Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise

Comino’s famous water is best enjoyed from a boat, and this cruise gives you four full hours for swimming and snorkeling at three separate bays. The clever part is the room onboard: a boat built for 70 is limited to 45 people, and some departures have carried closer to 30 or 40.

I like the one-hour stop at Crystal Lagoon and the two-hour choice at Blue Lagoon. I also like having a proper toilet, fresh-water shower, upper sun deck, and small bar onboard. The main drawback is that the boat can bounce in rougher seas, so this is not the best pick if you get seasick.

Key points to know

• Three swim stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Gebla ta Halfa, with about four hours in the water.
• Room to move: Capacity is limited to 45 people, despite the boat being able to carry 70.
• Blue Lagoon choice: Stay onboard for a quieter swim or go ashore for a walk and food.
• Good onboard facilities: Toilets, fresh-water shower, sunbathing areas, bar, snacks, and music.
• Flexible route: The captain can alter the order or replace a stop when sea conditions or crowds make another location better.
• Morning booking matters: For this three-bay cruise, choose the morning slot from 8:00 to 1:30 and arrive before boarding closes.

Why the smaller crowd matters on this Comino cruise

At $47 per person, this is not Malta’s cheapest way to reach the water. It is a six-hour outing, though, with three stops, sightseeing, and a long stretch of swimming included. The price makes better sense when you compare it with a short transfer that leaves you to find your own place on a crowded shore.

The boat’s biggest selling point is space. The stated maximum is 45 people, although the vessel itself can carry 70. That leaves you a fair chance of finding a seat inside, on the lower deck, or upstairs on the sun deck. You can also move around without squeezing past a wall of sunbathers.

I would pay close attention to this if you are comparing several Comino cruises. Blue Lagoon can feel packed in summer, and a roomy boat gives you an escape from the crush on land. Couples, families, and older passengers can all use the boat comfortably, while swimmers can jump straight into the water from the anchored vessel.

The atmosphere is social but not presented as a full party boat. Music plays, and the tone can be cheerful, yet the boat remains suitable for people who mainly want to swim, sunbathe, and look at the cliffs.

From Bluewaves Watersports to Crystal Lagoon

You meet at the Bluewaves Watersports office near Marfa Bay. The departure point faces Comino, so you are only a short distance from the island once the boat leaves. Arrive early: boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, and missing that cutoff is an avoidable way to lose the start of your day.

Crystal Lagoon comes first in the usual plan. The boat anchors for one hour, giving you a focused period to swim and snorkel. The water and rock formations are the main attraction here, not a long shore visit.

An hour is a good length for this stop. You have time to get in, look around, and dry off without spending so long in one place that the day begins to drag. Bring your own mask if you have one. Masks may also be available to rent for €3, according to the practical details provided about the boat.

Crystal Lagoon can be a fine place to start because you reach the water before the day has fully unfolded. Still, sea conditions can affect how comfortable the stop feels. Listen to the crew, especially if they advise you about currents, entry points, or the safest side of the boat for swimming.

Blue Lagoon gives you two different experiences

The cruise then heads to the Blue Lagoon pier for the longest stop, two hours. This is where you choose between land and water.

If you go ashore, you can walk around Comino and find food. You will also be right in the middle of Malta’s most famous swimming stop, which means access to the island comes with crowds, noise, and limited personal space during the high season.

If you stay onboard, the experience changes completely. The boat anchors nearby, and you can swim in the same clear water without joining the mass gathered around the pier. Several people found this the better choice, particularly when the shore was crowded.

I would recommend staying onboard if your main goal is swimming. You can use the upper deck, order a drink, eat your own snacks, and return to the water whenever you like. You give up the walk on Comino, but you avoid spending your best swimming hours looking for a patch of beach.

The two-hour pause gives you time to do either option without rushing. Strong swimmers can snorkel, while anyone who prefers a slower day can sit in the sun and simply enjoy the view. The crew provides information about each stop, and Danny and Ali are specifically noted for being friendly and helpful.

One caution: Blue Lagoon is not a quiet secret. The water may look peaceful from the boat, but the shore can be very busy. If you expect an empty beach, adjust your expectations. The boat is your advantage here.

Gebla ta Halfa and Ħalfa Rock

The final main stop is Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock, south of Gozo. The boat anchors for another hour of swimming and snorkeling.

This stop adds variety to the day. After the famous names of Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock feels more focused on open-water swimming, rock scenery, and time spent from the boat. It is also useful for anyone who enjoys jumping into the sea, freediving, or looking around underwater.

Snorkeling here is a pleasant extra, but do not book the trip expecting a major marine-life encounter. You might see fish, and one person even spotted a moray eel, but the water is not described as packed with sea life. The real prize is the clear water and the chance to swim at three different sites.

The last stop can feel less essential if you are already tired after four hours in the sea. One past participant felt the final pause added little, while others enjoyed the extra location. I see it as a good feature for active swimmers and a possible anticlimax for anyone who prefers a shorter water day.

