Mellieha: Comino, Crystal & Blue Lagoon 2 Bay Evening Cruise

The best reason to book this evening cruise is simple: you get time in Comino’s famous water without the full daytime crush. The Pegasus anchors for one hour at Crystal Lagoon, then spends about two hours around Blue Lagoon, with swimming, snorkeling, photos, and sunset scenery built into the plan.

I like the limited group size, with bookings capped at 45 even though the boat can hold 70. I also like the generous time in the water, especially at Blue Lagoon. The main drawback is the rocky shore and small sandy patch at Blue Lagoon, plus the need to register online if you plan to step onto Comino Island.

Key points to know before booking

• Two proper water stops: One hour at Crystal Lagoon, followed by about two hours at Blue Lagoon.
• Evening timing matters: Book the 17:30 to 22:00 slot for the two-bay cruise and sunset views.
• Room to move: The Pegasus has a 70-person capacity, but the operator limits bookings to 45.
• You choose your pace: Stay on the boat, swim and snorkel, or take an evening walk on Comino.
• Blue Lagoon is rocky: There is only a small sandy beach, so water shoes may be useful, though they are not listed as required.
• Bring your own basics: Food and drinks are not included, and you need swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and sunglasses.

Why an evening sailing works better than midday

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular places for a swim. In the middle of the day, the small island and its bright water can feel crowded. This cruise leaves in the late afternoon, when the harshest heat begins to ease and many daytime boats have already gone.

That timing changes the mood. You still get the clear water and bright colors, but the outing feels less like a race for a patch of shore. The return trip also brings sunset light, which gives the rocky coast and nearby Cominetto Island a softer look.

I would choose this trip if you care more about swimming and open views than a full day of sightseeing. Four hours is long enough to enjoy the water without using an entire day in Malta.

The booking window matters. The two-bay evening cruise is listed for the 17:30 to 22:00 period, so check the available start time before paying. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, and the boat leaves from Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay.

Boarding at Marfa Bay and meeting the Pegasus

The meeting point is the Blue Waves Watersports office, next to the water-sports center. Give yourself time to find the office and complete boarding before the cutoff. This is not the sort of outing where arriving at the last minute is a good plan.

Your boat is the Pegasus. It can carry 70 people, but the operator limits the cruise to 45. That difference is important. You should have more breathing room than on a fully loaded sightseeing boat, with space to sit, move around, and prepare for a swim.

The actual number aboard can vary. One recent sailing had only nine people, leaving a great deal of room, while the advertised limit gives you a useful ceiling rather than a promise of a nearly empty boat. The crew has been described as friendly and relaxed, with one booking group finding the atmosphere more like a day out with friends than a formal excursion.

There are drinks available for purchase on the boat at prices described as reasonable, but food and drinks are not included. Bring water and any snack you will want. This is especially useful if you plan to spend the full four hours outdoors.

Crystal Lagoon: your first hour in the water

The Pegasus heads first toward Crystal Lagoon. This is the quieter and more enclosed-feeling stop of the two, with clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling. The boat anchors here for about one hour.

That hour is well judged. You have enough time to get changed, enter the water, look around, and dry off without feeling rushed. If you want photographs, take them early, then put the phone away and enjoy the swim.

Crystal Lagoon is a good first stop because it lets you settle into the rhythm of the cruise. You can remain aboard if you do not want to swim, but the point of this trip is the water, so bring the equipment and clothing that make getting in easy.

Snorkel gear may be rented on the boat. The supplied details do not give a rental price, so ask before boarding or soon after you arrive. If you already own a mask and snorkel, bringing them may save time and avoid waiting for equipment.

Pack biodegradable sunscreen. Malta’s sun remains strong even late in the day, and the water reflects it back at you. Apply sunscreen before departure, then reapply after swimming according to the product instructions.

Blue Lagoon: two hours for swimming and sunset

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat continues to Blue Lagoon. This is the famous stop, and it is where you get the longest break, about two hours.

Blue Lagoon is mainly rocky, with only a small section of sandy beach. That makes the boat itself a useful base. You can swim straight from the Pegasus, snorkel near the anchored vessel, or go ashore for a walk and photographs.

If you want the sandy patch, do not assume it will feel like a broad beach. Space is limited, and the shoreline is not the main attraction here. The clear water is the reason to come, while the rocky setting gives the bay its character.

The long stop gives you room to choose your own pace. Swim first, take a break aboard, then go back in. Or stay dry and enjoy the views from the deck. You are not locked into one activity for the entire visit.

The water and rock colors change as the evening goes on. Earlier in the stop, the lagoon has the familiar bright appearance seen in Malta’s photographs. Later, the sunset adds warmer tones. The route also offers views toward Cominetto Island, which makes the return portion more scenic than a simple ride back to port.

Going ashore on Comino

You may leave the Pegasus for an evening walk on Comino. This option suits you if you want more than a swim and would like to take photographs from land.

There is an important rule here. From 1 May 2025, anyone who wants to step onto Comino Island from Blue Lagoon and explore on foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com.

