St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

The main draw is simple: Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes, without spending much of your day on a slow ferry. The speedboat also takes you past St Paul’s Islands and along Malta’s east coast before stopping at Comino.

I like the generous free time at Comino, which lets you swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or buy something to eat at the lagoon. I also like the short cave visit on the way back, since it adds scenery instead of making this only a beach transfer. The main concern is the rough, fast boat ride. Several safety and comfort issues have been reported, so this is not a good fit if you have back trouble, motion sickness, or want a gentle cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Blue Lagoon in roughly 45 minutes: The speedboat is much quicker than a slower sightseeing boat, but the ride can be hard over waves.
• Four hours at Comino: Most of your time is free for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, with food, drinks, and sunbeds available to buy.
• Santa Maria’s caves included: The boat makes a cave stop before returning toward St George’s Bay.
• Official Blue Lagoon access pass required: Since April 29, 2025, you must reserve access through the official Comino website.
• Shared speedboat, not a private charter: You remain seated for the full ride and the boat will not wait for late arrivals.
• Best for active visitors: Children under 3, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with back or heart problems, and people prone to seasickness should choose another outing.

A quick ride from St Julian’s to Comino

This half-day trip begins at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, beside St George’s Bay. You’ll walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. That advice matters here. The boat does not wait for late arrivals, and missing it means losing your ticket. The meeting point is not described as a hotel pickup, so allow extra time to find the jetty if you are staying elsewhere in St Julian’s.

The speedboat heads along Malta’s east coast, passing St Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino. The coastal run gives you a look at Malta from the water, but the ride is transport first and sightseeing second. You are expected to stay seated for the whole journey, so do not picture a relaxed boat deck where you can wander around and take photos whenever you like.

The crossing is advertised at about 45 minutes each way. That makes this a useful choice when your priority is getting to Comino quickly. It also means you spend a fair share of the outing in a small, moving boat, so the quality of the sea conditions will affect your comfort.

Blue Lagoon: beautiful water, busy practicalities

The Blue Lagoon is the star of the day. The water is clear and suited to swimming and snorkeling, and you have a long free period at Comino rather than a rushed photo stop.

You can spend your time in the water, sunbathe, or buy food and drinks near the lagoon. Sunbeds are also available for an extra charge. Since none of these purchases are included, plan on paying separately if you want a lounger or refreshments.

The biggest practical point is new: you now need an official Blue Lagoon access pass. The required reservation is made through the government access website at blcomino.com. Your pass details must be correct. If you arrive without a valid pass, or the information does not match, you will not be admitted to Blue Lagoon.

In that case, the operator says you will be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, the nearby alternative beach. That still gives you access to the Comino area, but it is not the same stop you booked the trip around. I would arrange the pass before departure and check every detail carefully.

Your free time is listed as about four hours. That is enough for a swim and a long break, but the actual time at the lagoon can vary with your selected departure and return schedule. The published options are:

• Depart at 9:30 and return to St Julian’s at 13:00
• Depart at 12:30 and return at 17:00
• Depart at 13:30 and return at 17:30

These times do not all match a full five-hour outing or exactly four hours at Comino. I would treat the schedule shown for your chosen departure as the important one and confirm it before setting up another activity later that day.

Santa Maria’s caves add a welcome change of scene

Before heading back, the boat visits St Maria’s caves, also known as Santa Maria’s caves. The stop is included in the price and gives you a chance to see Comino’s rocky shoreline from the water.

This is a boat visit rather than a separate walking or caving excursion. The supplied details do not promise a landing inside the caves, so expect a scenic cruise past or near the formations, not a guided underground tour.

That short cave section helps break up the beach time. If you spend several hours at Blue Lagoon, a change of scenery can be welcome. Still, the cave stop is brief compared with your free time at the lagoon, and the exact length is not stated.

The return route goes back toward St George’s Bay. Depending on sea conditions and the captain’s handling, the journey can feel either like the fastest part of the day or the least comfortable part.

The speedboat is the key choice, for better and worse

At $47 per person, the tour offers a fairly direct way to reach Comino without paying for a private boat. You get return transport, the coastal cruise, and the cave visit in one package. Food, drinks, and sunbeds cost extra, but you can choose what you actually need.

The value is strongest if you want a long Blue Lagoon stop and a fast crossing. You are not paying for a meal, a guide-led island tour, or a private vessel. You are paying for transport and access to a well-known swimming area, with a little coastal sightseeing included.

