Malta: Around Comino Cruise With Blue Lagoon stop

Comino’s best-known waters come together on this four-hour boat trip from Marfa Jetty. You get three separate swim stops, a look at Elephant Rock and Santa Marija Caves, and enough time to enjoy the sea without spending a full day aboard.

I like the small maximum group of 25 and the simple extras: snorkeling equipment, water, adult-only wine, and a restroom. The main consideration is timing. Each stop lasts about an hour, so you get a good taste of Comino but not a long, quiet stay at any one bay, and the Blue Lagoon can feel busy.

Key points to know before booking

• Three one-hour swim stops: Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay each receive roughly an hour.
• Snorkeling gear is included: Masks are provided for exploring the clear water at Crystal Lagoon and the other swim stops.
• Blue Lagoon time includes a land option: You can choose to step ashore during the Blue Lagoon stop.
• Scenery between swims: The boat passes Elephant Rock and Santa Marija Caves, with views of Comino’s limestone coast.
• Drinks are part of the fare: Water and wine are provided, with wine restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
• A compact outing from Marfa Jetty: The cruise ends back at the meeting point after about four hours.

Three Comino swimming spots in one half-day

The appeal here is straightforward. You spend most of the outing around Comino, moving between three very different places to swim rather than committing to one beach or one long cruise.

The schedule gives each stop about an hour. That is enough time to get into the water, try the included mask, and dry off before moving on. It also keeps the trip moving, which suits you if you want a taste of Comino’s coast without giving up an entire day.

The boat tour starts and ends at Marfa Jetty, making the plan easy to understand. Private transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way to the jetty. The mobile ticket is useful for keeping the booking on your phone.

The boat carries no more than 25 people. That does not guarantee a silent or spacious ride, but it is a more manageable setup than a very large excursion boat. One particularly appealing detail is the restroom on board, something you will appreciate during a four-hour trip with repeated swims.

Crystal Lagoon: the strongest stop for snorkeling

Crystal Lagoon gets the first full swimming hour. Its clear, turquoise water and rocky setting make it the natural place to begin with a mask.

Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own gear to take a look below the surface. The supplied information points to marine life in the lagoon, though it does not promise particular species or a guided snorkeling session. Think of this as independent time in the water, not an organized lesson.

I like the way this first stop sets the rhythm for the day. You can swim, float, or simply sit on the boat and look at the water. If you are keen to snorkel, use this hour well, since it may be the calmest chance to examine the shallows before the more famous Blue Lagoon.

There is a practical limit to keep in mind. The tour gives you access to the lagoon, but it does not include a private section of shore or a reserved swimming area. Conditions, boat traffic, and the number of people in the water can affect how peaceful the stop feels.

Bring a towel and sun protection, since neither is listed as an included item. Snacks are also not included, so plan to eat before boarding or bring food if permitted by the operator. Water is provided, which helps, but the included drink should not be mistaken for a full meal service.

Blue Lagoon: famous water, busy reputation

The Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, with another hour set aside for swimming in its clear, strongly colored water. This is the place most people picture when they think of Comino, and the tour gives you time to experience it from the water.

You can also choose to step ashore during the Blue Lagoon stop. That option matters because it lets you do more than swim beside the boat. You might prefer to walk on land, take in the view from the shore, or find a place to sit before returning to the water.

The tradeoff is that the Blue Lagoon is iconic for a reason, and its fame can work against a calm experience. The tour information does not promise a quiet period or a private landing. If your dream is an empty cove, this is not the safest choice. If your aim is simply to see the famous water and have a scheduled swim, the hour gives you a useful chance.

I would treat the Blue Lagoon as a place to enjoy in short bursts. Swim while the water appeals, look back at the limestone coast, and use the land option if you want a change of pace. You do not need to spend every minute in the water.

The sequence of stops also gives you some choice. After Crystal Lagoon, you already have one snorkeling session behind you. At Blue Lagoon, you can focus on the scenery, swim near the boat, or go ashore instead of repeating the same activity.

Santa Marija Bay: the quieter change of pace

Santa Marija Bay receives the third one-hour swimming stop. Its calm, clear water offers a different feel from the more famous lagoon, and you can step onto the beach here as well.

This is the most useful stop for slowing down. You can swim, sit on the sand, explore the nearby area, or take a short walk. That shore access gives the day more variety than a cruise made up only of swim-from-the-boat stops.

I like having Santa Marija Bay at the end because it gives you a final chance to dry off and enjoy Comino at a gentler pace. The word serene can be overused for popular coastal stops, but the description of this bay points to calmer water and a more relaxed setting than the main Blue Lagoon stop.

Still, one hour passes quickly. If you go ashore, allow enough time to return to the boat before departure. The itinerary does not state how far the swimming area is from the landing point or how the return is managed, so follow the crew’s instructions closely.

Santa Marija Bay may suit you best if you want a mix of sea and land. It is also a sensible stop for anyone who finds constant swimming tiring. You can spend part of the hour on the beach rather than treating every stop as an athletic session.

