Mellieħa to Comino in one easy, splashy outing. I like the two swim stops (Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon) and the fact that you get free mineral water all cruise. The main thing to plan around is the government rule: to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon you need an access pass in advance.

This is the kind of trip that saves you time and effort. You’re moving by boat along the northern coast, then anchoring at the two best-known water playgrounds on Comino, with a scenic return past Gozo. I also appreciate the practical onboard extras like toilets and fresh-water showers, plus snorkelling gear on loan (with a cash deposit).

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Immediately

• Blue Lagoon swim time of about 1½ hours, built for swimming and snorkelling
• Crystal Lagoon stop of about 1 hour with calmer, cliff-framed turquoise water
• Water slide onboard, for when you want fun that does not require effort
• Snorkel gear included (free rental, with a €20 cash deposit)
• Scenic return past Gozo, plus a photo stop at Mġarr Harbour without disembarking
• Comfort touches: rooftop deckchairs (first come), toilets, and fresh-water showers

Why This Comino Cruise Works So Well for Most People

If your Malta plan includes Comino, this cruise format is a smart way to do it without overthinking logistics. You start in Mellieħa (Marfa Jetty), head out toward Comino, and spend the bulk of your time where you actually want to be: in the water.

The value is not just the destinations. It’s the mix of time and onboard extras. You’re not just viewing lagoons from a distance. You can swim and snorkel during scheduled stops, and you get essentials covered like water, showers, and toilets. Add a water slide, and it turns into a day that feels like an experience, not a commute.

The one real “watch-out” is the Blue Lagoon access pass requirement for anyone who wants to disembark ashore. If you only plan to swim from the boat while it anchors, you still get the main water time. If you want to walk around on the beach area, you’ll need to plan ahead.

Getting Oriented at Marfa Jetty (and Finding the Boat Fast)

You’ll depart from Marfa Jetty in Mellieħa, and the meeting point is specifically the area opposite Riviera Spa Resort. When you arrive, look for a white/blue boat named La Laguna.

That detail matters. In busy summer ports, “find the boat” can become a little scavenger hunt. Having the exact jetty and boat name helps you get your bearings fast—so you can focus on the start of the trip instead of the waiting-with-sunburn planning.

Once you’re onboard, you’ll have access to basic comfort and downtime space. There are toilets, fresh-water showers, and deck seating on the rooftop area with deckchairs on a first-come basis. If you care about a spot, get settled early after boarding.

The Scenic Coast Stops: Elephant Rock and Santa Maria Caves

This cruise is not only about swimming. It also gives you a moving viewpoint along Malta’s north coast, with short sightseeing moments where you can snap photos and enjoy the scenery from the deck.

On the way out, you’ll have a short sightseeing cruise segment, then a photo stop for Elephant Rock. You’re not expected to hike or explore here. It’s a quick visual moment that helps you recognize the coast as more than just a backdrop.

Next come the Santa Maria Sea Caves, again a photo stop with a boat cruise-by on the way. These are the kind of natural rock formations that photograph well, especially when the light hits them from the sea. You’ll also get a scenic look at Santa Maria Bay (another boat cruise moment).

Here’s the practical takeaway: these short coast segments are good if you want variety. They break up the trip so you’re not only waiting for the big swim stops. They also give you something to do with your camera before you commit to sunscreen and a swim.

Comino Daytime Timing: Blue Lagoon First, Then Crystal Lagoon

Your main swim time is split into two classic Comino stops. The order is Blue Lagoon first (about 1½ hours), then Crystal Lagoon (about 1 hour).

Blue Lagoon Stop: Turquoise Water and Real Swim Time

You’ll anchor at the Blue Lagoon for roughly 1½ hours. This is the big one, the most famous turquoise water spot on Comino, and it’s scheduled for enough time that you can actually use it.

You have options:

• swim right from the boat anchor point
• snorkel with the free gear rental
• relax and enjoy the light and color (and yes, this is the time for your best photos)

One important planning detail: the cruise notes that disembarking at the Blue Lagoon requires a government-issued access pass effective May 2025, and that the pass must be acquired in advance through blcomino.com because daily allocations are limited. The boat cruise itself still happens either way, but walking ashore is where you’ll need the pass.

Crystal Lagoon Stop: Another Swim Break, Different Feel

After Blue Lagoon, you head to the Crystal Lagoon on Comino’s west coast for about 1 hour. This stop is framed as a popular water spot for snorkelers and divers, and visually it’s meant to feel even more dramatic because it sits between tall cliffs.

Practically, the Crystal Lagoon hour is usually perfect for:

• a second swim when you still have energy
• snorkelling again if you want more underwater views
• a slower pace stop after the excitement of Blue Lagoon

The schedule is balanced. Blue Lagoon gets the longer time; Crystal Lagoon gives you the “one more look” finish before heading back.

Onboard Fun: Water Slide, Showers, and Snorkel Gear

This cruise has a few onboard features that turn a swim trip into a full little day out.

Water Slide

The boat includes a water slide, and that’s genuinely worth mentioning. When you’re already on the Mediterranean water, a slide is the sort of low-effort fun that works for kids and adults alike. It also means you can have a good time even if you’re between swim rounds.

