Sliema: Cruise to Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon

Clear water, big views, and one long day. This cruise packs Malta’s north coast, Gozo, Comino, and the famous Blue Lagoon into 7.5 hours, making it an easy way to see several island highlights without arranging separate boats and buses. I especially like the friendly crew and well-run schedule, plus the chance to use a waterslide straight into the sea. The main catch is crowding, particularly at Blue Lagoon, and the Gozo option gives you only a short look at the island.

The cruise costs about $41 per person, which is fair for the boat ride, swimming stops, cave visit, and onboard facilities. You will need to choose your priority carefully: spend more time at Comino, or trade part of that time for a quick visit to Gozo.

The best parts of this Malta boat trip

• Two different swimming stops: In season, you get around 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay before reaching Blue Lagoon.
• A full 3.5 hours at Comino: The longer option gives you time to swim, eat, walk, and find quieter corners beyond the main lagoon.
• A practical Gozo choice: Option B includes three hours on Gozo, with an optional €5 return transfer to Victoria.
• A clean, comfortable boat: Mv Kataleya and Mv Lady Shelley have indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, a bar, and space for sunbathing.
• A fun waterslide: The slide is available during the Comino stop and adds a playful touch without turning the day into a loud party cruise.
• A fine final view: The stop at Santa Maria Caves on the return journey gives you a close look at Comino’s sea-carved rock formations.

Boarding at Sliema Ferries

You meet the boat at Sliema Ferries 4. Look for a Luzzu Cruises vessel named Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley, and arrive early if you care about your choice of seat.

The boat has indoor seating, outdoor areas, lower-deck glass-sided cabins on some departures, two toilets, and an onboard bar. The upper deck can fill quickly, but passengers often spread out after the Gozo stop. For views, I would move around rather than settle in one place. The front outside area can offer a better look than the upper rear seats.

This is a long day at sea, so comfort matters. Bring a towel, swimwear, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a camera, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat sells hot and cold drinks and food. You can also bring your own food and drinks, according to the practical information provided for the trip.

The boat runs in rain or shine, though the captain can change the route, stop, or pickup point if sea and weather conditions require it. That is normal for a Malta boat trip. The water may be calm, but one crossing can still feel bumpy, particularly on the way toward Gozo.

Malta’s north coast from the water

Once you leave Sliema, the cruise passes the waterfront and heads along the coast toward the islands. You pass St. Julian’s, St. George’s Bay, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieħa Bay.

The captain provides commentary about the places along the route and gives reminders about departure times and swimming breaks. On some departures, the commentary is multilingual. The information is useful, though announcements through the lower speakers can sound loud or unclear if you are seated indoors.

This first part is more than transport, but it is not a guided sightseeing tour in the traditional sense. The captain handles the explanations while also running the boat. That works well for basic orientation, but you should not expect a dedicated historian walking around with the group.

Mgarr Harbour and the Gozo decision

The boat reaches Mgarr Harbour on Gozo for a brief photo stop of about five minutes on the standard plan. The harbor is a handsome introduction to Gozo, but five minutes is only enough for photographs from the boat.

The important choice comes next. With the main option, you remain on the boat and continue toward Comino. With Option B, you get about three hours on Gozo before returning to the boat for Blue Lagoon time.

Option B includes an optional transfer to Victoria for €5 per person. It is paid onboard and should be treated as a quick shuttle, not a full Gozo tour. The transfer can save you the trouble of arranging local transport, but the time in Victoria may feel short once driving and boarding are counted.

You can use those hours for lunch, churches, markets, or a quick walk around Victoria. Several people found the Gozo visit worthwhile, but also felt that Gozo deserves a separate full day. I agree with that tradeoff. Option B gives you a taste of Gozo, not a proper island visit.

Choose Gozo if you have limited time in Malta and want to see another island beyond Comino. Skip it if swimming, snorkeling, and a longer Comino stop matter more to you.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Nicholas Bay

From Gozo, the boat heads toward Comino. Between May 1 and October 31, weather permitting, there is a swimming stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay. The stop lasts about 45 minutes.

This is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day because you swim directly from the boat. The water is clear, and the rocky setting works well for snorkeling. The waterslide is also available, giving you an easy way to enter the water without making a grand leap from the deck.

You will want water shoes or sturdy sandals for the rocks. Comfortable shoes are listed among the suggested items, and this is one place where that advice matters. The boat may not be positioned right beside a sandy beach, so expect a water entry from the vessel rather than a gentle walk into shallow water.

The Crystal Lagoon stop is seasonal. From November through April, this stop is not included, and the boat goes to Blue Lagoon instead. If the smaller lagoon is your main reason for booking, check the travel dates carefully. Sea conditions can also force a change.

Blue Lagoon and Comino’s crowded heart

Blue Lagoon is the day’s headline stop. On the standard plan, you get around 3.5 hours of free time at Comino. That gives you enough time for a swim, snorkeling, lunch, a little sun, and a walk away from the main landing area.

The water is strikingly clear, and you can often see fish below the surface. The main problem is no secret: Blue Lagoon gets crowded. Boats arrive, the shoreline fills, and shade can be hard to find. One practical account described spending most of the time in the water because there was little shade on land. Bring sun protection and do not assume you will find a quiet beach chair.

