Comino: Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise

Blue water, a slide, and a boat that stays put. This seven-hour Comino cruise gives you a full day on the sea, with a long Blue Lagoon stop, cave views, swimming, and plenty of time to relax. I like the friendly family-run feel, especially Captain Kevin’s easygoing commentary and music. I also like that the boat becomes your base, with deck chairs, shade, toilets, food, and a 10-meter slide.

The main drawback is crowding. The upper-deck chairs fill very early, and the Blue Lagoon itself can feel packed in peak summer. The sea crossing may also be bumpy on windy days, so anyone prone to motion sickness should plan carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Kevin sets a relaxed tone: His commentary, music choices, and friendly manner are a big part of the day.
• The boat moors in a calmer part of the Blue Lagoon: You can swim from the boat, use the slide, or walk ashore into the busiest areas.
• Arrive very early for an upper-deck chair: The best sun loungers may be taken even when you arrive nearly an hour before departure.
• The €15 cave speedboat ride is separate: It is available on the day cruise and adds a fast, exciting look at Comino’s caves.
• Food and drinks are reasonably priced onboard: Burgers, fries, ice cream, hot and cold drinks, and pineapple cocktails are available.
• You need a free Blue Lagoon QR pass: Select both a morning and afternoon time slot at blcomino.com before you go.

Starting from St. Paul’s Bay with Hornblower

The boat leaves from Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white-and-blue boat with Hornblower written in red on the side. The listed meeting points are Hornblower Cruises Malta, Bugibba Jetty, and Hornblower Malta, but they refer to the same departure area.

I would arrive 45 minutes to an hour early. Traffic around St. Paul’s Bay can be slow, parking in the free white-box spaces is limited, and the top-deck chairs disappear fast. Several people arrived around 8:30 or 8:50 for a 10:00 departure and still found the upper deck filling quickly.

If you use the local bus, Moll and Anthony are the nearby stops. By taxi, give the driver the exact Bugibba Jetty address, since a vague St. Paul’s Bay destination may not be enough.

The $35 price is strong value if you want a full day based around swimming. It includes the cruise, the long Comino stop, deck chairs, the slide, onboard toilets, commentary, music, and access to shaded and sunny seating. You still pay for food, drinks, snorkel hire, lockers, and the optional cave speedboat trip, but the onboard prices are generally reasonable rather than inflated for a captive audience.

The north coast route takes about an hour

The outward journey is more than simple transport. It works as a coastal sightseeing ride along northern Malta and Comino.

You first pass St. Paul’s Bay and the St. Paul’s Islands, including the statue of St. Paul. Captain Kevin points out landmarks and gives information about Malta as the boat moves along. Commentary is in English, and the tone is informal rather than like a formal lecture.

The route continues past Ahrax Point and the Coral Lagoon before entering Comino’s north channel. You pass the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the Comino Hotel. The views are best from the side facing the island, so try to position yourself there if the boat is not too busy.

The boat makes short stops at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. These are quick looks from the water, not long shore visits. If you want a more active cave experience, the optional speedboat ride is the better choice later in the day.

The crossing can be smooth, but wind can change that quickly. One April outing was described as very bumpy, while other trips had calm seas. If motion sickness affects you, bring your usual remedy and choose a seat with this in mind. The captain can change the route or cancel parts of it for weather and safety.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The long stop is the heart of the day, and four and a half hours gives you enough time to swim, snorkel, eat, walk ashore, and return to the boat without rushing.

The boat moors in a quieter area of the lagoon, away from some of the thickest shore crowds. The water around the boat is about three meters deep. You can enter by the steps, jump from designated points, or use the slide. The slide is 10 meters long and can be used as often as you like, at your own risk.

This setup is especially good for families and confident swimmers. Children can take turns on the slide, while adults can settle on the deck with a drink. Life vests and pool noodles are available, and a buoyancy aid can be used with a €10 deposit. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the beach access or ask the crew for help rather than entering the deeper water from the boat.

The water is clear enough for snorkeling, and small and larger fish can be seen in the lagoon. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. Bring your own equipment if you have it, but the rental is a useful option for light packers.

You can also leave the boat and explore Comino independently. The shore has food outlets and walking space, but it becomes crowded, especially in summer. The boat is often the more comfortable base, with shade, seating, toilets, food, and a place to leave your towel. If you prefer quiet swimming and easy access to shade, staying onboard may be your best choice.

Deck chairs, shade, music, and pineapple cocktails

The boat’s facilities turn the stop into more than a transfer to a beach. The upper deck has loungers for sunbathing, while the main deck offers shaded seating. This matters on a long hot day, since you can switch between swimming and shade without searching for a new spot on shore.

The upper deck is limited, so early arrival is the practical trick. If you board later, you may still find room elsewhere, but do not assume that every passenger will have a sun lounger.

The snack bar serves hot and cold drinks, burgers, fries, ice cream, and the boat’s signature pineapple cocktails. The pineapple drinks are a fun part of the experience, although one person found them more icy than expected. Food and drink prices are described as reasonable, and several people found the burgers and fries satisfying enough to avoid leaving the boat.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, then budget separately for lunch and drinks. Cash is useful for food, lockers, snorkel hire, and add-on activities.

