From St. Julian’s: Comino and Blue Lagoon Trip by Powerboat

Blue Lagoon is Malta’s famous splash of color. This six-hour powerboat trip gets you from St. Julian’s to Comino in about 30 minutes, leaving most of the day for swimming, sun, and wandering. I like the fast, direct ride and the useful stop at the Comino sea caves on the way home. The main caution is the rough ride: this is a small, open powerboat, not a gentle ferry.

The boat leaves at either 10:30 AM or 12:30 PM and returns around 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. That later departure gives you more time in bed, but the earlier boat is the smarter choice if you want a better chance at enjoying the Blue Lagoon before crowds build. You also need a government access pass before stepping ashore at the lagoon.

Key points at a glance

• A 30-minute crossing: The powerboat takes a quick route from St. Julian’s along Malta’s eastern coast, passing St. Paul’s Islands.
• Six hours with free time: There is no guided sightseeing schedule on Comino. You choose how to spend your stop.
• The Blue Lagoon pass is essential: Since May 2025, you cannot leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon without an official government pass.
• The earlier departure is the better bet: The 10:30 AM boat gets you to the lagoon sooner, before the day has fully filled up.
• Sea caves add a worthwhile finish: Weather permitting, the return includes a look at Comino’s caves from the water.
• This is a lively ride: Hard plastic seats, limited handholds, and bouncing waves can be a poor mix for anyone prone to motion sickness.

From St. Julian’s to Comino in 30 minutes

The trip begins at the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel, formerly the Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort. The meeting point is not right in the hotel lobby, so allow a few extra minutes to find it.

Look for the black iron gate near the entrance to the hotel’s underground parking area. Go through it, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line painted on the ground. That line leads to the jetty, where the boats and jet skis are kept.

The crossing is the transport highlight. Rather than spending much of the morning on a slower boat, you head along Malta’s eastern coast at speed. St. Paul’s Islands appear along the way, giving you something interesting to watch before Comino comes into view.

I like this setup if your goal is simple: reach the water quickly. The boat ride is part of the fun, but it is not a sightseeing cruise with a guide explaining every landmark. The skipper is experienced, yet the tour is conducted in English and the Comino stop is entirely at your own pace.

That speed has a trade-off. The boat can bounce hard when the sea is unsettled. One poor experience described passengers lifting off their seats, landing heavily on hard plastic, and having only one handrail to hold. There was also criticism of sharp maneuvers near other boats. That is not a reason for everyone to avoid the trip, but it is a serious warning for anyone with back problems, heart problems, pregnancy, mobility limits, or seasickness.

Choosing between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM

The two departure choices shape your day more than you might expect.

The 10:30 AM departure returns to St. Julian’s at about 4:30 PM. The 12:30 PM boat returns around 5:00 PM. Both options provide roughly six hours, including the boat rides, but the earlier start gives you access to Comino during the most useful part of the day.

The Blue Lagoon is known for clear cyan water, a pale sandy bottom, and good conditions for swimming and snorkeling. It is also a very popular place. Arriving earlier gives you more time before the shoreline and water become crowded, and it leaves room for a relaxed walk around Comino rather than making the whole visit a race between swimming and pickup time.

The later option suits you if you prefer a slower morning in St. Julian’s. Just remember that the lagoon will have had a head start on filling up. A June booking specifically praised the speedboat but advised reaching the Blue Lagoon as early as possible because crowds grow large.

Whichever departure you choose, confirm the pickup time clearly. The boat collects you from Comino in the afternoon, and this is not a flexible, open-ended stay. You need to be back at the agreed meeting point in time for the return.

The Blue Lagoon pass changes the plan

The biggest practical issue is the government access pass. Since May 2025, you must obtain an official pass through blcomino.com before you can step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. The daily allocation is limited, so this is not a detail to handle at the last minute.

The pass system has a slightly unusual requirement. For the 10:30 AM trip, you must book both the morning and afternoon time slots. For the 12:30 PM trip, you must book the afternoon slot. Check the official instructions carefully when applying.

Without the pass, you will not be allowed to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon. Instead, you will be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay. That gives you a backup destination, but it is not the same plan. If the Blue Lagoon is the main reason you are booking, secure the pass first.

Your $65 price does not include this government pass. It also does not cover food or drinks, hotel pickup, or a guide. The fare does include both powerboat journeys, fuel, an experienced skipper, free time on Comino, and the cave visit on the return when conditions allow.

What to do during your Comino stop

Once ashore, the day belongs to you. There is no formal guided walk, no timed lecture, and no group being led from one sight to another. I see that as a strength if you want freedom, especially for a beach-focused visit.

You can swim in the clear water, snorkel, sit in the sun, or take a walk through Comino’s countryside. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Comfortable shoes matter if you plan to leave the water and explore on foot.

The Blue Lagoon is visually striking, but do not confuse beauty with quiet. The water may be the star, yet the setting is also a major attraction for day visitors. An early arrival gives you a better shot at enjoying the bay before the busiest part of the day.

There is no stated meal stop, so bring what you need or plan to buy food and drinks separately. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack lightly. A small practical beach bag is a better choice than a suitcase or bulky daypack.

The free-time format also means you must manage your own comfort. Find shade if you need it, keep track of your belongings, and watch the time. The skipper is not acting as a guide who will organize each hour for you.

The return ride and Comino’s sea caves

The afternoon return is more than a simple trip back to Malta. Weather permitting, the powerboat visits the Comino sea caves before heading to St. Julian’s.

