From Sliema: Full-Day Cruise to Comino and the Blue Lagoon

The main attraction here is simple: a full day around Comino’s Blue Lagoon, where clear turquoise water, a pale seabed, and small fish make swimming and snorkeling the reason to come. The cruise leaves Sliema at 10:30 AM and returns at 6:30 PM, with an English-speaking host, bar, toilets, and air-conditioning aboard.

I like the low $34 price and the relaxed format. You get boat transport from Sliema, a long outing by the sea, and plenty of time to swim rather than rushing through a short stop. I also like having an indoor cabin and upper deck when the sun gets too strong. The catch is that the boat may be crowded, and the journey can take longer than expected, leaving about three to four hours at the lagoon instead of the full day there.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves Sliema, not Valletta: Meet opposite McDonald’s at the Sliema ferry terminal by 10:00 AM for the 10:30 departure.
• The Blue Lagoon is the main event: Expect clear water, a white sandy bottom, good swimming, and snorkeling around Comino and Cominotto.
• Your time in the water may be shorter than eight hours: Some departures spend over two hours reaching the lagoon and make additional stops.
• The free Comino walking ticket is now required: Choose the 1:30 to 5:30 PM slot at blcomino.com and keep the QR code ready.
• Bring your own basics: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and, if possible, snorkeling gear can save you extra onboard costs.
• Expect a busy boat and a busy lagoon: This is a practical, affordable cruise, not a quiet private outing.

What this Sliema to Comino cruise is really like

This is a straightforward sea day built around one destination. You board at the Sliema ferry terminal, settle into a large boat, and spend the day moving north toward Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The onboard commentary gives you information along the route, but the central appeal is not a long guided tour. It is getting to the water and staying there for as long as the schedule allows.

The advertised duration is eight hours, from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM. That sounds like a full day at the lagoon, but you should read it as eight hours of total cruise time. Depending on the sailing plan, the boat may stop at St. Paul’s Bay, drop people at Gozo, or collect passengers on the return trip. One reported schedule reached the lagoon around 12:45 PM and left around 4:15 PM, giving about three and a half hours on site.

That is still enough time for a swim, snorkeling, lunch, and a walk on Comino. It simply matters if you are booking this because you want every hour beside the Blue Lagoon.

Meeting at Sliema ferry terminal

The meeting point is at the Sliema ferry terminal, opposite McDonald’s. It is not in Valletta, so allow enough time to reach Sliema before the 10:00 AM check-in recommendation.

The boat departs at 10:30 AM. I would arrive early rather than cutting it close, especially since the boat can fill up and the dock area may have several operators. Keep your booking details handy and confirm the boat and boarding point with the host before you settle in.

The start and finish point are the same. That makes the trip useful if you are staying in Sliema, but you need to plan your own way to the terminal if you are based elsewhere in Malta.

The boat ride north to Comino

Once aboard, you can choose between the indoor area, where air-conditioning offers relief from the heat, and the upper deck, where you get open air and sun. There are bar and toilet facilities, which make the long sailing easier, but snacks and drinks are not part of the basic $34 price.

The boat ride can be pleasant, particularly when you want a break from sightseeing on land. You get wide sea views and commentary in English as the route unfolds. Still, this is transport as much as it is sightseeing. If the boat makes several stops, the cruise can feel slow for anyone focused only on reaching the lagoon.

Crowding is the main comfort issue. The boat has been described as packed, and the drink queue can be long. If you want a quiet seat, arrive early. If you plan to spend the ride in the sun, ask about the optional upper-deck seating. The extra charge has been around €10, though prices can change.

That upper level may suit you if you enjoy sunbeds and open views. It is less useful if you are trying to avoid the sun, so the air-conditioned cabin is the better choice for families, anyone sensitive to heat, or anyone who wants a calmer ride.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

Comino’s Blue Lagoon sits between Comino and the smaller island of Cominotto. Its shallow-looking, pale seabed helps give the water its bright turquoise color, and the area is especially attractive from the boat. This is the kind of place where your first view may be more impressive than any long explanation from the guide.

The lagoon is best enjoyed from the water. You can swim, snorkel, take photographs from the boat, or simply sit and watch the color shift with the sun. The clear water and marine life make snorkeling more rewarding than a quick dip, although you need to bring your own mask and tube or rent equipment onboard for an additional fee.

Do not expect solitude. The Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most popular swimming stops, and the shore and water can be crowded. That does not cancel out the beauty, but it changes the mood. You are visiting a famous, heavily used swimming area, not a private cove.

The shore is rocky in places, so closed shoes are a smart addition to your day bag. They are more useful than flip-flops when you are walking along uneven ground or getting in and out of the water.

The new Comino walking ticket

From May 1, 2025, you need a free ticket to walk on Comino. Arrange it online at blcomino.com before the trip and select the 1:30 to 5:30 PM time slot.

You will receive a QR code, which Comino officials scan when you arrive. Without it, you may not be allowed to walk on the island, although you can still swim beside the boat.

This is an important distinction. If your plan is only to swim from the boat, the ticket may not affect you. If you want to step ashore, bring the correct QR code and select the stated time window. Save it where you can display it quickly, since phone signal or battery life may not cooperate at the dock.

Swimming, snorkeling, and time ashore

The water is the clear star of the trip. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want a waterproof pouch for your phone, though that item is not supplied.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. It can be rented onboard for an extra charge, but bringing your own is usually the simpler choice if you already have a mask and tube. The lagoon’s clear water and marine life give you a good reason to spend more time looking below the surface rather than only taking photographs.

The amount of free time varies with the sailing plan. Some departures provide roughly three to four hours at the lagoon. That is enough for a proper swim and meal break, but it leaves less time for a long walk around Comino.

If you want to walk on the island, remember that the official access window is 1:30 to 5:30 PM. A late arrival at the lagoon could make that window feel short. Keep an eye on the departure time, too. One person nearly missed the return boat after not being sure where to meet it. Before leaving the boat, ask the crew exactly where and when you must return.

Food, drinks, shade, and extra costs

The boat has a bar, but drinks and snacks cost extra. Bring water if you can, or budget for purchases onboard. Some departures have offered a sandwich, but the basic activity details do not promise a meal, and vegetarian choices may not be available.

An umbrella may be available to rent at the lagoon, with an approximate charge of €15 or €20 and a partial €5 return when brought back. Treat those figures as changeable, and do not depend on finding shade. Sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up are more reliable.

The optional upper-deck seating has been priced at about €10. Snorkeling gear has been around €10 in some accounts. These extras can quickly change the cost calculation, particularly for a family. At $34, the cruise is good value if you want transport and a full sea outing. It becomes less of a bargain if you add reserved seating, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and shade rentals.

How the value compares with the drawbacks

The strongest value is convenience. You do not need to arrange separate boat transport to Comino, find your own route, or worry about returning to Sliema. The price covers the cruise, commentary, and access to basic boat facilities.

The drawback is control. You are on a shared schedule, and the boat may carry people with different destinations. Extra stops can lengthen the ride, while a full boat can make the journey less restful. The Blue Lagoon itself is beautiful, but its popularity means the experience is not quiet or secluded.

I would book this for a first visit to Malta if I wanted an affordable day on the water and did not need a private boat. I would look elsewhere if I cared most about long hours at Comino, personal space, or a flexible return time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families who can manage a long boat day, and anyone staying near Sliema. It is also a practical choice if you want to see the Blue Lagoon without paying for a private charter.

You will enjoy it most if you are happy to share the boat and accept that the journey may include extra stops. The clear water, onboard facilities, and low starting price make it easy to recommend for a simple Malta sea day.

It is less suitable for wheelchair users, as the activity is specifically listed as not accessible for them. It may also disappoint you if you expect a guided island tour, since the main focus is swimming and snorkeling rather than extensive sightseeing on Comino.

My practical packing list

Keep your essentials in a small day bag that can handle water and sun:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, preferably enough for repeated application
• Snorkeling gear, if you have it
• Closed shoes for rocky areas
• Water and money for the onboard bar
• Your Comino QR code if you plan to walk ashore
• A phone charger or fully charged phone for the digital ticket

Avoid bringing anything you cannot protect from spray or misplacing on a crowded deck. The less you carry, the easier it is to move between the cabin, upper deck, and swimming area.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon day cruise?

Book it if you want the simplest, least expensive way to reach Comino from Sliema and spend several hours in beautiful swimming water. The included cruise, English commentary, toilet, bar, and air-conditioned space give you useful comforts for the $34 starting price.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may spend two hours or more on the boat, the deck can be crowded, food and equipment cost extra, and the lagoon is likely to be busy. Arrange the free Comino walking ticket, arrive early at Sliema, bring your own snorkeling gear if possible, and confirm the return meeting point before you go ashore.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from the Sliema ferry terminal, opposite McDonald’s. It does not leave from Valletta.

What time should I arrive?

You should be at the Sliema meeting point by 10:00 AM. The boat departs at 10:30 AM.

What time does the cruise return?

The scheduled return to Sliema is at 6:30 PM.

How long is the activity?

The total activity lasts eight hours. The time at the Blue Lagoon can be shorter because the cruise may include additional stops and sailing time.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

No. Snorkeling equipment is available to rent onboard for an additional cost.

Are food and drinks included?

No food or drinks are included in the stated activity price. The boat has a bar where you can purchase beverages and snacks.

Is there air-conditioning on the boat?

Yes. The boat has air-conditioning, along with an upper deck for open-air seating.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

Yes. From May 1, 2025, you need a free online ticket to walk on Comino. Select the 1:30 to 5:30 PM time slot and bring the QR code for scanning.

Can I still swim if I do not have the Comino walking ticket?

Yes. You can still swim next to the boat, but you may not be allowed to walk on the island without the QR code.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Closed shoes, snorkeling equipment, water, and your Comino QR code are also useful additions.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.