Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, Gozo, Comino with SeaCaves

Comino’s limestone coast is best appreciated from the water: caves cut into the rock, coves that shift from deep blue to clear green, and the famous Blue Lagoon. This cruise links those sights with a stop near Gozo Harbour, then returns to Mellieha past more of the island’s rugged shoreline.

I like the mix of scenic cruising and real swim time, especially the hour at Blue Lagoon, and the compact route makes several coastal highlights possible in one outing. The guide shares information along the way, while the captain can adjust the plan for weather and sea conditions.

The main trade-off is that this is a sampler, not a leisurely island visit. The boat leaves from Cirkewwa, which takes time to reach from Malta’s central areas, and the lagoons can feel crowded in summer. Check the season’s schedule and Blue Lagoon entry rules before you set out.

What to know before you book

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• Blue Lagoon gets the longest stop: You have one hour there for swimming, snorkelling or relaxing, subject to the day’s conditions.
• Crystal Lagoon is a separate swim stop: The planned 30 minutes gives you a taste of another Comino cove, not a long beach break.
• The coast is the main event: Sea caves, Elephant Head Rock and views toward Gozo Harbour are seen from the boat.
• St. Maria Bay is seasonal: The 30-minute stop is excluded from October through December.
• Expect a changeable schedule: Weather and boat traffic can affect the route and timing.
• Blue Lagoon shore access needs planning: From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code to step onto Comino at the Blue Lagoon.

👉 See our pick of the Best Tours In Mellieha

A quick circuit of Malta’s northern coast

This half-day cruise is designed to pack several of the islands’ best-known coastal sights into one boat outing. Starting from Mellieha, it heads toward Comino, where you get time at Crystal Lagoon and Blue Lagoon, then continues past Gozo Harbour and St. Maria Bay before returning along the coast.

The boat also passes St. Nicholas Bay, St. Maria Caves and Elephant Head Rock. Those are sightseeing stops rather than long visits ashore, so bring a camera and be ready to enjoy the views from the deck. The attraction is the changing coastline: rock shelves, cave openings and sheltered water that looks especially clear when the light is good.

The schedule is described as around four hours for the main tour, but the activity is listed as three hours from October through December, when some Comino sightseeing and the St. Maria Bay stop are excluded. The timing and order can change with weather and traffic, so treat the stops as a plan rather than a promise of exact minutes.

Crystal Lagoon: a brief first swim

After an initial sightseeing cruise of about 15 minutes, the boat reaches Crystal Lagoon for a planned 30-minute stop. This is a chance to swim or snorkel in a different setting from the better-known Blue Lagoon, or stay aboard and take in the cove from the boat.

Half an hour goes quickly once you account for getting ready and getting into the water. If swimming is your priority, bring your swimsuit under your clothes and have your towel close at hand. Snorkelling masks can be rented onboard for €5, and the fee is non-refundable. You can also bring your own mask.

The short stop is useful because it gives you a taste of Comino’s water before the longer Blue Lagoon break. But if you want a slow swim and plenty of time to explore, keep expectations in check. This is a quick dip, not a full beach afternoon.

Blue Lagoon: an hour, with an entry rule

Blue Lagoon gets the longest stop, about one hour. That gives you time to swim, snorkel, take photos or simply enjoy the view from the shore or boat. The water and setting are the star attraction, but this is also the stop most likely to feel busy, particularly in peak season.

Since May 1, 2025, anyone who wants to step foot on Comino at Blue Lagoon must have a free QR code booked in advance through blcomino.com. Entry slots are time-specific, with morning, afternoon and sunset options. Match your slot to the departure time you booked. If you prefer to stay aboard while the boat is at the lagoon, you do not need the QR code.

That detail matters. Do not assume your cruise ticket alone gives you permission to go ashore, and do not leave the QR code task until you are at the dock. The cruise information says staff may help passengers with registration at the meeting point, but you should still check the current rules and arrange the right time slot ahead of time.

One hour is a reasonable compromise for a route with several other sights, but it will not feel generous if you want to swim, dry off and spend time on shore. On the other hand, if the lagoon is crowded, remaining aboard gives you a quieter way to enjoy the view.

Gozo Harbour and the coast beyond

From Comino, the boat continues toward Gozo Harbour, where you get around 10 minutes for a photo stop and a view of the harbour area. This is a brief look, not a visit to Gozo town or a chance to explore the island on foot. Keep your camera ready as the boat approaches.

