Blue Lagoon day starts with a catamaran sprint. This 7–7.5 hour coastal ferry cruise links Sliema or St. Paul’s Bay to Comino Island, with a swim stop at the famous Blue Lagoon in between. It’s a sun-and-sea day with real freedom once you step ashore.

I love that the boat is air-conditioned and built for comfort, not a sweaty shuffle in the sun. I also like that you’re not stuck on a strict guided schedule—your Comino time is mostly leisure, so you can swim, snorkel, and explore at your own pace.

One thing to take seriously: if you’re prone to seasickness, the ride can feel fast when the water gets choppy, and some passengers can end up very unwell. I’d plan for that before you book, not after.

Key things to know before you go

• Two departure areas let you start from Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay
• Modern catamaran comfort includes air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and toilet facilities
• Comino time is free-form (no car traffic) so you’ll want comfortable shoes
• Blue Lagoon now requires an access pass obtained in advance, with limited daily allocation
• Optional motorboat to caves runs only if conditions are good and costs extra on site
• Not great for motion sickness if you’re sensitive to waves

What this cruise really gives you on Comino Day

This isn’t a slow sightseeing day with long museum stops. It’s a well-timed ferry plan built around one goal: get you to Comino’s water, then give you enough time to enjoy it before the boat moves on.

You’ll spend the bulk of your day on Comino without cars and without the feeling of an “organized attraction.” That freedom matters here. The island is small enough to feel walkable, but big enough that you can find your own pocket of sand and shade.

The Blue Lagoon is the main event, but it works best when you think of it as a swim destination, not a crowd-free beach. With the new access-pass system and limited disembark slots, expect lines and tighter control around the water access.

Choosing Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay

You can depart from either Sliema Ferries or Buġibba Jetty (St. Paul’s Bay). When you book, pick your preferred departure point and time so the schedule fits your Malta plans.

The route is designed to keep things moving. After the initial departure, the cruise continues along Malta’s northern coast and later has a brief stop at St. Paul’s Bay to pick up passengers coming from that region. That means the boat is actively collecting people, not parked for sightseeing.

If you’re staying in northern Malta, starting from the closest jetty usually saves you time and stress. If you’re staying central and don’t want a long transfer, Sliema is often the easiest starting point.

On the water: catamaran comfort plus a real-wave reality

The boat is a modern catamaran with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and toilet facilities, which makes a huge difference on a sun-and-water day. On warm days, air-con and a place to cool down keep the trip from turning into pure endurance.

The ride also has a speed component. Some people report a smooth and on-time journey with clear timetable info, while others experienced a faster push through the waves on the return. That’s the part I’d take most seriously.

If motion sickness is even a mild issue for you, treat this like a potential rough-water day:

• pack seasickness meds if you use them
• keep an eye on how you feel early on
• plan to stay hydrated in the sun once you arrive

Also note the ferry will not stay at Comino. You’re doing a stop-and-return plan, so you want to time your swim and wandering carefully.

The quick stops: St. Paul’s Bay and Gozo transfers

Your cruise includes short operational stops. One is at St. Paul’s Bay to pick up passengers embarking from that area.

There’s also a brief stop at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo, where guests disembarking in Gozo are dropped off. This doesn’t turn into a sightseeing break. It’s more like a routing checkpoint, so don’t build your day around it.

In practice, that means your “real day” starts when you step ashore on Comino and ends when you’re back on the catamaran heading home.

Comino Island time: what you can actually do

Comino is famously quiet. There are no cars or urban areas, so it feels like a different pace from Malta’s busier feel. You’ll have leisure time to swim, relax, snorkel, and explore other parts of the island.

If you like to move a bit—walk first, swim after—Comino rewards that. The island has hiking trails that can lead toward St. Mary’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Watch Tower, and St. Mary’s Battery. Even if you’re not planning a long hike, knowing the trails exist helps you choose where to spend your hours.

Winter is also mentioned as a good season for hikers and photo fans, since the island can work well without the peak beach crowds. Even on a summer day, it’s useful to remember you can walk away from the main water access points.

One smart approach: decide early if you want sunbathing and swimming close to the water, or if you’d rather spend more time walking for views and fewer people.

Blue Lagoon swim stop: stunning water, new access rules, crowd control

The Blue Lagoon is described as crystal-clear turquoise water with a white sandy base and rich marine life. That combination is exactly why people come here for swimming and snorkeling.

Now comes the important change effective May 2025: you need a government-issued access pass in advance to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. You get the pass through blcomino.com, and the daily pass allocation is limited. Without the official pass, you won’t be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon.

Even more specific: for this trip, you’re required to book both the morning and afternoon time slots when applying for the pass. That’s not a “nice-to-have.” It’s built into the regulation you have to follow.

So what should you do with that information?

• get the pass early
• double-check the time-slot requirements when you apply
• keep any confirmation handy on your phone and offline

Also, be realistic about crowd levels. One review experience flagged that the lagoon can get very crowded. If that’s your priority, I’d use your time efficiently: find your spot, swim, then move a bit if the main area is packed.

