REVIEW · BLUE LAGOON CRUISES
From Mellieha Bay Malta : Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise
Sunset makes Malta feel easy. This Blue Lagoon Sunset Cruise pairs a calmer swim stop with an after-dark view of Comino, so you get the good water and the good sky without the worst of the daytime crush. I like that it keeps the pace relaxed, with onboard music and a simple flow that feels made for an easy evening.
Two things I really like are the timing and the free drink. The Blue Lagoon swim and snorkeling happen when the lagoon is not very busy, so you can enjoy the crystal-clear water and see fish without feeling rushed. Then there is the prosecco moment: staff make sure you have a glass ready just in time for the sunset.
One drawback to keep in mind: the water stop can involve rocky ground when you step off the boat, and the trip specifically notes it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you have balance or mobility concerns, plan carefully.
In This Review
- Key highlights to plan around
- From Mellieha at golden hour: beating the daytime crowd
- Meeting behind Starbucks and choosing your boat
- The Blue Lagoon stop: 1 hour 30 minutes for swim and snorkeling
- Comino cruise and the prosecco sunset you actually remember
- What is included on board (and what you should plan to cover)
- Price and value: is $29 a fair deal?
- Who should book, and who should pause first
- Packing list and boat rules that matter in real life
- Quick schedule walkthrough so you know what you are buying
- Should you book this sunset cruise from Mellieha?
- FAQ
- What time does the cruise depart from Mellieha Bay?
- When does the cruise return?
- How long is the swimming and snorkeling stop at the Blue Lagoon?
- Is snorkeling included?
- Do you get prosecco on board?
- Is food included in the price?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What should I bring?
- What items are not allowed?
- Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?
- Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Key highlights to plan around

- Quieter Blue Lagoon swim time: 1 hour 30 minutes in the water when the area is less crowded
- Free prosecco at golden hour: included glass on board during the Comino sunset viewing
- Comino Island cruise after swimming: you stay on the water for the best light and relaxed scenery
- Fresh-water shower onboard: helps you rinse off salt before you head back
- Watch the rocky steps: one of the main practical cautions after the swim
- Cash helps for purchases: bring it in case ATMs are not working
From Mellieha at golden hour: beating the daytime crowd

This cruise is built around a simple idea: go late enough that the lagoon calms down, but not so late that the sunset portion feels rushed. If you are traveling in May, June, July, or August, departures run from Mellieha Bay around 16:00, with timing listed up to 16:30, and you return around 20:30. In September and October, it leaves at 16:00 and returns around 20:00.
Why that matters: Blue Lagoon is famous, and daytime can feel like a lot. By starting from Mellieha and cruising at the “cool-down” hour, you are more likely to enjoy the water when it is clear and not packed. The trip is very clear about the goal here, and the included stop is long enough that you actually get your time in the water, not just a quick dip.
There is also a nice emotional rhythm to leaving in mid-afternoon. You are not thinking about alarms, museums, or full-day pacing. You are thinking about swimming, snorkeling, and a sunset that naturally becomes the main event.
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Meeting behind Starbucks and choosing your boat

Your meeting point is straightforward, which I appreciate: you meet behind the Starbucks Cafe in Mellieha Bay. That “behind Starbucks” detail is the kind of landmark that works in real life. If you are even slightly unsure, arrive a little early so you can spot the group and get settled.
Once you are on board, you will cruise on either the Melina Turkish Gullet or the English Rose. That choice matters only in a practical sense. Different boats can have different step heights and access points, and since rocky footing is specifically mentioned when getting back on land, you will want to be aware of where you stand, especially around the transfer area.
The vibe onboard is relaxed rather than formal. Music is included, and the whole experience is designed to feel like a sea evening, not a checklist of stops. If you are traveling with someone and you want the conversation to stay easy, this setup helps.
The Blue Lagoon stop: 1 hour 30 minutes for swim and snorkeling

The heart of the trip is a stop at the Blue Lagoon for 1 hour 30 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. This is the exact length that makes the difference between a quick splash and a real session in the water. You have time to get used to the swim, check the water with your mask, and then relax and float without feeling like you have to rush.
The cruise also leans into the timing advantage. At this point in the day, the lagoon is described as not very busy, which means you are less likely to swim in a tight bottleneck. That translates directly into better water time: you can look for fish around you without constantly dodging other people.
Practical reality check: the water and sand access can be rocky when you come off the boat. It is not about being dramatic. It is about making sure you have the right footing and that you are not trying to hurry a step. I suggest you treat the transfer like it matters, because it does. Take your time, hold where you can, and be ready for a less-than-soft landing surface.
What to bring for this part is simple:
- swimwear
- a towel
- sunscreen
- beachwear you can live in afterward
If you plan to snorkel, get your mask and comfort sorted before you rush into deeper water. You get one longer swim window here, so make the most of it.
Comino cruise and the prosecco sunset you actually remember
After the swim stop, the itinerary shifts toward the scenic payoff. You cruise around Comino Island and set up for sunset, then you relax with a glass of prosecco. The trip description is clear that the prosecco is part of the experience, not a random add-on, and the staff are described as friendly and good at timing it so you have your glass for the sunset itself.
This is the part where the whole trip starts to feel “worth it” in a different way. Even if you are not a hardcore photographer, sunset has a way of making the water, the cliffs, and the distance feel softer. You are not just looking at Malta. You are watching the light change over it while you are seated on a moving boat, with music playing and time slowing down.
One more subtle point: because you already used the water portion while it was calmer, you do not feel like the trip is asking you to do everything at once. Swim, reset, then take in the view. That pacing keeps it from feeling chaotic.
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What is included on board (and what you should plan to cover)