Do this before the cruise if a walk is part of your plan. The boat option remains useful even if you do not go ashore, since you can stay aboard and enjoy the water and views. But do not assume you can simply land without completing the required registration.

Wear practical beach clothes and shoes. High heels are not allowed, and the rocky shore makes sensible footwear a better choice anyway. The supplied information does not specifically require water shoes, but you might find them helpful around a rocky landing.

What the group size means on the water

A limit of 45 people on a boat built for 70 is one of the strongest practical features here. It does not turn the Pegasus into a private charter, but it should reduce the cramped feeling that can spoil a swim cruise.

You will still share the boat with other people, and the final group size can vary. The operator’s cap gives the crew more room to manage boarding, equipment, and movement around the deck.

This matters most at the two swimming stops. You want enough space to collect a mask, step into the water, climb back aboard, and find a place to sit. A smaller load also makes the cruise feel calmer during the return to Marfa Bay.

The crew has earned strong marks for keeping to time and for being friendly. That is not a minor detail on a four-hour boat outing. Clear timing means you receive the full stops promised, rather than losing part of your swim to a late departure or slow boarding.

Is $35 a fair price?

At $35 per person, this is a good-value half-day outing if you intend to swim. You are paying for a four-hour cruise, transport by boat to two well-known lagoons, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, about two hours at Blue Lagoon, and the option of a walk on Comino.

The value comes from the time at anchor. Some boat trips spend much of the day moving between locations, leaving only a short window for swimming. Here, the stops take up most of the experience.

The price does not include food, drinks, or snorkel rental. Those extras can raise your total, so budget for them if you do not bring your own supplies. A towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and water are the practical basics.

I would not choose this cruise if you want a full meal, a private boat, or a detailed historical tour of Comino. The live guide service is in English, but the focus is clearly on the sea, swimming, snorkeling, and scenery rather than lectures.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits confident swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a boat and rocky shore. It also works well for anyone with only one free afternoon and a strong wish to see Comino’s lagoons.

The evening schedule is useful for people who dislike peak heat. You get a long time in the water without committing your whole day, and sunset adds a pleasant finish.

It is less suitable for wheelchair users, since the activity is not accessible for wheelchairs. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and intoxication is prohibited. Bikes, scooters, electric wheelchairs, weapons, sharp objects, explosive substances, and fire-making equipment are also not permitted.

You should also think about your comfort with a boat-based swim. Blue Lagoon has a rocky shoreline and a small sandy area, so anyone expecting a wide, soft beach may be disappointed. The Pegasus gives you an alternative, since you can stay aboard and enter the water from the vessel.

What to pack for the four hours

Keep your bag simple and make sure you have the essentials:

• Swimwear and beachwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Sunscreen, preferably biodegradable
• Water and any snacks you want
• Snorkel gear, or money to rent it aboard

A hat and sunglasses matter during the outward trip, even though the cruise runs into the evening. Keep valuables secure and pack clothing that can handle salt water and sun.

Do not wear high heels. They are not allowed, and they are poorly suited to a boat and rocky shore. Avoid bringing anything listed as prohibited, especially sharp objects, weapons, or anything that could create a fire risk.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The captain can cancel or alter the route because of weather, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled for those reasons, you receive an alternative date or a refund.

That policy is sensible for an outing centered on swimming and an open boat route. Sea conditions affect both comfort and safety, so a change is better than forcing the planned route in rough water.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also keeps your plans flexible, which is useful when your Malta schedule depends on weather.

Check the start time, arrive before boarding closes, and keep the evening free through the expected return to Marfa Bay. The listed duration is four hours, but sea conditions can affect the exact pace.

Should you book the Comino evening cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced swim cruise with two substantial lagoon stops, a smaller-than-capacity group, and a chance to see Comino in evening light. The friendly crew, reliable timing, and generous time at anchor add real value.

Skip it if your priority is a sandy beach, wheelchair access, a meal, or a private and silent boat ride. Blue Lagoon is rocky, extras cost more, and the sea remains central to the experience.

For most able-bodied visitors who want Malta’s clearest water without spending a full day on the outing, I would book the evening slot. Register in advance if you want to walk on Comino, arrive 15 minutes early, and bring everything you need for several hours in the sun and sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Blue Waves Watersports at Marfa Bay. The office is next to the water-sports center.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts four hours.

Which locations does the boat visit?

The boat visits Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon around Comino. The route also includes views of Cominetto Island.

How long do you stop at Crystal Lagoon?

You get about one hour at Crystal Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and sightseeing.

How long do you stop at Blue Lagoon?

You get about two hours at Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, free time, walking, photographs, and sunset views.

Can I stay on the boat instead of swimming?

Yes. You can stay aboard the Pegasus or enter the water and take part in the swimming and snorkeling stops.

Can I walk on Comino Island?

Yes, but from 1 May 2025 you must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at www.blcomino.com before going ashore to explore on foot.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is not listed as included, but it may be rented on the boat.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Drinks may be available to purchase on the boat.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide service is offered in English.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

The captain may cancel or alter the cruise because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled, you receive an alternative date or a refund.