This is a nice use of the return route. You see parts of Comino from the water that you would not necessarily reach during a free-time walk, and the caves provide a change of scenery after several hours around the lagoon. The cave stop depends on sea and weather conditions, so it should be treated as an included possibility rather than a guaranteed length of time.

The return boat may not feel exactly like the morning ride. One report described using a different boat on the way back and criticized some unnecessary maneuvers. That could reflect the conditions or the particular skipper on that departure, but it is worth keeping expectations sensible. The operator’s central selling point is speed, not a calm, polished cruise.

If you enjoy fast boat travel, the return can be exciting. If you want a quiet finish after swimming, the bouncing and engine noise may feel less welcome. Sit securely, hold on when the boat picks up speed, and avoid booking if rough water is likely to make you unwell.

How comfortable and safe is the powerboat?

This is the part I would weigh most carefully before paying. The trip is not suitable for children under three, pregnant people, anyone with back or heart problems, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or anyone prone to motion sickness.

The boat has hard plastic seating, according to one detailed account, and limited handholds. That matters because a calm sea and a rough sea can create two very different rides. On choppy water, a fast open boat can throw you upward and make the landing back on the seat uncomfortable.

The supplied information recommends motion-sickness prevention, and I would take that seriously. Eat lightly before departure, bring any usual medication, and avoid this outing if you already know that high-speed boat rides are difficult for you. The operator also excludes non-folding wheelchairs, baby strollers, baby carriages, electric wheelchairs, pets, luggage, and large bags.

At the same time, the majority of the supplied ratings were positive, with an overall score of 4.5 from 31 ratings and 89 percent giving the transport a perfect score. Several short comments praised the experience, the driver, and the quick ride. The fairest reading is that the trip works very well for people who want speed and freedom, but comfort can depend heavily on sea conditions and your tolerance for a lively ride.

Is $65 good value for Malta?

At $65 per person, the value rests on convenience. You are paying for a fast crossing in both directions, fuel, a skipper, several hours on Comino, and a cave visit if weather allows. If you only want to reach the Blue Lagoon and spend the day swimming, that is a straightforward package.

The price is less attractive if you expect a fully guided excursion, meals, hotel transport, or a guaranteed cave tour. None of those are included. You must also arrange and possibly pay separately for the Blue Lagoon access pass.

I think the price makes the most sense for a couple or small group that values time. The 30-minute outward journey is much shorter than spending a large part of the day on a slower vessel, and the free-time format lets you skip activities that do not interest you.

The value drops if the boat ride itself is your main concern and you prefer a stable, quiet vessel. In that case, speed may not compensate for the hard seats and rough motion.

Who should book this Comino trip?

You should consider it if you want:

• A quick trip from St. Julian’s to Comino
• Several hours for swimming and sunbathing
• Freedom to explore without a guide
• A return route that includes the Comino sea caves when conditions permit
• A lively powerboat ride rather than a slow cruise

You should think twice if you need:

• A gentle boat with steady seating
• A fully guided day
• Hotel pickup
• Food and drinks included
• Step-free access or wheelchair facilities
• A trip with no risk of motion sickness

The experience is also a good fit for active visitors who will use the free time well. If you plan to swim, snorkel, walk, and relax, the unstructured stop is useful. If you want someone to organize every hour, you may find the lack of a guide limiting.

Practical preparation for the jetty

Wear comfortable shoes for the walk to the meeting point and for exploring Comino. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat.

Keep your bag small. Large bags, luggage, strollers, and several types of wheelchairs are not permitted. There is no hotel pickup, so you must reach the St. Julian’s jetty yourself.

Most important, arrange the Blue Lagoon access pass before departure. If you skip it, you cannot step ashore at the lagoon and will be redirected to Santa Marija Bay. Also check the weather forecast and consider motion-sickness prevention if you are at all sensitive to rough water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to secure the limited access pass.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is reaching Comino quickly, spending unstructured time in the water, and enjoying a fast ride with a cave visit on the way back. Choose the 10:30 AM departure if you want the best chance of enjoying the Blue Lagoon before the busiest period.

Skip it if you dislike bouncing boats, need strong accessibility support, or want a calm, guided cruise. The $65 price is fair for quick transport and several hours on Comino, but only if you are comfortable with the boat itself and remember to arrange the government access pass.

FAQ

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts about six hours. The 10:30 AM departure returns around 4:30 PM, while the 12:30 PM departure returns around 5:00 PM.

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves from the jetty behind the Verdi St. George’s Bay Marina Hotel in St. Julian’s, at 8, Ix-Xatt Ta’ San Ġorġ.

How do I find the jetty?

Near the hotel’s underground parking entrance, go through the black iron gate, walk down the ramp, turn left, and follow the yellow line to the jetty.

How long is the ride to Comino?

The powerboat journey from St. Julian’s to Comino takes about 30 minutes.

Is a guide included?

No. The stop on Comino is free time, so you explore and plan your day independently. The host or greeter speaks English.

Do I need a pass for the Blue Lagoon?

Yes. Since May 2025, you need an official government access pass to step ashore at the Blue Lagoon. It is available through blcomino.com.

What happens if I do not have the access pass?

You will not be allowed to leave the boat at the Blue Lagoon. You will instead be taken to Comino’s Santa Marija Bay.

Does the trip include food and drinks?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Are the sea caves guaranteed?

No. The sea cave visit takes place on the return journey when weather and sea conditions permit.

Is the trip suitable for people with seasickness?

The trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness or motion sickness. Motion-sickness prevention is listed among the recommended preparations.