From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Speedboat

The speedboat ride to Comino is the main event here, not just a transfer. From St. Julian’s, you cut across the water toward the Blue Lagoon, pass St. Paul’s Islands, and reach Comino far faster than by a slower harbor boat or bus-and-ferry combination. I like the quick journey and the freedom to spend your time on Comino without a guide setting the pace.

I also like the return route, which includes Comino’s sea caves when weather allows. The big catch is the Blue Lagoon access pass: since May 2025, you cannot step ashore there without one. The lagoon is beautiful, but it can be very crowded, so this suits you best if you value speed, swimming, and flexibility more than peace and quiet.

Key points at a glance

• Fast crossing from St. Julian’s: The boat ride usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, depending on conditions.
• Free time at Comino: You explore, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk without a guide leading you around.
• Access pass required: Get the official Blue Lagoon pass at blcomino.com before departure. Daily numbers are limited.
• Sea caves on the return: The skipper may take you past Comino’s caves if weather and sea conditions permit.
• Useful facilities ashore: Food stands, drinks, toilets, showers, lockers, deck chairs, and water activities are available at extra cost.
• Best for active adults: The ride and shore access are not suitable for children under three, pregnant people, wheelchair users, or anyone with serious mobility, heart, back, or motion-sickness concerns.

Why this speedboat trip works well from St. Julian’s

Comino is close to Malta on a map, but getting there can take much of a day if you choose an indirect route. This trip keeps the transport simple. You meet at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, board a speedboat, and head north along Malta’s eastern coast.

That efficiency is the biggest value of the experience. At $53 per person, you are paying for the return boat ride, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time on Comino, and the cave visit on the way home. Food, drinks, deck chairs, lockers, and water activities cost extra, but the price is reasonable if you want a direct transfer and do not need a full guided sightseeing program.

The crossing has also been praised for being comfortable and punctual. Some departures reach Comino in about 30 minutes, while the advertised journey is roughly 45 minutes. Sea conditions, the boat used, and the day’s operation affect the exact timing, so treat the shorter crossing as a possibility rather than a promise.

The ride itself can be lively. You get open-water views and a faster, more exciting trip than a large ferry provides. Music may be played on board, and the skipper may point out places along the coast or offer brief comments about what you pass. This is not a formal guided tour, though, so do not book it expecting a running commentary or an organized history lesson.

Finding the jetty behind the marina hotel

The meeting point is at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, St. Julian’s, behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel. The hotel was formerly called Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, so older directions or signs may use that name.

Finding the actual jetty takes a little care. Near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty where the boats and jet skis are kept.

This is not a hotel lobby meeting point. Allow enough time to locate the ramp and gate, especially if you are carrying swimming gear and are unfamiliar with St. Julian’s. The host or greeter speaks English, and the boat operator may use any suitable speedboat from the fleet, so do not expect the exact vessel shown in promotional photographs.

Large bags, luggage, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Pack light. A small beach bag with your swimsuit, towel, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat is the sensible setup.

The 30 to 45 minute ride past St. Paul’s Islands

Once the boat leaves St. Julian’s, you follow Malta’s eastern coast before heading toward Comino. St. Paul’s Islands are one of the notable sights along the way, giving you something to look at before the open-water crossing begins.

The speed is part of the appeal, but it also affects comfort. The boat can move quickly and may feel bumpy when the sea becomes rough. One account describes calm and safe travel, while also noting that life jackets were important on the return when the waves picked up. The crew provides them when needed.

If you are prone to seasickness, this is a poor choice even though one passenger who often feels sick at sea had no trouble. Bring motion-sickness prevention if you normally need it, but keep in mind that the experience specifically excludes people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.

You should also reconsider the trip if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, or have limited mobility. Boarding a speedboat and moving around Comino require more physical ease than a standard sightseeing bus. Children under three are not accepted.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

The first sight of the Blue Lagoon is the reward for the fast crossing. The water is famously clear, with shades of blue and green over a pale sandy bottom. Fish can be seen in the shallows, and the bright water makes this a fine place to swim or snorkel.

You can spend your shore time as you please. Swim, sunbathe, take photographs, stroll around Comino, or simply sit near the water. The freedom is useful because different people in the same party can choose different activities without being pulled along to the next stop.

The setting is less peaceful than the pictures suggest. The Blue Lagoon becomes very crowded, particularly during the main summer season. Deck chairs may be available for rent, and food and drink stands operate nearby, but space beside the water can be tight. If your ideal beach day means quiet sand and an empty cove, this may disappoint you.

Still, the water itself is the reason to come. Even with crowds, the clear sea and bright color make swimming worthwhile. You may also find banana boats, parasailing, and the option to swim toward a smaller nearby island. These activities are not included in the $53 price, so budget separately if you want more than a swim and walk.

Facilities make the stop easier than a remote beach visit. Toilets, showers for rinsing off, and lockers are available, with lockers and some other services costing extra. Card payment is accepted by many vendors, including some deck-chair rentals, but carrying a small amount of money is still sensible for incidental purchases.

A playful food tip: pineapple drinks are available in pineapple cups. If you buy one, bring a fork so you can eat the fruit left inside. It is a small thing, but useful when you are paying for a snack and do not want the best part to go to waste.

