Mellieha: Round Comino, Blue Lagoon & Gozo Cruise with Water

Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon is the main event here, but the two swim stops give this four-hour cruise more substance than a simple boat ride. You’ll have time for a swim, snorkeling, sunbathing, or a slide into the Mediterranean, then cruise past Gozo on the way home.

I like the generous time at both lagoons and the free-flowing mineral water, which is a useful touch under Malta’s hot sun. I also like the return route past Mġarr Harbour, giving you a quick look at Gozo without adding a separate island visit.

The main catch is that this is a boat-centered outing, not a guided tour of Comino. Blue Lagoon can also be crowded, and from May 2025 you need a government access pass if you plan to step ashore there.

Key Points

• Two proper swim breaks: Spend about 1½ hours at Blue Lagoon and one hour at Crystal Lagoon.
• A lively boat setup: Use the water slide, rooftop deckchairs, fresh-water showers, toilets, and onboard assistance.
• Free mineral water: Water is available throughout the four-hour cruise, while snacks and other drinks cost extra.
• Good northern Comino views: See Saint Mary’s Battery, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Bay, and Santa Maria Caves from the water.
• Gozo without disembarking: Cruise past Gozo and pause for photos at Mġarr Harbour.
• A useful price point: At $34 per person, the trip packs in several sights and long swim stops, though food, hotel transport, and cave trips cost extra.

What You Get for $34

At $34 per person, this cruise offers solid value if your main goal is to swim in Comino’s clear water rather than spend the day on land. Four hours gives you enough time for two stops, sightseeing along the northern coast, and a Gozo view on the return.

The price includes the scenic cruise, mineral water, both swim stops, the water slide, rooftop deckchairs when available, toilets, fresh-water showers, and crew assistance. Snorkeling equipment is available at no rental charge, though you must leave a €20 cash deposit and collect it when you return the gear.

Food and most drinks are not included. A cash bar sells snacks and various beverages, with cash and card accepted. The optional powerboat ride to the Comino Caves costs €10 per person and is paid on board, with the final price subject to change slightly.

For a half-day on the water, that is a fair package. The value is strongest for swimmers and families who will use the facilities. If you prefer a quiet history tour or a long walk across Comino, this boat will feel less suitable.

Starting at Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa

You meet at Marfa Jetty, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort, and look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna. The trip returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Allow time to reach Marfa Jetty on your own, and bring cash for the snorkeling deposit, optional cave ride, or onboard purchases.

The boat has a rooftop area with deckchairs, but these are first come, first served. If a seat in the sun matters to you, arrive ready to claim one. You should also bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a motion-sickness remedy if you are prone to seasickness.

Large bags, oversize luggage, pets, electric wheelchairs, and wheelchairs are not allowed. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or significant motion sickness.

Along Comino’s Northern Coast

The opening part is a sightseeing cruise rather than a series of shore visits. You remain on the boat as the crew points out coastal features and the sea provides the changing view.

Saint Mary’s Battery is one of the first notable sights. You’ll also pass Elephant Rock, a striking rock formation that makes a good photo subject from the water. The boat then continues toward St. Nicholas Bay and St. Mary’s Bay, both appreciated for their calm-looking water and rugged coastal setting.

Santa Maria Caves add another visual stop. The boat pauses for photos, but you do not disembark. This is important: the caves are part of the view, not a land excursion or a long exploration on foot.

The timing is broken into short sightseeing sections, with several stops lasting only a few minutes or no scheduled time at all. I would treat these as bonus views between the main swim breaks, not as separate attractions requiring a detailed explanation from a guide. The host language is English, but there is no tour guide included.

Blue Lagoon: Ninety Minutes in Comino’s Most Famous Water

The boat anchors at Blue Lagoon for about 1½ hours. That is the longest stop and the clearest reason to book this particular cruise.

The lagoon is known for transparent cyan water, and you can choose how active you want to be. Swim from the boat, snorkel, relax on board, or walk through the countryside of Comino if you have the required permission to go ashore.

The water slide gives the stop a playful edge. It is a simple feature, but it can make the outing more appealing if you want something beyond sitting on a deckchair. Fresh-water showers are available afterward, which is handy for rinsing off salt and equipment.

There is one important rule to plan around. From May 2025, anyone wishing to disembark at Blue Lagoon must obtain a government access pass in advance through blcomino.com. Daily passes are limited. This requirement applies to stepping ashore, so check the current rules before your cruise if you intend to walk around Comino.

You should also keep expectations realistic. Blue Lagoon is the most sought-after place on Comino, so the setting may feel busy. The cruise gives you a defined period there rather than unlimited time, but the 90-minute stop is long enough for a swim and some relaxing without turning the whole day into a single beach visit.

Crystal Lagoon and the Second Swim

After Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west coast for about one hour. This second stop is a real advantage because it spreads the experience across two different bays instead of making Blue Lagoon your only chance to get in the water.

