Blue Lagoon looks postcard-perfect at almost any hour, but the late-afternoon catamaran makes it feel special. The Golden Comino Escape is a simple, comfortable way to get from Sliema to Comino with air-conditioned seating, onboard restrooms, and a laid-back schedule that lands you back in Sliema in the early evening.

What I like most is the timing: you get to swim and hang out as the day cools down, then watch Comino’s cliffs as the light shifts toward sunset. I also like the small extra touch—each adult gets a free pineapple cocktail in Comino after you board, using a crew-issued token.

One thing to think about before you book: this is unguided, so you’ll be making your own plans once you arrive at the lagoon. And transport to the departure mooring isn’t included—you’ll need to get yourself to the Strand in Sliema ahead of the 16:30 departure.

Key highlights you’ll actually care about

• Pineapple cocktail included for adults in Comino (token handed out on boarding)
• Catamaran comfort with indoor A/C or outdoor seating, plus WiFi and restrooms onboard
• Perfect sunset window: depart Sliema at 16:30 and return around 20:00
• A realistic lagoon schedule: about 2 hours 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon
• Self-managed time on Comino since the trip is unguided

Sliema to Comino: why this ferry feels easy

Malta’s Blue Lagoon is popular for a reason. The water is famous for its clarity, and Comino’s small-scale scenery makes it feel like you’re escaping without needing a full day plan. This trip is built around that idea: you get a round-trip ferry from Sliema, then time at the lagoon, then a return before dinner plans get complicated.

The big value here isn’t just the route. It’s the pace. At roughly 4 hours 30 minutes total, you’re not committing to a full-day tour, and you’re not stuck out at sea all morning. If your Malta itinerary already includes Valletta, Mdina, or a beach day on the main island, this works as a clean “add-on” that still feels like a destination.

There’s also practical comfort. The catamaran offers both outdoor space and indoor air-conditioned seating, so you’re not trapped baking in one temperature for the whole journey. Add onboard WiFi and restrooms, and you’ll spend less time thinking about basics and more time enjoying the coast.

Price and what’s included (and what isn’t)

At $42.14 per person, this is priced like a straightforward ferry-plus-experience ticket rather than a “big tour package.” The key inclusions matter because they remove guesswork on the water:

Included highlights:

• Round-trip catamaran cruise between Sliema and Comino (Blue Lagoon)
• Swim, relax, and watch the sunset behind Comino’s cliffs
• A free pineapple cocktail for each adult in Comino (token provided on boarding)
• WiFi, restrooms, and A/C seating options onboard

Not included:

• Food and drinks (you can buy on board)
• It’s unguided

For me, the pineapple cocktail is the kind of small perk that can turn a “nice ferry” into a “pleasant memory.” And the rest is what you want to see in a value ticket: comfort, bathrooms, and the main transportation, all wrapped into one booking.

If you’re the type who hates hunting for logistics on vacation, this still saves you effort on the big parts—getting there by boat and getting back on schedule. You’ll just handle your own time on Comino.

The 16:30 departure: how the timing shapes your day

This cruise starts at 16:30 from the Strand in Sliema, with a return leaving Comino at 20:00 and arriving back at the same meeting point in the early evening. That timing is the heart of the experience.

Afternoon departures are a tradeoff. Yes, you’re arriving at the lagoon later than some day trips. But you also avoid the harshest sun hours, and the sunset light around Comino is a big part of what this tour is selling. You’re not just “going to the lagoon”—you’re going in a way that lets the sky change while you’re there.

The duration breakdown also helps you plan mentally:

• Cruise to Comino, then lagoon time
• About 2 hours 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon
• Cruise back after you’ve had enough time to swim and relax

That’s enough time to do the essentials twice: once to settle and once to enjoy the view without rushing.

Stop 1: Finding your mooring on the Strand (Island of Malta)

This part sounds boring, but it’s where most stress comes from on sea trips—so get it right early.

You’ll make your own way to the Sliema mooring located directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels at 59 The Strand, Sliema. The meeting point is listed as WG53+82, Sliema, Malta, and you should aim to arrive at least 25 minutes prior to departure.

A few practical thoughts:

• Show up early even if you’re confident you know the area. Late afternoon traffic and people clustering along the waterfront can slow you down.
• You’re not expected to meet a guide at a hotel desk. This is more like finding the right boarding spot on the Strand, then getting onto the catamaran.
• Since transport to the vessel isn’t included, plan a simple route from wherever you’re staying in Sliema.

Once you board, you’ll be ready for the fun part—Comino and the water.

Stop 2: Blue Lagoon swim time with the pineapple cocktail

This is the main event. Blue Lagoon is where you go for that famous look—clear water, bright colors, and the kind of scenery that makes you want to stop moving and just float for a bit.

