Comino: Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise

The best part of this Comino cruise is that the boat stays with you at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim from the stern, use the 10-meter slide, rest on a deck chair, or walk ashore, instead of being dropped on a crowded beach with nowhere to sit. Captain Kevin keeps the trip friendly and lively, with music, commentary, and occasional help from his dog Louie.

I especially like the quiet mooring area and the good amount of free time. The crew gives you about 4.5 hours at Comino, and the onboard burgers, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails are reasonably priced. The main drawbacks are the busy top deck, rough sea conditions on some days, and the fact that food, snorkel gear, lockers, the Blue Lagoon access pass, and the optional cave speedboat cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Kevin sets the tone: Expect friendly commentary, a relaxed crew, music, and a family-run feel.
• The boat is your base: Swim from the mooring, use the slide, claim a deck chair, or go ashore at Blue Lagoon.
• The 4.5-hour Comino stop is generous: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, a walk, and the optional cave ride.
• Arrive early for the upper deck: Top-deck chairs fill quickly, sometimes before the boat leaves.
• The €15 cave speedboat is worth considering: It is not included, but it gives you a closer look at Comino’s caves.
• Plan for extras: Bring money for food, drinks, snorkel hire, lockers, and the optional buoyancy aid.

A full day from St. Paul’s Bay to Comino

This is a seven-hour boat day from St. Paul’s Bay, built around a long stop at the Blue Lagoon. The boat leaves from the Bugibba Jetty, where you should look for the large white and blue Hornblower boat with red lettering.

I would arrive 45 minutes to an hour early. That is not just cautious advice. The upper deck has a limited number of deck chairs, and they can be taken well before departure. If you want sun, a chair, and a good view, early arrival matters.

The meeting point is close to the Moll and Anthony bus stops. Free parking may be available in the white roadside spaces, but it is limited. Traffic can be heavy, so leaving extra time is wise. Pickup and return are listed at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Hornblower Malta, or Bugibba Jetty, depending on the exact departure arrangement.

The route usually begins at 10 a.m., though you should check your confirmed time and listen for announcements onboard. The boat may alter its route, start point, or return point if wind and sea conditions make the planned course unsafe.

Malta’s northern coast and St. Paul’s Islands

The first hour is a moving tour of Malta’s northern coast. You pass St. Paul’s Bay and the St. Paul’s Islands, including the statue of St. Paul, before continuing toward Ahrax Point and the Coral Lagoon area.

This is not a full historical tour, but Captain Kevin points out major sights and gives background on Malta as you go. The commentary helps you understand what you are seeing, even when the boat is moving too quickly for a long stop.

The views are best from the sides and upper deck, but the upper deck is also the most exposed to sun and wind. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. If the sea is lively, you may prefer a lower shaded seat, especially if you are prone to motion sickness.

The cruise passes several notable points around Comino’s northern side, including Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the former Comino Hotel area. The boat also makes short stops near Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave.

These cave stops are scenic photo opportunities rather than long shore visits. You get a quick look from the water and a chance to take photographs, but the optional speedboat trip later gives you a closer and more exciting cave experience.

Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave

The short cave visits add variety to the day. Instead of spending the whole morning on a straight run to the Blue Lagoon, you get changing views of cliffs, openings in the rock, and small bays along Comino’s coast.

The main boat is large enough to give you comfort, toilets, shaded seating, and a snack bar, but it cannot enter every narrow cave opening. That is why the €15 speedboat ride can be a useful add-on. It is paid onsite and is separate from the cruise price.

The speedboat ride is available during the day cruise, not the sunset trip. It is guided, and one guide named Ian is specifically praised for making the ride fun and informative. Another guide with long dreadlocks is also mentioned in connection with the cave trip. Since the exact guide can change, treat those names as useful details rather than a guarantee.

If you enjoy fast rides and want to see more of the caves, I would budget for this extra. If you mainly want swimming and sun, the included cave views are enough.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main event is the long stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The boat moors in a quieter area away from the most crowded shore, with water around three meters deep. That gives confident swimmers easy access straight from the boat.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and you may see small and larger fish close to the boat. You can bring your own mask and snorkel, or rent a set onboard for €5 with a €15 deposit, of which €10 is returned.

You can also use a buoyancy aid for a €10 deposit. This is useful if you are not a strong swimmer, although the mooring area is deep. Another option is to walk ashore and enter from the beach.

The boat’s position is one of its strongest advantages. The Blue Lagoon shore can become packed, with limited space for towels and very little room to relax during the busiest months. Staying aboard gives you deck chairs, shade, toilets, food, and a place to leave your things while you swim.

That does not mean the lagoon is empty. It remains one of Malta’s busiest swimming spots, and the water around the shore can feel crowded. The boat’s mooring area simply gives you a calmer place to swim and a more comfortable base.

The slide, jumping points, and deck chairs

The 10-meter waterslide is the obvious hit for families and anyone who still enjoys a little seaside silliness. You can use it as often as you like, but it is at your own risk.

There are also jumping points into the water. The steps make it easier to climb back aboard after swimming, and life vests or pool noodles are available if you ask the crew. These small touches matter because the Blue Lagoon stop is not just a sightseeing pause. It is a proper swimming session.

The upper deck is the best place for sunbathing and views, but chairs are limited. Get there early if this matters to you. The main deck provides shade and is a better choice if the sun is strong or the wind picks up.

You can also choose to spend the whole Comino stop on the boat. Several people find that more relaxing than going ashore, especially when the island is crowded. Others will prefer a short walk, photos, and a look at the beach. The useful thing is that you are not forced into one plan.

Food, drinks, and the pineapple cocktails

Lunch is not included, but the boat has a snack bar and small grill serving hot and cold drinks, burgers, fries, snacks, ice cream, and the signature pineapple cocktails.

