Blue Lagoon looks unreal from land. It’s even better from a boat that keeps you there. On this Hornblower cruise, you’ll visit Comino’s famous swimming spots, pop into Ahrax and Santa Maria caves, and keep the day moving with commentary from Captain Kevin and the crew.

I especially love the long, on-water break at the Blue Lagoon: about 4.5 hours moored where you can swim, snorkel, relax, and even use the 10m slide when you feel like acting like a kid. I also like how the trip is structured—short cave stops for quick sightseeing, then real time to enjoy the water instead of rushing you back and forth.

One thing to plan for: since 19 May 2025, Malta requires a QR code for your Blue Lagoon access time slot. Your cruise stop runs 11:00 to 15:20, and you’ll need the correct morning and afternoon slots in advance.

Key Things You’ll Notice

• A 4.5-hour Blue Lagoon base lets you swim, snorkel, and sunbathe without hopping boats constantly.
• Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave get quick entry time for photos and a true sense of place.
• Captain Kevin’s onboard narration turns the scenery into a running Malta highlight reel.
• 10m slide + deck chairs make the day feel like a floating beach day, not just transport.
• Docking choice matters: the boat moors in a secluded area, and jumping in from there is easier than some drop-off setups.
• Extra add-on if you want speed: a €15 cash speedboat around nearby caves is available on-site.

What This Cruise Feels Like: A Floating Day Trip, Not a Bus Ride

If your main goal is the Blue Lagoon, this tour makes sense. You’re not just getting delivered and dropped—you’re living on the water for hours, with staff onboard, a slide, and time that actually allows for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch-at-your-own-pace.

The vibe is family-friendly and relaxed. Even the schedule is built around enjoying the islands: you cruise the Malta coast and Comino area, then you’re on Comino’s Blue Lagoon long enough to work up a tan, take a proper swim, and still have energy for caves and the return cruise.

The boat itself is part of the fun. There are deck areas for sunning, shade options, and onboard basics like toilets, lockers (limited, for a fee), and a cafeteria with hot and cold drinks. Reviews also call out music and casual onboard comfort, which matters when the water gets busy outside your bubble.

Getting to Hornblower at St Paul’s Bay Without Stress

You board at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay, right behind LOA Restaurant. The crew’s help is in English, and you’ll be looking for a big white-and-blue boat with Hornblower in red on the side.

Here’s my practical tip: plan to arrive 45 minutes to 1 hour early. That buffer helps you park, find the right spot behind LOA, and get settled before your departure. If you arrive late, you’ll feel rushed in a place where the action starts as soon as you’re on board.

The North-Coast Cruise: St Paul’s Bay to Comino’s Doorway

After you leave St Paul’s Bay, your route hugs Malta’s northern coast. You’ll pass well-known landmarks, including St Paul’s Islands and the statue of St Paul, plus Ahrax Point. You also get a photo stop at St Paul’s Bay, so the beginning of the day includes both motion and quick opportunities to grab a few shots.

This part matters because it frames what you’re heading toward. When you first see Comino’s shape and the surrounding channels, the Blue Lagoon stops feel less random. Instead of arriving blind, you’re watching the coastline build into a plan: caves here, bays there, then the long swim at the end of the cruise segment.

You also pass sights like the elephants’ head, Santa Maria Bay, St Nicholas Bay, and the Comino hotel area. These are the visual breadcrumbs that make the day feel like more than one postcard stop.

Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave: Quick Entry, Big Photo Value

The caves are not a long, all-day cave expedition. The boat makes quick stops to enter both Ahrax Cave and Santa Maria Cave, which is exactly what makes them workable in a half-day/long-day schedule.

You get just enough time to see what makes each cave feel different—dark openings, rock textures, and water edges that look like they’re edited in. The value here is in the timing: you’re not stuck waiting around, and you’re not losing your whole day to a slow excursion.

A practical expectation: cave stops are short by design. If you’re someone who loves lingering, plan to balance your cave time with the big payoff later at the waterline. The cruise is built to give you the caves as a highlight, then return you to swimming time where the day really pays off.

Comino and the Blue Lagoon: 4.5 Hours to Swim, Snorkel, and Chill

After about 1 hour cruising, you arrive at Comino and the famous Blue Lagoon, where the boat moors and stays put for about 4.5 hours. That is a huge deal. In busy seasons, Comino and the water can feel crowded—but mooring in a secluded, non-crowded area helps you keep breathing room. The water depth near the stop is listed as about 3 meters, which lines up with the easy access many people look for when it’s time to get in.

What you can do during your Blue Lagoon time

You can stay on the boat or move off the boat to the island area. On-board you’ll have:

• Deck chairs on the upper deck (limited number, and they matter for comfort)
• Main deck shade options
• Toilets (male and female facilities)
• Lockers (limited, for a fee)
• A cafeteria serving hot and cold beverages

In the water you can:

• Swim in the clear, turquoise water
• Snorkel (mask and snorkel rental is available)
• Enjoy the 10m slide into the lagoon (included)

A tip that makes your day better

If you want the best setup, arrive early enough to secure an upper-deck sun spot. People specifically call out that getting there around the early departure windows helps you grab a lounge chair. It turns your time in the lagoon into a “sunbathing first, deciding later” kind of day.

