From Mellieha: Three Bay Cruise including the Blue Lagoon

The best part of this six-hour Malta boat cruise is simple: you get three proper swim stops rather than a quick photo pause at each bay. From Marfa Bay, the Pegasus heads toward Comino and Gozo, giving you time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay in the shade while the crew keeps the day moving.

I like the smaller feel of the boat and the choice at the Blue Lagoon: step ashore with a government access pass, or stay aboard and swim from the boat. I also like the practical touches, including clean toilets, a shower, pool noodles, a reasonably priced bar, and crew members such as Danny and Ali, who explain the route without hovering.

The main catch is the Blue Lagoon itself. Its water is gorgeous, but the beach can be packed in summer, and you now need a limited government-issued pass to go ashore. The quieter Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay may end up being the more enjoyable stops.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: Spend about 1½ to 2 hours at the Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.
• A less cramped boat: The Pegasus has room for sitting in the sun or shade, with some past departures carrying about 40 people.
• Blue Lagoon access pass required: Since May 2025, you need to book the morning government pass online if you plan to step ashore.
• Crystal Lagoon is the snorkelling favorite: Cliffs, caves, clear water, and shelter make this a fine place to spend your hour.
• Ħalfa Rock Bay offers a quieter finish: This Gozo stop has a small pebbly beach and a more secluded feel than the Blue Lagoon.
• Bring food and motion-sickness protection: Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, but the bar is small and the sea can turn choppy.

Leaving from Marfa Bay in Mellieħa

The cruise begins at the Marfa Jetty, across from the Riviera Spa Resort in Mellieħa. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. If the jetty is not obvious, the provider’s office sits nearby beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre, and staff can point you in the right direction.

There is no hotel pick-up, so allow time to reach Marfa Bay on your own. The meeting point is useful if you are staying in northern Malta, especially around Mellieħa, but it is less convenient if you are based in Valletta or the island’s southern side.

Once aboard, you can choose a place on the upper deck for sun and views, or find shelter below. The boat has tables, loungers, toilets, a shower, and a small bar selling drinks and snacks. That combination matters on a six-hour trip. You are not forced to spend the whole day perched on a narrow rail with nowhere to dry off.

The crew speaks English and handles the safety instructions and basic information about the bays and rock formations. Past departures have been led by Danny, Ali, Chandler, and Wes, with Danny and Ali receiving especially warm praise for being friendly, clear, and attentive.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shore

The first stop is the famous Blue Lagoon on Comino, where the boat stays for about 1½ to 2 hours. The water is the star here: clear, bright turquoise, and shallow-looking near the sandy bottom. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk on Comino, or remain on the Pegasus.

Do not picture a quiet island cove in the middle of summer. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s best-known sights, and the shoreline can become a tight squeeze. Shade is hard to find, and the small beach may feel crowded even when the water around the boat still offers room to swim.

The government access pass is now a serious planning detail. From May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a pass through blcomino.com. The allocation is limited, and this cruise requires the morning slot. The pass is not included in the cruise price, and the operator will not refund you if you arrive without one and cannot go ashore.

Download the pass before you leave. The access system may be awkward to use on the day, and you should not count on solving the problem at the lagoon. You can still enjoy the stop from the boat, but shore access and boat access are not the same thing.

In fact, staying aboard can be a smart choice. The boat anchors roughly 100 metres from the beach, and you can swim from the Pegasus toward the shore without joining the crush on land. Pool noodles are available, which helps if you want to float rather than constantly tread water.

There is another advantage to staying on the boat: once most people head to shore, the deck can become noticeably calmer. You get the same turquoise setting, a place to sit, and an easy swim back to the boat. If your priority is quiet swimming, the shore pass may not be worth the trouble.

Crystal Lagoon: the best stop for swimming and snorkelling

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat moves to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. The stop lasts about one hour, which is shorter than the first visit but often feels better suited to the setting.

Here, steep cliffs surround clear water, and sea caves cut into the rocky shore. The views work in every direction, and the bay is more sheltered than many other spots around the islands. This is the place to bring a mask and look beneath the surface, especially near the caves and rocky edges.

Snorkelling gear can be rented onboard for a small fee, on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to use it, arrange it early rather than waiting until everyone is already in the water. You can also bring your own equipment, along with a towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and swimwear.

The boat stops in the lagoon rather than simply passing by the edge. That gives you a proper chance to swim in open water and return to the Pegasus when you are ready. The upper deck also gives you a useful place to dry off and take in the cliffs between swims.

For many people, Crystal Lagoon will be the high point of the day. It has the clear water associated with the Blue Lagoon, but without the same focus on a crowded beach. The tradeoff is that the stop is mainly about water and rock scenery, not walking around or finding a broad sandy shore.

Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo

The third swim stop is Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo’s southeast coast. The boat stays for about an hour, and the bay has a small pebbly beach with a solitary islet offshore.

This is a good final stop because it feels less exposed to the summer rush. The cove is described as one of Gozo’s quieter places, and the setting remains pleasant when the main lagoons are packed. You can swim, sit on the pebbles, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The beach is pebbly, not sandy, so water shoes may be useful if you have sensitive feet. They are not listed as required equipment, but the shoreline is not the soft white sand you see in photographs of the Blue Lagoon.

Weather can affect this part of the plan. On one departure, choppy conditions led the crew to find another attractive swimming location. The provider can change the order of the stops or adjust the route for safety and operational reasons. That flexibility is sensible, but it means the advertised sequence is not guaranteed.