The good news is that Comino is more than the famous strip of water. Walk 20 minutes away from the busiest area and you may find quieter rock platforms and fine views. The island’s paths offer a better experience for anyone who is willing to leave the immediate lagoon area.

Three and a half hours can sound excessive if you plan only to swim, but it is useful if you want to explore. You can swim for an hour or two, have lunch, then walk across part of the island. One practical route covers the western side, cuts north along the central road, and returns toward the jetty. A proper hiking map is not supplied, so keep your bearings and allow plenty of time to return to the boat.

Option B shortens the Blue Lagoon stop to about 1.5 hours after your Gozo visit. That is enough for a swim and a quick look, but not enough for a relaxed Comino walk. If Blue Lagoon is your main goal, Option A is the better fit.

A QR code is required to get off the boat at Blue Lagoon. Register at www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon time slot listed as 13:31 to 17:30. Check this requirement before departure so you are not sorting it out while everyone else is ready to leave the boat.

Swimming, snorkeling, and onboard facilities

The cruise suits people who want activity without a party-boat atmosphere. You can swim, snorkel, use the slide, sunbathe, or stay onboard and watch the bags and scenery. The crew keeps an eye on the swimming area and helps passengers use the stairs and slide safely.

The boat’s bar sells drinks at reasonable prices according to the supplied trip information and passenger accounts. Cocktails and pineapple drinks are available, though food quality has received less praise than the service and scenery. Bring snacks if you are particular about lunch.

The boat has indoor areas for anyone who needs a break from the sun. It is also possible to stay onboard during the Blue Lagoon stop, which helps if someone in your group does not swim or needs a quieter place to rest. The crew has been praised for looking after older passengers and helping families near the water.

The cruise is not described as wheelchair suitable, so wheelchair users should not book it. Anyone with limited mobility should also think about the boat ladders, rocky entry points, and uneven paths on Comino.

Santa Maria Caves on the way back

The return route includes a photo stop at Comino’s Santa Maria Caves, also called the Comino sea caves. The boat spends about ten minutes near the formations, giving you time to photograph the openings, cliffs, and clear water.

This is a short stop, but it makes a good ending. The captain positions the boat for views, and the caves add a different texture after a day focused on swimming. If the return sea is calm, it can be one of the prettiest parts of the ride.

The trip finishes back at Luzzu Cruises in Sliema. Total duration is about 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours. That includes long periods onboard, so bring something light to cover your shoulders and prepare for sun, wind, and changing sea conditions.

Is $41 a fair price?

At around $41, this is good value if you want a full day combining transport and several attractions. You get the cruise from Sliema, a Gozo harbor stop, a seasonal swimming stop, Blue Lagoon time, the caves, and use of the waterslide. Booking separate boats and arranging your own route would take more planning and may cost more.

The value depends on what you expect from Gozo. The standard photo stop does not give you time to explore the island. Option B improves that by adding three hours and a €5 Victoria transfer, but it reduces your time at Blue Lagoon and can make Gozo feel rushed.

The price also does not cover food or drinks. That is easy to manage, but you should carry cash for the bar, the optional Gozo transfer, and purchases on Comino. The cancellation policy allows a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want Malta’s best-known swimming spots without renting transport or building your own timetable. It works especially well for couples, families, first-time visitors, and mixed groups where some people want to swim while others prefer to sit onboard.

It is also a good match for active passengers who will use the Comino time for walking. The longest version gives you a rare chance to see more than the crowded Blue Lagoon shoreline.

I would not choose it if you dislike busy boats, need guaranteed shade, want a serious Gozo tour, or prefer a quiet beach day. Blue Lagoon can feel packed, the crossing can be rough, and the commentary is sometimes difficult to hear indoors.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino cruise?

Book it if your priority is a simple, good-value day on the water with clear swimming areas, Comino caves, and a choice between more Gozo or more Blue Lagoon time. Pick the longer Comino option if you want snorkeling and a walk, and choose Option B only if a quick look at Victoria matters more.

Arrive early, bring water shoes and cash, complete the Blue Lagoon QR registration, and plan to leave the main lagoon area for a quieter swim or walk. With those small preparations, this is a strong way to see Malta’s north coast, Comino, and a taste of Gozo in one day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The departure point is Sliema Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley.

How long does the cruise last?

The full activity lasts about 450 minutes, or 7.5 hours.

What islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Malta’s north coast, a stop at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, and time at Comino, including Blue Lagoon.

Is Crystal Lagoon included all year?

No. The Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop operates from May 1 through October 31 and depends on weather conditions. From November through April, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only.

How long is the Crystal Lagoon swimming stop?

The planned swimming stop lasts about 45 minutes.

How much time is available at Blue Lagoon?

The main option includes about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Option B includes about 1.5 hours there after three hours on Gozo.

Can I explore Gozo?

Yes. Option B includes about three hours of free time in Gozo. An optional transfer to Victoria is available onboard for €5 per person.

Do I need a QR code to get off at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You must register at www.blcomino.com and select the afternoon slot listed as 13:31 to 17:30.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar serving hot and cold drinks and food. Bring cash.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.