The included items make the trip feel good for the price, because they cover the main “cost centers” of a boat evening:
- boat trip tickets
- swimming
- snorkeling (as part of the swim activity)
- a free glass of prosecco
- a free fresh water shower
- music
Not included: food and drinks. The good news is that food and drinks are available, but you pay for them separately. So if you get hungry, you can handle it onboard, just don’t assume a meal is part of the package.
The free shower is a genuinely helpful inclusion. Saltwater can cling, and it can make the rest of your evening uncomfortable. A rinse makes a big difference when you head back into town.
Price and value: is $29 a fair deal?
At around $29 per person for a half-day style sea trip, the value comes from what you actually get bundled together: transportation by boat, a long swim window at Blue Lagoon (1 hour 30 minutes), snorkeling time, and a included drink at sunset.
For many visitors, the “hidden costs” on a trip like this are the extras. Here, the free prosecco and the fresh water shower reduce the need to buy small add-ons. You also get a real slice of Malta’s highlights: Blue Lagoon waters and Comino sunset views, in one sitting.
It is also priced as something you can do without going all-in on an expensive full-day tour. If you want a meaningful Malta evening without turning it into a budget-buster, this is in the right zone.
Who should book, and who should pause first
This cruise fits best if you want:
- a relaxed evening plan from Mellieha
- a quieter Blue Lagoon swim time rather than a daytime scramble
- a sunset view with a included glass of prosecco
- a trip that is mostly about being on the water, not about lots of instructions
You’ll also like it if you enjoy people-watching without feeling boxed in. The smaller crowd feel is part of the appeal, and the departure from Mellieha tends to keep things simpler than routes where groups get transported in from big resort areas.
Who should think twice:
- If you have mobility impairments, the activity states it is not suitable. At the same time, wheelchair accessibility is mentioned. That mismatch is a signal to take extra care. Between possible rocky footing and boat access, you should be cautious and consider asking questions before booking.
- If you want a full meal included, you will need to buy food and drinks onboard, since they are not included.
Also note a common-sense rule: no jumping is allowed. That is there for safety and for protecting the experience for everyone.
Packing list and boat rules that matter in real life
Bring: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and cash. There is also a note about having a Visa if required, so keep that in mind for any onboard purchases or unexpected needs.
Cash is specifically recommended because if you want to purchase items and an ATM is not working, you will be glad you had it. It is a small thing, but it can save a frustrating moment when you are on a schedule.
Not allowed items and actions are listed clearly:
- alcohol and drugs
- coolers
- electric wheelchairs
- jumping
This matters because it helps you pack smarter. If you were thinking of bringing your own drinks or a cooler, plan to keep it simple and rely on what is available for purchase onboard.
Finally, the crew runs the trip rules for a reason. A boat is a controlled space. Following the rules helps you enjoy the sunset without stress.
Quick schedule walkthrough so you know what you are buying
Here is how the experience typically unfolds, based on the timing given:
- You depart Mellieha Bay in the late afternoon (May to August around 16:00 to 16:30, returning about 20:30; September and October depart 16:00 and return about 20:00).
- You cruise to the Blue Lagoon.
- You get a 1 hour 30 minute swim and snorkeling window when the area is calmer.
- Then you cruise around Comino Island to view the sunset.
- You relax on board with music and a free glass of prosecco.
- You return to Mellieha Bay by early evening.
Because the trip is built around a specific time of day, don’t treat it like something you can casually stroll into. You want to be on time so you do not miss the best parts.
Should you book this sunset cruise from Mellieha?
I would book it if you want a simple, sea-based Malta evening with a real swim, a quieter Blue Lagoon window, and an included prosecco moment timed for sunset. The value is strongest when you actually use the full swim slot and then linger for the views around Comino. If that sounds like your kind of trip, $29 is a fair way to buy yourself an easy night at sea.
I would not book it without extra caution if mobility is an issue, because the trip notes it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and there is a warning about rocky ground when getting off the boat. Also, if you hate the idea of paying separately for food, plan ahead by eating before you go.
The one final decision tip: arrive at the meeting point behind Starbucks in Mellieha Bay with a few extra minutes. When a tour is this time-focused, that small buffer helps everything feel smooth.
FAQ
What time does the cruise depart from Mellieha Bay?
For May, June, July, and August it lists departure around 16:00, with departure time also shown as 16:30. For September and October, departure is listed as 16:00.
When does the cruise return?
For May to August, it returns to Mellieha Bay around 20:30. For September and October, it returns around 20:00.
How long is the swimming and snorkeling stop at the Blue Lagoon?
The Blue Lagoon stop includes swimming and snorkeling for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Is snorkeling included?
Yes, snorkeling is included as part of the swimming stop.
Do you get prosecco on board?
Yes, you get a free glass of prosecco.
Is food included in the price?
No. Food and drinks are available but not included.
Where is the meeting point?
You can find the meeting point behind the Starbucks Cafe in Mellieha Bay, Malta.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, beachwear, cash, and a Visa if required.
What items are not allowed?
Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and coolers are not allowed. Electric wheelchairs and jumping are also not allowed.
Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?
The activity information says wheelchair accessible, but it also states it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If mobility is a concern, it is worth checking the specifics with the operator before booking.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
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