St Julian’s: Half Day Comino Blue Lagoon & Cave Tour

A speedboat sprint to Comino is what makes this half-day tour interesting. You trade a slow ferry crawl for fast time on the water, with Blue Lagoon waiting about 45 minutes after you leave St Julian’s.

I like two things right away. First, you get a real chunk of time on Comino, about four hours to swim and snorkel. Second, the tour also includes Comino caves, so you are not just doing beach time.

One big consideration: this is a shared speedboat ride. If you are sensitive to waves or speed, the trip can feel rough, and you need to follow the staff instructions about staying seated for the whole ride.

Key things to know before you go

• Arrive fast (about 45 minutes), which matters when the Blue Lagoon access is limited
• Four hours in Comino for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing
• St. Maria’s caves stop after your beach time, with a cruise back afterward
• Shared, not private boat, so expect other passengers and no personal pacing
• Bring swim basics only, you can rent sunbeds on site but they are not included
• Not for everyone: no pregnant women, and no one prone to seasickness or motion sickness

Why this half-day Comino plan works: speedboat timing and Blue Lagoon access

If your goal is crystal-clear water plus time in it, the timing is the point. You leave St George’s Bay area and reach the Blue Lagoon in about 45 minutes. That speed can help you get your swimming block before crowds and before the day gets choppier.

The tour also gives you a long enough stretch to do more than dip your toes. Four hours on Comino is the difference between quick sightseeing and a proper swim session, with time to snorkel if you bring your own gear or rent what you need locally once there.

There’s also a very specific reality right now: Blue Lagoon access requires a reserved pass through the official site. If you do not have the valid pass, or the details are wrong, you will not be admitted to the Blue Lagoon. The tour states you will be redirected to Santa Maria Bay, an alternative beach adjacent to the Blue Lagoon. So the value of this tour depends on you arriving with the right access.

Getting to the jetty in St Julian’s: the meeting point and timing rule that matters

You start at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, near the St Julian’s waterfront. The instructions are simple but strict: walk through the black gate, go down the ramp, turn left, then follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

Plan to be there early. The tour asks that you arrive at the base at least 15 minutes before. The boat will not wait for late arrivals, and late arrivals lose the ticket. This matters because speedboat tours run like trains. If you show up after the cut-off, you are not going to “catch the next one” the way you might with a slower, more forgiving setup.

Also note the boat is shared and passengers have to be seated for the duration of the whole ride. That means you should treat this like a ride, not a wander-about sightseeing loop.

Cruising the east coast of Malta before Comino

Before you even get to Comino, you get a moving overview of the coastline. The ride starts along the east coast of Malta, passing by St Paul’s Islands, then crossing over to Comino.

For many people, that cruise segment is a nice reset. You are not locked to a single spot on land. You get sea views right away, and then the scenery shifts as you approach the smaller islands.

One practical tip: pack like you expect splash. The tour does not say anything about dry storage, so bring what you need and assume you will get some spray.

And because it is a speedboat, you should mentally prepare for that feel. The ride is fast. On rougher days, you will feel the bumps and the boat can move around more than a calmer ferry.

Four hours in Comino: swimming, snorkeling, and handling the beach-side reality

Once you arrive, the tour gives you free time in Comino for about four hours. This is where the tour lives or dies for most people.

You can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. The tour also notes that you can rent sun beds at the Blue Lagoon, and you can buy food and drinks there. Sunbeds are not included in the price, so if you want that comfort, budget for it once you arrive.

What to bring is refreshingly basic: a towel and beachwear. That’s good news because it keeps you from overpacking. What you do not want is to waste time once you are there because you forgot the one thing you need for the water portion.

Now, think about snorkeling style. The tour does not promise guided snorkeling time. It gives you time on the island and on the water. If you are new to snorkeling, that still can work, but plan to keep it simple and safe.

If you are planning your day around photos, aim to get in early during your time window. The boat timing helps, but the Blue Lagoon is still a popular spot. Early action also gives you more relaxed water for your first swims.

And remember the access rule. If your Blue Lagoon pass is missing or incorrect, you could be redirected to Santa Maria Bay instead. That may still be a lovely beach day, but it changes the experience. I would make the pass check one of the first things you do before travel.

St. Maria’s caves in Comino: what the tour actually adds

The tour doesn’t just stop at the beach. After your Comino time, you visit St. Maria’s caves and then cruise back toward St George’s Bay.

Cave visits are often a “small moment” in a day that is mostly water time, and that fits here. You should think of it as a scene change. You go from swim-and-sun time into a different setting that gives your trip more variety than a straight beach day.

