Malta: Comino Blue Lagoon Boat Tour, Sea Caves & Swim Stops

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the star here, but the best part may be the way you reach it. From Bugibba Jetty, The Mermaid carries you along Malta’s northern coast on a smaller traditional boat, then gives you plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and sit by the water. The caves and rock formations add welcome variety to what could otherwise be just a beach stop.

I like the generous Blue Lagoon stay, usually around three hours, and the boat’s smaller size, which can make it easier to get close to caves than the biggest cruise boats. I also like the practical touches: a shaded open-air area, onboard toilets, and a snack bar. The main drawback is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be very crowded, and the caves depend on sea and weather conditions.

Key points to know before you book

• About three hours at Comino: You get time to swim, snorkel, walk around, and buy lunch rather than making a rushed photo stop.
• A smaller boat called The Mermaid: The red, blue, and white vessel is easier to identify at Bugibba Jetty and may reach cave entrances that larger boats cannot.
• Caves are weather-dependent: Crystal Lagoon and St. Mary’s Caves are part of the plan, but the captain may alter this section for safety.
• $29 is strong value: The price covers the cruise, English guided sightseeing, Blue Lagoon time, and cave viewing, but not food, drinks, snorkel rental, or the Comino entry ticket.
• Bring cash and arrive early: Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure and closes 10 minutes before departure, with no refund for late arrival.
• English only: Commentary and tour assistance are provided in English.

From Bugibba Jetty to Malta’s northern coast

You meet at Bugibba Jetty, where The Mermaid is the smaller red, blue, and white boat tied in the harbor. Boarding begins 30 minutes before departure, and you should treat that as a real deadline. Boarding closes 10 minutes before departure, and the boat cannot wait for late passengers.

The first hour is a sightseeing cruise toward Comino. This is not wasted transport. You get wide views of Malta’s northern coast, Mellieħa Bay, and the open Mediterranean while the crew takes you toward the main swimming stop.

The tour is conducted in English, with a live guide and crew on board. Specific guide names are not provided, but the captain and deckhand are part of the experience, and the available feedback repeatedly highlights the crew’s friendly manner, punctuality, and helpful approach.

The vessel is smaller than many large excursion boats. That matters in two ways. You may get a more relaxed atmosphere and a closer look at sections of the coast, but the boat will still be exposed to sun and sea movement. A shaded open-air area is available, yet you should bring a hat, sunscreen, and water-friendly clothing.

Three hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main stop gives you around three hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. That is the strongest feature of this trip. Many boat outings allow only a brief swim before moving on, while this one gives you room to set your own pace.

The water is famous for its clear, turquoise appearance, and the shallow, calm conditions make the area suitable for families, couples, and people who are not confident swimmers. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, relax on deck, or walk around Comino. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent, but it is not included in the price.

A long stop also gives you time for lunch. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy drinks and light meals at the onboard snack bar. Bring cash, especially if you want to make small purchases during the day. The trip information specifically recommends carrying cash, but it does not state which payment methods are accepted on board.

There is an important catch. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular natural attractions, so clear water does not mean a quiet setting. At busy times, you can expect plenty of other boats and people around the lagoon. If your main goal is solitude, this is the wrong excursion. If your goal is an easy way to swim in one of Malta’s most famous spots, the crowd is the trade-off for the convenient access.

You should also register through the Maltese Government website for the required entry ticket to access Comino. That government ticket is not included in the $29 tour price. Check the current process before departure, since the boat fare and island access are separate matters.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Mary’s Caves

After Comino, the boat continues along the island’s rougher coastline. The sea cave portion lasts about 15 minutes in the listed schedule, so think of it as a scenic boat visit rather than a long cave expedition.

Crystal Lagoon Caves are known for clear water and rocky walls. Depending on conditions, the boat may approach or enter the caves, giving you a better angle for photographs than a distant coastal pass. St. Mary’s Caves provide another look at Comino’s rock formations, with the boat passing through or beside the area when the sea allows.

The small boat is useful here. A few available accounts describe getting closer to cave openings than on larger vessels, and that is one of the practical benefits of choosing this type of cruise. Still, the captain has the final say. Wind, waves, and sea conditions can change the route, and the caves may be viewed from outside rather than entered.

This is also the part of the trip most likely to vary. The captain can cancel or alter the itinerary for safety, so do not book the cruise solely for one particular cave. Book it for the overall combination of Comino, swimming, coastal views, and possible cave access.

Elephant Rock and St. Paul’s Island

The cruise also passes Elephant Rock and St. Paul’s Island. These are short photo stops rather than long land visits.

Elephant Rock is a natural coastal formation that makes a good camera subject from the water. St. Paul’s Island adds another coastal landmark to the return route. The schedule allows only brief viewing, so you should keep your phone or camera ready rather than expect time to wander ashore.

These short stops help break up the return journey. After three hours around the Blue Lagoon, you may be ready to sit back, dry off, and watch the coast slide past. The final sightseeing cruise lasts about an hour before returning to Bugibba Jetty.

What the boat is like during five and a half hours

A 5.5-hour outing is long enough to feel like a proper day at sea without taking over an entire day in Malta. You get one substantial stop and several scenic sections, rather than a packed schedule of shore visits.

