Comino looks unreal from a small boat. I love the swim time built into the route—Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon aren’t just a quick stop—and I also like the calmer feel of a 24-passenger boat that lets you get close to caves and rocks. One thing to consider: this is weather-driven water time, so if conditions are rough, swimming can be limited and the captain may adjust how long you’re in the water.

You start at Cirkewwa and spend a half day working through the best known Comino viewpoints: Crystal Lagoon, the Blue Lagoon, Sea Caves, Halfa Rock, Santa Maria Bay, plus the Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock photo moments. If you’re organized about the new Comino Blue Lagoon rules (QR code for shore access), this trip is a smooth way to see a lot without feeling rushed.

Key highlights to plan around

• 24 passengers for a more personal pace than the big-ferry feel
• Crystal Lagoon (45 minutes) for swimming and snorkeling in very clear water
• Blue Lagoon (1 hour) with the option to snorkel, swim, and even parasail
• Sea caves access that feels closer because you’re on a smaller boat
• Multiple Comino beaches in one ride so you’re not stuck with just one strip of sand
• New Blue Lagoon QR code rule (only needed if you step onto the beach)

The value of a Comino cruise that keeps you moving (but not rushed)

This is the kind of half-day tour that works if you want the wow factor without a full day commitment. You’re not waiting around for long transfers. Instead, you get a sequence of short cruises between stops, with enough time in the water and on the rock for actual enjoyment.

The big win is how the stops are spaced. Crystal Lagoon gets a proper swim window. Blue Lagoon gets more time on its own. Then you roll into Santa Maria Bay and wrap with quick photo stops at Santa Maria Caves and Elephant Rock. It’s not just sightseeing. It’s sightseeing plus water time plus views, all in one loop.

Also, this is a boat trip from Cirkewwa (Mellieha), which is the practical side of Comino. You can reach it easily from most of the north side of Malta, and it finishes back at the same meeting point. That makes it easier to build around flights or other plans.

Getting to the boat behind Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe

You’ll meet at Cirkewwa cafe, then find the boat behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Access it via the stairs behind the café, then turn left around the corner. Your trip ends back at the same place, so you’re not scrambling for a different pickup point at the finish.

I like that there’s free parking at the meeting point. If you’re driving to Malta’s north shore, that takes one headache off the table. The boat also has shade and an onboard toilet, which matters more than you think when you’re planning a swim day.

Timing is fairly tight. The itinerary includes short sightseeing cruises between the main stops, so you’ll want to arrive early enough to find the correct boat and settle in before you push off.

Comino’s first views: Tower, Gozo pass-by, and Gebla tal Halfa

Right after boarding, you head out on a sightseeing cruise. You’ll pass Comino Tower, made famous through the movie Count of Monte Cristo. This is the moment where Comino starts to look like more than just beaches. You see the cliffs and the exposed shoreline that make the lagoons feel so dramatic.

The route also gives you pass-by sightseeing of Gozo and an area known as Gebla tal Halfa (the promising rock). You won’t get off the boat for a long excursion there, but it’s a nice “sense of place” moment. Even if you’ve seen photos, being on the water makes the geography easier to understand—where the bays tuck in, where the rocks sit, and why the lagoons look so clear.

You also pass San Niklaw bay and the hotel on Comino. It’s low-effort sightseeing, but it helps connect the dots before you arrive at the water stops.

Crystal Lagoon: the 45-minute swim stop that actually feels like a swim

Crystal Lagoon is on the western side of Comino, and it’s one of the reasons people come back to this part of the island. You’ll get a 45-minute stop to swim and snorkel, plus time to just float and watch the water near the rocks.

Why I like this stop in particular: it’s long enough that you can do the full routine. You can hop in, try snorkeling gear if you have it, then step out and relax on your towel or by the boat when you’re ready. You’re not rushing in, rushing out, and hoping you got the “good” angle.

Also, the boat experience matters here. Instead of being far from the shore like you can with some larger setups, smaller boats can position you so the water feels more accessible.

If you care about water clarity, this is the stop to prioritize. Even the itinerary timing reflects that focus.

