Mellieha: Round Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo Cruise with Water

The main draw is simple: this four-hour boat trip gives you two long swim stops in Comino’s clearest water, then returns past Gozo. The Blue Lagoon gets the fame, but the Crystal Lagoon is often the calmer, more scenic stop, with cliffs and open views all around you.

I like the generous time in the water, especially the 1½ hours at the Blue Lagoon. I also like the practical extras: free mineral water, fresh-water showers, toilets, a slide, and snorkel gear available with a refundable deposit. The main catch is that the boat does not drop you ashore at the Blue Lagoon unless you arrange the new government access pass, and the boat is not suited to wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swim stops: Spend about 1½ hours at the Blue Lagoon and another hour at the Crystal Lagoon.
• A water slide on board: A fun extra for confident swimmers, though it is not the reason to book the cruise.
• Free snorkel equipment: You can borrow gear without a rental fee, but you need a €20 cash deposit that is returned when you bring it back.
• Gozo on the return: The boat passes Gozo’s coast and pauses for photos at Mġarr Harbour without letting you disembark.
• Blue Lagoon access has changed: Since May 2025, anyone wanting to step ashore needs an advance pass from blcomino.com.
• Good practical facilities: Expect mineral water, a cash bar, rooftop deckchairs, toilets, and fresh-water showers.

Setting out from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa

Your meeting point is Marfa Jetty, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna. This is a departure from northern Malta, so check your own route to Marfa carefully, since hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included.

The trip lasts four hours, and the timing is built around water stops rather than a long stay on land. That matters. You are paying for a moving view of Comino, time to swim, and a relaxed return past Gozo, not a guided walking tour or a full day of sightseeing.

The boat has rooftop deckchairs, but these are first come, first served. If a sunny perch matters to you, arrive with enough time to get settled. Bring cash for the €20 snorkel deposit and for the optional cave boat, although the onboard bar accepts both cash and cards.

The crew speaks English and provides assistance during the outing. There is no tour guide included, so you will not receive a detailed spoken history of every rock and bay. I see that as a fair trade at this price. The focus is on the coast, the water, and your own time outside.

The northern coast, from Saint Mary’s Battery to Elephant Rock

The first part is a sightseeing cruise along Comino’s northern coast. You pass Saint Mary’s Battery, an old defensive structure, before reaching Elephant Head Rock Formation. The rock’s unusual shape makes it one of those quick photo stops that works best from the boat.

You do not get off for these views. The boat pauses or slows for photographs, then continues around the island. Keep your phone ready, but also look away from the screen now and then. The point of this section is the changing view of cliffs, open sea, and pale rock formations.

The route continues past St. Nicholas Bay and St. Mary’s Bay. These bays show a quieter side of Comino before the main swimming stop. The exact time spent at each sight is brief, so do not expect a full visit to any one place.

Santa Maria Caves come next. The boat makes another photo stop near the rock formations, giving you a chance to see the openings and carved shoreline from the water. An optional powerboat trip to the Comino Caves can be arranged and paid for on site, at a stated fee of €10 per person, though the price can change slightly and the trip depends on weather.

That extra ride is separate from the main cruise. I would treat it as a spontaneous add-on, not part of your budget or your expectations.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy practical rules

The boat anchors at the Blue Lagoon for about 1½ hours. This is the longest stop and the heart of the trip. The water is famous for its clear cyan color, and you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or use the time for a walk around Comino.

There is an important distinction here. Since May 2025, Malta requires visitors who want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon to obtain an access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily allocation is limited. The cruise itself does not include this pass, so check the official site before your trip if walking on land is part of your plan.

You can still use the lagoon for a swim stop from the boat, but you should confirm the day’s operating arrangements with the provider if access ashore is essential. Do not assume that buying a cruise ticket also gives you permission to land.

The 1½-hour stop is long enough to feel worthwhile. You are not simply getting a five-minute photo opportunity. You have time to get into the water, dry off, have a drink, and settle into the rhythm of the boat.

The main drawback is that the Blue Lagoon is the island’s best-known swimming spot, so it can feel less peaceful than the photographs suggest. The tour’s value comes from having a planned stop and direct access to the water, not from expecting solitude.

Bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. Mineral water flows throughout the cruise, but food and other drinks are not included. A cash bar sells some snacks and various beverages, with cash and card payment accepted.

Crystal Lagoon and the water slide

After the Blue Lagoon, the boat moves to the Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west coast. The stop lasts about one hour, which gives you another proper chance to swim or snorkel rather than a quick dip before departure.

Crystal Lagoon is framed by high cliffs and offers wide views around the boat. For many people, this is the more enjoyable swimming setting because the stop feels less tied to the famous name of the Blue Lagoon. The water is clear, the rock walls add drama, and the boat itself gives you a comfortable base.

Snorkel equipment is available free of charge, but you must leave a €20 cash deposit. You get the deposit back when you return the equipment. Bring cash specifically for this, since a card is not a substitute for the stated deposit arrangement.

The boat slide adds a playful edge to the stop. It is a good extra for children and adults who want more than a quiet swim. It is not presented as a full water park, so think of it as one onboard feature that makes the swimming breaks more lively.

