Comino Island , Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Gozo & Caves

The main reason to book this cruise is simple: you get three proper swimming stops in one day, rather than a quick look at Comino and a crowded hour at Blue Lagoon. The route also threads past Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Coral Lagoon, Elephant Rock, Poppy’s Cave, and Lovers Cave.

I like the generous time at Blue Lagoon and the chance to swim at quieter-looking spots such as Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock. I also like the practical setup: toilets, showers, light snacks, and a cash bar are all onboard. The main caution is crowding. One reported outing had no room for bags and only standing space, so arrive early and do not treat the $34 fare as a promise of a spacious boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: Blue Lagoon for about 90 minutes, Crystal Lagoon for one hour, and Ħalfa Rock near Gozo for another hour.
• A cave-and-rock route: See Smuggler’s Cave, Santa Maria Caves, Coral Lagoon, Elephant Rock, Poppy’s Cave, and Lovers Cave from the water.
• A full six-hour outing: Departure is scheduled for 10:00 am, with return to Mellieha at about 4:00 pm.
• Useful onboard facilities: Toilets and showers are included, while drinks, cocktails, snacks, and snorkeling gear cost extra.
• Cash matters: Bring money for the bar, the optional €15 fast powerboat cave tour, and the €5 mask and snorkel rental.
• Best for active beach time: This suits people who want swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing more than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

Three bays in one day, with plenty of time in the water

This is a water-first cruise. You are not signing up for a short scenic sail with one token swim. The schedule gives you roughly three and a half hours in the water, split between three bays, plus the coastal sights along Comino and Gozo.

The day begins at 10:00 am from the Tunny Net Jetty at Mellieha Bay. The meeting point is operated by Oh Yeah Malta, about 100 metres behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay and roughly a 10-minute walk from Mellieha centre. I would arrive well before departure. A late arrival caused a serious problem on one outing, when the boat reportedly left about 10 minutes early because of traffic delays and the passenger missed the main cruise.

The route returns to the same place at around 4:00 pm. That makes this easy to fit into a Mellieha day, but it is not a flexible hop-on, hop-off boat. Once underway, you should plan to stay with the group for the full six hours.

From Mellieha Bay past Coral Lagoon and Elephant Rock

The opening stretch is a scenic run along the coast. Mellieha Bay provides the departure view, then the boat passes Ghar Ic-Comb and Coral Lagoon before reaching Elephant Rock, also called Elephant’s Head Rock.

These early stops are mainly for views and photographs. At Ghar Ic-Comb, the listed visit is only about five minutes, while Coral Lagoon is a pass-by sight. Elephant Rock is another photo stop rather than a long shore visit. That is worth understanding before you book: the cruise gives you a broad look at several coastal features, but the real time on land or in the water comes later.

The rock formations are especially useful for breaking up the swimming schedule. You can stay on deck, take photographs, and watch the guide point out the shoreline. If you want a full exploration of every cave and inlet, this standard cruise may feel too quick in places.

Comino’s caves before the first swim

The boat continues toward Comino’s cave area, including Smuggler’s Cave and Santa Maria Caves. Poppy’s Cave and Lovers Cave are also included among the cave visits. The exact experience is primarily from the boat, with short viewing and photo opportunities rather than a long walk through the interior.

Santa Maria Caves receive about 10 minutes on the listed route. That is enough for a look at the openings, the water around them, and a few photographs, but not enough for a detailed cave tour. You can also buy an optional fast powerboat cave tour for €15. This is a useful add-on if the caves are your main reason for booking, though it is an extra cost and not part of the $34 base fare.

The cave section gives the trip variety. You are not simply transported from one swimming bay to another. Still, keep your expectations sensible. The boat passes many sights in a compact time, so this is best viewed as a coastal tour with swimming stops, not a specialist geology or cave excursion.

Blue Lagoon: the longest and busiest swim stop

The first major stop is Blue Lagoon, where you get about 1.5 hours for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and general sightseeing. This is the longest stop of the day, and it gives you enough time to do more than take one quick dip.

You can swim from the boat, use the time to snorkel, or walk on Comino. The water is the main attraction, so bring a towel, beachwear, sunglasses, and sun protection. A mask and snorkel can be rented onboard for €5 if you do not bring your own.

Blue Lagoon is also the stop where crowding matters most. Its fame means you should expect a busy setting, especially during popular periods. The tour’s value here is not solitude. It is the convenience of arriving by boat, having a set block of time, and then continuing to two other bays instead of spending the whole day in one place.

I would use this first stop strategically. Swim early, take your photographs, and decide whether you want to walk on Comino before the group moves on. Keep your belongings secure and easy to carry, since one account described very limited room for bags onboard.

Crystal Lagoon brings a second hour in the water

After Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to Crystal Lagoon for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling. The pace changes here. Instead of one long headline stop, you get another chance to enjoy the water after the first stop has passed.

This is a good feature for anyone who wants variety. If Blue Lagoon feels too busy, Crystal Lagoon gives you another setting without requiring a separate boat trip. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and watch the clear water around the boat.

