Comino: Blue Lagoon & Caves Boat Cruise

The main draw here is simple: you get a full day at Comino’s Blue Lagoon without giving up your own floating base. Captain Kevin takes you along Malta’s northern coast, through cave-lined waters, and into a quieter mooring area where you can swim straight from the boat. A 10-meter slide, jumping points, music, and deck chairs keep the day lively.

I like the family-run feel and the practical setup. The crew keeps the mood easy, food prices are reasonable for a boat, and the pineapple cocktails add a bit of holiday fun. I also like having 4.5 hours at the lagoon, enough time to swim, snorkel, eat, and rest without rushing.

The main catch is crowding. The upper-deck chairs fill early, the ride can get bumpy in windy weather, and the Blue Lagoon itself is busy in high season. If you need a quiet boat or have limited mobility, this is probably not the right outing.

At a glance

• Captain Kevin sets the tone: Expect live commentary, local sights, music, and a relaxed family-run atmosphere.
• The boat is your base at Comino: You can swim from the vessel, use the slide, find shade, eat aboard, and avoid hauling your things onto shore.
• Four and a half hours at Blue Lagoon: There is time for snorkeling, sunbathing, a self-guided walk, and a paid speedboat trip around the caves.
• The 10-meter slide is unlimited: You can use it as often as you like, but only at your own risk.
• The boat moors away from the busiest shore: Water below the boat is about 3 meters deep, with buoyancy aids available for a deposit.
• Arrive early for the best chairs: Around 8:30 to 8:50 is the useful target for a 10:00 departure.

Starting at St. Paul’s Bay with Captain Kevin

The day begins at Bugibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. Look for the large white and blue Hornblower boat with red lettering. The operator lists three closely related meeting-point names, so check your confirmation carefully and give yourself at least 45 minutes to an hour before departure.

That early arrival matters for two reasons. Traffic around St. Paul’s Bay can be slow, and the sunny upper-deck chairs are limited. Several people arrived early and still found the best loungers filling fast. If you want a top-deck chair, treat boarding as part of the day, not as something to do at the last minute.

The local bus stops called Moll and Anthony are within walking distance. Free roadside parking in white-box spaces exists, but it is limited. A taxi driver needs the exact Bugibba Jetty address, since St. Paul’s Bay has several waterfront pickup points.

Once aboard, you can choose the sunny upper deck or shaded seating on the main deck. The boat has toilets, a snack bar, limited lockers, and equipment rentals. Outside food and drinks are not allowed, so plan to buy anything you need onboard.

Malta’s northern coast and the first cave stops

The boat leaves St. Paul’s Bay and follows Malta’s northern coast. The first sights include St. Paul’s Islands and the statue of St. Paul, followed by Ahrax Point and the Coral Lagoon area. These are mainly scenic passes and photo stops rather than long shore visits.

This part of the cruise gives you useful context before Comino. Captain Kevin points out coastal landmarks and shares information about Malta as the boat moves north. The commentary is in English, though announcements over the loudspeaker can be hard to hear when the sea is rough or the boat is busy. Keep an eye on the posted return times as well as listening for announcements.

The route continues through Comino’s north channel. You pass the Elephant’s Head, Santa Maria Bay, St. Nicholas Bay, and the former Comino Hotel. The coastline is the main show here: pale cliffs, small bays, and water that shifts from clear green to bright blue in the shallows.

There are short stops at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. These are quick entries or close passes, not long guided cave walks. They are worth having your camera ready for, but do not expect a full cave exploration from the main boat. If caves are your top interest, the optional speedboat trip is the better choice later in the day.

Four and a half hours at Blue Lagoon

After about an hour, the boat reaches Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. The key advantage of this cruise is that the boat moors in a more secluded part of the lagoon rather than simply dropping you at the most crowded strip of shore.

You have about 4.5 hours here. That is a generous block of time by Malta day-trip standards. I would use the first hour for swimming while the water is fresh, then claim a chair, order food, and decide how much time you want on land.

The water beside the boat is about 3 meters deep. Confident swimmers can use the rear steps, jumping points, and slide, while anyone less sure in the water can use a buoyancy aid with a €10 deposit. You can also reach the island and use the beach area, though the shore can become very crowded.

The Blue Lagoon is lovely, but it is not peaceful in the classic beach sense. In summer, the small shoreline fills quickly, and finding a place to lay a towel can be difficult. The boat helps because you can return to a chair, shade, a toilet, and food without fighting for space on land.

Snorkeling is one of the best uses of your time. Fish are visible in the clear water, and masks and snorkels rent for €5 with a €15 deposit, of which €10 is returned. Bring your own gear if you already have it, but the onboard rental is a fair option for a casual swim.

The slide, jumping points, and deck life

The 10-meter waterslide is the boat’s biggest family attraction. It is available for unlimited use, at your own risk, and leads straight into the sea. The jumping points offer another way in, though both require comfort with open water and a deep landing.

Kids tend to make the slide their main project. Adults often do a few runs, then settle into a deck chair with a drink. The mix works well for groups with different energy levels because nobody has to choose between an active water day and a lazy sun day.

The upper deck is best for sunbathing and views, but it is also the first area to fill. The main deck gives you shade and a cooler place to sit. I would not promise yourself a particular chair, especially in July and August. Arriving early improves your odds, but it does not turn a busy boat into a private yacht.

Music is part of the experience. Captain Kevin’s playlist gets frequent praise for working across age groups, and the boat has a cheerful rather than formal mood. On some sailings, his dog Louie has also been aboard, which adds to the informal family character, though you should not count on that for every departure.

Food, drinks, and the famous pineapple cocktail

You do not need to leave the boat to eat. The snack bar serves hot and cold drinks, ice cream, burgers, fries, and other simple food. Prices are described as reasonable, often better than what you might pay at the beach, which improves the value of staying onboard.

The pineapple cocktail is the signature order. It is served in a pineapple and makes a fun photo, though the drink can be quite icy. Food and drinks are not included in the $35 ticket, so budget for them separately and bring cash for rentals and purchases.

The onboard menu matters because Blue Lagoon food stops can mean queues and extra walking. If you prefer a proper packed lunch, note that outside food and drinks are not allowed. For a seven-hour outing, I would bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and enough money for food, a locker, and snorkeling gear if needed.

Lockers are limited and cost €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 refunded. Use one for valuables rather than leaving phones and wallets on a chair. The boat has toilets, but cleanliness can vary during a long, busy day, so keep expectations practical.

The optional speedboat to Comino’s caves

The main cruise includes brief cave stops, but the separate speedboat ride offers a much closer look. It costs €15, payable onsite, and is available as an add-on during the day cruise.

This is the part I would add if you enjoy a fast, bouncy ride and want more than a passing view of the caves. Guides such as Ian have been praised for mixing fun with clear information, and the speedboat gets into places the large vessel cannot reach.

It is not included in the advertised price, and it adds another cost to an already active day. Still, €15 is modest for a dedicated cave circuit, especially if caves are one of your reasons for visiting Comino. The ride is not the best choice for someone who wants to remain completely dry or dislikes fast turns.

Crystal Lagoon, Saint Mary’s Tower, and the return route

When the Blue Lagoon stop ends, the boat heads toward Gozo without making a long landing there. You cruise around Mgarr Harbour, giving you a water-level view of Gozo’s main harbor area, but this is not a Gozo sightseeing visit.

The return route uses Comino’s south channel. You pass Crystal Lagoon, its caves, and Saint Mary’s Tower. The Crystal Lagoon photo stop lasts about 10 minutes, so keep your camera ready and do not expect time for a full swim.

Saint Mary’s Tower is one of Comino’s most recognizable landmarks. From the boat, it adds a strong historical marker to the final stretch. The schedule then returns you to the St. Paul’s Bay area and the original Hornblower drop-off points.

Pay attention to the exact departure time from Comino. It is written near the exit in some cases, which can be clearer than the loudspeaker. If you decide to stay onboard instead of walking around the island, you can keep swimming and relaxing until the group leaves.

What the $35 price really gives you

At $35 per person, this is strong value if you want a full water day rather than a short transfer to Comino. Your fare covers the boat cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, commentary, music, deck seating, toilets, the slide, and the return route past Crystal Lagoon and Saint Mary’s Tower.

The ticket does not cover food, drinks, ice cream, snorkel rental, lockers, the €15 cave speedboat, hotel transfers, or the Blue Lagoon access pass. Those extras are easy to overlook, so calculate your likely total before booking.

The cruise is especially good value for families and mixed groups. One person can swim, another can use the slide, another can sit in the shade, and nobody has to arrange separate transport back from Comino. It is less appealing if you want a tiny boat, a quiet anchorage, or a formal historical tour.

You also need a free QR access pass from blcomino.com. Select both morning and afternoon slots, and have the designated QR code ready. The boat operator can change the route or cancel parts of it for safety and weather reasons, so do not build your entire Malta schedule around one exact cave stop.

Who should book this cruise?

I would book this for families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time Malta visitors who want Comino in one easy outing. It works particularly well if you want a proper swim but also need shade, food, toilets, and somewhere to keep your things.

It suits active children because of the slide and jumping points. It also suits less active adults who are happy to sunbathe, listen to music, and watch the coast from the deck.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, since the boat, steps, slide, and swimming access are not designed for easy movement. I would also avoid it if rough seas make you uneasy. The ride can be bumpy, particularly on windy days, even though the Blue Lagoon itself may remain calm.

Should you book the Hornblower Comino cruise?

Book it if you want the best mix of swimming, scenery, food, and onboard fun for a moderate price. Arrive early, sit near the boat’s left side for some outward views of Comino, bring sunscreen and a towel, and keep the return time in mind.

Add the €15 speedboat if caves matter to you. Stay on the main boat if you prefer a chair, a pineapple drink, and easy access to the water. The Blue Lagoon will not be empty, but this cruise gives you a practical way to enjoy its clear water without being tied to the crowded shore.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise depart from?

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

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The boat stays at the Blue Lagoon for about 4.5 hours. You can swim, snorkel, use the boat facilities, visit the island, or take the optional speedboat trip.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. The onboard snack bar sells food, drinks, ice cream, and pineapple cocktails. Outside food and drinks are not allowed.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. The 10-meter slide and jumping points are included and may be used without a set limit, but use is at your own risk.

Do I need a Blue Lagoon access pass?

Yes. All visitors must present a QR code for a designated time slot. You need to obtain the free pass at blcomino.com and select both morning and afternoon slots.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment and lockers?

Yes. Mask and snorkel rental costs €5 with a €15 deposit, of which €10 is refunded. Lockers are available in limited numbers for €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 refunded.