The harbour view adds a different note to the trip. The lagoons are about water and rock; the harbour gives you a glimpse of a working coastal setting. You then continue along the coast on another short sightseeing stretch before the planned St. Maria Bay stop.

St. Maria Bay is scheduled for 30 minutes of swimming, snorkelling or relaxation. It is excluded from October through December, so don’t count on this stop if you are travelling in those months. The itinerary also includes a view of St. Nicholas Bay, but the exact sequence can vary.

Caves, Elephant Head Rock and the return

On the way back, the boat enters the sea caves, with about 10 minutes for a look and photos. The cave visit is a highlight for anyone who likes seeing the coastline from close range, though the experience depends on the conditions and the captain’s judgement. The captain can alter or cancel the trip for safety if the weather turns.

Elephant Head Rock is another short photo stop, followed by a final stretch of coastal sightseeing before the return to Mellieha. These are quick encounters, not walking visits. If you want to linger at each landmark or explore the islands on foot, a longer excursion with more time ashore would suit you better.

The crew’s explanations help give the passing sights some context. You should expect spoken guidance in English, but this is still a boat tour with plenty of time devoted to scenery and swimming rather than a formal, detailed history lesson. That balance suits a relaxed outing; it may disappoint if you want a guide to narrate every landmark in depth.

Is the price worth it?

The afternoon and morning half-day options start at US$33.69. For that price, the value comes from combining several coastal sights and swim stops in one trip, with toilet facilities onboard and swimming noodle floats available. You avoid arranging separate boat transport to each lagoon, and the guide and captain handle the route.

The price does not include meals, drinks, hotel transfers or snorkelling mask rental. Bring your own food and water if you need them, along with cash in euros for purchases onboard. The tour is not a substitute for a full day on Gozo or Comino, and the brief harbour and cave stops should not be mistaken for extended visits.

The departure point is at Cirkewwa in Mellieha, at the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. It is not in Valletta or central Malta, and getting there can take time: a bus journey from the city centre may exceed an hour. Build in a generous transfer buffer, especially because late arrivals and no-shows are not refunded.

Look for the white and blue Sea Life Cruises boat, and arrive 15 minutes before departure. The afternoon option is listed at 13:00, with a return at 17:00; between October and December, the return is listed as 16:00. Morning departures are also offered, but available times can depend on the option you book.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I’d choose this cruise if you want an efficient way to see Comino’s coast, swim at the famous lagoon and add a few nearby sights without committing a whole day. The combination of swimming stops, coastal views and a guide’s explanations makes it a good fit for couples, friends and families whose children meet the age requirements.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet beach, long swims at every stop or a walking tour of Gozo. The beaches can be crowded, and one short stop may not be enough to settle in. The route is also unsuitable for people with mobility issues, and the boat is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible. Children aged eight and over pay the adult rate; infants and younger children must still be included in the passenger count. Participants must be under 70.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, plus a camera and cash. Oversized or large bags and non-folding strollers are not allowed. Those small preparations make the short stops easier, especially when you want to get into the water without wasting time sorting through a bag.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you value scenery and swimming more than time ashore. Its strongest points are the range of coastal sights, a full hour at Blue Lagoon and the chance to visit Crystal Lagoon and St. Maria Bay on the same outing when the season allows. The crew and guide add useful commentary without turning the trip into a lecture.

Skip it if you dislike crowds, have a long journey to Cirkewwa, or want to explore Gozo at a slower pace. And if Blue Lagoon is your main reason for booking, confirm your QR entry slot before travel. With that detail handled, this is a good-value way to see Malta’s northern waters in half a day, provided you treat the schedule as flexible and the stops as a sampler.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

It departs from Sea Life Cruises at X8QH+5WQ in Mellieha, at the dock behind the Cirkewwa Kiosk Cafe. Look for the white and blue boat.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before your selected departure time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

How long is the cruise?

The main experience is described as about four hours. From October through December, it lasts three hours, with some Comino sightseeing and the St. Maria Bay stop excluded.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

From May 1, 2025, you need a free, time-specific QR code from blcomino.com if you plan to step onto Comino at Blue Lagoon. You do not need one if you remain aboard.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Masks are available to rent onboard for €5, and the rental fee is non-refundable. Swimming noodle floats are included.

Is St. Maria Bay included all year?

No. The 30-minute stop at St. Maria Bay is excluded from October through December.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, food and drinks, and cash in euros. Meals and beverages are not included.

Is the boat accessible to wheelchair users or strollers?

No. The activity is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible and is not suitable for people with mobility issues.