Comino: Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon and Sea Caves Boat Tour

Comino’s best sights come by water, and this small boat tour gives you a useful mix of swimming, coastal views, and close-up cave stops in about four hours. You can reach Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, Halfa Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock without piecing together several separate trips.

I like the limited group size of up to 24 people, which makes the ride calmer than the packed boats often seen around the Blue Lagoon. I also like the three proper swim stops, plus the free stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles. The main thing to consider is the Blue Lagoon itself: the water is beautiful, but the shore can be far busier than Crystal Lagoon, and you now need a free QR code to step ashore.

Key details worth knowing

• Three swim stops: You get 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, one hour at Blue Lagoon, and 45 minutes at Santa Maria Bay.
• A boat built for close views: The smaller vessel can approach Santa Maria Caves and other rock formations more closely than larger sightseeing boats.
• Up to 24 people: This is a more personal setup, though the exact number aboard can vary.
• Free water extras: A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are included. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent onboard.
• Blue Lagoon entry rule: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code from blcomino.com if you plan to step onto the Blue Lagoon shore.
• Easy start at Cirkewwa: Find the boat behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe, down the stairs and around the corner on the left.

Why this Comino trip works well

The strength of this trip is its variety. You are not simply dropped at the Blue Lagoon and left to fight for a patch of sand. You cruise along Comino’s coast, stop for swims in three different settings, pass rocky landmarks, and finish with views of caves and Elephant Rock.

At $27 per person, the price is good value if you want a half-day on the water. The fee covers the cruise, crew, toilet, shaded seating, parking at the meeting point, and the main swimming stops. You still need to budget for food, drinks, and rented snorkeling gear, but you can bring the basics yourself: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash.

The group size matters. A boat carrying around 20 to 24 people has more room to move than a crowded ferry, and it can get nearer to cave entrances for photographs. One useful detail from the trip reports is that the boat was small enough for passengers to look into the caves and, where conditions allow, swim toward them. Bring a waterproof camera if you have one. The best views are close to the water, not from a dry seat.

There is one tradeoff. You get a compact visit to several places rather than a long, quiet stay at one beach. The schedule is fairly active, and boat conditions can affect how comfortable the ride feels. The activity is not recommended for people prone to seasickness or for pregnant women.

Starting behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe

The meeting point is at Cirkewwa, on the northern tip of Malta. Look for the boat behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Go down the stairs behind the café, then turn around the corner on the left.

This is a practical departure point if you are already near Mellieħa or heading toward Gozo. Free parking at the meeting point removes one common cost and hassle. Still, allow enough time to find the café and walk down to the boat. The tour ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup.

The boat has shaded seating, a toilet, and life jackets available if you ask the crew. Those details are easy to overlook when you are focused on the lagoons, but they matter during a three to four-hour outing. The crew speaks English and Maltese, and the staff are described as friendly and helpful, including with older people who may need extra assistance getting on and off the boat.

First views of Comino and the historic tower

Once underway, the boat begins with a sightseeing cruise of roughly 15 minutes. You pass the Comino Tower, a sturdy coastal fort known to many film fans from The Count of Monte Cristo.

This is a pleasant opening rather than a major stop. You get time to settle in, take photographs, and watch the coast change from port facilities to low, rocky shoreline. Keep your camera ready on both sides of the boat, since the best angle depends on the route and seating position.

The boat then heads along Comino’s golden shoreline toward Crystal Lagoon. The ride itself is part of the appeal. From the water, you see the cliffs, small inlets, and clear changes in color that are harder to appreciate from shore.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the best water time

The first main stop lasts about 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon, on Comino’s western side. This is often the most rewarding swim of the trip because the water is known for its clear green and blue tones, and the setting generally feels less hectic than Blue Lagoon.

You can swim, snorkel, view marine life, or try the included stand-up paddleboard. Swim noodles are also provided, which are handy if you want to float rather than spend the whole stop actively swimming. Life jackets are available from the crew when needed.

Crystal Lagoon is a good place to use any waterproof camera. The water clarity makes it suited to simple underwater photographs, and the surrounding rock gives the stop a more natural feel than a developed beach. A report from the trip specifically noted that the colors here were the reason to return.

The limitation is time. Forty-five minutes sounds generous until you change, collect equipment, swim, take photographs, and return to the boat. If swimming is your priority, get ready before arrival and listen carefully for the return time.

Blue Lagoon is famous, beautiful, and busier

The one-hour stop at Malta’s Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece for many people. Sunlight shines through the clear water onto the pale seabed, creating the intense blue color that made this place famous.

You can swim, snorkel, use the paddleboard, try parasailing if available at the stop, or relax on the shoreline. The boat gives you the choice to remain onboard, which is useful if you want the view without the shore crowds.

You need to plan carefully for the current entry rule. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon must present a free QR code obtained in advance from blcomino.com. The code is tied to a time slot, listed as morning, afternoon, or sunset. Match your QR time to the departure time of this tour. If you stay on the boat, you do not need the code.

That rule changes the practical experience. Do not assume you can decide at the last minute to walk ashore. Secure the correct slot before the trip, or treat the boat as your base for the full stop.

Blue Lagoon is still worth seeing, but keep your expectations balanced. Its color is striking, while the atmosphere can be much busier than at Crystal Lagoon. I would use the hour for a swim and photographs, then return to the shaded boat if the shore feels too crowded. The contrast between the two lagoons is one of the useful lessons of this tour: Crystal Lagoon often delivers the calmer water experience, while Blue Lagoon delivers the famous name and postcard view.