Your scheduled time here is about 2 hours 30 minutes, which is a very workable window for:

• a swim
• some lounging
• photos while the light softens
• a calm check-in with your body (because sun and sea add up fast)

The extra included perk makes this stop feel like more than just free time. Every adult receives a complimentary pineapple cocktail in Comino, and the crew gives you a token upon boarding. It’s a small “start the fun” moment that also helps you know where the perk fits into your visit.

What you should expect at the lagoon area based on general feedback patterns:

• the water is often described as clear and good for a swim
• there are basics nearby like toilets and places to eat or drink
• sunbed and umbrella rentals may be available for an extra daily fee

Even if you don’t plan to rent a lounger, it’s good to know the area isn’t a bare rock situation.

A consideration: it’s unguided on Comino

Because this excursion is unguided, there’s no one herding you between the best swim spots or telling you how long to stay. That’s not bad—it can actually be freeing. But you’ll need to self-manage:

• how long you swim
• when you return to the boat
• how you organize any snack or drink break

If you like structure, you may feel slightly on your own here. If you like being in charge of your time, this setup fits well.

Stop 3: The 20:00 return cruise and that last-view feeling

Your return from Comino is at 20:00, bringing you back to the Strand in Sliema in the early evening. This is another place where the schedule does real work for you.

Instead of doing a full-day scramble, you can treat the boat ride home like a wind-down chapter. You’ve already swum and relaxed; now you can:

• enjoy the coast from the ferry
• cool down onboard (especially with indoor A/C available)
• keep the evening plan flexible because you’re back relatively early

And if you want to keep the day moving, you’ll have plenty of time afterward to grab dinner in Sliema or connect to whatever you have booked next.

Comfort on board: catamaran basics that matter at sunset

The Golden Comino Escape is not trying to be a party boat. It’s more of a “comfortable ride + real time at the lagoon” approach, and that shows in the practical inclusions.

On board, you get:

• Air-conditioned seating indoors (important if the sea breeze turns chilly after sunset)
• Outdoor seating, so you can still watch the coastline
• Restrooms, which sounds basic until you’re out at sea
• Free WiFi, handy if you want to upload photos or check messaging without burning mobile data

And with a maximum of 200 travelers, it should feel like a sizable ferry day without turning into a massive cattle-transport vibe. (Still, it will be popular, so plan for crowds at the lagoon.)

Who this tour is best for

This is the kind of excursion I recommend for people who want Blue Lagoon without turning it into a whole-day ordeal.

It fits well if you:

• want a round-trip ferry from Sliema instead of negotiating schedules
• prefer a relaxed visit where you swim and lounge rather than follow a guide
• enjoy the idea of a sunset-focused timing
• care about basic comfort like A/C and restrooms on the water
• are okay with being unguided once you arrive

It might feel less ideal if you’re the type who wants step-by-step planning and local commentary at every moment. This trip gives you transportation and time; it doesn’t provide a hosted script once you reach Comino.

Quick planning tips so you don’t lose time

You’ll save yourself stress by planning these three things:

1) Arrive early to the Strand mooring

The instruction to be there at least 25 minutes before 16:30 is there for a reason. Use that buffer.

2) Bring a plan for your lagoon time

Because it’s unguided, decide what matters most to you: longer swim or longer lounging. With 2 hours 30 minutes, you can do both, but only if you keep an eye on the clock.

3) Plan your spending

Food and drinks aren’t included. That includes drinks you might want outside the included pineapple cocktail.

Should you book the Golden Comino Escape?

I’d book it if you want Blue Lagoon as a comfort-first afternoon: a round-trip catamaran, a solid lagoon time window, and the added pineapple cocktail perk that makes the experience feel like it has a little extra meaning.

Skip it (or at least think twice) if you really want a guided tour with on-the-spot help at Comino, or if you dislike self-managing transport. Since you handle getting to the Strand mooring and the tour is unguided, the experience depends on you feeling confident with simple logistics.

FAQ

What time does the ferry leave Sliema?

It departs from the Strand in Sliema at 16:30.

What time does it return from Comino?

It returns from Comino at 20:00, arriving back at the Strand in Sliema in the early evening.

Where is the meeting point in Sliema?

The mooring is at 59 The Strand, Sliema, directly opposite the Sliema Hotel by ST Hotels (meeting point listed as WG53+82).

Do I need to arrange transport to the departure point?

Yes. Transport to and from the vessel is not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the Sliema mooring.

How long do I spend at Blue Lagoon?

The scheduled time at Blue Lagoon is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is the tour guided?

No. The tour is unguided.

Is food or drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy items onboard, and each adult gets a complimentary pineapple cocktail in Comino.

Is there WiFi on the catamaran?

Yes, there is free WiFi on board.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.