Blue Lagoon: your best water time and the May 2025 QR-code rule

Blue Lagoon is the headline stop, and you get one full hour there. Expect shallow sandy areas where sunlight reaches the seabed, creating a strong light-and-blue effect underwater. You’ll have time to swim around, look for fish with snorkeling gear, and bask on the shore.

Here’s the key planning item that affects whether you can set foot on the beach:

The new Blue Lagoon QR code rule

Effective 1 May 2025, if you want to step onto the Blue Lagoon beach area, you must have a valid free QR code. It must be obtained in advance from www.blcomino.com, with time-specific entry slots (Morning / Afternoon / Sunset). Pick the correct slot based on your tour schedule.

Good news: if you prefer to stay on the boat while others go ashore, you do not need a QR code. You can remain aboard during that stop.

So before you go, check your expected time window and then decide: beach time vs. boat time. Doing that thought ahead of time saves stress when you’re already dressed for the water.

Parasailing option

The itinerary includes parasailing during the Blue Lagoon stop (listed as part of that 1-hour window). The tour description doesn’t say it’s included for free, so you should treat it as an optional activity and be ready that you might pay for it if you choose to do it.

Sea caves, Elephant Rock, and Santa Maria’s shoreline moments

After Blue Lagoon, the route turns more scenic. You’ll pass Ħalfa Rock (also called Gebla tal Halfa in the earlier pass-by mention), with another short sightseeing cruise. It’s mostly a views-and-positions moment: you see the rock formations and take in the coastline angles that make Comino famous.

Then you head to Santa Maria Bay with another planned 45-minute stop. This is another swim-and-snorkel opportunity, with the option to get onto the beach or stay close to the boat. I like that the tour doesn’t force you into one “only in the water” plan. If you want a walk for views or a slower pace, you can.

From there, you get quick sightseeing moments:

• Santa Maria Caves as a stop/pass-by for around 10 minutes, mainly for views
• Elephant Rock as a photo stop plus passing views for about 10 minutes

These last stops are short on purpose. The tour has a half-day frame, so you’re not expected to fully explore every pocket of Comino. Instead, you get enough time for photos and a look from the boat that still feels worthwhile.

Stop-by-stop timing: how the hour blocks shape your day

The day runs like a sequence of “main water breaks” plus “quick scenery pulses.”

Here’s how it plays out in practical terms:

• Start (Cirkewwa cafe): you board and settle in.
• Sightseeing cruise (~15 minutes): you’re getting your bearings and passing Comino landmarks before the swimming starts.
• Crystal Lagoon (45 minutes): your first real water window.
• Sightseeing cruise (~15 minutes): transition time with more views.
• Blue Lagoon (1 hour): the longest water focus, plus parasailing as an option.
• Sightseeing cruise (~15 minutes): more coastline framing.
• Ħalfa Rock pass-by (about 15 minutes): views and pass along the formations.
• Sightseeing cruise (~10 minutes): repositioning toward Santa Maria.
• Santa Maria Bay (45 minutes): second swim window, plus beach access.
• Sightseeing cruise (~15 minutes): approach and then the caves area.
• Santa Maria Caves (10 minutes): quick views from the water.
• Elephant Rock (10 minutes): photo stop and pass.
• Return to Cirkewwa cafe: end back where you started.

This structure is ideal if you get tired of all-day tours. You get a clear rhythm: swim, scenery, swim, photos, done.

What’s included (and what you may still want to bring)

Included on board:

• Stand-up paddleboard free to use
• Swim noodles free to use
• Experienced crew and a live tour guide in English and Maltese
• Shade on the boat
• Onboard toilet
• Life jackets (unless it’s an emergency; ask if you need help deciding)
• Free parking at the meeting point
• Marina fees and permits for the lagoons

The tour also explicitly includes visiting and swim time at Crystal Lagoon (45 minutes), and Blue Lagoon (1 hour), plus sightseeing stops at Halfa Rock, San Niklaw, Santa Maria Bay (45 minutes), Santa Maria Caves, and Elephant Rock.