The access pass you must arrange before sailing

This is the most important practical detail. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must have an official government access pass. You obtain it online through blcomino.com, and the daily allocation is limited.

The pass is not included in the boat fare. It is also not controlled by the boat company, so do not assume the skipper can solve the problem at the jetty. Arrange it before the day of your trip and keep proof of it available as required.

Without the pass, you cannot step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You may instead be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino. That gives you a backup location, but it is not the same experience as walking straight into the famous Blue Lagoon.

This rule changes how you should book. First choose your boat time, then secure the access pass for the matching date. Do not wait until you are already on Malta, particularly during busy periods when the daily allocation may be gone.

Free time on Comino without a guide

This is a transfer with leisure time, not a guided island tour. That is good news if you want control. You can remain by the lagoon, walk inland, look for quieter corners, or spend the entire stop in the water.

The island walk is worth considering because it gives you a break from the busiest part of the lagoon. A walk around Comino takes you away from the densest crowd and offers a different view of the coast. The supplied duration options range from about 2.5 to 4.5 hours overall, so check the exact departure and return time when booking.

Shorter options work well if your priority is a swim and a quick look around. Longer options give you more room for a walk, lunch, changing clothes, and time at the water without watching the clock every minute. You remain responsible for returning to the boat at the agreed pickup time.

There is no tour guide to gather you, explain the island, or escort you back from a walk. Keep track of the boat’s pickup instructions and time. If you prefer a structured day with commentary and a leader, choose a different kind of Comino excursion.

Sea caves on the return journey

The return trip adds more than a simple ride back to St. Julian’s. When weather permits, the speedboat passes Comino’s sea caves, giving you a close look at the rocky coastline from the water.

This is a strong finishing touch because the Blue Lagoon is not the only worthwhile view on Comino. The caves show the island from a different angle, with openings and rock formations shaped by the sea. The exact route depends on conditions, and the cave visit is not guaranteed in rough weather.

The return can also be the bumpier leg. If the wind rises, the waves may feel much stronger than they did in the morning. Listen to the skipper, use a life jacket when instructed, and secure your belongings. Sunglasses, hats, and loose items are easy to lose on a fast boat.

What to bring and what to leave behind

You should arrive ready for a beach stop rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. Wear comfortable shoes for the jetty and any walk on Comino. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Pack only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not accepted, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You must make your own way to the St. Julian’s jetty.

Food and drinks are not included, although stands operate near the Blue Lagoon. You can buy refreshments ashore, but bringing a small bottle of water may be helpful if permitted within the operator’s current arrangements. The supplied information confirms that food and drinks are excluded, so do not treat the $53 fare as an all-inclusive beach package.

The boat operator covers fuel, which means there is no surprise fuel charge added to the listed fare. You also get an experienced skipper, but not a dedicated guide. That distinction matters when comparing this with a longer sightseeing cruise.

Who gets the best value from the $53 fare?

I consider the price fair for someone who wants a direct, fast connection from St. Julian’s and several hours at Comino. You avoid arranging separate transport, gain a lively boat ride, and get the sea caves on the way back. The trip is especially useful if your Malta schedule is tight.

The value is weaker if you only want a quiet swim. The Blue Lagoon’s crowds can reduce the feeling of escape, and you will pay extra for chairs, lockers, food, drinks, or optional water sports. A quieter bay may give you more peace, though it would not offer the same famous water or the same speedboat route.

The flexible duration is another advantage. You can choose among available departure and return options, with total trip times listed between 2.5 and 4.5 hours. Check the available schedule carefully because the amount of time on Comino affects the value far more than a small difference in crossing time.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later terms make it easier to keep plans flexible. Those policies do not remove the need to secure the Blue Lagoon pass in advance.

Should you book the St. Julian’s speedboat to Comino?

Book it if you want the quickest practical route from St. Julian’s to Comino, enjoy a brisk ride, and are happy to explore independently. The clear water, free island time, and cave visit make a strong half-day outing.

Before booking, secure the government access pass, accept that the lagoon may be packed, and check that everyone in your group is comfortable on a fast boat. If you need a quiet beach, a full historical tour, hotel transport, or step-free access, this is not the right fit.

For a swimmer, snorkeler, or first-time Malta visitor with limited time, I would choose it. Just arrive light, protect your hat and phone from the wind, and treat the Blue Lagoon as a spectacular swim stop rather than a private beach.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The high-speed journey is advertised at about 45 minutes each way, though some departures reach Comino in roughly 30 minutes. The full experience lasts between 2.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the option you choose.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. Use the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

Do I need a pass to visit the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need an official government access pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. Get it in advance through blcomino.com because daily numbers are limited.

What happens if I do not have the access pass?

You will not be allowed to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The operator says you may instead be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino.

Is this a guided tour?

No. You have free time on Comino and explore at your own pace. An English-speaking host or greeter is available, and the skipper may provide brief comments during the ride, but there is no formal guided island tour.

Are the Comino sea caves guaranteed?

No. The return visit to the caves takes place when weather and sea conditions permit.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the fare. Stands near the Blue Lagoon sell refreshments, and other paid facilities and activities are available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the St. Julian’s jetty. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and motion-sickness prevention if you normally use it. Large bags, luggage, strollers, and several types of wheelchairs are not allowed.

Who should not take this trip?

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant people, people with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.