Three Bay Cruise Including Blue Lagoon from Mellieha

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the generous time in the water. Instead of racing past Comino for a quick photo, you get three proper swim stops: about 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon, an hour at Crystal Lagoon, and another hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo.

I like the route’s variety. You get the famous turquoise water at Blue Lagoon, the cliffs and sea caves of Crystal Lagoon, and a quieter cove at Ħalfa Rock. I also like the practical setup: a toilet, shower, small cash bar, and a crew available to help.

The main catch is the Blue Lagoon access pass. Since May 2025, you need a government-issued pass to step ashore, and the daily supply is limited. You must arrange the morning time slot yourself at blcomino.com, and lacking a pass does not qualify you for a refund.

Key points to know before booking

• Three substantial swim stops: About 90 minutes at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.
• A scenic northern Malta route: Cruise around Comino and Gozo, then pass Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head on the way back.
• The boat stays near Blue Lagoon: You can swim from the boat or relax onboard, but stepping ashore requires a government access pass.
• Simple onboard comforts: Toilet facilities, a shower, and a small cash bar with snacks and drinks are available.
• A moderate group size: The boat carries up to 55 people, so this is a shared cruise rather than a private outing.
• Good value at $47.66: The price covers the six-hour cruise and three swim stops, but not food, drinks, hotel transfers, or the Blue Lagoon pass.

Three lagoons, one relaxed day on the water

This is a swimming cruise first and a sightseeing cruise second. You spend much of the six hours either anchored at a lagoon or sailing between stops, so it suits you best if you want open water, sun, and time to swim rather than a packed schedule of shore visits.

The boat leaves Marfa Jetty in Mellieha at 10:00 am. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, so arriving early matters. The meeting point is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You will need to make your own way to the jetty.

The route covers Comino and Gozo, two of Malta’s smaller islands. The sailing gives you changing views of rocky coast, coves, cliffs, and sea formations, while the three stops give the day a clear rhythm. You get time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or stay aboard without feeling pushed from one place to the next.

The cruise has a maximum of 55 people. That is not a small private boat, but it is also not an enormous ferry. Expect a shared outing with enough space for a social holiday atmosphere, especially during the swimming stops.

Blue Lagoon: the famous first stop

Blue Lagoon is the headline attraction, and it comes first in the route. The water is clear and bright, with a pale sandy base and marine life below the surface. You have about an hour and a half here, which is long enough for a swim, some snorkeling, and time to dry off or sit in the sun.

The boat anchors near the lagoon. This matters because your day does not depend entirely on getting ashore. You can enter the water from the boat or remain onboard and enjoy the view. If your priority is simply swimming in the famous turquoise water, the boat itself may be all you need.

If you want to step onto Comino, you must obtain the official Blue Lagoon access pass in advance through blcomino.com. The government requires the morning time slot for this cruise, and the number of passes is limited. Do not treat this as a minor formality. Without the pass, you cannot disembark, and the operator does not provide a refund if you fail to arrange it.

This new rule also changes how you should plan your morning. Book the cruise first, then secure the matching morning access pass as soon as possible. Keep the confirmation available on the day, since the pass is your responsibility, not something supplied by the boat crew.

Blue Lagoon is likely to be the busiest and most famous stop. Its appeal is easy to understand, but the popularity means you should not expect a private cove. The value here is the long swim period and the chance to enjoy the water from the boat, not solitude.

Crystal Lagoon: cliffs, caves, and clear water

After Blue Lagoon, the boat continues to Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s western side. This stop lasts about one hour and has a different feel from the first. The lagoon is enclosed by high cliffs, creating a sheltered setting with broad views around the boat.

Crystal Lagoon is particularly well suited to snorkeling and exploring the sea caves around the cove. The water is clear and inviting, while the cliffs give you something to look at when you lift your head from the water. If the first stop feels open and exposed, Crystal Lagoon offers a more contained setting.

You can use this hour for a refreshing swim or stay aboard and watch others in the water. The one-hour stop is enough to enjoy the setting, though it is shorter than Blue Lagoon. Bring your own mask and snorkel if those are important to you, since the information provided does not say that equipment is supplied.

The stop also shows why a boat trip adds value here. The lagoon’s cliffs and caves are best appreciated from the water, and you avoid spending the day walking between separate bays. You simply swim, climb back aboard, and let the crew handle the next stretch of the route.

Ħalfa Rock Bay on Gozo

The third stop takes you to Ħalfa Rock Bay on the southeast coast of Gozo. This is the quieter part of the day, with a small islet sitting near a pebbly beach and a cove that keeps a more secluded character than the famous Comino stops.

You get about one hour here for the final swim. The setting is less about a celebrated name and more about the simple pleasure of a calm bay, clear water, and rocky coastal scenery. If you have already had enough sun, this is a good time to rest on the boat and enjoy the view.

The pebbly beach is worth noting. This is not a soft-sand beach stop, so water shoes may be useful if you plan to go ashore or enter from a shallow edge. The tour details do not specify the exact disembarkation arrangement at Ħalfa Rock Bay, so follow the crew’s instructions when you arrive.

This final stop gives the route a useful change of pace. Blue Lagoon is the famous attraction, Crystal Lagoon provides cliffs and caves, and Ħalfa Rock Bay feels more removed. You get three distinct coastal settings rather than three versions of the same swim.

The return route adds two good photo stops

After the final swim, the boat begins its return to Marfa Jetty. The trip passes Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Head, a recognizable rock formation along the coast.

These are sightseeing views rather than separate long stops. Keep your camera ready and listen for directions from the crew, since the boat may continue moving while you look at the formations. The return sail also gives you a chance to cool down after the swimming stops.

The caves and rock formation help round out the day. Without them, the outing would be almost entirely a sequence of swim breaks. With them, you get a broader look at Comino’s coast before returning to Mellieha.

What the $47.66 price really covers

At $47.66 per person, this is a strong value if you intend to use the three swim stops. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, a scenic route around Comino and Gozo, crew assistance, and long pauses at three of Malta’s best-known coastal locations.

The price is less attractive if you want a guided land tour or a meal. There is no hotel transfer, and food and drinks are not included. The cash bar sells some snacks and beverages, but you should not plan on it as your main lunch option.

Bring your own water and food if you want more choice, while remembering that large luggage and large suitcases are not allowed. A compact day bag is the sensible approach. Swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and dry clothes will make the six hours more comfortable.

The onboard shower is a helpful touch after swimming, especially before the return journey. The toilet also removes one common worry on a long boat outing. These are small features, but they matter when you spend most of the day away from shore.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want an easy way to see several coastal spots without arranging separate transport around Malta and Gozo. It works especially well for you if swimming, snorkeling, and sitting in the sun are the main goals of your day.

Families and groups can also benefit from the flexible format. One person can swim, another can snorkel, and someone else can remain on the boat. The crew provides assistance, and most people can take part, but the cruise is not recommended for people with mobility impairments.

You should also think carefully if you are prone to seasickness. The boat spends about six hours at sea, including the sailing between islands, and conditions can change. If that is a concern, bring whatever usual remedy you rely on and choose a calmer-weather day when possible.

This is not the best pick if you want a quiet, private boat, a long guided talk about Maltese history, or extensive time on land. It is a shared cruise with a maximum of 55 people and a water-based schedule. The strongest reason to book is the swimming time.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The full activity lasts about six hours, including sailing and all three stops. The order can change because of weather, sea conditions, or other operating needs. A change in order does not mean you lose the main parts of the outing, but you should keep your schedule flexible.

The cruise requires good weather. If strong winds, rough seas, or poor conditions force a cancellation, you can reschedule for another date or receive a full refund if rescheduling does not work for you.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that period are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before the cutoff.

You should arrive well before 10:00 am because boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. The starting point is Marfa Jetty, X8PV+QPW, Mellieha, and the cruise returns to the same place.

A straightforward crew and onboard setup

The crew’s role here is practical. They help with the day’s operation, manage the swim stops, and assist as needed. The service is not presented as a formal guided lecture, so expect help with the cruise rather than a continuous history commentary.

The small cash bar adds convenience. It serves some snacks and beverages and is described as reasonably priced, but it remains a small bar, not a full restaurant. Bring cash and your own supplies if you want a particular meal or drink.

The facilities make this a more comfortable six-hour outing than a bare-bones boat transfer. A toilet and shower are available, and the boat gives you the choice to stay aboard at any stop. That flexibility is useful when the sun is strong or you simply need a break from the water.

Should you book the Three Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want three substantial swimming stops, attractive coastal scenery, and a simple shared cruise from Mellieha. The long pauses are the main strength, and the route gives you a useful mix of famous Blue Lagoon, cliff-lined Crystal Lagoon, and quieter Ħalfa Rock Bay.

Before paying, secure the Blue Lagoon morning access pass if you plan to go ashore. If that pass is unavailable, you can still use the boat as your base near the lagoon, but you should understand that stepping onto Comino will not be possible.

Skip this outing if you dislike boats, suffer badly from seasickness, need step-free access, or want a private and highly guided trip. For everyone else who wants a full day of swimming without paying private-charter prices, $47.66 is a fair deal, especially when you make good use of all three stops.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Marfa Jetty in Mellieha, Malta. The listed location is X8PV+QPW, Mellieha.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure, so you should arrive early.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts approximately six hours, including sailing time and all swimming stops.

How much time is spent at each stop?

You get about one hour and 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon, one hour at Crystal Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock Bay.

Do I need a pass for Blue Lagoon?

You need a government-issued access pass if you want to step ashore at Blue Lagoon. It must be obtained in advance through blcomino.com, and you must select the morning time slot. You can remain on the boat without disembarking.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but a small cash bar sells some snacks and beverages. Toilet facilities and a shower are available onboard.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of bad weather?

You will be offered another date. If you cannot reschedule, you will receive a full refund.