St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is the main event here, and the speedboat gets you there in about 45 minutes instead of leaving you on a slow harbor boat. You’ll cruise past St. Paul’s Islands, cross to Comino, spend several hours by the water, then visit St. Maria’s caves before returning to St George’s Bay.

I like the quick crossing and the generous free time. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, buy a drink, or rent a sunbed without being pushed from one stop to the next. The coastal ride also gives you a look at Malta from the water.

The catch is the boat itself. This is a fast, open ride with passengers seated for the entire journey, and rough waves can make it uncomfortable or even unsafe for some people. If you have back, heart, mobility, or motion problems, this is not a good bet.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes: The speedboat saves time compared with a slower boat excursion.
• Up to four hours at Comino: Swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, food, drinks, and paid sunbeds are all part of your unstructured time.
• St. Maria’s caves are a short sightseeing stop: You visit them from the boat before heading back.
• The ride can be rough: You hold a barrier and remain seated, with no promise of a gentle crossing.
• Blue Lagoon access now needs a pass: Since April 29, 2025, you must reserve through the official Blue Lagoon website.
• The $47 price covers transport, not beach extras: Food, drinks, and sunbeds are separate.

Why the speedboat makes the Blue Lagoon practical

The best reason to choose this trip is simple: speed. Comino sits close to Malta, but a boat trip can still eat up much of your day. This crossing is advertised at roughly 45 minutes each way, giving you more time on the island instead of more time in transit.

You leave from St George’s Bay in St Julian’s, then head along Malta’s east coast. The route passes St. Paul’s Islands before crossing toward Comino. I like this part because the ride is not just a transfer. You get a water-level view of Malta’s shore and a sense of how close Comino is to the main island.

The boat is shared, not private. That keeps the $47 price fairly reasonable, but it also means you do not control the pace, route, or seating arrangement. Everyone remains seated for the full ride, so do not expect to stand at the front for photos or move around the boat whenever you like.

The speed is a plus in calm conditions. On a rough day, it changes the character of the trip. The open boat can hit waves sharply, and passengers have described being thrown upward and landing hard. There have also been complaints about bruising and a serious back injury. I cannot treat those incidents as a normal outcome, but they are important warnings, especially if your back is vulnerable.

Leaving from St George’s Bay

The meeting point is at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ. At the base, walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, and turn left. Follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat does not wait for late arrivals, and a missed departure means losing the ticket. That makes the meeting point worth finding in daylight or checking carefully before the morning of your trip.

Departure choices are listed at 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. The return times supplied for these departures are 1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. respectively. The experience is sold as five hours, but these published time combinations do not all equal five hours, so confirm the exact schedule when you select your date.

This matters most if you have a dinner booking, airport transfer, or another afternoon activity. Boat conditions and operating decisions can also affect the schedule, and one complaint specifically concerned departure and return times changing without clear communication. I would leave a little breathing room after the excursion.

Crossing Malta’s east coast in 45 minutes

Once underway, the boat follows the east coast of Malta and passes St. Paul’s Islands before reaching Comino. The ride gives you a quick coastal view rather than a guided history lesson. The host language is English, but no guide name or detailed commentary is provided.

The boat’s design is central to the experience. It is a speedboat, not a large ferry with indoor seating. You sit for the entire ride and hold on to a barrier. The supplied information does not promise individual life jackets or cushioned seats, and complaints about the lack of both have been made.

For a smooth day, sea conditions matter more than the calendar. Even in warm weather, a fast boat can pound across waves. If you are prone to seasickness, motion sickness, or back pain, choose a slower and more stable boat option instead. Pregnant passengers are not allowed, and the trip is also unsuitable for people with heart problems, mobility limitations, wheelchairs, or certain pre-existing medical conditions.

Children under three cannot take part. Children under ten must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Strollers and baby carriages are not allowed.

Four hours around Comino’s Blue Lagoon

The stop at Comino is the heart of the day. You have free time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing, with no scheduled land tour described. That freedom is useful because you can shape the stop around the weather, the water, and your own energy.

The Blue Lagoon is known for clear water and strong color, which makes it appealing for a quick swim or snorkel. Bring a towel and beachwear. You will also want to protect your phone and other valuables from spray on the boat and water at the lagoon, though waterproof storage is not listed as part of the tour.

You can buy food and drinks at the Blue Lagoon. Sunbeds are also available for rent, but neither is included in the ticket. The $47 fare pays for the boat transfer and cave visit, not a complete beach package.

That distinction affects the value. If you plan to spend the whole stop in the water and bring your own towel, the included services may be enough. If you want a sunbed, lunch, and several drinks, budget more. The experience is best viewed as efficient transport to Comino with free time, not as an all-inclusive beach day.

The biggest practical issue is the new access rule. Since April 29, 2025, all Blue Lagoon visitors must reserve access through the official government-linked website at blcomino.com/product/blue-lagoon. You need a valid pass with correct details. Without one, you will not be allowed into the Blue Lagoon.

If your pass is missing or incorrect, the boat company says you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, a nearby alternative beach. That gives you a possible backup, but it is not the same as reaching the Blue Lagoon. I would arrange the pass before the boat trip and check every name and date carefully.

What the Blue Lagoon stop is really like

The lagoon’s appeal is immediate: clear water, easy swimming, and a compact beach stop that fits into a half-day outing. The drawback is that this is a well-known swimming destination, not a quiet private cove. The experience details do not promise exclusive access, reserved space, or a private boat.

Your free time can feel wonderfully simple. Get off the boat, find your place, swim, dry off, and buy something cold. You are not required to follow a guide through a set series of activities.

At the same time, the lack of structure means you are responsible for your belongings, timing, and comfort. Keep track of when you need to return to the boat. Bring enough sun protection and do not assume a sunbed will be included or waiting for you.

Snorkeling is listed as an activity, but equipment rental is not listed as included. Bring your own gear if you want to snorkel, or confirm availability before departure. The same applies to food and drinks. You can purchase them at the lagoon, but the price and selection are not specified.

St. Maria’s caves from the water

Before heading back, the boat visits St. Maria’s caves in Comino. This is a sightseeing stop from the boat, not a cave walk or land excursion. You should expect a look at the rock formations and openings from the water before the return journey.

That makes the cave visit a nice extra rather than the main reason to book. It breaks up the long beach stop and adds a second view of Comino’s coast. If you want a detailed cave tour, swimming into caves, or time ashore near them, those details are not included.

The boat then returns to St George’s Bay. After several hours in the sun, the final 45-minute ride can feel long if the sea has picked up. Keep your towel and beachwear handy, and be ready to sit for the full crossing.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, the trip offers a fairly direct way to reach Comino without arranging separate transport. The price includes the speedboat ride from St George’s Bay to the Blue Lagoon and back, plus the cave visit.

I think the value is strongest if you want speed and several hours of free beach time. You are paying to avoid a slower transfer and to combine Comino with a short coastal cruise. Families with older children may also like the simple format, provided everyone can handle the boat.

The value weakens if you need comfort, flexibility, or a calm ride. A shared speedboat gives you less personal space than a private charter, and you do not get food, drinks, sunbeds, snorkeling equipment, or a private guide for the price.

The company offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your schedule is uncertain, but they do not remove the need to arrive early or secure the Blue Lagoon pass.

Who should choose this boat trip?

I would consider it a good match for you if you:

• Want to reach Comino quickly from St Julian’s
• Prefer several hours of free time over a tightly guided program
• Plan to swim or sunbathe at the Blue Lagoon
• Are comfortable on a fast shared boat
• Can sit for the entire crossing
• Are happy to pay separately for food, drinks, and a sunbed

I would look elsewhere if you:

• Get seasick or motion sick
• Have back, heart, mobility, or balance problems
• Need wheelchair access
• Are pregnant
• Want a private boat
• Need a gentle ride with cushioned seating
• Want a full meal, drinks, and beach equipment included

The age and health rules are unusually important here. The trip is not suitable for people over 75, people weighing more than 331 pounds, or people with pre-existing medical conditions. Those limits should be taken seriously rather than treated as minor fine print.

Practical packing advice for the five-hour outing

Bring a towel and beachwear, as required. I would also bring sun protection, a dry bag or other waterproof way to protect valuables, and any snorkeling equipment you already own.

Wear something that lets you sit securely on a boat and swim comfortably once you reach Comino. Keep loose items to a minimum because the ride is fast and you may spend much of it holding on.

Do not bring a baby stroller or carriage. Plan food and drink spending separately, and remember that sunbeds cost extra. Most important, arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass in advance and check that its details match your booking.

Should you book the Comino speedboat tour?

Book it if your priority is a quick trip from St Julian’s to clear water, followed by plenty of unstructured beach time. The fast crossing, four-hour-style stop, and cave visit make this a simple way to see Comino in part of a day.

I would not book it without accepting the boat’s rough-ride risk. Serious complaints include bruising, poor communication about times, and a significant back injury after a passenger was thrown by the waves. Those accounts do not mean every departure is dangerous, but they do mean you should not treat the speedboat as a gentle sightseeing cruise.

For a fit adult who enjoys fast boats and wants maximum time at the Blue Lagoon, $47 can be reasonable. For anyone with health concerns, motion sickness, a sensitive back, or a strong need for comfort, choose a slower and more stable Comino option.

FAQ

How long does the Comino Blue Lagoon tour last?

The activity is described as lasting five hours. The listed departure and return options are 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., so confirm the exact schedule for your chosen departure.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St George’s Bay. Walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

How early should I arrive?

You must arrive at least 15 minutes before departure. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and a missed departure means losing the ticket.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the shared speedboat transfer from St George’s Bay to the Blue Lagoon and back, along with a visit to the caves in Comino.

Are food, drinks, and sunbeds included?

No. Food, drinks, and sunbeds are not included. They can be purchased or rented at the Blue Lagoon.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since April 29, 2025, visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website. Visitors without a valid pass, or with incorrect pass details, may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay.

Can children take part?

Children under three are not suitable for the activity. Children under ten must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Baby strollers and carriages are not allowed.

Is the boat suitable for pregnant passengers or people with medical conditions?

No. Pregnant passengers are not allowed, and the trip is not suitable for people with back problems, heart problems, mobility impairments, motion sickness, certain pre-existing medical conditions, or wheelchair users. It is also not suitable for people over 75 or people weighing more than 331 pounds.