Music plays throughout the day and helps keep the mood lively. Captain Kevin is often praised for his music taste and friendly personality. Louie, the captain’s dog, has also made appearances onboard, a small but memorable touch for people who enjoy a canine crew member.

The optional speedboat to Comino’s caves

The €15 speedboat ride is not included, but it is one of the most worthwhile extras if you want a closer look at the caves. It is available on the day cruise, not on the sunset version.

The speedboat gets into cave areas that the main vessel can only pass or enter briefly. The ride adds speed and excitement, while the guide provides information about what you are seeing. Ian is one guide praised for making the trip both fun and informative, and another outing featured a guide with long rasta hair who made a strong impression.

The add-on is not necessary for a good day. You can enjoy the water, slide, food, and views without it. But if cave scenery is a main reason for visiting Comino, the extra €15 is easier to justify than simply spending the whole afternoon on shore.

Returning through Crystal Lagoon and past St. Mary’s Tower

When the Blue Lagoon stop ends, listen carefully for the departure announcement and confirm the exact time with the crew. Some timings are written in chalk near the exit, which can help if the loudspeaker is difficult to understand.

The boat then heads toward Gozo without stopping for a full visit. It cruises around Mgarr Harbour, giving you views of Gozo from the water. This is a scenic extra, not a substitute for a Gozo day trip. If Gozo is on your plan, you will need another excursion or a separate visit.

The return route follows Comino’s south channel. You pass Crystal Lagoon and its caves, then St. Mary’s Tower. The Crystal Lagoon stop is brief, around 10 minutes, so think of it as a photo and sightseeing pause rather than another long swim.

The boat returns to the Bugibba area, with drop-off at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Hornblower Malta, or Bugibba Jetty. The captain may adjust the route or the start and end points if sea conditions require it.

What the $35 price really includes

At $35 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Comino, but it offers more than a basic water taxi. You get a full-day boat environment, a 4.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop, a slide, jumping points, deck chairs, shade, toilets, commentary, music, and a snack bar.

That combination is useful because the Blue Lagoon shore can be crowded and short on comfortable space. You can swim from the boat, dry off on a chair, buy lunch, and return to the water without carrying everything around the island.

Costs can rise if you add the cave speedboat, drinks, lunch, snorkel equipment, and a locker. Lockers are limited and cost €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 returned. Still, the base fare offers a lot for a seven-hour day, especially if you plan to use the boat as your main swimming and resting area.

A free Blue Lagoon Access Pass is required. Go to blcomino.com and select both morning and afternoon slots. This pass is not included in the cruise price, but it does not add a fee.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social day on the water rather than a quiet beach visit. The slide, jumping platforms, music, and pineapple drinks give it a playful feel, while the long stop leaves room for slower sunbathing.

It is also a good choice if you want to see Comino without arranging several separate activities. You get Malta’s northern coast, Comino’s caves, the Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, St. Mary’s Tower, and a view of Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour in one outing.

It is less suitable if you dislike groups, need a guaranteed lounger, or want a calm historical tour with long explanations. The boat is lively, announcements may be hard to hear, and some passengers found the language on the loudspeaker unclear. The onboard toilets could also be cleaner at times.

People with mobility impairments should note that this experience is not considered suitable for them. The slide and jumping points require care, and the boat’s access to the water is designed mainly for swimmers.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino cruise?

Yes, if your ideal Malta day includes clear water, swimming, music, casual food, and a bit of harmless boat fun. The best reasons to book are the quiet mooring area, the long Blue Lagoon stop, the onboard facilities, and the warm style brought by Captain Kevin and his crew.

Arrive early for the upper deck, bring sunscreen and a towel, arrange your free QR pass, and consider the €15 cave speedboat if you want more than a passing view of the caves. If you want a peaceful, uncrowded island walk, this may not be the right fit. For a flexible day where the boat itself is part of the fun, it offers very good value.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart from?

It departs from Hornblower Cruises at Bugibba Jetty, Dawret il-Gzejjer, in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white-and-blue Hornblower boat with red lettering.

How long is the cruise?

The full activity lasts about seven hours. The trip to Comino takes roughly one hour, followed by about 4.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon and a sightseeing return route.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

You get approximately 4.5 hours at the Blue Lagoon. You can swim, snorkel, use the boat’s slide, relax onboard, or walk around Comino.

Is lunch included?

No. Food, drinks, and ice cream are available to buy at the onboard snack bar. The menu includes hot and cold drinks, burgers, fries, and pineapple cocktails.

Is the cave speedboat included?

No. The Comino caves speedboat ride costs €15, payable onsite. It is available during the day cruise.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. Every visitor must present a QR code for a designated time slot. Passes are free through blcomino.com, and you need to select both a morning and afternoon slot.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5, with a €15 deposit. You receive €10 of the deposit back.

Are lockers available?

Yes, but numbers are limited. A locker costs €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 refunded.

Is the cruise suitable for people who cannot swim confidently?

The boat moors where the water is about three meters deep, so confident swimming is helpful. You can use the beach instead, request a buoyancy aid with a €10 deposit, or ask the crew for assistance.