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

The best part of this trip is the quick speedboat ride from St. Julian’s to Comino, which cuts across the sea instead of sending you through Malta’s roads and bus traffic. You pass St. Paul’s Islands, reach the Blue Lagoon in roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and have time to swim, snorkel, walk, or simply sit beside the water.

I like the free time on Comino, since you are not tied to a guide or a set string of stops. I also like the return route, which can include the Comino sea caves when weather and sea conditions cooperate. The main drawback is simple: the Blue Lagoon can be extremely crowded, especially in summer, and you now need a government-issued access pass to step ashore there.

Key points to know before booking

• Fast crossing from St. Julian’s: The speedboat normally takes about 30 to 45 minutes each way, depending on conditions and the boat used.
• Free time instead of a guided tour: You explore Comino at your own pace, with no formal walking commentary or guide on the island.
• Access pass required from May 2025: Book the official Blue Lagoon pass at blcomino.com before departure, since daily numbers are limited.
• Sea caves on the return: The boat may stop by Comino’s caves if weather, waves, and timing allow.
• Crowds are part of the deal: The water is strikingly clear, but the Blue Lagoon is rarely peaceful in the main season.
• Bring only beach essentials: Large bags, luggage, strollers, and several types of wheelchairs are not accepted on the boat.

A quick boat ride to Malta’s most famous water

The Blue Lagoon is Comino’s big draw, and this trip is built around getting you there quickly. From the jetty in St. Julian’s, the boat heads along Malta’s eastern coast before passing St. Paul’s Islands and continuing toward Comino.

The advertised crossing is about 45 minutes, though some departures reach the island in closer to 30 minutes. Your actual time depends on the speedboat assigned, sea conditions, and the day’s operating details. That short crossing is a major reason to choose this trip over a slower boat option.

You are not buying a guided sightseeing cruise with a detailed talk at every point. You are buying transport, time at Comino, and a scenic return by boat. The English-speaking skipper may point out places along the coast, and the ride can include music, but the focus is getting you to the island and back.

The boats used can vary according to availability. Do not book this expecting the exact vessel shown in a promotional photograph. The operator may use any suitable speedboat in its fleet.

Leaving from the St. Julian’s jetty

The meeting point takes a little care to find. The boat leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly called the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, at 8 Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ in St. Julian’s.

Near the entrance to the hotel’s 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 to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

This is not a hotel pickup service, so allow enough time to locate the gate and walk down to the water. You need to reach the meeting point yourself. The trip includes fuel, but not transport from your hotel, food, drinks, or a guide.

The speedboat ride can be lively. If you are prone to seasickness, take prevention seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with motion sickness, and it is also not recommended for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or people with mobility impairments.

The crossing past St. Paul’s Islands

Once clear of St. Julian’s, you get a different view of Malta than you would from the road. The water opens up, the boat picks up speed, and St. Paul’s Islands appear along the route.

A fast ride is not always a smooth ride. On calm days, the crossing can feel exciting and comfortable. If the sea becomes rough, you may feel the boat rise and drop over the waves. One useful detail from the trip is that life jackets may be provided on the return when conditions become choppier, but you should still follow the skipper’s instructions and sit carefully.

Wear comfortable shoes with a secure fit. Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel. Keep your belongings compact because large bags and luggage are not allowed. A small beach bag is far more practical than a suitcase or bulky daypack.

The ride is transport first, sightseeing second. You may hear short comments about places along the route, but there is no full guided presentation. That suits you if you want an efficient crossing and less structure. It may disappoint you if you want a detailed coastal tour.

Arriving at the Blue Lagoon

The first view of the Blue Lagoon is the reason this trip sells so well. The water shifts through clear shades of blue and green, with a pale bottom that helps give the bay its famous color. Fish can be seen in the water, making a mask and snorkel useful if you enjoy looking below the surface.

The lagoon is a good place for a swim, but it is not an empty beach. The bay is one of Malta’s busiest sights, and the most popular parts can feel packed in the summer months. You may find deck chairs for hire, food and drink stands, lockers for a fee, toilets, and showers for rinsing off.

Some operators at the lagoon offer activities such as banana boats and parasailing. Those extras are not included in this speedboat price, so treat them as optional purchases on the day. Food and drinks are also separate. Card payment is accepted by many vendors, including some deck chair rentals, but carrying a little money is still sensible.

A pineapple drink is one local refreshment option, though one practical tip is worth remembering: take a fork if you want to eat the fruit left inside the pineapple cup. The drink may come without one.

The new Blue Lagoon access pass

The most important booking detail is the government access pass. From May 2025, anyone wishing to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an official pass in advance through blcomino.com.

The pass is separate from this boat booking. It is not included in the $53 price, and daily allocation is limited. You should arrange it before you leave St. Julian’s and keep proof of it available. Security checks may prevent you from stepping ashore if you arrive without one.

This rule changes how you should plan the trip. Do not assume that paying for the speedboat guarantees entry to the lagoon’s shore. If you have no valid pass, the operator will take you to Santa Marija Bay instead. That is an important fallback, but it is not the same experience as standing beside the Blue Lagoon.

Check the official government site before booking and again before your trip, since access rules can affect your whole day. This requirement comes from the Maltese government, not the boat operator.

Free time on Comino, with room to wander

Your time on Comino is at leisure. There is no guide leading you around the island, and that is both a strength and a limitation.

I like the freedom. You can swim as soon as you arrive, find a quieter edge of the bay, hire a chair, or walk away from the main landing area. A walk around the island can be a welcome break from the packed shoreline, especially if you do not want to spend every minute in the water.

The island is small, but the exposed paths and hot sun make sensible footwear and sun protection important. Comfortable shoes are listed for good reason. Bring water, though you can also buy food and drinks around the Blue Lagoon.

Your exact amount of free time depends on the option you book. The activity is listed at between 2.5 and 4.5 hours, with different departure and duration choices. Some departures provide about two hours at the lagoon, while longer options give you more time to explore. Check the available start times and duration before paying, rather than assuming every departure offers the same stay.

If you want a fully narrated visit to Comino, this is not the right format. If you prefer to choose your own swimming and walking schedule, the open time works well.

Sea caves on the way home

The return crossing includes a possible visit to the Comino sea caves. This is a worthwhile extra because it adds a second view of the island, this time from the water.

The cave stop is weather permitting. Rough water, limited daylight, or operating conditions may mean the boat returns directly to St. Julian’s. You should treat the caves as a welcome addition, not a guaranteed central stop.

The return can also be more exposed to waves than the outward journey. Listen to the skipper, hold your belongings securely, and use any safety equipment provided. Music and a lively skipper can make the ride feel festive, but the boat remains an open-water transfer, not a gentle harbor cruise.

Is $53 a fair price?

At $53 per person, the value depends on what you want from Comino. The price covers the speedboat ride in both directions, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time at Comino, and the possible cave visit. It does not cover the Blue Lagoon access pass, meals, chairs, lockers, water activities, or hotel transport.

That is a reasonable price if your priority is speed and direct access from St. Julian’s. You avoid a long road journey and reach Comino by boat in a relatively short time. The sea views and cave visit add more than a simple point-to-point transfer.

The value drops if you expect a quiet beach day or a guided island tour. You may pay extra for a chair, locker, food, or an activity, and the lagoon itself can be crowded. The access pass is another cost or task to factor into your planning.

For a short Malta holiday, I see the trip as a practical way to fit Comino into a morning or afternoon. For a relaxed beach day, you may prefer a longer visit or a less famous bay, especially if you dislike crowds.

Who should book this speedboat trip?

This trip suits you if you want:

• A quick crossing from St. Julian’s
• A flexible visit without a guide leading every step
• Time for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing
• A short island walk between swims
• A chance to see the Comino caves from the water
• A compact half-day outing rather than a full-day cruise

It is less suitable if you get seasick, have serious back or heart problems, are pregnant, or need wheelchair access. Children under three are not accepted. Non-folding wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, baby carriages, strollers, pets, and large bags are also not allowed.

The trip works best for people who are comfortable with a fast boat, hot sun, free time, and a busy swimming spot. You need to be self-sufficient once you reach Comino, since there is no formal island guide included.

What to bring and what to leave behind

Pack lightly. Your useful kit is a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, secure shoes, and motion sickness prevention if you need it. A phone or camera should be protected from spray, especially if the sea is rough.

Do not bring a suitcase or large bag. Strollers and several types of wheelchairs cannot be taken, so check the restrictions carefully before booking for a family member with mobility needs.

A small amount of cash may help, even though many vendors accept cards. If you plan to buy a pineapple drink, bring a small fork if you want to eat the fruit afterward. It is a tiny detail, but a useful one.

Booking, timing, and cancellation

You can choose from available departure times and duration options, so this trip can fit around other plans in St. Julian’s. The total activity lasts from 2.5 to 4.5 hours, depending on the option selected.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Malta schedule is still changing. These policies are useful, but they do not replace checking the Blue Lagoon access pass requirement.

Should you book it?

Book this speedboat trip if you want the fastest practical route from St. Julian’s to Comino, and you are happy to manage your own time once ashore. The clear water, fish, coastal views, and possible cave visit make it a strong short outing.

Go in with realistic expectations. The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is also heavily visited. Arrange the government access pass before you go, choose the duration that suits your day, and expect to pay separately for food, chairs, lockers, and optional water activities.

If those conditions suit you, $53 buys a lively ride, useful transport, and several hours at one of Malta’s most memorable swimming spots.

FAQ

How long does the speedboat trip take?

The full activity lasts between 2.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on the departure and duration selected. The boat ride to Comino is described as about 45 minutes, while some trip details indicate a crossing closer to 30 minutes.

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s. Go through the black iron gate near the underground parking entrance, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the St. Julian’s meeting point.

Do I need a pass to enter the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. From May 2025, visitors must obtain a government-issued access pass before stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon. You can get it through blcomino.com.

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

You will not be allowed to disembark at the Blue Lagoon. The operator will take you to Santa Marija Bay instead.

Is this a guided tour?

No. The Comino stop is free time, so you explore at your own pace. The English-speaking skipper may provide brief information during the boat ride, but there is no guided island tour.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks must be purchased separately on Comino.

Are the sea caves guaranteed?

No. The visit to the Comino sea caves takes place on the return journey when weather and sea conditions permit.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and motion sickness prevention if needed.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility problems?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Non-folding wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. It is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or people prone to seasickness.