Snorkel gear and getting in comfortably

Mask and snorkel rental is listed at €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded when you return the gear. If you’re not fully confident in the water, the boat also has buoyancy aids available for a €10 deposit.

Even if you’re a strong swimmer, it’s worth knowing this. It keeps you from having to scramble for help once you’re already in holiday mode.

The Slide: Included Fun That Isn’t Just for Kids

The included slide is one of the simplest reasons this cruise feels different from a basic boat transfer. It’s a 10m slide straight into the turquoise water, with an easy route back up afterward. Families love it, and adults tend to enjoy it too—because it’s one of those rare vacation moments where you don’t have to think.

There’s also a small crowd-control advantage: when people are debating snorkel vs swim, the slide gives everyone something to do that doesn’t require a long setup.

Crystal Lagoon and Saint Mary’s Tower: The Short Stops That Round Out the Day

On the return, you cruise the south channel of Comino and pass Crystal Lagoon and its caves. You’ll get:

• A short photo stop at Crystal Lagoon (about 10 minutes) plus a guided-style look as you pass
• St Mary’s Tower with a photo stop, a visit, and some free time while you’re there

These stops are shorter than the Blue Lagoon, but they help the day feel complete. Instead of one big swim and then boredom, you get a few different scenery flavors: caves by water, then a tower moment that adds a classic island silhouette.

Even if you don’t get off the boat for every photo moment, the slow cruising approach works. You’re still moving through the scenery, not sitting trapped on a pier.

Gozo by the Back Door: A Harbour Cruise Moment

Between your Blue Lagoon time and the return, the itinerary includes heading off toward Gozo without stopping, then cruising around Mgarr Harbour from the boat. This is not pitched as a Gozo day, but that shortcut glimpse can be valuable if you’re staying in Malta and want one more perspective of the islands.

It also helps fill the time so you’re not waiting around. The day keeps its rhythm.

Price and Value: Why €5 Gear and €15 Speed Add-Ons Still Make Sense

The price is listed at $34 per person, with a stated duration of 4 to 7 hours depending on starting times. What makes the value feel right is what’s included:

• 4.5 hours in the Blue Lagoon
• Deck chairs (limited)
• Cave viewing
• The 10m slide

Then there are extras, and they’re clearly optional:

• Lunch isn’t included (you can buy onboard)
• Mask and snorkel rental is €5 (with the deposit details)
• Lockers are available but limited and cost extra
• A speedboat ride around small caves near Comino is available for €15 cash on-site

If you want to keep costs down, you can bring your own towel and just pay for a mask only if you want it. If you’re the type who loves action, the speedboat add-on often becomes the cherry on top because it changes the pace around the nearby smaller cave areas.

Either way, the core value is the long water time. A day trip where the best part lasts 4.5 hours is usually where you feel you got your money’s worth.

Who This Trip Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This cruise is ideal if you want:

• A major Blue Lagoon experience without complicated transfers
• A boat that gives you time to swim, snorkel, and relax
• Built-in fun like the slide
• A route with enough stops to feel like a real day out

You might want to think twice if:

• You don’t want to handle the new Blue Lagoon QR code time-slot requirement
• You’re sensitive to rougher water at times, since boat rides can feel bumpy depending on conditions
• Mobility is a concern, since the activity is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments

If your ideal vacation is fast photos and a quick beach stop, you may feel like the caves are too short. But if your ideal vacation is a floating base for swimming and chill time, this matches the goal.

Should You Book This Comino and Caves Cruise?

I’d book it if your priority is the Blue Lagoon, and you want to spend your time in the water instead of just arriving and leaving. The long mooring time, included slide, and cave stops give you a day that balances “wow views” with actual activity.

I’d double-check the QR code requirement before committing, and make sure you can handle the slot timing for the 11:00 to 15:20 Blue Lagoon window. Once that’s sorted, it’s an easy yes for most people.

FAQ

How long is the Comino, Blue Lagoon, Crystal Lagoon & Caves cruise?

The duration is listed as 4 to 7 hours, depending on the starting time you choose. The scheduled Blue Lagoon stop is about 4.5 hours.

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You meet at Hornblower Cruises Malta, Sirens Quay 24, Triq San Geraldu, St Pauls Bay, right behind LOA restaurant.

What is included in the price?

Included items are 4.5 hours in the Blue Lagoon, deck chairs on the upper deck (limited number), viewing of the caves, and the slide.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but it is available to purchase on board.

What extra costs should I expect?

Possible extras include mask and snorkel rental (€5 with a deposit), lockers (limited and for a fee), and an optional speedboat ride around nearby caves for €15 cash on-site.

How much is the mask and snorkel rental?

Mask and snorkel rental is €5, with a €15 deposit and €10 refunded.

What is the speedboat add-on and how much does it cost?

There is an optional Comino Island caves speedboat ride. It costs €15 in cash and is paid on site.

Do I need a QR code for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Visitors must present a QR code for their designated Blue Lagoon time slot. You can get a free access pass at blcomino.com.

When is the Blue Lagoon stop during this cruise?

The scheduled Blue Lagoon stop is from 11:00 to 15:20, and you need both morning and afternoon slots.

Is the trip suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What should I bring for the trip?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen.