Malta: Comino, Gozo, Blue & Crystal Lagoon, and Caves Cruise

Comino’s lagoons are the star here, but the best part is the way you reach them: by small boat, slipping past sea caves, cliffs, bays, and Elephant Rock before stopping for a swim. Captain George has operated since 1988, and the cruise feels more like a friendly outing than a grand tourist ship.

I like the two separate swimming stops, since you are not forced to choose between the famous Blue Lagoon and quieter Crystal Lagoon. I also like the short length and modest $28 price, which make this a sensible choice if you want Malta’s best water views without giving up a full day. The main drawback is crowding at the Blue Lagoon, especially in peak season, and the exact route can change with the sea.

Key points to know before you book

• Two lagoon stops: Swim from the boat at both the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon.
• Small-boat sightseeing: The vessel can get close to Comino’s caves, including Popeye’s Cave and Lovers’ Cave.
• Gozo without a full day trip: You pause at Mġarr Harbour for photographs, but this is not a Gozo island tour.
• Useful onboard extras: A welcome drink, watermelon, toilet, padded sun deck, and top-deck jumping are included.
• Flexible formats: Pick a standard half-day cruise or a shorter sunset version.
• Come ready to swim: Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather.

A short cruise with Malta’s best water stops

For $28 per person, this trip covers a lot in three to four hours. You get a sightseeing cruise around Comino, two lagoon stops, cave views, a glimpse of Gozo, and time in the water. That is strong value if you want a taste of the islands without paying for a long private charter.

The boat leaves from Cirkewwa, at the northern tip of Malta. You meet at the jetty behind the Cirkewwa Cafe, near the only kiosk with umbrellas and tables. Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The dock can take a little finding, and the boat keeps to its departure time. Late arrivals do not receive refunds.

The company offers different boat and route formats. One version uses the Sea Haven and runs around Comino in under four hours. Another uses the Xlendi III and gives more time to Crystal Lagoon first, followed by Mġarr Harbour and the Blue Lagoon. The order and stop lengths can change with weather and sea conditions, so treat the schedule as a useful outline rather than a promise carved in stone.

Cruising past Elephant Rock and Santa Maria Bay

The sightseeing begins before you reach the lagoons. The boat passes Elephant Rock, one of Comino’s most recognizable rock formations, then moves toward the sea caves near Santa Maria. These early views help explain why a boat trip is worthwhile even when you are not swimming.

You also pass Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay. From the water, you see the coves in a way you cannot from a road or walking path. The crew points out cave shapes, rock formations, and historical details along the coast, adding useful context without turning the trip into a formal lecture.

I especially like that the boat is small enough to approach the caves. A very large vessel may give you a broad view but cannot always get close to narrow openings. Here, the route includes Comino Caves, Popeye’s Cave, and Lovers’ Cave, with time for photographs as the boat moves through the area.

Keep your camera ready, but do not expect every cave stop to be a long pause. Some cave visits are sightseeing passes of about 10 to 15 minutes. The light and water color can change quickly, and the view is often best from the side of the boat rather than through a crowded group on shore.

Crystal Lagoon: the quieter swimming stop

Crystal Lagoon is usually the first main stop on the Xlendi III route, with about 30 minutes for photographs, swimming, and snorkeling. On the Sea Haven route, the stop lasts closer to 45 minutes and comes after the Blue Lagoon.

This is one of the strongest parts of the cruise. Crystal Lagoon has clear turquoise water and dramatic rock walls, but it generally feels less famous than the Blue Lagoon. You can swim straight from the boat, snorkel around the rocks, or stay on deck and enjoy the view.

The boat includes a padded sun deck, which matters here. Not everyone wants to swim, and the short stop gives you a comfortable place to dry off, watch the cliffs, and take pictures. A top deck also allows supervised jumping into the water for those who want something more energetic.

Snorkeling equipment is not included, but you can rent it for €5. If you already own a mask, bring it. You should also bring a towel, since the boat provides the setting but not a dry replacement for your beach gear.

The water may be too cool for some people outside the warmer months. Still, the cruise runs in winter, and some people have found the sea comfortable enough for a swim even in December. The sensible approach is to pack swimwear year-round, then decide once you see the conditions.

A quick look at Gozo’s Mġarr Harbour

The cruise passes Gozo’s main harbor, Mġarr, for photographs and sightseeing. This is a scenic pause, not a visit to Gozo. You will not have time to tour the island, walk through its towns, or visit its inland sights.

That limitation is worth understanding before you book. If your goal is to see the Blue Lagoon and caves, the harbor stop adds variety without stretching the cruise into a full-day outing. If you want to explore Gozo properly, plan a separate day.

Mġarr Harbour gives you a useful sense of the relationship between Malta, Gozo, and Comino. You see the ferries, waterfront, and small port from the water, then continue the cruise. The stop lasts about 10 minutes, so use it for quick photographs rather than waiting for a long shore visit.

The Blue Lagoon: famous for good reason, busy for a reason too

The Blue Lagoon receives about an hour on the standard cruise. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, relax on deck, or disembark and walk around Comino.

The water is the main attraction. It is unusually clear, and the shallow color around the lagoon makes this the photo stop most people expect from a Comino cruise. You can also take an optional walk around the island when the boat allows time ashore.

There is an important rule for 2025: if you want to leave the boat and step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon, you must book a free ticket through blcomino.com and validate it. The ticket costs nothing, but it is still required. If you stay on the boat, this shore ticket is not the same concern, though you should follow the operator’s current instructions.

The Blue Lagoon can be crowded. The crew may try to time the visit well, but they cannot control how many other boats and people arrive. For me, that makes the boat-based swim especially useful. You still get the water without needing to fight for a patch of shore.

