Malta: Gozo, Comino, Sea Caves, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The main appeal here is simple: you see a big slice of Comino from a small 24-passenger boat, not from a crowded ferry. The route links three swimming stops with sea caves, rock formations, and the old Comino Tower, made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo. Johnny, the skipper, is friendly and keeps the timing clear.

I like the generous swim stops at Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Santa Maria Bay. I also like the practical touches: shade, an onboard toilet, free parking, swim noodles, and a stand-up paddleboard. The main caution is the sea. Wind and waves can change the route, and this trip is not suitable for people prone to motion sickness.

Key points to know before you book

• Small boat, limited to 24 passengers: You get closer to caves and rocky inlets than larger boats can usually manage.
• Three proper water stops: Crystal Lagoon gets 45 minutes, Blue Lagoon one hour, and Santa Maria Bay another 45 minutes.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs a QR code: From May 1, 2025, you need a free time-specific QR code to step ashore there.
• Useful equipment is included: A SUP, swim noodles, shade, a toilet, marina fees, and lagoon permits are covered.
• Johnny is the skipper to look for: He explains the route, gives clear return times, and adjusts the plan when sea conditions change.
• The $32 price is strong value: Food and drinks cost extra, and snorkeling gear is rented onboard, but the boat covers a lot of Comino in one outing.

Why this Comino cruise works so well

At $32 per person, this is one of the more practical ways to combine swimming, sightseeing, and a short boat ride around Comino. You are not paying only to reach the Blue Lagoon. The price also covers Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, several rock formations, sea caves, parking, marina fees, and the permits needed for the lagoons.

The important difference is the boat size. With room for 24 passengers, the crew can get closer to cave entrances and narrow coastal sections than a large sightseeing vessel. You still have enough room to sit under shade, and the boat includes a toilet, which matters when you are spending several hours on the water.

This is not a luxury yacht trip. Food is not included, drinks are bought onboard or at beach stops, and snorkeling masks are available to rent rather than automatically supplied. Still, the free SUP and swim noodles add real value, especially if you want something to do between swims without paying for another activity.

The advertised duration is 3 to 4 hours. The schedule is fairly full, so bring a little flexibility if the sea becomes rough or boarding takes longer than planned. The crew has adjusted routes when conditions made one stop unsafe, while still keeping plenty of the experience intact.

Finding the boat at Cirkewwa

The meeting point is behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe at the northern tip of Malta. Go down the stairs behind the cafe and turn left around the corner to reach the boat. This is a useful detail because Cirkewwa is a working ferry area, and the departure point is not simply a sign in the middle of a plaza.

Free parking is available at the meeting point. You return to the same place at the end, so the setup is convenient if you have a rental car or are already near the ferry terminal.

Wear your swimsuit before boarding if possible. Bring a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash for snacks, drinks, or any rental equipment. You will not want to search for a dry place to change after the first swim.

The opening ride past Comino Tower

The cruise begins with a short sightseeing run along Comino. One early landmark is Comino Tower, a sturdy coastal fortification known to film fans as a location connected with The Count of Monte Cristo. The tower gives the rocky shoreline a little historical context before the trip turns toward the water.

The views change quickly as the boat moves along the coast. Golden rock, pale cliffs, and clear water create the classic Comino scene, but the small boat makes the coastline feel more immediate. You are close enough to see the cuts and openings in the rock rather than simply watching them from far offshore.

The guide explains what you are passing and tells you how long each stop will last. That simple information makes the trip easier to enjoy. You know when you can swim, when you need to return, and when the boat is moving on.

Crystal Lagoon gives you the first swim

Crystal Lagoon sits on Comino’s western side and is usually the first main stop. The water is remarkably clear, with a shallow sandy bottom that catches the sunlight. You get about 45 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, or trying the stand-up paddleboard.

This stop is especially good for settling into the trip. You can use a noodle if you prefer relaxed floating, or paddle away from the boat for a different view of the cliffs. The free SUP is a useful bonus, though availability depends on how many people want to use it.

The main limitation is time. Forty-five minutes sounds generous until you include getting ready, entering the water, taking photos, and returning to the boat. If swimming is your priority, go directly into the water rather than spending the whole stop on the beach or taking pictures.

Snorkeling equipment is not included as standard, so bring your own if you have it or rent a mask onboard. The lagoon is a good place to look for fish in clear water, but this is not a dedicated marine-life excursion. The main attraction is the combination of swimming space, rock scenery, and clean water.

Blue Lagoon requires a little planning

Blue Lagoon is the most famous stop and receives the longest scheduled break, about one hour. Sunlight reaches the shallow seabed, producing the bright blue water that draws so many people to Comino. You can swim, snorkel, use the SUP, sit in the sun, or go ashore if you have the required entry code.

There is one important rule. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino at Blue Lagoon must show a free QR code obtained in advance at blcomino.com. The code is tied to a time slot: morning, afternoon, or sunset. Match the slot to your boat departure and arrival time.

If you would rather stay aboard, you do not need the QR code. This can be the calmer choice if the shore is crowded or if you want to keep swimming from the boat. The cruise still visits Blue Lagoon, so you can enjoy the water and views without going ashore.

An hour is enough for a proper swim, but you may wish it were longer. The lagoon is the most popular part of the route, and time passes quickly once you are in the water. If you want to explore the island on foot, use your shore time carefully and return before the crew’s stated meeting time.

