From Sliema: Comino Island and Blue Lagoon Cruise

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here: clear turquoise water, a pale seabed, rocky coves, and enough free time to enjoy the island instead of rushing ashore for a quick photograph. The cruise from Sliema adds fine views of Malta’s bays, headlands, and sea caves.

I like the generous stop of about 3.5 hours, and I like the extra summer swim stop at Crystal Lagoon, where the crew may open the boat’s water slide. The main consideration is crowding: the Blue Lagoon can be packed, and this is a free-time cruise rather than a guided island tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Three and a half hours at Comino: Enough time for swimming, lunch, a walk, and a little sitting in the sun.
• Crystal Lagoon in summer: From May to October, weather permitting, you may get a 45-minute swim stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.
• A scenic Malta coastline cruise: You’ll pass Sliema promenade, St. Julian’s Bay, St. George’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay.
• Blue Lagoon access pass required: Since May 2025, you must arrange a government-issued pass yourself before stepping ashore.
• Water slide and onboard facilities: The boat has toilets, crew assistance, and a slide for the swim stop.
• Free time, not a guided walk: Commentary is provided over the PA system, but you explore Comino independently.

What the $41 price really gets you

At about $41 per person, this is a solid value if you want a full day on the water and a long swim stop at Comino. The price includes the sightseeing cruise, onboard commentary, the Comino and Blue Lagoon stop, crew assistance, toilet facilities, and the additional summer swim stop when conditions allow.

It does not include food, drinks, hotel pickup, a walking guide, or the Blue Lagoon access pass. Those exclusions matter. You’ll need to reach the Sliema Ferries on your own, and you should budget separately for snacks, drinks, or any beach rental you choose at Comino.

The value is strongest for swimmers and sun seekers. You get a boat ride, several coastal viewpoints, free time at one of Malta’s best-known swimming spots, and possibly another swim at Crystal Lagoon. A shorter private boat may suit you better if you dislike long excursions or want a quieter experience, but it will usually offer a different price structure.

For a full day out, the cost is reasonable. Just don’t expect a small, private sailing trip. This is a shared cruise, and the Blue Lagoon is a busy public attraction in summer.

Leaving Sliema and following Malta’s coast

The day begins at the Sliema Ferries, where you board in the morning. Arrive early if you want a better choice of seats. One summer departure was reported as filling quickly, with advice to arrive about 30 minutes before departure.

The trip north gives you a useful view of Malta from the water. You pass the Sliema promenade, St. Julian’s Bay, St. George’s Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay. The PA commentary points out the sights, though the amount and clarity of information can vary. One account described the captain’s explanation as limited and partly translated, while other passengers found the commentary clear and useful.

That makes this cruise best understood as a sightseeing boat with commentary, not a history tour. You’ll learn what you’re looking at, but you won’t have a guide beside you for questions or a structured talk at each stop.

The crossing also gives you a break from Malta’s busy roads. From the boat, the shoreline becomes a series of bays, limestone cliffs, and low headlands. Keep your phone ready for photographs, but protect it from spray and strong sun.

The boat first makes a brief stop near Mġarr Harbour in Gozo to drop off passengers continuing there. This is not the main Gozo sightseeing portion of the day. If your plan is to visit Gozo, confirm the exact arrangement before booking, since the Comino cruise itself focuses on the Blue Lagoon and the surrounding coast.

The Blue Lagoon access pass is your responsibility

This is the most important practical detail. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon must obtain a government-issued access pass through blcomino.com.

The daily number of passes is limited. For this cruise, you must select the afternoon slot when applying. Arrange it before the day of your cruise, and keep proof of the pass available as instructed by the government system.

The cruise operator does not arrange this pass for you. If you arrive without the required pass and cannot disembark, you should not expect a refund. This is not a minor paperwork detail, so put it near the top of your booking checklist.

The rule concerns going ashore. The cruise still includes the boat journey and planned stops, but your ability to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon depends on having the official pass.

Three and a half hours around Comino

Once you reach Comino, you have roughly 3.5 hours of free time. That long stop is one of the best reasons to choose this cruise over a quick sightseeing boat.

The Blue Lagoon water is the main draw. The seabed is pale, which helps give the water its bright color, and the area is well suited to swimming and snorkeling when conditions are good. You can spend the whole stop in the water, divide your time between swimming and walking, or simply find a place to sit and watch the boats.

Do not expect a private beach. In high summer, boats fill the bay and the shoreline can feel crowded. Shade is limited at the Blue Lagoon, and one account reported a charge of €15 for a single beach umbrella and chair. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water rather than counting on a shaded spot.

The island itself is small, covering about 3.5 square kilometers, and has no cars or urban development. That makes walking a pleasant change from the busy waterfront. Trails lead toward St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery. These walks are especially appealing in autumn and winter, when swimming is less central and the island feels more open.

Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to walk. Sandals may work for the boat and beach, but rocky paths call for something more secure. You should also carry only what you need, since oversize luggage, large bags, and bulky items are not allowed.

Food and drinks are not included. You might find snack and drink vans on Comino, and food and drinks may also be available on the boat, but bring cash as a backup. The activity information specifically recommends carrying cash, even though some onboard purchases may accept cards.

The summer swim stop at Crystal Lagoon

From May through October, weather permitting, the itinerary includes another stop of about 45 minutes. The boat may visit Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay, depending on conditions and operational decisions.

Crystal Lagoon is the more active option. Dramatic cliffs and sea caves frame the turquoise water, and the boat may stop offshore so you can swim directly from it. Several departures included a water slide, turning this short stop into the most playful part of the day.