The speed is also the main drawback. A verified booking described the ride as very fast through the waves, with hard impacts against the boat. Another account described a serious back injury after being thrown up and landing heavily during the return journey. The company stayed in contact after that incident, which is a positive sign in its response, but the report still raises a serious question about comfort and safety.

A separate booking described the captain as good and praised the fast ride, especially for a family outing. That gives you a useful picture of the split: some people enjoy the speed and excitement, while others find the ride too rough.

The boat is shared, not private. The supplied rules say passengers must remain seated for the entire ride, and the activity is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, or motion sickness. Pregnant women are not allowed, and people over 75 or over 150 kilograms are also excluded.

One account specifically raised concern about limited handholds and the lack of a worn life jacket. The activity information does not promise life jackets or padded seating. If you are uneasy about that, ask the operator about current safety equipment before booking. Do not assume this is a calm sightseeing boat.

Picking the best departure time

The morning departure at 9:30 gives you an early start and brings you back at 13:00. That is useful if you want the rest of the afternoon in Malta, but it also means reaching the jetty early and beginning the beach portion before midday.

The 12:30 departure returns at 17:00. This may suit you if you prefer a later start, though you lose the morning and still need to account for the speedboat crossing in both directions.

The 13:30 departure returns at 17:30. It is the latest option and gives you an afternoon at Comino. Check the timing carefully, since the listed durations vary and the schedule is important if you have dinner, transport, or another booking afterward.

The supplied information includes a warning that departure and return times may change without clear communication. I would keep the rest of your day flexible and confirm the final timing with the operator. Do not book a tight connection or an important evening event immediately afterward.

What to bring, and what not to expect

Pack a towel and beachwear. You will have time for swimming and snorkeling, but the tour does not list snorkeling equipment as included, so bring your own if you have it or confirm rental options before departure.

Bring payment for food, drinks, and sunbeds if you want those extras. None are included in the $47 price. The beach stop is free time rather than a catered visit, so you are responsible for your own refreshments.

Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed. Children under 10 must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or older, and children under 3 are not suitable for the activity.

The operator also excludes people with pre-existing medical conditions, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, people with heart problems, and anyone prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Those restrictions are especially important here because the boat moves quickly and can hit waves hard.

Who will get the most from this Comino trip

I would choose this outing if you want to reach Blue Lagoon quickly, spend most of the available time swimming, and do not need a fully guided tour. It works well for people who are comfortable on a shared speedboat and like a little excitement in the journey.

It can also suit families with older children, provided the children meet the age rules and can remain seated during both crossings. One positive account came from a parent who enjoyed the fast ride with children, though that should not overshadow the more serious comfort warnings.

I would not choose it for a relaxed day on the water. The boat is not private, you cannot move around during the ride, and the sea may make the crossing rough. If you have a sensitive back, get seasick, or prefer padded seats and calm water, look for a slower and more stable boat option.

The trip also makes less sense if you only want to see caves. The cave visit is an added stop, not the main event. Blue Lagoon and the free beach time are what justify the booking.

Booking and cancellation details

The host or greeter speaks English. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Malta plans are still moving around. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

That flexibility is useful, but it does not remove the need to check the Blue Lagoon pass requirement. The access pass comes through the official website, and the boat reservation alone does not guarantee entry to the lagoon.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if your priority is quick access to Blue Lagoon for around $47, with a cave cruise and several hours for swimming. The price is reasonable for shared return transport, especially if you do not want to arrange a private boat.

Skip it if safety, comfort, or a gentle pace matter more than speed. The serious report of a back injury, the complaints about hard impacts, and the uncertainty around seating and life jackets deserve careful thought.

My practical choice would be to book only after securing the official Blue Lagoon pass, checking the departure time, and deciding honestly how you handle rough water. For a fit swimmer who enjoys a fast ride, this can be an efficient Comino outing. For anyone wanting a calm half-day cruise, it is the wrong boat.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour start?

It starts at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line on the jetty.

How early should I arrive?

You must be at the base at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and a missed departure means losing the ticket.

How long is the boat ride to Comino?

The speedboat ride to Blue Lagoon takes about 45 minutes. The return ride is also listed as about 45 minutes.

What departure times are available?

The listed departures are 9:30, 12:30, and 13:30. The corresponding listed return times are 13:00, 17:00, and 17:30.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them at Blue Lagoon.

Are sunbeds included?

No. Sunbeds are available to rent at Blue Lagoon for an additional cost.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website. Anyone without a valid pass, or with incorrect pass details, may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay.

Is the tour suitable for children and pregnant women?

Children under 3 are not suitable for the activity, and children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Pregnant women are not allowed to join.