Some departures may include watersports activity near the lagoon, including parasailing in the area, but the free equipment specifically included with this cruise is the stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles. Do not assume every activity is included in the ticket.

Gozo, Halfa Rock, and San Niklaw Bay

After Blue Lagoon, the boat passes near Gozo and Halfa Rock, also called Gebla tal Halfa. This is mainly a sightseeing section rather than a long shore visit. The pale rock formations and open sea give you a good change of pace after the busy lagoon.

The route also passes San Niklaw Bay and the Comino hotel area. This section is useful because you see more of the island than you would on a simple point-to-point Blue Lagoon boat. It also gives the crew time to move between the main swimming spots without rushing the next stop.

Do not expect a long guided visit to Gozo itself. The experience is a coastal cruise around Comino and nearby waters, not a land tour of Gozo. If you want churches, villages, or inland sights, you need a separate excursion.

Santa Maria Bay feels more relaxed

Santa Maria Bay is the third swimming stop, with about 45 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or going ashore. Compared with Blue Lagoon, it can feel like a better place to slow down. You can use the beach, walk around, or stay near the boat in the water.

This stop is valuable for people in a mixed group. Strong swimmers can enjoy the sea, while someone who prefers dry land can sit on the beach or take a short walk. The tradeoff is that 45 minutes may feel long outside the warm season, especially if the weather is cool and you do not plan to swim.

Bring a cover-up and towel even on sunny days. Wind on the boat can make you feel cooler after getting out of the water, and beachwear is more comfortable than trying to remain in wet swimwear for the return ride.

Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock finish the route

Near the end, the boat makes a photo stop at Santa Maria Caves. This is one of the places where the smaller vessel matters most. A compact boat can approach the cave openings more closely, giving you a better look into the dark rock chambers and a stronger angle for photographs.

The final feature is Elephant Rock, a distinctive rock formation shaped by erosion. The boat pauses for sightseeing and photos before returning to Cirkewwa. These last stops are short, roughly 10 minutes each, so have your camera ready before the boat arrives.

The cave section depends on sea conditions. Rough water can make it unsafe or uncomfortable to enter narrow areas, and the skipper may change the route. That is a sensible tradeoff. You may miss one close approach, but a careful captain can still show you much of the coast.

What Johnny and the crew add

The captain is not just steering the boat. Johnny explains what you are seeing, gives clear information about stop lengths, and helps people understand where to go and when to return. His friendly, practical style suits this kind of outing, where a good schedule matters as much as the scenery.

Past trips have also included small but thoughtful gestures, such as lending a jacket when someone came aboard underdressed for the wind. That is not a promised service, so bring your own light layer. Still, it reflects the hands-on nature of a small operation.

The crew has shown flexibility when the weather changes. If waves are too strong for one activity, they may skip or adjust it while continuing with safer sightseeing. You should see this as good seamanship, not a failure to deliver the route exactly as printed.

Is $32 good value?

Yes, for most people it is. You get a multi-stop cruise, three swimming opportunities, cave and rock sightseeing, a smaller group, parking, an onboard toilet, shade, and free use of a SUP and swim noodles. Even with snorkeling rental, drinks, and food added, the basic price covers a lot.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A ferry to Blue Lagoon alone may cost less in some circumstances, but it will not give you the same combination of Crystal Lagoon, Santa Maria Bay, caves, and coastal rock formations.

The price is less compelling if you mainly want a long beach stay. The stops are fixed and active, and the boat moves on to cover the full route. You are buying a well-packed coastal outing, not a full day at one beach.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose it if you want to swim in several places, see Comino from the water, and avoid a very large boat. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social but limited-size group.

Families should note that the trip has worked well for children and teenagers, but everyone needs to manage boarding, swimming, sun, and boat movement. The boat has shade and a toilet, which help, but the sea can still be choppy.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, are over 95, or suffer from motion sickness. The activity is not designed for those needs. Wind and waves can be part of the ride even when the day begins with good weather.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. English and Maltese are available for the guided commentary.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your ideal Malta outing includes clear water, three swims, caves, and a small boat with a friendly skipper. The strongest reasons are the route variety, the 24-person capacity, and the practical extras such as shade, a toilet, parking, a SUP, and swim noodles.

Choose another option if you want a quiet beach day, a full Gozo land tour, or a guaranteed route regardless of weather. For most active visitors, though, $32 buys a well-organized look at Comino’s best coastal sights, with enough free time to make the trip feel like more than a photo stop.

FAQ

Where does the Comino cruise start?

It starts at Cirkewwa Cafe. Find the boat behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe by going down the stairs behind the cafe and turning left around the corner.

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration is 3 to 4 hours, with starting times available when you check the booking schedule.

What swimming stops are included?

You stop at Crystal Lagoon for 45 minutes, Blue Lagoon for one hour, and Santa Maria Bay for 45 minutes. Swimming, snorkeling, and shore time are available at the relevant stops.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

You need a free, time-specific QR code from blcomino.com if you plan to step onto Comino at Blue Lagoon from May 1, 2025. You do not need one if you remain on the boat.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling gear is available to rent onboard, but it is not included in the stated inclusions. A stand-up paddleboard and swim noodles are free to use.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food can be bought at beach stops, and drinks are available onboard or at the beach stops. Bring cash.

Is the boat suitable for people with motion sickness or wheelchair users?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with motion sickness and wheelchair users. It is also unsuitable for pregnant women and people over 95 years old.