From Sliema: Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is only part of the story on this full-day cruise. You also get a 45-minute swim at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay in the warmer months, a photo stop at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, and a look at Comino’s sea caves on the ride home.

I like the generous 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon, which gives you time to swim, eat, sunbathe, and walk around Comino without rushing. I also like the boat itself, with several levels, a glass-bottom area, and a waterslide that drops you into the clear sea. The main drawback is crowding, both aboard the boat and at Blue Lagoon, especially during the busiest part of the season.

Key points to know before booking

• Two swimming stops in season: From May through October, weather permitting, you stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay for about 45 minutes before reaching Blue Lagoon.
• A long Blue Lagoon stay: The standard plan gives you 3.5 hours to swim, snorkel, eat, and walk around Comino.
• Gozo is usually a photo stop: The standard option pauses at Mgarr Harbour for about five minutes. A separate option gives you three hours on Gozo and 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.
• A fun boat setup: You can use the waterslide, jump from designated areas, and visit the glass-bottom level.
• Caves on the return: The boat pauses near Comino’s Santa Maria Caves for photographs and a short visit.
• Practical limits: Food and drinks are extra, cash is useful, the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and Blue Lagoon requires a free QR code registration.

Sliema departure and the long northern cruise

You meet at Ferries 4 in Sliema and look for the Luzzu Cruises boat, either MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. The trip lasts about 7.5 hours, so treat it as a full day on the water rather than a quick transfer to Comino.

The boat first follows Malta’s northeastern coast. You pass Sliema Promenade, St. Julian’s Bay, St. George’s Bay, Qawra Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and Mellieha Bay. These early hours are useful for seeing Malta from a different angle, though they are also when the cruise can feel slow if you only want swimming.

The crew provides information about the coast, and announcements may be made in several languages. I see the value in that if you want to understand what you are passing, but bring headphones if you prefer a quiet ride with the sound of the sea.

The vessel has three levels, including a glass-bottom area. You can move around rather than staying in one seat, but space may feel tight when the boat is full. If you care about getting a good seat for the return trip, choose one early instead of assuming the same place will be free later.

Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour in five minutes

The boat reaches Mgarr Harbour on Gozo for a short photo stop of about five minutes. This is enough to see the harbor setting and take a few photographs, but not enough to visit Victoria, walk through Gozo’s villages, or get a real taste of the island.

That distinction matters when you compare the booking options. The regular cruise treats Gozo as a scenic pause on the way to Comino. If Gozo is a major goal, choose the option with three hours of free time on Gozo and only 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.

Optional land transport to Victoria can be bought aboard for €5 per person. The available information does not promise a detailed guided visit, so think of this choice as a practical way to reach Victoria rather than a full Gozo sightseeing tour.

If you already have another day planned for Gozo, staying aboard makes more sense. You keep more time for swimming and relaxing at Comino, which is what this cruise does best.

Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay, May through October

From May 1 through October 31, and only when the weather allows, the boat makes a 45-minute swimming and snorkeling stop at the Crystal Lagoon area or St. Nicholas Bay. The exact bay can change with sea conditions, so do not book this expecting one fixed swimming location every time.

This is often the more enjoyable water stop because it is shorter and more focused. You can get into the sea from the boat, use the slide, jump from designated areas, or simply watch the water from the deck. Some equipment, such as snorkels, may be available to hire, but bringing your own goggles and snorkel is the safer plan.

The 45-minute limit keeps the day moving, but it also means you should be ready before the boat stops. Wear your swimwear under your clothes, keep your towel close, and avoid burying your camera or cash in a bag below deck.

From November through April, this stop is not included. During that period, the boat goes to Blue Lagoon only, so the appeal becomes more about the coastal cruise and Comino visit than about two separate swim stops.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy shore

Blue Lagoon is the main event, and the standard schedule gives you 3.5 hours there. That is a generous block of time for a boat trip, especially compared with cruises that allow only a short swim before rushing back.

The water is strikingly clear and turquoise. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, walk around Comino, or buy food and drinks from the available shore outlets. Beach chairs can be hired, though this adds to the cost and the rocky shore may not suit everyone who wants a soft beach day.

The catch is popularity. Blue Lagoon can be crowded, and the shore has a highly developed day-trip feel during busy periods. I would not choose this cruise expecting a quiet cove or a private patch of sand. You are paying for access to a famous place, not solitude.

Still, the long stop helps. You can let the first rush pass, swim at a less hectic moment, eat aboard the boat if you prefer, and spend the remaining time walking or sitting on deck. Several people specifically find the food and drinks aboard cheaper and better than buying lunch at Blue Lagoon, so check the boat menu before heading ashore.