Snorkelling Equipment Rental

Snorkelling gear is available for free rental, but there’s a €20 cash deposit required when you take it. The deposit is refunded when you return the equipment.

That’s a decent setup because it avoids the usual “buy snorkel gear you’ll never use again” problem. Just bring the cash you might need, and plan to return the kit carefully at the end.

Showers and Toilets

You’ll get toilets and fresh-water showers, which makes a big difference once you’ve been in salt water. You don’t want to spend the rest of your Malta day smelling like the sea. A shower also helps you feel human again for the return ride and getting back to your evening plans.

The Return Leg Past Gozo and the Mġarr Harbour Photo Stop

On the way back, the cruise makes a visually focused return trip. You’ll pass Gozo on the return journey for scenic coastal views, and you’ll get a brief photo stop at Mġarr Harbour.

You do not disembark there, so it’s not a “Gozo visit” day. Think of it as a postcard moment from the sea: you get the look of Gozo without adding time-consuming shore logistics.

This is also where you’ll see the payoff for doing the cruise rather than only hopping between lagoons. Even if you care mostly about swimming, the Gozo return creates a sense of route and variety.

Price and Value: What $34 Gets You in Real Terms

At about $34 per person for a roughly 4-hour cruise, this is positioned as an affordable way to hit the most famous Comino water stops from Mellieħa.

What makes it feel like value:

• Two swim stops (Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon) with scheduled anchoring time
• Free-flowing mineral water during the cruise
• Snorkelling equipment rental included (with refundable cash deposit)
• Toilets and showers, which you don’t always get on “cheap boat trips”
• Water slide, which adds entertainment without additional charges
• Rooftop deckchairs and a boat crew who assist onboard

What is not included:

• Food and drinks (besides the mineral water)
• A cash bar is available onboard, so snacks/beverages cost extra
• The optional powerboat trip to the Comino Caves costs €10 per person and is weather-dependent, booked and paid on site

So you’re paying for the core water experience, the boat time, and the included comfort elements. If you were planning on renting snorkel gear and taking separate tours, this usually stacks up well.

Practical Tips to Have a Better Day (Without Overplanning)

Here are the practical moves that fit the details of this specific trip.

Bring the Right Swim-Day Kit

Bring:

• sunglasses and a sun hat
• swimwear and a towel
• sunscreen
• cash (helpful for snorkel deposit and the onboard bar)
• something for motion sickness prevention, since this cruise is listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness/motion sickness

Also note what’s not allowed: pets, oversize luggage, and large bags. Plan light.

Plan for the Blue Lagoon Access Pass

If your idea of Comino includes stepping onto the Blue Lagoon area rather than staying in swim mode from the boat, you need to handle this pass in advance using blcomino.com. The daily allocation is limited, so treat it like a small checklist item, not a last-minute task.

Choose Your Comfort Strategy

There are deckchairs on a rooftop area, but they’re first come, first served. If you want a specific spot, settle in early. If you prefer shade, you might spend more time where the boat offers it naturally.

Who Should Book This Cruise

This fits best if you want:

• a 4-hour Malta day that is mostly water time
• an easy way to see Comino’s two lagoons
• an activity with onboard fun like a water slide
• comfort basics like showers and toilets
• snorkelling gear without paying for a rental shop first

It’s not the best fit if:

• you have mobility impairments or need wheelchair-friendly access
• you tend to have strong issues with motion sickness
• you expect full meal service (you’ll be relying on the bar for anything beyond mineral water)

If you’re traveling with kids, the slide and swim breaks can be a strong match. If you’re traveling solo or as a couple, this is also a good way to get out on the water without organizing multiple logistics.

Should You Book the Mellieħa Round Comino Cruise?

Book it if your top priority is simple: Blue Lagoon plus Crystal Lagoon in one go, with real swim time and sensible onboard comfort. The inclusion of mineral water, snorkel gear rental, showers, and the water slide makes the price feel fair for the amount of time you spend in the best water zones.

Skip it or rethink it if you know you’ll struggle with boat motion or you’re hoping to walk freely around the Blue Lagoon without planning the access pass ahead of time.

In most cases, this is an easy yes for people who want Comino to feel fun, not complicated.

FAQ

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

Yes. A government rule effective May 2025 says that visitors who want to disembark at the Blue Lagoon must obtain an access pass in advance via blcomino.com because daily allocations are limited.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

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

How long do you stop at the Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon?

You’ll anchor at the Blue Lagoon for about 1½ hours and stop at the Crystal Lagoon for about 1 hour.

What’s included on the boat besides the cruise?

The cruise includes free-flowing mineral water, snorkelling equipment rental (with deposit), swim stops at both lagoons, a water slide, deckchairs on the rooftop (first come), toilets, and fresh-water showers.

Where does the tour start and what boat is used?

The tour departs from Marfa Jetty, opposite Riviera Spa Resort. Look for the La Laguna boat (white/blue).

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included except for the mineral water. A cash bar is available onboard for snacks and beverages.