Not included:

• Food and drinks (you can buy on beaches or onboard)
• Snorkeling gear is listed as something you’ll need to rent onboard

Two small practical tips from real-world patterns:

• Bring cash, since you may want to buy snacks or drinks and you might handle rentals onboard.
• Bring the water gear basics yourself anyway: swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Even with free noodles and a chance to snorkel, you’ll feel more comfortable with your own setup.

Boat comfort and how close you really get to the caves

This is a smaller-boat style cruise, and that changes the whole feel of the sea caves. With big boats, you often watch from a distance. With a smaller group, you can get closer and see the rock shapes and cave openings more clearly.

The boat is described as spacious and comfortable, with shade and an onboard toilet. That means you’re not just enduring the ride. You can relax between swims instead of standing in sun the whole time.

One more note: the tour can adapt to weather. When water gets choppier, you may see changes to the swimming plan, but you’re still likely to experience the cave approach and scenery. The goal is to keep you on the route as safely as possible.

Price and value: does $32 make sense?

At about $32 per person, this tour is priced like a value-first day trip rather than a premium private charter. What makes it feel fair is that you’re paying for two major lagoons plus multiple key viewpoints in one morning/afternoon block.

You get:

• 45 minutes at Crystal Lagoon
• 1 hour at Blue Lagoon
• 45 minutes at Santa Maria Bay
• plus several scenic passes and cave/photo moments

Add in the free-use items—SUP, noodles, shade, and a toilet—and it stops being just “a ticket to get to the beach.” You’re actually buying time in the water and access to the Comino highlights without handling separate logistics.

If you’re only after one lagoon and you don’t care about caves or photo stops, you might spend less elsewhere. But if you want the full Comino mix—lagoons, caves, and rocks—this price tends to line up with what you’ll actually do during the tour.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This fits best if you:

• Want a short, focused day on Comino without full-day planning
• Like swimming and snorkeling and want scheduled time for it
• Prefer a smaller group experience (24 passengers)

It’s not suitable for:

• Pregnant women
• Wheelchair users
• People with motion sickness
• People over 95 years

If you’re prone to seasickness, consider that the route is on open water between stops.

If you’re planning a family day, this route can work well because the time blocks are clear and there are options like staying near the boat while others swim.

Should you book the Comino Land Charters Malta cruise?

I’d book it if your priority is seeing the main Comino stops with real water time, and you’re willing to do one prep task: the Blue Lagoon QR code if you plan to step onto the beach after 1 May 2025.

I’d think twice if:

• You strongly dislike anything motion-related, since this is still an open-water cruise
• You hate the idea of weather changing swimming time
• You’re expecting a long, on-foot island hike day (this tour is mostly boat-to-water-to-views)

If you want a practical, high-activity Comino half day—with the lagoons, cave views, and photo stops—this is a solid choice. It’s not trying to do everything on the islands. It’s doing the best-known bits in a way that keeps you in the fun part of the day.

FAQ

Where do I meet the boat?

You’ll find the boat behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Descend the stairs behind the café and turn the corner on the left. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

It runs about 3 to 4 hours total. Exact starting times depend on availability, so you’ll need to check for the specific departure you’re booking.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Snorkeling gear is not listed as included. You can rent it onboard. Swim noodles are included, and the boat also provides gear such as a stand-up board.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

Starting 1 May 2025, if you want to step foot on Comino’s Blue Lagoon you must present a valid free QR code from www.blcomino.com. Time slots are Morning, Afternoon, and Sunset. If you stay on the boat during the Blue Lagoon stop, you do not need a QR code.

What should I bring for the swim stops?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and beachwear. Cash can be useful for food or drinks you buy during the stops.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with motion sickness, and people over 95 years old.

You Might Also Enjoy

Sliema: Boat Trip to Comino Blue Lagoon, Gozo, and CavesFrom Malta/Gozo: Comino & Crystal Lagoon Private Boat TripFrom Malta: Full-Day Gozo Quad Tour with Lunch and Boat RideValletta: City Walking Tour in a Small Group