From Bugibba: Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise

The best part of this sunset cruise is the timing. You leave Bugibba while daylight still shows the Maltese coast, reach Comino for a swim beneath the setting sun, then return across the water as the sky turns dark. It gives you several moods in one short boat trip.

I like the $28 price, which covers the cruise and swim stop without turning the evening into a costly dinner outing. I also like the choice you get at Blue Lagoon: swim, walk, take photos, or stay aboard The Mermaid with a drink and watch the changing light.

The main drawback is crowding. The experience can feel busy, especially at the famous Blue Lagoon, and the 5:30pm departure is strict. You need to board between 5:15pm and 5:25pm, with no room for a late arrival.

Key points to know before you book

• The Mermaid leaves Bugibba at 5:30pm sharp: Find the blue, red, and white boat at Bugibba Jetty and arrive early.
• Blue Lagoon gets 1.5 hours: You have time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, a short walk, or a quiet spell on the boat.
• The sunset is the evening’s main event: The route heads north first, giving you open views across the Mediterranean before reaching Comino.
• The return cruise runs after dark: You pass Mellieha at night and can look up at the starry sky from the boat.
• Drinks and snorkels cost extra: Drinks are sold onboard, while snorkel equipment can be rented.
• You need a Comino entry ticket: Sign up through the Maltese Government website before the trip. The ticket is free.

Leaving Bugibba on The Mermaid

Your meeting point is Bugibba Jetty, at L-Menqa. Look for The Mermaid, identified by its blue, red, and white colors. Boarding begins at 5:15pm and closes at 5:25pm, so I would arrive with time to spare rather than cut it close.

The boat departs at 5:30pm. That detail matters because the cruise does not appear to hold for late arrivals. You will want your swimwear, towel, sunglasses, and jacket ready before boarding, rather than searching through a bag while the crew prepares to leave.

An English-speaking guide is provided, and the captain greets you at the boat. Leaflets are available to help you follow the route, which is useful as the boat moves between Bugibba, the northern coast, Comino, and Mellieha.

The activity is suitable for families, couples, and solo visitors who enjoy a relaxed boat ride more than a tightly packed sightseeing program. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so consider the boarding and boat setup carefully before booking.

The first hour, open water and Maltese sunset

The first sightseeing cruise lasts about one hour. The boat heads toward the north of Malta, giving you time to settle in and watch the coast from the water.

This part is less about a single attraction and more about the changing light. The evening cruise is planned around sunset, so you see the Mediterranean in daylight, then watch the colors shift as the sun lowers over the horizon. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole hour looking through it. The wide views are one of the main reasons to choose an evening sailing.

You can sit back, take in the sea air, and enjoy the boat ride before the swimming stop. A drink is available to buy onboard, which can make the trip feel more like a casual evening outing. The cost is not included, so bring this into your budget if you want wine, beer, or another drink during the cruise.

The route also provides a useful change of pace from a standard daytime boat trip. Malta’s popular coastal excursions can be bright, hot, and busy. This departure uses the cooler part of the day, with sunset doing much of the visual work.

One and a half hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The main stop is Blue Lagoon on Comino, where you have around 1.5 hours for free time, swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a short walk. The water is famous for its clear appearance, and the stop gives you the chance to see it in the softer light of early evening.

If you want to swim, bring your swimwear and towel in an easy-to-reach place. A refreshing dip is the central hands-on part of the experience, but you do not have to get wet. You can stay aboard The Mermaid and enjoy the view, especially if you prefer not to swim or the water feels too cool.

Snorkel hire is available onboard for an extra fee. The supplied information does not promise that snorkel equipment is included, so plan to rent it or bring your own if you want to look beneath the surface. Drinks are also extra.

The stop includes time to walk and take photographs, though you should keep an eye on the clock. One and a half hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you have reached the water, changed, swum, dried off, and taken pictures. If swimming is your priority, head to the water early rather than spending most of the stop on the boat.

Blue Lagoon is also the point where crowding is most likely to affect your experience. It is a famous swimming spot, and the evening departure does not guarantee an empty setting. The sunset timing helps create a calmer feel than the middle of the day, but you should still expect other people around.

You must sign up for a free entry ticket through the Maltese Government website before accessing Comino. Use the official Blue Lagoon registration page provided for the activity: https://blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon/. Do not leave this until the last minute, since the boat ticket and the island access requirement are separate matters.

Sunset over the water, then the sky turns dark

The trip is built around a simple but effective sequence: arrive at Blue Lagoon while there is still enough light for swimming, then watch the sunset from the water or the shore. The setting changes quickly during this part of the evening, so the same view can look completely different from one moment to the next.

For couples, this is the most special part of the outing. The cruise gives you a relaxed way to mark a birthday, anniversary, or evening away from the usual restaurant routine. For families, it offers a mix of activity and downtime. Children can swim and explore, while adults can stay aboard with a drink and enjoy the views.

