From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

Malta’s best swimming is offshore, and this six-hour cruise gives you three very different places to get in the water. The main attraction is not the boat ride itself, but the chance to reach Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay, where cliffs, caves, and clear water make the day feel far removed from the busy roads of Mellieħa.

I like the smaller, comfortable boat, with room to choose between sun and shade, and I like the amount of actual swimming time. The crew, including Danny, Ali, Wes, and Chandler on various departures, has earned strong praise for being friendly, clear, and helpful without hovering. The catch is the Blue Lagoon: beautiful from the water, but often packed on shore.

Key points before you book

• Three swim stops: About 1½ to 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.
• A quieter alternative to the beach: You can stay on the boat at the Blue Lagoon and swim from the vessel instead of joining the crowded shore.
• Blue Lagoon pass required: Since May 2025, you need a government access pass to step ashore, and you must select the morning slot.
• Comfortable facilities: The boat has toilets, a shower, shaded seating, upper-deck loungers, and a small cash bar.
• Good value at $47: The price includes the cruise and three swim stops, but not food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, or transport to Marfa Bay.
• Best for confident swimmers: The day focuses on swimming, snorkeling, sun, and boat access, and is not suited to people with mobility limitations or serious seasickness.

What the six-hour cruise is really like

You meet the boat at Marfa Jetty in Marfa Bay, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. If the jetty is confusing, the provider’s office is beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre, where staff can help you check in.

The boat leaves from Mellieħa and follows Malta’s northern coast toward Comino. The route is scenic, but the schedule is built around time in the water rather than a long narrated sightseeing ride. That is a good fit if you want a full day outside without spending most of it sitting in a seat.

The boat has space indoors and outdoors. You might find a shaded table downstairs, upper-deck loungers, and places to sit near the sides. The arrangement lets you change your day as the sun moves: start in the shade, claim a sunny spot later, or retreat below when you need a break.

The crew gives instructions and shares information about the coves, caves, and rock formations. Past crew members Danny and Ali were praised for clear explanations and a calm manner, while Wes was especially helpful with families. Names and staff assignments can change, but the guiding style is meant to be practical rather than heavy on formal commentary.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shoreline

The Blue Lagoon is the first and longest stop, lasting about 1½ to 2 hours. The water is remarkably clear and bright, with a pale sandy bottom that gives the lagoon its famous color. It is an excellent place for a first swim because you have time to settle in, float, snorkel, and get used to the boat routine.

The boat anchors near the lagoon rather than putting everyone directly on the beach. You can swim from the boat, relax on deck, or use the government access pass to step ashore on Comino. This choice matters. The beach and shoreline can become extremely crowded, with little shade and limited room to stretch out during the high season.

For many people, staying on the boat is the smarter option. The water around the vessel still gives you the Blue Lagoon experience, and the deck often becomes quieter once some passengers go ashore. Pool noodles are available, which makes the swim back and forth easier for less confident swimmers, though you still need to be comfortable entering open water.

If you want to walk on Comino or use the sandy beach, arrange your pass before the trip at blcomino.com. Since May 2025, the Maltese government has required an access pass for anyone stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Select the morning slot when applying. Daily numbers are limited, and the cruise operator cannot provide a refund if you arrive without the correct pass.

Bring the pass on your phone, and do not rely on finding help at the beach. The access system has not always been easy to use, so handle it before the morning of your cruise. If you do not plan to leave the boat, the pass is not needed for swimming from the vessel.

The Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop, but it may not be the calmest or most authentic. Go for the color of the water and the easy swimming, not for an empty beach.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and clear water

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to Crystal Lagoon on the west side of Comino. The stop lasts about an hour, which feels shorter than the first stop but is enough for a focused swim and some snorkeling.

Crystal Lagoon is enclosed by high cliffs and has a more sheltered feel. The water is clear, and the setting is especially good for looking into sea caves around the edges. You will get broad views from the boat, so even passengers who prefer not to swim can enjoy this part of the route.

This is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a simple Blue Lagoon transfer. You are not spending the entire day at one crowded bay. Instead, the route gives you a second setting with cliffs, caves, and a different shape to the coastline.

Snorkeling equipment can be rented on the boat for a small fee, on a first-come, first-served basis. If seeing underwater rock formations is important to you, rent early rather than waiting until the equipment is gone. You may also bring your own equipment, though the listed essentials focus on swimwear, towel, sun protection, and cash.

The boat stops in the lagoon rather than simply passing by its entrance. That gives you time to swim away from the hull and look back at the cliffs. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially when moving around the boat and returning before departure.

Ħalfa Rock Bay: the quietest swim stop

The final swim stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo’s southeast coast. This small cove has a pebbly beach and a little islet sitting near the edge of the bay. It is less famous than the Blue Lagoon, which is part of its appeal.

The stop lasts about an hour. You can swim, sit on the pebbles, or stay aboard and take in the quieter setting. The bay is described as retaining its charm when other summer coves are crowded, and it often provides the most peaceful water break of the three.

The surface here is pebbly rather than sandy, so water shoes might be useful, though they are not listed as required equipment. Bring a towel and secure your belongings on the boat before swimming. The tour is not designed around a long beach visit, so think of Ħalfa Rock Bay as a calm final swim rather than a full afternoon on shore.

Sea conditions can affect this stop. On a rougher day, the crew may choose another suitable place to swim. That is a practical safety decision, not a failure of the tour, but it means the exact order and locations can change with weather and operating conditions.

The return route has its own scenery

The trip back includes views of Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation. These are viewed from the boat rather than treated as separate landing stops.

Santa Maria Caves add a final look at Comino’s rocky coast, while Elephant Head is a distinctive natural formation that is easy to appreciate from the water. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray and avoid carrying loose items near the railings.

The return journey also gives you a chance to dry off, eat something, and compare the three bays. After several swims, the boat ride becomes useful downtime rather than wasted time.

Boat comfort, food, and practical details

A small cash bar sells drinks and snacks, including water, coffee, sandwiches, and alcoholic drinks. Prices have been described as reasonable, but this is not a full lunch service. I would bring extra food, especially if you are swimming several times or traveling with children.

Cash is specifically recommended. The boat also has toilets and a shower. The facilities are basic, but clean, functional toilets matter on a six-hour outing, especially when the boat is carrying a group for most of the day.

The boat is not a tiny speedboat, yet it is smaller and less crowded than some large Comino excursions. Past departures have had around 40 people, with enough room to sit, move around, and choose sun or shade. Capacity and crowding can vary by date, but the experience is designed to avoid the packed feeling common on the largest cruise boats.

Music may be played during the trip. The atmosphere is social but not presented as a party cruise. You can sunbathe, swim, talk, or sit quietly while the boat moves between stops.

Wear a hat, sunglasses, and strong sunscreen. Malta’s sun is intense, and the water reflects it from every direction. Bring a towel, swimwear, cash, and motion sickness medication if you need it. Leave large luggage, oversized bags, and pets at your accommodation. Electric wheelchairs and standard wheelchair use are not accommodated.

Is $47 good value?

At $47 per person, this is a strong value if you want several hours on the water and plan to swim. You get the scenic cruise, three swim stops, assistance from the crew, toilet facilities, a shower, and the return route past the caves and rock formation.

The price looks even better when compared with arranging separate transport to Comino and Gozo, though this cruise does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You must get to Marfa Jetty yourself, and food, drinks, snorkeling rental, and the Blue Lagoon shore pass cost extra.

The main value comes from the time allocation. You are not merely taking a short boat ride to photograph the Blue Lagoon. You receive roughly four hours of stop time across three locations, depending on the exact schedule. That makes the trip worthwhile for people who want to swim repeatedly rather than spend the day sightseeing from the deck.

It is less appealing if you want a quiet beach day, a long walk on Comino, or an all-inclusive meal service. The Blue Lagoon shore can feel crowded, and the boat’s bar is only a snack option.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip for couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants to see Comino and part of Gozo from the water. It suits people who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and changing locations during the day.

Families can benefit from the shade, toilets, pool noodles, and helpful crew. Still, children need close supervision around the boat and in open water. This is not a structured children’s program.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness. The provider specifically warns that the activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, and the sea can become choppy. Mobility-impaired passengers may also find the boat, swimming access, and possible beach landing difficult.

You do not need to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon to enjoy the trip. In fact, staying aboard can be the best choice at midday, when the beach is crowded and shaded space is scarce. That flexibility is one of the cruise’s most useful features.

How to make the most of your day

Arrive with your Blue Lagoon pass already downloaded if you plan to step ashore. Choose the required morning slot, and keep the pass easy to display.

Bring more food than you think you need. The bar is useful, but several swims can leave you hungry, and the snack selection is limited.

If you want to rent snorkeling equipment, ask early. Supplies are first come, first served. Pack a towel, sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash, and consider motion sickness prevention before departure rather than after the sea gets rough.

At the Blue Lagoon, decide in advance if you prefer the beach or the boat. The beach gives you access to shore, but the boat gives you shade, seating, toilets, and a less crowded swim.

Should you book the Pegasus cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, swimming-focused day with three stops and a smaller boat atmosphere. Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay provide variety beyond the famous Blue Lagoon, and the friendly crew has been one of the strongest parts of the experience.

Skip it if your ideal day means a quiet empty beach, a full meal onboard, or easy access for a wheelchair. Also reconsider if you dislike open-water swimming or often suffer from seasickness.

For most active visitors staying around Mellieħa, this is a practical way to see Malta’s northern waters without paying for a luxury cruise. Just secure the Blue Lagoon pass early, pack food and sun protection, and treat the crowded shoreline as optional rather than the main event.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts about six hours, including the outbound route, three swim stops, and the return journey.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat leaves from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus.

What are the three swimming locations?

The stops are the Blue Lagoon on Comino, Crystal Lagoon on Comino, and Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo.

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately 1½ to 2 hours.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Apply through blcomino.com before the cruise and select the morning slot. You do not need the pass to remain on the boat and swim from it.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a small cash bar sells some snacks and beverages onboard.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for a small fee, on a first-come, first-served basis.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has toilet facilities, a shower, shaded areas, outdoor seating, and upper-deck loungers.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people with seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.