Comino Blue Lagoon & Crystal Lagoon – 3 Bay Cruise

The best thing about this cruise is simple: it gives you four full hours for swimming and snorkeling without packing 70 people onto a boat built for 70. Bluewaves Watersports limits the group to about 45, so you can find a seat, move around, and enjoy the water without feeling squeezed in.

I like the one-hour stop at Crystal Lagoon and the two-hour stay near Blue Lagoon. I also like the choice at Blue Lagoon: step ashore for a walk, or stay on the boat and swim near the famous water while avoiding the packed beach.

The main drawback is that six hours on the sea is a long stretch if you do not enjoy swimming, sun, or boat movement. The ride can bounce in rougher conditions, and the final stop at Ħalfa Rock may feel less essential after a full day in the water.

Key points at a glance

• A 45-person limit: The boat can hold 70, but the operator keeps numbers lower for more room.
• Four hours in the water: Crystal Lagoon gets one hour, Blue Lagoon two hours, and Ħalfa Rock one hour.
• A smart Blue Lagoon choice: You can walk on Comino, or remain aboard and swim away from the crowded shore.
• Useful onboard facilities: Toilets, a fresh-water shower, sunbathing space, and a small bar make the long day easier.
• Flexible routing: The captain may adjust the order or change a stop when sea conditions or crowds make another location better.
• Good value at $47: The price covers a six-hour cruise, three swim stops, sightseeing, and plenty of time at sea.

Why the smaller boat matters around Comino

Comino’s Blue Lagoon is one of Malta’s most famous sights, and fame comes with crowds. Large boats gather around the same narrow strip of water. From the shore, the scene can feel less like a quiet island escape and more like a very popular swimming pool.

This cruise takes a better approach by limiting the onboard group to 45 people, even though the boat has room for 70. That difference matters. You have a better chance of finding a comfortable seat on the lower deck or upstairs, and you can move toward the sun or shade as the day changes.

The boat has room for sunbathing, and several people specifically appreciated the clean condition and generous seating. You also get a toilet and fresh-water shower. Those are not glamorous extras, but after swimming in salt water for hours, they become some of the most useful features onboard.

There is music, which adds a holiday feel without turning the trip into a loud party boat. The overall mood suits couples, families, older visitors, and small groups who want a lively day but not a packed vessel with booming sound.

Crystal Lagoon: your first hour in the water

The cruise leaves from Bluewaves Watersports at Marfa Bay and heads first toward Crystal Lagoon. The boat anchors here for about one hour, giving you time to swim and snorkel.

Crystal Lagoon is a strong opening stop because you get into the water early, before the day has worn you out. The clear water makes it a good place to test the sea temperature, borrow or rent a mask if needed, and settle into the rhythm of the trip.

Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. A mask can also be rented onboard for €3, according to the information provided with the experience. Some people saw fish and even a moray eel during the day, though this is not a dedicated wildlife tour and you should not expect a reef full of sea life.

The first stop is also a chance to try the boat’s swimming setup. You may be able to jump from the boat into the water, and the vessel has been praised for its upper deck and good access to the sea. Use care around the edge, follow crew instructions, and remember that conditions can change quickly.

Blue Lagoon: choose the boat or the island

The Blue Lagoon is the central stop, with about two hours available. You have two very different ways to use this time.

You can leave the boat and walk onto Comino. This gives you a chance to explore on foot, see the lagoon from land, and buy food on the island. The tradeoff is crowding. The beach and paths can become very busy, especially during the high summer season and on Saturdays.

Or you can stay onboard. After dropping off those who want to go ashore, the boat anchors nearby so you can swim and look across at the famous lagoon without standing on the packed beach. This is the option I would seriously consider if your main goal is swimming rather than collecting another island walk.

Staying aboard also makes the Blue Lagoon stop feel more relaxed. You can swim, climb back onto the boat, rinse off with the fresh-water shower, and settle into a sunbed. Drinks and snacks are available from the bar, and prices described by visitors included about €1.50 for water, around €2 for soft drinks, and about €5 for an Aperol Spritz. Prices may change, so treat those figures as a useful guide rather than a promise.

If you want to walk on Comino, note an important rule. From May 1, 2025, anyone stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon to explore by foot must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official government system at blcomino.com. This requirement does not remove the option of staying on the boat.

Ħalfa Rock: a quieter final swim

The third main stop is Ħalfa Rock, also called Gebla ta Halfa, south of Gozo. The boat anchors here for about one hour of swimming and snorkeling.

This stop gives the day a different feel from Blue Lagoon. Instead of focusing on a famous beach, you are swimming beside rock formations and open sea. It can be a good place for freediving, jumping from the boat where permitted, and taking photographs of the Maltese coast from the water.

The captain may adjust the route if a planned location is too crowded or the sea conditions are poor. That flexibility has real value. One excursion changed its final swimming location and found a much quieter patch of clear water instead.

Still, be realistic about the order. By the time you reach the last stop, you may already have spent three hours swimming, climbing in and out of the sea, and sitting in the sun. Some people love the extra water time. Others find the final stop unnecessary. If you are tired, use the hour to rest, sit in the shade, or enjoy the view rather than forcing yourself back into the water.

Caves and rock scenery on the return

The cruise back includes sightseeing along Comino and nearby coastal areas. Santa Maria Caves are among the sights visited, and the route may include additional caves, rock formations, beaches, or the elephant rock area.