The practical drawback is that one hour goes quickly once you include getting ready, entering the water, and returning to the boat. Keep your towel and personal items organized from the start. The cruise is designed around a group schedule, so the boat will not wait for a slow return.

Ħalfa Rock and the Gozo stop

The final swim is at Ħalfa Rock near Gozo, also written as Halfa Rock in the tour details. You get about one hour for swimming, snorkeling, marine-life viewing, and general wildlife viewing.

This stop helps make the experience more than a Comino-only outing. You see part of the Gozo coastline and get a third chance to swim after the crowds and activity of Blue Lagoon. The description identifies the area as Ħalfa Rock Bay, so you should expect a coastal water stop rather than a long land visit in Gozo.

By this point, the day has a clear rhythm: swim, dry off, look at the coast, then swim again. That will suit you if you enjoy an active beach day. It may not suit you if you prefer a slow lunch ashore, a village visit, or a guided tour with lots of historical explanation.

What the $34 price really covers

At $34 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use all three swimming stops. A separate boat trip to Blue Lagoon alone can take up much of a day, while this fare also includes Crystal Lagoon, Ħalfa Rock, the cave route, Elephant Rock, and the return journey.

The included facilities improve the value. Toilets and showers are onboard, and light snacks are served. Those details matter on a six-hour boat outing, particularly when the schedule offers little time to find food on shore.

The base price does not cover everything. Drinks and cocktails are sold at the cash bar, food beyond the light snacks is not included, and snorkeling equipment costs €5 to rent. The optional fast powerboat cave tour costs €15. Bring cash, as the instructions specifically ask you to do so.

At this price, I would budget extra for at least a drink and possibly the snorkeling rental. Even with those additions, the cruise can remain good value, but it is better to know the real spending pattern before you board.

Drinks, snacks, and the onboard routine

The boat has a fully stocked bar with cocktails and a selection of drinks, plus light snacks. This gives you something to eat and drink between stops, but it is not presented as a full meal service. Bring a proper meal only if you need more than light snacks, and check the cash requirement before departure.

Toilets and showers are useful after swimming. A shower can make the return journey more comfortable, while the toilet means you are not dependent on the timing of shore facilities. These are small features, but they matter on a day that keeps you away from land for several hours.

The crew’s stated approach is friendly and family-like, with an English-speaking guide. No individual guide name is provided. The focus is on making the day comfortable and enjoyable rather than delivering a long formal commentary about Malta’s past.

Crowding, seating, and arriving early

The biggest practical risk is boat capacity. A poor experience was reported in which the boat felt packed, there was no good place for a bag, and much of the trip involved standing. That does not prove every departure will be the same, but it is enough reason to arrive early and keep your luggage small.

Do not bring a large suitcase. A compact beach bag with a towel, swimwear, sun cream, sunglasses, and cash is the sensible choice. You will be moving between deck space and the water, so anything you bring should be easy to manage.

The same account also described helpful assistance from the local provider after a late arrival, including a fast boat transfer to the main vessel. That kindness did not fix the lost time or crowded conditions, so it is still best to treat the 10:00 am departure as firm and reach the jetty with plenty of time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this for people who want a full day of swimming and sunbathing without arranging several separate boat trips. It is particularly suitable if you want to see Blue Lagoon but also prefer to add Crystal Lagoon and a Gozo-area stop.

It also works well for couples, families with older children, and friends who are happy to spend much of the day in swimwear. The onboard bar, snacks, showers, and toilets make the long schedule easier.

I would think twice if you have mobility limitations. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the format involves boarding a boat, swimming from or near the vessel, and managing your own beach gear.

This is not the best choice for a history-focused visitor, a person seeking a quiet private boat, or anyone who dislikes group schedules. The cruise gives you many sights, but some are viewed quickly. Its strength is access to several bays, not long guided visits on land.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this cruise if you want three substantial swimming stops, a cave-and-rock route, and a straightforward day at sea for $34. The 1.5-hour Blue Lagoon stop is the anchor, while Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock give the day more variety and make the fare more worthwhile.

Go with realistic expectations about space. Arrive early at Mellieha Bay, bring only a small beach bag, carry cash, and expect to pay extra for drinks, snorkeling gear, or the fast powerboat cave option. If you are happiest in the water and want to see Comino and part of Gozo in one outing, this is a sensible pick. If comfort, quiet, or a spacious boat matters most, look for a smaller-capacity cruise instead.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Tunny Net Jetty at Mellieha Bay. The meeting point is about 100 metres behind Starbucks at Mellieha Bay and approximately a 10-minute walk from Mellieha centre.

What time does the boat leave and return?

Departure is scheduled for 10:00 am, and the boat returns to the meeting point at approximately 4:00 pm.

How long do I get at Blue Lagoon?

The Blue Lagoon stop lasts about 1.5 hours. You can use the time for swimming, snorkeling, sightseeing, walking, and photographs.

Are food and drinks included?

Light snacks are served onboard, but drinks, cocktails, and other food are available for an additional charge at the cash bar.

Can I rent snorkeling equipment?

Yes. A mask and snorkel are available to rent for a small charge of €5.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.