From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat

The best part of this outing is simple: you reach Comino’s Blue Lagoon in about 30 minutes, rather than spending much of the day on a slow boat. I like the direct route from St. Julian’s and the generous block of free time, which lets you swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or walk without being tied to a guide.

I also like the return along Comino’s coast, where the skipper may take you past the Comino sea caves if weather allows. The main drawback is the ride itself. This is a fast powerboat, not a gentle ferry, and rough water can make the hard seats and open ride uncomfortable, especially if you are prone to motion sickness.

Key points

• About 30 minutes to Comino: The powerboat gives you a quick, direct crossing from St. Julian’s.
• Two departure choices: Leave at 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM, with return times around 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM.
• Free time at Blue Lagoon: This is an independent beach stop, not a guided walking tour.
• Access pass required: Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.
• Sea caves on the way back: The return route includes a cave visit when weather and sea conditions permit.
• Bring only the basics: Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, and motion-sickness prevention are useful.

A fast crossing from St. Julian’s to Comino

At $65 per person, this six-hour outing is built around speed and free time. You meet the boat in St. Julian’s and head across the water toward Comino, with the crossing taking roughly half an hour.

That short ride matters. Comino is close to Malta, but reaching the Blue Lagoon by a slower vessel can eat up a large part of your day. Here, the boat gets you there quickly, leaving most of the outing for swimming and exploring rather than transportation.

The route follows Malta’s eastern coast and passes the St. Paul’s Islands before continuing toward Comino. You get a moving view of the coastline, though the main attraction is clearly the water ahead. This is transport with scenery, not a narrated sightseeing cruise.

The powerboat is operated by an experienced skipper, and fuel is included in the price. There is no tour guide, so you should not expect a running commentary or a formal introduction to Comino. The benefit is freedom. Once you arrive, you decide how to use your time.

Finding the jetty behind St. George’s Bay

The departure point is at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ.

The meeting point is not simply the front door of the hotel. Near the entrance to the underground parking area, look for a black iron gate. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground until you reach the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

Allow enough time to find this spot. The directions are clear once you know what to look for, but a first-time visitor could easily wait near the hotel entrance and miss the boat area. You also need to arrive with a light day bag. Large luggage, baby strollers, non-folding wheelchairs, baby carriages, and electric wheelchairs are not accepted.

The boat leaves at either 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM. The earlier departure is the better choice if your priority is time at the Blue Lagoon and slightly quieter conditions. The later option still gives you several hours, but the Blue Lagoon can feel crowded by the time you arrive.

Choosing between the 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM departures

The 10:30 AM service returns to St. Julian’s at about 4:30 PM. The 12:30 PM service returns at roughly 5:00 PM. The schedule gives you a long stop on Comino, though the exact time ashore depends on the departure you choose and the day’s sea conditions.

I would choose 10:30 AM for most people. An early arrival gives you the best chance of enjoying the Blue Lagoon before the day reaches its busiest point. The Blue Lagoon is famous for its clear cyan water and pale sandy bottom, so it draws a large crowd. Arriving earlier will not make the place empty, but it can help you find a more comfortable spot and enjoy the water before peak numbers build.

The 12:30 PM departure suits you if you prefer a slower morning in St. Julian’s or do not want an early start. You still get free time for a swim and a walk, but you should expect the lagoon to be well established as the center of the day by then.

The listed duration is six hours, although the stated return times give the afternoon departure a shorter total period. Treat the published times as approximate, since the sea and the cave stop can affect the schedule.

The government access pass changes the plan

The most important practical detail is the Blue Lagoon access pass. Since May 2025, you must obtain an official pass in advance if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

You get the pass through the government website, blcomino.com, and daily numbers are limited. This is not an optional extra or something to sort out after boarding. Without the pass, you cannot disembark at the Blue Lagoon.

The booking requirements depend on your boat time:

• For the 10:30 AM departure, book both the morning and afternoon time slots.
• For the 12:30 PM departure, book the afternoon time slot.

Check the official site before your outing and keep the confirmation available. If you arrive without the required pass, the boat will take you to Santa Marija Bay on Comino instead. That gives you a backup beach stop, but it is not the same experience as stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

This access rule is the single biggest thing to handle before the day begins. A quick powerboat ride does not help if you cannot get off at the place you came to see.

What to do at the Blue Lagoon

Once ashore, you have free time. There is no guided route and no fixed group activity. You can spend the stop swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, or walking through Comino’s countryside.

The water is the star. The Blue Lagoon is known for its transparent cyan color, pale sandy bottom, and marine life. It is a good place to bring a mask if you enjoy looking into shallow water, though snorkeling equipment is not included in the price.

You should bring your own towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. Comfortable shoes are useful if you plan to walk beyond the water’s edge. The instructions specifically advise against bringing large bags, so pack with care and keep your gear compact.

A free-time stop works well for people who dislike being hurried from one sight to the next. You can swim for an hour, sit in the sun, and then take a walk without asking permission or keeping up with a guide. The tradeoff is that you are responsible for your own timing. Keep an eye on the agreed pickup time and return to the boat promptly.