The lagoon’s rocky setting also means comfortable shoes matter. Bring beachwear, a towel, and footwear that can handle uneven ground. Cash is recommended, particularly for small purchases and any optional extras.

The boat slide and glass-bottom view

The waterslide is more than a small extra. It gives the cruise a playful edge, especially for families and anyone who wants an easy way into the water. You can also jump from designated parts of the boat, but use care and follow the crew’s instructions.

The boat’s glass-bottom level offers another way to look into the sea when you are not swimming. It will not replace snorkeling, but it is a pleasant feature for anyone who wants to see below the surface without getting wet.

The setup suits a mixed group. One person can swim, another can read in the sun, and someone else can stay in the shade or watch the coastline. The tradeoff is that a popular boat with several activity areas may feel crowded, especially during boarding and the return journey.

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, helpful, and attentive to cleanliness. The onboard bathrooms are cleaned often, which matters on a seven-and-a-half-hour trip. Food and drinks are sold aboard at what is described as reasonable pricing, but they are not part of the $40 ticket.

Comino caves on the way back

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat heads back toward Sliema and pauses to show Comino’s caves, including the Santa Maria Caves area. You get about ten minutes for photographs and a short look.

This part is mainly scenic rather than a land visit. You remain on the boat, so keep your camera ready and do not wait until the last moment to come out on deck. The caves add variety after several hours of swimming and make the return trip more than a straight ride home.

The cruise also passes Malta’s coastal bays and St. Paul’s Island earlier in the day. Taken together, the route gives you a broad coastal view, even though most stops are brief or viewed from the water.

What the $40 price really covers

At $40 per person, this is good value if you want a full day combining transport, sightseeing, swimming, and free time. A separate boat ride to Comino would not necessarily give you the same mix of a seasonal second swim stop, waterslide, cave viewing, and several hours at Blue Lagoon.

The price is less compelling if you want a quiet, small-group outing. This is a shared cruise, and the boat can become crowded. You also need to budget for lunch, drinks, beach chairs, snorkel hire if needed, and the €5 optional transport to Victoria on the Gozo-focused option.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise need to organize several pieces themselves. You get the northbound coastal route, the Comino stops, a return to Sliema, and a flexible day aboard one boat.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the reserve-now, pay-later arrangement add useful flexibility. The trip runs rain or shine, though the captain can change the route or meeting point when weather conditions require it.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to families, couples, and friends who want an easy day with plenty of water time. The slide, glass-bottom area, food aboard, and helpful crew make it workable for groups with different interests.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Sliema and want a direct day on the sea without arranging hotel transfers. You must make your own way to Ferries 4, and the return is to the same meeting point.

You should think twice if you dislike crowds, rocky shorelines, or long boat rides. Motion sickness can also be an issue in rough water, even for people who do not normally suffer from it. Medication may be worth considering, though the tour information does not specify a particular product.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. Bring comfortable shoes, beachwear, a towel, a camera, and cash. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Blue Lagoon registration and timing

To get off the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, you need to register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com. The required afternoon slot is listed as 13.31 to 17.30.

Do this before the day of the cruise rather than trying to sort it out at the lagoon. The time window matches the long afternoon stop, but you are still responsible for having the code ready.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. The language used aboard is English, and the meeting point is Luzzu Cruises at Sliema Ferries 4.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Ferries 4 in Sliema. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat, either MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

How long does the cruise last?

The full experience lasts about 7.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Is Gozo included?

The standard plan includes a brief photo stop at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, lasting about five minutes. A separate option includes three hours of free time on Gozo and 1.5 hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

How long do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

The standard option provides about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. The Gozo-focused option provides 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.

Is the Crystal Lagoon stop available all year?

No. The stop at the Crystal Lagoon area or St. Nicholas Bay is seasonal, from May 1 through October 31, and depends on weather conditions. From November through April, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. To leave the boat at Blue Lagoon, register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot from 13.31 to 17.30.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price, but they are available to buy aboard the boat. Cash is recommended, and food and drinks are also available at Blue Lagoon.

Should you book this Sliema cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced full day on the water with two possible swim stops, a long Blue Lagoon visit, Comino caves, and a fun boat slide. The crew, clean facilities, flexible seating areas, and reasonable onboard refreshments add real value.

Choose the regular option if Comino is your priority and you want 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Choose the Gozo option only if you are willing to trade much of that lagoon time for several hours on Gozo. If you want peace and quiet, this busy shared cruise may disappoint, but for an active, practical day from Sliema, $40 is a fair price.