This part is less structured than the swimming stops. The boat may slow down for views and photographs, but the exact route can depend on the captain, sea conditions, and safety. It is a good reason to keep your phone or camera ready, though you should protect it from spray.

The sightseeing also breaks up the day. Six hours of swimming can be surprisingly tiring, so the return journey gives you time to sit down, dry off, and enjoy the coast without needing to do anything. The crew provides information about the places you pass, and Danny and Ali have been singled out for being friendly and helpful on different departures.

What the crew and onboard service add

The crew is a major part of the experience. The strongest pattern in the feedback is not fancy service, but friendly and attentive help. Crew members have advised people about water conditions, explained each stop, helped passengers get comfortable, and adjusted plans when a location became too crowded.

That practical attention matters on a swimming trip. You want clear instructions before entering the water, a captain who watches the conditions, and staff who do not treat the schedule as more important than safety.

The boat includes a small bar serving water, soft drinks, coffee, cocktails, and snacks. Food and drinks are not included in the $47 price, so bring money or a card as appropriate. You can also take your own food, which is sensible if you have dietary needs or want a proper meal during the six-hour outing.

The onboard shower is fresh water, not a full changing facility. Bring a towel, and consider wearing your swimwear under light clothing so you can change easily. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and biodegradable sunscreen are all listed as useful items.

Is $47 a fair price?

At $47 per person, this cruise offers good value if you want a full day on the water. You are paying for six hours, three principal swimming stops, sightseeing, an onboard toilet, a fresh-water shower, and a smaller group than the boat’s full capacity.

The value improves if you stay onboard at Blue Lagoon. You avoid spending extra time dealing with the crowded beach, yet you still get the main experience: clear water, a view of the lagoon, and a long swim.

You should budget extra for drinks, snacks, and optional mask rental. Food is not included, and the boat’s bar is convenient rather than a substitute for a packed lunch. Bringing your own food can keep the total cost down.

Prices for similar boat trips can vary widely. The important comparison is not just the cheapest ticket. Look at how long the boat stays at each bay, how crowded it becomes, and whether you spend most of the day moving from one place to another. This cruise gives you about four hours in the water, which is the part that makes the price work.

Who will enjoy this six-hour cruise?

I would recommend it to you if swimming is the main reason you want to see Comino. You get enough time at each bay to swim properly rather than taking a quick dip for photographs.

It also suits couples and small groups who want room to sit together. Families can enjoy it too, though parents should be comfortable supervising children around open water, ladders, and boat edges. The tour is not suitable for unaccompanied minors.

The cruise is a good fit for people who want some atmosphere but not a huge party boat. Music is part of the setting, but the boat is also used by families and older people. The crew has been praised for making the trip feel friendly and easygoing.

It is less suitable if you dislike boat movement, sun exposure, or repeated swimming stops. One past departure was described as bouncing quite a lot, so anyone prone to seasickness should think carefully. Wheelchair users cannot join, and electric wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed.

Timing, boarding, and practical planning

For this three-bay cruise, book the morning slot listed as 8:00 to 1:30. Boarding closes 15 minutes before departure, so arrive at the Bluewaves Watersports office with time to spare. The meeting point is the local provider’s office at the departure area.

The captain can cancel or alter the trip because of weather, sea conditions, or other safety concerns. If the cruise is canceled, you receive an alternative date or a refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Wear swimwear and bring a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Biodegradable sunscreen is the better choice for the sea. Leave high heels, sharp objects, weapons, bikes, scooters, explosive substances, and alcohol-related intoxication at home. The boat does not accept unaccompanied minors or wheelchair users.

Should you book the Comino three-bay cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want the best balance of swimming time, comfort, and price. The limited passenger count is the key feature. It gives you a calmer base for enjoying the Blue Lagoon, especially if you choose to stay onboard rather than join the crowded shore.

Book it with the right expectations. This is not a quiet sightseeing boat where swimming is an afterthought. You will spend much of the day in or near the water, with music, sun, boat movement, and several hours of salt spray.

For the strongest day, bring lunch, arrive early, consider staying aboard at Blue Lagoon, and use the final stop according to your energy. At $47, the long water time and smaller group make this a solid choice for an active Comino day.

FAQ

How long is the Comino three-bay cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

You meet at the Bluewaves Watersports office at Marfa Bay, facing Comino Island.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The main stops are Crystal Lagoon, Blue Lagoon, and Ħalfa Rock, also known as Gebla ta Halfa.

How much swimming time is included?

You get about four hours of swimming and snorkeling: one hour at Crystal Lagoon, two hours at Blue Lagoon, and one hour at Ħalfa Rock.

Can I go ashore at the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. You can leave the boat and explore Comino on foot, or stay onboard and swim near the lagoon.

Do I need a ticket to walk on Comino?

From May 1, 2025, visitors stepping onto Comino from the Blue Lagoon must register and obtain an entry ticket through the official system at blcomino.com.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though refreshments and snacks are available to buy onboard.

Does the boat have a toilet and shower?

Yes. The boat has toilets and a fresh-water shower.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included. A mask may be rented onboard for €3, according to the provided tour information.

What happens if the weather is unsafe?

The captain may cancel or change the route because of weather, sea conditions, or safety concerns. A canceled cruise is eligible for an alternative date or a refund.