Malta: Comino, Blue Lagoon & Caves – swim, snorkel & slide

The water is the main event here. This seven-hour boat trip from Bugibba gives you a lively, low-cost day around Comino, with a long stop at the Blue Lagoon, swimming from the boat, a slide, cave views, and time to explore the island. I like the generous four-and-a-half-hour stop and the freedom to use the boat as your base instead of fighting for space on shore.

I also like the sensible price, about $36.28 per person, with deck chairs, toilets, and the boat slide included. The catch is simple: this can be a very full, noisy outing, especially in peak season. If you want quiet water and a peaceful boat deck, this may feel more like a floating beach party than a calm coastal cruise.

The trip is run by Hornblower Cruises and leaves Bugibba Jetty at 10am, returning around 5pm. Captain Kevin and his crew provide commentary along the route, with music, food, drinks, and optional extras available during the day. It has a 4.7 rating from 813 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it, which fits the overall picture: excellent value and great fun, but not a secluded island escape.

Quick facts that matter before booking

• Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, a walk, and repeated trips back to the boat.
• A boat with a slide: You can jump or slide straight into the clear water rather than simply admire it from shore.
• Captain Kevin’s coastal commentary: The route includes St. Paul’s Island, Mellieha Bay, Coral Cove, Ahrax Cave, Santa Maria Tower, and Comino’s rock formations.
• Optional speedboat cave trip: A seasonal small-boat ride into the caves costs €15 and requires cash.
• Arrive early for the upper deck: The best sun loungers go quickly, with some passengers arriving around 8:30am for a preferred spot.
• Expect a lively, busy atmosphere: Music, a large boat, and up to 232 people make this better for active fun than silence.

Starting at Bugibba Jetty at 10am

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar. The boat returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride home from another harbor.

The day begins with a look at St. Paul’s Island. According to local tradition, St. Paul was shipwrecked here, and a statue in the water marks the story. It is a small stop in the wider route, but it gives the cruise a bit of Maltese religious context before the swimming begins.

The boat then passes Mellieha Bay, Malta’s largest beach, before heading toward Ahrax Cave. The crew pauses for photographs, so keep your phone ready. The boat route is part sightseeing cruise and part swimming outing, which makes the early hour useful even if you are mainly here for the Blue Lagoon.

You also pass Coral Cove and Ahrax Point before getting a clear view of Comino. Captain Kevin provides commentary about the places along the way. The descriptions in the schedule suggest that the route may change slightly with weather conditions, particularly around the Crystal Lagoon and caves.

Seeing Comino from the water

Comino is the smallest of Malta’s three main islands, covering about 1.4 square miles. From the water, its scale becomes clear. High cliffs, pale rock, cutout bays, and unusual formations give the island a much wilder look than the packed shoreline around the Blue Lagoon.

The cruise circles Comino, offering views from several angles. One named formation is the Elephant’s Head, a rock shape that is easiest to appreciate from the boat. You also pass Santa Maria Tower, built in 1618 to help defend Comino. Its other claim to fame is its appearance as the prison Chateau D’If in The Count of Monte Cristo.

This part of the journey works best from the upper deck, where you can see over the railings and catch more sun. The practical issue is that those chairs are limited and popular. If sitting upstairs matters to you, arrive well before boarding opens. Several people recommend reaching the jetty around 8:30am, roughly an hour and a half before departure.

The boat is described honestly as older rather than modern. That is not necessarily a problem. It has toilets, a cafeteria, shaded seating, an upper sun deck, deck chairs, and the slide. You are paying for access to the water and a full day out, not a polished luxury yacht.

Four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is the centerpiece, and the long stop is a major reason this trip offers good value. You arrive at a favorable mooring position and can treat the boat as your base for most of the afternoon.

The water is clear and turquoise, with easy options for swimming and snorkeling. You can use the slide, jump from designated points on the boat, or move between the boat and Comino on foot. The boat’s facilities remain available, so you can return for food, drinks, toilets, shade, or a locker.

This arrangement is more useful than it may first sound. The beach and immediate lagoon area can become crowded, while the boat gives you a place to sit and store your day’s supplies. It also lets you avoid spending the entire afternoon on rough rock or in direct sun.

The drawback is noise and crowding. The boat can carry up to 232 people, and the Blue Lagoon itself attracts many boats and day visitors. Music plays throughout much of the trip, which some people enjoy and others find tiring. If you are hoping to read quietly or hear only the sea, you may prefer walking away from the busiest section of Comino.

That walk can improve the experience. Santa Maria Bay is about 20 minutes away on foot and is described as calmer and quieter. You can also walk toward the Crystal Lagoon, which is around eight minutes from the Blue Lagoon according to the supplied details. Bring sensible footwear, since swimming access around rocks can be awkward.

Swimming, snorkeling and the boat slide

The main attraction is not a guided water lesson. You choose how active you want to be. Snorkel around the clear water, swim from the boat, float with a life jacket, or simply watch other people make use of the slide.

Snorkel equipment can be rented for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned. A life jacket is available for a deposit and is free to use, according to the practical information provided. Towels are not included, so pack your own.

