Blue lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Comino Island & Caves

Three lagoons in one day beats the crowds. If you want Malta’s best swim stops without planning every minute yourself, this Comino and Gozo cruise is a great one-day option. I love the Blue Lagoon swim-and-snorkel time, and I also like the fact that the crew runs it like you’re part of the family, not just another booking. The boat also has a fully stocked bar vibe, so you can keep the day feeling relaxed between water stops.

One thing to keep in mind: the pace is swim-forward. You’ll get solid time in the water, but it’s still a schedule with limited lingering, and it’s not set up for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

Key things that make this cruise worth your time

• Blue Lagoon time for swimming and snorkeling, plus a bit of walking on Comino
• Crystal Lagoon for another full hour of swim time in clear water
• Gozo’s Ħalfa Rock Bay for swimming plus marine life and wildlife viewing
• Comino cave visits including Smuggler’s Cave and Santa Maria Caves, with other named caves on the route
• Toilets and showers on board, plus a cash bar for drinks
• English live tour guide, so you can follow along during cave and photo stops

Mellieha Bay departure: getting on the boat without wasting time

This is a true day trip, starting in the morning and getting you back around mid-afternoon. The cruise leaves from Mellieha Bay Tunny Net Jetty at 10:00, and you’ll want to arrive early enough to find the meeting spot calmly.

The meeting point is just behind Starbucks in Mellieha Bay. You’re also about 200 meters from DB Sea Bank Hotel and roughly 500 meters from Luna Holiday Complex. When you show up, look for Oh Yeah Malta, the provider running the water sports cruise.

What I like about this kind of departure is that you’re not spending your whole day hopping between islands. You get a single plan, a clear start time, and multiple swimming windows that do the heavy lifting for you. It’s also easier if you’re not trying to figure out separate ferry times for Comino and Gozo.

Comino caves and quick photo stops: what you get between swims

Comino is famous for its water, but it’s also about the caves and rock formations that make the coastline fun to watch from the boat. On this cruise, you’ll sail to Comino and get cave time along the way, including Smuggler’s Cave and Santa Maria Caves. You’ll also pass by spots like Elephant’s Head Rock.

A few stops are short on purpose, mostly photo and sightseeing breaks while the boat keeps moving between the best swim areas. You’ll have quick photo and visit moments at places like Ghar Ic-Comb and Santa Maria Caves, and there’s also a pass by Coral Lagoon and Elephant Rock sections. Expect these as picture stops, not a long hike or beach morning.

Here’s how I’d think about it: the boat handles the sightseeing legwork, then you cash in your energy where it counts, in the water. If you’re the type who likes to see more than just one beach, these cave and rock moments add variety without eating your swim time.

Blue Lagoon (Comino): 1.5 hours that actually feel like enough

The headline stop is Blue Lagoon, with about 1 hour 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is the moment where Comino feels like its own little world, with clear water that makes snorkeling worth your effort. It’s not just floating either. You’ll also have time for a walk on Comino, so you can stretch your legs after the water.

One practical tip: even if you’re confident in the water, bring your towel and keep your beachwear accessible. You’ll want to dry off fast and reapply sunscreen before the next segment. Also, if you plan to snorkel, consider renting a mask and snorkeling gear. They’re available for rent for a small charge of €5, which can save you from hauling your own.

Potential drawback: Blue Lagoon time is great, but it still follows the cruise schedule. You might want to go in early in your free window if you’re chasing the calmest water feel.

Crystal Lagoon: another hour of clear water, plus a slower rhythm

After Blue Lagoon, you’ll head to your next swim stop at Crystal Lagoon for about 1 hour. This is a more focused slot, centered on swimming and snorkeling rather than lots of wandering.

If you love snorkeling, this second lagoon is valuable because it breaks up the day. You’re not doing one big swim block and then waiting around. Instead, you get back into the water for another chance to spot fish and enjoy the clearer shallows.

It also helps that the cruise keeps a steady flow. Between the two lagoon swim stops, you’re switching scenery while the overall plan stays easy. For many people, that’s the whole point of booking a day cruise like this: the logistics are handled, and you spend your time on the parts that matter to you, the water and the views.

Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo: swimming plus marine and wildlife viewing

Your final major swim window is at Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo for about 1 hour. This stop includes swimming and snorkeling, but it also leans into sightseeing with marine life viewing and wildlife viewing.

