Malta Sunset Boat Tour: Bugibba to Comino Blue Lagoon Cruise

Comino’s Blue Lagoon looks its best in the evening light, when the heat eases and the water catches the sunset. This four-hour Hornblower cruise combines a scenic ride from Bugibba with about two hours to swim, snorkel, use the 10-meter water slide, or simply watch the sky change from the upper deck.

I like the timing, which avoids the harsh midday sun, and I like the reasonable onboard prices, especially the pineapple cocktails and affordable food. The main catch is the boat’s size and popularity: seats can go quickly, the upper deck may feel crowded, and some areas have looked tired or damp after rain.

Key points to know before booking

• Sunset timing: The boat leaves Bugibba Jetty at 5:15 pm, giving you cooler temperatures and golden-hour views at Comino.
• Two hours at the lagoon: You have enough time for a swim, snorkel, beach walk, or relaxed time aboard the boat.
• A fun family feature: The upper-deck water slide is included and can be used without limit during the stop.
• Food and drinks onboard: Dinner, snacks, cocktails, and soft drinks are available at what many find to be fair prices.
• Arrive early for a deck seat: Upper-deck loungers may already be taken even if you arrive well before departure.
• Not a quiet yacht cruise: This is a lively, shared boat trip for up to 250 people, not a private sailing experience.

Why the evening departure works so well

Malta can be hot and glaring in the middle of the day. A 5:15 pm departure gives you a cooler stretch on the water and places your Comino stop near sunset. That makes this a sensible alternative to the long daytime cruises that can last seven hours or more.

From Bugibba Jetty, the boat heads north along Malta’s coast. You pass St. Paul’s Island, Ghadira Bay, Coral Cove, and Ahrax Point, with views of beach caves, coves, and unusual rock formations along the way.

This part of the trip is not just transport. The boat gives you a changing view of the coast, and the captain may provide information about local landmarks. Captain Kevin received particular praise for offering useful local details while keeping the ride informal.

You can sit on the upper sun deck for open views, or use the lower deck and indoor café area. The upper deck is the place for photos, sun, and the best sunset outlook, but it is also where space disappears first. Arriving 45 minutes early does not guarantee a lounger, so keep your expectations realistic.

Bugibba Jetty to Comino’s northern coast

The meeting point is Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar. The cruise returns to the same place after roughly four hours, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from Comino.

The route takes you past several coastal sights before reaching the Blue Lagoon. St. Paul’s Island adds a familiar Malta landmark, while the coves and rock faces make good subjects for photos from the deck. Some of the best pictures come before the swimming stop, when you can focus on the scenery rather than keeping track of your belongings.

The boat has a bar and food counter. You can buy drinks during the cruise, then order food before the return trip. Pineapple cocktails are a popular choice, and refills have been described as especially good value. Food includes familiar options such as fries and burgers, along with other menu choices.

Quality is not perfectly even. Several people found the food tasty and affordable, while one person found the cheeseburger disappointing. I would treat the onboard menu as convenient dinner rather than a destination meal. It saves you from packing food, and the prices appear fair for a boat excursion, but exact dishes and quality can vary.

Two hours at the Blue Lagoon

The main event is the stop at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, which lasts just over two hours. That is long enough to make the trip worthwhile without leaving you stranded in the same place all evening.

You can go ashore and walk along the beach, or use the boat as your base. The choice matters. The boat gives you access to the upper deck, toilets, food, drinks, and the slide. Going ashore puts you closer to the water and beach, but you will need to keep track of the return boarding time and any belongings you leave behind.

The lagoon is at its prettiest when the sun begins to drop. The water remains clear, and the softer light makes the rocks and coastline more photogenic than they can appear under hard midday sun. If your main goal is to photograph Comino without the strongest crowds and heat, this schedule has a real advantage.

The stop also works well for families. Children can swim from the boat, use the slide, or stay on deck with an adult. Life jackets are available for children, which is useful for families with less confident swimmers.

If you cannot swim, do not assume you will be left with nothing to do. You can remain on the boat, relax on the upper deck, enjoy the scenery, and use the café. Still, the cruise is built around a swim stop, so confident swimmers will get more from it.

Swimming, snorkeling, and the water slide

The 10-meter slide is included in the price and can be used as often as you like during the Blue Lagoon stop. It drops directly into the water, making it one of the liveliest parts of the outing. Children and adults who enjoy a little splash will find it more fun than a simple sightseeing cruise.

You can also jump from the boat, though you should consider your swimming ability and comfort in open water. One person who could not swim wished they had brought a float. That is a useful warning: the boat is a good base, but it does not turn open water into a supervised swimming pool.

Snorkeling can be rewarding. Fish are visible in the clear water, and one outing even produced an octopus sighting. You can bring your own equipment or rent a mask and snorkel onboard for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 returned under the stated terms.

Jellyfish have been spotted in the swimming area. That does not make the stop unusable, but you should stay alert, especially with children. The water may look calm and inviting, yet swimming conditions are still natural and should be treated with care.

Towels are not included. Bring your own if you plan to swim, since there is no promise of towel supply onboard. A locker key costs €2, with a €10 deposit and €8 returned. Using a locker is sensible if you are carrying phones, wallets, or cameras while swimming.

