Sliema: Cruise to Comino, Crystal Lagoon, and Blue Lagoon

The real draw here is simple: you get two beautiful swimming stops, a scenic Malta coast cruise, a glimpse of Gozo, and Comino’s sea caves in one long day. I especially like the 45-minute stop at Crystal Lagoon, where the boat’s waterslide adds a bit of fun, and the generous time at Blue Lagoon for swimming or walking Comino’s rough coastal paths.

I also like the clean, spacious boats, helpful crew, onboard bar, and clear announcements about departure times. The main drawback is the crowding, especially in the warmer months. Blue Lagoon can feel packed, and the optional Gozo visit leaves you only about three hours there, with less time in Victoria once transfers are included.

Key points at a glance

• Two water stops in season: Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay is included from May 1 through October 31, weather permitting.
• Long Blue Lagoon break: The standard plan gives you about 3.5 hours at Comino, enough for swimming, lunch, and a short walk.
• Two ways to use your day: Choose more time on Comino, or spend about three hours in Gozo and 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon.
• A comfortable boat: Mv Kataleya and Mv Lady Shelley have indoor and outdoor seating, toilets, a bar, and a waterslide.
• Useful captain’s commentary: The captain points out sights along the coast, with John Paul receiving especially warm praise for his explanations and friendly manner.
• Bring cash and sun protection: Food and drinks are not included, shade at Blue Lagoon is limited, and the rocky shore calls for sturdy water shoes.

Why this Sliema cruise works so well

At $41 per person, this is a good-value way to see a lot of Malta’s northern coast without arranging separate boats, buses, and swimming stops. The 450-minute day is long, but that length is useful here. The journey from Sliema to Comino takes time, and the cruise packs in several scenic passages before you reach the main swimming areas.

You leave from Sliema Ferries 4, near the Luzzu Cruises boats. Look for Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley. There are no hotel transfers, so you need to make your own way to the pier and arrive ready for a full day on the water.

This is not a formal walking tour with a guide beside you at every stop. The captain handles the commentary and practical instructions from the boat. That arrangement works well for a relaxed day, though you should not expect a detailed guided tour of Gozo or Comino.

The boats have indoor seating, open-air areas, toilets, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks. Several departures have been praised for clean facilities and attentive staff. The crew also helps people use the slide and move safely around the ladders and boarding areas.

The tradeoff is capacity. The boat can feel crowded before passengers get off at Gozo, and the lower-deck speakers may sound loud during frequent announcements. Arriving around 20 minutes early gives you a better chance of choosing a seat, although the best upper-deck places may still fill quickly.

From Sliema past Malta’s northern bays

Once you leave Sliema, the cruise gives you a broad view of Malta’s northern shoreline. You pass the waterfront and the bays around St. Julian’s, including St. George’s Bay, before continuing toward Qawra and St. Paul’s Bay.

The captain points out the major sights along the way and gives directions for swimming breaks and return times. That running commentary helps you understand where you are, though the sound quality can vary depending on where you sit.

St. Paul’s Island comes next. The boat passes it offshore, then continues toward Mellieħa Bay. These are scenic cruising sections rather than stops, so keep your camera handy and choose an outside position when the weather is pleasant.

I would not treat this section as a substitute for a dedicated Malta sightseeing cruise. Its purpose is to carry you north while showing you the coast, not to give you long visits at each bay. Still, it makes the day feel like more than a simple ferry ride to a swimming spot.

Mgarr Harbour gives you a first look at Gozo

The boat reaches Mgarr Harbour on Gozo for a short photo stop of about five minutes in the standard itinerary. The harbor is a handsome first view of the island, with boats, hills, and the compact port setting all gathered together.

At this point, the trip can work in two different ways. On the main plan, you remain on board and continue toward Comino. On Option B, you get off to explore Gozo for roughly three hours, with optional transport toward Victoria available for €5 per person.

The Gozo choice needs careful thought. Gozo is worth more than a hurried glance, and some people enjoy using the available transfer to reach Victoria, see churches and markets, and grab lunch. But the transfer takes time, leaving some passengers with only about an hour in the capital itself.

If Gozo is your priority, I would give it a separate full-day visit. Choose Option B here if you want a useful taste of the island while still seeing Comino. Choose the standard plan if your real goal is swimming, snorkeling, and more time around the lagoons.

The transport to Victoria is described as well organized, and the €5 return price is payable in cash. Make sure you understand which option you booked before departure, since the time split changes the whole feel of the day.

Crystal Lagoon and St. Nicholas Bay

From May through October, weather permitting, the boat makes a swimming stop at Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay for about 45 minutes. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience because the stop comes from the boat itself, rather than placing you on a crowded patch of shore.

The water is clear and inviting for swimming and snorkeling. The boat’s waterslide is available, giving the stop a playful edge that suits families and anyone who wants more than a quiet dip.

You may be able to swim around the boat and look for fish below the surface. The rocky setting means you should bring water shoes or comfortable shoes that can handle uneven ground. A towel, swimsuit, camera, and cash belong in your day bag.

Do not count on this stop outside the season. From November through April, the cruise stops at Blue Lagoon only. Weather also matters, and the captain can change the route, pickup point, or drop-off point when sea conditions require it.

The trip can run in rain or shine, but that does not guarantee every swimming stop. If Crystal Lagoon is important to you, book during the stated season and keep your expectations flexible.

Blue Lagoon gives you time, but not solitude

The boat then heads to Blue Lagoon, the best-known sight on Comino. In the standard version, you get about 3.5 hours of free time. That is long enough to swim, snorkel, eat, sunbathe, and walk beyond the immediate waterfront.

The water is the star. It is clear enough for underwater viewing, and several people use the stop to snorkel among the fish. The boat may park in a useful position away from the worst of the shore crowd, but Comino itself can still be very busy when several boats arrive together.

