From Sliema: Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon Cruise

The main draw here is simple: one full day on the water, with two swimming stops and a long break at Comino’s famous Blue Lagoon. You cruise past Malta’s northern coast, pause at Gozo’s Mgarr Harbour, and finish with a look at the sea caves before returning to Sliema.

I like the 45-minute stop at Crystal Lagoon, which many people find calmer and more enjoyable than Blue Lagoon. I also like the boat itself, with several levels, a glass-bottom viewing area, and a waterslide. The trade-off is crowding, especially on the boat and at Blue Lagoon during busy periods.

Key points

• Two swimming stops in season: Swim for about 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay, then spend 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.
• A full northern Malta cruise: Pass St. Julian’s, Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, St. Paul’s Island, and Mellieha Bay.
• Optional Gozo time: One booking option gives you about three hours on Gozo, while the standard plan gives you a quick Mgarr Harbour photo stop.
• Fun boat features: Use the waterslide, jump from designated areas, and look below the water from the glass-bottom level.
• Comino cave visit: The return journey includes a short stop near Santa Maria Caves for photos and a closer look.
• Good value at $40: Food and drinks are extra, but the long cruise and swimming time make this a reasonably priced day out.

A full day from Sliema to Comino

This is a long, active boat outing rather than a short transfer to Blue Lagoon. The trip lasts about 7.5 hours, giving you time to see Malta from the water, swim in clear bays, and spend several hours on Comino.

You meet at Sliema Ferries 4, looking for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach Sliema on your own. The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

At about $40 per person, the price is strong for a full-day cruise with several scenic stops. You still pay for food, drinks, and any optional transport on Gozo, but the main cruise, swimming stops, cave visit, and waterslide are included.

The boat can feel crowded. Several people found it helpful to choose a good seat early, especially before the return journey. If you want a quiet ride, this may not be the right outing. There are announcements in several languages, and the atmosphere is more social than peaceful.

The coast from Sliema to Mellieha Bay

The cruise begins with views of Sliema Promenade before heading through St. Julian’s Bay and St. George’s Bay. You then pass Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay, with the captain or crew pointing out sights along the coast.

St. Paul’s Island appears offshore as the boat continues through St. Paul’s Bay. The route then follows the northern coast toward Mellieha Bay. These early sections are mainly scenic cruising, not shore visits, so keep your camera ready and find a spot with a clear view.

This part gives you useful context for Malta’s coastline. You see how quickly the built-up resort areas give way to open water and smaller bays. The boat ride is also a practical way to cover a lot of coast in a single morning without arranging separate transport.

Bring a light layer if you are sensitive to wind, even on a warm day. You will spend much of the outing outside, and the boat may feel breezy while moving between stops.

Mgarr Harbour gives you a glimpse of Gozo

The first Gozo stop is usually a five-minute photo pause at Mgarr Harbour. The harbor is framed by steep coastal slopes and colorful boats, making it a worthwhile camera stop even though you do not normally have time to explore the port.

The standard version keeps you on the boat and continues toward Comino. That suits you if your priority is swimming and a long Blue Lagoon break.

An alternative booking, called Option B, gives you about three hours of free time on Gozo and about 1.5 hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon. Optional land transport to Victoria can be purchased on the boat for €5 per person. This version makes more sense if you have not otherwise planned time on Gozo, but it gives you much less time at Blue Lagoon.

Check the option carefully before booking. The two versions are not small variations. One favors water time at Comino, while the other gives you a proper Gozo visit.

Crystal Lagoon is the quieter water stop

From May 1 through October 31, and only when weather allows, the boat stops at the Crystal Lagoon area or St. Nicholas Bay. The swimming break lasts about 45 minutes.

This is one of the best parts of the day. The water is clear, and the boat provides a chance to swim or snorkel without first finding a beach. The waterslide is available here, adding a playful touch for children and adults who want more than a quiet swim.

Some visitors preferred this stop to Blue Lagoon because it felt less crowded and more relaxed. That is an important point when setting expectations. Crystal Lagoon is not necessarily the famous stop you came to photograph, but it may be the better place to actually enjoy the water.

The boat also has jumping areas, including a higher point with the slide. Use only the marked areas and follow the crew’s instructions. Bring goggles or your own snorkel if you have them. Snorkel equipment may also be available to hire, but food, drinks, and rentals are not part of the listed price.

From November through April, the Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop is not offered. During those months, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only, so the experience has less swimming variety.

Blue Lagoon gives you 3.5 hours to choose your pace

The main stop at Blue Lagoon lasts about 3.5 hours on the standard cruise. That is enough time to swim, sunbathe, eat, walk around Comino, and return to the boat without rushing.

The water is the star. It is turquoise and clear, and you can snorkel with fish close to shore. The setting is beautiful, but Blue Lagoon is also the busiest part of the day. Expect plenty of people, limited quiet space, and a rocky shore rather than a broad sandy beach.

You do not have to spend the whole stop in the water. Comino has paths and open ground to explore, and you can use the time to walk, take photos, or simply sit in the sun. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes if you plan to walk beyond the swimming area. The ground is rocky, and beachwear alone is not ideal for exploring.