Sunset views from the return trip

After the Blue Lagoon stop, the boat begins its return to Malta. The ride back lasts about an hour and may take place under the first stars, depending on the season and exact sunset time.

This is the most relaxed part of the evening for many people. You can order dinner, have a drink, listen to music, and watch the coast recede. The boat’s atmosphere is social, with families, couples, solo visitors, and groups sharing the same space.

The sunset itself is not guaranteed to be dramatic. One outing had mist that softened the view. Weather and cloud cover make a large difference, so book this for the full combination of swimming, scenery, and evening atmosphere rather than for a perfect sunset photograph alone.

The return also offers a last chance to photograph the western sky and Malta’s coastline. Keep a light layer handy if you are sensitive to wind. The supplied information does not specify evening temperatures or provide clothing advice, but conditions on an open boat can change as the sun goes down.

The boat atmosphere and comfort level

This is a large shared excursion, with a maximum of 250 people. That capacity explains both the affordable price and the occasional complaints about crowding.

The atmosphere can be lively, with music, cocktails, children on the slide, and people moving between the deck, bar, and swimming area. If you want a quiet, intimate cruise, this is not the right format. If you enjoy a casual party mood and meeting a mix of people, the energy may suit you.

There are also practical issues to keep in mind. Upper-deck loungers can fill early, and seating may not remain reserved while you swim. One group returned from the beach to find other people using their former deck area. Organize your belongings carefully and do not expect a particular lounger to remain yours for the whole stop.

Boat condition is another point to weigh. Most of the feedback is strongly positive, but one detailed account described the boat as tired, rusty-looking, and in need of better cleaning. Damp artificial grass after rain was also noted. The crew said they clean and wash the boat during the journey, but this remains a working excursion boat rather than a polished luxury vessel.

There have also been complaints about rubbish left in seating areas and people throwing drink containers into the sea. That is not a feature of the cruise, but it can affect the atmosphere. The experience depends partly on the crowd onboard.

What the $36.28 price gets you

At about $36.28 per person, the value is strongest if you use the included facilities. You get the boat ride from Bugibba to Comino and back, the two-hour Blue Lagoon stop, the upper sun deck, and unlimited use of the slide.

You do not get dinner, drinks, snorkeling equipment, towels, or a locker key in the base price. Those extras can add to your final bill, though the onboard food and drinks are generally priced reasonably for a boat trip. Cocktails served in pineapples, with lower-priced refills, are one of the more memorable options.

Compared with a private boat or a smaller premium cruise, this is inexpensive. You are paying for access to a popular route, a long swim stop, and a lively boat setting rather than personal service or quiet space. For families, the slide and flexible choice between boat and shore add useful value.

The price makes less sense if you dislike crowds, do not intend to swim, and want a refined vessel. In that case, much of what you are paying for is the route and lagoon access, while the boat facilities may feel basic.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this for families with children, couples wanting an easy evening on the water, solo visitors who like a social setting, and anyone trying to avoid Malta’s hottest daytime hours.

It is especially suitable if you want several options in one outing. You can swim, snorkel, slide, walk on the beach, take photos, eat, drink, listen to music, or simply sit and watch the coast.

Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will get the most out of the Blue Lagoon. Children also have plenty to do, though adults should supervise them closely around the slide, boat edges, and open water.

You may want another type of boat trip if you want peace and quiet, reserved seating, a spotless luxury vessel, or a private guide. The maximum capacity is large, and a full departure can feel more like a floating social venue than a calm sunset sail.

Practical details that make the evening easier

Your mobile ticket is confirmed at booking, and the tour begins at Bugibba Jetty at 5:15 pm. The activity ends back at the same meeting point. It is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Arrive early if the upper deck matters to you. Even arriving 45 minutes before departure may not secure a sunbed, but it improves your chances and makes boarding less rushed.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a small bag for valuables. If you snorkel, bring your own mask and snorkel or budget €5 for the rental plus the refundable deposit. If you plan to swim with a phone or wallet, consider the €2 locker key.

The tour requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low demand causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Bugibba sunset cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, active evening centered on Comino’s Blue Lagoon. The timing is excellent, the two-hour stop is generous, and the combination of swimming, snorkeling, the slide, coastal views, and onboard food gives you plenty to do for the price.

Go in expecting a busy shared boat, not a private yacht. Arrive early for the best chance at an upper-deck seat, protect your valuables, and bring your own towel. If you can accept a basic boat and a lively crowd, this is a strong-value way to see Comino at a cooler and more photogenic time of day.

FAQ

Where does the Malta sunset boat tour depart?

The cruise departs from Bugibba Jetty on Dawret Il-Gzejjer in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 5:15 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours, including the journey to Comino, the Blue Lagoon stop, and the return to Bugibba.

How long do you stay at the Blue Lagoon?

The stop lasts about two hours, giving you time to swim, snorkel, walk along the beach, use the boat as a base, or relax on deck.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard, but dinner is not included in the ticket price.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel can be rented for €5. A €15 deposit is required, with €10 returned under the stated rental terms.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather or insufficient participants, you are offered another date or a full refund.