The return route through caves and rock formations

The journey back to Marfa Bay is part of the sightseeing rather than dead time. The boat passes Santa Maria Caves and the Elephant Head rock formation before returning to the jetty.

These views help round out the trip. You get more than three isolated swimming sessions, with a look at Comino’s rocky coast and natural formations from the water. Keep your camera handy, but protect it from spray and remember that the boat may alter its route if conditions change.

The cruise lasts about six hours overall. That is long enough to make the trip feel like a full day on the sea, but not so long that the schedule becomes exhausting for most people who enjoy swimming and sunbathing. If you dislike sitting on a boat for extended periods, note that travel time between stops and the return journey are a real part of the experience.

What the Pegasus is like onboard

The Pegasus is not presented as a luxury yacht, but it offers the useful basics. You get upper-deck loungers, shaded areas, tables downstairs, toilets, a shower, and a snack bar. Some past groups numbered around 40 people, and the boat was described as comfortable rather than cramped.

That space is one of the cruise’s strongest points. Large party boats can turn a lagoon visit into a scramble for a seat, while this boat gives you a better chance of finding either sun or shade. It is still a shared excursion, so do not expect solitude, especially during the busiest months.

The bar sells cold drinks, coffee, tea, and some snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable, with examples of beer around €2.50, water around €1.50, and a large glass of wine around €3 on one departure. Bring cash, since cash is specifically listed among the recommended items.

Pack more food than you think you need if swimming makes you hungry. The bar is handy, but it is not a full lunch service. A small sandwich or other easy food in a compact bag can make the six-hour outing more comfortable, provided you follow the luggage restrictions.

Pool noodles are available, and snorkelling equipment can be rented for a small charge. The boat also has different jumping points, including a lower-deck plank and upper-deck side areas, according to the activity details. Use good judgment and follow the crew’s instructions, since the conditions at the boat can change.

Price and value at $47

At $47 per person, this cruise offers strong value if you want a full day of swimming around Comino and Gozo. You get transport between several bays, scenic coastal views, three long water stops, crew assistance, toilets, a shower, and access to a boat bar.

The value is strongest when compared with a simple transfer to Comino. A ferry or water taxi may get you there, but it will not provide three planned swim stops, an onboard base, or a return route past Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head.

The price does not include the Blue Lagoon access pass, food, drinks, hotel transport, or snorkelling rental. The government pass is the most important extra because it affects whether you can step onto the island. You can avoid that issue by staying aboard, but decide before arrival instead of hoping to arrange access at the shore.

This is also not a private boat trip. You share the space with a group, and the Blue Lagoon can feel crowded even if the Pegasus itself has plenty of room. At the same time, the boat’s size and the crew’s approach appear to offer a more relaxed day than the biggest vessels.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip if you want plenty of time in the water and do not need a polished luxury product. It suits couples, families with older children, and anyone who would rather swim and snorkel than spend a day touring Malta’s towns.

It can work well for families because the boat has shaded seating, toilets, a bar, and staff who are attentive without being overbearing. One family with a baby especially appreciated Wes’s help. Still, the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the operator also warns that it is not suitable for people prone to seasickness.

People who suffer from motion sickness should take the warning seriously. This is a sea outing, and conditions can become choppy. Bring your preferred motion-sickness prevention, and keep it accessible rather than buried in a bag.

You should also be comfortable boarding a boat, getting into open water, and managing a wet day in the sun. The activity is built around swimming, snorkelling, and sitting on deck, not around accessible beach facilities or long guided walks.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. The host language is English.

What to bring for a smoother day

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Cash is useful for the bar and possible snorkelling rental.

A compact bag is fine, but oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed. Pets and electric wheelchairs are also not permitted. Pack light, because you will want your hands free when moving between the deck and the water.

Most important, arrange the Blue Lagoon pass in advance if you want to go ashore. Select the morning slot required for this cruise and keep the pass available on your phone. If you prefer to avoid the crowd, skip the beach and use the Pegasus as your base.

Should you book it?

Book this Mellieħa cruise if your ideal Malta day means clear water, three swim stops, a comfortable shared boat, and good value at $47. The strongest moments are likely to be Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay, while the Blue Lagoon is best treated as a beautiful swimming area with a very busy shore.

I would not book it if you want a quiet beach day, guaranteed shore access, a private boat, or an accessible excursion. For confident swimmers, snorkellers, families who value practical facilities, and couples looking for a relaxed day on the water, the Pegasus offers a well-planned route with enough free time to enjoy it at your own pace.

FAQ

How long is the Mellieħa three bay cruise?

The cruise lasts about six hours, including the route from Marfa Bay, the three swim stops, sightseeing, and the return journey.

Where does the boat depart from?

The Pegasus leaves from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, across from the Riviera Spa Resort. The provider’s office is near the jetty beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

How long is the stop at the Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts approximately 1½ to 2 hours. You can go ashore with the required pass or stay on the boat and swim from there.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Select the morning slot for this cruise, and remember that the pass is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. A small onboard bar sells some snacks, coffee, tea, and drinks. Bring cash, and consider bringing extra food because swimming can make you hungry.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Snorkelling equipment is available to rent for a small fee on a first-come, first-served basis. You should bring your own equipment if you want to make sure you have it.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

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