A day on Comino can feel like pure movie magic. This Malta cruise excursion is built around clear-water swims and fast access to the best lagoons, with a semi-private boat and short, well-timed sightseeing stops. It’s also one of those tours where a small extra €29 per person port fee can catch people off guard if they don’t notice it early.

I like that the plan is straightforward: you get snorkeling gear, water time at the top spots, and a skipper who knows where to anchor. I also like the human factor—some captains (like Owen, Lucas, Ginger, Angelo, and Casper) are praised for being attentive with swim time and helping with photos from the boat. The main consideration is that the whole day runs on cruise timing, so the water stops can feel short if you want hours and hours in the same bay.

Key things to know before you go

• Semi-private boat setup: smaller groups on a shared plan, not a giant party boat
• Snorkeling gear included: masks and snorkels are part of the package
• Most stops are short by design: quick swims at multiple lagoons and caves
• Cave access for the fun shots: sea-cave stops include time for photos and quick swims when possible
• You may pay an extra €29: it’s listed as an exclusion and is required for marinas/places visited
• Skippers set expectations well: captains like Owen, Ginger, Lucas, Angelo, and Casper get consistent praise

How this Blue Lagoon cruise excursion really works

This is a 4-hour cruise-day water tour built for ship schedules. You’re picked up from the Valletta cruise area, shuttled to the marina area, then transferred onto a semi-private boat with a skipper to hit Comino’s most famous swim zones. The goal is simple: spend your time where the water looks incredible, not stuck in transit.

The itinerary is a rhythm of swim stops and photo stops. You’ll get several anchoring moments around Blue Lagoon and Comino, plus cave scenery and quick sightseeing glimpses like Popeye Village and a Red Tower viewpoint. It’s efficient and it’s why many cruise passengers love it.

The flip side is also simple: you’re not getting a leisurely, all-day boat drift. If you’re the type who wants to snorkel for a long stretch, you’ll have to treat each swim window as a mini mission—gear on, mask ready, then in the water.

Blue Lagoon first: the postcard color on a calmer anchor

Blue Lagoon is the headline, and it earns it. You’ll stop for about 30 minutes anchored in the bluest part of the lagoon, with soft, sandy seabed and that iconic turquoise look that photographs like a filter. The best part is that you’re not just cruising past—you’re stopping long enough to swim or snorkel properly.

What helps here is the semi-private format. With fewer people, you can often organize yourself faster: gear on, swim plan set, and you’re not stuck waiting your turn. In the feedback, captains like Owen and others are praised for letting people enjoy the water and for being flexible about where passengers swim.

One practical note: Blue Lagoon can be busy with other boats. Even if your skipper picks a good anchoring spot, you may see crowds and swimmers nearby. So if your idea of paradise is quiet solitude, keep your expectations realistic and focus on your swim window rather than “crowd-free” water.

Crystal Lagoon and Comino: more blue, usually a bit quieter

After Blue Lagoon, the tour shifts to Crystal Lagoon for about 25 minutes. This area is described as deeper and very clear, with dramatic cliff scenery and a calmer vibe than the main Blue Lagoon scene. The payoff is underwater visibility—ideal if you want to snorkel straight off the boat and explore rocky edges near the surface.

Then the tour keeps rolling through Comino highlights at short intervals. You’ll get time near Comino itself and small stops at places like Cominotto (about 10 minutes) and Cominotto Reef (about 5 minutes). Those shorter windows can be perfect if you’re happy to do a quick snorkel lap or grab photos of the white sand and clear water.

Why these “micro-stops” matter: they help you experience multiple water tones without wasting time docking. You end up seeing how the color changes around the island—from bright turquoise at the shallows to deeper blue farther out.

The drawback is time pressure. If you have a “must” spot—like you want a long snorkel session at Crystal Lagoon—this itinerary may feel like you blink and you’re back on the boat. It’s still a great value for cruise passengers, but it’s not built for slow travel.

Sea caves with natural light: L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf and Santa Marija Caves

Comino’s sea caves are a big part of why this tour stands out. You’ll have a stop at L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf (about 10 minutes). The cave is known for its open ceiling and natural light, and the tour includes time to get the classic photo angles. Depending on conditions, you may even have a quick swim inside.

Later, you’ll also pass by or enter Santa Marija Caves along Comino’s coastline (about 5 minutes). These caves are popular with snorkelers and divers for underwater tunnels and marine life, and in practice you’re mostly there for close-up cave views and photos, plus some brief water time when the boat can go in.

Here’s what I find useful as a planning tip: caves are gorgeous, but they’re also weather-dependent in terms of comfort and whether the skipper can get the boat into the best positions. If the sea is calm, your cave experience will likely feel smoother and more enjoyable. If conditions are rougher, the captain may prioritize safety and adjust what’s possible.

Popeye Village and the Red Tower: quick look at Malta’s film set and fort views

The tour adds two land-based “spark” stops so the day doesn’t feel like a nonstop swim schedule.

First up is Popeye Village Malta, with a short stop (around 5 minutes) primarily for photos. It’s a colorful film set from the 1980 musical Popeye, perched above a vivid bay. Even in a short stop, it helps break the day up and gives you something different from water-only scenery.

You’ll also get a brief viewpoint stop at St Agatha’s Tower (the Red Tower) (about 5 minutes). This 17th-century fortress on the Marfa Ridge gives panoramic views toward Comino and Gozo. It’s a quick hit of “okay, this is why this coastline is famous,” and it adds real variety.

One small caution from the experience style here: these are short stops. Don’t book this expecting a guided history walk through Malta. Think of them as scenic postcards plus a chance to stretch your legs.