The value here is simple: you’re not just collecting beaches. You’re getting a change of pace where the bay’s natural features are part of the experience. If you like noticing movement in the water and watching seabirds and cliffside activity from the shore side, this can be the stop that feels a bit more “alive” than a straight-up beach swim.

One consideration: because this is still a limited time stop, treat it like a window. Go in, swim, snorkel if you brought or rented gear, then enjoy the wildlife viewing while you still have daylight and energy.

Onboard comfort, toilets and showers, and the cash bar reality

Between swim stops, the boat ride is part of the day. You’ll find onboard toilets and showers, which matters more than people think on a one-day trip with multiple water changes. It’s the difference between feeling fresh and feeling sticky by late afternoon.

There’s also a bar on board. The info you have says drinks and cocktails are available, and food and drinks are available at a cash bar. Translation: plan to spend a bit if you want alcohol, and keep some cash handy for snacks or beverages while you’re out at sea.

What to bring is straightforward:

• Towel
• Beachwear
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock creams
• Cash for the onboard bar and possible rentals

If you forget something, it’s hard to fix it once you’re out on the water. This is one of those cruises where your packing list really matters.

Price and value: what about $35 really gets you

At $35 per person for a full day, the value is mostly about time management and variety. You’re paying for transport by boat plus multiple stops across Comino and Gozo, including cave visits and three swimming-and-snorkeling blocks (Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock Bay).

The included experience also covers practical needs: toilets and showers, plus cave visits like Smuggler’s Cave and Santa Maria Caves, and the Elephant Rock related stops. That reduces the “hidden costs” of arranging your own boat transfers and bouncing between islands on your own.

Things that can add cost:

• Mask and snorkeling gear rental is €5
• Optional addon cave tours by fast power boat are €15
• Food and drinks are at a cash bar

Even with those add-ons, the big picture is that you’re buying convenience. If you’re traveling with limited time in Malta or you just don’t want to micromanage Comino logistics, this kind of cruise can be one of the more efficient ways to hit the iconic water stops in a single day.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is aimed at people who love swimming, snorkeling, relaxing, and sunbathing. If you’re the type who wants your day to be mostly water time with a bit of cave sightseeing, you’ll probably feel right at home.

It also fits solo travelers who don’t want to spend their day coordinating ferries, and couples who want a low-stress plan. The highlights promise a family-style experience, and the reviews back up the idea that the staff is friendly and the activity is well organized.

Who should skip it:

• People with mobility impairments
• Wheelchair users
• Anyone expecting a fully step-free experience, since it’s a boat-based day trip with typical boarding constraints

Should you book this Comino and Gozo swim day?

If your priority is Blue Lagoon, plus at least two more high-water stops (Crystal Lagoon and Ħalfa Rock Bay), this cruise is a strong choice. It compresses a lot of Malta’s best-known water highlights into one day, with a guide in English and enough onboard comfort to keep you relaxed between swim blocks.

Book it if you can handle a swim-first schedule and you’re ready to bring your beach basics, towel, and cash. Skip it if you need wheelchair access or step-free travel. For most people looking for a classic Malta sea day, it’s the kind of plan that turns a vacation day into real time in the water.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It’s a one-day cruise. It departs at 10:00 and returns at about 16:00.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Mellieha Bay Tunny Net Jetty at 10:00.

Where is the meeting point?

You can find the group just behind Starbucks in Mellieha Bay. It is also described as about 200 meters from DB Sea Bank Hotel and about 500 meters from Luna Holiday Complex Mellieha Bay.

What swim stops are included?

You get swim and snorkel stops at Blue Lagoon (about 1.5 hours), Crystal Lagoon (about 1 hour), and Ħalfa Rock Bay in Gozo (about 1 hour).

Are cave stops included?

Yes. You’ll visit Smuggler’s Cave, Elephant Rock, Santa Maria Caves, and also stops described as Poppy’s Caves and Lovers Cave.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Mask and snorkeling gear are available for rent for a small charge of €5.

Is there food and drink on board?

Food and drinks are available on board at a cash bar. The boat also has a stocked bar and offers light snacks based on the activity description.

Are toilets and showers available?

Yes, toilets and showers are included on board.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, beachwear, sunglasses, and sunblock. Cash is also recommended.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.