Santa Maria Caves add sightseeing on the return

On the way back, the boat passes other Comino sights, including Santa Maria Caves. This part is for looking rather than swimming, so keep your camera nearby and your towel out of the way.

The caves and rock formations help break up the return ride. The captain may also point out extra locations, including rock shapes and cliff-jumping spots, depending on the route and conditions. You should treat these added sights as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the exact schedule.

The captain can alter the route for safety, weather, or crowd levels. That flexibility is valuable. If one stop is too busy or the sea is not comfortable, the crew may choose another place to swim. The downside is that the precise order and stopping points can change, so you should not expect a rigid sightseeing timetable.

What is onboard, and what should you bring?

The practical facilities are stronger than you might expect for a small cruise. You have toilets, a fresh-water shower, seating, and sunbathing space. The bar sells coffee, cocktails, soft drinks, water, and snacks.

Prices have been described as reasonable, with soft drinks around €2, water around €1.50, and an Aperol Spritz at €5. These figures may change, but they show that you do not need to treat the bar as an expensive tourist trap. Even so, food and drinks are not included.

I would bring your own lunch and snacks. You can go ashore at Blue Lagoon to buy food, but that costs you beach time and puts you into the busiest part of the stop. Eating onboard is simpler, especially if you want the full two hours in the water or prefer to avoid the crowd.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and plenty of patience for a day in direct sun. Biodegradable sunscreen is requested, which is a sensible choice around Malta’s swimming areas. Wear practical footwear. High heels are not allowed, and sharp objects, weapons, bicycles, scooters, explosives, and intoxication are prohibited.

A snorkeling mask can make the stops more enjoyable. You may rent one for €3, but bringing your own avoids waiting and gives you a better fit. Pool noodles have also been available on the boat, though you should not rely on every extra item being present on every departure.

The crew and the feel of the day

The crew earns much of the praise attached to this cruise. Danny and Ali are named as particularly helpful, and the wider team is described as friendly, attentive, and professional. Their role is more important than it may seem because swimming from a boat requires clear instructions about ladders, currents, and when to get back onboard.

The crew also shares information about the stops and local sights. Do not expect a long formal lecture in the style of a history tour. This is primarily a swim cruise with sightseeing added, but the explanations give the route more shape than a simple boat transfer.

Music helps set the mood. It is part of the appeal for some people and less important for others. The sound has been described as pleasant rather than overpowering, but your experience can depend on the group and the day.

The boat suits people who want choices. You can swim hard, snorkel, sunbathe, walk on Comino, buy a drink, or sit inside. That flexibility is more useful than a packed schedule of short stops.

Who should book it, and who should think twice?

I would choose this cruise if you want a full water day without paying for a private boat. It works especially well for couples, families, small groups, and anyone comparing Malta’s many crowded Comino excursions.

It is also a good match for confident swimmers and people who want repeated access to the sea. You get four hours across three bays, not just a quick photo stop followed by a long ride.

Families should note that children must be accompanied, and unaccompanied minors are not accepted. Wheelchair users cannot take this trip, and electric wheelchairs are also not allowed.

I would be cautious if you dislike boats that move with the waves. One account describes a lot of bouncing, and the captain may change the route when conditions are not safe. Sea conditions always matter more than a printed schedule.

This is not the right choice if your priority is a quiet walk around Comino. You only get free time on land at Blue Lagoon, and even there the shore may be crowded. In that case, a land-focused outing would serve you better.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

For this three-bay cruise, book the morning departure slot listed from 8:00 to 1:30. The full activity lasts six hours, so check the available starting time carefully and arrive at the Bluewaves Watersports office early.

From May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com. This requirement affects the shore option, not your ability to remain onboard and swim, based on the information provided.

The tour is conducted in English. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. If weather, sea conditions, or another safety issue forces cancellation, the captain may offer another date or a refund.

Should you book the Comino three-bay cruise?

I would book it if you want the best balance of price, swimming time, and onboard comfort. The limited passenger count is the key reason to choose it over a cheaper, more crowded boat. The itinerary gives you the famous Blue Lagoon, two additional bays, cave sightseeing, and enough time to enjoy the water rather than merely photograph it.

My practical advice is simple: choose the morning slot, arrive early, bring food and biodegradable sunscreen, and plan to stay onboard at Blue Lagoon unless walking on Comino matters more to you than a peaceful swim. If you are comfortable with open water and occasional boat movement, $47 is a fair price for a six-hour day with three swim stops and useful facilities.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and finishes at the Bluewaves Watersports office near Marfa Bay.

Which swimming spots are included?

The cruise includes Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Gebla ta Halfa, also called Ħalfa Rock.

How much swimming time is included?

You get one hour at Crystal Lagoon, two hours at Blue Lagoon, and one hour at Gebla ta Halfa, for about four hours of swimming and snorkeling.

Can I leave the boat at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can go ashore at the Blue Lagoon pier to walk around Comino and find food, or remain onboard to swim and relax.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are sold separately, and you may also bring your own snacks and food.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

From May 1, 2025, visitors who step onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through www.blcomino.com.