat’s position and the sea conditions determine how clearly you can see each feature.

Santa Maria Sea Caves are another photo point. The rock openings and pale cliffs are best appreciated from the boat, where you get a broad view without needing to climb over uneven ground. An optional powerboat trip to the Comino caves may be offered for an extra charge, but it is booked and paid for locally.

Be careful with expectations here. A separate report described paying €10 for the cave add-on and only approaching the caves rather than going inside. If the cave trip matters to you, ask exactly what route the extra payment covers before committing.

The Blue Lagoon stop, 90 minutes of free time

The cruise’s longest stop is at Blue Lagoon, where the boat anchors for about 1½ hours. This is the place for the bright turquoise water that draws most people to Comino. You can swim, snorkel, sit in the sun, or take a short walk on Comino if you have permission to go ashore.

The water is the main attraction, not a structured activity. You decide how to use the time, and the crew does not lead a walking tour. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. A small amount of cash is also useful for optional purchases or deposits.

There is one crucial rule introduced in May 2025. If you want to step ashore at Blue Lagoon, you must obtain an access pass in advance through the official government site, blcomino.com. Daily numbers are limited, and the pass is separate from the cruise booking.

The cruise still includes the Blue Lagoon swim stop, but do not assume that booking the boat automatically gives you permission to land. Plan on checking the current access requirements before your departure date. If you do not have a pass, treat this part as a boat-based swim stop and follow the crew’s instructions.

The distinction matters because Blue Lagoon is often imagined as a beach visit. This experience may allow you to swim from the boat without walking ashore, but the supplied information does not promise a beach landing for every passenger. Clarify the arrangement if stepping onto Comino is important to you.

Crystal Lagoon and the onboard water slide

After Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. The stop lasts about an hour and gives you another chance to swim in clear water, this time below steep cliffs that frame the bay.

Crystal Lagoon suits snorkelling particularly well. The cliffs create a dramatic setting, and the water provides the main reward. Snorkelling equipment is available to rent at no charge, but you must leave a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is fully refunded when you return the equipment, so bring cash if you want to use this option.

The boat also has a water slide. It is a simple feature, but it changes the feel of the trip from a sightseeing ride into a more active swimming outing. Children and playful adults can use it during the appropriate stop, while anyone wanting a quieter hour can swim or remain on deck.

Free mineral water flows throughout the cruise. That is a useful inclusion, since a day spent in direct sun, salt water, and wind can leave you thirsty quickly. Food and other drinks are not included, so bring suitable provisions if you need more than water. Large bags are not allowed, so keep anything you carry compact.

Fresh-water showers are available after swimming. Toilets are also onboard, two practical details that make a four-hour outing easier, especially for families.

The return past Gozo and Mġarr Harbour

The return journey adds a second island to the experience. Instead of heading straight back to Malta, the boat passes along Gozo’s coastline and pauses for photographs at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbor.

You do not disembark at Mġarr. This is a short photo stop from the boat, followed by a scenic cruise past Gozo before returning to Marfa Jetty. That limitation is worth noting: you get a taste of Gozo from the water, not a visit to the harbor town or the island’s inland sights.

Still, the harbor stop breaks up the return ride. After two swim periods, a change of view keeps the final stretch from feeling like a simple trip back. The whole cruise lasts around four hours, with roughly 2½ hours allocated to the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops and the rest spent sailing and viewing the coast.

Weather can affect this balance. The provider may change the route or stops because of sea conditions, health and safety concerns, or other operational problems. On a calm day, the return views should be a pleasant final chapter. On a rough day, the open-water ride may feel less comfortable and some planned stops may change.

How crowded and comfortable is the boat?

This is not presented as a small private charter. The boat has a rooftop area with deckchairs, but those seats are not reserved. Arrive early if you want one, and expect the possibility that the boat will feel full during the main season.

One report from the quieter season still described the boat as very full and noted that rooftop loungers were not available despite being advertised. That does not mean every departure will have the same problem, but it is a useful warning for anyone booking mainly for a sunbed.

The best approach is to think of the cruise as a shared boat day, not a luxury yacht outing. You may spend time standing, moving between areas, or finding an open seat after boarding. The payoff is the low price and the wide route around Comino and Gozo.

People with limited mobility should take particular care. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. The boat, jetty, swimming areas, and any access ashore at Blue Lagoon may involve conditions that are difficult to manage safely.

You should also reconsider this trip if you are prone to seasickness. Bring motion sickness prevention if that is a concern. Sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and cash belong in your day bag.

The meeting-point and return-time cautions

Two practical problems deserve more attention than they usually receive. First, make sure you are at Marfa Jetty, not simply near a general ticket stand or another operator’s boat. Confirm the name La Laguna and use the app contact if the boat is not obvious.

Second, listen carefully to the return instructions. One serious account described passengers being given a return time and then finding that the boat had left earlier, leaving them to arrange their own way back to Malta. This is not a minor inconvenience, so confirm the exact meeting time and location before leaving the boat.

The experience is designed as a round trip to Marfa Jetty, and you should not treat any stop as an opportunity to wander off without clear instructions. Keep your phone available, pay attention to announcements, and return to the boat early rather than at the last possible minute.

These are simple habits, but they matter on an island cruise where independent transport may not be easy to arrange.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise?

I would choose this for you if your priority is swimming in the famous northern bays without paying for a full-day private charter. It works well for couples, families, and groups who are happy to set their own pace during free time.

It is also a useful choice if you want several sights in one outing. You see Comino’s rock formations, bays, caves, and lagoons, then get a sea-level look at Gozo. The route gives you variety without requiring a long hike or a complicated island-hopping plan.

You may prefer another experience if you want a quiet boat, reserved seating, a personal guide, or a detailed account of Malta’s past. You should also look elsewhere if your main goal is a full visit to Gozo, since Mġarr Harbour is only a photo stop and there is no disembarkation.

The cruise suits confident swimmers and people who enjoy boat access to the sea. It is less suitable for anyone who needs step-free access, dislikes crowded decks, or feels unwell on open water.

My booking verdict

At $29, this cruise earns consideration because it combines two substantial swim breaks with a broad coastal route and basic comforts. The free mineral water, showers, toilets, snorkel rental arrangement, and water slide make the price feel fair rather than bare-bones.

I would book it for a half-day of sea views and swimming, but I would prepare carefully. Secure the Blue Lagoon access pass if you plan to step ashore, arrive early for the correct boat, bring cash for the snorkel deposit, and confirm the return time before leaving the deck.

Book it if you want flexible free time and good access to Comino’s water. Skip it if you need a guided cultural tour, guaranteed loungers, a small boat, or a full Gozo visit.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about four hours.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors at Blue Lagoon for approximately 1½ hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax, or walk on Comino if you have the required access permission.

Is a government pass needed for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at Blue Lagoon must obtain an advance access pass through blcomino.com. Daily passes are limited.

How long do you stop at Crystal Lagoon?

The Crystal Lagoon stop lasts about one hour and is intended for swimming, snorkelling, and free time.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Snorkelling equipment is available to rent free of charge. A €20 cash deposit is required and is refunded when you return the equipment.

Is food included on the boat?

No. Mineral water is provided throughout the cruise, but food and other drinks are not included.

Do you get off the boat at Gozo?

No. The cruise passes Gozo and makes a photo stop at Mġarr Harbour, but there is no disembarkation.