Turquoise water starts the minute you board. I love the Blue Lagoon swim time (with time to snorkel or just float), and I also love the water slide on deck—an easy, silly highlight in the middle of all that postcard scenery. The one thing to plan for is the new Malta rule: you need a government access pass in advance if you want to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon.

From Marfa Jetty, you get a relaxed 4-hour mix of cruising, anchored swim stops, and photo moments, all on a boat called La Laguna. You’ll have complimentary mineral water, a rooftop seating area with deckchairs (first come, first served), and basic on-board comforts like toilets and fresh water showers.

This cruise is a smart pick if your goal is water time in Comino without the hassle of organizing everything yourself. It’s not the best match if you’re very prone to motion sickness, or if you need step-free access—this trip isn’t set up for mobility limitations.

Key takeaways before you go

• Blue Lagoon anchoring for about 1.5 hours gives you real water time, not just a quick stop.
• Crystal Lagoon stop for about 1 hour adds a second color-soaked swim break on the west side of Comino.
• Water slide + rooftop deckchairs make the ride feel like more than just transport.
• Snorkelling gear is included, but you’ll need a €20 cash deposit to rent it.
• Photo stop at Mġarr Harbour (Gozo) happens without disembarking, so you stay on your schedule.
• No food included (beyond mineral water), so plan to snack from the cash bar if you want more than drinks.

Getting on board at Marfa Jetty (La Laguna) and making the 4 hours count

The cruise starts at Marfa Jetty, opposite the Riviera Spa Resort. When you arrive, look for a white/blue boat named La Laguna—that’s your cue you’re in the right place.

What I like about the timing is that it’s long enough to feel like a day-trip (four hours total), but not so long that you spend the whole afternoon waiting around. You’ll get cruising time for scenery, then anchored time at Comino’s water highlights, then a return journey that includes a couple of quick photo moments.

One practical note: you’ll be on the water a fair amount. If you’re the type who gets queasy in boats, take your motion sickness prevention before you board. The itinerary is short, but the sea can still sway the experience.

The scenic cruise stretch: Saint Mary’s Battery, Elephant Rock, and the Santa Maria Caves

Before you even reach Comino’s swim stops, you’ll be treated to a moving “coastline playlist” along Malta’s northern side. On the way out, the boat includes short sightseeing stretches that work well if you want something more than just straight sailing.

You’ll pass and get brief photo moments near:

• Elephant Rock (Elephant Head Rock Formation), a striking rock shape that’s easy to spot from the deck.
• Santa Maria Caves, known for their dramatic rock formations along the shoreline.
• Santa Maria Bay and other bays along the route, where the water often looks calm from above.

These segments are also useful for orientation. You get a feel for the coastline, the colors, and where Comino sits in relation to the mainland. Even if you’re mainly there for the swim stops, this cruise portion adds variety so the trip doesn’t feel like a straight line from dock to lagoon and back.

Blue Lagoon swim stop: turquoise water, snorkel time, and the access pass rule

This is the headline stop. The boat anchors at the Blue Lagoon for about 1.5 hours, which is long enough to do more than one thing. You can swim, snorkel, or just relax in the shallow, clear water while you watch other swimmers and boats drift around.

Snorkelling and what’s actually provided

You can rent snorkelling equipment for free of charge, but it comes with a €20 cash deposit. The deposit is refunded when you return the gear. This matters because it saves you from bringing your own mask and fins—especially convenient if you’re packing light.

If you haven’t snorkelled in open water before, keep it simple: give yourself a few minutes to get comfortable, and stay close to the boat area. Conditions can change, and clear water can also make you underestimate effort.

The biggest planning item: Malta’s Blue Lagoon access pass

A new government directive (effective May 2025) requires an access pass in advance if you want to disembark ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The cruise still anchors there, and you can swim, but if stepping on land is part of your plan, you need to get the pass through the official site: blcomino.com.

Pass allocations are limited each day, so don’t treat it as something to figure out the morning of. If you show up without a pass and want to stroll on land, you may be disappointed.

Time on water: how to use your 1.5 hours

This is the part you’ll remember, so I’d plan your order like this:

• First: swim and get your bearings.
• Midway: snorkel if you’re going to snorkel (don’t wait too long or you’ll feel rushed).
• Last: slow down, float, and enjoy the color.

Also, bring a towel and sunscreen. Even on a four-hour trip, sun comes fast on open water.

Crystal Lagoon: a second swim break with cliff-backed views

After Blue Lagoon, the boat heads to the Crystal Lagoon on the west side of Comino. You’ll have about 1 hour here—shorter than Blue Lagoon, but still enough for a solid swim.