Crystal Lagoon is framed by high cliffs and is known as a good place for snorkeling and diving. You can swim, take photos, or stay aboard and enjoy the 360-degree views. The cliffs give this stop a more enclosed feel than the open views along the coast.

One hour passes quickly once you account for getting ready, entering the water, and drying off. Still, it is enough for a focused swim break. If snorkeling is your priority, ask about the rental gear early and remember the €20 cash deposit.

The boat’s layout helps here. You have deck space, toilets, mineral water, and fresh-water showers, so you do not need to treat the excursion like a bare-bones ferry trip. Bring your own towel and sunscreen, since those are not supplied.

Returning Past Gozo and Mġarr Harbour

The return route adds a useful change of scenery. Instead of simply retracing the trip, the boat passes the island of Gozo and pauses for photos at Mġarr Harbour, Gozo’s main harbor.

You do not get off the boat at Mġarr Harbour. The stop is for photographs and a look at the waterfront, so consider it a preview rather than a Gozo visit. If Gozo is high on your Malta plans, you will need a separate day to explore it properly.

The final cruise back to Marfa Jetty takes about 25 minutes after the Gozo portion. By then, you have had two swim stops and several coastal views, so the ride home works well as a quiet wind-down. The full activity lasts four hours, although exact departure times depend on availability.

Boat Facilities and What to Bring

This is a practical boat for a swimming day, with several details that matter once you are on the water.

• Mineral water flows throughout the cruise.
• A cash bar sells snacks and assorted drinks.
• Card and cash are accepted at the bar.
• Snorkeling equipment is available with a refundable €20 cash deposit.
• The rooftop has deckchairs, but seating is first come, first served.
• Toilets and fresh-water showers are available.
• A water slide is included.
• The crew and staff provide assistance during the trip.

I would bring a refillable sense of patience as well as sunscreen. The boat has useful basics, but food is not included, and shade or preferred seating may not be available exactly when you want it. Pack a hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, towel, and cash.

If you tend to get seasick, take that seriously. The outing involves several hours on the Mediterranean, and the experience is not recommended for people prone to motion sickness. A suitable remedy can make the difference, but anyone with strong sensitivity may prefer a land-based Comino visit.

Is the Optional Cave Ride Worth Adding?

The Comino Caves powerboat trip is optional and is not part of the $34 price. You can arrange it with the crew on location for €10 per person, though the fee can change slightly and the ride depends on weather.

This add-on makes sense if you want a faster, closer look at the caves and do not mind paying extra. It is less useful if your main aim is swimming, since the cruise already passes Santa Maria Caves and includes the two main water stops.

Do not assume the cave ride will operate in every condition. The crew decides based on the weather, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a guaranteed part of your day.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would choose this for anyone who wants a compact, water-focused introduction to Comino. Swimmers get two long breaks, children and playful adults get a slide, and photographers get Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, Gozo, and Mġarr Harbour.

It also works for people who want a simple half-day plan from Mellieħa. You do not need to change boats or organize several separate tickets, and the return to Marfa Jetty keeps the logistics straightforward.

You may want another kind of outing if you dislike busy boats, need guaranteed shade, or want a quiet guided explanation of Comino’s history. There is no included tour guide, and the sightseeing stops are viewed from the boat. The activity is also not designed for wheelchair users or people with mobility limitations.

The cruise has a rating of 4.7 from 43 reviews, and the strongest praise focuses on the boat ride and the Blue Lagoon swim. That matches the experience’s main strength: it gives you a memorable stretch of clear water and coastal scenery without taking a full day.

Should You Book the La Laguna Cruise?

Book it if you want two proper chances to swim, a water slide, free water, and a scenic ride from Mellieħa for $34. The 1½ hours at Blue Lagoon and one hour at Crystal Lagoon make this more useful than a short photo cruise.

Skip it if you want to spend most of your time ashore, need a fully guided cultural tour, or are uncomfortable on open water. Before booking, check the Blue Lagoon access-pass rules, pack cash for the snorkeling deposit and optional cave ride, and arrive at Marfa Jetty looking for La Laguna.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the white and blue boat named La Laguna.

How long do you stop at Blue Lagoon?

The boat anchors at Blue Lagoon for approximately 1½ hours. You can swim, snorkel, relax on the boat, or walk through Comino if you have permission to go ashore.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you plan to disembark at Blue Lagoon. Passes are obtained in advance through blcomino.com, and daily availability is limited.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is available to rent at no charge, but you must provide a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is fully refunded when you return the equipment.

Is food included on the boat?

Food is not included. A cash bar sells snacks and various drinks, and both cash and credit cards are accepted. Mineral water is included throughout the cruise.

Can I visit Gozo during this cruise?

You will cruise past Gozo and stop for photos at Mġarr Harbour, but you do not disembark. The activity returns to Marfa Jetty.