This is where a little initiative pays off. Spend some time in the water, then walk away from the busiest landing area along Comino’s rough paths. Short exploration can lead to quieter viewpoints and broad views back across the lagoon.

You need to plan for sun. Shade is limited around Blue Lagoon, and three hours exposed to full sun can be tiring if you do not bring a hat, water, and sunscreen. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat bar is available and prices have been described as reasonable.

There is also a practical access rule. To get off the boat at Comino’s Blue Lagoon, you must register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and choose the afternoon slot listed as 13.31 to 17.30. Check this requirement before your day out, since it affects your ability to leave the boat.

The Blue Lagoon is beautiful, but it is not peaceful in the high season. If you want quiet water and empty rocks, this is the wrong time and place to expect it. If you want easy access to Malta’s famous turquoise water, plenty of swim time, and the option to walk farther along Comino, it works very well.

The Comino sea caves on the ride home

The return journey includes a photo stop at the Comino sea caves, including the Santa Maria Caves area. The boat pauses for around ten minutes, giving you time to take pictures and see the pale rock formations from the water.

This short stop often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the cruise because the captain positions the boat for good views. It also provides a calm finish after the noise, sun, and activity around Blue Lagoon.

You should not expect to walk through the caves or spend a long time exploring them. This is a boat-based visit and photo stop. Keep your camera ready, since the timing is brief.

The cruise then returns to Luzzu Cruises at Sliema. Depending on the season and weather, the ride back can be a pleasant place to rest, listen to music, and watch the coastline fade behind you. Clearer evenings may bring attractive sunset views.

Option A or Option B: choose your priorities

The main choice is not a minor detail. It determines whether this feels mainly like a swimming cruise or a quick combination of Gozo and Comino.

Option A, the standard Comino-focused plan, gives you the seasonal Crystal Lagoon stop and about 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. This is the best fit if you want swimming, snorkeling, the slide, and time to walk around Comino.

Option B, the Gozo option, gives you around three hours in Gozo and about 1.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. It is better if you have not seen Gozo and want a taste of Victoria, its churches, markets, and lunch options.

I would not choose Option B expecting a full Gozo visit. The island deserves more time, and transfers reduce the actual time available in Victoria. I would choose it when you want variety more than long swimming sessions.

If this cruise is your only island outing in Malta, Option B can make sense. If you already have a separate Gozo day planned, stay on board and give Comino the time it deserves.

Boat comfort, food, and the practical details

Mv Kataleya and Mv Lady Shelley are set up for a full day at sea rather than a short transfer. You get seating inside and outside, toilets, a bar, and a waterslide. Some boats also have lower-deck glass-sided cabins, useful when the sun is strong or the sea turns rough.

Food and drinks are extra. You can buy items at the onboard bar, and bringing your own food and drinks is allowed according to the practical guidance in the activity details. Bring cash, especially for the €5 Gozo transport and small purchases.

The captain’s commentary is usually part of the experience. John Paul is specifically praised for combining clear instructions with information about Malta’s coast. The host language is English, and commentary may also be offered in several languages on some departures.

Sea conditions can change the comfort level. One crossing may feel bumpy, while the return is calmer. The captain can alter or cancel parts of the excursion, as well as change the pickup or drop-off location, based on weather.

The tour runs rain or shine, so pack with that in mind. A towel, beachwear, camera, comfortable shoes, and cash are the basics. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available start time when booking because the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy, reasonably priced day that combines Malta’s coast, Comino’s water, and a short taste of Gozo. It suits couples, families, swimmers, snorkelers, and independent visitors who like having a boat and schedule arranged but prefer free time once they reach shore.

It is also a good choice for active passengers. Three and a half hours at Comino is not too much if you use some of it for walking. You can swim first, eat something, then follow the island paths for views away from the main landing area.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, strong sun, or long boat days. Blue Lagoon can be packed, the boat may feel full, and the water stops depend on weather. Visitors who need step-free access should also choose another outing.

Should you book the Sliema to Comino cruise?

Book it if Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and the sea caves are your main Malta priorities. At $41, the combination of transport, two seasonal swimming areas, onboard facilities, commentary, and Comino time offers solid value.

Choose the Gozo option only if you are happy with a quick introduction rather than a full visit. Otherwise, keep the extra time for Comino and plan Gozo separately. Arrive early, bring water shoes and cash, arrange the Blue Lagoon QR code, and move away from the busiest shore once you arrive.

This is not a quiet escape, but it is an efficient and fun way to see Malta from the water. For most visitors who want clear seas and a full day without complicated planning, it is a sensible booking.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Sliema Ferries 4. Look for the Luzzu Cruises boat, either Mv Kataleya or Mv Lady Shelley.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is 450 minutes, or about 7.5 hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is Gozo included?

The cruise passes Gozo and makes a short photo stop at Mgarr Harbour. Option B includes about three hours of free time in Gozo, while the other option continues toward Comino.

How much does the optional Gozo transport cost?

Optional transport to Victoria is available onboard for €5 per person. Bring cash for this service.

Is the Crystal Lagoon stop available all year?

No. The Crystal Lagoon or St. Nicholas Bay stop operates from May 1 through October 31, weather permitting. From November through April, the boat stops at Blue Lagoon only.

How long do I get at Blue Lagoon?

The standard plan gives you approximately 3.5 hours at Blue Lagoon. Option B gives you about 1.5 hours there after the Gozo visit.

Do I need a QR code for Blue Lagoon?

Yes. To get off the boat at Comino Blue Lagoon, register for a free QR code at www.blcomino.com and choose the afternoon slot listed as 13.31 to 17.30.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a towel, a camera, beachwear, and cash. Food and drinks are not included, although the boat has a bar.