This lagoon is known for its clear turquoise look and cliff-lined scenery. The big benefit of this second stop is simple: you get different angles and a different feel without needing to change transport plans or buy a separate ticket. If Blue Lagoon crowds feel like your stress point, Crystal Lagoon gives you a fresh shift in scenery.

Again, snorkeling gear is available onboard for rent (with the same deposit setup), and you can swim right from the anchored area.

The return ride: Gozo from the sea and a quick stop at Mġarr Harbour

Heading back, you’ll cruise past the island of Gozo—and that’s a nice touch. It’s not just “back to the dock as fast as possible.” This leg is designed for views, especially if you like coastline geometry: bays, headlands, and the way light changes over water from different angles.

There’s also a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour. The key detail is that it’s no disembarkation, so you stay on board. You’ll get a moment to take photos and then move on.

During this final stretch, the sea often feels calmer and the trip feels more relaxed. Think of it as the part where you switch from “what do I do in the water?” to “what do I capture from the deck?”

What’s included onboard (and what you’ll want to bring)

This cruise is fairly generous with the essentials for a water-focused trip.

Included

• Sightseeing scenic cruise
• Free-flowing mineral water during the cruise
• Snorkelling equipment rental (free, with a €20 cash deposit)
• Swim stops at both Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon
• Water slide
• Deckchairs on the rooftop area (first come, first served)
• Toilet facilities
• Fresh water showers
• Crew assistance

Not included (but available)

• Food and drinks beyond the mineral water
• A cash bar with snacks and beverages (you can pay by card or cash)
• An optional powerboat trip to the Comino Caves on site (fee listed as €10 per person, subject to change and weather)

What to bring

Pack like you’re doing beach time plus a boat ride:

• Sunglasses and sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• Cash (for the €20 snorkel deposit and possibly bar purchases)
• Motion sickness prevention, especially if you know boats bother you

Price and value: is $34 a good deal for Comino water time?

At around $34 per person, this cruise can feel like strong value because you’re not just paying for transport. You’re paying for:

• Two separate swim stops (Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon)
• Free access to snorkelling gear (minus the deposit)
• On-board fun with the water slide
• Basic conveniences like showers and toilets
• A return scenic route with Gozo photo viewing

Where value depends on you is land time. Because of the Blue Lagoon access pass requirement, your experience is slightly more “administrative” than it used to be if you want to set foot on land. But even without disembarking at Blue Lagoon, you still get a proper anchored swim block.

If your goal is a clean, low-planning way to experience Comino’s signature water colors, this price point makes sense. If you’re expecting a guided deep dive on history and geology, note that there’s no tour guide included.

Who should book this cruise (and who should skip it)

I’d steer you toward this cruise if:

• You want swimming time in Comino without wrestling with buses, rental boats, or complicated schedules.
• You like straightforward beach-style fun: float, snorkel, repeat.
• You’ll enjoy a little onboard silliness, thanks to the water slide and rooftop seating.

I’d hesitate if:

• You’re very prone to seasickness or motion issues. This trip isn’t marketed as a good fit for that.
• You have mobility impairments or use a wheelchair. It’s not suitable for wheelchair users, and the setup isn’t step-free.

For families: it can work well because the ride is short and there are kid-friendly fun elements (the slide), but keep an eye on who needs secure seating and who handles open-water movement comfortably.

Should you book Mellieħa to Comino, Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon?

Yes, if you want a practical, scenic boat day where your main activity is water time—and you can plan for the Blue Lagoon access pass if you want to go ashore. This is the kind of trip that fits neatly into a Malta itinerary: start at Marfa Jetty, spend real time in the lagoons, then come back with photos of Gozo and a head full of turquoise water.

If you don’t want to deal with access passes, or you’re sensitive to boat movement, then I’d reconsider. But for most people chasing that Comino water payoff, this cruise is an easy booking.

FAQ

How long is the Mellieħa to Comino cruise?

The total duration is 4 hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Marfa Jetty (opposite the Riviera Spa Resort). You should look for the white/blue boat named La Laguna.

Is mineral water included?

Yes. Free-flowing mineral water is included throughout the cruise.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Snorkelling equipment is available for free rental, but you need a €20 cash deposit, which is refunded when you return the equipment.

Do I need an access pass to go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes, if you want to disembark at the Blue Lagoon, you must obtain a government access pass in advance via blcomino.com.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though there is a cash bar on the boat where you can buy snacks and beverages.

Is there a water slide?

Yes. The boat has a water slide as part of the experience.

Does the itinerary include Gozo?

You’ll cruise past Gozo on the return journey and stop for photos at Mġarr Harbour, but there is no disembarkation.

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