One more thing to consider: since you are on a speedboat the whole time, the caves stop is part of that same ride rhythm. You should be ready to follow staff directions quickly, and keep your attention where you are seated so you do not get caught trying to re-position mid-ride.

The return cruise: fast, seated, and better with the right temperament

The return part is not described as a slow cruise. It is still a speedboat segment, and the tour runs with tight timing. Expect to be seated for the ride. This is not a time to stand up, stretch out, or move around.

This is also the part you should take seriously if you get queasy. The tour explicitly lists people prone to seasickness or motion sickness as not suitable. It also says people with pre-existing medical conditions should not book, and it warns against a group with heart problems, back problems, and mobility impairments.

From a comfort point of view, the speed and waves are what you feel most. Some people have described the ride as rough in choppy conditions, including being thrown around when the water hit the boat. I cannot predict the exact conditions on your date, but I can tell you this type of ride is not designed for calm, floating comfort.

If you know you get motion sickness, do not “test it.” Choose a calmer water option. For everyone else, bring your best sea-legs mindset: sit firmly, hold where instructed, and keep your body stable. It is amazing how much better it feels when you stop trying to brace by instinct at the wrong time.

Price and value: is $47 worth it for 5 hours?

At $47 per person for about five hours total, this is priced like a serious water activity, not a casual hop. The value comes from three things you get in one package:

• A speedboat transfer to the Blue Lagoon, round trip
• A chunk of time in Comino for swimming and snorkeling
• A Comino caves stop plus a return cruise

Most day trips to Comino cost more if you add transfers and time. Here, the speedboat is the mechanism, and you are also paying for the convenience of not planning transport yourself.

The trade-off is comfort and flexibility. You are paying for speed, and speed has rules: you must be early, you must stay seated, and the boat will not wait if you are late. Food and sunbeds are not included either, so you may still spend a bit on site.

So, is it worth it? If you prioritize maximizing your time in the water and you can handle a brisk ride, yes. If you want a gentle sightseeing experience with minimal motion, this may feel like paying for thrills when you wanted calm.

Who this tour fits best, and who should skip it

This tour fits best if you check the following boxes:

• You want maximum water time on Comino in a half-day format
• You can follow safety instructions and stay seated for the whole ride
• You are comfortable with speedboat travel and you do not get seasick easily
• You like swimming and snorkeling time more than slow museum-style stops

It does not fit well if you fall into the not-suitable groups listed by the tour, including:

• Pregnant women
• People with back problems
• People with heart problems
• People with mobility impairments, wheelchair users
• People prone to seasickness or motion sickness
• People over 75 years
• People over 150 kg (331 lbs)
• People with pre-existing medical conditions
• Children under 3 years (and note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult 18+)

One more practical “people type” note: it is not private. If you want quiet, personal pacing, or a controlled group size experience, a shared boat may feel more crowded than you expect.

Should you book this St Julian’s Comino Blue Lagoon and cave tour?

Book it if your dream is a fast, efficient day on Comino’s Blue Lagoon with real swim time, plus a quick caves visit for variety. The schedule is built to get you there quickly, and the included transfers take the guesswork out.

Skip it if you are worried about rough water, hate speed, or think you might get motion sick. In that case, you will spend your energy fighting the ride instead of enjoying the lagoon.

If you do book, the one pre-trip move that makes or breaks the day is the Blue Lagoon access pass. Get it right, and you get the intended beach. Get it wrong, and the plan can shift to Santa Maria Bay. Make that a checklist item, not an afterthought.

FAQ

What is the duration of this tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours.

What time options are available for departure?

Departures are listed for 9.30hrs, 12.30hrs, and 13.30hrs, with different return times to St Julian’s.

How long is the speedboat ride to Comino?

The ride to the Blue Lagoon area is described as about 45 minutes.

How much time do we get in Comino?

You get about 4 hours of free time in Comino for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing.

Is food or drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them on site at Blue Lagoon.

Are sunbeds included?

No. Sunbeds are not included, but you can rent them at the Blue Lagoon.

What does the tour include?

It includes speedboat transfer from St George’s Bay to Blue Lagoon and back, plus a visit to the caves in Comino.

Where do we meet in St Julian’s?

You meet at 8 ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ, walk through the black gate, down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the jetty.

What do I need to bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear.

Is a Blue Lagoon reservation pass required?

Yes. The tour notes that, as of a government policy, all visitors must reserve access through the official Blue Lagoon website and have a valid pass. If you do not, you may be redirected to Santa Maria Bay.