The Mermaid has toilets, which is a useful feature on a boat trip of this length. It also has a snack bar for drinks and light meals. Food is available to purchase, but you should not assume a full restaurant menu. Bring your own essentials if you have strict dietary needs, though the supplied information only confirms that drinks and light meals can be bought onboard.

The open-air shaded area is another practical advantage, especially under Malta’s strong sun. Even if you plan to swim, pack a sun hat, sunscreen, towel, swimwear, and beachwear. A dry layer can also be useful after swimming, although that is a general comfort tip rather than a stated tour requirement.

The atmosphere is described as relaxed, with music onboard. That may suit you if you want an easygoing cruise rather than a silent nature trip. The boat is not presented as a luxury vessel, and the $29 price reflects that. You are paying for access, sightseeing, and a long swim stop, not for a polished restaurant cruise or private charter.

Is $29 good value?

At $29 per person, this is one of the more accessible ways to combine Comino and Malta’s northern coastline in one outing. The price includes the boat from Bugibba, the English guided cruise, the Blue Lagoon stop, and sightseeing around the caves and coastal landmarks.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the full three hours at Comino. A quick swim and a few photographs would not make as much use of the fare, but swimming, snorkeling, walking around, and taking a meal break give the outing better value.

Budget separately for:

• Food and drinks
• Snorkel rental
• The Maltese Government entry ticket for Comino
• Any personal purchases

The price also includes safety equipment, including life jackets for the unlikely case they are needed. That is standard but reassuring, particularly for families and anyone uneasy about boat travel.

The main financial risk is weather. The captain may alter or cancel the trip when conditions are unsuitable. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Read the current booking terms when you reserve, since late arrivals are not covered by the refund policy.

Who will enjoy this Comino cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a simple way to see Comino without arranging several separate transfers. It suits you especially well if you want a long swim stop, enjoy being on the water, and like the idea of seeing caves from a smaller boat.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples wanting a relaxed sea outing
• Families who value calm, shallow swimming water
• First-time visitors to Malta
• Swimmers and snorkelers who want plenty of water time
• Photographers interested in caves and coastal rock formations
• Visitors staying around Bugibba or St. Paul’s Bay

You should think twice if you dislike crowded attractions or want a quiet beach. The Blue Lagoon’s popularity is part of its appeal, but also its main weakness. You should also avoid making this your only plan if entering the caves is essential, since weather and sea conditions can change that portion.

The tour is in English only. That is fine for English speakers, but it may not suit you if you need commentary in another language. There is also no listed land visit to Gozo, so you should not expect this to cover Malta’s second-largest island. One available account specifically noted that the time was focused on Comino rather than Gozo.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive early enough to identify The Mermaid and complete boarding without rushing. The boat is described as smaller, so look for the red, blue, and white vessel rather than assuming you will board the largest boat in the harbor.

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes. You may want to enter the water soon after reaching the Blue Lagoon, and changing on a boat can be less convenient than changing before departure. Pack a towel, sunscreen, sun hat, and beachwear.

Bring cash for the snack bar and any purchases. Snorkel rental is extra, and food and drinks are not part of the tour price.

Keep your camera ready during the cave section and the passes by Elephant Rock and St. Paul’s Island. The scheduled viewing time is short, so you may not have a second chance at a particular angle.

Finally, keep an open mind about the route. The captain may alter the cave visits or other parts of the cruise because of the weather. That is not a flaw in the tour. It is a normal condition of traveling by small boat along an exposed coast.

Should you book The Mermaid?

Book it if you want a good-value Comino day at sea, with far more swimming time than a quick sightseeing cruise usually allows. The smaller boat, friendly crew, onboard toilet, shaded area, and possible cave access make the $29 price attractive.

Skip it if you want a quiet Blue Lagoon or a full Gozo itinerary. The lagoon can be crowded, the caves are not guaranteed, and extra costs apply for food, drinks, snorkeling, and the Comino entry ticket.

For most visitors based near Bugibba, this is a practical and enjoyable way to see Malta from the water. Go for the long Blue Lagoon stop and the coastal ride, then treat the caves as a welcome bonus rather than the sole reason to book.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour start?

The tour starts at Bugibba Jetty. The meeting boat is The Mermaid, a smaller red, blue, and white boat docked in the harbor.

How long does the experience last?

The boat trip lasts 5.5 hours. The schedule includes about one hour cruising to the Blue Lagoon, around three hours at Comino, short sightseeing sections near the caves and rock formations, and about one hour cruising back to Bugibba.

How much time do I get at the Blue Lagoon?

The planned stop at the Blue Lagoon lasts about three hours. You can use that time for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, walking around, and having lunch.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling is available, but equipment must be rented separately.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and light meals are available to purchase at the onboard snack bar.

Do I need an entry ticket for Comino?

Yes. You must sign up through the Maltese Government website to get an entry ticket to access Comino. This ticket is not included in the boat tour price.

Can the boat enter the sea caves?

The boat may view or enter caves such as Crystal Lagoon Caves and St. Mary’s Caves, but this depends on weather and sea conditions. The captain can alter the route for safety.