Comino Island , Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Gozo & Caves

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is only part of the story here. This six-hour cruise strings together three swimming stops, several sea caves, Elephant Rock, and a final hour near Gozo. You get plenty of time in the water, rather than one quick photo stop and a rushed return to shore.

I like the three separate bays, since each gives you a different view of Malta’s coast. I also like the useful onboard setup: toilets, showers, light snacks, and a cash bar serving drinks and cocktails. The main caution is crowding. One poor account described a boat filled beyond comfort, with standing room and no good place for a bag, so confirm the boat’s capacity before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: Spend about 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock near Gozo.
• Cave and rock sightseeing: Pass Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Poppy’s Caves, Lovers Cave, Elephant Rock, Ghar Ic-Comb, and Coral Lagoon.
• Six-hour schedule: Leave Mellieha Bay at 10:00 am and return around 4:00 pm.
• Onboard comforts: Toilets and showers are included, while light snacks and drinks are sold at the cash bar.
• Bring cash: Snorkel masks cost €5 to rent, and an optional fast powerboat cave tour costs €15.
• Best for swimmers: The day is built around swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and relaxing, not long walks or land-based sightseeing.

Three bays, one full day on the water

This is a swimming cruise first and a sightseeing cruise second. The boat leaves from the Tunny Net Jetty at Mellieha Bay at 10:00 am, then works its way around Comino before crossing toward Gozo and returning to Malta around 4:00 pm.

At $34 per person, the price is attractive for a full day on the water. You are not paying only for a ride to Blue Lagoon. The fare covers the boat trip around Comino’s bays and caves, three swimming stops, and views of several notable coastal formations. Toilets and showers add practical value, especially after repeated swims.

The catch is that the best value depends on comfort onboard. A six-hour day feels long if you cannot find a proper place to sit or keep your bag. The supplied experience has a 4 out of 5 overall rating from nine ratings, but one 2 out of 5 account raised a serious concern about overcrowding. I would ask directly about expected capacity and boarding arrangements if comfort matters to you.

Finding the Mellieha Bay departure point

The meeting point is listed as Oh Yeah Malta, behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay, about 100 meters away. From Mellieha centre, allow roughly 10 minutes on foot.

The stated departure time is 10:00 am. Treat that as a firm time, not a loose suggestion. One poor experience involved a late arrival caused by traffic, with the boat leaving about 10 minutes early. The provider later helped by taking the late party to the cruise by fast boat, but that rescue did not restore the missing comfort or the full start to the day.

I would arrive early, with beachwear already under your clothes and your cash, towel, sunglasses, and sun cream ready. This avoids a frantic walk along the bay or a last-minute search for money before boarding.

Comino’s coastal sights before the first swim

The early part of the cruise is a sightseeing circuit around Comino. You pass Mellieha Bay, Ghar Ic-Comb, and Coral Lagoon, with time for scenic views and photographs.

The boat then passes Elephant Rock, one of the more recognizable coastal formations on this route. The stop is listed for viewing and photographs, so you should think of it as a boat-side photo opportunity rather than a landing.

Santa Maria Caves provide another short sightseeing pause, listed at about 10 minutes. Smuggler’s Cave is also visited, while Poppy’s Caves and Lovers Cave are included among the cave sights. The schedule does not give long exploration periods for these spots, so you will mainly see them from the boat and take photographs.

That distinction matters. If you want a guided cave walk with time ashore, this is not that kind of outing. If you like seeing many coastal features without arranging separate transport, the route gives you a good sweep of Comino’s shore.

Blue Lagoon gives you the longest water stop

The first main stop is Blue Lagoon, where you have about one and a half hours for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and general sightseeing. This is the longest stop of the day, and it is the place where you have the most time to split your visit between land and water.

You can stay aboard and swim nearby, enter the water, or take a walk on Comino. The schedule specifically allows free time and a walk on the island, which makes this more flexible than the later swimming stops.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop most likely to feel busy, though no group size is supplied. If you want a quieter experience, the early start and the limited 90-minute window may not give you much control over the wider crowd. Still, the length of the stop is useful. You are not being asked to swim, take a few pictures, and climb straight back aboard.

Bring a secure, compact bag. The boat may not have enough space for large belongings, and one account specifically complained about having nowhere to put a bag. A waterproof pouch for a phone, room key, and cash is a sensible choice.

Crystal Lagoon is made for snorkeling

After Blue Lagoon, the cruise moves to Crystal Lagoon for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling. The stop is shorter, but it keeps the day from becoming a single-location outing.

This is a good part of the plan for anyone who wants to compare two Comino swimming areas. You can spend the first stop mixing a walk with a swim, then use Crystal Lagoon more simply as water time. Marine conditions, visibility, and comfort can vary, so the appeal here is having a second chance to enjoy the coast if one stop feels crowded or less inviting than expected.

Masks and snorkels are available to rent for €5. That is a small extra cost, but you should not assume the equipment is included in the $34 fare. If you already have a mask you like, bring it. If not, the rental keeps the packing list short.

The wording around the caves and stops can be slightly confusing. Santa Maria Caves are visited earlier, while the included information also refers to a Santa Maria or Ħalfa Rock swimming stop. The actual day plan describes Crystal Lagoon as the second swim and Ħalfa Rock near Gozo as the third, so check the final onboard sequence with the crew.