If peace and quiet matter most to you, consider the sunset option or a cooler-season departure. The sunset cruise is shorter and does not go all the way around Comino, so you give up some sightseeing in exchange for evening light and a simpler outing.

The Sea Haven and Xlendi III routes

The two main versions are similar but not identical.

Trip A on the Sea Haven begins with a cruise around Comino, including Elephant Rock and the Santa Maria caves. You then reach the Blue Lagoon for about an hour, pass Mġarr Harbour for photographs, and stop at Crystal Lagoon for roughly 45 minutes. The return route passes Comino Tower, known for its appearance in The Count of Monte Cristo, and a tuna fish farm.

Trip B on the Xlendi III starts at Crystal Lagoon for about 30 minutes. It then passes Comino’s caves, pauses at Mġarr Harbour, and finishes at the Blue Lagoon for about an hour. This order may suit you if you want to photograph Crystal Lagoon before spending your main swimming time at the Blue Lagoon.

Trip B does not include a full stop in Gozo. You visit the harbor area by boat and take photographs, but you do not disembark for a Gozo tour. Read the route description carefully when booking, because the boats and timing differ.

The sunset version is a shorter cruise and does not circle all of Comino. It is best for a quick scenic outing, not for seeing every cave and bay listed in the longer routes.

What is included, and where you spend extra

The welcome drink and slice of watermelon are small additions, but they are welcome on a warm boat trip. Drinks from the onboard bar are extra, and you can pay by cash or card. Cocktails and other drinks are available, though you should not assume they are part of the ticket price.

The cruise includes:

• Sightseeing around Comino
• Stops at the Blue and Crystal Lagoons
• Swimming from the boat
• Cave visits
• A padded sun deck
• Toilet facilities
• Top-deck jumping
• A welcome drink and watermelon

Snorkeling equipment costs €5 to rent. You may prefer to bring your own mask and snorkel, but the rental option helps if you are packing light.

The value is particularly good for people who want several highlights in one short trip. A standard three to four hour cruise gives you much more than a simple ferry ride, while the price remains well below a private boat charter.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to first-time visitors who want a clear introduction to Comino. You see the coast, caves, bays, Gozo’s harbor, and both major lagoons without having to organize separate transport.

It also suits families and mixed groups. Strong swimmers can jump from the top deck or snorkel, while people who prefer to stay dry can use the sun deck and enjoy the views. Life jackets are available, and the boat is described as feeling safe throughout the ride.

The trip works well for a short holiday schedule. If you have only a morning or afternoon free, it gives you a focused taste of the northern islands. The sunset version suits anyone who prefers softer light and a shorter program.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet beach day, long time ashore, or a full visit to Gozo. The Blue Lagoon may be crowded, and much of the experience takes place on the boat. You should also be comfortable boarding from a jetty and moving around a vessel.

The accessibility information needs care. The activity details describe the cruise as wheelchair accessible, but they also say it is not suitable for wheelchair users. A past passenger needed staff help to board. I would contact Xlendi Pleasure Cruises before paying if accessibility matters, since the boat and jetty may not support independent wheelchair access.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep sunscreen, a towel, and water-friendly footwear close at hand. You will move between sightseeing and swimming, and time at the lagoons passes quickly.

Arrive early at Cirkewwa. The meeting point is behind the cafe, not simply at a broad public terminal. The boat leaves on schedule, and traffic, parking, or bus delays do not protect you from a late-arrival policy.

Keep one dry layer for the ride back. Weather can shift, and the captain may alter the route or cancel a trip if sea conditions become unsafe. A change in itinerary is part of booking a boat trip around open water, not a sign that the day has failed.

For photographs, choose a seat with a clear side view, then move carefully when the crew announces a cave or lagoon. The best views come from staying alert rather than remaining fixed in one spot.

If you want to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon, arrange the free Comino ticket before departure. If you only want to swim from the boat, you can skip that step and enjoy the lagoon without joining the shore crowds.

Should you book the Comino cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced, three to four hour introduction to Malta’s northern waters, with two swimming stops and plenty of coastal scenery. The crew, particularly Captain George, receives warm praise for being friendly and helpful, and the practical extras make the outing easy.

Choose the longer standard trip if caves, bays, and the full cruise around Comino matter to you. Choose the sunset option if you want a shorter, calmer-feeling outing and do not mind missing part of the island circuit.

I would not book it expecting an empty lagoon, a full Gozo visit, or a long beach stay. For those needs, look for a private charter or a dedicated Gozo day trip. For most first visits, though, this is a strong-value way to see the water, swim in two famous lagoons, and get a satisfying taste of Comino without giving up your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The boat departs from Cirkewwa in Malta. Meet at the jetty behind the Cirkewwa Cafe, near the only kiosk with umbrellas and tables.

How long does the cruise last?

The standard cruise lasts about three to four hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Does the cruise stop at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. The standard cruise includes about one hour at the Blue Lagoon for swimming, snorkeling, walking, or photography.

Can I get off the boat at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, but you must book and validate a free ticket through blcomino.com to disembark at Comino in 2025.

Does the cruise stop at Crystal Lagoon?

Yes. Crystal Lagoon is included as a swimming and sightseeing stop. Depending on the route, the stop lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.

Is Gozo included in the tour?

The cruise visits Mġarr Harbour in Gozo for a short scenic stop and photographs. It does not include a full tour of Gozo, and Trip B does not include disembarkation there.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment can be rented for €5. You can also bring your own equipment.

Are drinks included?

A welcome drink is included, along with a slice of watermelon. Other drinks from the onboard bar cost extra and can be paid for with cash or card.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and clothing suited to the weather. You should also bring any snorkeling equipment you prefer to use.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stops because of weather and sea conditions. The trip may also be adjusted or canceled if conditions are unsafe.