Gozo, Halfa Rock, and San Niklaw Bay

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues past Gozo’s coastline and Promising Rock, also called Gebla tal-Ħalfa. This is a sightseeing section, not a long shore visit, so think of it as a chance to take photographs and hear about the local landmarks from the crew.

The boat also passes San Niklaw Bay and the Comino Hotel. The bay has a quieter feel, with a sheltered setting and clear water framed by low coastal rock. You do not get a full beach stop here, but the slower cruise gives you a break between swims.

Halfa Rock receives about 15 minutes of sightseeing time. Its value is visual rather than active. You see the formation from the water, take photographs, and appreciate how the small scale of the boat helps you get a better angle. If you prefer a tour with constant swimming, this section may feel like a pause. If you enjoy coastal scenery, it keeps the outing from becoming three identical beach stops.

Santa Maria Bay adds a real beach stop

The final substantial swim stop is Santa Maria Bay, for about 45 minutes. Compared with the lagoons, this is the more conventional beach stop. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe on the sandy beach, use the paddleboard, or walk around the area.

Santa Maria Bay is a good place to slow down. After the bright water and rock walls of the lagoons, the sand gives you a chance to dry off and stretch your legs. You can buy food at beach stops, but food is not included, so bring cash or plan to purchase something locally.

Again, 45 minutes is enough for a swim and a short walk, not a full beach afternoon. Keep your belongings simple and easy to carry. A towel, sunscreen, and beachwear are essential, and a small waterproof bag is useful for keeping valuables dry on the boat.

The bay may suit you better than the Blue Lagoon if you want room to sit on sand. The tradeoff is that you lose some of the dramatic enclosed rock scenery that makes the lagoons special.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock by boat

The tour ends with a series of coastal photo stops. The boat passes Santa Maria Caves, allowing you to see the openings and rock walls from close range. The stop is short, around 10 to 15 minutes, so prepare your camera before reaching the caves.

The boat’s size is especially useful here. Larger vessels may need to remain farther out, while a smaller craft can approach the formations more closely when sea conditions permit. You may see openings where the water reaches into the rock, but do not assume you can swim into every cave. Access depends on safety, weather, and the crew’s judgment.

Elephant Rock is the final landmark. Its outline resembles an elephant leaning into the sea, and it makes a memorable last photograph before the boat returns to Cirkewwa. This is a pass-by sight rather than a long stop, so keep watching instead of packing away your camera too early.

What is included, and what you still need

The tour includes more than a basic transport ride. You receive:

• A stand-up paddleboard
• Swim noodles
• Shaded seating
• An onboard toilet
• Life jackets on request
• Crew assistance
• Free parking at the meeting point
• The Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay stops
• Sightseeing at Halfa Rock, San Niklaw Bay, Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock

Food is not included. You can buy it at beach stops. Drinks can be bought onboard or at the stops, and snorkeling gear is available to rent onboard.

I would bring your own towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and cash. The tour is built around water time, so do not treat those as optional extras. If you want to snorkel, renting equipment is possible, but bringing your own mask can save time if you already have one.

Is $27 a fair price?

At $27, this is a strong value for a three to four-hour boat outing. You are paying for a guided route through several of Comino’s best-known coastal sights, three swim stops, a shaded place to sit, a toilet, parking, and water equipment.

The value is especially good if you would otherwise pay separately for a short cruise, beach transport, and a cave sightseeing trip. The trip also saves you the effort of planning how to reach each bay.

The price does not buy solitude. Blue Lagoon can be busy, and the tour schedule means you cannot stay as long as you might on an all-day beach visit. You also pay extra for snacks, drinks, and snorkeling rental. Even so, the combination of stops makes the cost reasonable for most visitors who want an active half-day rather than a quiet day at one beach.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this boat trip if you want to see a lot of Comino in one outing and care about swimming as much as sightseeing. It suits couples, families with older children, small groups, and anyone who prefers a boat carrying around 24 people rather than a large vessel.

It is also a good fit if caves and rock formations interest you. The approach to Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock gives the trip more substance than a simple lagoon transfer.

I would be more cautious if you suffer from seasickness. The activity is specifically not suitable for people prone to it, and the open-water ride is a central part of the day. Pregnant women should also choose another Comino activity.

Helpful booking and timing advice

Check the available starting times before booking, then arrange the Blue Lagoon QR slot to match. The code is free, but it must be obtained in advance if you intend to step ashore.

Arrive at the Cirkewwa meeting point with enough time to find the stairs behind the café. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, keep sunscreen close, and bring cash for drinks or food. If you hope to photograph the caves, a waterproof camera or phone case is worth packing.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility, especially when your Malta plans depend on weather or transport.

My verdict: a good half-day on Comino

Book this tour if you want three swims, close coastal views, and a manageable group size at a reasonable price. Crystal Lagoon is likely to be the highlight for calm water and strong color, while Blue Lagoon supplies the famous scenery and Santa Maria Bay gives you a sandy beach.

Skip it if you want to spend a whole day at one beach, avoid all boat travel, or need a very quiet Blue Lagoon visit. For most people who want a practical introduction to Comino, the route covers the right sights without dragging on. The 4.8 rating from 88 ratings reflects what the trip does best: friendly crew service, striking water colors, useful swim time, and a boat small enough to bring you near the caves.

FAQ

How long does the Comino boat tour last?

The tour lasts about 3 to 4 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Descend the stairs behind the café and turn around the corner on the left to reach the boat.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

You need a free QR code obtained in advance from blcomino.com if you want to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon. The code uses specific morning, afternoon, or sunset entry times. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but you can rent it onboard. A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food can be bought at beach stops, and drinks can be purchased onboard or at the stops. Bring cash.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness or pregnant women?

The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or for pregnant women. Life jackets are available if you ask the crew.