The Blue Lagoon is not a quiet, private cove during the main season. Its fame is part of the appeal, but it also brings crowds. If your idea of a perfect swim requires solitude, this outing may feel too exposed and busy. If you mainly want bright water and an easy swim stop, the setting delivers the right ingredients.

The return ride and Comino’s sea caves

In the afternoon, the powerboat collects you from Comino and heads back toward Malta. Weather permitting, the skipper visits the Comino sea caves along the way.

This is a worthwhile addition because it changes the return from a simple transfer into a short coastal sightseeing ride. The caves offer a different view of Comino, with rock formations and openings along the waterline. The visit depends on sea conditions, so you should treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed part of the outing.

The boat route can also vary. A recent account described returning on a different boat, along with some sharp maneuvers near other boats. That may suit you if you enjoy a lively ride, but it is worth knowing that the experience can feel more like an adventure transfer than a calm cruise.

How rough is the powerboat ride?

This is the key comfort question. A powerboat gets you to Comino quickly, but speed and open water mean more movement than you would feel on a large ferry.

In calm conditions, the ride may feel exciting and efficient. In rougher seas, the boat can bounce hard. One account described passengers being lifted from their seats, with hard plastic seating and limited hand support making the ride uncomfortable. That is a serious concern if you have back problems, heart problems, mobility limitations, or a strong tendency toward seasickness.

The activity is not suitable for children under three, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with back or heart problems. It is also specifically unsuitable for people prone to motion sickness.

If you do decide to go, bring motion-sickness prevention and avoid arriving already dehydrated or overheated. Hold on when the boat is moving and follow the skipper’s instructions. The operator presents this as the quickest way to Comino, and that is the appeal, but speed is not the same as comfort.

There is also an important safety point to clarify before departure. One passenger reported that life jackets were not offered because they were considered unnecessary in the conditions at the time. I cannot tell from the available information how consistently safety equipment is handled, so if this concerns you, ask the crew where the life jackets are before leaving the jetty. If you want a slow, highly stable crossing, choose a larger boat instead.

What the $65 price covers

The $65 fee includes the powerboat ride from St. Julian’s to Comino, the return ride, fuel, the skipper, free time on the island, and the planned sea-cave visit when possible.

That makes the price reasonable if your priority is saving time and having a direct ride to the Blue Lagoon. You are not paying for a guided tour, lunch, snorkeling gear, or hotel transportation. The value comes from the route and the amount of independent time at Comino.

Food and drinks are not included, so bring water and anything you want to eat, subject to the operator’s limits on bags. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included. You need to make your own way to the St. Julian’s jetty.

Compared with a full sightseeing cruise, this experience is more focused. You pay for fast transport, a beach stop, and a scenic return. If you want a guide explaining Malta’s history or a packed schedule of coastal sights, the price will not cover those expectations. If you want to reach the Blue Lagoon with minimal time spent in transit, it offers a practical use of your day.

Who will enjoy this Comino outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and independent visitors who want to set their own pace. You will get the most from it if you are happy to handle your own food, sun protection, timing, and sightseeing.

It also suits anyone staying in or near St. Julian’s who wants a direct departure without arranging a separate transfer to another harbor. The English-speaking host and skipper keep the operation straightforward, but this is not a personal guided experience.

I would be cautious if you dislike speedboats, have a history of seasickness, or need easy boarding and stable seating. The outing is also a poor match for anyone carrying bulky equipment or traveling with a stroller.

The weather matters more than it would on a large ferry. The sea-cave visit can be canceled in poor conditions, and the ride itself may become rough. A flexible cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, which is useful when you are planning around uncertain weather.

Should you book the Blue Lagoon powerboat?

Book this outing if you want the quickest practical ride from St. Julian’s to Comino, several hours of independent time, and a chance to see the sea caves on the return. The high marks come from the speed, the direct route, and the freedom to use the Blue Lagoon stop your own way.

Before booking, secure the government access pass and choose the 10:30 AM departure if you want the best chance of reaching the lagoon earlier in the day. Pack light and prepare for a lively ride.

Skip it if you need a calm crossing, formal guiding, guaranteed cave access, or a fully catered day. For the right person, this is an efficient way to put Comino’s clear water at the center of a Malta day trip. Just remember that the boat’s speed is both its main selling point and its main limitation.

FAQ

How long does the powerboat take to reach Comino?

The ride from St. Julian’s to Comino takes about 30 minutes.

What time does the boat leave St. Julian’s?

You can choose a 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM departure.

When does the boat return to St. Julian’s?

The 10:30 AM departure is scheduled to return at about 4:30 PM. The 12:30 PM departure is scheduled to return at about 5:00 PM.

Do I need a pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued access pass from blcomino.com. Daily allocations are limited, and you cannot step ashore at the Blue Lagoon without one.

What happens if I do not have a Blue Lagoon access pass?

You will be taken to Santa Marija Bay on Comino instead of disembarking at the Blue Lagoon.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The stop at Comino is free time, and there is no tour guide. An experienced skipper operates the boat, and the sea-cave visit takes place on the return when weather permits.