Some swimming areas are reached from rocks, and getting in or out can be tricky. That matters for young children, anyone who is not a confident swimmer, and anyone with limited mobility. The boat’s slide and jumping points add fun, but they are not a substitute for gentle, sandy access.

Families can still enjoy the trip, especially if children like swimming and water slides. One family chose to remain with the boat rather than take the optional Gozo bus tour, simply because swimming was the priority. The tour is advertised as suitable for all ages, but adults should supervise children closely around the water and crowded boarding points.

The Crystal Lagoon and optional cave ride

The Crystal Lagoon is known for deeper water and is popular with divers. It may appear on the way to Comino or on the return journey, depending on weather and the route for the day. You can also reach it on foot from the Blue Lagoon.

The optional speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15 and is seasonal. Payment is cash only. This is one of the most praised add-ons, because the smaller boat can get closer to the caves and rock openings than the main vessel.

I would consider adding it if you enjoy short, energetic excursions. It gives you a different view of the coast and is more intimate than seeing the caves from the larger boat. It is not included in the advertised price, so budget for it in advance and keep cash handy.

The speedboat is not essential. You can have a full day by swimming, walking, snorkeling, and using the main boat. But if the caves are high on your list, €15 is a reasonable extra for the change of boat and closer access.

Food, drinks and practical comfort

The onboard cafeteria sells food and drinks at prices repeatedly described as reasonable. Choices include burgers, chips, ice cream, cocktails, and pineapple drinks. The pineapple presentation is a popular novelty, but use the special bins for the empty fruit rather than leaving it on the deck or shore.

You are free to bring your own towel and sun cream, but lunch does not come with the tour. Food on Comino is another option, though staying near the boat makes it easier to manage your day and avoid carrying supplies back and forth.

There are shaded areas on the main deck, which are important during a long summer stop. The upper deck is better for views and sun, but it fills quickly. You may need to choose between a prime chair and a cooler shaded seat.

Cash matters. Payments on the boat and Comino are cash only according to the supplied information. Bring enough euros for food, drinks, lockers, snorkel hire, and the speedboat. Lockers cost €2, while towels are not provided.

How busy and lively is the boat?

This is not a small-group sailing trip. The maximum capacity is 232 people, and during popular dates the deck may feel crowded. One practical pattern is that the boat becomes less crowded when many people leave for other activities, giving those who stay onboard more room.

The mood is generally social. Music plays, the crew are friendly, and the atmosphere suits people who want to make a full day of swimming and sightseeing. Solo visitors can feel comfortable here, with staff explaining timings and locations and helping people use the facilities.

Rough seas are the main physical concern. On some days the crossing can be choppy, and motion sickness has affected some passengers. If you are prone to seasickness, sit in a stable part of the boat, watch the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. The tour requires good weather, but good weather does not always mean perfectly calm water.

From October through May, bring a jacket or warm layer. It can feel chilly while the boat is moving, even when Malta feels mild on land. October can be especially pleasant for swimming, with warm water and less intense heat than midsummer, but conditions still vary.

Is the $36.28 price good value?

At about $36.28 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to spend a full day around Comino. The base price includes the cruise, landing and facility fees, deck chairs when available, restroom use, and the boat slide. It also gives you around four and a half hours at the Blue Lagoon rather than a quick photo stop.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the boat as a floating base. You get transport around Comino, swimming access, a long island stop, coastal commentary, and the option to buy lunch without leaving the area.

Your final cost rises if you add snorkel rental, the €15 cave speedboat, lockers, and food. Even so, the extras are optional rather than hidden requirements. I would call the basic trip good value for active visitors who want several hours in the water and do not mind sharing the day with a large crowd.

Who should book this Comino trip?

I would choose this tour for:

• Families who want swimming, a slide, toilets, food, and a boat base.
• Couples or friends looking for an inexpensive day on clear Mediterranean water.
• Solo visitors who want a structured outing with staff nearby.
• People who have already seen Gozo and want to spend the day focused on Comino.
• Anyone interested in combining sightseeing, snorkeling, cave views, and free time.

I would think twice if you want a quiet sailing trip, a small group, or an empty beach. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not secluded, and the boat’s music and capacity can make the day feel busy.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a full, affordable water day with plenty of time at the Blue Lagoon. Arrive early for an upper-deck chair, bring cash, pack a towel and jacket when needed, and consider the €15 speedboat ride if the caves appeal to you.

Skip it if your perfect Comino day means quiet coves, soft sand, and no music. For most active visitors, though, the combination of clear water, a long stop, friendly staff, reasonably priced food, and the slide makes this a strong value pick from Bugibba.

FAQ

Where does the Comino boat tour depart?

The tour departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. It ends at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour leave and return?

The boat departs at 10am and returns at about 5pm. The total duration is approximately seven hours.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The main stop lasts about four and a half hours. You can swim, snorkel, walk around Comino, eat, and return to the boat during this time.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are available from the onboard cafeteria at reasonable prices, but lunch is not included.

Can you rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel cost €5 to rent. A €15 deposit is taken, with €10 returned.

How much does the cave speedboat cost?

The seasonal speedboat trip to the small caves costs €15. The ticket is purchased with cash only.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour is described as suitable for all ages. Children can use the swimming areas and boat slide, but adults should supervise them closely because some water access is from rocks and the boat can be busy.