Mellieha: Two Bay Evening Cruise Including The Blue Lagoon

Comino’s famous lagoons are at their best when the harsh midday sun eases and the day crowds begin to thin. This three-hour cruise from Mellieħa gives you about one hour at Crystal Lagoon and one hour at Blue Lagoon, with time to swim, snorkel, sit on deck, or simply watch the cliffs slide by.

I like the small-boat feel, with space for roughly twenty passengers rather than the packed atmosphere of a large catamaran. I also like the timing: an evening departure lets you enjoy the water without giving up an entire hot day in Malta. The main catch is practical: you need a government access pass if you want to step ashore at Blue Lagoon, and the pass must match the evening time slot.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swim stops: You get approximately one hour at Crystal Lagoon and another hour at Blue Lagoon, not just a quick photo stop.
• A calmer evening setting: The late departure helps you avoid the strongest heat and some of the daytime crowding around Comino.
• A small, friendly boat: The Pegasus carries a limited number of passengers, creating a less cramped trip than many larger vessels.
• Crystal Lagoon is the more scenic stop: Expect cliffs, sea caves, turquoise water, and wide views around the sheltered bay.
• Blue Lagoon access now requires planning: Since May 2025, you need an official pass from blcomino.com to disembark there.
• Useful onboard basics: The boat has toilets and a shower, while food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment cost extra.

Leaving Marfa Bay aboard the Pegasus

Your meeting point is the Marfa Jetty or slipway, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort in Mellieħa. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. If you need help finding it, the provider’s office is near the jetty beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

The departure area is not a grand cruise terminal. Give yourself enough time to identify the boat, especially if several vessels are loading nearby. Staff assistance is available at the office, and the crew speaks English.

Once underway, the boat follows Malta’s northern coastline toward Comino. The cruise itself is part of the appeal. You get open views of the Mediterranean, a change of pace from Malta’s roads and resort streets, and a chance to see the coast from water level.

This is a short evening outing, not a full-day sailing trip. That matters if you want a simple way to fit Comino into a busy Malta itinerary. You can spend the morning exploring Valletta, Mdina, or the Three Cities, then head north for a swim and sunset-colored views without committing your entire day to the sea.

The exact departure time depends on availability, and the return is scheduled for about 8:00 PM. Weather and operating conditions can change the route or stops, so treat the stated plan as the intended schedule rather than an absolute promise.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the best first look at Comino

The first stop is Crystal Lagoon, on the western side of Comino. The boat stays for about an hour, which is long enough for more than a quick dip.

This is the stronger stop for scenery. Cliffs surround the water, and the sheltered setting gives you broad views in every direction. The name is well earned: the water is described as turquoise and clear, with sea caves adding interest around the edges of the bay.

If you enjoy snorkeling, Crystal Lagoon is likely to be your favorite part of the trip. You can look into the water around the rocky shoreline and explore the caves from the sea. Bring your own mask and snorkel, or rent equipment from the provider, since gear is not included in the price.

You do not need to spend the full hour in the water. The boat provides a place to sit and relax, and the crew is available to help. Families can use the time at their own pace, though the experience is not designed for people with mobility limitations or wheelchair users.

The cliffs also make Crystal Lagoon a good photography stop. The evening light should be softer than at midday, though the exact effect depends on the weather and the time of departure. Keep your phone and camera secure around the water. Boat decks, wet feet, and excitement are a bad combination for loose electronics.

Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but the access rule matters

After Crystal Lagoon, the boat continues to Blue Lagoon for another stop of approximately one hour. This is Comino’s most famous bay, known for transparent cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, and marine life visible beneath the surface.

The Blue Lagoon is the more recognizable stop, but it can also be the more complicated one. Since May 2025, anyone who wants to disembark at the lagoon must obtain an official government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The daily allocation is limited, and you need to select the evening slot when applying.

This is not an optional detail. You will not be allowed to step ashore without the pass, and no refund is provided if you arrive without one and cannot access the lagoon from land. The responsibility rests with you, so arrange it before the cruise rather than trying to solve the problem at the jetty.

The boat anchors near Blue Lagoon, so you can still spend the stop swimming, snorkeling, or relaxing onboard. The pass is specifically important if you want to disembark and walk on Comino. If stepping ashore is central to your plan, check the official government site before booking and confirm that the evening time is available.

The lagoon’s beauty is obvious, but do not expect a private bay. The evening timing should help, especially compared with the busiest daytime hours, yet Blue Lagoon remains a popular place. The quieter feel is one of the main reasons to choose this trip, not a guarantee that you will have the water to yourself.

What the three hours feel like

The schedule is neatly divided. You cruise from Marfa Bay to Crystal Lagoon, spend roughly an hour there, continue to Blue Lagoon for another hour, and then return to Mellieħa.

That structure works well if you want actual swimming time. Some boat trips promise several locations but allow only a few minutes at each. Here, you get enough time to settle into the water, dry off, switch between snorkeling and sitting on deck, or take a short walk at Comino if you have the required pass.

The boat has toilet facilities and a shower. Those are small but useful comforts after swimming, particularly if you are heading elsewhere after the cruise. Food and drinks are not included, though a recent onboard comment described bar prices as reasonable. Bring cash, as it is listed among the recommended items.