Food and drinks are available to buy on the boat and around Blue Lagoon. Prices on the boat were considered reasonable, and some people preferred buying lunch there instead of relying on the busy shore. Bring cash, since it is specifically recommended for this outing.

To get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon, you must register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and choose the afternoon slot from 13.31 to 17.30. Treat this as a necessary planning step, not an optional extra. Keep the QR code ready before the cruise so you are not trying to arrange it at the last minute.

Comino’s caves finish the sightseeing

On the way back to Sliema, the boat stops near the Comino sea caves, including the Santa Maria Caves area. The listed stop lasts about 10 minutes, enough for photos and a close look from the water.

This is not a long cave walk or a shore excursion. It is a short scenic pause, but it adds something different after the swimming stops. You get to see the limestone cliffs and openings from the sea, where their shape and color are easier to appreciate.

Keep your camera nearby, but protect it from spray. The best photos may come quickly as the boat turns or moves through the cave area.

What the boat is like during seven and a half hours

The boat has three levels, so you can move around instead of staying in one seat all day. A glass-bottom section gives you a view below the water, and the upper areas are useful for sunbathing and sightseeing.

The waterslide is one of the most popular features. You can also enter the water from designated jumping points. This makes the cruise feel more like a floating beach club than a simple ferry ride.

The crew is described as friendly and helpful, and the captain provides information about the places along the route. The boat’s bathrooms are kept clean, which matters on a full-day outing. Food and drinks are sold onboard at reasonable prices, though you should still bring cash and any snacks you particularly want.

Crowding is the main concern. The boat may feel packed during busy sailings, and finding a preferred seat on the way back can be difficult if you wait too long. I would arrive ready to board and choose your space early, then move around during the quieter parts of the journey.

If motion sickness affects you, consider taking your usual medication before sailing. Rougher water can make the outbound ride uncomfortable even if you do not normally get seasick. Sit where you feel most stable, keep your eyes on the horizon, and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This outing suits you if you want several highlights in one day without arranging separate ferries, taxis, and beach stops. Families can use the slide and swimming areas, while couples and friends can spread out between the upper deck, the water, and Comino’s walking paths.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Malta if you want a broad look at the northern coast. You see Sliema, St. Julian’s, St. Paul’s Bay, Mellieha Bay, Gozo, and Comino in one outing.

The trip is less suitable if you want a quiet, small-boat experience or a long, peaceful visit to an empty beach. Blue Lagoon is popular for good reason, but it is not secluded. The group setting, multilingual announcements, and full boat are part of the deal.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable walking on rocky ground, boarding a boat, and getting in and out of the water if you plan to swim.

What to bring for a comfortable day

Wear your swimwear under your clothes so you are ready when the boat reaches the first swimming stop. Pack a towel, comfortable shoes, beachwear, and a camera.

Bring cash for lunch, drinks, snorkel hire, or other purchases. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available to buy onboard.

A waterproof phone pouch is sensible around the slide and jumping areas. You should also pack sunscreen and water, though only the listed essentials are formally specified for the activity.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The trip runs in rain or shine, but the captain can change the route, stops, or pickup point when weather and sea conditions require it.

Is the $40 price good value?

For $40, you receive a 7.5-hour cruise, the coastal sightseeing route, a Gozo harbor photo stop, a seasonal swimming stop, several hours at Blue Lagoon, a cave visit, and use of the waterslide. That is a lot of time on the water for the price.

The value is strongest when you use the boat as a full-day base. Swim at both stops, explore Comino during the long break, and take advantage of the different deck levels rather than treating it only as transport.

The price does not cover meals, drinks, hotel transfers, or optional transport on Gozo. These costs are easy to manage, but include them in your budget. The Gozo option also changes the balance of the day, with more island time and less Blue Lagoon time.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies add flexibility, but the weather rules still matter because the captain may alter or cancel parts of the excursion.

Should you book this Comino cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, full-day mix of Malta coast views, clear-water swimming, Comino caves, and a long Blue Lagoon stop. The Crystal Lagoon break, waterslide, clean facilities, and helpful crew add real value beyond a basic boat transfer.

Choose the standard option if Blue Lagoon is your main goal and you want about 3.5 hours there. Choose the Gozo option if you would rather spend three hours on Gozo and only 1.5 hours at Comino.

I would skip it if crowded boats, repeated announcements, or rocky swimming areas will spoil the day for you. For most active families, couples, and friends who want to see a lot in one outing, the $40 price is a sensible way to reach Comino and enjoy Malta from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Sliema Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat named MV Kataleya or MV Lady Shelley.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts about 7.5 hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

Is Gozo included?

The standard option includes a five-minute photo stop at Mgarr Harbour in Gozo. Option B includes about three hours of free time on Gozo and about 1.5 hours at Comino’s Blue Lagoon.

How long do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

The standard option gives you about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Option B gives you about 1.5 hours there.

Is the Crystal Lagoon stop available all year?

No. The Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop is seasonal from May 1 through October 31 and depends on weather conditions. From November through April, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only.

Do you need a QR code to get off at Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Register at www.blcomino.com for a free QR code and choose the afternoon slot from 13.31 to 17.30.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available to purchase on the boat and around Blue Lagoon. Bring cash.