Swim strategy: how to make the most of short anchor times

On a tour like this, your success depends on being ready when the boat stops. You’ll have snorkeling equipment included, so you don’t need to bring your own mask and snorkel. But you should still plan for a fast transition: get your gear set before the boat fully anchors, then hop in quickly.

The other practical strategy is to choose your priorities per stop. If your dream is Blue Lagoon photos, aim to do your best snorkeling during that 30-minute window. If your goal is exploring underwater edges, spend more focus at Crystal Lagoon and the Cominotto Reef/Cominotto stops where the water clarity is highlighted.

Also keep an eye on timing. Some passengers felt the swim windows were on the brief side, especially when the drive to and from the marina took a large chunk of the day. If water time is your top priority, mentally budget that you’re doing several quick swims rather than one long session.

Finally, remember that the anchor areas can be busy. Even if your captain picks a strong spot, you’ll still share the water with other boats and swimmers at the most famous locations. Your best comfort move is to swim with purpose, not wander aimlessly.

Price and the extra €29 fee: how to judge value honestly

The headline price is $107.41 per person and the day is listed at about 4 hours. On paper, that covers transfers from the cruise liner and back, snorkeling gear, and a semi-private boat with a skipper, plus admission tickets for multiple stops.

Then there’s the part people need to read carefully: an additional €29 per person excess fee for marinas and the places visited. This fee is listed as an exclusion, but the important practical point is that you should expect to pay it—often in cash, and often directly relating to marina/entry needs.

So is it still good value? For many cruise travelers, yes, because you’re paying for access: direct pickup from the cruise area, a boat day in Comino, and snorkeling gear included. But if you only compare the starting ticket price and ignore the exclusion, it can feel like sticker shock.

My advice: when you book, treat the €29 as part of the real total. If you do that, you can judge the tour fairly. If you ignore it, even a great day can sour your mood fast.

Getting to the water: pickup, curvy roads, and staying on cruise time

Transportation is a major part of your experience here because you’re doing a return trip to the cruise ship. Some passengers describe the drive to the marina as about an hour or more each way, and the roads can be curvy and traffic-heavy. A few people noted uncomfortable rides or issues like weak AC, and others said their driver handled the route smoothly.

Here’s the practical takeaway: bring water, keep a light layer handy, and expect that cruise transfers are rarely a relaxing spa ride. Once you’re on the boat, that changes quickly.

On scheduling, the operator’s approach is clear in how they manage cruise timing: the group needs to be back at the port with a buffer before ship departure. Even if there’s a late moment for one or two guests, the tour still works within cruise rules so you don’t risk missing the ship.

If you want a stress-free day, this is where the tour can feel worth it. Having pickup and drop-off arranged means you’re not trying to figure out local ferries while your ship is waiting.

What the crew is like onboard (captains matter)

The water portion is where the experience really lives, and captains show up in the feedback again and again.

Names that came up with consistently positive energy include Owen, Lucas, Ginger, Angelo, and Casper. Passengers credit these captains with being friendly and attentive, knowing where to position the boat for the best cave openings and photo angles, and making sure people get enough swim time at key stops.

That captain behavior matters because conditions at Blue Lagoon and the caves can change fast—wind, boat traffic, and how the skipper can anchor safely. A skipper who communicates well and manages timing can turn a short stop into a satisfying one.

There is also a cautionary side. One passenger described an unpleasant transport issue linked to the van driver and another flagged erratic driving that made them feel sick. That’s not the majority vibe, but it’s a reminder to choose comfort: if you’re sensitive to motion, plan for it and sit smartly in the vehicle if you can.

Who should book this Comino boat tour

This is a strong fit if you’re on a Malta cruise and want a focused day with snorkeling and iconic water. It’s also ideal if you like variety: one main lagoon, a second lagoon, caves, and quick scenic land stops without needing to coordinate anything yourself.

It’s less ideal if you:

• want long, slow time in one place (this is a “hit the highlights” plan)
• prefer a quiet, private beach experience with no other boats nearby
• are extremely sensitive to ride comfort during the transfer portion

For families, it can work well because the stops are short and structured, and captains may help keep the day enjoyable and moving. For experienced snorkelers, it’s a fast way to sample multiple clear-water spots, though not as long as a non-cruise full-day charter.

Should you book this Blue Lagoon excursion?

If your priority is easy logistics plus multiple Comino swim stops in one cruise visit, I think this tour is a smart choice. The included snorkeling gear, the semi-private boat feel, and the repeated focus on Blue Lagoon and Crystal Lagoon make it a standout for a short Malta stop.

But don’t book it blindly on the base price. Read for the €29 per person extra fee and mentally add it in. Also, be realistic about time: you’ll get several swims, not one long snorkeling session.

If that’s your kind of day, you’ll likely end up happy with a water-heavy itinerary, strong captain support, and plenty of those “how is the water that color” moments.

FAQ

How long is the Blue Lagoon and Comino boat tour from Valletta?

It runs for about 4 hours (approx.) for cruise passengers.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, a semi-private boat with a skipper to the Blue Lagoon/Comino/Gozo area, and taxi transfers from the cruise liner and back.

Do I need to pay anything extra?

Yes. There is a €29 per person excess fee for marinas and places visited, listed as an exclusion.

How much time do you spend at Blue Lagoon?

You typically get about 30 minutes at Blue Lagoon.

Does the tour include snorkeling and cave stops?

Yes. You’ll have multiple swim/snorkel stops and at least one sea cave experience, including L-Għar ta’ Bla Saqaf and the Santa Marija Caves area.

Is this tour only for cruise ship guests?

Yes. This is for cruise ship guests only.

What if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.