The crew provides assistance during the trip and comments on the cruise. The atmosphere appears to be friendly and well organized, with staff helping families and providing life jackets for children when needed. The boat is not a silent, private charter, but the limited passenger count should make it feel more personal than a large excursion vessel.

The evening timing is the real selling point

Malta’s summer sun can make a midday boat trip tiring. An evening departure helps you avoid the worst heat while still giving you clear water and plenty of daylight for swimming.

The timing also changes the mood of the trip. Crystal Lagoon’s cliffs should look softer as the day fades, while the return ride offers the chance to see the coast in evening light. One of the available comments specifically praised the bay at sunset, which points to the atmosphere you can expect when conditions line up.

This is also a sensible choice for anyone staying in Mellieħa or nearby. Marfa Bay is in the north of Malta, close to the crossing area for Comino and Gozo, so the departure point suits an itinerary already based in that part of the island. If you are staying elsewhere, allow time to reach the jetty and locate the Pegasus.

Do not choose this cruise if your main goal is a full day on Comino. You will not get several hours to explore inland, visit multiple beaches, or wander far from the lagoons. The strength here is focus: two scenic bays, two long swim stops, and a relaxed return in the evening.

Is $35 good value?

At $35 per person, this is a fair price for a three-hour sightseeing cruise with two stops at Malta’s most famous swimming areas. You are paying for the boat ride, the route, crew assistance, and roughly two hours of access to the lagoons.

The value improves if you plan to swim. A short scenic cruise with no proper stop would feel less satisfying, but one hour at each lagoon gives the trip substance. The onboard toilet and shower also make the outing more comfortable than a bare-bones transfer.

You should budget extra for the things the price does not cover. Food and drinks are separate, and snorkeling equipment is available for rent rather than supplied. The Blue Lagoon access pass is also your responsibility and is not included.

Compared with a large daytime boat excursion, the smaller passenger count may justify the price for you. A recent trip had about twenty people onboard, with families and enough room to avoid the packed feeling associated with larger catamarans. Passenger numbers can vary, but the Pegasus experience is clearly intended to be more contained than a mass-market boat outing.

The price is less attractive if you do not swim, do not care about Comino’s lagoons, or want extensive time ashore. In that case, you may spend much of the trip watching from deck while others use the water. For swimmers, snorkelers, couples seeking an easy evening, and families who want a simple coastal outing, the cost makes sense.

What to bring for a comfortable trip

Pack lightly. Oversize luggage, large bags, and pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for electric wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Cash for refreshments or other small expenses
• Motion sickness medication or another prevention method if you need it
• Your own snorkeling gear if you prefer not to rent

The boat has a shower, but it is still wise to bring a dry layer for the return ride. Evening air can feel cooler after you have been in the water, even after a hot Maltese day.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. This is a sea cruise, and no route can guarantee calm water. If you know you are sensitive, take your usual prevention before departure rather than waiting until you feel unwell.

The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the boat, swimming stops, and possible shore access at Blue Lagoon all require a reasonable level of mobility.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip for you if you want Comino’s best-known water stops without spending the whole day on a boat. The evening schedule is especially useful for people who dislike intense heat or want to combine a sea outing with daytime sightseeing.

It also suits families, provided everyone is comfortable around water and can manage the boat environment. Life jackets for children are available, and the shorter three-hour format is easier than a long full-day cruise.

Snorkelers should favor Crystal Lagoon, where the cliffs and sea caves add interest beneath and around the water. Blue Lagoon is better for a classic swim in clear, shallow-looking water and for enjoying the famous setting from the boat or shore.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet private experience, guaranteed calm seas, extensive time ashore, or a fully accessible boat. I would also avoid booking before checking the Blue Lagoon pass if walking onto Comino is important to you.

The provider offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now, pay-later booking is available. Those policies help if your Malta plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to secure the government access pass in advance.

Should you book the Mellieħa evening cruise?

Book it if you want a focused, good-value visit to Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, especially during Malta’s hot summer months. The two one-hour swim stops, small-boat atmosphere, onboard shower, and evening light give it more substance than a quick harbor ride.

Before paying, decide if you need to go ashore at Blue Lagoon. If yes, obtain the official evening access pass through blcomino.com first. If you are happy to swim, snorkel, or relax on the Pegasus, the pass issue is less central.

For $35, this is a practical Comino outing with a smart schedule and a clear purpose. Just pack lightly, prepare for the sea, and remember that the Blue Lagoon pass is your job to arrange.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat leaves from the Marfa Jetty or slipway in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white boat named Pegasus. The provider’s office is near the jetty beside the Dive Vision Malta Snorkel & Diving Centre.

How long is the cruise?

The total duration is approximately three hours. You spend about one hour at Crystal Lagoon and another hour at Blue Lagoon, then return to the Marfa base at about 8:00 PM.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included, but it is available to rent. You can also bring your own gear.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

You need an official government access pass if you want to disembark at Blue Lagoon. Passes are obtained through blcomino.com, daily numbers are limited, and you must select the evening slot. The requirement applies from May 2025 onward.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the cruise price. Cash is recommended, and onboard bar purchases are available.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments or seasickness?

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