Ħalfa Rock near Gozo finishes the swim circuit

The final swimming stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo, scheduled for one hour. Here you can swim, snorkel, and watch marine life from the water.

This stop gives the cruise a useful change of setting. The first two swims take place around Comino, while the final stop brings you toward Gozo before the return to Malta. It is not a Gozo walking tour. There is no stated time for exploring a village or visiting a land attraction, so book this for the bay and the sea rather than for a cultural visit to Gozo.

An hour is enough to make the stop worthwhile without turning the return journey into a late finish. Still, three swimming stops can be tiring, especially in strong sun. I would use the break between swims to drink water, eat something, and reapply sun cream rather than trying to stay in the water every minute.

What is included, and what costs extra

The basic fare includes the boat trip around Comino’s bays and caves, the Blue Lagoon stop, the Crystal Lagoon stop, the Ħalfa Rock stop, and the listed cave and rock visits.

Onboard, you have access to toilets and showers. Light snacks are served, and a selection of bar drinks and cocktails is available for purchase. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price, and the bar operates with cash, so bring enough money for the extras you want.

Two optional costs are clearly listed:

• The fast powerboat cave tour costs €15.
• Mask and snorkel rental costs €5.

The powerboat cave tour is an optional add-on rather than part of the main cruise. If you buy it, ask exactly which caves it covers and when it runs, since the regular boat already includes visits to several caves. You may decide that the included views are enough.

The value is strongest if you use all three swim stops and appreciate having basic facilities onboard. It is weaker if you mainly want a quiet Blue Lagoon visit, a long Gozo stop, or a small private boat.

The crowding question deserves attention

The most important practical issue is not the scenery. It is space.

One 2 out of 5 account described the boat as crowded to the maximum, with standing room and no place to put a bag. That person also reported missing the start after arriving late and said the provider kindly arranged a fast-boat transfer. The account praised the provider’s personal help but criticized the platform support, early departure, and the number of bookings accepted.

That is one account, not proof that every departure is overcrowded. Still, it is specific enough to take seriously. A boat day depends heavily on whether you can sit, move around, store your belongings, and reach the water without a crush at the rail.

When you book, ask three plain questions: How many people will be onboard? Is there guaranteed seating? Where can I store a day bag? The published information does not provide answers, so these details are worth confirming.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if your ideal Malta day means swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and moving between scenic bays without planning several separate trips.

It suits confident swimmers and people who are happy to spend much of the day on a boat. The three water stops create a clear rhythm: a longer Blue Lagoon visit, a Crystal Lagoon swim, then Ħalfa Rock near Gozo. Families and couples may appreciate the simple structure, provided everyone is comfortable with a full day in swimwear and possible crowding.

It is less suitable if you have limited mobility. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the main appeal depends on getting in and out of the water. It is also a poor match if you dislike boats, want a quiet private setting, or prefer museums, villages, and long walks.

The live guide speaks English. No guide name is provided, so do not book expecting a named specialist or a detailed historical lecture. The focus is coastal sightseeing, swimming, and practical help on the boat.

What to pack for a more comfortable day

Keep your packing simple:

• Towel
• Beachwear
• Sunglasses
• Sun cream
• Cash
• A small bag that can stay close to you
• Your own mask and snorkel, if preferred

Glass objects, weapons or sharp objects, explosive substances, and anything used to make a fire are not allowed. Electric wheelchairs are also not accepted.

You should not count on a full meal. Light snacks are available, but the bar and food service are extra. If you need a substantial lunch, confirm what is sold onboard before departure and plan accordingly.

The boat has showers, which are welcome after snorkeling and before the ride back to Malta. Even so, protect your valuables carefully. The information does not promise lockers or dedicated bag storage.

Booking flexibility and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times shown when you check availability.

The key timing is straightforward: meet at Mellieha Bay before the 10:00 am departure, spend roughly six hours on the cruise, and return to the same meeting point around 4:00 pm.

Allow extra time for reaching Mellieha Bay. Traffic was a factor in the poor account, and missing the boat can create a stressful start even if the operator later helps. I would arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes early, though the official information only specifies the 10:00 am departure.

Should you book the Comino and Gozo cruise?

Book it if you want three generous swimming stops, cave views, and a full day at sea for $34. The route offers more variety than a simple Blue Lagoon transfer, and the included toilets and showers make the long day easier.

Think twice if you need guaranteed seating, generous bag storage, or a calm, small-boat feel. The crowding complaint and early-departure problem are the main warnings, even though the provider’s direct help was described as kind and collaborative.

My practical call: book after confirming boat capacity and seating. If those details are acceptable, this is a good-value choice for swimmers who want Comino’s famous water, Crystal Lagoon, and a final Gozo stop in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Oh Yeah Malta at Mellieha Bay’s Tunny Net Jetty, about 100 meters behind Starbucks. The meeting point is roughly a 10-minute walk from Mellieha centre.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The cruise departs at 10:00 am and returns to the same meeting point at approximately 4:00 pm.

How long are the swimming stops?

You get about one and a half hours at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay near Gozo.

Is food and drink included?

Light snacks are available onboard, and drinks and cocktails can be bought at the cash bar. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for a small charge of €5. You may also bring your own equipment.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.