Elephant Rock and Santa Marija Caves from the water

The cruise is not only a sequence of swim stops. Along the route, the boat passes Elephant Rock, a distinctive coastal formation that gives you a memorable point to watch for from the deck.

You also pass in front of Santa Marija Caves. The boat tours the cave area, allowing you to see the limestone formations from the water. The boat does not enter the caves, so set your expectations correctly. This is a scenic pass, not a cave walk or an interior exploration.

That limitation is not a flaw so much as a useful distinction. The coast is part of the experience, and the view from the water shows the cliffs, rock shapes, and clear sea from an angle you cannot get while sitting on a beach. Keep your phone ready, but protect it from spray and make sure it is secure on board.

The supplied information does not name a guide or promise a formal commentary at Elephant Rock or the caves. You should expect the scenery itself to be the main attraction. If you want a detailed geology talk, ask the crew what information they provide before departure.

What the $51 fare actually covers

At $51, this is priced as a mid-range half-day boat outing rather than a bare transfer. The strongest value comes from combining transport around Comino, three scheduled swim stops, cave and coastal views, snorkeling equipment, and drinks in one package.

The included mask is especially useful if you were not planning to buy or carry snorkeling gear. Water on board is another practical plus. Wine is provided at no extra charge for adults aged 18 and over, adding a social touch to the ride, though it is best enjoyed after swimming rather than before getting into the sea.

Fuel surcharges are included, so the advertised price is not presented as a base fare that later grows with a separate fuel charge. A restroom is also available. Snacks are not included, and private transportation to Marfa Jetty is not included, so those are the two costs or arrangements you should account for.

Value depends on how you use the four hours. If you want all three swim stops and a look at the caves, the fare covers a lot. If you mainly want a quiet beach day, you may prefer spending your money on a longer stay at one location instead.

How the four hours feel in practice

The schedule is neatly divided into three one-hour stops, with cruising time between them. That makes the day easy to follow, but it also means the timetable is firm.

You will need to get ready for each swim without wasting too much time. Have your towel, footwear, and personal items organized before the boat reaches a stop. The tour does not list a changing facility, so wear practical swim clothing under your regular clothes if that helps.

The boat provides a natural break between stops. You can sit back, watch the coast, and have water or wine while the crew moves to the next bay. The review supplied for this experience praised the friendly crew and the pleasant atmosphere among people on the boat. That fits the setup: this is a shared excursion designed for an easygoing social outing rather than a private charter.

The group limit of 25 is worth noting. It creates a more personal scale than a large ferry, but the boat may still feel active when everyone prepares to swim or returns from shore. If you need lots of personal space, ask about the boat arrangement before booking.

Practical details at Marfa Jetty

The meeting point is Marfa Jetty, and the activity returns there at the end. Public transportation is nearby, but private transportation is not part of the package.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided at booking. The published operating period runs from June 25 to November 10, 2025. The listed Monday hours are 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Since the schedule information is presented in time windows, check the exact departure shown for your selected date.

Good weather matters for a boat trip. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The activity also needs a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Most people can take part, but the experience is built around swimming, boarding, and a possible landing. Anyone who is not comfortable with those activities should consider that before booking. No special accessibility details are provided, so ask Barbarossa Excursions directly if you need specific assistance.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a compact introduction to Comino with both water time and coastal scenery. It works well for couples, friends, and families who can handle a boat-based day and like having a clear schedule.

It is also a good match if you want to snorkel but do not own equipment. The included masks remove one small planning chore, and Crystal Lagoon gives you a natural first chance to use them.

You may want another type of trip if you dislike fixed departure times, crowded famous sites, or getting on and off a boat several times. Three one-hour stops offer variety, but they do not allow for a long, unhurried beach stay.

The free wine and friendly crew add to the mood, but they should be viewed as bonuses rather than the reason to book. The real value is the combination of three coves, a Blue Lagoon landing option, and a short cruise past Comino’s rock formations.

Should you book Barbarossa Excursions?

Book this tour if you want to see the main Comino swim spots in about four hours and like the convenience of included snorkeling gear, water, wine for adults, a restroom, and a boat that carries no more than 25 people.

Skip it if your priority is solitude or a full day at one beach. The Blue Lagoon may be busy, and the one-hour limits keep the outing moving.

For most people comparing short Malta boat trips, the deciding question is simple: do you want variety or stillness? Choose this Barbarossa Excursions cruise for three different swimming settings, cave views, and a friendly shared-boat atmosphere. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure if your plans change, since that is the deadline for a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise start and finish?

The tour starts at Marfa Jetty and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The boat tour lasts approximately four hours.

Which swimming spots are included?

You have swimming stops at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Marija Bay. Each stop lasts about one hour.

Can I go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The tour includes the option to stop on land at the Blue Lagoon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use during the tour.

Are drinks included?

Water and wine are provided. Wine is available only to adults aged 18 and over. Snacks are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. A full refund is also offered if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the activity is canceled for that reason.