Optional motorboat to Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon

Once you’re on Comino, there’s an optional motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon. It’s not included and is paid on location, with a cost of about €15 per person.

This option also depends on weather and sea conditions. That means you shouldn’t plan your whole day around it unless you’re okay with the possibility that it gets changed or canceled.

If you’re the kind of person who loves cave scenery and more varied water color beyond the Blue Lagoon, it can be a worthwhile add-on. If you’re mainly there for a calm swim day, you may prefer to keep your time flexible and skip the motorboat.

What $35 buys you—and what costs extra

At $35 per person, you’re paying for a lot more than just a boat ride. Included is the sightseeing ferry cruise, transportation via a modern, air-conditioned catamaran, and your Comino stop with free time.

You also get free Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and crew assistance, plus departures from two starting points so you can choose the easiest location.

Costs that are not included can matter:

• the Blue Lagoon access pass (required)
• food and drinks
• entry fees to any sites (if you choose to visit anything onshore)
• the optional motorboat to the caves (about €15)

So is it good value? For many people, yes—because you’re saving time and hassle on the transportation between Malta and Comino, especially with the comfort level. But if you’re counting every euro, budget for the pass and your on-island food or snacks.

Packing list: sun, water, and the Malta sun does not negotiate

Bring the basics for a beach-and-boat day, especially because you’ll likely be moving between shade, sun, and water quickly:

• comfortable shoes (you may walk more than you expect)
• swimwear and a towel
• sunscreen and sunglasses
• a camera
• cash (useful for anything paid on location)

Boarding and rules are also strict enough that packing smart helps you avoid delays. Large luggage and oversized items aren’t allowed, and pets are not allowed. Smoking is not allowed either, and you’ll want to keep your bag small.

You’ll also need to arrive early. For boarding, plan to be at the departure location 15 to 20 minutes before your scheduled time.

Who this cruise suits (and who should think twice)

This is best for you if you:

• want a relaxing Comino day without car logistics
• care most about the water and don’t need a formal guide
• like flexible time—swim first, walk later, no tight script

This is a weaker match if you:

• are prone to seasickness
• need accessibility support for mobility impairments (it’s listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments)

It’s also not marketed as a guided tour, so if you’re hoping for commentary and structured storytelling during the cruise, you’ll want to bring your own curiosity.

Finally, keep expectations realistic about organization. Some experiences described chaotic boarding and scanning. That doesn’t mean it’s always like that, but it does mean arriving early and having your documents ready is worth it.

The trip flow, step by step (so you don’t feel rushed)

Here’s how the day tends to move based on the route plan:

1. Morning departure from either Sliema or Buġibba Jetty
2. Coast cruising along Malta’s northern shoreline with scenic views
3. Brief pickup stop in St. Paul’s Bay (if you started elsewhere)
4. Short stop at Mġarr Harbour in Gozo to drop off Gozo disembarking passengers
5. Direct arrival to Comino
6. Step ashore for leisure and your Blue Lagoon experience (with the required access pass)
7. Back on the catamaran when your stop ends, since the ferry won’t stay put

That rhythm is why your swim timing matters. If you leave everything to the last minute, you’ll feel it when the boat time approaches.

Should you book this Coastal Ferry Cruise to The Blue Lagoon?

If you’re after a comfortable, straightforward way to reach Comino and get a Blue Lagoon swim, I think it’s a solid choice—especially because the catamaran is air-conditioned and includes Wi-Fi and toilets. The big upgrade here is that the day is built for ease: you’re transported in one shot and you get genuine leisure time once ashore.

But if you hate crowds at beaches, or if your body doesn’t do well on boats, make a careful call. The Blue Lagoon area can be busy, and the ferry can feel fast on rougher water days. And because the access pass requirement is strict, you need to handle that in advance or you’ll hit a hard stop.

If you do decide to go, the best move is simple: secure the Blue Lagoon access pass early, show up at the jetty with extra time, and pack for heat and swimming.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do the catamaran departures leave from?

You can depart from either Sliema Ferries in Sliema or from Buġibba Jetty in St. Paul’s Bay. You choose the departure point and time when booking.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 7 to 7.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is this a guided tour with a guide on board?

No. It is not a guided tour. The stop at Comino Island is at leisure.

Do I need a pass to disembark at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you must obtain a government-issued access pass in advance to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. Passes are available via blcomino.com, and limited daily allocation applies.

Is the motorboat trip to the caves included?

No. The motorboat trip to the Comino Caves and the Crystal Lagoon is optional, paid on location (approximately €15 per person), and subject to favorable weather and sea conditions.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes the sightseeing ferry cruise to Comino, departures from two locations (Sliema and St. Paul’s Bay), an air-conditioned boat, free Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and assistance by the crew.

What should I bring for the day?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, a camera, and cash.

What items are not allowed?

Pets are not allowed, as well as oversize luggage. Smoking is not allowed, and luggage or large bags are not permitted.

Is it safe for people prone to seasickness or mobility issues?

It is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments and not suitable for people prone to seasickness. If you’re sensitive to waves, consider planning accordingly.