Fresh-water showers are available after swimming. This is a small but useful detail. You can rinse off salt and feel more comfortable during the return trip, especially if you plan to continue sightseeing after reaching Marfa Jetty.

Returning past Gozo and Mġarr Harbour

The return journey is not just a straight ride back. The boat cruises past Gozo, giving you views of the island’s coast from offshore. You also get a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbour.

You do not disembark at Mġarr. The stop is for photographs from the boat, so keep your expectations clear. It is a pleasant final viewpoint, not a short visit to Gozo.

This part of the cruise gives the four-hour outing a better sense of place. You see Comino’s swimming bays, then get a coastal look at Gozo before returning to Malta. If you want to explore Gozo properly, you need a separate visit. This cruise only offers a scenic introduction from the water.

The return includes several sightseeing stretches, including a longer 25-minute cruise before arriving back at Marfa Jetty. After a day centered on swimming, that quiet ride can be welcome. It also gives you time to dry off, sort your photographs, and use the onboard facilities.

What the $34 price really gets you

At $34 per person, this is a solid-value half-day outing if you want water time and coastal views. The price includes the scenic cruise, mineral water, the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon stops, the slide, onboard facilities, the Gozo return route, and the Mġarr Harbour photo stop.

The free snorkel rental also improves the value, even with the refundable deposit. You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel unless you prefer your personal equipment.

The price does not include food, drinks other than mineral water, hotel transfers, a guide, the Blue Lagoon access pass, or the optional powerboat ride to the caves. Those exclusions are reasonable, but they mean your real spending can rise if you want snacks, drinks, a cave trip, or access ashore.

I would compare this cruise with shorter boat rides before booking. A brief trip might cost less, but it may also give you only one swim stop. Here, about 2½ hours are set aside for the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon, which is the strongest reason to pay for this particular outing.

Comfort, swimming, and who should skip it

This is best for people who want a simple sea day without arranging several separate activities. Families, couples, swimmers, snorkelers, and anyone who enjoys sitting on a boat with a wide view should find the format easy to understand.

It also suits people who do not need a guide talking throughout the day. You receive crew assistance, but the activity is not built around lectures or guided walks. You choose how to spend the stop: swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, walking if you have the required access pass, or relaxing onboard.

The boat includes rooftop deckchairs, toilets, and showers, but seating is not guaranteed in your preferred spot. Arrive early if that matters to you.

I would not choose this trip if you are prone to seasickness. The boat spends several hours on the Mediterranean, and the activity specifically is not recommended for people with motion sickness. Bring your preferred motion sickness prevention if you normally need it, but do not book this as a comfortable sightseeing ride if open-water movement causes problems.

It is also not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users. Oversize luggage, large bags, pets, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Bring only what you need for the swim and the sun.

A practical packing list for four hours

Pack lightly. You need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Cash is useful for the snorkel deposit, the optional cave ride, and purchases at the bar.

A small bag is more sensible than a large beach case. Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed, so keep your belongings compact and easy to store.

If you plan to use the Blue Lagoon shore access, arrange the government pass before departure. Do not leave this until you are standing at the jetty, since allocation is limited and the pass is separate from the cruise.

The boat provides mineral water throughout the trip. You can buy some snacks and other drinks at the bar, but food is not included. A phone or camera is worthwhile for Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, the lagoons, and Mġarr Harbour, though waterproof protection is sensible around the swim stops.

Booking flexibility and timing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also helps if your Malta plans are still shifting, since you can hold a place without paying immediately.

Departure times vary, so check availability for the date you want. The tour returns to the same place where it begins, Marfa Jetty, which simplifies the end of the day.

Allow extra time to reach the jetty and identify La Laguna. The meeting point is opposite the Riviera Spa Resort, and the boat is white and blue. Hotel transport is not included, so your arrival plan is your responsibility.

Should you book this Comino cruise?

Book it if you want two substantial swimming breaks, a straightforward four-hour schedule, and a boat with useful facilities. The 1½-hour Blue Lagoon stop, one-hour Crystal Lagoon stop, free mineral water, snorkel option, and Gozo return make the $34 fare good value for a half-day on the sea.

Think twice if you mainly want to walk around Comino, avoid crowds, or spend time exploring Gozo on foot. You need a separate access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon, and the Gozo stop is only for photographs from the boat.

For most able-bodied visitors who enjoy swimming and do not suffer from seasickness, this is a practical way to see Comino without committing to a full-day cruise. Arrange the Blue Lagoon pass in advance, bring cash and sun protection, and treat the optional cave trip as extra. With those details sorted, you can focus on the clear water and the views.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts four hours and returns to Marfa Jetty.

How much time is spent at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors at the Blue Lagoon for approximately 1½ hours. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk on Comino if you have the required access pass.

Do I need a pass to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The pass is not included with the cruise.

Is snorkel equipment included?

Snorkel equipment is available to rent free of charge. A €20 cash deposit is required, and it is fully refunded when you return the equipment.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, except for complimentary mineral water. An onboard cash bar sells some snacks and various drinks, and accepts cash and cards.

Does the cruise stop in Gozo?

The boat passes Gozo and makes a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour. You do not disembark, so this is not a land visit to Gozo.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness.