Blue Lagoon looks unreal, and this cruise gets you there with real comfort. I like the family-run crew vibe and the way the itinerary is built around actual swimming time, not just waiting around. My other big plus is the included 10m slide plus deck time, so the boat becomes the main event. One thing to plan for: the ride can be bumpy, and the tour is not set up for mobility issues.

You leave St Paul’s Bay, skim Malta’s northern coast, get quick cave peeks, then spend about 4.5 hours moored off Comino in water that’s famously clear. You’ll also cruise past key landmarks and come back via the Crystal Lagoon area with short photo stops and a visit at St Mary’s Tower.

One possible drawback: Blue Lagoon access now uses time slots with a QR code, and the tour’s scheduled window runs 11:00 to 15:20, meaning you need the right morning and afternoon slots to match your booking.

Key things to know before you go

• 4.5 hours in the Blue Lagoon moored in a quieter area with clear, jump-in friendly water
• Quick cave stops at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave along the northern Comino route
• A 10m slide plus deck chairs on the top deck (limited number)
• Crystal Lagoon + St Mary’s Tower on the way back, with short sightseeing and photos
• Onboard setup includes toilets (male/female), lockers for a fee, and a cafeteria with hot and cold drinks
• Bring the right gear: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and if you snorkel you’ll need a mask setup (rental available)

A boat-first Blue Lagoon day from St Paul’s Bay

This is a full-morning-to-afternoon style outing based on one core idea: you don’t just get dropped off and left to fend for yourself. You board at Hornblower Cruises Malta in St Paul’s Bay (Sirens Quay 24, right behind LOA restaurant) and spend the day traveling by sea, with the boat acting as your home base for swimming breaks.

You’ll sail along Malta’s northern coast first, passing major landmarks like St Paul’s Islands and the statue of St Paul, plus Ahrax Point. It’s a good way to see more than just Comino, because the route itself is part of the experience, not filler.

In practical terms, plan to arrive early. The meeting instructions ask for about 45 minutes to an hour before departure so boarding stays calm. If you’re motion-sensitive, also keep in mind that the boat ride can feel choppy at times, especially when the sea is up.

How the cruise hits Comino’s caves and the scenic northern channel

After you leave, the day’s flow is structured around short, high-impact moments. You’ll pass a string of Comino-related sights from the water, including elephants’ head, Santa Maria Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and the Comino hotel area. If you like photos, this is one of the easier ways to stack great viewpoints without changing boats.

Then come the cave stops. The schedule includes quick entries at Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave. Expect brief sightseeing/pass-by time that’s designed to show you the shapes and formations without turning the whole day into a slow-moving crawl.

This is where the boat format pays off. Instead of booking a cave-focused tour that leaves you tired and waterlogged, you get a taste of Malta’s coastal geology, then you shift into the main event on Comino: long, relaxed water time.

Blue Lagoon stop: 4.5 hours, swimming access, and the 10m slide

Once you reach Comino, you get the best part: the boat moors up off the island, and you settle in for about 4.5 hours in the Blue Lagoon. The mooring area is described as secluded and about 3 meters deep, which matters because it tends to be a comfortable entry zone for swimming and bouncing back to the boat.

Here’s what you can actually do with that time:

• Swim off the boat and hang around by the mooring area
• Snorkel in the clear water (mask/snorkel rental is available onboard for a fee)
• Sunbathe on the top deck with deck chairs (limited number)
• Use main-deck shade when the sun gets too direct
• Take advantage of the included 10m slide into the water

The slide is not a gimmick here. It’s a proper “big day at the beach” feature, and it’s included. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s often the thing that turns the cruise into a full-on memory instead of a scenic boat ride. Even if you’re an adult who prefers to stay dry, watching people go down is half the fun.

Where to sit for the best ride and views

You’ll cruise past Comino’s island edge and shoreline features as part of the overall loop. One tip that’s worth listening to: if you care about the sail-by view, pick a side—there’s a recommendation to sit on the left-hand side for better sight lines toward the island as the boat passes.

The new QR code time-slot requirement (don’t skip this)

Since 19 May 2025, Blue Lagoon access requires a QR code for your designated time slot. The instructions point you to blcomino.com to get the free access pass.

This part is important because the tour’s scheduled stop at the Blue Lagoon is 11:00 to 15:20, and the guidance says you need both the morning and afternoon slots. If you’re booking late or holding the wrong time windows, you could end up scrambling. I’d treat the QR code as a must-do checklist item the day you plan to go.

If swimming is harder than you hoped

The tour includes details that help you plan. The water entry options include swimming from the beach or using buoyancy aids on board. Buoyancy aids are available with a €10 deposit. There are also restrooms onboard with male and female toilet facilities, which makes a long mooring stop more comfortable than it would be on smaller boats.

Crystal Lagoon and St Mary’s Tower on the return route

After your Comino time, the plan shifts from “stay and play” to “photo and pass.” You head off to Gozo without stopping for long, cruising around Mgarr Harbour to see it from the water. Then you return via the south channel of Comino, passing Crystal Lagoon and its caves.

The schedule is built for quick, scenic hits:

• A short stop at Crystal Lagoon for about 10 minutes, including a guided component plus photos and sightseeing
• A visit/photo stop at St Mary’s Tower, with free time mentioned in the plan

That’s not a full excursion. It’s more like: you get the landmarks, you get the views, and you still have enough energy left to enjoy your core swimming day on Comino without feeling trapped in constant land time.

If your travel style is “I want the famous place, plus a few bonus stops without extra planning,” this structure works well.

What’s included onboard (and what costs extra)

This cruise is priced at $34 per person in the provided summary, which is a low-cost way to stack multiple islands and water activities in one go. The real value is the combination of included time and included fun.

Included items on the day:

• 4.5 hours in the Blue Lagoon
• Deck chairs on the upper deck (limited number)
• Viewing of the caves
• The slide

Not included:

• Lunch (you can buy on board)
• Speedboat ride around small caves near Comino (optional, paid in cash on site; €15)
• Lockers (available for a fee, limited number)
• Mask/snorkel rental (listed at €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded)

Snorkel gear tips that save stress

If you’re snorkeling, plan ahead so your first swim doesn’t become a gear scramble. Mask and snorkel rentals are available onboard, but you’ll need the deposit setup. If you already packed your own gear, you can skip that extra line and focus on getting in the water quickly.

Food and drinks: keep it simple

The boat has a cafeteria serving hot and cold beverages. The onboard experience is also described as having reasonable prices for food and drink, including fun drink options like pineapple drinks. You’re not going to find a five-star menu here, but you can handle snacks and hydration without hunting for a restaurant later.

Optional speedboat add-on

If you want more “tight-and-touristy caves” time, there’s an optional speedboat ride. The cost is stated clearly as €15 in cash on site. Multiple people highlight this as a top moment of the day, especially if you like getting closer to the smaller cave zones around Comino rather than just viewing them from the main boat.

Comfort, timing, and the reality of a bumpy sea

The overall tour duration is listed as 4 to 7 hours, depending on starting times. That range can sound big, but it usually comes down to which departure slot you pick and how it syncs with the day’s Blue Lagoon time window.

A few things to pack and plan:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• If you’re sensitive to motion: consider your tolerance before you choose a departure time

There’s a direct caution in the experience details: the ride can be very bumpy. If motion sickness hits you easily, I’d plan with that in mind, because you may spend enough time moving across open water that you’ll feel it.

Top deck strategy

This is one of those trips where where you sit matters. Deck chairs on the upper deck are limited, and the best move is to arrive early enough to position yourself. If you care about sun time, aim to get your spot before the boat fills up.

If you’d rather stay shaded, you can find space on the main deck and move between sun and shade as conditions change.

Who this cruise is best for (and who should skip it)

This tour is especially strong for people who want a classic Malta highlight with minimal planning. You get the coastal scenery, cave views, and a long, satisfying swim stop in one day.

It also fits well if:

• You want a straightforward day at Comino without island-hopping logistics
• You like having the boat as your base for breaks
• You want a photo-friendly route plus actual water time

You should think twice if:

• You have mobility impairments (the tour is listed as not suitable)
• You’re uncomfortable with choppy water or motion sickness
• You expect lots of long land walking (this is mostly sea time and short sightseeing stops)

If your priority is maximum time in the water and maximum effort-saving, this cruise direction makes sense.

Should you book Hornblower’s Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves cruise?

I’d book this if you want one ticket that turns into a full Blue Lagoon experience: 4.5 hours moored in clear water, the included 10m slide, and a route that adds cave viewing plus Crystal Lagoon and St Mary’s Tower. The price in the summary also looks like a smart trade-off for what you get, especially since lunch and optional extras are truly optional.

I’d hesitate only if you’re not comfortable with:

• the bumpy boat ride possibility, or
• the Blue Lagoon QR time-slot requirement, or
• mobility constraints, since the experience is not designed for that.

If you’re traveling with family, or you want the kind of day where you can alternate between sun, swim, and photos without constantly changing plans, this is a strong match.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Hornblower Cruises boat?

You meet at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay, located right behind LOA restaurant.

How much time do I get in the Blue Lagoon?

The included Blue Lagoon stop is 4.5 hours. The scheduled window on the plan is 11:00 to 15:20, which connects to the time-slot QR access system.

Do I need lunch in advance?

Lunch is not included. You can purchase lunch on board the boat.

Is snorkel gear included?

Mask and snorkel are not included. Rental is available for €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded.

Is the water slide included?

Yes. The experience includes a water slide into the Blue Lagoon, listed as a 10m slide.

Is this tour suitable for mobility impairments?

No. The tour is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

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