Prices are described as reasonable, often better than buying food at the beach. That improves the value of the $35 tour, since you can avoid carrying a full picnic and still eat without leaving the boat.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so plan to buy onboard or eat ashore. Bring cash for extras, including food, drinks, lockers, snorkel hire, and the speedboat ride. A few lockers are available for €2, with a €10 deposit and an €8 refund.

The pineapple drinks are part of the fun, though one note of caution: they can be quite icy. That is a small issue, but if you are expecting a fresh fruit drink rather than a frozen cocktail, it helps to know what you are getting.

The mood onboard

This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. The playlist is a major part of the atmosphere, and the music is chosen to suit a mixed group of families, couples, and younger visitors.

Captain Kevin is central to the experience. His commentary is friendly rather than formal, and the crew keeps the instructions clear when timings matter. The family-run setup gives the boat a personal feel that a large ferry transfer would not provide.

Announcements over the loudspeaker can be hard to understand when the boat is noisy or the sea is rough. Pay attention when the boat arrives at Comino, and ask a crew member to confirm the return time if you are unsure. Departure times may also be written near the exit.

The captain’s dog, Louie, sometimes joins the trip. That is not a scheduled part of the tour, but it adds to the informal character when he is onboard.

Crystal Lagoon, St. Mary’s Tower, and Gozo

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat heads toward Gozo without a long shore visit. You cruise around Mgarr Harbour, giving you views of Gozo’s main harbor area from the water.

The return route passes through Comino’s southern channel, including Crystal Lagoon and its caves. Crystal Lagoon is known for clear water and dramatic rock around the shore, but this is a short sightseeing stop, not another long swimming session. The planned visit lasts about 10 minutes.

The boat also passes St. Mary’s Tower, one of Comino’s most recognizable buildings. You may have time for photographs from the boat, but this trip does not provide a full tower visit or an extended walk around Comino.

This is important when comparing tours. The cruise gives you a broad look at Comino, Blue Lagoon, nearby caves, and Gozo’s harbor, but it is not a walking tour of the island. The focus is swimming, scenery, and time aboard.

What the $35 price really gives you

At $35 per person, this is good value if you want more than a simple water taxi. The price includes the full boat cruise, the long Blue Lagoon stop, deck chairs, shaded seating, toilets, music, live commentary, the slide, and jumping points.

The value comes from having the boat remain available for the entire Comino visit. You get a place to sit, a snack bar, and easy access to the water. A basic transfer may cost less, but it will not provide the same facilities or flexibility.

You should still allow for extra spending. Food and drinks are not included, and neither are the €15 cave speedboat ride, €5 snorkel rental, €2 locker rental, €10 buoyancy aid deposit, or the Blue Lagoon access pass.

The required pass is free, but you must obtain a QR code from blcomino.com and select both a morning and an afternoon time slot. Do this before the day of the cruise so you are not trying to sort it out at the jetty.

The practical drawbacks

The biggest concern is the sea. On windy days, the ride can be very bumpy, especially on the open sections around Malta and Comino. If you suffer from motion sickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and consider sitting on the lower deck.

The second issue is space. The boat can carry a large group, and the best deck chairs go quickly. Arriving early helps, but it cannot remove the fact that the Blue Lagoon is a popular place in summer.

The toilets are convenient, though they may not always be as clean as you would like on a busy day. Loudspeaker announcements can also be difficult to hear. Neither issue ruins the trip, but you should confirm times directly with the crew.

This experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, and entering the water require a reasonable level of mobility. The upper deck also involves stairs, and swimming access is from the boat unless you walk ashore.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a full day on the water with plenty of swimming time and a lively atmosphere. Families will appreciate the slide, jumping points, flexible use of life vests, and onboard food.

It also suits couples and groups of friends who want a relaxed base at the Blue Lagoon rather than a quick drop-off. You can swim, snorkel, eat, listen to music, and rest without packing up every hour.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet, small-boat outing or a detailed history tour. The boat has music, a large mixed group, and short cave stops. People seeking a peaceful beach day may prefer a smaller boat or an early visit to a less popular cove.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino cruise?

Book it if your priority is a fun, flexible Blue Lagoon day with swimming, food onboard, music, and a boat that stays with you. The long stop, quiet mooring area, slide, and reasonable onboard prices make the $35 fare strong value.

Arrive early for a top-deck chair, bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and secure the free Blue Lagoon QR pass before departure. Add the €15 cave speedboat if you want the most active version of the day.

Skip it if rough water makes you uncomfortable, if you need step-free access, or if you want a small and quiet boat. For everyone else, this is an easygoing way to see Comino without giving up comfort.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Hornblower Cruises at Bugibba Jetty on Dawret il-Gzejjer in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side.

How long is the tour?

The full experience lasts about seven hours. The scheduled stop at the Blue Lagoon is approximately 4.5 hours.

What is included in the cruise price?

The price includes the full-day boat cruise, Blue Lagoon stop, deck chairs, shaded seating, onboard toilets, live commentary, music, the 10-meter slide, jumping points, and views of Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour.

Is food included?

No. Food, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails are available to purchase onboard.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5 with a €15 deposit. You receive €10 back from the deposit.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

The pass is free but must be obtained separately through blcomino.com. You need a QR code and must select both morning and afternoon time slots.

Is the cave speedboat ride included?

No. The optional Comino caves speedboat ride costs €15 and is payable onsite.

Can I stay on the boat at Comino?

Yes. You can stay aboard to use the deck chairs, snack bar, shaded seating, slide, jumping points, toilets, and swimming access. You can also get off and explore the island.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. It is also wise to bring money for onboard food and drinks, snorkel hire, lockers, the optional speedboat ride, and other paid extras.