The experience is not a guided cultural tour of Comino. You will not be getting a long lesson in Maltese history or a structured walk across the island. Its appeal is simpler: sea, sunset, clear water, and a short break from town.

That simplicity is worth understanding before booking. If you want a quiet boat ride with scenery and a flexible swim stop, the format works well. If you want a detailed island tour or a long time on land, this is not the right choice.

The nighttime return past Mellieha

After the Comino stop, the boat begins the return journey toward Bugibba. The second sightseeing cruise lasts about one hour and takes you back down past Mellieha at night.

This return leg gives the evening a different feel from the outward trip. Instead of watching the coast in full daylight, you see Malta after sunset and can take in the night sky from the boat. The tour description specifically highlights panoramic star views, though visibility will naturally depend on the weather and conditions.

You arrive back at Bugibba Jetty at about 9:00pm. That makes the outing easy to fit into an evening plan, but leave room for possible changes. The cruise can be altered or cancelled because of bad weather, unsafe sea conditions, or insufficient bookings.

The return journey also means you are not responsible for finding your own way back from Comino after sunset. The boat brings you back to the same meeting point, which keeps the evening straightforward.

What the $28 price really covers

At $28 per person, this is good value if you want a boat ride and a swim stop rather than a full meal or a private charter. The price includes the sunset cruise, the Blue Lagoon swim stop, onboard toilet facilities, and route leaflets.

It does not include drinks or snorkel hire. Those extras are easy to understand, but they can raise the final cost if you want both. You may also need to plan for your own transport to Bugibba Jetty, since the activity begins and ends at the meeting point.

The strongest value comes from the length and timing. For $28, you get about 3.5 hours on the water, including roughly two hours of sightseeing cruise time and 1.5 hours at Comino. The sunset setting gives the trip a character that a standard daytime crossing may not have.

I would not book it only as a way to visit Blue Lagoon. The access requirement, possible crowding, and limited time on Comino mean the stop is best viewed as one part of an evening cruise. The package makes more sense when you want the whole sequence: coastal sailing, sunset, swimming, and a nighttime return.

Who will enjoy this evening cruise most

This trip suits you if you like scenic outings with plenty of unstructured time. You can choose how active to be, which makes it a good fit for mixed groups where some people want to swim and others would rather sit with a drink.

Couples will appreciate the sunset timing and the easy evening schedule. Families can use the Blue Lagoon stop for a swim, while the boat ride provides a break between activities. Anyone looking for a short Mediterranean cruise without committing to a full-day excursion may find the length just right.

You may want to skip it if you dislike boats, need extensive mobility support, or want a quiet and private setting. The boat can be crowded, and Blue Lagoon is a well-known destination. You should also avoid booking it around a tight dinner reservation, since the tour is scheduled to return at 9:00pm and weather can affect the plan.

Bring sunglasses for the outward trip, swimwear and a towel for the lagoon, beachwear for comfort, and a jacket for the return. Even a warm Maltese evening can feel cooler once the boat is moving after dark.

Booking and cancellation details

You can reserve the cruise and pay later, which is useful if your Malta plans are still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The schedule depends on availability, so check the start time when booking. The stated boarding time is 5:15pm, the boat leaves at 5:30pm, and the return is expected around 9:00pm.

Weather matters more here than on many land activities. The provider may change or cancel the trip in bad weather, unsafe seas, or if the minimum capacity is not reached. Keep that in mind if this is the only major plan you have for the evening.

Should you book The Mermaid sunset cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a reasonably priced evening on the water with a clear plan and room to choose your own pace. The best features are the sunset timing, the swim stop at Blue Lagoon, and the nighttime return past Mellieha. At $28, it offers a lot for a short outing.

Go in with realistic expectations. Blue Lagoon may be crowded, drinks and snorkels cost extra, and you must arrange the free Comino entry ticket yourself. Arrive early, pack a jacket and towel, and treat the excursion as a scenic sunset cruise with a swimming stop, not as a private island escape.

FAQ

Where does the Blue Lagoon sunset cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Bugibba Jetty at L-Menqa. Look for The Mermaid, which has blue, red, and white colors.

What time should I arrive at the boat?

Boarding begins at 5:15pm and closes at 5:25pm. The boat departs at 5:30pm sharp.

How long is the cruise?

The full activity lasts about 3.5 hours. The Blue Lagoon stop lasts around 1.5 hours, with about one hour of sightseeing cruise time before and after it.

Is swimming included?

Yes. A swim stop at Blue Lagoon, Comino, is included. You should bring swimwear and a towel.

Are drinks and snorkels included?

No. Drinks can be purchased onboard, and snorkels can be rented onboard for an additional charge.

Do I need a ticket to access Comino?

Yes. You must sign up for a free entry ticket through the Maltese Government website before accessing Comino’s Blue Lagoon.