You may be able to jump from the boat, use the slide, and snorkel around the clear water. The boat stopping in the middle of the bay means you should be comfortable entering the sea from a ladder or platform rather than walking in from a beach.

St. Nicholas Bay offers a quieter setting, with two small sandy beaches and calm, shallow water. It may suit you better if you prefer an easy swim or a gentler shoreline. The exact stop is not guaranteed, since weather and sea conditions control the decision.

Bring your towel and swimwear where they are easy to reach. Don’t pack your day bag deep inside luggage, and don’t leave valuables unattended on the boat. There was one report of the boat temporarily leaving the bay to collect other passengers after people had been told they could leave belongings onboard. The boat returned, but the episode is a useful reminder to take anything important with you or confirm the crew’s instructions.

Jellyfish can also be present in the sea, particularly during warmer months. You may want to ask the crew about current conditions before swimming.

Returning through Comino’s sea caves

The return journey includes views of Comino’s sea caves. These rocky openings and narrow coastal formations are best seen from the water, where you can appreciate their shape without needing to walk to them.

The caves are a pleasant finish after the long stop ashore. They also give non-swimmers something to enjoy, although you should be realistic about the day. If you do not plan to swim or walk, seven and a half hours on a boat and island can feel long.

The cruise is generally organized around clear departure and return times. Some departures have run from roughly 10:00 to 17:30, matching the advertised 7.5-hour duration, but you should check the current start time when booking. Crew members provide drop-off and pickup instructions onboard.

What the boat experience is like

The crew is a major strength of this outing. You can expect assistance from the captain and staff, safety support, and basic information over the PA system. Several accounts describe the crew as friendly, helpful, professional, and good at explaining where and when to return to the boat.

The boat includes a water slide and toilet facilities, both useful on a long summer trip. The slide is not just decoration. At Crystal Lagoon, it can become one of the day’s main attractions, especially for families and younger passengers.

This is not advertised as a party cruise, but the crowd may lean toward teenagers and people in their twenties during summer. The atmosphere can be lively without being a dedicated booze cruise. If you want peace and quiet, consider a cooler-season departure or a smaller private boat.

The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Getting on and off a boat, moving around the island, and entering the sea may be difficult. It is also a poor choice if you are prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Bring suitable medication if you normally use it, though the provided information does not specify what the crew carries onboard.

Best times to take this Comino cruise

Summer gives you the fullest version of the itinerary: warm water, the possible Crystal Lagoon stop, and the water slide. It also brings the most crowding and strongest sun. Arrive early, bring sunscreen, and expect limited shade.

Spring and autumn can offer a better balance. You may still have good swimming weather, while the walking trails become more comfortable. The extra swim stop runs from May to October, subject to weather.

Winter is a different kind of outing. Comino remains appealing for walking, photography, and coastal views, but the swim-focused parts may not suit everyone. One January trip included a sheltered bay, pleasant sunshine, walking, shallow water, and snack options, with the passenger enjoying the slower pace.

The operator can change the itinerary because of weather or other operating limits. That is standard for a sea trip, but it is worth keeping your schedule flexible.

Who should book this experience

I’d choose this cruise if you want:

• A straightforward full-day trip from Sliema
• Plenty of time at the Blue Lagoon
• Swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing
• A possible second swim at Crystal Lagoon
• Coastal views without organizing ferries yourself
• Independent time instead of a tightly led walking tour
• A reasonably priced shared boat outing

Families can enjoy the slide and calm water, though small children need close supervision around the boat and sea. Solo visitors can also manage this easily, since the crew provides clear meeting instructions and the free time lets you set your own pace.

I would hesitate if you need shade, dislike crowds, suffer from motion sickness, or want a detailed guided tour. I’d also avoid booking until you have confirmed the Blue Lagoon access pass.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino cruise?

Book it if swimming and sea views are your priority. The combination of a long Comino stop, possible Crystal Lagoon swim, water slide, and coastal cruise gives you good use of a full day for $41.

Go in with the right expectations. The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet private cove in summer, the commentary is not a full guided tour, and food, drinks, transport to Sliema, and the government access pass cost extra or require separate planning.

For the best experience, arrive early, secure the correct afternoon pass, pack a towel and comfortable shoes, carry sunscreen and cash, and keep valuables with you during swim stops. If that sounds like your kind of Malta day, this is an easy and fairly priced way to reach Comino.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about 7.5 hours. Some departures have operated from approximately 10:00 to 17:30, but you should check the available starting time for your date.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from the Sliema Ferries in Sliema, Malta. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How much time do I get on Comino?

You get approximately 3.5 hours to enjoy Comino and the Blue Lagoon at your own pace.

Is the Blue Lagoon access pass included?

No. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued pass independently through blcomino.com. Select the afternoon slot when applying for this cruise.

What happens if I do not have the access pass?

You may not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The customer is responsible for obtaining the pass, and no refund is issued if you cannot go ashore because you did not arrange it.

Is there an extra swimming stop?

From May through October, weather permitting, the cruise includes an additional 45-minute stop at either Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay.

Does the boat have a water slide?

Yes. A water slide is included, and it may be used during the swim stop, particularly at Crystal Lagoon when conditions permit.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though they may be available for purchase on the boat or from snack and drink vans on Comino.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The boat provides commentary over a PA system, but your time on Comino is independent. There is no tour guide leading you around the island.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and cash. Pets, oversize luggage, and large bags are not allowed.